If I was Executive Producer...

[Deleted]

I'm going to try to create amazing season arcs on this thread. I noticed everyone is giving summaries for their seasons, I'm going to try a different approach. Instead of doing season summaries, I'm going to list each episode individually with a episode description. I think that'll be easier for me. So I'll do Season 4 with 22 episode S5-6 etc with name and descriptions. I'm just going to rearrange the names of the Episode titles on Charmed that best work with my interpretation of the episode.
Theres 3 things I'm taking into consideration when I create my story arcs.

-Both Connie and Brad are released from the show, I take over. (In this fanfic realm)

-Shannon and Alyssa still have their feud going on... Instead of firing an actress I choose to do something unique to solve the problem.

-Season 1-3 will remain the same since I like them as is.

I will be posting my Season Arcs in a few once I have my episodes planned out.

[Esmeralda]

Oh, Prudence! I'm so excited that you've decided to pick up this challenge and show how *your* Dream Charmed would've gone. Can't wait to see what you come up with!

[ljones]

The storyline from Season Four plays out but the girls attempt to vanquish The Source's ESSENCE, not Cole. However in 5x20 after they attempt to rid Cole of The Source's Essence, it kills Cole in the process breaking Phoebe's heart resulting in that beautiful scene where they comfort her, and Paige finally feels accepted into the sisterhood. 5x21 shows them celebrating Trish's first birthday but Phoebe is feeling funny and at the end of the episode, kills a warlock with a fireball after chasing him down an alley. The finale then shows the girls realise that Phoebe has possessed demonic powers and Phoebe discovers that she is pregnant, The Seer appears and influences Phoebe to become Queen of the Underworld in revenge for Cole's death and Phoebe chooses evil over good as the episode ends.

This is SOOOOO much better than Kern's handling of that particular storyline.

[Astral Alex]

Thankyou ljones! Just re-read my final 'dream' version and I still stand by it; only thing I would change is that I may not have Paige become a mother, but just have her as a doting aunt. Meaning that Trish, Prue and Melinda could be the 'next generation' of the Charmed Ones as cousins and direct descendants from the ORIGINAL sisters.

[Esmeralda]

Well, as cousins they couldn't be Charmed, but they could be something else, like Blessed or Chosen or something like that.

I stand by the fact that if you're going to have Charmed Ones in the next generation, Phoebe's three daughters (since it was Phoebe's heart who Melinda Warren was touching when she saw the long line of strong daughters) makes the most sense.

[Astral Alex]

Well yes, I use 'Charmed' in a loose sense - I mean the next prophecy or whatever.

Hmm, I understand what you mean about Phoebe only having daughters but I don't think it would be right not focusing on Piper and Paige's kids if that was a spin-off.

[Esmeralda]

No, something starring nine kids would never work because it would be too expensive to have that many stars,. So you're best off just concentrating on one family and concentrating on Phoebe's three daughters makes make more sense than concentrating on Wyatt and Chris like most next-gen spin-offs usually do because both boy is too powerful and the show would get boring fast. Ditto for Paige's, since they're also part whitelighter and would be too powerful.

I'd much prefer one about Phoebe's daughters, especially if they're the reincarnation of Penny, Patty and Prue. I'd prefer them somewhere besides San Francisco (Salem??) and just have the rest of the family visit once in a long while.

But, of course, that's just me.

OF course, this is based on Kern's version. With all of these versions, that's different. But it's part of the reason why I don't like it when someone gives them tons of kids - it kills the best chances of making a spin-off seem possible. Virtual ones, sure. Real ones, nope.

[Astral Alex]

Oh sure that's what I mean, if I was doing a spin-off based on my Virtual series I posted up there I would probably change it round so Paige never had kids and it would be based on Trish (daughter of Prue), Prue (daughter of Phoebe) and Melinda (daughter of Piper). Ironically, a witch/mortal hybrid, a witch/demon hybrid and a witch/whitelighter hybrid.

[Esmeralda]

Bump...

[Nimue]

I will only post a few ideas of things I would change in the show, if I was Executive Producer:
1) Have death actually mean something: if someone dies, they stay dead, and cannot come back as a ghost. It sort of lessens the impact if you can just summon someone's ghost whenever you need to talk to them.
2) Change the Personal Gain Rule: as long as they don't abuse their powers by using them on mortals or trying to take over the world or influencing the stock market, witches can use their powers however they like. The idea that they can't even use them to clean around the house or orb ice cream is just plain stupid, especially when they did it anyway.
3) 8 seasons is much too long: have only 5 or 6, but well planned out seasons that aren't inconsistant.
4) Proper dress wear: some of the clothes the sisters wore were absolutely ridiculous, especially Phoebe in the later seasons.
5) Cole being a full-blooded, one hundred percent demon instead of a half-demon: it would make things more exciting (the idea of having a full-blooded demon fall in love with a witch, a half-demon falling in love is just too predictable), and it would make things less confusing about how it's Cole's demonic side that makes him do all the evil things he does.
6) A more morally ambiguous approach: no black-and-white morality, where everyone is either good or bad, and no possible grey area.
7) Erase the stupid idea that demons cannot have emotions or feelings: if that really were the case they would just be mindless zombies, and last I checked anger, greed, lust and ambition are emotions and feelings.
8) Have the sisters assume the consequences of their actions: I'm talking about the later seasons here, where they could get away with whatever they wanted to.

[Esmeralda]

Jun 19, 2012 11:55:43 GMT -5 Astral Alex said:

Oh sure that's what I mean, if I was doing a spin-off based on my Virtual series I posted up there I would probably change it round so Paige never had kids and it would be based on Trish (daughter of Prue), Prue (daughter of Phoebe) and Melinda (daughter of Piper). Ironically, a witch/mortal hybrid, a witch/demon hybrid and a witch/whitelighter hybrid.

Now *that* would make it a fun spin-off, especially since they're cousins, so they wouldn't be Charmed.

[Astral Alex]

Oh wow, it's been a while since I've been on the boards! Just re-read my 'dream' Charmed and it made me chuckle. I think I'd change it a lot more now.

Lovely to see some activity still on here! I see you're still Charmed and Kicking, Es

[Esmeralda]

Dec 3, 2014 14:17:29 GMT -5 Astral Alex said:

Oh wow, it's been a while since I've been on the boards!....Lovely to see some activity still on here! I see you're still Charmed and Kicking, Es

Good to see you back, Astral Alex! Yup, indeed, Charmed is still my obsession - probably too much - and as long as there's activity on this board, I have a hunch I'll be here. Newbies always give me something new to consider and that keeps my interest fresh.

Just re-read my 'dream' Charmed and it made me chuckle. I think I'd change it a lot more now.

Well, now you have my curiosity piqued, Astral Alex. What would your Dream Charmed be like now?

