This episode might have been the least successful so far. The struggle with killing or not to save others is a superhero cliché overused in today’s time, when superhero movies and series are so popular. In this series, it is a theme that had to be touched sooner or later, because the girls are heroes after all trying to save humanity. Sadly, it was the expected plot that we see used over and over again.
In this episode we see the Charmed Ones frustrated with having to take care of the Harbinger of Hell in their attic. On top of this Niko and her partner, Trip, are investigating into Angela’s disappearance and the sisters are people of interest, especially for Trip. Who quickly recognizes their odd behavior.
Their interview is cut short when the sisters are finally visited by the Elder, Charity who… doesn’t look like an elder. Apparently Elders are no longer old, unlike the original series. The new Charmed doesn’t lose any time to use Charity as an example of women empowerment giving her a job, aside her elder responsibilities, running an investment fund focused on helping women in developing nations start businesses. Charity is the bearer of the Elder’s verdict: the Charmed Ones have the responsibility of killing Angela who, on their opinion, can’t be saved. They need to destroy the Harbinger of Hell using a full moon ritual to prevent the Harbinger from becoming too powerful to destroy.
Mel is completely against the idea of killing a human being, especially because she is sure Angela is still there. Charity tries to paint as impossible and urges them to be prepared for what they need to do. Nevertheless, Mel believes her mother would have never allowed Angela to be killed and decides to look for a way to save her. Macy takes the utilitarianism approach by initially deciding the needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few. She is slowly losing her conviction after Galvin reminds her that her feelings and emotions are just as important, or even more so, than being entirely objective.
Maggie on the other hand, is scratching her head with more human issues. She is at risk of failing one of her classes unless she passes the midterm on Dante’s Divine Comedy. Kappa’s president Lucy suggests that her boyfriend Parker tutors Maggie. Which sounds like the recipe for disaster, but she desperately agrees.
Going back to the supernatural plot, with a little help from the book of shadows, Mel is able to uncover that Angela’s soul wasn’t destroyed. She hoped this would be the piece of information she needed to sway Charity’s decision, but the Elder is still adamant that saving Angela would be too dangerous. Thankfully, it does prove useful in convincing Maggie and Macy that the right thing to do is an exorcism and they start preparing for it in the warehouse where the Kappa homecoming float is being stored.
It isn’t until the three sisters are together that we learn that her mother had left a secret spell (in Spanish) just for this specific occasion. Harry then understands that her mom knew this time would come, due to her power of prophecy, and decides to support the girls.
Suddenly, in an effort to not let us forget about our side drama, a car is heard and Maggie finds Parker outside trying to stash a box full of illegal fireworks for homecoming. They have a very deep conversation were Parker tries to convince Maggie that she can accomplish she wants, in a very charming way. Then, Maggie kisses him, supposedly trying to stop him from spotting Angela but… we ain’t buying it. After acknowledging it as a mistake she sends him away awkwardly.
With the containment spell worn off the Charmed Ones need to make a choice and they manage to get Charity on board with the exorcism. Which prompts a few scenes of ok Spanish from the girls (loved the spotlight for our language.) Additionally, we saw a new side to Maggie’s power as she transfers one of her thoughts into Angela’s mind in order to make the exorcism more effective. This is what ultimately allows the girls to save her, trapping the Harbinger in a paint can. Sadly, not everyone is unscratched. Detective Trip was struck by a pole caught up in the whirlwind from the spell.
Mel is incredibly affected by Trip’s death feeling she should’ve done a better job keeping him away, but Charity promises to take care of the situation. Back in the manor, Angela is now well and has no memories of what happened while she was the Harbinger. Meanwhile, Mel feels even worse when approached by a destroyed Niko over her partner’s death and incrimination in the Halloween’s deaths. Drama doesn’t end there, Parker visits Maggie to “help her study”, but boy his smile seems to have nothing to do with Dante. Maggie decides to send him away, letting him know that their kiss was a mistake, again.
Harry believes there will be a reckoning from the Elders due to the girls’ disobedience, but he feels at ease of being free from the Harbinger… or are they? The episode closes with a mind-controlling demon taking the Harbinger away from Charity, so we are still up for some mayhem (and hopefully less cliches.)
Regardless of the weak plot, at least we do learn several bits of important information in this episode. The girls’ mom was an elder, which makes the elders feel much more approachable in these series. She also asked Charity to perform a very brutal and painful spell to lift the pain due to a terrible loss (which is obviously giving Macy away). And apparently there are things the girls still need to know about Harry, but he won’t reveal anything other than his birth year, 1920.
Next Sunday, Niko is in danger after apparently uncovering the demon plot that included killing the girl’s mother. Our favorite couple is threatened as Mel considers pushing Niko away to protect her, will we lose this lovely duo so quickly?