If Season 2 ended differently?

[Miranda Turner]

I  know 'Be Careful What You Witch For' isn't a popular season finale. 

So I made a poll for this one.

Which one would you pick?

[Granny Charmed]

This is a very interesting question dear. One I'm tossing up between Morality Bites & Apocalypse, Not. But would totally be fun to do for a Charmed Rewritten project, and give S2 a different ending.

[Melinda Halliwell]

Like Granny Charmed it was a toss up for me between Morality Bites and Apocalypse Not which going over the two episodes in my head I choose Apocalypse Not because the lesson the sisters learnt in Morality Bites didn't stick and I loved the sisterly moment at P3 in the end with the 5 strangers or 1 sibling question.

[Esmeralda]

I'm in the goofy situation where I'm wishing that my favorite episode, 'Morality Bites' wasn't even part of the series much less a season finale, because it affected my reaction to the characters so much throughout the rest of the series, forgetting what had happened each time a Charmed One or Piper's younger son forgot that the wrong thing done for the right reason is still the wrong thing.

Now if the series only went four seasons, as it should've, 'Morality Bites' would've been perfect here. But since it didn't, I chose 'Apocalypse Not', but done differently so it was shown that the Source was the boss of the Four Horsemen, setting up the change from the sisters' destiny being to protect the innocent to destroying the Source before it became protecting the Twice Blessed Brat and to heck with anyone else.

[prudencehalliwell]

'Apocalypse Not' should have been the last episode of S2, I mean the story with Dan could just have ended one episode earlier since he isn't even in Apocalypse Not.

What a finale that would have been.

I liked 'Morality Bites', but something about 'Apocalypse Not', especially the scene with five strangers and one sibling just makes it perfect. Of course, that would lead to the manor scene where Piper & Leo leave. Part of why I hate that silly manor closing tradition, it takes away from ending it with good cliffhangers and scenes. The door closing just should have been a series book-end, end of the pilot episode and end of the last episode.

[Sasha]

Apocalypse, Not hands down all for the amazing ending scene!

[pheebs]

'Apocalypse Not'. Even if 'Morality Bites' is perfect, but that only fits well if Charmed ran four seasons. As a finale and how the sisters turned out later. It doesn't.

Now as a Charmed rewrite. You can bet I'd want it as a season finale. Especially if 'Apocalypse Not' was part of a series finale or even a penultimate episode of the series.

[rebooted]

It would have been good if Leo's wings were permanently clipped by the end of Season 2.

[Esmeralda]

Dec 3, 2018 7:55:57 GMT -5 pheebs said:

'Apocalypse Not'. Even if 'Morality Bites' is perfect, but that only fits well if Charmed ran four seasons. As a finale and how the sisters turned out later. It doesn't.

Now as a Charmed rewrite. You can bet I'd want it as a season finale. Especially if 'Apocalypse Not' was part of a series finale or even a penultimate episode of the series.

Oh, man! Imagining either 'Morality Bites' as the SERIES penultimate episode and 'Apocalypse Not' as the SERIES finale or vice versa! Imagine THESE TWO rather than 'Look Who's Barking' and 'All Hell Breaks Loose'! Now THAT would be the way I'd love to see a Charmed ReImagined series to end! It would particularly be interesting since it would be fun to include Cole - and not the Source. Could the Brotherhood of the Thorn be the Four Horsemen instead??? Could it be Cole who is the "infiltrator" instead? Sounds like fun to me - with no need to turn back time and lose one of the Charmed Ones!

But speaking of that, the actual ending isn't what I'd want - either the 5 stranger question or Piper telling Leo to "Keep that in minds" since they'd already be married...would the ending (not the actual episode since I hate the Demon of Destiny in that episode) of 'Witch Way Now?' but with the originals and Cole work - just finding out that Piper's pregnant but never finding out who the baby is unless there was a spin-off?

