Charmed – 10th Anniversary Special – Season 4 Review: “Bring Back My Sister. Bring Back the Power of Three.”

CHARMED: THE COMPLETE FOURTH SEASON

Reviewed by Gavin Hetherington

On May 21, 2006, Charmed ended its spectacular eight-year run on The WB, and for fans of the show, it's been an agonising ten years since this magical show died. Relive all eight seasons every Saturday on SpoilerTV in the run-up to the 10-year anniversary of the series finale.

SEASON ONE | SEASON TWO | SEASON THREE | SEASON FOUR

SEASON FIVE | SEASON SIX | SEASON SEVEN | SEASON EIGHT

Season 3 was dark, but I think a lot can argue the cast that season 4 exceeds that darkness. After all, we begin the season with a huge storyline - Prue is dead. She's never coming back. They're not going the route of resurrection that has so plagued a lot of television shows of today. They didn't really have a choice, I guess, but how insane it is to have a character who was so front and centre (not just in the promo photos) killed? It's pretty unspeakable, and this was a time before HBO's Game of Thrones. We are talking about a Charmed One actually dying. As you can probably tell from my rambling - I'm still not really over it.

And then we have the introduction of half-sister Paige Matthews, played delightfully by Rose McGowan. She may be the brightest thing to come from this season that's full of dark storylines, and I have to agree with a lot of people that she breathes fresh air into this show. While it is always sad that Shannen Doherty had to leave, and we will always ponder "what if?", there's no denying that Charmed felt some kind of rejuvenation with the introduction of the half-witch half-whitelighter. Fortunately her introduction made sense, even though they reached a little, and it's so much better introducing Paige than replacing the actress of Prue.

Also Phoebe became the Queen of the Underworld, the Source of All Evil was vanquished, as was Prue's killer Shax, Paige was driven mad by Cole's evil influence, Piper had a breakdown, and so much more happened this season. I didn't consider this to be one of my favourite seasons, but the more I talk about it and watch it for these articles, the more I love and admire the season in retrospect.

EPISODE GUIDE

OCTOBER 4, 2001 - MAY 16, 2002

22 EPISODES

Rose McGowan just fits, even though it's heart-breaking to not see Shannen Doherty there any more. Sad face.

4.01 - "CHARMED AGAIN, PART ONE"
Original airdate: October 4, 2001

Was I the only person who felt like we missed an episode when this one began? Apparently some time has lapsed, and Prue is dead, but the funeral still hadn't happened. I would have loved to have seen what happened when Piper woke up next to her sister, and what happened between then and now. Other than the time jump, I love this episode (and the next) dearly. This is a great two-part episode to come back to after the events of season 3, and while it slows things down a little, it keeps great pacing. It's so emotional from the very first scene, where Piper is trying to "bring back her sister", but little did she know she was summoning a different sister. Loved the way Paige came into it, with Phoebe's vision after shaking her hand at Prue's funeral. I was really happy that they managed to vanquish Shax as Paige's first demon, and it brought a nice little end to Prue's vengeance story. Set up a dilemma when Paige scolds them and asks them what they turned her into! I also loved when they sent Cortez off to Timbuktu. Moment of the episode goes to the reconstituted Charmed Ones lighting the chandelier.

Winner of the Charmed One Award: Piper, for bringing back her sister.

Blood to blood, I summon thee...

Blood to blood, return to me.

4.02 - "CHARMED AGAIN, PART TWO"
Original airdate: October 4, 2001

I bet the Source kicked himself for his utter failure when he tried to use the window of opportunity to turn Paige evil. I still enjoy part 2, but a little less so than part 1. I loved when Paige started to really discover her powers, like when she telekinetically orbs the candle in the church. I was kinda liking Shane to begin with too, until he got possessed by the Source. I mean, eww Paige was being woo-ed by the Source. It should also be mentioned that I liked Paige's job as an assistant social worker and would have liked to have seen more of that. I liked the fight with Shane and them knocking the Source out of him - which was their first face-to-face encounter. It meant Paige would remain good and we get a happy ending when Paige meets Patty for the first time - that was such a touching moment and will also be my moment of the episode.

