The Problem With "The Wedding From Hell"

[ljones]

Season One's "The Wedding From Hell" could have been a better episode if the mythology and ending had been handled properly. Frankly, Hecate's vanquish seemed so anti-climatic to me. And that spell she used during the wedding ceremony?

By Asteria and Perses, open sky and do your worst!

Really? Hecate invokes two Greek gods (namely her parents) to whip up a wind storm?

By the way . . . a female demon named "Hecate"? Really? Hecate is supposed to be a goddess of life, death and witches, whose name is invoked by witches (and not evil ones). "Queen of the Underworld"? Really? This demon is supposed to be "queen of the underworld"? By the way, the underworld (or netherworld) is supposed to be the realm for the souls of the recently dead. It's not hell.

But what can you expect from a series whose portrayal of demons and warlocks has been off the mark since its first episode.

[Deleted]

Charmed really should have stayed away from other cultures.  They either got it wrong, or portrayed them in the most ethnic stereotypes you could imagine.  If they had to use other cultures, a little research would have helped. 

Look at the Wendigo, for example, a cheap werewolf knock off.  The Wendigo is a creature in Native American folklore.  If it touches you, you become a cannibal (Stephen King's novel, Pet Sematary, worked with this concept).

And all that rubbish about Avators being defeated by the Ancient Egyptians.  Avatars are a HINDU concept, not an Egyptian one. 

Research guys, or was that too much like work.

[thepowerofnicki]

I agree that the vanquish felt anticlimactic but I actually enjoyed the episode. And also is Hecate not the Queen of the Underworld in Macbeth, I think? I think that's where they got that from. I disagree with both of you that the demons should have stuck to their original mythology. That leaves them to criticism about not following it enough and being too similar. Even in early Charmed when their was more of a heavy emphasis on Wicca. It was still a modified form of it to fit in with the show of magical witches. Charmed is a fictional show that should be changing things around and creating their own spin on things. I do agree with you when their own spin is lame and not very well-written.

[ljones]

Looking back on this show, its "spin on the magical world" sucked. It reeked of bad writing to me.

Nor was it capable of portraying Wicca properly. Constance Burge, Brad Kern and their writers added a few "rules" that had nothing to do with Wicca and once again, boxed in the series' narrative.

Hecate, Queen of the Underworld! Good grief!

[gzv969]

I liked this episode. Wasn't one of the best of the season but still good. The research Prue did with the dagger leading up to the end was very good and watching Andy dealing with all the mythology and belief. It could have been better executed but was still good.

[rebooted]

It's easily the worst episode of Season 1. But when put next to Seasons 5-8, it's a star.

[stratego]

Never really had a problem with the show putting its own spin on real-world mythology. My biggest problem with that episode was the horrible acting, some of the worst of the show.

[prettyinpink94]

I absolutely love this episode. Its one of those "so bad its good". I watch it for fun. Its kind of a supernatural version of Dynasty. Its campy, ridiculous and fun.

[Elle Em]

I love this episode. I fully see how it's terrible, and the acting is hard to even watch. But there is just something so comforting about it.

[Katie Warren]

Oct 26, 2020 8:57:15 GMT -5 Elle Em said:

I love this episode. I fully see how it's terrible, and the acting is hard to even watch. But there is just something so comforting about it.

Yeah and Piper was so hilarious in it as was Phoebe.

I actually dislike Dream Sorcerer more than this one. Same with other episodes of S1 mostly the Kern episodes he wrote on his own.

[Aaeiyn]

Mar 4, 2017 13:00:10 GMT -5 rebooted said:

when put next to Seasons 5-8, it's a star.

That's a stretch.  There's definite better episodes in S5-S8 than "The Wedding from Hell".

[rebooted]

Aug 22, 2021 19:03:53 GMT -5 Aaeiyn said:

Mar 4, 2017 13:00:10 GMT -5 rebooted said:

when put next to Seasons 5-8, it's a star.

That's a stretch.  There's definite better episodes in S5-S8 than "The Wedding from Hell".

Actually I think the worst episode is the Season 2 Wand one. Even I think that episode is better to every episode from Season 5 - 8. At least the actors and the crew care and there is a sense of sisterly-ness and no PhoeMe. 

Ok... I'm overexaggerating but,

I would say the best episodes of Season 5 - 8 would be possibly The Eyes That Have It, Sam I Am, A Witch in Time, I have a guilty pleasure of watching Centennial Charmed, Cat House and Sense and Sensibility. Soul Survivor, Loves A Witch, Little Monsters and maybe the Courtship episode are nice.

Styx Feet Under, Someone to Watch Over Me, Witchness Protection, Show Ghouls, Imaginary Fiends, Death Becomes Them and SWTWGoes.