[Ruth Marie]

Jan 6, 2019 17:37:32 GMT -5 Esmeralda said:

Dec 3, 2018 7:55:57 GMT -5 pheebs said:

'Apocalypse Not'. Even if 'Morality Bites' is perfect, but that only fits well if Charmed ran four seasons. As a finale and how the sisters turned out later. It doesn't.

Now as a Charmed rewrite. You can bet I'd want it as a season finale. Especially if 'Apocalypse Not' was part of a series finale or even a penultimate episode of the series.

Oh, man! Imagining either 'Morality Bites' as the SERIES penultimate episode and 'Apocalypse Not' as the SERIES finale or vice versa! Imagine THESE TWO rather than 'Look Who's Barking' and 'All Hell Breaks Loose'! Now THAT would be the way I'd love to see a Charmed ReImagined series to end! It would particularly be interesting since it would be fun to include Cole - and not the Source. Could the Brotherhood of the Thorn be the Four Horsemen instead??? Could it be Cole who is the "infiltrator" instead? Sounds like fun to me - with no need to turn back time and lose one of the Charmed Ones!

But speaking of that, the actual ending isn't what I'd want - either the 5 stranger question or Piper telling Leo to "Keep that in minds" since they'd already be married...would the ending (not the actual episode since I hate the Demon of Destiny in that episode) of 'Witch Way Now?' but with the originals and Cole work - just finding out that Piper's pregnant but never finding out who the baby is unless there was a spin-off?

WOW! That would be really great. The Brotherhood of the Thorn instead of the Four Horsemen sounds really good.

I liked that ending better than Witch Way Now as an episode, unless of course it included Piper learning she's pregnant on her own not like how it happened in 'Witch Way Now?'. Yes I do like this.

Sounds like something a Charmed: Reimagined ending would really shine with as an ending.

[gzv969]

I agree that it would have been better ending with Apocalypse Not. Ending it in the club with Leo telling them how happy the elders where with them and how they had put a huge dent in the sources plan, then Piper and phoebe apologizing to Prue. But I think the writers wanted to end the season on a happier and lighter note and with Piper leaving with Leo to see the elders.

But If the writers really wanted the season to end with Piper following Leo then I would have preferred ending with Astral Monkey. At the end when Piper was crying in her bedroom and Leo appeared, he would then hug her and orb out with her to the elders to help with her grief. Great cliff hanger for next season. Then in “The honeymoon is over” Prue and phoebe deal with her absence and return.

[Esmeralda]

Jan 7, 2019 20:05:57 GMT -5 gzv969 said:

I agree that it would have been better ending with Apocalypse Not. Ending it in the club with Leo telling them how happy the elders where with them and how they had put a huge dent in the sources plan, then Piper and phoebe apologizing to Prue. But I think the writers wanted to end the season on a happier and lighter note and with Piper leaving with Leo to see the elders.

But If the writers really wanted the season to end with Piper following Leo then I would have preferred ending with Astral Monkey. At the end when Piper was crying in her bedroom and Leo appeared, he would then hug her and orb out with her to the elders to help with her grief. Great cliff hanger for next season. Then in “The honeymoon is over” Prue and phoebe deal with her absence and return.

Oh, man! If you're back to just talking about how to end Season 2, that really would be perfect!

[Granny Charmed]

Jan 7, 2019 21:04:17 GMT -5 Esmeralda said:

Jan 7, 2019 20:05:57 GMT -5 gzv969 said:

I agree that it would have been better ending with Apocalypse Not. Ending it in the club with Leo telling them how happy the elders where with them and how they had put a huge dent in the sources plan, then Piper and phoebe apologizing to Prue. But I think the writers wanted to end the season on a happier and lighter note and with Piper leaving with Leo to see the elders.

But If the writers really wanted the season to end with Piper following Leo then I would have preferred ending with Astral Monkey. At the end when Piper was crying in her bedroom and Leo appeared, he would then hug her and orb out with her to the elders to help with her grief. Great cliff hanger for next season. Then in “The honeymoon is over” Prue and phoebe deal with her absence and return.

