Charmed – S1E21 – Love Hurts
Another great episode of Charmed. In my opinion, Piper and Leo totally stole the show, but there were other elements which were also well worth the watch.
Leo is back. Awwww. I missed him. Clearly, Piper did too. These two, they just are so great together. Every one of their scenes together is gold. I think it was nice, not only to see Piper’s true feelings come out, but also for them to admit to one another just how much they care for one another. Watching it, it’s fairly obvious that it’s not a temporary relationship, and that Leo’s gonna be back. If it were, they went through a heck of a lot of work to convince everyone that Piper loves him for what would then essentially be nothing. I’m not spoiling anything by saying that. I’m just saying, why go through all the trouble of almost killing Leo, but not actually doing it, if you’re not going to attempt some relationship between him and Piper. Seems unnecessary. Anyway, my point is that I loved all of the Piper and Leo scenes, and they are adorable, and they were the highlight of the episode.
What was not a highlight was the Daisy and Alec story. Apart from them being the catalysts for the episodes events, they were generally just kind of blah. I can appreciate the commentary the episode offers on abusive relationships, as I believe it’s an important commentary to make, but in terms of the episode itself, they didn’t really peak my interest. This is partly because there was so much other stuff going on with the focus on Piper and Leo, and all the power swapping stuff, I just don’t think their scenes served much more purpose than to have a demon for Prue and Phoebe to fight while Piper was dealing with Leo. If that makes sense. Essentially, Daisy and Alec are not the reason why I enjoy this episode. That simplifies it.
This episode holds another example of why I love Piper and Phoebe’s relationship so much. You get the funny scene with them when Phoebe walks in on Piper using the power switching spell, which I do love. Where I really love their interaction though is in Piper’s really emotional moments, first where she is desperately in denial about the possibility of losing Leo, and then again when she thinks he is gone for good. Both times, it is Phoebe who is there to both help Piper accept what is going on, but also to offer words of comfort. I don’t think it’s a coincidence that in every scene where Piper is in any way emotional about Leo’s situation, it is always Phoebe that is there for her. Obviously the show runners were aware of the way in which Phoebe is the best match for dealing with an emotional Piper. It reminds me of episode two or three where Piper is extremely worried that being witches might mean that they aren’t good people anymore, and Phoebe is the one who talks her down. I don’t know exactly what it is, be it the way Alyssa Milano and Holly Marie Combs work together on screen, or the writing, or just the character dynamics, but something about these really genuine sister scenes between Piper and Phoebe always just makes me really love their relationship.
In other sister relationship news, on some level, we get a continuation of our Prue and Phoebe bonding from the last episode. In Power of Two, they got some of their personal issues out in the open. This episode, they seem to finally resolve any lingering jealousy or prejudice that they have towards the other’s powers. That’s what happens when you get to actually walk in one another’s shoes. Honestly, the scenes of them figuring out how to use one another’s powers were some of the best of the episode. Second only to Piper telling Leo that she loves him. The takeaway from these exchanges not only gives them an appreciation for their own powers, but they also have a respect for the other’s powers. This is something I think was desperately needed. Phoebe has been so anti-passive powers all season, and I think there is a way in which Prue looks down on Phoebe for not having an active power. Both of them needed the whole “grass isn’t always greener” lesson. At this point, there shouldn’t be much left for Prue and Phoebe to fight about. Two episodes of issue exploration should make them best buds. Right? I’m kidding, obviously, but hopefully we’ve gotten rid of some of that tension that has existed between them all season long.
Andy is proving himself to be pretty self-sacrificing. He genuinely believes that what the sisters do is good, and he willingly puts his own job on the line to protect them. His scenes with Prue were so sweet. I loved the added touch of them meeting at the swing where they used to go in high school. Very cute. Unfortunately for Andy, Rodriguez is more of a threat than he realizes. Cue the giant red eyes.
Overall, this is a solid episode. Between all of the Piper and Leo adorableness, and the continuation of the Prue and Phoebe bonding from the last episode, there is a lot to enjoy. I can’t say that I’m a huge fan of the Daisy and Alec story, but they did catalyst the Piper and Leo story, so I guess I can give them credit for that. Anyway, this makes for a great penultimate season one episode, and one that I definitely recommend. Now, on to the ultimate.
Best Moments:
-Every scene with Piper and Leo
Best Sibling Moments:
-Prue and Phoebe at the bus station
-Phoebe comforting Piper
-Prue and Phoebe discussing Piper’s love life
-Phoebe and Prue catch Piper using the power switching spell
Best Quotes:
Prue: Maybe we should let her be, I mean we're not the ones who fell in love with a warlock, a ghost, a geographically undesirable handyman, and a very dorky grad student.
Phoebe: Maybe she's just in a slump. It happens. All right, it happens to Piper a lot, but celibacy is not the answer.
Prue: A couple of dates not picking up the check, that's a slump. This is more like a sucking void.
Leo: Being with her broke the rules but not being with her breaks my heart.
Prue: Hey, what's going on?
Phoebe: Ah, you know, the usual, made some coffee, read the newspaper, walked in on Piper switching powers with Leo. You know.