[Astral Alex]

I have limited time but you've inspired me to tell all, Es. I might come back and add some more detail to this. But this is what I would consider my 'Dream' Charmed, after I've just finished my first re-watch in well over a year. Some aspects of my version are the same as my original I posted back in 2012, but elements have changed.

Season One
If it isn't broken, then why fix it. Season One is a brilliant opener to the show, and I would change very little. The only real change I would have, is that Prue and Andy begin a fully fledged relationship following the events of "Which Prue is it anyway?" and he discovers her secret after seeing her murdered clone. He is initially shaky, but they work through it. However, their happiness is short-lived as Andy is still killed in the finale.

Season Two

Although I appreciate the 'demon-of-the-week' structure of the early seasons, Season Two is easily my least favourite behind Season Eight. It has gems of episodes (Awakened, Reckless Abandon, Astral Monkey) but episodes such as (Heartbreak City) are truly awful. However, I wouldn't move onto an overarching story arc just yet. The main changes of the series would be that in Morality Bites, which is still set in 2009, the child that appears is not Melinda; Piper's daughter, but Trish; Prue's daughter, whom is primarily looked after by Piper due to Prue's workaholic nature. Upon returning the present, the girls still learn the error of using their magic for personal gain - and Prue realises that the dates match and she is in fact pregnant with Andy's child. I debated whether including a pregnancy so early-on in the series, would work, but adding Trish to the series adds a new dimension following Prue's death. The Piper/Leo/Dan saga plays out as normal, and Phoebe returns to college as normal. The rest of the season plays out similarly, with Prue reaching a very dark place due to her grief of losing Andy and struggling with being pregnant. Also, Prue doesn't receive Astral Projection during this season, and doesn't exhibit any special powers whilst pregnant. However, in P3 H20 when the girls meet Sam - he informs them that Patty only managed to channel Phoebe's powers, but Prue shouldn't shut herself off from her baby's strength. Prue's journey throughout the second season grows very dark, and the episode "Murphy's Luck" where Prue contemplates suicide, is fuelled not from her teenage years - but the guilt of losing Andy, and the fear that she would be a terrible mother. Prue eventually gives birth in the eighteenth episode to a baby girl, and Trish is born in the Manor aided by Piper and Phoebe. The remaining three episodes of the season see Prue reject Trish, palming her off on her sisters. However, in the finale Prue has to pull herself together to save her sisters from the Dragon Warlock, and Trish is later captured - despite her powers being unyielding, and she eventually saves the day. Piper and Leo orb up to the heavens as normal, and Prue embraces motherhood.

Season Three

Again, elements of this season would remain. Cole arrives and begins dating Phoebe, and Prue becomes obsessed with demon-hunting and Belthazar. The plot of Season Three remains one of my favourites, so there is little I would change story-wise, the few things being the girls power advancements and Trish's presence. Instead of Phoebe receiving levitation in "The Honeymoon's Over", she would receive Astral Projection - a power more fitting with her psychic abilities. It is explained that she is the first sister to advance in her powers due to the fact that she is the most enthusiastic about the craft, and practises her powers more than Piper and Prue. In "Just Harried", Prue doesn't ruin Piper's wedding - but Trish in fact comes into her powers, which initially seems to be Levitation, but is soon realised to be the beginnings of Telekinesis - like her mother. Patty meets her granddaughter, and tells Prue that she is doing a brilliant job as a mother. Paige is introduced in 3x20, where the plot is slightly changed so that Paige is the innocent and develops a friendship with the girls after they discover she can orb. They are initially intrigued, but Leo reveals that the Elders are clueless and the Phoebe/Cole saga distracts them. All Hell Breaks Loose continues as it originally was, although Paige makes an appearance after being present with the Doctor who Shax is attempting to assassinate. The cliffhanger is as normal, and Prue dies at the end of the episode.

Season Four

The series begins with "Charmed Again", although Piper is using Trish in an attempt to bring back Prue, and the girls are worn out from becoming Trish's full-time carers. They soon discover Paige's true identity, and Paige receives her power of telekinetic orbing after touching Trish in the Manor. The first half of the season has a more demon-of-the-week approach, whilst the family adjust to Paige's presence. Piper is extremely hostile towards her, and refuses to let her have contact with Trish, who she smothers and contemplates binding her powers. The latter half of the season however is the overarching plot of The Source, with Charmed and Dangerous serving as 4x21. Throughout the season, Cole attempts to prove his innocence to the sisters, but Paige is still distrustful and following her Prue's death, Trish uses her powers against Cole to prevent him touching her, and Phoebe is heartbroken when in one episode she does the same to her. Associating her with Cole. Mid-season, the sisters and Leo acknowledge that with Prue gone, they are lacking in firepower - and Paige is made to feel inadequate that her telekinesis does not manifest itself in the same way that Prue's did. Therefore, in "The Fifth Halliwheel" a power broker infects the innocent with "Molecular Combustion", and the only way to save them is for the power to be transferred into another magical being - as the power is a netural power, Piper says that she will attempt to handle the power and therefore inherits her second active power. (I prefer this explanation, as it would be interesting to see how Piper, Phoebe and Paige would cope without Piper's power for the first half of the season, and also it makes sense as to why Piper would inherit it following her time-oriented first power). The power seems to conquer Piper initially, and she isn't seen to be able to freeze anything for many episodes after - leaving the sisters scared and vulnerable in case The Source attacks, however, when all seems lost in 4x21 - she manages to freeze The Source long enough for the sisters to regroup. In 4x22, Cole and Phoebe marry in a simple ceremony - and Piper informs her sisters and Leo that she is suffering from fertility issues - unaware that Cole has been infected with the Source's Essence, ending the season on a cliffhanger.

Season Five

The Cole/Phoebe/Baby storyline that was originally the second story-arc in Season Four, becomes the plot for the beginning of Season Five, with Phoebe discovering she's pregnant and suffering from Piper's original S5 pregnancy mishaps - however, in Centennial Charmed when they attempt to vanquish the Source's ESSENCE (not Cole), Cole is killed and unable to be revived. A grieving Phoebe is left alone and pregnant, and fears that her child will end up like Trish - an orphan. Leo and Piper (who act as Trish's surrogate parents) also have to deal with her and she begins to talk more and becomes more active with using her telekinesis. Phoebe gives birth in 5x15 to a daughter, whom she names Prue - a witch/demon hybrid she posses the power of pyrokinesis and Phoebe, like Prue did, initially struggles with motherhood, however she soon becomes a natural and receives an Astral Premonition from touching both Prue and Trish of her with other daughters in the future. However, the struggle to have their own child causes friction in their marriage and Leo leaves Piper like he does in the original Season Five, becoming an Elder. Paige meets Henry in the finale, and the chemistry is obvious between the pair, just as Chris arrives and introduces themselves as their new Whitelighter.