Winner of the Charmed One Award: Paige, for allowing good to beat evil.

Magic forces far and wide,

Enchant these so those can't hide.

Allow this witch to use therein,

So she can reveal the evil within.

4.03 - "HELL HATH NO FURY"
Original airdate: October 11, 2001

I feel like the main chunk of this mini review will be dedicated to the moment of the episode - which is one of the most emotionally-delivered performances by any actress on this show! You know the moment I mean, when Piper breaks down at Prue's headstone. Oh man, gets me right in the feels every single time. It's beautifully delivered by Holly Marie Combs, while Piper is infected by a Fury and turns into one due to her rage at Prue leaving her. Season 4 deals with Prue's death magnificently and they don't brush it over, which is why I love these opening episodes. It's truly beautiful and poignant. I love Piper turning into a Fury too and how she seems to pick on Paige, poor girl. Speaking of Paige, what a funny little lesson she learns when she takes the Book of Shadows out of the house and casts some spells that backfire and enlarge her breasts? Love the shout-out to Rose's role on Scream, and I love that we really start to see Paige's amazing humour from this episode. "Do you think it worked a little too well."

Winner of the Charmed One Award: Piper, for her breakdown.

Piper: "How dare you! How dare you leave me! How could you die and leave me here alone, please come back! I need you, please come back!"
Leo: "It's okay."
Piper: "It's not okay. She risked her life every day and she never thought about what would happen to me and Phoebe if she was gone. How could she think that I could live without her?"

4.04 - "ENTER THE DEMON"
Original airdate: October 18, 2001

This episode loses me a little, and it would probably be in my bottom 40 episodes just for its dive after the first 3 amazing episodes. It all got a little weird when Piper became Zen Master, but I did find myself laughing out loud when Paige accidentally swapped bodies with Phoebe. It's good that they can now move on from Prue, and they do this by thrusting Piper into the big sister role which she takes reluctantly. I love the change of dynamics now Piper is the eldest and Phoebe is the middle sister, and it allows some great chemistry for the actresses. It's almost like starting over again, except things are taken way more seriously than they were in season 1. It feels like a whole new show, and they have an objective to kill the Source, and Paige's acceptance of the craft is enlightening. Still not a great episode. Moment of the episode will be the body swap.

Winner of the Charmed One Award: Phoebe, for being black-belt Barbie.

Piper: "Paige, don't make me the wicked witch of the northwest. I didn't ask for this big sister gig and frankly, it sucks. But since I'm on a roll, you should get rid of that lollipop habit because it's going to rot your teeth."

4.05 - "SIZE MATTERS"
Original airdate: October 25, 2001

This one has to be quite the guilty pleasure of mine. It's a fun episode, and one that has Freddy Krueger in it and the house from Michael Jackson's Thriller video, so it has a lot of positive things going on for it. Not a good name for an episode though, as Brad Kern also agrees in an issue of Charmed Magazine. Who doesn't love a creepy old man living in a creepy old house who has a hot artificial creature to do his bidding? It's so creepy and maybe this episode kind of misses the true potential this episode has to be authentically creepy. I liked the kind of Alice in Wonderland aspect of it too, where the girls shrink to a tiny size and are covered in clay. I like the teamwork they had to get out of the situation, with Piper encouraging Paige to orb for the first time consciously. In other news, I was rather distressed when Piper renamed P3 to The Spot - silly, silly name. So glad she came to her senses in the end and re-opened the club as P3, as the power of three does still exist! Moment of the episode will be the shrinking of the Charmed Ones.

Winner of the Charmed One Award: Phoebe, for helping Claudia.

Piper: "Do not go into that house. Did you hear me? I said do not go in. (Piper turns to Leo and sighs.) It is like talking to a wall."

Leo: "She's got the Halliwell hearing."