Another great episode of Charmed. In my opinion, Piper and Leo totally stole the show, but there were other elements which were also well worth the watch.
Leo is back. Awwww. I missed him. Clearly, Piper did too. These two, they just are so great together. Every one of their scenes together is gold. I think it was nice, not only to see Piper’s true feelings come out, but also for them to admit to one another just how much they care for one another. Watching it, it’s fairly obvious that it’s not a temporary relationship, and that Leo’s gonna be back. If it were, they went through a heck of a lot of work to convince everyone that Piper loves him for what would then essentially be nothing. I’m not spoiling anything by saying that. I’m just saying, why go through all the trouble of almost killing Leo, but not actually doing it, if you’re not going to attempt some relationship between him and Piper. Seems unnecessary. Anyway, my point is that I loved all of the Piper and Leo scenes, and they are adorable, and they were the highlight of the episode.
What was not a highlight was the Daisy and Alec story. Apart from them being the catalysts for the episodes events, they were generally just kind of blah. I can appreciate the commentary the episode offers on abusive relationships, as I believe it’s an important commentary to make, but in terms of the episode itself, they didn’t really peak my interest. This is partly because there was so much other stuff going on with the focus on Piper and Leo, and all the power swapping stuff, I just don’t think their scenes served much more purpose than to have a demon for Prue and Phoebe to fight while Piper was dealing with Leo. If that makes sense. Essentially, Daisy and Alec are not the reason why I enjoy this episode. That simplifies it.
This episode holds another example of why I love Piper and Phoebe’s relationship so much. You get the funny scene with them when Phoebe walks in on Piper using the power switching spell, which I do love. Where I really love their interaction though is in Piper’s really emotional moments, first where she is desperately in denial about the possibility of losing Leo, and then again when she thinks he is gone for good. Both times, it is Phoebe who is there to both help Piper accept what is going on, but also to offer words of comfort. I don’t think it’s a coincidence that in every scene where Piper is in any way emotional about Leo’s situation, it is always Phoebe that is there for her. Obviously the show runners were aware of the way in which Phoebe is the best match for dealing with an emotional Piper. It reminds me of episode two or three where Piper is extremely worried that being witches might mean that they aren’t good people anymore, and Phoebe is the one who talks her down. I don’t know exactly what it is, be it the way Alyssa Milano and Holly Marie Combs work together on screen, or the writing, or just the character dynamics, but something about these really genuine sister scenes between Piper and Phoebe always just makes me really love their relationship.
In other sister relationship news, on some level, we get a continuation of our Prue and Phoebe bonding from the last episode. In Power of Two, they got some of their personal issues out in the open. This episode, they seem to finally resolve any lingering jealousy or prejudice that they have towards the other’s powers. That’s what happens when you get to actually walk in one another’s shoes. Honestly, the scenes of them figuring out how to use one another’s powers were some of the best of the episode. Second only to Piper telling Leo that she loves him. The takeaway from these exchanges not only gives them an appreciation for their own powers, but they also have a respect for the other’s powers. This is something I think was desperately needed. Phoebe has been so anti-passive powers all season, and I think there is a way in which Prue looks down on Phoebe for not having an active power. Both of them needed the whole “grass isn’t always greener” lesson. At this point, there shouldn’t be much left for Prue and Phoebe to fight about. Two episodes of issue exploration should make them best buds. Right? I’m kidding, obviously, but hopefully we’ve gotten rid of some of that tension that has existed between them all season long.
Andy is proving himself to be pretty self-sacrificing. He genuinely believes that what the sisters do is good, and he willingly puts his own job on the line to protect them. His scenes with Prue were so sweet. I loved the added touch of them meeting at the swing where they used to go in high school. Very cute. Unfortunately for Andy, Rodriguez is more of a threat than he realizes. Cue the giant red eyes.
Overall, this is a solid episode. Between all of the Piper and Leo adorableness, and the continuation of the Prue and Phoebe bonding from the last episode, there is a lot to enjoy. I can’t say that I’m a huge fan of the Daisy and Alec story, but they did catalyst the Piper and Leo story, so I guess I can give them credit for that. Anyway, this makes for a great penultimate season one episode, and one that I definitely recommend. Now, on to the ultimate.
Best Moments:
-Every scene with Piper and Leo
Best Sibling Moments:
-Prue and Phoebe at the bus station
-Phoebe comforting Piper
-Prue and Phoebe discussing Piper’s love life
-Phoebe and Prue catch Piper using the power switching spell
Best Quotes:
Prue: Maybe we should let her be, I mean we're not the ones who fell in love with a warlock, a ghost, a geographically undesirable handyman, and a very dorky grad student.
Phoebe: Maybe she's just in a slump. It happens. All right, it happens to Piper a lot, but celibacy is not the answer.
Prue: A couple of dates not picking up the check, that's a slump. This is more like a sucking void.
Leo: Being with her broke the rules but not being with her breaks my heart.
Prue: Hey, what's going on?
Phoebe: Ah, you know, the usual, made some coffee, read the newspaper, walked in on Piper switching powers with Leo. You know.