The third season begins with a reasonable plot, the first that takes place within a court. It's deeply ironic that, when Piper freezes "every innocent" in the courtroom, only two people actually freeze... Among whom poor Darryl, who always ends up on the receiving end of magic spells, but who gamely soldiers on like the good friend and brave cop he is. I really like him, I think he adds a very necessary touch of normalcy and loyalty to the team.
Anyway, although the idea of Guardian demons protecting assassins is good, the main attraction of this episode is to watch the two couples that will be at the core of this year's arc. In particular, this is out first encounter with a character who is a great favourite of the Charmed viewers : the infamous Cole Turner. Despite his hidden agenda, he is a good guy in this episode and I must say, he's got to be very brave, letting himself be knocked out to keep up the pretense that he's frozen. At any rate, the episode makes a good job of easing him in the story, while hinting that there's more to him than meets the eye. The alchemy between Phoebe and Cole is immediate, and it is rather ironical to hear her call him "an angel". This leads us to the second couple with, this time, a real angel : Piper and Leo, whose relationship has and will go through so many difficulties. Their little trip, which was supposed to be a happy event, soon turns to a disturbing mystery as they don't come back, then to a new disaster when it appears that "they" (aka, the Elders) object to the relationship. Piper reacts with bitterness and rejection while Leo is willing to do anything for his couple, and they will stick to these positions throughout the years. That Leo proposes in the toilet instead of delivering the romantic speech he was preparing for, is symbolic in this regard... because in the end, Piper still says yes.
Anyway, although the idea of Guardian demons protecting assassins is good, the main attraction of this episode is to watch the two couples that will be at the core of this year's arc. In particular, this is out first encounter with a character who is a great favourite of the Charmed viewers : the infamous Cole Turner. Despite his hidden agenda, he is a good guy in this episode and I must say, he's got to be very brave, letting himself be knocked out to keep up the pretense that he's frozen. At any rate, the episode makes a good job of easing him in the story, while hinting that there's more to him than meets the eye. The alchemy between Phoebe and Cole is immediate, and it is rather ironical to hear her call him "an angel". This leads us to the second couple with, this time, a real angel : Piper and Leo, whose relationship has and will go through so many difficulties. Their little trip, which was supposed to be a happy event, soon turns to a disturbing mystery as they don't come back, then to a new disaster when it appears that "they" (aka, the Elders) object to the relationship. Piper reacts with bitterness and rejection while Leo is willing to do anything for his couple, and they will stick to these positions throughout the years. That Leo proposes in the toilet instead of delivering the romantic speech he was preparing for, is symbolic in this regard... because in the end, Piper still says yes.