Charmed - Something Wicca This Way Comes

I have to say this was really a good start to the enduring television contemporary classic on witches, demons, and the like. I found it to be refreshing in that, at the beginning, it was tightly held together, gave us our three sisters and told their current stories in a distinct and well acted way. Well acted in that each communicate specifically where they are in their lives, frustrations in career pitfalls, and encountering romantic difficulty.

For instance, Prue (Shannen Doherty) has lost the chance at a museum promotion because her ex went behind her back and influenced his way to the coveted spot. All of this despite Prue's hard work regarding the exhibits and information gathering. Matthew Ashford, as Prue's impossible ex, Roger, silver-tongued  in attaining position through persuasive and glib performance, will be known to many as Jack Devereaux on Days of Our Lives. Here he tries, embarrassingly, to keep the obviously infuriated Prue from quitting...yeah, like that was happening. Prue is the quintessential big sister. She is the responsible one, held together and always trying to make the right decisions. But Roger has infiltrated her calm, her maturity and ability to act without indignation altered by him. But the show has started right at the end of Prue's relationship with Roger, leaving him with this museum he's doomed towards failure because her work is his house of cards... without her what does he have?

 Prue is also still holding a grudge against sister, Phoebe (Alyssa Milano, just a stunning beauty), for an incident involving a man. Considering her luck with Roger, Phoebe's claim that the guy was no-good who caused a rift between them appears to have merit. Doherty always came off screen well in the role of Prue to me as opposed to her 90210 era of roles. Okay, part of that is lust, but in all seriousness she was easier to stomach and like. And, God, so attractive. The casting of pretty faces extends to Picket Fences' vet, Combs. I have a copy of Dr. Giggles (1992), and after recently watching a few episodes of Charmed for this blog was reminded of it thanks to Combs. Piper is a character Combs would evolve throughout the series' run. Here, she's still hoping to achieve success as a cook and is in a seemingly serious romance with a news journalist. The villain of the episode is a hooded cloak serial killer stabbing "witches" (practitioners of the Wiccan belief). So you know he'll aim his sight on the three sisters.

If there is a disappointment it could be the villain. He is attached to one of the sisters and through her hopes to kill all three of the Hallister girls. But he is such a rather colorless and less interesting adversary, that when the Sisters Three usurp him by joining their powers he is summarily dismissed in a fit of supernatural punch that blows him away. He talked a big game but went up in smoke.

The powers of the three get some focus, too. Prue and Piper had never really put much thought into having any abilities, but a spirit board inspires Phoebe to investigate the attic of their ancestral home in San Francisco. The board had been left behind by their mom in the basement with an inscription of hope encouraging her girls to embrace their heritage and powers. Phoebe is all for it, seeing a mental forecast of the future in several instances. Piper can halt activity, stopping time. This comes in handy when the killer tries to attack her or time constraints deter her in cooking a meal as she's being timed by a trainer. Prue can move objects, often out of anger. She's Barrymore's Firestarter without the fire...just don't make Prue angry! A book of incantations and history in the attic will serve as a guide for them. I just wouldn't want to own a store if Prue is around and pissed off!

Phoebe arrives in San Francisco unemployed and practically penniless. She is fortunate to have a home and family. I thought seeing Milano at this point gives her character a humbled and accessible presence, starting over and approaching this as a start and new lease on life. And with a support system and place to stay, Phoebe can now, when not avoiding death as each episodic nemesis tries to approach her with bad intentions, focus on a future...which includes seeing the future!