Season Six

Season Six contains many of the same plot elements. Phoebe begins dating Jason, but their relationship ends when he cannot accept her magic, or the baby Prue. Paige doesn't date Richard Montana, but in fact he is her first charge and attempts to win her over, but she chooses Henry over him. Chris is still revealed to be Piper and Leo's son mid-season to Phoebe and Paige, after they catch him referring to Trish as his cousin. Trish starts school, and also after much deliberation - magic school to learn to control her powers more, and she becomes somewhat of a 'celebrity' due to her parentage. The latter half of the season sees Piper begin to drift from her responsibilities. Phoebe is often tasked with the care of Prue and Trish, whilst Paige takes on witch duties, in the absence of Leo - Piper feels a failure, due to the fact that she thinks she cannot have a child and P3 also struggles financially. It is only in 5x17 when she discovers Chris is her son, does she get back her fighting spirit. The final arc sees Gideon, not attempt to corrupt Wyatt, but to stop Piper and Leo from reuniting and conceiving any children whatsoever. He is defeated, but Chris is killed - but not before telling Piper that her destiny is with Leo. Henry proposes to Paige in the finale episode.

Season Seven

The plots remain the same, as I believe the Avatar/Zankou plots were brilliant during this season. Magically, little is different - apart from Phoebe developing empathy in the season opener, and Paige exerting more power with her telekinesis and witch side. Following Chris's death, Leo and Piper have reunited. Paige and Henry marry in the 150th episode, but at the reception - Paige is the one who collapses and sees Cole, replacing Piper's role. Coop appears in episode 7x16, and the pair fall in love - with Phoebe opening her heart again following Cole's death. Following Zankou's vanquish in 7x22, Coop and Phoebe become a couple, and Piper finally discovers she is pregnant. The epilogue sees Coop and Phoebe having two daughters of their own, Piper and Leo go on to have Wyatt, Chris and Melinda, and Paige and Henry have the twins and little Henry.

I realised ultimately that seven season would have been the natural end for Charmed, and although this is my "dream" version, I tried to keep it as realistic as possible (with Shannen's exit etc) as if I'm honest, Paige is one of my favourite characters, and she had to be included.

I know there are many out there that will not like the baby-centric ending, but I think the continuation of the legacy was an important part of the show. Anyway, it's late and I'll probably change my mind again someday, but I guess this is my 2014 version.

[Nimue]

I like your ideas, Astral Alex. Especially the ones with Prue having a baby in season 2, Phoebe keeping hers, and getting Astral Projection instead of Prue, and Paige meeting Henry earlier. I also liked how you introduce Paige.

[Esmeralda]

Dec 4, 2014 19:54:56 GMT -5 Astral Alex said:

I have limited time but you've inspired me to tell all, Es. I might come back and add some more detail to this. But this is what I would consider my 'Dream' Charmed, after I've just finished my first re-watch in well over a year. Some aspects of my version are the same as my original I posted back in 2012, but elements have changed.

Season One
If it isn't broken, then why fix it. Season One is a brilliant opener to the show, and I would change very little. The only real change I would have, is that Prue and Andy begin a fully fledged relationship following the events of "Which Prue is it anyway?" and he discovers her secret after seeing her murdered clone. He is initially shaky, but they work through it. However, their happiness is short-lived as Andy is still killed in the finale.

Season Two

Although I appreciate the 'demon-of-the-week' structure of the early seasons, Season Two is easily my least favourite behind Season Eight. It has gems of episodes (Awakened, Reckless Abandon, Astral Monkey) but episodes such as (Heartbreak City) are truly awful. However, I wouldn't move onto an overarching story arc just yet. The main changes of the series would be that in Morality Bites, which is still set in 2009, the child that appears is not Melinda; Piper's daughter, but Trish; Prue's daughter, whom is primarily looked after by Piper due to Prue's workaholic nature. Upon returning the present, the girls still learn the error of using their magic for personal gain - and Prue realises that the dates match and she is in fact pregnant with Andy's child. I debated whether including a pregnancy so early-on in the series, would work, but adding Trish to the series adds a new dimension following Prue's death. The Piper/Leo/Dan saga plays out as normal, and Phoebe returns to college as normal. The rest of the season plays out similarly, with Prue reaching a very dark place due to her grief of losing Andy and struggling with being pregnant. Also, Prue doesn't receive Astral Projection during this season, and doesn't exhibit any special powers whilst pregnant. However, in P3 H20 when the girls meet Sam - he informs them that Patty only managed to channel Phoebe's powers, but Prue shouldn't shut herself off from her baby's strength. Prue's journey throughout the second season grows very dark, and the episode "Murphy's Luck" where Prue contemplates suicide, is fuelled not from her teenage years - but the guilt of losing Andy, and the fear that she would be a terrible mother. Prue eventually gives birth in the eighteenth episode to a baby girl, and Trish is born in the Manor aided by Piper and Phoebe. The remaining three episodes of the season see Prue reject Trish, palming her off on her sisters. However, in the finale Prue has to pull herself together to save her sisters from the Dragon Warlock, and Trish is later captured - despite her powers being unyielding, and she eventually saves the day. Piper and Leo orb up to the heavens as normal, and Prue embraces motherhood.

Season Three

Again, elements of this season would remain. Cole arrives and begins dating Phoebe, and Prue becomes obsessed with demon-hunting and Belthazar. The plot of Season Three remains one of my favourites, so there is little I would change story-wise, the few things being the girls power advancements and Trish's presence. Instead of Phoebe receiving levitation in "The Honeymoon's Over", she would receive Astral Projection - a power more fitting with her psychic abilities. It is explained that she is the first sister to advance in her powers due to the fact that she is the most enthusiastic about the craft, and practises her powers more than Piper and Prue. In "Just Harried", Prue doesn't ruin Piper's wedding - but Trish in fact comes into her powers, which initially seems to be Levitation, but is soon realised to be the beginnings of Telekinesis - like her mother. Patty meets her granddaughter, and tells Prue that she is doing a brilliant job as a mother. Paige is introduced in 3x20, where the plot is slightly changed so that Paige is the innocent and develops a friendship with the girls after they discover she can orb. They are initially intrigued, but Leo reveals that the Elders are clueless and the Phoebe/Cole saga distracts them. All Hell Breaks Loose continues as it originally was, although Paige makes an appearance after being present with the Doctor who Shax is attempting to assassinate. The cliffhanger is as normal, and Prue dies at the end of the episode.

