WATCH & DISCUSS [REBOOT] 1x02: Let This Mother Out

[pheebs]

Oct 23, 2018 1:43:05 GMT -5 Esmeralda said:

Oct 22, 2018 21:16:17 GMT -5 Granny Charmed said:

I'm very happy to see dears, people who watched like the second episode.

I hope it isn't too soon dear. Adding new powers in S1 feels too soon. At least let the original gifts advance first.

I'll be very interested to see if Premonitions becomes a new power for a sister. Although, I do hope they fix Classic Charmed, and Levitation is the older sisters powers, as an advancement of Telekinesis maybe. I never understood how Astral Projection was Prue's and Levitation was what Phoebe had.

This is so disappointing. I was hoping they'd fix that mistake and let their first powers grow like the Halliwells' powers did in 'Morality Bites' as compared to different powers. Different powers continues to mean that fighting demons will be more important than protecting innocents. But that makes sense since it's so obvious that they're rebooting S4-8, not S1-3, without bringing what fans loved about S1-3 into it.

 I was looking forward to them showing how the original powers would grow, which is what I've always wanted to see done. Oh well, I can enjoy Elemental Charmed series for that.

It really does look like a reboot of S4-8, not S1-3 doesn't it? All this talk about an Apocalypse, and the Harbinger of Hell, and The Source I hear. Looks like Buffy and Supernatural battles have been thrown into it too, with inspiration. 

[Sasha]

Oct 22, 2018 20:57:01 GMT -5 CharmedFaith said:

Oct 22, 2018 20:02:45 GMT -5 Sasha said:

Interesting, so she has the worst parts of Prue and Piper, that some Classic fans didn't like. I can see why she is hated.

Is the youngest sister being so well received, remind anyone of the good qualities of Phoebe in S1? I keep hearing, she is the favorite sister from the three.

I'd be interested to see. I heard this Legacies show is the one that took the spot of that Supernatural female lead spin-off, and from what I remember, they got ordered to series without a pilot being made, so I wonder if the Supernatural fans will refuse to watch it after. 

I wonder if Charmed will be the highest rated new show, that I feel The CW might well order a full 22 episodes in November. 

As long as Charmed can settle on the viewers it has now it will definitely get a full pick up. Especially if Legacies doesnt perform as well. Though I wonder how it will do in streaming since Charmed is still a powerhouse in streaming.

I do wonder when that will be, and how much further it can drop. I think the demo might settle around 0.3-0.4. 

I wonder if Netflix will get the rights. I heard a few The CW shows got these special Netflix deals. Charmed is so strong in streaming, I'd imagine it will get one. 

[ozzy]

Hello everyone! Big fan of the OG and the new show and so I made an account.

I really enjoyed the second episode and am already enjoying most of the characters, along with the story arcs. The writing is stronger than I expected and the little mysteries at the end of each episode is a nice touch. It seems that the writers are doing a good job of not ignoring the impact of demons (with the possession of Angela Wu) on innocents beyond a single episode, which I found to be problematic about OG Charmed.

[summerreading]

Oct 23, 2018 4:31:51 GMT -5 pheebs said:

Oct 23, 2018 1:43:05 GMT -5 Esmeralda said:

This is so disappointing. I was hoping they'd fix that mistake and let their first powers grow like the Halliwells' powers did in 'Morality Bites' as compared to different powers. Different powers continues to mean that fighting demons will be more important than protecting innocents. But that makes sense since it's so obvious that they're rebooting S4-8, not S1-3, without bringing what fans loved about S1-3 into it.

 I was looking forward to them showing how the original powers would grow, which is what I've always wanted to see done. Oh well, I can enjoy Elemental Charmed series for that.

It really does look like a reboot of S4-8, not S1-3 doesn't it? All this talk about an Apocalypse, and the Harbinger of Hell, and The Source I hear. Looks like Buffy and Supernatural battles have been thrown into it too, with inspiration. 

That's too bad, why cannot they just focus on the original powers and advance them. Does sound like battling demons is more important. Oh well! 

