Charmed – 10th Anniversary Special – Season 6 Review: “A Son From the Future”

CHARMED: THE COMPLETE SIXTH 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

I'm going to be totally honest. When it comes to season six as a whole, I largely criticise it as being one of my least favourite seasons - if not my least favourite of all of them. Looking back on the entire 23 episodes, I feel more favourable towards it, and I see more of the positives than I do the negatives, but I can't sugarcoat my dislike for season six. It might be the fact that, following season five, it feels less magical. For a show with the major theme of witchcraft, that's rather a let down. Season five laid on the magic a little thick, but take away the calories too fast and it feels a little anaemic.

Having said that, there are a lot of good things to come from this season. The major one, of course, is Chris. Chris was an exceptional addition to the cast, and one who I debated over since the shock end of season five, when he interferes with Leo's orbing. It was a shock to discover that he is Piper's son from the future. It's a rather big concept, very science-fiction, but it worked, and it helped make a pretty sucky season (for me) a lot better. The reveal and then his subsequent dilemma of changing things so much that he may not even be born was dramatic and exciting - though a little disturbing if you think he's encouraging his parents to have sex. That is pretty much our worst nightmare. Drew Fuller was a dream, and I really loved him when I was growing up.

Is that my only true highlight of the season? There were some standout episodes, as all seasons have, and Gideon proved to be one of the most complex villains in the show's history (can we really call him a villain? He killed Chris, so yes, we can). I apologise in advance if most of my comments are rather negative, or at least not enthusiastic. If you're a fan of season six, I'd love to hear your thoughts on what you liked about the season.

EPISODE GUIDE

SEPTEMBER 28, 2003 - MAY 16, 2004

23 EPISODES

6.01 - "VALHALLEY OF THE DOLLS, PART ONE"
Original airdate: September 28, 2003

We start the season off very differently to previous seasons. Why? Because Phoebe's hair is so short, oh my god. To be fair, she slays the look, but it's so different to what we're used to. I do quite like the season opener, as I am fascinated by the idea of Valhalla and the Valkyries. Piper's in such a weird place too, closing off her emotions and seeming rather fine when she's told Leo is missing. I like how Daryl was involved more in this episode too, with the girls "borrowing" his soul to take to Valhalla. The reveal of the gladiator in the cage as Leo was nicely done, and when it sets Piper off, it's a rather great scene, which is my moment of the episode when Phoebe channels Piper's emotions and starts hitting Leo. So dramatic and all that pent-up rage Piper had boxed in all comes out at once. It's rather glorious. Also, how powerful must Paige be to be able to orb thousands of miles to the middle of the Indian Ocean? Why doesn't she orb abroad more often?! Good opener for me, even though, like season 5, they began with a gimmick. To be fair, Brad Kern wanted the sword and the stone episode to be the premiere, but The WB said it wouldn't attract big numbers for premiere night.

Winner of the Charmed One Award: Piper.

Powers and emotions tied,
A witch's heart is where it hides.
Help her through her agony,
Bless her with her memory.

6.02 - "VALHALLEY OF THE DOLLS, PART TWO"
Original airdate: September 28, 2003

We almost have a Furies situation going on when Piper joins forces with the Valkyries - and they reign San Francisco. Piper as a biker chick is rather entertaining to watch. Chris is rather seedy and at the time I had major red flags going. I never trust anyone on first instinct (which is further enhanced by Pretty Little Liars, I see a theme Holly!), but I still absolutely loved Drew Fuller. Moment of the episode goes to when Piper throws Phoebe and Paige before she returns to Valhalla. It's oddly exciting when the sisters turn on each other. I wasn't sure if I liked Leo all that much anymore for some reason, and I still can't explain it, but rest assured I return to loving him by the end of the season. I just think he's rather flaky sometimes. Anyway, I liked that Piper realised she had to return home, even if it was with a little help from a spell to help her be honest. Good part two, but less entertaining than part one.

Winner of the Charmed One Award: Piper.

Open Piper's heart to reveal,
That part which only Phoebe feels.
Send it back from whence it came,
But don't protect her from the pain.

6.03 - "FORGET ME... NOT"
Original airdate: October 5, 2003

So what good are the Cleaners, when they can go after a little boy because he's exposed magic, when they let Prue die when she and Piper exposed magic 2 years before? So that's a big plot-hole I don't like to see. I like that they erased Wyatt from existence, but the girls know something is wrong, so they cast a memory spell, which takes them back a day in time. Moment of the episode goes to the riot Phoebe starts at the office - I just love that moment so much. Some good funny parts of the episode, and I like the idea of Wyatt conjuring things out of the television (can he conjure Zac Efron please?), but the special effects of the Dragon were so, so poor. I don't remember it being as bad as it is now, maybe I'm more cynical in my older self? I liked how the girls exposed magic on TV too to save Wyatt and stop the Cleaners from taking him, so this was a good episode.