Season Four

The series begins with "Charmed Again", although Piper is using Trish in an attempt to bring back Prue, and the girls are worn out from becoming Trish's full-time carers. They soon discover Paige's true identity, and Paige receives her power of telekinetic orbing after touching Trish in the Manor. The first half of the season has a more demon-of-the-week approach, whilst the family adjust to Paige's presence. Piper is extremely hostile towards her, and refuses to let her have contact with Trish, who she smothers and contemplates binding her powers. The latter half of the season however is the overarching plot of The Source, with Charmed and Dangerous serving as 4x21. Throughout the season, Cole attempts to prove his innocence to the sisters, but Paige is still distrustful and following her Prue's death, Trish uses her powers against Cole to prevent him touching her, and Phoebe is heartbroken when in one episode she does the same to her. Associating her with Cole. Mid-season, the sisters and Leo acknowledge that with Prue gone, they are lacking in firepower - and Paige is made to feel inadequate that her telekinesis does not manifest itself in the same way that Prue's did. Therefore, in "The Fifth Halliwheel" a power broker infects the innocent with "Molecular Combustion", and the only way to save them is for the power to be transferred into another magical being - as the power is a netural power, Piper says that she will attempt to handle the power and therefore inherits her second active power. (I prefer this explanation, as it would be interesting to see how Piper, Phoebe and Paige would cope without Piper's power for the first half of the season, and also it makes sense as to why Piper would inherit it following her time-oriented first power). The power seems to conquer Piper initially, and she isn't seen to be able to freeze anything for many episodes after - leaving the sisters scared and vulnerable in case The Source attacks, however, when all seems lost in 4x21 - she manages to freeze The Source long enough for the sisters to regroup. In 4x22, Cole and Phoebe marry in a simple ceremony - and Piper informs her sisters and Leo that she is suffering from fertility issues - unaware that Cole has been infected with the Source's Essence, ending the season on a cliffhanger.

Season Five

The Cole/Phoebe/Baby storyline that was originally the second story-arc in Season Four, becomes the plot for the beginning of Season Five, with Phoebe discovering she's pregnant and suffering from Piper's original S5 pregnancy mishaps - however, in Centennial Charmed when they attempt to vanquish the Source's ESSENCE (not Cole), Cole is killed and unable to be revived. A grieving Phoebe is left alone and pregnant, and fears that her child will end up like Trish - an orphan. Leo and Piper (who act as Trish's surrogate parents) also have to deal with her and she begins to talk more and becomes more active with using her telekinesis. Phoebe gives birth in 5x15 to a daughter, whom she names Prue - a witch/demon hybrid she posses the power of pyrokinesis and Phoebe, like Prue did, initially struggles with motherhood, however she soon becomes a natural and receives an Astral Premonition from touching both Prue and Trish of her with other daughters in the future. However, the struggle to have their own child causes friction in their marriage and Leo leaves Piper like he does in the original Season Five, becoming an Elder. Paige meets Henry in the finale, and the chemistry is obvious between the pair, just as Chris arrives and introduces themselves as their new Whitelighter.

Season Six

Season Six contains many of the same plot elements. Phoebe begins dating Jason, but their relationship ends when he cannot accept her magic, or the baby Prue. Paige doesn't date Richard Montana, but in fact he is her first charge and attempts to win her over, but she chooses Henry over him. Chris is still revealed to be Piper and Leo's son mid-season to Phoebe and Paige, after they catch him referring to Trish as his cousin. Trish starts school, and also after much deliberation - magic school to learn to control her powers more, and she becomes somewhat of a 'celebrity' due to her parentage. The latter half of the season sees Piper begin to drift from her responsibilities. Phoebe is often tasked with the care of Prue and Trish, whilst Paige takes on witch duties, in the absence of Leo - Piper feels a failure, due to the fact that she thinks she cannot have a child and P3 also struggles financially. It is only in 5x17 when she discovers Chris is her son, does she get back her fighting spirit. The final arc sees Gideon, not attempt to corrupt Wyatt, but to stop Piper and Leo from reuniting and conceiving any children whatsoever. He is defeated, but Chris is killed - but not before telling Piper that her destiny is with Leo. Henry proposes to Paige in the finale episode.

Season Seven

The plots remain the same, as I believe the Avatar/Zankou plots were brilliant during this season. Magically, little is different - apart from Phoebe developing empathy in the season opener, and Paige exerting more power with her telekinesis and witch side. Following Chris's death, Leo and Piper have reunited. Paige and Henry marry in the 150th episode, but at the reception - Paige is the one who collapses and sees Cole, replacing Piper's role. Coop appears in episode 7x16, and the pair fall in love - with Phoebe opening her heart again following Cole's death. Following Zankou's vanquish in 7x22, Coop and Phoebe become a couple, and Piper finally discovers she is pregnant. The epilogue sees Coop and Phoebe having two daughters of their own, Piper and Leo go on to have Wyatt, Chris and Melinda, and Paige and Henry have the twins and little Henry.

I realised ultimately that seven season would have been the natural end for Charmed, and although this is my "dream" version, I tried to keep it as realistic as possible (with Shannen's exit etc) as if I'm honest, Paige is one of my favourite characters, and she had to be included.

I know there are many out there that will not like the baby-centric ending, but I think the continuation of the legacy was an important part of the show. Anyway, it's late and I'll probably change my mind again someday, but I guess this is my 2014 version.

First, I'm thrilled that I inspired you to write this, because, WOW, Astral Alex, you really did a great job taking the original and keeping it very close to the original while making it much better.

Naturally I like my own Dream Charmed better, just because it *is* mine and although I *do* like the way you handled the children (I *ADORE* making Morality Bite's Melinda Trish, and letting Phoebe's baby take Wyatt's place - although I think you should've given Phoebe's baby a different nickname to keep her separate from Prue, like Trish rather than Patricia or Patty. Prudie is a nickname I've seen that works, besides just calling her the full Prudence. Another suggestion is based on what Piper might have named Wyatt had he been the girl he should've been - naming her Prudence Melinda, but calling her Melinda. In this case, you could name Phoebe's baby Prudence Nicole after both her aunt and her father, and calling her Nicole), I still hate each sisters having three children in the future - I would've prefered you ending it something like I did (which is based on what I saw another fan do) with the sisters going up the steps ten months later, Piper holding both her new son and Trish, Paige now pregnant with her own child, and Phoebe holding Nicole while admiring her new engagement ring - and leaving any extra children for any spin-off or TV movie, as I did. That way you *are* showing that it will continue, but saving whate exactly that would be for later. The epilogue is a way of slamming the door on the series, which I don't think should've ever happened, since it means no chance of a TV-movie or a spin-off, and it forced all nine kids on the comics, making it too baby-centric.

Also, just being me, I don't like the way the powers were handled - much too many, and much too confusing. I *so* wish you'd describe powers rather than using the fan-created names. What, for example, is the difference between firestarting, pyrokinesis and molecular combustion - something Piper never did, since she made molecules burn, instead she made them speed up until they exploded, the reason I hate using fan-created names? And how did Phoebe get to be lucky enough to end up with THREE powers - premonitions, astral projection and empathy? The kids' powers were also extremely confusing.