4.06 - "A KNIGHT TO REMEMBER"
Original airdate: November 1, 2001

For an episode that begins with a Shocker Demon, it certainly goes into much better territory in that we get to see what Paige's past life is, and just like Phoebe, she was an evil bitch. Love that Paige moved into the Manor though, and I liked the nuisance the Shocker Demon created by taking the girls back "to the medieval times" with no electricity. Nice foreshadowing there. Love the whole Renaissance Medieval look to the rest of the episode, specifically with the Enchantress and the Prince and the innocent Lady played by Haley James Scott aka Bethany Joy Lenz. I love the fight between Paige and the Enchantress in the 21st century which will be my moment of the episode, and the binding of her powers in the past which saves the day. Would have loved the Enchantress to find a way to get her powers back and exact revenge on Paige. But all in all a really good episode that focuses on Paige.

Winner of the Charmed One Award: Paige, for her kick-ass past life as an Evil Enchantress.

Bring together my Prince and me,

Let him fall on bended knee.

I summon him to my side,

That he may take me to be his destined bride.

4.07 - "BRAIN DRAIN"
Original airdate: November 8, 2001

This will always be one of those episodes I find perfectly balances the hilarity of the show and the seriousness. Piper is put in a coma by the Source and in this coma, she conjures up this alternate reality that is so bonkers. The Halliwell Manor is now a mental hospital that her sisters are admitted to, and Phoebe is probably the most bonkers of them all. Her handmade Book of Shadows was just brilliant and so colourful, they honestly should have just used that from that point on. I love the madness theme in this episode, and it is one of my favourite episodes of the season. Piper's psychological madness really comes to a scary crescendo when she almost relinquishes her powers. The moment of the episode goes to when Phoebe and Paige try to convince her that she is a witch and she has sisters, and Leo manages to help her see. Also, Cole's energy ball to the Source would have been catastrophic, and if the Oracle hadn't of sacrificed herself for him, he could have been vanquished before he could ever possess Cole and turn him evil again. Damn the Oracle, I blame her for everything.

Winner of the Charmed One Award: Piper, for her insane mind.

Life to life,

And mind to mind.

Our spirits now,

Will intertwine.

We meld our souls

And journey to,

The one whose thoughts

We wish we knew.

4.08 - "BLACK AS COLE"
Original airdate: November 15, 2001

The foreshadowing of Cole's descent back into evil is strong in this episode, and it really showed the demonic struggles of him. I love Cole, but I wasn't the biggest fan of this episode either. I liked the idea - that a demon who looks very much like Belthazor is offing off witches, so Paige becomes suspicious of him. She's so like Prue in many regards, and the mistrust of Cole is a big similarity. Cole also proposed to Phoebe in what seemed like a heat-of-the-moment thing, but I think I was just as surprised as Phoebe for how it came out - it's completely the opposite way of how Leo proposed to Piper. So not romantic but so true to Cole's character, I loved it. Quite the plot twist when the demon who killed the innocent's husband was Belthazor, but the power stripping potion meant goodbye Belthazor once and for all. I'm glad he got rid of Belthazor, it was high time he was vanquished so it was moment of the episode, but it left some problems for Phoebe and her unreadiness to marry Cole.

Winner of the Charmed One Award: Phoebe, for dealing with vengeful widows.

Cole: "Marry me."

Phoebe: "What?"

4.09 - "MUSE TO MY EARS"
Original airdate: December 13, 2001

The repercussions of Cole losing his powers are strongly felt in this episode as he fears he cannot protect Phoebe. I kinda like that Phoebe really doesn't need a man to protect her, but like the medieval man Cole is, he doesn't see it that way. This was a decent episode though, with the muses being enslaved by evil to inspire evil, and I love the whole idea of the muse and how they inspire creativity. Not a lot to remember from this episode, but I liked when they made Melody the muse visible, and I really enjoyed the strobe lights in P3 to identify the warlocks, so that is moment of the episode. Devlin is a warlock I forgot about, and I also forgot that Paige liked to paint! She doesn't really use these talents later in the series. One thing I've noticed about Prue being gone is how much more prominent Phoebe has become. It's still early days for Paige and she's still finding her feet, but she's fitting in really nicely. Again, a decent episode but one that could have done with inspiring some more creativity itself.