The Lost Picture Show, Paybacks a Witch and MAYBE Kill Billie Vol. 2 are good watches in Season 8. 

But on the whole - there's nothing that can match the original power of three and the original sisterly relationship - which did spill over in Season 4 and onward.

[Elle Em]

Aug 22, 2021 19:03:53 GMT -5 Aaeiyn said:

Mar 4, 2017 13:00:10 GMT -5 rebooted said:

when put next to Seasons 5-8, it's a star.

That's a stretch.  There's definite better episodes in S5-S8 than "The Wedding from Hell".

There may be a few that I think are better, but none I like more. Even if there are a handful of good episodes in the last half, they just don't have the same feel to them as something from season 1, which is what I most enjoy. The sincerity of season 1 is palpable to me, whereas it feels very hit or miss in later seasons. 

[Esmeralda]

Aug 23, 2021 7:11:57 GMT -5 Elle Em said:

Aug 22, 2021 19:03:53 GMT -5 Aaeiyn said:

That's a stretch.  There's definite better episodes in S5-S8 than "The Wedding from Hell".

There may be a few that I think are better, but none I like more. Even if there are a handful of good episodes in the last half, they just don't have the same feel to them as something from season 1, which is what I most enjoy. The sincerity of season 1 is palpable to me, whereas it feels very hit or miss in later seasons. 

Agreed totally, although for me, that starts in S4, one of my least-favorite seasons because I only like Paige in it.

[Aaeiyn]

While I understand the point of rebooted, Elle Em and Esmeralda make regarding the sisterly bond being much stronger in the Prue days, I don't necessarily think that them "having a bond" is what makes a great episode.  While, I understand during the Paige days, they're not as "sisterly" (they act more like friends, but I digress), doesn't negate some really cool episodes in S5-S8, that are miles better than The Wedding From Hell.

[rebooted]

Aug 23, 2021 16:38:08 GMT -5 Aaeiyn said:

While I understand the point of rebooted , Elle Em and Esmeralda make regarding the sisterly bond being much stronger in the Prue days, I don't necessarily think that them "having a bond" is what makes a great episode.  While, I understand during the Paige days, they're not as "sisterly" (they act more like friends, but I digress), doesn't negate some really cool episodes in S5-S8, that are miles better than The Wedding From Hell.

There are definitely cool episodes in Season 5 - 8 that I also listed out as wrong. 

Don't get me wrong, these Seasons are enjoyable for me too. 

Its a good question though because its subjective, not objective right. 

I think I am being emotive and exaggerating and emphasizing that most (and I mean 90%) of the crap Season 1- 3 episodes are better than any of the episodes from Season 5-8. Season 4 is a bit of an exception for me because I feel it still does have more of a Classic Charmed feel to it - but I think others like Esmeralda exclude Season 4. 

I like the different viewpoints in these boards. 

No one is exactly the same here.

[Aaeiyn]

Aug 24, 2021 3:16:51 GMT -5 rebooted said:

There are definitely cool episodes in Season 5 - 8 that I also listed out as wrong. 

Don't get me wrong, these Seasons are enjoyable for me too. 

Its a good question though because its subjective, not objective right. 

I think I am being emotive and exaggerating and emphasizing that most (and I mean 90%) of the crap Season 1- 3 episodes are better than any of the episodes from Season 5-8. Season 4 is a bit of an exception for me because I feel it still does have more of a Classic Charmed feel to it - but I think others like Esmeralda exclude Season 4. 

I like the different viewpoints in these boards. 

No one is exactly the same here.

I do appreciate your honesty.  Still, I think we can objectively define what a "good" episode, actually means to reach a reasonable compromise.

EDIT: I'm just curious if the lack of sisterhood is what defines a "bad" episode, to you.

[rebooted]

Aug 24, 2021 3:23:52 GMT -5 Aaeiyn said:

Aug 24, 2021 3:16:51 GMT -5 rebooted said:

There are definitely cool episodes in Season 5 - 8 that I also listed out as wrong. 

Don't get me wrong, these Seasons are enjoyable for me too. 

Its a good question though because its subjective, not objective right. 

I think I am being emotive and exaggerating and emphasizing that most (and I mean 90%) of the crap Season 1- 3 episodes are better than any of the episodes from Season 5-8. Season 4 is a bit of an exception for me because I feel it still does have more of a Classic Charmed feel to it - but I think others like Esmeralda exclude Season 4. 

I like the different viewpoints in these boards. 

No one is exactly the same here.

I do appreciate your honesty.  Still, I think we can objectively define what a "good" episode, actually means to reach a reasonable compromise.

EDIT: I'm just curious if the lack of sisterhood is what defines a "bad" episode, to you.

I think a good episode has the following characteristics

1) The characters are in-check. The obviously develop and are not static but there is a annoying panicky sister called Piper and a fun-loving baby sister called Phoebe. That is just an example. 