It does appear it has some layers of those shows you mentioned Pheebs in it, which I guess appeals to many fans. Not me. 

[Esmeralda]

Oct 23, 2018 16:42:47 GMT -5 ozzy said:

Hello everyone! Big fan of the OG and the new show and so I made an account.

I really enjoyed the second episode and am already enjoying most of the characters, along with the story arcs. The writing is stronger than I expected and the little mysteries at the end of each episode is a nice touch. It seems that the writers are doing a good job of not ignoring the impact of demons (with the possession of Angela Wu) on innocents beyond a single episode, which I found to be problematic about OG Charmed.

Welcome! Nice to have someone who likes both Classic Charmed and the reboot.

[Esmeralda]

Oct 23, 2018 20:00:01 GMT -5 summerreading said:

Oct 23, 2018 4:31:51 GMT -5 pheebs said:

 I was looking forward to them showing how the original powers would grow, which is what I've always wanted to see done. Oh well, I can enjoy Elemental Charmed series for that.

It really does look like a reboot of S4-8, not S1-3 doesn't it? All this talk about an Apocalypse, and the Harbinger of Hell, and The Source I hear. Looks like Buffy and Supernatural battles have been thrown into it too, with inspiration. 

That's too bad, why cannot they just focus on the original powers and advance them. Does sound like battling demons is more important. Oh well! 

It does appear it has some layers of those shows you mentioned Pheebs in it, which I guess appeals to many fans. Not me. 

No, me neither. If they'd fix some of the mistakes of S4-8, I'd be interested, but if it's just doing the same things, no, thanks. I'll stick to Classic Charmed (S1-3) and Elemental Charmed, not the alternate-universe spin-off, "The Perils of Poor, Poor Pitiful Piper" (S4-8) or its reboot.

[Granny Charmed]

Oct 23, 2018 1:43:05 GMT -5 Esmeralda said:

Oct 22, 2018 21:16:17 GMT -5 Granny Charmed said:

I'm very happy to see dears, people who watched like the second episode.

I hope it isn't too soon dear. Adding new powers in S1 feels too soon. At least let the original gifts advance first.

I'll be very interested to see if Premonitions becomes a new power for a sister. Although, I do hope they fix Classic Charmed, and Levitation is the older sisters powers, as an advancement of Telekinesis maybe. I never understood how Astral Projection was Prue's and Levitation was what Phoebe had.

This is so disappointing. I was hoping they'd fix that mistake and let their first powers grow like the Halliwells' powers did in 'Morality Bites' as compared to different powers. Different powers continues to mean that fighting demons will be more important than protecting innocents. But that makes sense since it's so obvious that they're rebooting S4-8, not S1-3, without bringing what fans loved about S1-3 into it.

Isn't that just the truth dear. Too bad. But I'm sure most fans like S4-S8 so they'll enjoy it. 

[Granny Charmed]

Oct 23, 2018 16:42:47 GMT -5 ozzy said:

Hello everyone! Big fan of the OG and the new show and so I made an account.

I really enjoyed the second episode and am already enjoying most of the characters, along with the story arcs. The writing is stronger than I expected and the little mysteries at the end of each episode is a nice touch. It seems that the writers are doing a good job of not ignoring the impact of demons (with the possession of Angela Wu) on innocents beyond a single episode, which I found to be problematic about OG Charmed.

Welcome to the Cafe dear. Have have. So lovely to see a fan of Classic Charmed and Reboot Charmed.

[Chris]

I didnt like how they vanquished the demon with an iPhone... I feel like that's pure laziness.

[Esmeralda]

Oct 23, 2018 22:46:36 GMT -5 Granny Charmed said:

Oct 23, 2018 1:43:05 GMT -5 Esmeralda said:

This is so disappointing. I was hoping they'd fix that mistake and let their first powers grow like the Halliwells' powers did in 'Morality Bites' as compared to different powers. Different powers continues to mean that fighting demons will be more important than protecting innocents. But that makes sense since it's so obvious that they're rebooting S4-8, not S1-3, without bringing what fans loved about S1-3 into it.

Isn't that just the truth dear. Too bad. But I'm sure most fans like S4-S8 so they'll enjoy it. 