Winner of the Charmed One Award: Piper, for her plan at P3.

Evil is a faithful foe,

But Good does battle best.

We Witches will, with these words,

Waste the Warlock's evil zest.

4.10 - "A PAIGE FROM THE PAST"
Original airdate: January 17, 2002

It seems the Paige-centric episodes of season four so far are set in the past, though this time it's a little more closer to home. It's incredible to study the missing years of Paige while she grew up, and the connection she had with her foster parents since Patty and Sam gave her up. So much guilt comes out and is a hard, emotional ride for Paige as she relives the time before her foster parents died. It's rather heartbreaking, and Paige's explanation of what happened to her parents wins moment of the episode. Paige truly does shine in this episode and shows how much she has grown up since her teenage years. She's a rather different person and it's great to see that character development. The side-storyline of a sort of Bonnie and Clyde situation with Phoebe and Cole helps give the other sisters something to do while Paige is away. Really enjoyed this episode and it was what we needed to further understand our new favourite witch.

Winner of the Charmed One Award: Paige, for being strong through her grief.

Paige: "Yeah. I'm all right. I'm all... (She looks into the mirror and sees that she is a teenager again) ...wrong! Oh, my God. I'm so screwed. I'm supposed to come back as a ghost. Not a ghost with...braces?"

4.11 - "TRIAL BY MAGIC"
Original airdate: January 24, 2002

Bah, humbug. My critical side is coming out again and I must admit, I didn't much enjoy this episode. We are heading towards the ultimate Source vanquish and 2 episodes before, we deal with a courtroom case that Phoebe is part of the jury for and bares no relevance to the fight against evil, really. I liked the idea of the episode, and it reminded me a little of Ex Libris when they have to find justice for a mortal crime, but this should have come at a different time. Positive things - I liked Phoebe stalling the jury as it was rather funny, and Paige casting the stretch the imagination spell. I almost forgot to mention Glen in the reviews, as he was Paige's best friend/love interest, and I liked his discovery of the girls' secret and how confused he is by it. It was a shame he couldn't really stick around. Moment of the episode will be when they summon Angela's spirit to the jury and convinces them to save an innocent life.

Winner of the Charmed One Award: Phoebe, for stalling the jury.

Let mind and body soar,

To heights not reached before.

Let limits stretch,

That you may catch,

A new truth to explore.

4.12 - "LOST AND BOUND"
Original airdate: January 31, 2002

This episode, while not a personal favourite, is rather memorable for several reasons. The first is with the main storyline of the girls helping a 10-year-old Firestarter deal with his magic. The girls get very protective of him, especially Piper, which I really love as it starts to develop her maternal instinct. Loved the scene when she blew up the Academy gates when she hears his screams, so that's moment of the episode. It's such a heart-warming moment when they find Tyler a new foster home, saving the day once again. In other news, Phoebe turns into an old housewife with the help of Grams' cursed ring. I find this hysterical because I feel like it purposely satirises the 50's housewife stereotype, and Phoebe does a great job at conveying that. While it does set women back 50 years, I found Phoebe's portrayal of it rather amusing, mainly because that is so not Phoebe. Her little rhyme of making soup for Cole was a comedic highlight, and also when she says she "scratched" the demon. Good episode, much better than 'Trial By Magic', just before the ultimate episode to follow.

Winner of the Charmed One Award: Piper, for blowing the gate open.

Phoebe: "I'm making soup for Cole, he'll eat it in a bowl, I guess that's my new role, just making soup for Cole."

