Charmed : season 1 review

1998-99

SF elements

Review

When their grandmother dies, the three Halliwell sisters, Prue, Piper, and Phoebe, discover they are modern-day witches. Prue can move objects with her mind, Piper can freeze time, and Phoebe can see the future, sometimes. And together they have "The Power of Three". They set about learning how to use their powers for good, with the help of the Book of Shadows -- whilst attracting the unwelcome attention of warlocks and demons who want to steal their powers.

The set-up avoids the problem of many "super-powers" plotlines: here the sisters' powers aren't so great that they are invulnerable and so need a silly plot device to put them in danger. Instead their powers are reasonably limited, and don't suddenly increase just to solve a dilemma. Also, some of the tension is from their trying to save "innocents" before the demons get them.

So, nothing deep, but it's glossy, has good sfx and has a variety of plotlines, only occasionally getting a bit sugary as the sisters "bond", which all adds up to making this a fun way to waste an hour a week.

Rating: 4