Oh, man! If you're back to just talking about how to end Season 2, that really would be perfect!

That would be good too dear. Funny, Classic Charmed is playing on my television in reruns where I live and S2 is on, it airs weekdays at 1pm with S1-3 episodes and on the weekends at noon with S6 episodes. Funny that Rip-off Charmed is no longer playing and or has now been pushed to a very late timeslot of 10:30pm or even 11.  They played Astral Monkey yesterday, and Apocalypse Not today (although the later I only caught the ending). So after our discussions, I SO can see why both episodes would be perfect.

But if Charmed ran only three seasons, I'd love Apocalypse Not in place of Look Whos Barking and Pre-Witched/Witch Way Now combination with changes in place of All Hell Breaks Loose as the finale.

And that would be perfect.

[Elle Em]

I'd like an Apocalypse Not-type ending for the series finale, but somehow more focused on all three sisters rather than Prue in danger and Piper and Phoebe having to make a difficult situation. Maybe if the three of them were together and knew that one of them was going to have to die in order to save the world, but they didn't know which one. They all decide by the end that they'd be okay being the one that dies, and they promise the others that if they live, they'll be able to move on with their lives despite losing a sister. Then of course, just like in the show, the selflessness of that discussion is what saves everyone anyway.

[Sasha]

Jan 8, 2019 7:57:13 GMT -5 Elle Em said:

I'd like an Apocalypse Not-type ending for the series finale, but somehow more focused on all three sisters rather than Prue in danger and Piper and Phoebe having to make a difficult situation. Maybe if the three of them were together and knew that one of them was going to have to die in order to save the world, but they didn't know which one. They all decide by the end that they'd be okay being the one that dies, and they promise the others that if they live, they'll be able to move on with their lives despite losing a sister. Then of course, just like in the show, the selflessness of that discussion is what saves everyone anyway.

You bring up a very good point, about wanting it to be about all three sisters. Remembering this episode was done so Shannen had time off to prepare to direct the season 2 finale. So I agree, it would be so good to give that focus to all three. Actually reminds me of 'Something Wicca This Way Goes?' where they were prepared to die, even if we learn in the end that wasn't the case.

I like that set-up better than one sister needing to be saved, which works better for a season finale or one where a sister really does die and stays dead when they make that choice to save the world.

Wouldn't that have been a bold way to kill a sister, than 'All Hell Breaks Loose'. It would be heartbreaking but a very powerful story.

[pheebs]

Jan 6, 2019 17:37:32 GMT -5 Esmeralda said:

Dec 3, 2018 7:55:57 GMT -5 pheebs said:

'Apocalypse Not'. Even if 'Morality Bites' is perfect, but that only fits well if Charmed ran four seasons. As a finale and how the sisters turned out later. It doesn't.

Now as a Charmed rewrite. You can bet I'd want it as a season finale. Especially if 'Apocalypse Not' was part of a series finale or even a penultimate episode of the series.

Oh, man! Imagining either 'Morality Bites' as the SERIES penultimate episode and 'Apocalypse Not' as the SERIES finale or vice versa! Imagine THESE TWO rather than 'Look Who's Barking' and 'All Hell Breaks Loose'! Now THAT would be the way I'd love to see a Charmed ReImagined series to end! It would particularly be interesting since it would be fun to include Cole - and not the Source. Could the Brotherhood of the Thorn be the Four Horsemen instead??? Could it be Cole who is the "infiltrator" instead? Sounds like fun to me - with no need to turn back time and lose one of the Charmed Ones!

But speaking of that, the actual ending isn't what I'd want - either the 5 stranger question or Piper telling Leo to "Keep that in minds" since they'd already be married...would the ending (not the actual episode since I hate the Demon of Destiny in that episode) of 'Witch Way Now?' but with the originals and Cole work - just finding out that Piper's pregnant but never finding out who the baby is unless there was a spin-off?!

