S5 Storyline that Never Happened?

[cyma]

From the Ask Brad! feature of the Charmed Magazine (Issue #17):

''One storyline we had wanted to do, in the beginning of the fifth year, involved Julian McMahon's character, Cole. Paige and Cole were going to start having feeling for each other. That was going to create some sisterly strife, obviously, between Paige and Phoebe.

What we wanted to play was what happens when sisters fall in love with one of the other sister's lovers? How does the sister that is falling for the other sister's lover feel about it? What does she do about those feelings? Does she suppress them? Does she act on them? What would Phoebe's reaction be? Would she talk to Piper about it?

It was part of our constant effort to keep looking for internal conflict, things to play between the sisters. That's what the show, at its core, was always about. That was one storyline I found intriguing to play out. It was dicey and provocative and it started out in the mermaid episode.

There's a scene, that's actually in the show, where Paige casts a spell to find out what Cole's true feelings are, to find out if he really, truly loves Phoebe. In the script, he ended up kissing her because he felt so strongly about Phoebe, but when he kissed Paige she felt something and she reacted to that.

That was supposed to be the beginning of that arc. It would have been very provocative, very chancy, I think, and pretty volatile. When I sent the pages down to the set it took all three girls less than a second to call me and say, "No way are we playing that." I understood; it was really risky, but we were heading towards our 100th episode and I wanted to play honest things that happen between sisters, and that felt like an honest thing to play. But there was no way the girls were going to let that happen.''





I actually would’ve been interested in seeing how this played out. Especially if it meant atleast one person might be supporting Cole after the whole Source fiasco.

[forbuss]

I absolutely would have loved loved loved this. I'm SO sad and confused that they didn't want to play such an acting challenge, and it would have eventually brought them closer together. I have a lot to think about!!

[Esmeralda]

The funny thing is I could've sworn that I had heard that this was supposed to be played out in Season Four, when Paige is first introduced, where there is a strong physical attraction between the half-angel and the half-devil after that Phoebe/Paige switch and with her showing hatred more to keep her feelings hidden.

I'd also heard it was the only idea that the girls absolutely put their foot down and said "No way."

Somehow this makes more sense to me than doing in in Season Five, although anything regarding Cole in Season 5 would be better than what we got.

ETA: Cyma posted this at a different site and I agree with one of the other posters:

It would have been an interesting storyline had it been believable. I would never buy Paige having feelings for Cole, at least not so soon after the way the Source storyline from season 4 played out. Maybe Phoebe falling for Glen or something had they brought him back during season 5 but definitely not Paige falling for Cole.

Amen. Again, had it been in Season 4 and had the sisters' bond not grown strong enough to vanquish the Source until after they'd gotten through this conflict, then it would've made sense. As is, I don't think it would've.

I particularly can't see Cole falling for Paige after all that he and Phoebe had gone through. Perhaps if he tried to use Paige to get back at Phoebe with the way she'd been treating him, but to actually fall for Paige or for Paige to actually see any good in him and fall for him? No, I think the actresses were right in saying that this would've simply been too unbelievable in Season 5, especially after what had happened in Season 4.

It's hard enough to believe that their bond grew so close so quickly that they could vanquish the Source. This would've made it totally impossible to believe that.

That's the thing Kern kept forgetting about - the Power of Three.

The funny thing is that had it been done in one of the latter seasons (6-8) - say if both Phoebe and Paige fell for Brody or Henry or Coop - or better - if after the way Piper treated him, if Leo developped feelings for Paige and she developped feelings for him rather than Henry (and hopefully actually ended with him) - then this storyline could've made sense and been *much* better than what we got.

[Chrisaholic]

In some fanfics though, it's established a bit that Paige fell in love with Cole in the old future after the other two Charmed Ones have died. Brings always some rivalry out between Paige and Phoebe when then Cole appears in the present. Just some thoughts.

[Astral Alex]

Horrendous. So glad that never happened, would've cheapened the show too much.

[Esmeralda]

Funny, Chrisaholic, I've never heard that before - that in the original future after the other two were dead that Cole developped feelings for Paige, so that's definitely not something that's established. Now I *have* seen stories where Phoebe is the one who dies rather than Prue and then eventually (Season 7 or 8) he develops feelings for her, but not like this.

For that matter, I've also seen it where it's Phoebe who dies and it's Prue and Cole who develop feelings for each other - with both feeling disloyal to Phoebe, but can't deny the attraction between them that was obviously so much stronger than it was between Phoebe and Cole.

