Piper: Sister/Mother/Lover

[vandergraafk]

I am really confused by this comment. Is someone excusing Phoebe's constant regression into a lovelorn state because "the writers made her do it"? What's to excuse? She is or is not what she is simply because of the way the writers have chosen to describe her character and make her respond to any given situation they might dream up. Now, it may be that a character logically (meaning "in character") could respond to a given situation in any one of several ways. That is because the writers imbued that character initially - or over the course of time - with traits that allowed for different responses. The choice that is made, then, is the result of the writers choosing x over y or z. It is hoped that whatever the choice made that it is "in character".

Piper's character illustrates this multiplicity of responses very well. When given an extension to her new power, she initially responds fearfully. This response is definitely "in character" since we have seen her respond with trepidation ever since Season 1 when she was depicted as the reluctant witch. Yet, Piper is a character with a full range of emotional responses. When pressed, she can get extremely angry. Seeing how her new power could give vent to her anger (Hell Hath No Fury), she ultimately develops a more accepting understanding of her abilities.

Was any of this inevitable? No. Did the character have a choice? No. The writers chose to go a certain direction. Either we - as viewers - are happy with this or not. Apparently, many of us are not happy with the direction Phoebe was given. And, this was not only true on TV. Just read the Legacy of Merlin to see how sappy the author made Phoebe to be in that pulp novel.

[wishiwascharmed2]

charmedfan4evr said:

MY FAVORITE CHARMED ONE ALWAYS AND FOREVER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ;D ;D

...There are way too many reasons to write why!

Exactly...Too many reasons to write why Piper is the best

[charmedsista]

YEA...THERE'LL B LYK 20 PAGES iF i WROTE Y i LYK HER!!

[starr]

Piper rocks!!!!!!

[ljones]

I think becoming the oldest is a valid enough reason as to why she became the leader.

I don't think it was a valid reason. In fact, I think it was a bad reason to make Piper leader of the Charmed Ones, following Prue's death. It simply was not in her personality makeup. To say that Piper should automatically become the leader because she was the oldest, is like saying that Fredo Corleone should have become the leader of the Corleone crime family in "The Godfather Saga", because he was older than Michael Corleone. And for all of us who have seen "The Godfather"know that Fredo wasn't leader material.

And from what I've seen, the Charmed Ones have committed far more serious mistakes while Piper led the group than when Prue was alive.

[vandergraafk]

Excuse me! Piper led the Charmed Ones for five seasons; Prue only three. Who had greater opportunity to screw up? Second, the demons after the Charmed Ones when Piper was the leader were infinitely more powerful than the ones Prue went up against. True, Prue squared off against Shax - and lost. Piper, the reluctant witch - sheds her fear and becomes a leader after coming to grips with the death of Prue and the substantial addition to her own arsenal (the ability to accelerate particle motion).

[p3charm]

ljones said:

I think becoming the oldest is a valid enough reason as to why she became the leader.

I don't think it was a valid reason. In fact, I think it was a bad reason to make Piper leader of the Charmed Ones, following Prue's death. It simply was not in her personality makeup. To say that Piper should automatically become the leader because she was the oldest, is like saying that Fredo Corleone should have become the leader of the Corleone crime family in "The Godfather Saga", because he was older than Michael Corleone. And for all of us who have seen "The Godfather"know that Fredo wasn't leader material.

And from what I've seen, the Charmed Ones have committed far more serious mistakes while Piper led the group than when Prue was alive.

What so you wanted Prue to still be leader even though she was dead? What the heck are you talking about? Did you forget that in Charmed the oldest is said to be the most powerful so obviously the oldest would take charge? Did you want Phoebe to be the leader (god help us all)? Paige knew nothing about being a witch so obviously she wouldn't be the leader. Piper knew the most about the craft, she was the strongest, she had the most brains (that actually worked at least). What the heck are you on about? Later on Paige stepped up and lead the sisters when Piper fell apart or what not. Phoebe was always too full of herself and her biological clock to lead anything. Heck in Hell Hath No Fury it was Paige eho helped Piper turn back while Phoebe was standing around going "duhh"

[ljones]

Excuse me! Piper led the Charmed Ones for five seasons; Prue only three. Who had greater opportunity to screw up?

The number of years don't matter. What matter is that the Charmed Ones had screwed up on a major level, several times when Piper was "leading" them.

Also, who cares who had the strongest magic power? It doesn't matter. What mattered was personality. And possessing a powerful psychic ability or magical power did not automatically make a person qualified to lead others. Despite Phoebe's ridiculous forays into romance, personality-wise, she was more qualified to lead the Charmed Ones than Piper. Heck, I can say the same for Paige by early Season 5. And because those two were more qualified to be leaders than Piper, the sisters were really screwed if they were the only candidates, following Prue's death.

