Hated that Prue died but quickly warmed to Paige whom I thought was her best that year bar season 8.
Didn't like the second half of Season 4 too much which focused on Cole and Phoebe that should've been done next year obviously.
Thought that year should be more Paige focused and have the Source vanquished at the end whom should've been the red winged man from season 3 and Shax episode 13.
Liked the Seer. Thought she was a menancing demon which hasn't changed view wise since but not so Piper and Phoebe now who went downhill character wise from then on and Leo to who just became Piper's lapdog without no mind of his own consequently.
And then there were some things about season 4 which bug me now but didn't back in the day obviously.
- Like the fact the Elders didn't know about Paige which they could've done having Patty give her up so the CO's got their powers and Paige was of evil's radar list if any of them knew she could reconstitute the P03.
- Her half healing Cole as Esmerelda said which Paige shouldn't have done because she didn't know or love him then anyway.
-Calling Patty mum when she should've been referred to by her first name.
-The sisters bond being too quick allowing them to vanquish an upper level demon or warlock early and Paige moving into the Manor sooner rather than later.
- The Source being the black robed half creepy faced demon he was revealing himself using the Hollow to try and kill the sisters which was a stupid plan from the very start.
- And finally Piper blowing up most things eliminating the need for the P03 which was one of the shows overall themes./quote]I recently obtained all Season 4's episodes on my MacBook ready for a rewatch.
The thing is though... I couldn't really get into it.
I was surprised considering how much I liked Season 4 when it aired and how much of a die hard fan I was of the show at this point.
I picked a couple of eps to watch: CA P1, P2, HHNF, BDrain, Paige from the Past, Charmed and Dangerous (minus the ending) were some of my faves and I still enjoy watching these episodes.
But I DO really miss Prue. I really love Paige and wish she was more of the focus.
Phoebe really became PhoeME this season. And I think that if Season 5 was a great season, that Season 4 would be one fans looked back on as 'nice to have'. However, in comparison to
Still, the writing was pretty good and the consistency, innocence saving and the special effects and mythology (the Hollow, Harpes, even Vampires were done well.
However, the focus of the show (as in Season 3) sharply moved toward Phoebe and Cole vs. Piper, Phoebe and Paige or even Piper and Leo and that's when the show sort of lost it's magic.
When you look at the list of episodes of Season 4, you can kind of see it breaking down and decomposing into another show:
Charmed Again Part 1 & 2- Great premier, missed Prue but thought her farewell was done rather well - we couldn't have kept morning. Loved Paige and Phoebe puting other people first instead of her and Cole. Piper's fury was as if she was channeling Prue's anger.
Hell Hath No Fury- another great ep. Self-less Phoebe, Funny but serious, Great Sisterly scenes, I wish the characters (in this order) stayed the same throughout the course of the series.
Enter the Demon - I guess this is the Chick Flick episode of the season. It's a little funny but could have been done better - especially Alyssa's baby acting when being Paige.
Size Matters- Cool to have Freddy in here! Another filler ep but a good filler ep. By this point, I accept that there is a new power of three and I love all the Characters.
A Knight to Remember- The 'Once Upon A Time' season 4 episode - It's one I cringe when thinking about but I actually like learning more about Paige and love watching this episode.
Brain Drain- Wow, Holly Marie Combs. You truly this save this show. Comedic, Serious, Sisterly, the Source, mentions of Prue. Just everything great about Charmed. Reminds me of a great Season 2 episode.
Black as Cole - meh - I guess this is where it starts heading downhill. But the episode had to happen and I like how Paige starts distrusting Cole from this point - it was kind of the opposite of Prue's direct mistrust and more suspicious. I guess this episode was a long time coming - Cole needed to give up his demon half to be with Phoebe. This is the 'Sleuthing with the Enemy' episode of Seaosn 4. And that episode in Season 3 is where Charmed jumped the Shark in my opinion anyway.
Muse to my Ears- I love this episode. It's hilarious. Like Black as Cole, I like how we are learning about Phoebe's thought process in transitioning to becoming the middle sister. This episode reminds me of the opposite of Sin Francisco, being inspired rather than infected.