Winner of the Charmed One Award: Piper.

Moments lost make witches wonder,
Warlocks plot or demons plunder?
If this is not a prank,
Help us to fill in the blanks.

6.04 - "THE POWER OF THREE BLONDES"
Original airdate: October 12, 2003

Along with Sense and Sense Ability, I could quote this episode in random conversation. Because everyone knows the Charmed Ones are blonde! Gasp! Despite the Stillman Sisters being, perhaps, the silliest villains the show has ever had, I took so much enjoyment watching them succeed. They were underdogs in the demonic world, that even the Book of Shadows found them not worth vanquishing. They still managed to do a pretty decent job of almost taking down the Charmed Ones by stealing their identities and powers. I loved the start where they're disguised as the Charmed Ones and we don't know yet, until they slip up and reveal themselves. Loved so many parts, including the Stillman Sisters seeing themselves in the BoS. "We made the Book of Shadows?" "What, no picture?" Also when Mitzy tries to seduce Jason under the table, but moment of the episode goes to the fight in the conservatory where the girls taunt the blondes. "Ah, don't worry, this blonde couldn't hit the broad side of a beauty parlour. I mean, check out that dye job." Love Jennifer McCarthy, she does a wicked job here, "not the face!". Such a guilty pleasure episode.

Winner of the Charmed One Award: Paige.

Blinking faces, blank and ho-hum,
We are they and they are no one.
Grant to us the Power of Three,
And turn them into nobody.

6.05 - "LOVE'S A WITCH"
Original airdate: October 19, 2003

Ever fancy a bit of Charmed meets Shakespeare meets Hatfields and McCoys? Strange combination, but it gives the episode quite a lot of substance. I like the episode. Richard was an alright guy (I didn't find him very charismatic, not like Eric Dane's Jason), but I liked his introduction. There are two feuding families - the Montanas and Callaways (Montague and Capulet anyone?) - and it's resulting in people getting hurt, but it turns out there's a ghost that is causing some of the problems because she wants to reunite with Richard (Belthazor Getty, who I like in Brothers and Sisters), so she isn't all bad, and she's played by Rachelle Lefevre and I like her. I like how Paige gets a bit more in this episode (and Soul Survivor) as she barely gets anything this season in retrospect compared to her sisters. Moment of the episode is when the ghost of Olivia lets go of her pain and moves on. So Ghost Whisperer.

Winner of the Charmed One Award: Paige.

Unknown spirit, we call to thee,
Those who wish to set you free.
Cross on over, so we may help,
Come to us. Reveal yourself.

6.06 - "MY THREE WITCHES"
Original airdate: October 26, 2003

What's cheeky Chris up to? His shade comes full circle in this episode, and we get so many hints (even before this episode) that there's something more relatable to him. He sets the sisters up good, enlisting the help of a demon to make their desires come true, and at first it appears he wants to do them harm, but he just wants to teach them a lesson. It's so shady but because the demon could feel his desire not to kill the Charmed Ones, so I knew he wasn't evil, but what was his game? I love that the girls figure out they're in alternate realities and Paige and Phoebe use their desires to find Piper. Moment of the episode is the A-team moment when Piper's car explodes. What a funnily dramatic scene! I did like this episode and the way it worked out.

Winner of the Charmed One Award: Phoebe.

Gith: "I could sense your desire from the beginning. You never wanted to kill your charges, just... teach them a lesson. That's right, darklighter arrow. Poison shouldn't take long. But with luck you may just live long enough to watch the Charmed Ones learn their lesson after all."

6.07 - "SOUL SURVIVOR"
Original airdate: November 2, 2003

Paige rather proves how selfless she can be when it comes to innocents, whether her decision to save her boss was reckless or not. It was such a nice thing for Paige to do, to save her boss's soul who sold his to a demon for fortune. She had good intentions, probably didn't think it all the way through. Not one of my favourite episodes of the season, but it was good for Paige to shine. I liked the idea of the auctioning of souls for powers, and when Piper blows the "dead Grimlock" up - which his my moment of the episode. Paige rocks the slave look though, and I like that Zahn really paid for it when they destroy all of his contracts, setting everyone free. I wish I could say more about this episode but there isn't an awful lot to remember about it, but I like how Paige stuck to her guts, which makes her different to her sisters, who weren't so happy that she sold her soul to save an innocent.

Winner of the Charmed One Award: Paige.

Piper: "No, it's not how we work."
Paige: "Well, if I hadn't did that Larry's soul could have been lost by now."