4.13 - "CHARMED AND DANGEROUS"
Original airdate: February 7, 2002

This is it. The moment us Charmed fans had been waiting for since we found out about the Source of All Evil - and this episode did not let us down. It really came at a weird time as well - this wasn't a mid-season or season finale, it's just smack bang in the middle of the season. It works in its favour though, even though the original plan was to have this as the season finale. It reminds me of All Hell Breaks Loose - beginning in the middle of the action. It's excruciatingly scary to watch as Phoebe and Paige drag a wounded Piper into the attic. The entire episode is exciting actually, with the introduction of the Seer and the Source seeking the Hollow - which will come up again later. The girls losing their powers (again) was been-there-done-that, but it couldn't have come at a worst time since the ultimate evil is literally attacking them. I loved the ambience of the episode, how dark it was and the scenes with the Source saying "it's a little anticlimactic" but little does he know hehe. Moment of the episode for me was when Cole saved the girls and killed the Source, but in doing so, he becomes infected by him. "For Prue!"

Fun fact: The Source tells the girls to "Say hello to Prue for me", and in 'Give Me a Sign', Prue said to Litvack: "Tell the Source that we said Hi!"

Winner of the Charmed One Award: It's a three-way tie for them all being amazing.

Prudence, Penelope,

Patricia, Melinda.

Astrid, Helena,

Laura and Grace.

Halliwell Witches stand strong beside us,

Vanquish this evil from time and space!

4.14 - "THE THREE FACES OF PHOEBE"
Original airdate: February 14, 2002

So now the Source is dead, the next step in the Halliwell lives is the matrimony of Phoebe and Cole - but Phoebe is still having some doubts about marital life. What Cole did for the girls was heroic, and I love him for it, but here we see the true effects of what that meant for him. It's his downward spiral. It breaks my heart. I did enjoy this episode a lot, and I definitely loved when the Old Phoebe and Young Phoebe come to help her make a decision. Old Phoebe is hilarious, and I can totally imagine her with Old Piper (from the series finale) cracking jokes about dressing like "a tramp" in her younger years. Paige was glowing in this episode too, as she gets a promotion but her wiser eyes kind of stops her from taking it straight away, as she used magic to help someone that ended up getting her a promotion. She's grown so much and it makes me so proud. The moment of the episode is when Old Phoebe saves Cole from the sword, and it helps Phoebe make her decision that she should marry Cole, as she still loves him. Gah, I wish this had a happy ending, I really do!

Winner of the Charmed One Award: Phoebe, for her awesomeness as an OAP.

My love strong,

My spirit weak,

It is an answer that I seek.

The question burns within this fire,

So I may hear my heart's desire!

4.15 - "MARRY-GO-ROUND"
Original airdate: March 14, 2002

In a season amidst darkness and death, it's truly nice to have the odd episode that emanates a lot of love and positivity. Of course, you have to overlook the fact that Cole is turning into the Source and that Phoebe will turn evil if she marries him, but other than that, totally happy! The Seer proves she is quite the troublemaker in this episode with her suggestions to Cole about a dark wedding - it seemed impossible to have their plan work and for him to drink her blood, but it bloody worked! Who knew?! Saying that, the dark ceremony was actually gothically beautiful and certainly fitting for their relationship, so it happens to be moment of the episode. I wasn't comfortable with the big wedding thing, but how hilarious was it when the big wedding was getting interrupted and the sisters were trying to calm the situation. The wedding is a big moment for the show so that's partly why I am a fan of this episode, and Phoebe does make a rather beautiful bride.

Winner of the Charmed One Award: Phoebe, for her wedding day.

Phoebe: "Magic! She just did magic on me!"

Piper: "And it's working."

Phoebe: "It is?" (Phoebe suddenly becomes invisible) "My zits are gone?"

Piper: (trying to hide her dismay that Phoebe was now invisible) "Yeah. I can, I can honestly say that your face is completely clear."

4.16 - "THE FIFTH HALLIWHEEL"
Original airdate: March 21, 2002

Why does nobody listen to Paige? Oh yeah, she goes a bit bonkers, but couldn't they see that it was all magically-induced by Cole? I felt extremely bad for Paige throughout this episode, especially when even Piper turns her back on her at the end when she tries to tell them that Cole is still evil. Harsh. In a way, I was kind of rooting for Cole to succeed, just to stir up the drama and to keep up the pretence, but Paige saw when he tried to tamper with Karen - the innocent. Paige going insane and trashing the attic and Cole attacking her was the moment of the episode, and when she broke up the honeymoon of Phoebe and Cole was good too. I like how we start to see Phoebe take a new career path at the Bay Mirror, working for Elise who we all remember as the Aunt in the first season episode, 'The Fourth Sister'. Good episode.

