Charmed - The Complete Third Season (2000)

Charming

Like I said the review for the second season I am a Fan of the Halliwell Girls annd will continue to be. July 30, 2008

Season 3: An end, but a beginning as well. A pivotal season

The third season was the end of the series in one sense, but the beginning in another. Due to offscreen 'issues' between Alyssa Milano and Shannen Doherty (a running tradition with her and her television series, 90210 anyone?) one or the other would have to go.

The season started off a month after the season two finale, with Piper still 'up there' with Leo (unknowing that she'd been gone this long, time moves differently 'up there'). It explored many things: sibling rivalry (a running theme throughout the series both before and after Prue's death), the wisdom of youth, dangerous relationships (which is more prevalent in the fourth season), father-daughter relationships, difficulties of newly weds, and more. In one episode they learn about the true ways of natural magic. Another deals with the inevitablity of death. There is an episode that shows the relationship of the three sisters before the pilot.

Cole is introduced this season, in the first episode and plays out an eight episode arch where he is a demon working to destroy the charmed ones from within, but falls in love with Phoebe instead and going rogue. Cole and Phoebe share a doomed love unlike the 'star-crossed lovers' storyline given to Piper and Leo. Through out the season Prue demonstrates a distrust of Cole (although that seems to subside near the end when she sticks up for him) and never truly accepts him as her sister's love.

The final episode of the season 'ALL HELL BREAKS LOOSE' I feel is one of the best episodes of the series. It truly introduces 'The Source' to the audience, giving us our first actual glimpse of the underworld and its heirarchy (a theme that plays an extremely large part in the fourth season and the four seasons that follow that). It also shows that the extreme ignorance and fear that the general public, as a whole, have of all things different and unknown. How the hint of such power can be revered, coveted, feared and hated all at the same time. The most emotional point in the episode is near the end when Piper is shot in front of Prue and Leo is in the underworld and cannot hear her calls for him. In order to get her sister to the hospital Prue uses her powers against the people and press because they won't move for her car, immediately showing how truly dangerous she can be. When they get to the hospital Piper dies and Prue become unconsolable and dangerous in her grief and commands Leo to accept the terms The Source gave for the use of Tempest. That Phoebe must stay in the underworld with Cole and join the demons and evil.

Time resets to the beginning of the episode and the first demon attack. But instead of Phoebe coming downstairs to call for Leo to heal her sisters she is not there and the audience is left wondering if one or all of the sisters will die, if the show has been cancelled.

The show was renewed but it was a while before they announced who they had let go. Phoebe had been kept in the underword, at the mercy of The Source and all the demons with only Cole to protect her. Prue and Piper were left bleeding to death from wounds sustained during a demon attack. It was possible to write in a death for every single character on the show, Cole and Leo included.

This season ended the 'Prue seasons' and even though the show was funny at points, it also ended a theme of darkness in the show. After season three the show got steadily lighter and slightly more comedic without losing its original story of three sisters who happened to be witches with magical powers who fought evil on pretty much a weekly/daily basis.

Charmed was also a show that began in the WB's heyday. I have always lumped it together with ROSWELL, BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER, DAWSONS CREEK, FELICITY and a couple others in my mind. Their entertainment was, somehow, of the same caliber, no matter how different they were. It was the last of these shows to end and I believe it ended an era of television.

I recommend the third season as a neccessary purchase for any and all fans of the show, and anyone who loved the WB's old shows. June 15, 2008

charmed

hi i watched the series off and on when it was originally on TV but i must say now that i am older and watching the show in order. i can honestly say i love the show the special effects rock. the cast has great chemistry and the stars pack a punch with Witty dialog and a very sexy show for TV since the bra-less nipple alert in a lot of episodes would not make it on the main networks thanks wb for all the mammaries you are missed Duane June 14, 2008

Completely Satisfied

Gave this product as a gift and bought it for a great price! Shipping took slightly longer than expected but was free so I can't complain! June 12, 2008

Finally on DVD

I am a charmed fan who has been waiting to get this show on dvd since season two aired. I am going to be getting the entire series, and if you are a fan of show i recommend the purchase. The dvd is great, arrived as expected no complaints. June 11, 2008

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