Es, that would make a fantastic series finale.

Jan 8, 2019 9:03:29 GMT -5 Sasha said:

Jan 8, 2019 7:57:13 GMT -5 Elle Em said:

I'd like an Apocalypse Not-type ending for the series finale, but somehow more focused on all three sisters rather than Prue in danger and Piper and Phoebe having to make a difficult situation. Maybe if the three of them were together and knew that one of them was going to have to die in order to save the world, but they didn't know which one. They all decide by the end that they'd be okay being the one that dies, and they promise the others that if they live, they'll be able to move on with their lives despite losing a sister. Then of course, just like in the show, the selflessness of that discussion is what saves everyone anyway.

You bring up a very good point, about wanting it to be about all three sisters. Remembering this episode was done so Shannen had time off to prepare to direct the season 2 finale. So I agree, it would be so good to give that focus to all three. Actually reminds me of 'Something Wicca This Way Goes?' where they were prepared to die, even if we learn in the end that wasn't the case.

I like that set-up better than one sister needing to be saved, which works better for a season finale or one where a sister really does die and stays dead when they make that choice to save the world.

Wouldn't that have been a bold way to kill a sister, than 'All Hell Breaks Loose'. It would be heartbreaking but a very powerful story.

I love this one too. 'Apocalypse Not' would make such a good story for a finale.

But this is the perfect ender for Charmed: Reimagined. A finale that just focuses on the sisters. Summer, if you read this. I just know you'll be great with combining ideas and episodes.

[gzv969]

I still have Paula Coles. ”Be Somebody”, played in this episode, on my iTunes playlist that I listen to everyday 🙂

[West]

Jan 8, 2019 16:01:23 GMT -5 gzv969 said:

I still have Paula Coles. ”Be Somebody”, played in this episode, on my iTunes playlist that I listen to everyday 🙂

I liked that song too. 

[West]

Apocalypse Not would have made a great season 2 finale.

But Morality Bites actually would have fit better as the finale of S2 too. I didn't feel Morality Bites fit well in early S2. The second episode of the season especially felt so random and out of place, with what was going on with the Piper/Dan story. I'll still believe this wasn't planned with Piper/Leo because Andy was written out. I do wonder how it would have been if Leo was still gone too, and it had been Dan as Piper's ex?

I voted Apocalypse Not in the end though.

[Olga Halliwell]

Jan 23, 2019 6:02:37 GMT -5 West said:

Apocalypse Not would have made a great season 2 finale.

But Morality Bites actually would have fit better as the finale of S2 too. I didn't feel Morality Bites fit well in early S2. The second episode of the season especially felt so random and out of place, with what was going on with the Piper/Dan story. I'll still believe this wasn't planned with Piper/Leo because Andy was written out. I do wonder how it would have been if Leo was still gone too, and it had been Dan as Piper's ex?

I voted Apocalypse Not in the end though.

I do remember that Morality Bites was shot out of order, I think someone here mentioned that I think. It was episode 4, not 2. So it is odd they put it in this order. But you are right, Morality Bites does feel out of place, maybe because they wrote out Andy, and threw Leo back in to fill the plot with a child in the future. 

I'll hope when we re-watch S2 as part of the board, we can watch it in the other order. 

Morality Bites maybe just needed to not include Leo in it. Of course, they needed to pair up one sister with a future child and ex-husband. Andy was out, so they had to let it be Leo.  Actually, did it have to be ten years, why couldn't they have just made it five years into the future.

If it were Dan, how would that affect Piper and her relationship with him in the present? Would Piper have still been with him, knowing they were not together in that future?

Maybe Morality Bites just should have been pushed to be something that happened later in the series. Piper was never the same after it, it played too much on her mind with dealing with Leo, and also Leo himself. Phoebe never took the lesson to heart and remembered what she knew.