What I did like best is when Phoebe got hers because she actually earned it - by being the one most interested in magic and the one most interested in helping innocents. I also liked the reasoning for why Piper got hers, as long as it's making molecules move faster rather than burning them. Why Phoebe got another one (and any other ones I'm missing), I don't know. I also think the empathy should've gone to Paige, so she could have an upgrade, especially if she doesn't have all of the whitelighter powers, which she (and Chris) shouldn't get since they're not whitelighters since they're not dead.

What would've been fun with Chris is to find out that he actually died (killed by Gideon) in the future and came back as a true whitelighter, so when Leo kills Gideon, rather than fading away, Chris finds out that he no longer has any whitelighter powers because he is, in fact, alive. Hmmm....I think I might do that with "Chris" in mine, even if her father is a demon and not an angel - although I like that idea even more!

Otherwise, you did a very, *very* good job with this, and naturally, most of this is just personal preference, and most fans would probably prefer what you did rather than what I'd want.

[Esmeralda]

The funny thing is, despite what I said, I'd really like it if you also did a Dream Spin-Off, featuring your half-whitelighter (Chris), your half-demon (Nicole) and your quarter-whitelighters (Paige's twins) with your full witch (Trish) as leader, even if it meant they'd have the father-affected powers that I can't stand. But I'd still love to see what you'd do with them. And if those were the only kids, it would be perfect!

[Deleted]

Great job, Alex! I'm now feeling rather inspired to try my own Dream Series (which also changes frequently).

Season One

I am pretty much in agreement that the first season needs little change. I would simply erase two episodes: Dream Sorcerer and The Wedding from Hell.Also, I’d make slight plot alterations, like I’d include Victor in That 70s Episode. In fact, I’d even make it a two-parter, given that it is such an important episode in terms of the Halliwells’ family history. It would make a good end to the first half of the season. And I would have Prue and Andy’s relationship be much more solid by the finale, to make his death seem that much more tragic.

Season Two

Again, not much change would happen for me.

I’d have Morality Bites be the premiere; the Abraxas storyline was just boring to me. The ‘reading the book backwards’ thing came across as lazy. I’d also get rid of episodes That Old Black Magic (Chosen One/magic wands – no thanks); The Painted World (a man in a painting – need I say more); Heartbreak City (Cupid and cheap-looking jewellery) and Animal Pragmatism (magic can be transmitted through voice recorders?). Other than those individual weak episodes, I’d happily keep this season relatively arc-less, as it had a nice Touched by an Angel feel to it. Also, no Jenny – pointless character – just Dan, who wouldn’t be quite so nice and boring, but have more feistiness about him, much like he did in Ex Libris.

Phoebe would get Astral Projection instead of Prue, given her commitment to the Craft and her interest in studying Psychology. We’d see more of her volunteering at the hospital from ‘They’re Everywhere’ where she’d use her powers for good. She’d get the Ms Hellfire/Bane plots as a way of foreshadowing her propensity for bad boys. Meanwhile, I’d put Prue with Jack for longer, but he’d be less of an idiot, to be frank. Also, she took the lead in a number of Innocent-saving episodes – She’s a Man, Baby; P3 H20; Murphy’s Luck; Ex Libris – so she didn’t really need the Bane plots. Instead, I’d have liked to see her properly grieve for Andy; perhaps even interact with his family, especially his dad who was mentioned in the pilot.

I’d have had the ‘Apocalypse, Not’ storyline be a two-parter and a cliffhanger ‘to be continued’ after the Christmas break, with the episodes actually taking place on NYE. I’d just want the episode to have more time to build the tension and seem much darker. ‘Be Careful What You Witch For’ was a good episode, but not a finale to me. So, I’d incorporate aspects of the Piper/Leo saga of early Season 3 into that episode; the revealing of ‘The Council’ (who would always be The Triad); the Dragon Warlock and the Genie; the bad wishes; Dan learning Piper’s secret. The episode would end with the Genie leaving, the coming of the eclipse and Leo being ‘taken’ by the Elders, fading out of the Manor front doors as a cliffhanger.

Season Three

Season Three would open to Piper in the midst of a six-month long depression, having had Leo taken from her. She has refused to fight demons and save Innocents for this length of time, leaving Prue and Phoebe to pick up the slack, much to their annoyance. The first episode would still be about the Guardians, and Cole’s introduction, but would incorporate aspects of Once Upon a Time, but without the stupid fairies. I would make ‘Kate’ slightly older, about 13/14, and a troubled teenager who has gotten mixed up with petty crime and is a target of the Guardians. This way, the Innocent would still motivate Piper out of her strike, but not subject us to awful, Disney storylines. And of course Leo would be returned as before, his relationship with Piper put under probation.

Much of the season would continue on a normal, with Prue getting Levitation in the opener instead of Phoebe – it makes better sense for Phoebe to get a new power first, then Prue, then Piper. Also, I’d make some major revisions to ‘We All Scream for Ice Cream’ (keep the Victor plot, lose everything else) and ‘Wrestling with Demons’ (keep the Cole/Phoebe/Prue plot, lose everything else).

I’d really want Victor to be in S3 a lot more, seeing as Prue is about to die. I’d want to hear and see his side of the story and why he and Patty really split up, not Grams’ man-hating version of events.

I’d have The Brotherhood be involved in most of the second half of the season, showing us more of Cole’s past. As for Piper and Leo’s wedding, Phoebe would have the AP power, so I don’t think the Astral Clone ruining the wedding would work for Phoebe instead of Prue. I’d actually just want a smooth wedding episode perhaps. Perhaps, something with a time travel plot to it - like in Cat House from S5 in which the sisters jump through different times.

Season Four

Although I don’t actually want Prue to die, I to like to keep things a little bit realistic. Plus, I do love Paige as well. If I could have a compromise, I’d like a few flashbacks/premonitions of the missing bits between AHBL and CA. I’d keep the first half of the Season 4 very similar as it was so well done. However, I think I’d put another episode in place of Knight to Remember, it was a bit cheesy. If anything, the first half of the season would be about getting to know Paige, and Piper and Phoebe taking a lot more time to grieve for Prue, with Piper’s powers taking a long time to stabilise.

As for Paige’s powers, I’d keep her Telekinetic Orbing because I like that it’s a hybrid power, but Orbing wasn’t hybrid at all, so instead I’d give her Hyper Speed, looking similar to Paige’s charge Mitchell in S7 (sort of super speed via orbs). Orbing became way to overly featured and boring. Plus, it made things too easy for the sisters when two/three members of the family could teleport. And, one last point, this would stop Paige from becoming a full WL because, as Es rightly says, she hasn’t earned the privilege yet. I don’t, however, mind her occasionally using healing with Leo’s help, like she did for Cole and Leo himself in the real S4.