If that's the case, then I guess them rebooting S4-8 makes sense.

[Esmeralda]

My friend, Alexandria, is back with a great recap of this episode. As I've said before, she's a Classic Charmed fan and occasional member of the Cafe who gets paid for doing articles like this. For those who, like me, want to "watch" the reboot via recaps, here you go:

Charmed recap: Was it Marisol on the other end of the spirit board or a trickster?

by Alexandria Ingham 1 day ago

Charmed Season 1, Episode 2 picked up right where the pilot left off. In a better-paced episode, we learned more about the sisters, Harry, and evil in the world.

Let’s be honest, pilots aren’t great. Those comparing the Charmed reboot pilot to the Classic Charmed (note: I’m going to start using “Classic Charmed” and “Charmed” now in the way I say “Classic Who” and “Doctor Who” to distinguish) pilot will be upset but there are a couple of reasons for some major differences in terms of pacing and title. I’ll get onto that, but let me just say the second episode was much better.

Pilots 20 years ago weren’t done in the same way. Sure, they were still mostly for the network (it’s the second episode that’s written for us as viewers) but a lot of times there was an unaired pilot first. That was the case with Classic Charmed, so “Something Wicca This Way Comes” needed a title and had better pacing because the bugs were ironed out from the unaired pilot. New premieres aren’t usually made for viewers now due to cost.

Now the technicalities are out of the way, let’s get onto the Charmed recap. Did we find out who was at the other end of the spirit board (as a friend pointed out to me, it’s a spirit board not a Ouija board) and did we find out if we could trust Harry?

Note from Es: That "friend" is me!! I had a Ouija board as a kid (had good experiences and a bad experience! But, no, the pointer never moved on its own. It worked best when I was on one side and my friend the other. I was sure she was pushing it; she was sure I was. But then once the letters it spelled out made no sense - until we realized we were on the wrong sides and it was doing the letters backwards! That convinced us that we were truly speaking with a spirit who called himself Meme - and after we had a bad experience, he had us both "baptize" the board with holy water and then attach a crucifix to the pointer - no problems after that.), so I knew that neither the Classic Charmed or NuCharmed's board was one, which is trademarked.

Summoning Harry

Picking up right where the Charmed pilot left us, it turns out Harry was only in the attic because he was summoned. That was my thinking since he turned out when Maggie called out his name. Harry makes it clear that the Underworld knows about them getting their powers and they need to look out for anything suspicious.

Oh, and he says spirit boards shouldn’t be trusted. Like I thought, anything could be on the other side and they’re notorious for trickster demons and spirits. Of course, he could just be saying that if he knows someone has told the sisters not to trust him, but I’m on his side right now and that’s not because I adore Rupert Evans.

With Harry gone, the sisters have to question who to trust. Of course, all this leads to tension rising between Mel and Macy. That honeymoon period in the pilot is gone and they’re now stepping into their roles of the family. Mel is the older sibling personality wise (despite being the middle) and Macy is an only child personality wise (despite being the oldest). There’s going to be tension.

When they’re discussing their options, the Book of Shadows magically (love that this one does it, too) opens to a truth serum. Macy wants to give Harry the truth serum to figure out if Harry is telling the truth or not. You just know that this isn’t going to work out as planned.

The show does date itself in this episode. Because they can’t call Harry “Harry” because they’ll summon him, Maggie decides he should be called Meghan Markle. There would have been better names to use, but never mind. Glossing over that point.

Maggie attempts to control her powers

While standing vigil over Angela Wu, a.k.a Coma Girl,” Maggie tries to control her powers. Gloves don’t stop her reading thoughts, but she does find a use for her powers. When she touches Angela, she hears her thoughts and hears screams from the inside. However, Maggie is frustrated when she can read Brian’s thoughts. This is starting to remind me of Phoebe Halliwell trying to control her empathy.

Meanwhile, Macy makes up with Galvin after the beer incident and then learns about a custodian who says a black ball of goo attacked her. Macy immediately jumps to the idea of demon and gets the goo to give to Harry. When she goes to the hospital to see the custodian, Harry is already there apparently wiping her memory of magic. Not long after, the custodian dies.

