A great ending to a great first season. This is always an episode I love to come back to, and it makes for a really enjoyable season finale.
Tempest and Rodriguez made decent demons. Rodriguez proved that angry demons are often stupid demons. It was his own fault that he gets vanquished in the end. Honestly though, what made the episode fun to watch was the journey that the other characters take in deciphering the time loops, rather than the threat the demons posed. Phoebe’s premonition gave us an end game, so either Andy was going to live or he wasn’t. The bigger question was how they would go about preventing it. Aside from the very end, this episode is mostly comical. Phoebe figuring out that time was repeating, the bits of her being unsure where she parked Prue’s car, and revealing Joanne’s true nature to Piper all had some very laugh worthy moments. Prue also, once again, threatens to use her powers on Andy. One last time for kicks, I guess. Obviously, there were some instances of sadness, what with there being a few deaths during the course of the various time loops, but it never feels like an episode that is intended to be overly emotional. The only scene that really warrants some real emotion is Prue and Andy’s final talk on the swing in the “inbetween.” I will admit that this particular moment does occasionally make me a tad teary. Generally speaking though, I just enjoy watching the time loop bits, and imagining the could have been scenarios. For instance, after that first loop, how might Prue and Piper have dealt with Phoebe’s death? Or, as a big kicker, how might Prue have dealt with both of her sisters dying after round two? Definitely interesting scenarios to think about, though fortunately for our characters, neither ends up being explored.
Speaking of Prue and Andy, one thing that makes me very happy about this episode is the way they left the Prue and Andy relationship. Considering the fact that this is his last episode, it was nice to see that, after all of the drama they went through early on in the season, they have finally reached a good place. They both have exchanged their “I love yous,” and at this point they just want to protect one another and be together. Of course, this fact makes the episode ending even more tragic, but Prue can at least rest well knowing that Andy loved her, and knew that she loved him. Plus, Andy has accepted his destiny. His death was not in vain and he is at peace. This gives his character a pretty graceful exit from the show. You miss him, but you don’t feel like his leaving detracts from the story.
Overall, as a season finale, this is one of my favorites for this show. There is no cliffhanger, it’s just a good solid story to round off a good, solid season. The episode blends together well the comedy and drama, and really wraps up all of the loose threads of the season. Naturally, they left a few jumping off questions for season two, but nothing that is in any way a cliffhanger. Had this been a series finale, I think it would have worked well, but fortunately there is more to come. What’s next for our beloved trio?
Best Moments:
-Phoebe figuring out the time loops and convincing Prue she’s not crazy
-Piper telling off Joanne
Best Sibling Moments:
-Piper and Phoebe’s talk at the end
-The final scene with the three of them
Best Quotes:
Piper: What am I suppose to say? That I'm a cash-strapped, single restaurant manager, who still lives in the same house I grew up in with my sisters?
Phoebe: And the cat, don't forget our cat.
Piper: That's a little too anxious, that's not a good sign.
Phoebe: Which means if he doesn't want to kill Prue, he wants to date her.
Phoebe: Prue, I am not nuts. Okay, maybe just a little but that's irrelevant here.
Phoebe: And don't worry, if you need any help trolling the classifieds, I am an expert.