As for the last part of the season, I’d have the Source and Seer feature much more, as well as some backstory episodes for Cole, including meeting his mother, Elizabeth. I’d love to see her reject Cole for falling in love with a witch. She’d try to kill Phoebe to ‘turn’ him back but would be killed by Paige. Of course Cole would still be devastated because it’s his mum and it would make the feud/tension between him and Paige even greater.

The season finale would be Charmed and Dangerous, ending with Cole’s line: “I’m nobody’s hero”, black-flame eyes then another cliffhanger.

Season Five

The first half would basically be the end of the real S4, including Cole’s possession by the Source, Phoebe’s pregnancy and an much more extended reign as King and Queen of the Underworld, lasting until the 100th episode, when Cole would finally need to be sacrificed to get rid of the Source.

Phoebe would stay pregnant for another 5/6 episodes, until they finally got rid of the Seer, her baby gradually gaining more control over her body and powers. Meanwhile, Piper and Leo would struggle to conceive. Paige would get her social worker promotion and actually stay in the job, using it to protect Innocents until she finally encounters her birth father – who would be a client of hers, not by the Elders intervention. Sam would be in at least three episodes and the tension between him and Paige in S8 (The Lost Picture Show) would take place here instead, especially over Paige’s lack of interest in being a WL. The season would culminate in Piper/Leo marital problems (mostly because of the baby issues), Phoebe gaining back control of her witch powers and her sisters’ trust, and finally it would end with Witch Way Now? (AoD; Piper’s pregnancy).

Season Six

It is at this point where most of my changes occur. I would make S6 my last, with elements of the real S5-8, which all had good episodes/plots but were generally weak seasons on their own. The season would start the Mermaid episode from S5 (perhaps only a one-parter) which would be more focused on Phoebe’s grief over Cole and Piper’s motherhood fears, rather than Mylie. Such themes would continue with S5 episodes like The Eyes Have It and Siren’s Song. The next episode would be about Leo losing an important Innocent, due to being distracted by Piper’s pregnancy, forcing the Elders to look at their relationship again. They decide to do the ‘Seven Year Witch’ test on him at this point. Piper does the whole Cole reunion thing in Limbo and he finally gets some redemption by being allowed to 'move on' for helping Piper. Leo becomes mortal. 

Paige would meet Kyle Brody, who would actually be a cop and a male witch - a mix between Kyle Brody and Richard Montana. Chris would enter the series in ‘A Witch in Time’ taking the place of Bacarra and Kyle Brody would be in Cole’s place. Chris would claim that Miles being saved marked the moment the sisters defied the laws of nature (going against Angel of Death’s wishes) and misused their magic. He remains cryptic and claims their selfishness will be their undoing. Now that Leo is mortal he takes the place as the Hallwells’ new WL. He and the Elders warn of the 'gathering storm'.  

Paige and Brody's relationship would start out promising; the social worker and the cop solving crimes together, but of course he would still be obsessed with the Avatars. Brody would have the original Kyle’s obsessiveness, as well as Richard’s magic addiction, which would make him even more intense. Piper would have Melinda halfway through the season, with a similar plot to ‘The Day the Magic Died’, but Prue would return to Earth to help save her and the baby. As Piper gives birth, Prue would disappear and it would be implied that she had been reborn as Baby Melinda.

The rest of the season would stay pretty faithful to the Avatar plot: Leo becoming one of them, first and foremost. Melinda's near-kidnap at birth would convince the sisters to bring about Utopia etc to ensure her safety. Of course, in my series it would be Chris and Kyle working to stop it. Chris would actually be revealed to be the son of Paige and Kyle.

One big difference would be that Chris would not be trying to stop Wyatt or Melinda from turning Evil, but rather trying to stop his parents (who would actually be Paige and Kyle) from letting Utopia happen. In his world, Paige fell pregnant with him just as Kyle was killed by the Avatars, leaving him to grow up in a Chris-Crossed-esque world ruled by the Avatars.   

So, the Avatars would be based on several villains' roles. Firstly, I'd actually like Zankou to be an Avatar, and not a demon. He would be the leader, and would be responsible for murdering Chris. Beta would still kill Kyle. Finally they would erase Leo for trying to undo Utopia. The sisters would then have a 'confrontation' with them which would resemble their S8 battle with The Triad (but not at Magic School because it doesn't exist in my series). 'Zankou' and 'Alpha' would escape but Beta would be killed, leading to the S8 Final Battle with the leftover Avatars, the Manor would still explode as it did during the Halliwells/Jenkins fight, with only Piper and Zankou remaining (Alpha would be killed at this point). Zankou would use what little power he has left to go back in time to ressurect the Avatars.
Leo would ‘return’ because Alpha was the one who banished him and he is now dead, so his spell is lifted. Leo could now use his own Avatar power to 'piggy-back' onto Zankou's time-jump with Piper (just like they did in 'Forever Charmed' with Coop's ring). 

In the past, they meet Prue, along with Patty and Penny. When Zankou is finally killed (a la Zankou's real S7 vanquish/astral projection strategy) everything is restored to normal, and Kyle is made a WL, leaving the possibility open for him and Paige to have Chris in the future. As for Phoebe’s love life, I’d keep her with Drake, but on a pretty casual basis throughout S6, no stupid workplace bed buddies. He’d simply ‘be there’ for her in the finale, with just the implication that they might one day get married/have kids one day. 

Oh, and as for their powers:

- I'd give Phoebe telepathy or empathy for her third power in mid S6, after she gets over Cole and starts thinking of Innocents again. I'd be very strict about what she could do with it though - she'd NEVER be able to 'tap into' or physical use someone else's power, but more be able to resist/neutralise them. For instance, by the time she gets well-practised, she could extinguish a fireball that is being thrown at her, but could never redirect it or throw her own fireball back. Also, during Avatar-Zankou's final vanquish, it would be cool if Phoebe 'shared' her astral projection power with her sisters, as it is her power and not Prue's in my series. And more importantly, I'd like her to become a counsellor (as well as an advice columnist) and use her power to 'heal' emotionally troubled people. 

- I'd give Piper invisibility early into S6, rather than her baby having womb powers. So being able to freeze, blow things up and become invisible should be protection enough.

- I'd give Paige a third hybrid power, basically Wyatt's forcefield/shielding power, but looking more orb-like. Probably near the end of S5, as a reward for being the most craft-dedicated sister at that time. 

[ljones]

Feb 23, 2012 18:32:43 GMT -5 Astral Alex said:

Feb 23, 2012 15:18:23 GMT -5 ljones said:

Do you really see Andy agreeing to name his child "Halliwell"? Because I don't.

I don't think you have read my post properly.

Andy died weeks after Trish's conception, he never met her.

Wouldn't that convince Prue to give their daughter his surname?



Again, I noticed that Cole seems to end up dead in many of these versions. I didn't realize that his half-human/half-demon state really bothered that many fans. Did his ambiguous nature bothered so many of you that much?