But only in this alternate universe situation.

And, Astral Alex, I agree with you totally.

[Chrisaholic]

I just said that it was in some, not all. Unfortunately, I don't have any examples at hand at the moment, but I've read some. Just saying.

[Deleted]

Horrible storyline. No way in hell I would've ever believed Paige developed feelings for Cole, especially with how things played out in season 4. Thank god Rose and Julian both had sense to say no to the dimwitted kern. I will admit though, had Prue been alive, I could've found this particular storyline much more effective. Prue and Cole certainly had "chemistry" in that western episode. Forgot the name.

[Esmeralda]

Doesn't sound like Julian had the sense to say no - only the three women (I don't count adult women as girls...the way I don't count adult men as boys...). I think Julian just did what he was told, since his time with the show was almost up and he was looking forward to "Nip Tuck". But unlike Rose, he didn't let his feelings about the show affect his acting.

[Deleted]

When I first read that I could've sworn it said "It took Julian and the three girls less than a second" But reading your comment and re reading the OP it doesn't. My bad. Yes I agree with that. I think Julian did what he was told and that was it. I'm glad he left honestly. And I know Rose had some issues and it showed in her acting, but what was Alyssa Milano's excuse? She was pretty bad herself especially season 6 7 and 8.

[kriswyatthalliwell]

Cole and Paige... um no. Cole and Prue on the other hand... um yes all the way! Prue and Cole always had chemistry especially in "The Good, The Bad, and The Cursed", Phoebe and Cole maybe did have chemistry at one point but that really just died after awhile but Paige and Cole I could never really imagine ever especially after all that transpired in season 4.

[Darkhorse Christian]

I think Rose was sick and tired of her character being used as a hookup factory, which it kinda was early on. "Paige is not a ho" ring any bells?

That being said, I totally agree that Cole and Paige would've never worked. It would've felt like, "Hey, Cole, couldn't you have done this with Prue instead? You know, the last time you and Phoebe were on the rocks BEFORE the marriage and the whole king-of-all-evil thing?" At least that would've fit. Not only did Prue and Cole actually have chemistry, as kyriswyatthalliwell noted, partially due to Shannen and Julian being together in real life at the time, but Prue's character by that point was already established as needing to figure out how to balance her responsibilities with her inner desires. Cole would've been perfect for her to do that with, and she was the kind of woman who I believe could've handled the job of keeping him consistently steered to good if she really wanted to. Of course, in order for enough time to pass so that this wouldn't be at all obscene, Alyssa would've probably had to be the one to get canned instead of Shannen if anyone, meaning Phoebe would've died instead of Prue…

But Paige? And after everything? I shudder to think anything would've been worse than what we actually got from season 5, but this is one possibility which may have actually been…

[Deleted]

Feb 11, 2014 15:45:58 GMT -5 Darkhorse Christian said:

I think Rose was sick and tired of her character being used as a hookup factory, which it kinda was early on. "Paige is not a ho" ring any bells?

I remember seeing that interview. She looked so done. She was like "I don't know ask Brad kern" when she continued to answer the question. 

[iamthesun]

Hmm she got fed up with it altogether, I think..she wasn't expecting it to go on for as long as it did. Which interview was that?

[Deleted]

I can't remember its been a long time since I've seen that interview in particular, but I think the interview was with Charmed Living. You can easily find that interview on youtube. 

[iamthesun]

oh yes, I've seen a few of them, thanks!

[Deleted]

Feb 14, 2014 5:48:50 GMT -5 iamthesun said:

oh yes, I've seen a few of them, thanks!

No problem 

[Astral Echo]

I think the interview in question took place in Season 7, I think it was done for the 150th episode.

But I agree with everyone above, I shudder to think of Paige and Cole together particularly because I don't think McGowan could have done the story justice. This isn't a dig at her but she wasn't the competent actress on the show and I don't know how she'd have handled the fall out of the storyline.

Besides, Charmed isn't a soap opera.Infidelities and sisterly betrayal isn't part of it's make up.

[iamthesun]

Completely agree with you. I do think RM was a competent actress though. Just.. slightly more comical than the others.

[Astral Echo]

Mar 1, 2014 7:43:21 GMT -5 iamthesun said:

Completely agree with you. I do think RM was a competent actress though. Just.. slightly more comical than the others.

Yeah I missed "most" out of that sentence, it should have been "most competent". She wasn't the most competent. But yeah, she wasn't awful, just not great either. That's just my opinion obviously.