"Fire/Ice" was the name of the high school dance, and I assume was meant to have some analogy to light and dark magic - but it didn't resonate for me. Or maybe I didn't want it to. 

While I think dark magic is the best thing to happen to The Secret Circle, I don't know if I could have stood another few episodes of lame three word spells, such as the one they used to change dress colors and set it on fire. Too bad they all don't work like that. Lame spell and whoosh go the flames!

After Cassie's near-death experience at the hands' of Diana's grandmother, they gals become closer, but Diana still finds Cassie unsettling. I'm so impressed with Diana and her ability to not only accept, but actually be nice to Cassie after she caused her break-up with Adam. As much as destiny in this particular group would be difficult to ignore, she really is a mature girl, whereas I would definitely not be.

Faye is still after Cassie's magic and fortuitously she ripped a page from Cassie's mother's family book containing an extremely powerful spell. Of course, it was one that would allow Lee to suck the dark magic out of her family line. Really, what are the odds? It was just a drawing, and one that Cassie didn't even have meaning for until she noted the page was gone. Those unplanned coincidences to move plot forward drive me nuts.

It was obvious that Faye's burning desire to steal Cassie's essence and powers wouldn't work out to anyone's advantage, but I was really confused when tethering her to Cassie seemed to suck the life out of the other members of the circle. I did enjoy the giant, malicious smile on Faye's face. It made her very sexy. But I do have a heart and was pleased she freaked when she realized the damage her little stunt caused her friends.

The circle isn't secret any more, and it appears the rest of the season will be aimed at Cassie fighting the dark magic that has been handed down from both her mother and her father. Faye stomped off again, and I'm pretty sure she and Lee are engaging in sexual relations as I type this, so even with Jake back in town, the circle is still incomplete. What I'm trying to say is... I'm confused about the direction of the show.

Where is it going? The parents are still pissed years after their circle was broken and use mean magic. I don't think it's dark, but it's for nefarious purposes. Their kids are completely out of control and Cassie is without any family at all at this point, yet she's the one with dark magic streaming through her body. Is Jake going to pull Cassie to the dark side while Adam pulls her to the light? Where will Diana stand? I'd be tempted to toss the circle aside for my man and to give Cassie up to the darkness and Jake.

I really have no idea. We are directly in the middle of the season so anything could happen. Dark magic is far more fun than Bewitched style enchantment, but if the circle is the end game, they're going to have to give us a reason to want them to fight together, and perhaps against a common enemy. They're still all over the Chance Harbor map.

Other thoughts:

• Did anyone else wonder why the guy who Cassie mistook for Jake wasn't kind of excited that she had run after him? Chick is hot. What a dweeb.
• Wasn't the giant fake fire pit at the dance cool? I even liked the little one Melissa was toying with earlier. They should have given directions on how to make those suckers.
• They went to a dance and Cassie wore clam diggers?
• Adam and Cassie sitting in a tree, K I S S I N G.

Carissa Pavlica is the managing editor and a staff writer and critic for TV Fanatic. She's a member of the Critic's Choice Association, enjoys mentoring writers, conversing with cats, and passionately discussing the nuances of television and film with anyone who will listen. Follow her on X and email her here at TV Fanatic.