In my alternate universe stories, he's still, he has the powers he had gained between S4 and S5 and he's no longer with Phoebe or any of the Halliwells. Nor is he the Source or one-dimensionally evil. Why not allow Leo to become permanently evil? Or one of the sisters? Or Psycho Babe (aka Wyatt)?

[Esmeralda]

Dec 5, 2014 20:10:14 GMT -5 @deano said:

Great job, Alex! I'm now feeling rather inspired to try my own Dream Series (which also changes frequently).

Season One

I am pretty much in agreement that the first season needs little change. I would simply erase two episodes: Dream Sorcerer and The Wedding from Hell.Also, I’d make slight plot alterations, like I’d include Victor in That 70s Episode. In fact, I’d even make it a two-parter, given that it is such an important episode in terms of the Halliwells’ family history. It would make a good end to the first half of the season. And I would have Prue and Andy’s relationship be much more solid by the finale, to make his death seem that much more tragic.

Season Two

Again, not much change would happen for me.

I’d have Morality Bites be the premiere; the Abraxas storyline was just boring to me. The ‘reading the book backwards’ thing came across as lazy. I’d also get rid of episodes That Old Black Magic (Chosen One/magic wands – no thanks); The Painted World (a man in a painting – need I say more); Heartbreak City (Cupid and cheap-looking jewellery) and Animal Pragmatism (magic can be transmitted through voice recorders?). Other than those individual weak episodes, I’d happily keep this season relatively arc-less, as it had a nice Touched by an Angel feel to it. Also, no Jenny – pointless character – just Dan, who wouldn’t be quite so nice and boring, but have more feistiness about him, much like he did in Ex Libris.

Phoebe would get Astral Projection instead of Prue, given her commitment to the Craft and her interest in studying Psychology. We’d see more of her volunteering at the hospital from ‘They’re Everywhere’ where she’d use her powers for good. She’d get the Ms Hellfire/Bane plots as a way of foreshadowing her propensity for bad boys. Meanwhile, I’d put Prue with Jack for longer, but he’d be less of an idiot, to be frank. Also, she took the lead in a number of Innocent-saving episodes – She’s a Man, Baby; P3 H20; Murphy’s Luck; Ex Libris – so she didn’t really need the Bane plots. Instead, I’d have liked to see her properly grieve for Andy; perhaps even interact with his family, especially his dad who was mentioned in the pilot.

I’d have had the ‘Apocalypse, Not’ storyline be a two-parter and a cliffhanger ‘to be continued’ after the Christmas break, with the episodes actually taking place on NYE. I’d just want the episode to have more time to build the tension and seem much darker. ‘Be Careful What You Witch For’ was a good episode, but not a finale to me. So, I’d incorporate aspects of the Piper/Leo saga of early Season 3 into that episode; the revealing of ‘The Council’ (who would always be The Triad); the Dragon Warlock and the Genie; the bad wishes; Dan learning Piper’s secret. The episode would end with the Genie leaving, the coming of the eclipse and Leo being ‘taken’ by the Elders, fading out of the Manor front doors as a cliffhanger.

Season Three

Season Three would open to Piper in the midst of a six-month long depression, having had Leo taken from her. She has refused to fight demons and save Innocents for this length of time, leaving Prue and Phoebe to pick up the slack, much to their annoyance. The first episode would still be about the Guardians, and Cole’s introduction, but would incorporate aspects of Once Upon a Time, but without the stupid fairies. I would make ‘Kate’ slightly older, about 13/14, and a troubled teenager who has gotten mixed up with petty crime and is a target of the Guardians. This way, the Innocent would still motivate Piper out of her strike, but not subject us to awful, Disney storylines. And of course Leo would be returned as before, his relationship with Piper put under probation.

Much of the season would continue on a normal, with Prue getting Levitation in the opener instead of Phoebe – it makes better sense for Phoebe to get a new power first, then Prue, then Piper. Also, I’d make some major revisions to ‘We All Scream for Ice Cream’ (keep the Victor plot, lose everything else) and ‘Wrestling with Demons’ (keep the Cole/Phoebe/Prue plot, lose everything else).

I’d really want Victor to be in S3 a lot more, seeing as Prue is about to die. I’d want to hear and see his side of the story and why he and Patty really split up, not Grams’ man-hating version of events.

I’d have The Brotherhood be involved in most of the second half of the season, showing us more of Cole’s past. As for Piper and Leo’s wedding, Phoebe would have the AP power, so I don’t think the Astral Clone ruining the wedding would work for Phoebe instead of Prue. I’d actually just want a smooth wedding episode perhaps. Perhaps, something with a time travel plot to it - like in Cat House from S5 in which the sisters jump through different times.

Season Four

Although I don’t actually want Prue to die, I to like to keep things a little bit realistic. Plus, I do love Paige as well. If I could have a compromise, I’d like a few flashbacks/premonitions of the missing bits between AHBL and CA. I’d keep the first half of the Season 4 very similar as it was so well done. However, I think I’d put another episode in place of Knight to Remember, it was a bit cheesy. If anything, the first half of the season would be about getting to know Paige, and Piper and Phoebe taking a lot more time to grieve for Prue, with Piper’s powers taking a long time to stabilise.

As for Paige’s powers, I’d keep her Telekinetic Orbing because I like that it’s a hybrid power, but Orbing wasn’t hybrid at all, so instead I’d give her Hyper Speed, looking similar to Paige’s charge Mitchell in S7 (sort of super speed via orbs). Orbing became way to overly featured and boring. Plus, it made things too easy for the sisters when two/three members of the family could teleport. And, one last point, this would stop Paige from becoming a full WL because, as Es rightly says, she hasn’t earned the privilege yet. I don’t, however, mind her occasionally using healing with Leo’s help, like she did for Cole and Leo himself in the real S4.

As for the last part of the season, I’d have the Source and Seer feature much more, as well as some backstory episodes for Cole, including meeting his mother, Elizabeth. I’d love to see her reject Cole for falling in love with a witch. She’d try to kill Phoebe to ‘turn’ him back but would be killed by Paige. Of course Cole would still be devastated because it’s his mum and it would make the feud/tension between him and Paige even greater.

The season finale would be Charmed and Dangerous, ending with Cole’s line: “I’m nobody’s hero”, black-flame eyes then another cliffhanger.

Season Five

The first half would basically be the end of the real S4, including Cole’s possession by the Source, Phoebe’s pregnancy and an much more extended reign as King and Queen of the Underworld, lasting until the 100th episode, when Cole would finally need to be sacrificed to get rid of the Source.