2) The sisterly relationship is one of the central components or important element to the episode. 

3) It stays true to its original methodology (not soo serial) and its mythology (doesn't stray too far away from the premise).

How about you?

[Aaeiyn]

Aug 24, 2021 3:38:14 GMT -5 rebooted said:

I think a good episode has the following characteristics

1) The characters are in-check. The obviously develop and are not static but there is a annoying panicky sister called Piper and a fun-loving baby sister called Phoebe. That is just an example. 

2) The sisterly relationship is one of the central components or important element to the episode. 

3) It stays true to its original methodology (not soo serial) and its mythology (doesn't stray too far away from the premise).

How about you?

I think your number 2 pretty much answered my question.

For me, I enjoy the sisters being heroes and protecting the world, the best way that they can.  While, I appreciate their sisterhood, that story gets old, fast.  I just roll my eyes and say "OK, I get it!  They're sisters!  Let's move on, next!"  I enjoy the sisters being heroes more than how they bond as sisters, personally.  With that being said, the evil presented needs to be interesting, as well.  Hecate, from the Wedding From Hell, boring.  Useless evil, if you ask me.  I found more entertainment from the Stillman Sisters (S6).  They were more entertaining, if you ask me.  Speaking of The Wedding From Hell, the sisters weren't even the ones to "vanquish" Hecate, in the first place.  It was Elliot.  The Charmed Ones just stood there and watched.  Thank you Halliwell Sisters for NOT saving the day!  I guess we can thank you for delivering the knife, at the very least!  What a joke!

[rebooted]

Aug 24, 2021 3:50:41 GMT -5 Aaeiyn said:

Aug 24, 2021 3:38:14 GMT -5 rebooted said:

I think a good episode has the following characteristics

1) The characters are in-check. The obviously develop and are not static but there is a annoying panicky sister called Piper and a fun-loving baby sister called Phoebe. That is just an example. 

2) The sisterly relationship is one of the central components or important element to the episode. 

3) It stays true to its original methodology (not soo serial) and its mythology (doesn't stray too far away from the premise).

How about you?

I think your number 2 pretty much answered my question.

For me, I enjoy the sisters being heroes and protecting the world, the best way that they can.  While, I appreciate their sisterhood, that story gets old, fast.  I just roll my eyes and say "OK, I get it!  They're sisters!  Let's move on, next!"  I enjoy the sisters being heroes more than how they bond as sisters, personally.  With that being said, the evil presented needs to be interesting, as well.  Hecate, from the Wedding From Hell, boring.  Useless evil, if you ask me.  I found more entertainment from the Stillman Sisters (S6).  They were more entertaining, if you ask me.  Speaking of The Wedding From Hell, the sisters weren't even the ones to "vanquish" Hecate, in the first place.  It was Elliot.  The Charmed Ones just stood there and watched.  Thank you Halliwell Sisters for NOT saving the day!  I guess we can thank you for delivering the knife, at the very least!  What a joke!

But was it about them protecting the innocent as well? It was their intention and good nature. 

I loved them as super-heros too. It was entertaining. But it easily took the focus of the premise of the show: sisters who happen to be witches rather than the reverse - or even -witches who happen to be superheros. 

It kind of reminds me of the Power Puff girls (I don't know if they are sisters). Or actually maybe even Sailor Moon. 
Both shows I liked. 

But Charmed's point of difference for me was the relationship of the three different Halliwell sisters and how they interacted with each other, the outside world and their witchcraft (not their magic!).

At the time, Smallville and Pokemon offered the superheros. I feel like the more Charmed became like that - it went away from 'soft power' or the lesson that its not always about power at the end of the day. However I do thank 9/11 made people want to see the hero's and masculinity more and the girl-power sentiment had changed and moved away from the 90's, so I can see how they were trying to buy into that changing viewership.

Dont get me wrong - I still enjoy those super hero action episodes too- but it was the small things of sometimes the Charmed Ones learning that they dont really have to do anything - just have good intentions that actually makes you powerful. Phoebe is a prime example of that. She is the least powerful (or perceived to be) but she is just as strong, opinionated and an equal component to the sisterhood/power of three. 

Stillman sisters is a good episode to watch. Very funny and tries to stay true to the mythology of the premise. But Alyssa Milano giving a BJ under the table of a restaurant - come on! And WRITERS - do a bit of planning to figure out whether Aunt Phoebe is going to pash/screw her future nephew! It was just careless. 

I feel like The Wedding From Hell at least is trying to understand what kind of Charmed it wants to be and we kind of ok know this is kind of what a sh!tty episode is going to be like - but the sisterly component is definitely still there which I believe saves it from being as bad as 95% of episodes from Seasons 5-8.