Preface: I do like S2. It's in my "Top 3" seasons. I just want to point out how S2
began (or perpetuated) A LOT of the "problems" (so to speak), we see in later seasons, that are often complained about.
Romance/MenNumber one thing I want to address is romance/men. While S1 had this (somewhat), S2 takes the cake, as S2E6 "That Old Black Magic" began the "love triangle" arc, that ate up
most of S2. Even in the S2 premiere, Piper is shacking it up with a bank loaner guy, who we never see, again. In S2E2 "Morality Bites" it definitely highlights the Piper & Leo "forbidden romance" nonsense. That, I can honestly say
carries over into the later seasons. There's (also) Prue, and her questionable relationship with Bane, whom she cheated on Jack with, but I digress (not is the point). To claim S2 is "not romantic" or "not about men" is being dishonest. There's
clear evidence of romantic relationships and about men, that other seasons get flack for but (for some reason) S2 does not.
"Sexy" Outfits/WomenNumber two thing I want to address is "sexy outfits". It
always bothers me, that S5 (despite being a terrible season) takes credit for "sexy outfits", when the blame should be on S2. The S2 premiere
strips down BOTH Alyssa Milano AND Holly Marie Combs to be nude (courtesy of Brad Kern, BTW). S2E2 "Morality Bites" has Shannen Doherty
in a "sexy" leather attire. S2E5 "She's a Man, Baby, a Man" PURPOSEFULLY directs Milano's character, to
"ice herself" in such a seductive way, that it's hard to miss the "sexualizing of women" bit. Not to mention, Darla (the succubus) being "sexualized", as well and putting
a lot of emphasis on her breasts. S2E7 "They're Everywhere" Milano's Character is
in a "sexy top" to expose her beautiful belly. On top of that, Milano is seen in
most (if not "all" of the "sexy attire") compared to Combs, Doherty and Rose McGowan. She has
a very exposing "sexy top" in S2E4 "The Devil's Music". And, it was Milano's character (nobody else's) to get
this very disturbing scene, in S2E14 "Pardon My Past". Granted, other characters get "sexy" outfits, too, like Doherty's leather outfit, in S2E2 "Morality Bites" (which we already discussed), but there's (also) S2E9 "Ms. Hellfire", with Doherty in
a very revealing (and un-Prue-like) "sexy" attire. ALL can be found, in S2.
Inconsistent Writing/Changes to the LoreNumber three thing I want to address is inconsistent writing/changes to the lore. S2E11 "Reckless Abandon" comes to mind, the way they changed the lore and concept of ghosts. And, it really brings into question S1E4 "Dead Man Dating" Yama, and what he really is/represents. As S2E11 "Reckless Abandon" confuses audiences into thinking Piper has frozen ghosts (when she hasn't, otherwise Mark would've froze, too, but he didn't). On top of that, it changed how to "get rid" of ghosts/evil spirits by inviting a potion to just pour over their bones, even though S1E20 "The Power of Two" NEVER addressed this. Other lore changes like S2E8 "P3 H20" claiming Leo can "only heal what he's meant to". Then, we're later met with S2E12 "Awakened", where he can only heal from "demon inflicted injuries", when
none of that was
ever present, in S1. OFC, S2E22 "Be Careful What You Witch For" put in the whole "can't heal the dead" nonsense, when S1E21 "Love Hurts" showed that Whitelighters CAN "heal the dead", same with S2E12 "Awakened". There's (also) S2E15 "Give Me a Sign", where Litvack, this "all knowing" demon couldn't "read Bane's betrayal", for himself. Little things like this, that really paint S2, in a bad light.
Lack of Phoebe's Premonitions Setting the Story/PaceNumber four thing I want to address is the lack of Phoebe's premonitions setting the story/pace. While S2 still has a plethora of premonitions than other seasons, it cut down S1's use of premonitions by half (and it kept getting worse, as other seasons proceeded). That being said, A LOT of S2's premonitions didn't seem about "protecting the innocent", either. It was more about saving themselves via S2E1 "Witch Trial", S2E2 "Morality Bites", S2E15 "Give Me a Sign", etc. After watching S2E6 "That Old Black Magic" recently, it occurred to me, that Phoebe COULD have had a premonition, in this episode. Instead, Leo was given the task of assigning the Charmed Ones their duty to "protecting the innocent". Same was done in S2E4 "The Devil's Music". I can give a list of premonitions, from S2, that ACTUALLY involved "protecting the innocent":
- S2E5 "She's a Man, Baby, a Man!"
- S2E7 "They're Everywhere"
- S2E11 "Reckless Abandon"
- S2E13 "Animal Pragmatism"
- S2E20 "Astral Monkey"
Any other premonition was about themselves. I might, thrown in a bone, for S2E21 "Apocalypse, Not". When, laid out like this, I can honestly say, S2 begins departing AWAY about the whole "protectors of the innocent" premonitions compared to S1.
Despite S2's (and all of Charmed, in general) flaws, I still enjoy the season 'cause it has better episode containment stories than a season like S5. I just wanted to point out my issues with S2, and why it took me awhile to appreciate it, again.