Piper knew the most about the craft, she was the strongest, she had the most brains (that actually worked at least).

You honestly believe this? Or are you simply expressing your preference for Piper? Hey, I like Piper. I've always have. However, I hate to say this, but she was not the sister with the most knowledge of magic, following Prue's death. Nor was she the brainiest. Phoebe knew more about magic than Piper. Phoebe had taken the opportunity to learn more about magic during the three years leading up to Prue's death. And I don't recall Piper taking the trouble to learn more during the show's Seasons 4-8.

To put it mildly . . . Prue was probably the only sister who really had what it took to be a good leader. Which is why the Charmed Ones screwed up so much, following her death. I'm sorry, but that is how I feel.

[MarAcev]

To put it mildly . . . Prue was probably the only sister who really had what it took to be a good leader. Which is why the Charmed Ones screwed up so much, following her death.

As much as they screwed up when Prue was alive. Prue was a dominant person while Piper wasn't. That doesn't mean she can't get the job done when needed.

[HollysFan]

Piper originally didn't have the sort of personality you would think a leader would possess, but things changed. She changed and assumed her new role. If Phoebe knew more about magic then why was Piper the one teaching Paige?

I'm not so naive that I can't admit Prue was the strongest and the better leader, but it doesn't mean Piper wasn't a good leader.

[starr]

I dont think Prue was the ONLY one that made a good leader.... I think Piper did a great job taking charge and becoming the big sister! And as already mentioned, Paige was totally new to the craft and she didnt even know she was a witch until she met Piper and Phoebe. She had to learn how to make potions and everything else, she would not have been ready to lead. And in most cases, yes it does make sense for the eldest to take charge.

[p3charm]

I think the only thing Phoebe could've led is a demonstration on how to attempt to get knocked up. Thats all she ever thought of. She didn't care about chasing demons unless it ment she could land herself in bed with a guy the second they were finished. She didn't care if she hurt her sisters as long as she could be with a guy and get her daughter.

If Paige led them all the time they would've been in so much deep crap from all the personal gain she liked to use. Who was it that always reminded her of the "consequences" of using their magic for personal gain? It sure as heck wasn't Phoebe because if there was a spell to get pregnant she would've used it in a heart beat. It was always Piper who remembered about personal gain and exposure.

Last I checked Prue made her fair share of mistakes too. She was far from perfect. So you should probably get your head out of Prue's a** and look at all her imperfections.

[vandergraafk]

Yes, Paige was wrestling with inner demons and tended to go the deep end. Phoebe did so too. But, the character you describe is really Phoeme. Phoebe had some possibilities that were never truly developed. How sad, especially during Season 8. Piper, though, Piper rose to the challenge!

[starr]

Oh my Goddess, all you people with such nasty things to say about Phoebe...I dont see her that way!! I like Phoebe, I also like Piper and Paige. I for one don't have my head up anyone's a@@ but I liked Prue too. Piper was my favorite just because but they were all great!!


P.S. why not save some of the hatred for Billie?

[MarAcev]

I don't hate Phoebe, only her behavior towards her sisters. I can't forgive her for moving out on Piper right after she lost Leo, not to mention that whole "not vanquishing Cole" thing from season 3 and her overall "me first" attitude.

Topic: Piper is a different kind of leader, the martyr kind. One that doesn't want others to go to trouble because of her and ends up doing most of the work herself. In a way, she's a doormat leader

[starr]

maracev2 said:

I don't hate Phoebe, only her behavior towards her sisters. I can't forgive her for moving out on Piper right after she lost Leo, not to mention that whole "not vanquishing Cole" thing from season 3 and her overall "me first" attitude.

Topic: Piper is a different kind of leader, the martyr kind. One that doesn't want others to go to trouble because of her and ends up doing most of the work herself. In a way, she's a doormat leader

I don't know... at times Piper could really bark out some orders....and I loved it!

[MarAcev]

When necessary, but she was still a lot more lenient than Prue was.

[prue]

piper did an amazing job picking up the pieces after Prue died.... she knew from the getgo that she didn't have one idea how to be the big sister, but she did the best she could. i for one will always love Prue, but piper did a great job at being the leader.... as for phoebe, she lost something once she and cole found each other... her character changed, and not all for the better. paige didn't always use magic for personal gain either... she had to learn for herself... the same way the others did in the beginning.

[p3charm]

starr said:

I for one don't have my head up anyone's a@@ but I liked Prue too.

Sorry starr that comment wasn't meant for you. It was meant for ljones. Sorry I didn't catch it earlier.

[starr]

no problem