I’ve just got this question too: (shows a tweet that says: "WHY DO THEY ALWAYS TOUCH THE GOO!"

When the spirit board moves on its own, Mel and Maggie start using it. Maggie is sure they’re talking to their mom, but Macy still isn’t sure. When the spirit board attacks them, Macy telekinetically throws the board against a wall and breaks it.

If you guessed this would lead to another argument, well done. It’s understandable that Macy takes a step back from this. She didn’t grow up with Marisol and there are some underlying feelings of jealousy and anger towards her mother. Mel and Maggie are desperate to connect with their mom.

Niko arrives, Macy walks out and accidentally picks up Niko’s thermos instead of her truth serum tea. That’s a typical storyline and a little bit lazy writing, but okay. It gets the job done. It’s not surprising that Niko suddenly starts sharing the truth–and the whole truth!–about everyone.

Is it Marisol?

While Mel deals with Niko, Maggie fixes the spirit board. After that, the board tells her there’s a way to release the spirit from the board. Yeah, that doesn’t sound suspicious at all.

Desperate to believe this is their mom, Maggie and Mel release their spirit and it certainly looks like Marisol. This comes with another warning that Harry can’t be trusted and he wants to steal the Charmed Ones’ powers. So, normal episode of Classic Charmed, right? Didn’t everyone want to steal their powers?

When Harry ends up back at the house (needless to say, Niko’s tea didn’t make him tell the truth to Macy), he comes face-to-face with Marisol. Mel knocks him out with the Book of Shadows and Macy is completely sure that they were talking to their mom after all.

Marisol shares that they can trap Harry in a Prism of Souls, but Maggie catches on that something isn’t right. She can’t hear Marisol’s thoughts. Macy and Mel don’t believe her, grab the prism to collect the soul, and head off back to face Harry. By this point, Harry is mid-fight with Marisol.

Of course, this whole scene brings the “who’s telling the truth?” storyline. Marisol wants the sisters to believe Harry is the demon, while Harry wants the sisters to believe that the spirit is an “imposter demon” looking to steal their powers. Maggie trusts Harry in the end, so Marisol turns to Mel. Telling Mel that Mel was always her favorite is a bad move.

Knowing now they’re not dealing with Marisol, the sisters search for a way to stop the demon. Harry tells them that if it sees its own form, it will be destroyed. Mirror, then? Oh, no! We have to go tech! Maggie pulls out her cell phone and puts it on selfie mode. Yes, really!

Bonding time and a twist

With the sisters now trusting Harry, Macy is able to give him the black goo and he immediately goes off in search for answers. To the Elders, then?

Meanwhile, the sisters bond. The “majority rules” system they’ve been working with is terrible and Maggie has the chance to dole out advice to her older sisters. They makeup with each other and then with their respective others. Macy apologizes to Galvin again, Mel and Niko make up, and Maggie splits up with Brian for good–okay, two out of three makeup with their respective others.

Harry returns with news about the black good. It’s a Harbinger of Hell’s primordial form and marks the third phase (everything happens in threes) of the prophecy, which were explained in the first episode by the worst men rising to power and powerful witches, including Marisol, being murdered. Only the Charmed Ones can stop this.

The harbinger needs to find its human vessel. Of course, just as that happens, the harbinger takes over Angela Wu’s now awake form.

What did you think of Charmed Season 1, Episode 2? Is this still a show you’re giving a chance? Share your thoughts in the comments below.

Charmed airs Sundays at 9/8c on The CW.

[prudeau]

Second episode much better than the pilot. Lighter, funnier. For the moment, I like especially two things in the reboot :

1/ characters of charmed ones : they are very distinct from the original cast. Episode 2, and I don't even compare them anymore. That's a good thing.

2/ Powers. I like how they use them. Prue channeled her telekinesis by eyes/hands : Macy uses her mind. It's ok, and it's coherent with her personality.

Mel's freezing power seems interesting : seems more powerful and extended than Piper's at the beginning, but requires more concentration.

