Favorite Episodes: Season Four Edition

[Lost Witch]

1. Brain Drain - That's probably one of my favorite episodes from the entire series, not just season 4!
2. A Paige From The Past - This one's close next - it really put some depth into Paige's character development.
3. Charmed Again (1)
4. Charmed Again (2)
5. Enter the Demon
6. Lost and Bound
7. Black As Cole
8. Bite Me

[Esmeralda]

Agreed totally with you re: 'Brain Drain' and 'A Paige from the Past' - not-so-much the others. But different strokes for different folks...

[rebooted]

Personally I feel like A Knight To Remember is better than A Paige From The Past.

I get that we probably learn more about Paige in PFTPast but a knight to remember is like the final Prue farewell episode, we learn more about Paige, Cole isn't in it - which focuses more on the sisters. And there are really cute sisterly scenes in it.

We also meet Glen and theirs that Piper vs Paige thing, that IMO should have continued in Season 5, which it sort of did.

Sure its a little fairytaley, but its done pretty well.

The Ghosts possessing Phoebe and Cole and the whole Cole/Phoebe marry me thing was entertaining but when all along Clive/Clide could help Phoebe and Piper see what happened in AHBL, as well as the audience... I feel like its a bit of a slap in the face, esp when they are asked where they could go back to, and the don't mention or hint to Prue. Daryl is good in a Paige from the Past. I just didn't buy the two ghosts and the Clive thing but liked learning more about Paige

[Ruth Marie]

I remember a while back, someone thought that the Ghosts possessing Phoebe and Cole plot would have been okay for Just Harried in place of Prue's story.

[Esmeralda]

Aug 18, 2018 23:56:41 GMT -5 Ruth Marie said:

I remember a while back, someone thought that the Ghosts possessing Phoebe and Cole plot would have been okay for Just Harried in place of Prue's story.

Hmmm...had never heard that but that would've been interesting. Prue's story really never made much sense for her character, particularly when she didn't keep acting that way after the episode was done while, of course, Phoebe and Cole did. But to have that right after they let Cole back into their lives? Hmmm...no, I don't think so.

Of course a lot of fans think that originally 'A Paige From the Past' was supposed to be a Christmas story (including the Ghost of the Past is probably what gets them thinking that), but that was changed due to 9/11. IF that's true (I don't think it is), I can't help wonder what the rest of the episode would've been like. I wonder if that's one where they would've had Prue be part of it if Shannen didn't have control of her image and Kern didn't release her in such a cavalier manner.

[Ruth Marie]

Aug 19, 2018 10:15:34 GMT -5 Esmeralda said:

Aug 18, 2018 23:56:41 GMT -5 Ruth Marie said:

I remember a while back, someone thought that the Ghosts possessing Phoebe and Cole plot would have been okay for Just Harried in place of Prue's story.

Hmmm...had never heard that but that would've been interesting. Prue's story really never made much sense for her character, particularly when she didn't keep acting that way after the episode was done while, of course, Phoebe and Cole did. But to have that right after they let Cole back into their lives? Hmmm...no, I don't think so.

Of course a lot of fans think that originally 'A Paige From the Past' was supposed to be a Christmas story (including the Ghost of the Past is probably what gets them thinking that), but that was changed due to 9/11. IF that's true (I don't think it is), I can't help wonder what the rest of the episode would've been like. I wonder if that's one where they would've had Prue be part of it if Shannen didn't have control of her image and Kern didn't release her in such a cavalier manner.

Your probably have a point. I just didn't understand why they went to all the trouble doing that story with Prue. Felt like just an add on to add drama to the wedding.

I've heard about that Christmas story before. I vaguely remember now I'm probably wrong. That the episode was supposed to be known as Home for the Halliwell. Where Paige moves into the manor during christmas, obviously that happened four episodes earlier. I'm probably confusing a fanfic story or idea with S4's original plans.

But I wouldn't be surprised if they wanted Prue apart of it. Even if she was hooded as some ghost guiding her sisters. But the hood reveals it's Prue at the end. 

I don't think it was. But if it were and since Muses to My Ears aired in December and A Paige from the Past aired in January. Maybe some episodes and stories moved around to accommodate the scraped Christmas show.

