Hear us out: “Charmed” is cheesy and campy. But it’s hard to dismiss because, in the end, it’s still an entertaining monster-of-the-week saga with its own built-in lore, quirky characters, and exciting showdowns.
Here’s the rundown: three sisters, Prue (Shannen Doherty), Piper (Holly Marie Combs), and Phoebe (Alyssa Milano), discover they are the most powerful witches in the world and are suddenly tasked with defending humanity from demons, warlocks, ghosts, and, well, just about everything. Using their Book of Shadows and the “Power of Three,” the trio brews potions, casts spells, and always manages to vanquish the threat before it becomes too problematic.
Then they go home and deal with everyday problems like romance, family drama, career struggles, heartbreak, etc. Honestly, that’s probably what will make or break the show for most viewers. If you latched onto the sisters and enjoyed hanging out with them for roughly 45 minutes, then all the magical gobbledygook was just icing on the cake.
Lasting eight seasons, “Charmed” always seemed to have a trick up its sleeve that lured viewers back for more. After Doherty left following Season 3, the producers wisely replaced her with an all-new character, long-lost half-sister Paige Matthews (Rose McGowan), who fit the crew like a glove. Better still, the writers could throw almost anything they wanted at our trio, pulling every conceivable monster from fairy tales, myths, and legends.
So, yes, “Charmed” is goofy, but it’s also charming, addictive, and incredibly entertaining.