Replace an aleatory power of premonition by a tactile-telepathy/empathy power is a good choice.

My fear for the future : university. Season 1 of Charmed was interesting with so different places : house, Buckland, Quake, police office... If university is the only playground for the reboot, it will be quickly boring.

[Deleted]

Oct 22, 2018 20:02:45 GMT -5 Sasha said:

Interesting, so she has the worst parts of Prue and Piper, that some Classic fans didn't like. I can see why she is hated.

Is the youngest sister being so well received, remind anyone of the good qualities of Phoebe in S1? I keep hearing, she is the favorite sister from the three.

Haha! I'd say she's less strident than S4 Piper, not a snappy and sarcastic, and not as much of an ice queen like S1 Prue. Maybe late S1/early S2 Prue is a better description.

The youngest sister is clearly the best actress and her character is the most likeable so far. I think Mel is a bit irritating for some people and Macy is a bit "meh", so Maggie is getting all the early love. And yeah, she is quite similar to S1 Phoebe. 

Macy is my least favourite so far. Mel and Maggie at least have personalities, whereas Macy is coming off as bland, and I don't find the actress that engaging. I'm not really sure why they've gone for such... amateur actresses this time around. 

Oct 22, 2018 21:16:17 GMT -5 Granny Charmed said:

I hope it isn't too soon dear. Adding new powers in S1 feels too soon. At least let the original gifts advance first.

I'll be very interested to see if Premonitions becomes a new power for a sister. Although, I do hope they fix Classic Charmed, and Levitation is the older sisters powers, as an advancement of Telekinesis maybe. I never understood how Astral Projection was Prue's and Levitation was what Phoebe had.

I definitely think power advancements will be introduced early on, Granny, based on the way they were talking in that interview. I might be wrong, but it sounded like they had a fairly mapped-out idea of where the girls' powers were heading. They basically confirmed that Maggie's power will grow into Empathy.


Tell me about it. I hope they stay away from Levitation and AP completely this time around, seeing as they mucked them up so much in CC. I hope they don't give Mel exploding power!

[irishpendragon]

This episode was definitely much better than the pilot but I'm not quite inclined to define it above average at all. If anything, it is average like most productions after 2012. Yet, as I stated, it's not a complete disaster like the pilot. I suppose the main issue with the pilot was the writing. Whoever did it had the bad idea of condensing too much stuff in one episode and the acting of course couldn't keep.

The pacing here is much better, most of dialogues aren't strained like they were in episode. In a single sentence, this episode was written much better. If I were to give this episode a grade out of 10 points, I would give it a solid 5, while the first episode was definitely a 1.

[prudeau]

It would make sens that Macy develops a sort of advanced telekinesis, from place to another distant place, juste like young Max did.

It would be interesting that Mel develops a kind of temporal reversion.

And yes, Maggie is ok for empathy, another power of perception. But I hope for her she will learn firstly to disable on command her power of telepathy, otherwise, life will be hard for her, especially sex life ^^

And I approve Deano : please, no levitation, no astral projection and no cheaty-explosion power ^^

[rebooted]

I have to admit that I really did like this episode.

I didn't like the pilot but I did like the sisterly dynamics.

[pheebs]

Something I just found out and wasn't sure anyone who watched noticed. But the ordering of the stars goes:

Melonie Diaz (middle sister Mel)
Madeleine Mantock (older half-sister Macy)
Sarah Jeffery (younger sister Maggie)

Of course, Melonie is 34 years old and the oldest actress of the three, so it might just be the case of her having a better manager and being worth more given her age perhaps. Unlike Classic Charmed where Shannen was first, then Holly and then Alyssa. Of course, it is crazy to think that Melonie is older than anyone from Classic Charmed when they started the show and even ended it.

I wonder if Rupert Evans who plays the whitelighter got the 'And' credit title, that would clearly show it is just based on worth, and having worked in the industry longer. As I remember the And credit was second best after the top billing coming first.

I am curious if like Classic Charmed S1, they treat the middle sister as the star, but I think it isn't the case.