A Paige from the Past- Anything in Season 4 that centers on Paige is a winner for me. I love her acting in this episode and the time travel. I think this was supposed to be a Xmas episode. Phoebe and Cole were actually quite funny as possessed ghosts and I love Piper pairing up with Daryl - just like old times.
Trial by Magic- I think this is the last time we see the Phoe
BE we love. I like Paige's parts and Glen.
Lost and Bound - the start of the end.- Great episode with Paige's South Bay Services client tied in with Piper's maternal feelings with Tyler. It's a little foreshadow to Wyatt in the coming Season. I think the Bewitched thing was a little OTT and by this point we know we are stuck with Phoebe and Cole forever.
Charmed and Dangerous- An elite episode with great writing (the Hollow). I still think the Source was pretty scary, regardless of what other people think. THE SEER was the best demon of the whole series and she in a lot of ways saved the last part of Season 4. I always wonder what the series would have been like if this episode didn't end on a cliffhanger. I think the focus could have been on Paige a whole lot more. After this point, we enter a new Charmed Era.
The Three faces of PhoebeCOLE CENTRIC. I liked little Phoebe and big Phoebe! I liked Paige's power advancement but the story arc-ness although well written just wasn't Charmed. Charmed was better being one off episodes or episodes that connect to each other. E.g. Astral Monkey and Awakened. Liked the beginning of the conflict between Phoebe and Paige with Paige's suspicions.
Marry Go RoundCOLE CENTRIC. PHOEME ME ME ME ME. Don't get me wrong, I will like watching these eps but for me it's like the foreshadowing of the beginning of the end. I can see the selfish mermaid, the entitled Phoebe. You know what... I actually miss Fun Phoebe more than Prue at this point. One of the weakest eps apart from the early Season 4 fillers.
The fifth HalliwellCOLE CENTRIC. BUT again, another score for Paige and Rose McGowan. Awesome acting and I liked the sisterly scenes in this episode. Paige is abandoned at the end of this episode and at this point, she's my favourite sister.
Saving Private Leo- One of my favourite episodes that isn't centred on the Charmed Ones but on Leo. This dude doesn't get enough cred! By this point, Phoebe is a different person, unrecognizable from the same point in Season 3. Great Ep.
Bite MeCOLE CENTRIC. Buffy meets Charmed. Well executed and fit in well with the story arc. Like I said, anything focusing on Paige is amazing in Season 4.
We're off to see the wizardCOLE CENTRIC - Phoebe Turner. Phoebe Halliwell is well and truly gone by this point. Phoebe has an office now. Crazy to think! This should have been the 2nd to last episode of the Season with Long Live the Queen the finale and Womb Raider as the premier of Season 5. There is just wayyyy too much going on.
Long live the QueenCOLE CENTRIC - One of my favourite episodes of the series basically because this is where Phoebe makes the right decision and the acting is on point. Paige has her own identity and is the real winner of the day. That sisterly scene at the end of this ep is probably the last time we see anything like it. So should have been the Season Four finale.
Womb RaiderAnd the source is STILL alive. I really do like this episode though. I like the confrontation between Phoebe and Paige and an episode finally without Cole. Daryl's in it too and the best villan of the series, the Seer! Win!
Witch Way Now?This episode is a 'nice' episode but Phoebe is just warn and her character has been diminished. She doesn't want to be a witch anymore. Piper is over it. Paige - you might as well have a spin off and NOT sign for the next Season so Charmed could just end here with better memories of the remaining three sisters. Cole is back. Sigh. Don't get me wrong, I love Julian McMahon and the manliness he bought to the show but it's as if the sisters have learnt nothing from being witches in this episode.
What upsets me the most about this episode is that its exactly a year since Prue died - there is no recognition for it - they are on the verge of being exposed again and then - Phoebe - again, casts a spell to take her to the wasteland - abandoning her sisters again - just like in All Hell Breaks Loose. I mean WTF, how selfish are you that you need 'closure' and risk your life like that after everything you and Piper had lost at the same time last year - for what - a final goodbye? Not the greatest of finales but when compared to Seasons 5 - 8, it's one of the best.