Winner of the Charmed One Award: Paige, for seeing through Cole despite her craziness.

4.17 - "SAVING PRIVATE LEO"
Original airdate: March 28, 2002

A bit of backstory to Leo's time in World War II, as the villains of the episode deals with his past army friends. They want to kill him, which is a strange twist of fate, and it's interesting to find out why. It all kicks off when the ghosts stab Piper, which had me floored. It's all reminiscent of 'The Power of Two' when Prue has to vanquish a ghost, and I liked when Piper managed to vanquish them by only saying the spell once - moment of the episode. It's touching too when they attend the reunion for Leo, who he says the Leo in WWII was his grandfather, and he is remembered as a war hero. Bless him, he's so overwhelmed by the love felt. Cole continues to be a little troublemaker too when he sabotages Phoebe's peace and convinces her to get their own place together. She's so oblivious to his evil master plan. This is a good episode but certainly not one of my favourites.

Winner of the Charmed One Award: Piper, for her strength in defeating the ghosts.

Ashes to ashes,

Spirit to Spirit.

Take their soul,

Banish this evil.

4.18 - "BITE ME"
Original airdate: April 18, 2002

If there's any magical being Paige was born to become, it was the Vampire. Her aesthetic dark-featured look is perfect for the species, and it was pleasant to see her transform into one of the mythical beings. I love Vampire-related things (before it became so diluted that I'm just over it), but back when Buffy still reigned, Charmed dipped their toe into the genre. In my opinion, they did an awesome job. I liked the demon-faction mythology and that Vampires are sort of outcast, and they hatched a great plan to overthrow the new Source. Poor Paige though, having to be the one they target. I'm glad they did, as it led to some very sexy scenes of Paige as a Vampire. Moment of the episode goes to her entrance as a bat before she turns into herself atop the gravestone, as seen above. I liked when Cole vanquished the Queen too, and is about to kill Paige before he runs away. I like that Piper is starting to listen to Paige's doubts about Cole, but I was definitely intrigued when Phoebe is informed that she is pregnant - and we all know it will be a demonic little buggar.

Winner of the Charmed One Award: Paige, for slaying the Vampire look.

Claws of pain,

We have to sever.

Demon, you are gone forever.

4.19 - "WE'RE OFF TO SEE THE WIZARD"
Original airdate: April 25, 2002

The start of the end. I count this as the first of a three-parter where the Cole being the Source / Phoebe becoming Queen of the Underworld storyline comes to its crescendo. It's such a great, exciting storyline and while I wish things turned out different for Cole, I'm rather glad it happened. The Coronation is fast approaching and the sisters team up with a wizard to stop it from happening. The ramifications of Phoebe being pregnant happen rather quickly, as Phoebe's new flame-throwing power starts off her own doubt about how evil her power is. I loved, loved, loved when Phoebe vanquished the wizard and revealed that she would be embracing her new destiny. Moment of the episode, and probably one of the moments of the season, as she chooses to stand by her evil husband, the new Source, rather than her sisters. A rather bold move and the start of a great trilogy of episodes.

Winner of the Charmed One Award: Paige, for being right about Cole all along.

Paige: "Does Harry Potter count?"

4.20 - "LONG LIVE THE QUEEN"
Original airdate: May 2, 2002

A big, big episode that I'm sure divides a lot of fan opinion, mainly due to the (first) vanquish of Cole - ending a huge romantic storyline between him and Phoebe. Phoebe becomes slightly demonic from the beginning of this episode, vanquishing two demons when she demands Cole go to bed. Talk about a demanding wife! But that soon falls apart when the good in Phoebe wants to save an innocent, and she enlists the help of her sisters who plot to take Cole down. I loved the fight scene at Cole's apartment, especially when Phoebe decides she has to side with her sisters and puts the final crystal down. Then they recite the spell, which is a huge emotional battle for Phoebe, and is the moment of the episode. It was a very quick reign for her as Queen of the Underworld, and I kind of wanted it to go on much longer. The end scene, when Phoebe is in bed crying and Piper and Paige comfort her, is another scene that pulls on the heartstrings.