[Deleted]

Oct 24, 2018 20:32:23 GMT -5 pheebs said:

Something I just found out and wasn't sure anyone who watched noticed. But the ordering of the stars goes:

Melonie Diaz (middle sister Mel)
Madeleine Mantock (older half-sister Macy)
Sarah Jeffery (younger sister Maggie)

Of course, Melonie is 34 years old and the oldest actress of the three, so it might just be the case of her having a better manager and being worth more given her age perhaps. Unlike Classic Charmed where Shannen was first, then Holly and then Alyssa. Of course, it is crazy to think that Melonie is older than anyone from Classic Charmed when they started the show and even ended it.

I wonder if Rupert Evans who plays the whitelighter got the 'And' credit title, that would clearly show it is just based on worth, and having worked in the industry longer. As I remember the And credit was second best after the top billing coming first.

I am curious if like Classic Charmed S1, they treat the middle sister as the star, but I think it isn't the case.

That's why the whole "new generation" talk is kinda hilarious to me. They make the original girls sound like 70-somethings, but there's actually a smaller age gap between Melonie and HMC (11 years) than there is between Melonie and Sarah Jeffrey (12 years). And Billie/Kaley is actually a year YOUNGER than Melonie.

[pheebs]

Oct 26, 2018 2:42:15 GMT -5 @deano said:

Oct 24, 2018 20:32:23 GMT -5 pheebs said:

Something I just found out and wasn't sure anyone who watched noticed. But the ordering of the stars goes:

Melonie Diaz (middle sister Mel)
Madeleine Mantock (older half-sister Macy)
Sarah Jeffery (younger sister Maggie)

Of course, Melonie is 34 years old and the oldest actress of the three, so it might just be the case of her having a better manager and being worth more given her age perhaps. Unlike Classic Charmed where Shannen was first, then Holly and then Alyssa. Of course, it is crazy to think that Melonie is older than anyone from Classic Charmed when they started the show and even ended it.

I wonder if Rupert Evans who plays the whitelighter got the 'And' credit title, that would clearly show it is just based on worth, and having worked in the industry longer. As I remember the And credit was second best after the top billing coming first.

I am curious if like Classic Charmed S1, they treat the middle sister as the star, but I think it isn't the case.

That's why the whole "new generation" talk is kinda hilarious to me. They make the original girls sound like 70-somethings, but there's actually a smaller age gap between Melonie and HMC (11 years) than there is between Melonie and Sarah Jeffrey (12 years). And Billie/Kaley is actually a year YOUNGER than Melonie.

I agree it is so very odd to me. Like the age differences are not even that massive. I'd hardly say the original stars are old at all. If the X-Files can bring back the stars who are in their 50s, then they are hardly old and dated to go back into the roles. Didn't one of the actresses in the reboot say some comment about the Classic Charmed stars being too old to play? LOL if it was Melonie, I'd find that so funny, especially because she is almost a decade older than any of the Classic stars were when they started Classic Charmed.

Melonie will practically be 40 if this show goes for 5 or 6 years. 

It's so annoying and silly when they make the original girls sound so old. But I gather that's Hollywood for you, I feel the ageism is so very bad. But The CW is typical for wanting young pretty people. 

[summerreading]

Oct 23, 2018 22:44:43 GMT -5 Esmeralda said:

Oct 23, 2018 20:00:01 GMT -5 summerreading said:

That's too bad, why cannot they just focus on the original powers and advance them. Does sound like battling demons is more important. Oh well! 

It does appear it has some layers of those shows you mentioned Pheebs in it, which I guess appeals to many fans. Not me. 

No, me neither. If they'd fix some of the mistakes of S4-8, I'd be interested, but if it's just doing the same things, no, thanks. I'll stick to Classic Charmed (S1-3) and Elemental Charmed, not the alternate-universe spin-off, "The Perils of Poor, Poor Pitiful Piper" (S4-8) or its reboot.

Well said.

I'd be happy if they did, but I don't think so. Be interesting to see how long the reboot lasts. I doubt it will have eight seasons and 178 episodes, or even more. But I'll be very surprised if it does.