But the subplot with Phoebe and Cole in APFTP really just felt like an add on. Might explain why Cole wasn't in A Knight to Remember and Trail by Magic. They couldn't fit Cole's arc into stories that kept changing around. 

All just speculation. We'll never really know. But we do know S4 was considered differently because it may have been the final season. No doubt why so many plots like Cole being mortal, Paige moving in and The Source all happened and wrapped quickly. 

[prudencehalliwell]

1. Charmed Again
2. Size Matters
3. A Knight to Remember
4. Brain Drain
5. Muses to My Ears
6. A Paige From the Past
7. Lost and Bound

[Sasha]

1. A Knight to Remember
2. Brain Drain
3. Muses to My Ears
4. A Paige From the Past
5. Lost and Bound

I couldn't pick eight.

[summerreading]

1. Brain Drain
2. A Paige From The Past
3. Lost and Bound
4. Muses to My Ears
5. A Knight to Remember

[pheebs]

I didn't vote in most of these polls still. So I'm going to do it now, and also because I'd like to see what the newbies vote for.

1. Charmed Again 1
2. A Knight to Remember
3. Size Matters
4. Brain Drain
5. Muses to My Ears
6. A Paige from the Past
7. Trial By Magic
8. Lost and Bound

[ryang]

Charmed Again, Part Two!? The window of opportunity!? Incredibly stupid.

[Granny Charmed]

Mar 9, 2019 22:33:34 GMT -5 ryang said:

Charmed Again, Part Two!? The window of opportunity!? Incredibly stupid.

Part 2 dear isn't as good as Part 1. I don't know what they were thinking dear, now if Roger had died when Prue accidentally used her powers, shouldn't she be evil. Of course, Brad only came up with that idea in this episode, when it was never a factor in the first episode.

But funny, how I didn't actually like any of the two-part/two-hour episodes Charmed did. Most of them could have been stand-alone, while the episodes I think would make great two-parters were not.

Of course, I truly think part 1 had enough material and potential to be the entire two hours. Of course, we all know why Brad did what he did.

[summerreading]

I really hate Charmed Again Part 2. And of course, they brushed over Prue's death and funeral within 10 minutes of part 1.

I hated The window of opportunity.

I also hated how Paige and Leo could heal Cole, and she could use her half to offset his half. I hate the whole healing thing, that Leo can only half heal Cole and suddenly Paige being half-whitelighter means she can heal the other. That bugged me just as much as the window of opportunity did. Either you can heal all or none at all.

[Esmeralda]

Mar 9, 2019 22:45:01 GMT -5 summerreading said:

I really hate Charmed Again Part 2. And of course, they brushed over Prue's death and funeral within 10 minutes of part 1.

I hated The window of opportunity.

I also hated how Paige and Leo could heal Cole, and she could use her half to offset his half. I hate the whole healing thing, that Leo can only half heal Cole and suddenly Paige being half-whitelighter means she can heal the other. That bugged me just as much as the window of opportunity did. Either you can heal all or none at all.

These are all reasons why I don't like Charmed Again, Part 2, too. I also hated that it was all about Paige, having her shoved in our faces the way Billie and Christy were. I would've preferred if the sisters didn't find out that she was their half-sister until at least halfway through the season, but we had to hurry up and take care of her so we could get back to Phoebe and Cole. I also hated the idea that Paige could call for someone's heart and it would just pop into her hand. That's all part of hating her power - wishing hers had been just like Prue's and that she'd have ONE extra whitelighter, not a whitelighter herself since she wasn't dead. That also means Chris would only have one power.

Kern trying to make the show "new and fresh" killed it.

[summerreading]

Mar 10, 2019 10:35:53 GMT -5 Esmeralda said:

Mar 9, 2019 22:45:01 GMT -5 summerreading said:

I really hate Charmed Again Part 2. And of course, they brushed over Prue's death and funeral within 10 minutes of part 1.

I hated The window of opportunity.

I also hated how Paige and Leo could heal Cole, and she could use her half to offset his half. I hate the whole healing thing, that Leo can only half heal Cole and suddenly Paige being half-whitelighter means she can heal the other. That bugged me just as much as the window of opportunity did. Either you can heal all or none at all.