Winner of the Charmed One Award: Phoebe, for doing what's best for Good.

4.21 - "WOMB RAIDER"
Original airdate: May 9, 2002

This is a rather guilty-pleasure episode, despite it being to a lesser scale than the episode before where we dealt with Cole's vanquish. Fortunately, we hear his voice at the end, which means we haven't seen the last of him. Sigh of relief (though to be fair he kind of turns a little pathetic in season 5). I loved the scenes with Phoebe and Paige, where the demonic baby is trying to kill, or at least harm, Paige. The baby is a terrifying presence that could have had a huge impact on the show, but the Seer wants him as he is the Source's heir, and unfortunately for us, the baby is vanquished before he's even born. Which means this is the third time the Source is vanquished, as the Seer is crowned but explodes not long after, not being able to handle the baby's power. It was a bit of a bizarre episode that dealt with babies, and poor Phoebe for losing her child, which should have probably had a bigger effect than it did. Moment of the episode will be when the Seer accidentally kills about 36 demons at once.

Winner of the Charmed One Award: Piper, for kicking that damn door down.

Piper: "Let me get this straight, you guys summon me to a cage, where my powers don't work, so we could all die together?!"

Paige: "Well, the plan has some flaws, admittedly."

4.22 - "WITCH WAY NOW?"
Original airdate: May 16, 2002

Finale time, and this season has already burned through so many storylines that could have potentially made an amazing season finale, that this finale actually could not do anything memorable enough. In fact, it's probably one of my least favourite finales, following my all-time favourite finale from last season. It puts a damper on the season, I think, that they couldn't close the season with another exciting episode. They do end on a high note when Piper finds out she's pregnant - finally! The sisters are given an option to live normal lives, which tempts them, but fortunately for us they decide not to take the Angel of Destiny up on his offer. Phoebe also travels to the Demonic Wasteland to see Cole who wants her to resurrect him, but she doesn't want to use black magic again. I liked the moment she told him she won't save him, though that doesn't really matter, as he comes back anyway. Moment of the episode will be when Piper finds out she's pregnant. This could have worked as a series finale, as all storylines seem to come to a head, and left it open, but I'm glad it wasn't. Rose wanted it to be 1 season for her and out, but there's so much good to come from the next 4 seasons and we are only half-way through the show. I would have been disappointed if this was the final ever episode.

Winner of the Charmed One Award: Piper, for being pregnant! Ahh!

Whither my love,

Wherever you be.

Through time and space,

Take my heart nearer to thee.

SEASON VERDICT

Can you imagine how different season 4 could have been if Alyssa had of left instead of Shannen? The show is already so tonally different with a new cast member, so I seriously contemplate that prospect. We wouldn't have her becoming Queen of the Underworld, as Prue wouldn't marry Cole. Paige would also have the power of premonition, and I don't think that would work with her orbing power. I guess, in the long run, it was a good thing Shannen left instead of Alyssa.

Season four, while I didn't find as good as season 3, was still a great season. It introduced Paige so well into the fold and I found myself being rather emotional, especially at the start of the season. There were some big storylines that came to a resolve, such as the Source and Cole becoming the Source, so the pace goes a little quick here. Maybe they didn't think the show would last, and decided they could wrap everything up which they could have done with how finite the finale could have been. Not my favourite season but definitely one of the good ones - Rose McGowan just makes it.

Winner of the Charmed One of Season Four Award: We have a tie, and it was so close for the runner-up to take the crown. While she had a brilliant first season and she seamlessly fit into the show, Paige came runner-up with 7 wins of the award, while Piper and Phoebe tie for first place with 8 wins each. This is Piper's first win, and Phoebe's second.

