Charmed: Season Four

Throughout most of history people have been fascinated with the concept of magic. To be able to wish for something and have it happen is something that almost everyone has had a fantasy or two about. When you add a group of beautiful women to this mix you have a premise for a television series that is bound to be a hit, and so it was, just consider ‘Charmed’. When season three ended the eldest of the Halliwell sisters, Prue (Shannen Doherty), sacrificed her life to save the other two. Piper (Holly Marie Combs) and youngest sister Phoebe (Alyssa Milano) no have to not only face the lost of a sister but also the potential end to their magical role as the most powerful good witches around, the Charmed Ones. While each of the Halliwell sisters has her own active powers they are at their best when they combine to use the ‘power of three’. Without the Charmed Ones evil demons and other bad guys have free reign over humanity. Since the premise of he series requires this ‘power of three’ to continue the writers had to come up with a new gal to take the place of Doherty. They managed to get around this quagmire with a method that has proven popular with almost every soap opera, come up with a long lost sister. The two remaining sisters soon learn that they have such a sibling. It turns out that their mother Patty ((Finola Hughes) had an affair with her guardian White Lighter, Sam Wilder (Scott Jaeck). The result was an illegitimate daughter named Paige (Rose McGowan). She was given up for adoption with the instructions that her name must begin with the letter ‘P’, a Halliwell family tradition for all female children. Piper and Phoebe have initially have a little difficulty in explaining to Paige about her magical roots and abilities but soon enough the Charmed Ones are back in business fighting evil.

Each of the sisters has a special ability. Piper can slow down matter to the point of locally stopping time or speeding it out causing it to explode. Phoebe can receive premonitions of dangers just on the horizon. Since Paige is part White Lighter has abilities manifested in a little different way. While Prue could move object with her mind Paige was able to ‘orb’ things, causing them to teleport. She was also able to teleport herself and others to just about any location. Much of the fourth season was concerned with Paige’s learning about her magical abilities and coming to grips with her new found family. The reestablishment of the family dynamic is what made this one of the best season of the series. Piper was used to her role as the middle sister. She was the go between for the organized Prue and wild child Phoebe. Now, Piper found herself as the eldest, a family role she was never prepared for. Phoebe now the middle sister discovered that now as the middle sister she needed to take the position Piper once had as the mediator between Piper and Paige. For Paige the transition was very dramatic. As an adopted child she always wondered about her biological family. Now, she not only has to cope with these new sisters but also the unbelievable realization that she was part of a magical word and was an extremely powerful good witch. As she began to move in with her sisters she also had to content with learning about potions, spells and the plethora of magical creatures both good and evil. In seasons two and three the plots moved away from this theme of self discovery and family dynamics. With the addition of a new sister the audience can once again connect with more human problems which permitted a stronger emotional investment with the characters. For example, Piper has a lot to deal with. She has a relationship with the sisters’ White Lighter, Leo (Brian Krause) which was forbidden by the Elders. She also has the mourning for Prue and the need to connect with her new sister Paige. In this third season the newly reformed Charmed Ones have to learn to work together not only as witches but also as sisters.

There have been a lot of major cast changes in popular television series; usually the results are the show is about ready to ‘jump the shark’. Charmed is the rare exception, in many ways it became better. Holly Marie Combs was the strongest actor on the series for the first three seasons and with season four she is given even more opportunity to shine. Combs plays Piper as the nurturing sister, the one that keeps the home front together. As a former chef and accountant her Piper is the sister most attentive to the details. Combs has the talent required to keep the audience interested as the whole dynamic of the series is changing. The writers have allowed Phoebe to grow over the first four years and once again Alyssa Milano is up to the new challenges this season presented. Milano still retains the playful nature of Phoebe but now has to take on the increased responsibilities of the middle sister. It is always difficult for an actress to replace another in an established series. Rose McGowan does an excellent job of becoming Paige. Previously a lot of her screen work was in some dark comedies and thrillers, a perfect place to prepare for the combination of thriller and comedy this series offers. She also lived for years with shock musician Marilyn Manson, if that doesn’t prepare a girl to fight demons then nothing will. McGowan has a natural feel to her performance, one that helps the audience to accept a new main character. As these three young actresses get to know each other on set their characters reflect this time of discovery. The three are able to instill in their performances a little something to help the series to be a little more than just a special effects driven show.

Paramount pretty much follows the formula used in the previous three season sets. Regrettably, there are no extras provided. A couple of behind the scenes featurettes or a commentary or two would have been a nice touch. The full screen video is usually clean, free of any artifacts. The colors are usually well balanced and are never bled into one another. The Dolby two channel audio has acceptable channel separation that provides a fairly robust sound field. Even if you where not a fan from the start this is a great place to get to know this series.

Posted 2/20/06