Charmed - Episodes 1, 2 & 3 (1998)
The first season of Charmed aired between October 1998 to May 1999, gaining a cult following as it introduced us to the Halliwell Manor and the Charmed ones, 3 sisters who move back into their Grandmothers house after her death and discover they’ve got a magical destiny. This DVD case includes the first three episodes.
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Whilst I’ve got the whole boxset, I couldn’t resist this DVD for free last year because it’s my favourite colour, and I think it’s a good opportunity to talk specifically about the episodes on this disc.
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‘Something Wicca This Way Comes’, the first episode of Season One, sets the scene instantly as we see a woman practicing magic murdered by a mystery figure. This leads on to our initial meeting with Piper, Prue and Phoebe and an atmosphere is created instantly reminiscent of 80s and 90s supernatural classics like The Craft.
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After the family Ouija board gives a hint to the attic, Phoebe finds the book of shadows and recites the incantation that restores the sisters powers, which were bound years ago when they were kids. They complete their first vanquish as it becomes known that Piper’s fiancé Jeremy is a warlock, only with her in anticipation of killing the Charmed ones. It’s one of the best opening episodes of a TV series, complete with many humorous moments as the sisters learn to control their powers.
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Episode 2, ‘I’ve Got You Under My Skin’, sees the Power of Three come up against a photographer who kills young women to remain young. Phoebe almost becomes his latest victim before she’s saved by her sister, and we get to grips with their daily lives as Prue settles in her new job at Buckland Auction house and Piper juggles her witch responsibilities with being a chef at the restaurant Quake.
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The final episode on this disc, ‘Thank You For Not Morphing’, introduces us to the first iteration of Victor Bennett played by Anthony Denison. Estranged father to the girls, his intentions aren’t pure as he’s used by their shapeshifter neighbours to gain the Book of Shadows, but he puts his life on the line to defend them in the end.
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I recently finished rewatching the whole series and I think I fall in love with it even more each time I revisit Charmed. As I’ve grown older I’ve connected to each character differently - as a teenager Phoebe really resonated with me, but nowadays I feel an affinity for Prue. It’s honestly the gift that keeps on giving and a show that should be on everyone’s list, no matter what age you are.