TOP 5 EPISODES
1. Charmed and Dangerous
Season 4, Episode 13
2. Charmed Again, Part One
Season 4, Episode 1
3. Hell Hath No Fury
Season 4, Episode 3
4. Long Live the Queen
Season 4, Episode 20
5. Charmed Again, Part Two
Season 4, Episode 2

Of course, one of the biggest scale episodes in the Source's Vanquish had to be the top episode of season four - and it's genuinely a very good episode. So exciting and impactful. The two-part Charmed Again premiere come in at different ranks with part 1 being slightly better than part 2 in my opinion. The early episode of Hell Hath No Fury also had to make it, for me, with one of the most tearful and memorable scenes of the show. I wasn't a fan of the episodes Trial By Magic, Enter the Demon, or even the finale, Witch Way Now, which is a fine finale but it's so dry.

TOP 5 SPELLS
1. To Call Upon Our Ancestors ('Charmed and Dangerous')
Season 4, Episode 13
2. To Call a Lost Witch ('Charmed Again, Part One')
Season 4, Episode 1
3. Vanishing Spell ('Hell Hath No Fury')
Season 4, Episode 3
4. To Call a Lover to Oneself ('A Knight to Remember')
Season 4, Episode 6
5. To Stretch the Imagination ('Trial by Magic')
Season 4, Episode 11

A lot of good spells this season, and I mainly have to say that the spell to vanquish the Source is an all-time classic, and I love that it calls upon the powers of the amazing Halliwell women before them. The season opened with one of the best spells and moments too, with Piper trying to call her sister Prue back to her, but ends up summoning Paige instead. I liked the Vanishing Spell, though now I find it a rather annoying spell due to how many times it's used, including 'Marry-Go-Round' to get rid of Phoebe's zits.

TOP 5 VILLAINS
1. The Source of All Evil
Season 4
2. Cole / The Source of All Evil
Season 4, Episodes 16-20
3. The Seer
Season 4
4. The Furies
Season 4, Episode 3
5. Phoebe's Baby
Season 4, Episodes 20-21

This was a big season when it comes to villains, and we have a lot of them carry over from season 3, which was the first time this happened (not counting Witch Trial in season 2 when Abraxas undid the vanquishes of some season 1 vanquishes). But it also brings closure to them too, so Shax is dispatched in the first episode, thank God! The Source of All Evil, the biggest of the biggest, is vanquished, and even Cole who takes the Source's place. They literally could have ended the show on the season 4 finale as all villains had been tied up.

QUESTIONS FOR THE FANS

You don't have to answer these questions, but they'd be a good starting point in discussing the fourth season of the show. Tell me what you thought of season four!

1. What was your favourite episode(s) of the season?
2. Did you have a least favourite episode of the season?
3. What was your first reaction and opinion of Paige, and did it change over the course of the season?
4. Who was your favourite Charmed One this season?
5. Have a favourite villain?
6. What was your favourite moment(s) of the season?

Big Question - Is there anything you'd like to see in these season reviews? Any features you'd like me to incorporate? Any comments of improvement would be greatly appreciated, as I want each and every season review to be as charmed as they can.

Remember to return to SpoilerTV next Saturday, April 30th, for Charmed's next anniversary article, where I will be discussing the show's fifth season. But what did you guys think of the fourth season of our favourite show, the first to feature Paige? What were your favourite (and not-so-favourite) episodes? Release your inner Charmed geek and let me know all your thoughts and feelings of season four of Charmed in the comments!

About the Author - Gavin Hetherington

Award-winning author of the 'Abyssal Sanctuary' series. Gavin joined SpoilerTV in August 2014 and reviews 2 Broke Girls, Devious Maids, Mistresses, Pretty Little Liars, Salem, Scream Queens and Sleepy Hollow. Gavin will write previews for Empire and Shadowhunters, and backs-up Once Upon a Time, Reign, Scandal and Supergirl. Gavin also writes special anniversary articles, most recently for Charmed. You can contact him at gavin@spoilertv.com.

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