BINDING POWERS?

[whitelightertony]

I pretty much agree with Andrew.

I think the characters were referring to two different basic categories of mortals: those with magical powers, and those who were completely unmagical and powerless.

The Warren witches (including the Charmed Ones) fell into the first category. When Leo claimed that the Halliwells weren't mortal, he was technically incorrect -- but he probably just meant that they didn't fall into the second category of mortals (those who were completely powerless and non-magical).

When Wyatt was born, Grams made it clear that no Halliwell had ever given birth to a son.

No, Grams was vague, and she was probably assuming that there were no male witches born in the Warren line. The family tree shows that there were clearly male descendants of Melinda Warren.

And even if Grams (and the other Warren matriarchs) assumed the males born into the family couldn't be witches, how would they have known for sure. Maybe most of the male Warrens died at young ages before their magic ever fully manifested?

[ljones]

I'm not sure on whether demons are immortal or not. They can be killed. But I'm not sure whether their deaths are considered permanent like mortals - magical or otherwise.

[dylan345]

In answer to the original topic, I think powers should be bound. Take the sisters. They are normal people who live and work on planet earth and can relate to other people, which is important not only for having a normal life but for working to save innocents. How easy would they find it to relate to the rest of the world if they had grown up with ideas of magic, and knowing they were different from everyone else? True, Phoebe (season 1 and 2 personality) may have thought it was cool. Prue may have suppressed it and learned to get along even with the knowledge. But would Piper have? And I thought about it for myself too. I have the personality where knowing I was so different would not affect me for the better. For some it might, but for most I don't think it would.

Someone could argue that, if we're talking about Wyatt, he needs his powers for protection. Well, he didn't ask to be born into a world where he needs to defend himself from monsters. Defending himself from metaphorical monsters, like the mean kids on the playground or fears of the dark should be enough for any young child. It's the job of the adults in his life to do whatever it takes to keep him from a very overwhelming world until he's ready. They should keep demons away from him, not ask him to do something so traumatic as heal his dying mother, and keep the secret from him at all costs. Grams did it all by herself with the three Charmed Ones. Surely four adults can keep it from one child.

Someone could also argue that the world of magic is a beautiful and very interesting one, and "a gift" as Phoebe once put it. Which is true, but to quote Piper, "Sometimes being magical takes the magic right out of things." And a world with real magic that is at times full of wonders is no substitute for a childhood that is also.

[ljones]

In answer to the original topic, I think powers should be bound. Take the sisters. They are normal people who live and work on planet earth and can relate to other people, which is important not only for having a normal life but for working to save innocents. How easy would they find it to relate to the rest of the world if they had grown up with ideas of magic, and knowing they were different from everyone else?

I have no problem with the Halliwell sisters or Piper's children having their powers bound when they are children and incapable of dealing with their abilities in a responsible manner. However . . . I see no problem with them learning about magic while their powers are still bound. I think that Grams should have taught the sisters about magic when they were adolescents, instead of keeping them in dark like that.

[dylan345]

I agree they should have been taught somewhat. It was pretty stupid for Grams to wait until she was so old. I know she planned on stripping their powers, but since she didn't, she should have planned some way to help them. Like writing in the book or something. And if she had discussed the idea of magic with them, maybe she could have decided, based on their reactions to the conversations, whether being witches was something they wanted or not.
I just think its ridiculous for a two year old to have to fend off demons and heal his dying mother.