These are all reasons why I don't like Charmed Again, Part 2, too. I also hated that it was all about Paige, having her shoved in our faces the way Billie and Christy were. I would've preferred if the sisters didn't find out that she was their half-sister until at least halfway through the season, but we had to hurry up and take care of her so we could get back to Phoebe and Cole. I also hated the idea that Paige could call for someone's heart and it would just pop into her hand. That's all part of hating her power - wishing hers had been just like Prue's and that she'd have ONE extra whitelighter, not a whitelighter herself since she wasn't dead. That also means Chris would only have one power.

Kern trying to make the show "new and fresh" killed it.

I completely agree, I hated that so very much. Truly, Paige shouldn't have been thrown into the plot right away. But I get why the did what they did. 

Now you made me remember another thing I hated, Paige using her powers that way. Give me a break. 

Yeah, he certainly killed it alright. He truly loved all the powers, magical creatures, and demons, and didn't care at all about the sisters and their relationship. 

[ryang]

Mar 10, 2019 10:35:53 GMT -5 Esmeralda said:

Mar 9, 2019 22:45:01 GMT -5 summerreading said:

I really hate Charmed Again Part 2. And of course, they brushed over Prue's death and funeral within 10 minutes of part 1.

I hated The window of opportunity.

I also hated how Paige and Leo could heal Cole, and she could use her half to offset his half. I hate the whole healing thing, that Leo can only half heal Cole and suddenly Paige being half-whitelighter means she can heal the other. That bugged me just as much as the window of opportunity did. Either you can heal all or none at all.

These are all reasons why I don't like Charmed Again, Part 2, too. I also hated that it was all about Paige, having her shoved in our faces the way Billie and Christy were. I would've preferred if the sisters didn't find out that she was their half-sister until at least halfway through the season, but we had to hurry up and take care of her so we could get back to Phoebe and Cole. I also hated the idea that Paige could call for someone's heart and it would just pop into her hand. That's all part of hating her power - wishing hers had been just like Prue's and that she'd have ONE extra whitelighter, not a whitelighter herself since she wasn't dead. That also means Chris would only have one power.

Kern trying to make the show "new and fresh" killed it.

That would have been great -- a little taste of "The Power of 2" for just a few episodes. They completely rushed Paige moving in as well. This has been said elsewhere, but Season 4 could have easily been 2 seasons. Even some overlap between Prue and Paige would have been a nice touch. She could have filmed scenes separately from the sisters with Patty and Grams. Kern really wanted to reconstitute the Charmed Ones quickly as possible.

[Esmeralda]

Mar 11, 2019 18:15:58 GMT -5 ryang said:

Mar 10, 2019 10:35:53 GMT -5 Esmeralda said:

These are all reasons why I don't like Charmed Again, Part 2, too. also hated that it was all about Paige, having her shoved in our faces the way Billie and Christy were. I would've preferred if the sisters didn't find out that she was their half-sister until at least halfway through the season, but we had to hurry up and take care of her so we could get back to Phoebe and Cole. I also hated the idea that Paige could call for someone's heart and it would just pop into her hand. That's all part of hating her power - wishing hers had been just like Prue's and that she'd have ONE extra whitelighter, not a whitelighter herself since she wasn't dead. That also means Chris would only have one power.

Kern trying to make the show "new and fresh" killed it.

That would have been great -- a little taste of "The Power of 2" for just a few episodes. They completely rushed Paige moving in as well. This has been said elsewhere, but Season 4 could have easily been 2 seasons. Even some overlap between Prue and Paige would have been a nice touch. She could have filmed scenes separately from the sisters with Patty and Grams. Kern really wanted to reconstitute the Charmed Ones quickly as possible.

I'm sure that's why they set up 'All Hell Breaks Loose' the way they did - in hopes of using Shannen's scenes at the beginning of 'Charmed Again, Part One'. But Aaron Spelling gave Shannen control over her image and after the way Kern fired her, she wouldn't let them use it, which is why we never see her - only in fanmade ones.

Don't know if you've seen these, Ryan, but they're still my favorite for the important missing parts of Charmed that we might have seen if Kern had done a better job of it:









No way Kern could've done it this well!