Phoebe would stay pregnant for another 5/6 episodes, until they finally got rid of the Seer, her baby gradually gaining more control over her body and powers. Meanwhile, Piper and Leo would struggle to conceive. Paige would get her social worker promotion and actually stay in the job, using it to protect Innocents until she finally encounters her birth father – who would be a client of hers, not by the Elders intervention. Sam would be in at least three episodes and the tension between him and Paige in S8 (The Lost Picture Show) would take place here instead, especially over Paige’s lack of interest in being a WL. The season would culminate in Piper/Leo marital problems (mostly because of the baby issues), Phoebe gaining back control of her witch powers and her sisters’ truth and finally would end with Witch Way Now? (AoD; Piper’s pregnancy).

Season Six

It is at this point where most of my changes occur. I would make S6 my last, with elements of the real S5, 6, 7 and 8, which all had good episodes/plots but were generally weak seasons on their own. The season would start the Mermaid episode from S5 (perhaps only a one-parter) which would be more focused on Phoebe’s grief over Cole and Piper’s motherhood fears, rather than Mylie. Such themes would continue with S5 episodes like The Eyes Have It and Siren’s Song. The next episode would be about Leo losing an important Innocent, due to being distracted by Piper’s pregnancy, forcing the Elders to look at their relationship again. They decide to do the ‘Seven Year Witch’ test on him at this point. Piper does the whole Cole reunion thing and he finally gets some redemption by being allowed to 'move on' for helping Piper. Leo becomes mortal. 

Paige would meet Kyle Brody, who would actually be a cop and a male witch - a mix between Kyle Brody and Richard Montana. Chris would enter the series in ‘A Witch in Time’ taking the place of Bacarra and Kyle Brody would be in Cole’s place. Chris would claim that Miles being saved marked the moment the sisters defied the laws of nature (going against Angel of Death’s wishes) and misused their magic. He remains cryptic and claims their selfishness will be their undoing. Now that Leo is mortal he takes the place as the Hallwells’ new WL. He and the Elders warn of the 'gathering storm'.  

Paige and Brody would start out promising; the social worker and the cop solving crimes together, but of course he would still be obsessed with the Avatars. Brody would have the original Kyle’s obsessiveness, as well as Richard’s magic addiction, which would make him even more intense. Piper would have Melinda halfway through the season, with a similar plot to ‘The Day the Magic Died’, but Prue would return to Earth to help save her and the baby. As Piper gave birth, Prue would disappear and it would be implied that she had been reborn as Baby Melinda.

The rest of the season would stay pretty faithful to the Avatar plot: Leo becoming one of them. Melinda almost getting kidnapped at birth would convince the sisters to bring about Utopia etc. Of course, in my series it would be Chris and Kyle working to stop it. Chris would actually be revealed to be the son of Paige and Kyle.

One big difference would be that Chris would not be trying to stop Wyatt or Melinda from turning Evil, but rather stop his parents ( who would actually be Paige and Kyle) from letting Utopia happen. In his world, Paige fell pregnant with him just as Kyle was killed by the Avatars, leaving him to grow up in a Chris-Crossed-esque world ruled by the Avatars.   

So, the Avatars would on several villains' roles. Firstly, I'd actually like Zankou to be an Avatar, and not a demon. He would be the leader, and would be responsible for murdering Chris. Beta would also still kill Kyle. Finally they would erase Leo for trying to undo Utopia. The sisters would then have a 'confrontation' with them which would resemble their S8 battle with The Triad (but not at Magic School because it doesn't exist in my series). 'Zankou' and 'Alpha' would escape but Beta killed, leading to the S8 Final Battle with the leftover Avatars, the Manor would still explode with only Piper and Zankou remaining (Alpha killed at this point). Leo would ‘return’ as Zankou's colleagues would be dead too, allowing them to go back in time again.

In the past, they meet Prue, along with Patty and Penny. When Zankou finally killed (a la Zankou's real S7 vanquish/astral projection strategy) everything is restored to normal, and Kyle is made a WL, leaving the possibility open for him and Paige to have Chris in the future. As for Phoebe’s love life, I’d keep her with Drake, but on a pretty casual basis throughout S6, no stupid workplace bed buddies. He’d simply ‘be there’ for her in the finale, with just the implication that they might one day get married/have kids.

Oh, and as for their powers:

- I'd give Phoebe telepathy or empathy for her third power in mid S6, after she gets over Cole and starts thinking of Innocents again. I'd be very strict about what she could do with it though - she'd NEVER be able to 'tap into' or physical use someone else's power, but more be able to resist/neutralise them. For instance, by the time she gets well-practiced she could extinguish a fireball that is being thrown at her, but could never redirect it, or throw her own fireball back. Also, in the Avatar-Zankou's final vanquish, it would be cool if Phoebe 'shared' her astral projection power with her sisters, as it is her power and not Prue's in my series. And more importantly, I'd like her to become a counsellor (as well as an advice columnist) and use her power to 'heal' emotionally troubled people. 

- I'd give Piper invisibility early into S6, rather than her baby having womb powers. So being able to freeze, blow things up and become invisible should be protection enough.

- I'd give Paige a third hybrid power, basically Wyatt's forcefield/shielding power, but looking more orb-like. Probably near the end of S5, as a reward for being the most craft-dedicated sister at that time. 

Finally had a chance to read this, Deano, and really, really, *REALLY* like this! If we had to keep our Dream version as close to the real version as possible, this could very well be my Dream Charmed, too!

About the only parts I don't like is what you did with Sam and Paige and her power. Her combining her powers with Leo in order to heal half-breeds never made sense to me. I mean which part of Cole is human and which part is demonic??? Either Leo should be able to heal all of him (my preference) or not be able to heal him at all. And if you agree with me that Paige is *not* a whitelighter (hence her hybrid power rather than her regular one - once that Chris, as her son, should also have - no orbing for him!) because she's not dead, no way Sam (or anyone else) should ever be given to her as a charge. Ditto for Chris. My suggestion to fix that is have Chris actually die in the future saving an innocent, so he truly comes back as a whitelighter, not as a mix unable to have charges. Otherwise, you *are* letting them be whitelighters despite the fact that they're not dead, so then just go back to letting Paige have her regular screwed-up power.

Naturally being me, I don't like the sisters getting three powers - it makes them too powerful - for me, I'd stick with the original or at the very, very most, two for each (and for that, Prue with TK and levitation, Piper with freezing and invisibility, and Phoebe with premonitions and astral projections makes the most sense, and I'd still want, once Prue dies, for Piper to get TK and levitation, Phoebe to get freezing and invisibility and Paige to get premonitions and astral projection with neither whitelighter-related. Ditto for Melinda and Chris - none of their powers would be a mix, nor would they have any whitelighter powers.

The other thing I'd suggest is to rename Melinda Prudence Melinda, since that's what Piper was going to name Wyatt if he was a girl - especially if indeed she is Prue. Like I suggested to Astral Alex, she could indeed still be called by her middle name, since at that point (before they know she's Prue), calling her that would be too painful.

But otherwise - and, naturally, that's just my own opinion which, as usual, is different from most fans - very, very, *VERY* well done!