Season 1, Episode 1: Something Wicca This Way Comes

"Something Wicca This Way Comes"
Episode 1
Air Date: October 7th, 1998

You know, I've been so caught out in the 25th anniversary of Power Rangers that I forgot that a more mature primetime adult series celebrates its 20th anniversary this year! How could I forget Constance M. Burge's spellbinding supernatural series, "Charmed" that premiered way back in the late 90s. "Charmed" was a series that was centered around the premise of 3 normal, everyday sisters who just so happen to wield magical powers and have to save the world from unspeakable evils like warlocks, demons and more on a weekly basis. It was a simple yet successful premise, one that was clearly trying to muster up the same success of "Buffy The Vampire Slayer". I remember when "Charmed" premiered almost 20 years ago on the WB. I was only 10 years old but I found the concept of the show exciting at the time and stuck with it throughout its 8 year run. Through it's ups and downs, twists and turns, ridiculous, overly revealing costumes that Phoebe would go on to wear.....-_- "Charmed" became sort of a guilty pleasure of mine and one I can say I still find enjoyment as well as entertainment from.

The pilot episode is among the show's best and while that chilling murder scene at the beginning works, it's the impeccable chemistry between the 3 leads and the supporting cast that really makes the show work. We have Prue, the oldest sister, played with a mean mug face by Shannon Dorhety (I heard she was told she played Prue too agree during the pilot or something; that's why Prue becomes nicer from the second episode on, but I highly doubt that) Next is Piper, the middle sister play with a meek yet mature presence by Holly Marie Combs. Last, is Phoebe, the rebellious youngest sister who is coming back after a couple of months/years in New York, played with the youthful fire by Alyssa Milano. From the moment, We see these women interact, it just feels authentic, like they have known and lived with each other for years. Supporting characters, Andy Trudeau and Darryl Morris, are also natural as San Francisco detectives on the case of the witch who got murdered at the start of the episode. I like their back and forth Mulder and Scully-esqe dialogue of how Andy believes that people believe they're witches while Darryl is a non believer all together! I also have to give credit for the director(s), John T. Kretchme and Bruce Seth Green for making one of the happiest cities in the country look so dark, menacing and scary at times. O_o

But what I love also is the little touches of magical items sprinkled throughout that set up the show's mythology fro the sisters' childhood spirit board and the Book of Shadows, which Phoebe so tempting reads the first incantation on the first page, unleashing their magic powers upon the world. Apparently, there was a 17th Century witch named Melinda Warren who had 3 powers; telekinesis, freezing/stopping time and premonitions. During the moment she was burnt into stake, she told her persecutors that will each generation her line would grow until the arrival of 3 sisters who would become the most powerful witches the world will ever know: The Charmed Ones. When Phoebe tells Piper this the next day after her arrival, she of course believes it's a load of crap as anyone would but I love how the sisters' discover their individual powers. Prue of course, on her last day of working at the Museum, doesn't even realize what shes doing, which leads to some comedic bits of her strangling her ex-fiance, Roger, with her telekinesis. Piper trying to impress a renowned chef with her cooking, accidently freezes him and gives herself enough time to add some wine to the pasta she made to make it taste good! Lastly, on a casual bike ride Phoebe gets a premonition (which I love how they are directed by the way with the intense black and white flash forwards) or two boys getting his by a car and saves their lives in the process; even though she gets hurt. While in the hospital, Prue runs into Andy, who we find out was a childhood friend as well as former boyfriend of Prue's. Hard to believe Shannon Dorherty and T.W. King never got along as they seem like a genuine former couple who so awkwardly reunited later in their lives.

But it's the continuing acting of the leads that make the episode....well....magic! I love when Prue realizes she's a witch and how Phoebe gets her to use her power by pissing her off. I also like the revelation of Piper's boyfriend, Jeremy, being a warlock and the one who is after the Charmed Ones' powers. But boy, if I can say one thing, the some of the special effects have NOT. AGED. WELL. The shot of Jeremy's face morphing look horrendous as well as when he surrounds the sisters in that circle of fire. My goodness, the show's budget was rough, even for a 90s show back then! O_O But I love the show's concept being pushed to the forefront as it's their connection as sisters, not witches that helps them defeat Jeremy and vanquish him! The end of the episode is just so promising with Prue and Andy looking like they are going to be seeing a lot more of each other and the sisters getting a new cat? How appropriate for 3 kick ass new witches!!! I also love how the episode ends with Prue shutting the Haliwell Manor door with her powers. A fitting end to what would go on to be the longest running female led series after "Lavern and Sheryl". Not one of its best episodes, but this was a great start to a series that would garner a huge fanbase and evolve into something stronger as well a solid before unfortunately falling apart in it's latter years. Did I miss anything???? "The Power of Three/Will set us free"!!! ;)

Final Vanquish: B+