[summerreading]

I love these so VERY much. NO WAY, Kern would have done this.

[codebox]

1. Hell Hath No Fury- Despite some subtext feeling as if it were written with the intent by the writers to want us to hate Prue, most notably with Paige's line "it is okay to hate Prue" Piper's feeling of guilt was fantastic and captured a realistic depection of grief through a normally moody and then peaceful person. It was one of the last signs OG Piper was there and Holly's performance was great as well! It has by far the best breakdown scene in the show and it sticks out mainly because the show lacks these kind of serious moments.

2. Charmed Again Part 1- This one is a special episode because despite its flaws (notable ones being Paige's rushed introduction, replacing Prue too quickly, the 48 hour window etc) what I liked about this one is how it gave fans something to question it shocked fans whenever they watched it for the first time. It basically created discussion because a major character for three seasons had kicked the bucket, you don't get that a lot of the time. To Charmed's credit they didn't do that bad with replacing another main cast member, which is something other shows have a hard time doing. In many ways it feels like watching the first episode all over again, but with a different perspective. It left fans asking things.

If I had any flaws the abuse subplot at Paige's work being swept under the rug kinda bothered me, the fact Paige was found out instantly after PhoeMe and Piper discover her, I think a few episodes without Paige could've been more solid build up. The fact PhoeMe shows little remorse for Prue dying and the scene we do get is PhoeMe thinking of a memory where Prue got angry at her. She makes it all about Piper and herself. I also don't like how Paige's path was defined by her sisters. These aren't problematic flaws by any means and its probably the best premiere other than the series premiere.

3. A Paige from the Past- Paige gets overshadowed, so her having the focus of an episode is always nice especially since her plots tend to be more enjoyable over PhoeMe and Piper. I don't like how the Frankie and Lulu subplot took up more screentime than it should as it felt like filler to pad out the episode (if they wanted to work PhoeMe, Cole and Piper in the plot they could've done in a more entertaining way rather than make it about PhoeMe and Cole again) still what we got from Paige was great. I love background episodes, Rose gives off one of her best performances and it rounds Paige out as a layered character.

4. Saving Private Leo- Leo barely gets center focus even as much as Paige. Minus his brief arc in Season 7 this was the best we got in terms of character background. And because of that I think it does a nice job at rounding out Leo's character more. Piper was great in this episode and was an improvement compared to how she walked out on Paige in the previous episode. She almost reminded me of Season 1 Piper where she's supportive of Leo and tries to help him with his past trauma. That ending scene where she smiles supportive of Leo's army reunion put a smile on my face and was one of the last times Piper would treat Leo well, and easily gave me glimspes of their season 1 selves. The main issue I have relates to PhoeMe who I feel is at her most insufferable when it comes to her fixation on Cole.

She wants to move out because she feels inconvenienced by everyone moving around talking (despite the fact she's in the dining room/living room/kitchen the noises places in the house. She couldn't just work on her advice column in her room?) what really got me was the scene where she was about to go to the office party then is instantly annoyed and laughs off the fact they have to fight ghosts simply because it got in the way of her going to an office party with Cole. Despite the fact the situation had nothing to do with her sisters, but Leo! She feels no empathy for Leo's situation. Then throws the time Piper tried moving out in her face, yet both she and Piper forced Paige to move in with them. UGH!

Despite that though it was a solid episode and easily the best episode of the second half.

Other honorable mentions (Will update info on them soon)

Trial By Magic (the only episode PhoeMe isn't obnoxious in)
Size Matters
Lost and Bound
A Knight to Remember

[Elle Em]

Jul 19, 2019 19:55:54 GMT -5 codebox said:

She wants to move out because she feels inconvenienced by everyone moving around talking (despite the fact she's in the dining room/living room/kitchen the noises places in the house. She couldn't just work on her advice column in her room?) 

That was just ridiculous. They have that giant house, and she acts like the only place she can work is the kitchen. They have the living room, dining room, sunroom, attic, and bedrooms. Even the basement. And mostly everyone was about to leave for work anyway. Plus, she said they were simply painting at work, so normally she'd write there. In her own office, no less. What a baby.