The plot this week is a mix of Irish folklore and oriental elements (notably the Kali-like serpent and the soundtrack) with a pinch of the Blair Witch Project: a risky blend which could easily get out of hand but which works well enough here. The actress who plays the evil witch is good and looks really great (and on a side note, I would love to have hair like hers). On the other hand, there's an alarming casualty rate among innocents, which is rather bad for the Charmed Ones's image. And I cannot believe that the police never get involved. How can nobody (not even Jack) question why Prue, who was *filmed* arguing over that wand, suddenly has it with her -right after its rightful owner goes missing and her apartment is ransacked?
Anyway... What makes the plot particularly unusual, and therefore very interesting, is that the sisters are mere bystanders this time. They can't do anything against Tuatha. Their only role is to help and train her nemesis, a young diffident nerd who finds it difficult to believe that he might be chosen for anything... only they don't know how to train him, and don't want to let him fight, so the job finally lands on Leo's shoulders. Here we are reminded that, more than a healer or guardian angel, Leo is first and foremost a cheerleader of sorts. But obviously, his constant (and not too discreet !) presence in the house creates a very awkward situation. The tension with Piper is well played, and Dan's dismay at discovering that he's got a rival INSIDE the house (while he still hasn't been able to cross the threshold) makes for some really good scenes.
Before I finish, there are two little things I want to mention : first, I love Alyssa Milano's hairdo (yes, it is irrelevant, but I still want to mention it at least once) and second, this is Jenny's last appearance. Since she never did anything interesting, I kept wondering why on earth she was listed in the credits. Now I guess the scriptwriters came to the same conclusion: I don't know what plans they had for her, if they had any, but this looks rather unprofessional.
Anyway... What makes the plot particularly unusual, and therefore very interesting, is that the sisters are mere bystanders this time. They can't do anything against Tuatha. Their only role is to help and train her nemesis, a young diffident nerd who finds it difficult to believe that he might be chosen for anything... only they don't know how to train him, and don't want to let him fight, so the job finally lands on Leo's shoulders. Here we are reminded that, more than a healer or guardian angel, Leo is first and foremost a cheerleader of sorts. But obviously, his constant (and not too discreet !) presence in the house creates a very awkward situation. The tension with Piper is well played, and Dan's dismay at discovering that he's got a rival INSIDE the house (while he still hasn't been able to cross the threshold) makes for some really good scenes.
Before I finish, there are two little things I want to mention : first, I love Alyssa Milano's hairdo (yes, it is irrelevant, but I still want to mention it at least once) and second, this is Jenny's last appearance. Since she never did anything interesting, I kept wondering why on earth she was listed in the credits. Now I guess the scriptwriters came to the same conclusion: I don't know what plans they had for her, if they had any, but this looks rather unprofessional.
