As the opening episode of Sanctuary: A Witch’s Tale begins, Sarah Fenn (Elaine Cassidy) speaks about Sanctuary which is where witches have lived in the shadows for many years. Now, they live in the open. Sanctuary is a haven that welcomes everyone. They thought those dark days were long behind them. Abigail Whithall (Amy De Bhrun) introduces others to Sarah. Sarah talks to them about being a witch and witchcraft. When someone drops dead nearby, it appears Sarah tries to perform a spell. After the intro, Abigail speaks to a woman who has never consulted with a witch before. Seconds later, Abigail and Emily (Roisin Murphy) arrive at Sarah’s place.

Emily tells Sarah about the pain she has been experiencing. Sarah tries to help her. She soon learns that this isn’t Emily’s first baby. They sit down and Emily begins telling Sarah about her first pregnancy. Emily asks Sarah if she can make this baby live. Sarah can only give her belief in her body that it’ll do its work and fortitude to handle the pain. Sarah asks her to sign a permission form. Once Emily agrees, Sarah says she’ll get the treatment prepared tonight. Emily asks if she can do miracles. Sarah looks at the wound on her palm and says it has been known. Later, Sarah runs into Abigail and Daniel Whithall (Max Lohan). Beatrice Garston (Holly Sturton) listens in the crowd as Abigail speaks. Abigail mentions their wonderful resident artist Julia Garston (Kelly Campbell) and Chief Inspector Bolt.

Sarah speaks to Pierre and his partner. They briefly talk about Izzy and Harper. Once Sarah gets home, she talks to Harper about the fundraiser. Harper will be out tonight because she is going to a party at the warehouse. Sarah says she’ll be a Bridge’s place. Julia tries to get information from Beatrice who says Harper is obsessing about Dan. Beatrice’s dad agrees to give her a ride. Sarah performs the spell later that night. Once she finishes, she gets a drink with Abigail and the others. They’re worried about how much the kids are drinking at the party. Beatrice arrives at the party. Harper asks Dan for a minute. Dan asks her not to spoil the party. Sarah tells Abigail and Julia that she wanted Harper to take after her as a witch but she didn’t. Cheryl Lee (Sophie Mensah) asks them to keep the noise down since Izzy is sick and sleeping.

After a call, Cheryl tells the others there has been an accident at the party. Firefighters are busy trying to put out a fire. Once the women arrive, Ted Bolt (Stephen Lord) asks Abigail and Sarah to come with him. He says Michael (Barry John Kinsella) is on his way. Abigail identifies Dan’s body. DCI Maggie Knight (Stephanie Levi-John) arrives in Sanctuary. DC Ryan Henshall (Adam Isla O’Brien) says hello to Knight at the scene. Ryan tells her about the party and Dan. He says Dan’s best friend is Jake Bolt. He is Ted Bolt’s youngest son. Maggie knows Ted since she did a stint in Sanctuary six years ago. Ted comes over to speak to Maggie. He says the site was derelict and the wiring was half done. A fire broke out, the kids panicked, and Dan fell and broke his neck.

Jake swore he never touched alcohol or drugs. Ted says the bottom line is that Dan was a hero. Sarah comforts Abigail at home. Sarah decides to head back to the hospital. Abigail complains about Michael because he is still working. Michael argues they have to find a way through this.

Waking to find Sarah at her bedside, Harper asks about Abigail. Sarah offers to utilize her powers to make her feel better but she refuses. Harper asks to be alone. After reluctantly leaving, Sarah passes Knight and Henshall on their way to see Harper.

Sarah, Julia, and Bridget support Abigail as they near the crime scene. Pierre Martineau (Daniel Adegboyega) embraces Abigail before adding a ball to Dan’s memorial.

Knight interviews Harper about Dan’s accident. Harper claims to have been with Jake on the stairs when Dan fell. She says Dan had been drinking. Knight tells her that witnesses reported she was in a verbal dispute with someone. Harper denies arguing with Dan. Knight questions if he committed suicide. Harper assures her that he would not take his life because of her.

Beryl Varley grills Abigail with questions about Dan’s drug and alcohol use. Abigail says he didn’t really drink. Beryl claims partygoers reported a sex video with Dan was shown during the party. Shocked and confused, Abigail walks away.

Henshall tells Knight that the Chief said Jake is not ready to be interviewed. Knight questions how the media got wind of the sex tape. He reminds her of Sanctuary being a small town. While watching the “sex tape,” Abigail enters demanding to know why Dan is being blamed for the fire. Knight explains it is just part of the procedure to ask questions. Seeing the sex tape on the computer screen, a distraught Abigail accuses her of trying to sully Dan’s name.

Sarah calls Harper to only get her voicemail. Elsewhere, Henshall says witnesses have identified Dan and Harper as the couple in the sex tape. He tells Knight that Dan’s video believe the sex video exposed Harper as a “s**t”. Knight questions why Harper is the s**t, not Dan. He suggests it is linked to Sarah being a witch. Knight says the sex tape shown at the party is a crime.

Sarah casts a spell to see a flashback of 8-year-old Harper (Elizabeth O’Toole) asking when she will get her gift. Sarah says by the time she turns 13 if she is to be a witch. Harper remembers Sarah and Grandma Serapina got their gifts at 13. Sarah warns that it can skip a generation. Harper is assured of her being a witch.

Beatrice denies seeing Dan fall. She claims Harper and Jake were at the bottom of the stairs when Dan fell. Knight asks her about the sex video. Beatrice says people were saying it was Harper and Dan.

Maggie asks Julia and Albie why someone would want to show it at the party like that. Albie admits he wasn’t at a party. Beatrice breaks down and begins crying. Ryan and Maggie leave. At home, Sarah pulls out her files on Daniel. Harper returns home and finds out that her mom has Daniel’s hair. Sarah believes a simple tranquility draft will help Harper and Abigail. They argue about Harper not having magic. Sarah blames herself for not passing it on. Harper is glad because life is easier when you’re not a freak. Sarah wants to help her make her peace with what happened so she can get over it, but Harper doesn’t want to forget he ever existed. Then, there is a funeral for Dan.

Ryan tells Maggie he got a call from the station because a witness just came forward saying Dan was murdered.

 

Sanctuary: A Witch’s Tale Review

The opening episode of Sanctuary wasn’t particularly thrilling or original. The premise is actually interesting though as Sanctuary is a place where witches are welcome. Sarah was able to work her magic and help people until the series reverted into pretty much every crime drama known to man. Truthfully, it has the hallmarks of any modern British crime drama with a little witchcraft thrown into the mix.

Even the makeup of the characters is pretty much identical to so many other British crime dramas. The DCI comes from out of town and returns to a place she is familiar with to investigate a murder. Sarah will protect her daughter and probably become a person of interest sooner or later. Elaine Cassidy is pretty good in the lead role while some of the others and hit-or-miss.

If this had gone in an entirely different direction, it could’ve been something original and refreshing. Instead, it’s what any regular British TV viewer has seen countless times before. Casual viewers may not be familiar with the schemes so they may be more accepting of the rehashed content that becomes lifeless after the fifth go-around. If viewers look at Sanctuary as a time filler and little else, it’ll likely be an appropriate choice but expectations should be minimal.

The episode scores a 4.5 out of 10. Recaps of Sanctuary: A Witch’s Tale can be found on Reel Mockery here. Find out how to support our independent work at this link. Learn more about advertising on Reel Mockery here. See what others are saying about Sanctuary at the Reel Mockery Forum.