6.08 - "SWORD AND THE CITY"
Original airdate: November 9, 2003

So this is Holly Marie Combs' favourite episode, and she found out she was pregnant with her first child during filming of this episode - which is rather sweet. Unfortunately I'm not a fan. I love the legend of King Arthur and Excalibur, but they tried to take a huge legend and cram it into 40 minutes. This probably would have worked better as a 2-hour premiere, like Kern intended. It's rather cheesy, but there are some good moments within it. Moment of the episode will be when Piper pulled the sword out of the stone, although Wyatt is the true king of Excalibur and she's just the placeholder, so to speak. I did like that Mordaunt (Mordred anyone?) "trained" Piper and turns her a little evil, but how could they not see through his facade sooner? I'm rather disappointed with this episode due to the big concept idea, and I don't think they quite pulled it off.

Winner of the Charmed One Award: Piper.

Mordaunt: "It's simply a transfer of power, that's all. And now, all that remains to do is to eliminate the true recipient of Excalibur before he grows old enough to fulfill his Destiny as the Son of a Charmed One."

6.09 - "LITTLE MONSTERS"
Original airdate: November 16, 2003

A better episode than Excalibur, despite not being as big a concept. Instead, there's a lot of foreshadowing to Wyatt's dark future and the reason why Chris came back from the future. So the Charmed Ones vanquish a monster and find a baby. The monsters in this episode are quite scary, from the Manticores, to the Beast that is actually the found baby's father. I never saw this episode until I got the DVD either, so I have probably only seen this episode once or twice (compared to the millions of times I've seen episodes from earlier seasons), so I can't say an awful lot about this episode. Moment of the episode is when Piper saves the baby's demonic father, and he turns back into his human self. It's a rather beautiful moment and I like how Charmed can still have those really nice moments.

Winner of the Charmed One Award: Piper.

Piper: "Ok, listen to me. You will not orb down to your little friend. Do you understand me? No orbing."

6.10 - "CHRIS-CROSSED"
Original airdate: November 23, 2003

This is the moment season 6 hits its peak, I think. We have some major stumbles after this episode, which probably makes me love this episode more. We find out that Chris has come back from the future to stop Wyatt from becoming evil, not being hurt by evil. He's also targeted by Bianca, his fiancé from the future, and she's trying to get him to come back with her power-less. We go into Lost territory with flash-forwards to Chris's future, where the Halliwell Manor is like a museum of the Charmed Ones, but to remind people of Wyatt's evil power. It's a rather scary future, and one that gives this season a little more urgency. Loved the scenes with Evil Wyatt and Chris, and Bianca in the Halliwell Manor before she is fatally injured, so that's my moment of the episode. I ended up liking Bianca and I liked her with Chris. So emotional when she dies. I wanted to give Chris the Charmed One Award for this episode, but alas, I could not. Best episode of season six, for sure.

Winner of the Charmed One Award: Piper.

Hear these words,
Hear the rhyme,
Heed the hope within my mind.
Send me back to where I'll find,
What I wish in place and time.

6.11 - "WITCHSTOCK"
Original airdate: January 11, 2004

I think a lot of people hate this episode, but like The Power of Three Blondes, I find this episode to be a total guilty pleasure. Always love the time travel, and going back to the '60s was such a trip, and seeing Grams in her glory days was so interesting. So different to how she turns out. Paige is transported to the past first, with Piper and Phoebe following to save her. They must prevent Paige from changing anything, and they're not allowed to save their grandfather or it could have major repercussions. I love some of the spells in this episode - "They have no right, they have no power, turn their hate sticks into flowers" - and the Seduction spell Piper casts, which is the funniest spell in the history of Charmed, and my moment of the episode. Not a quality worthy episode, but groovy nonetheless.

Winner of the Charmed One Award: Paige.

Come to me and be seduced,
I have a girl to introduce.
Fall for her, you can't resist her,
Trust me mister, she's my sister.

6.12 - "PRINCE CHARMED"
Original airdate: January 18, 2004

I'm not a fan where the girls try and force love, or romance, with the use of magic. Piper and Phoebe did it in season one (and felt the consequences of it), so obviously Phoebe hasn't learned her lesson. Paige and Phoebe want to conjure the perfect man for Piper, mainly for a life lesson that she can't close off from love, but of course it kind of backfires when all the girls fall for this perfect man. Hell, even I fell for him. Loved the incorporation of Daryl and Shiela in this episode though, and the only saving grace of this episode is the hilarious cake fight scene when the girls literally throw food at each other using their powers. "Cake!" That is the moment of the episode. The rest of the episode is unmemorable and didn't feel at all like there was much effort made. I only enjoyed this episode for the cake fight, other than that, not a fan.

Winner of the Charmed One Award: Piper.

A perfect man we summon now,
Another way we don't know how.
To make our sister see the light,
Somewhere out there is Mr. Right.

6.13 - "USED KARMA"
Original airdate: January 25, 2004

The streak continues, and this is another episode I'm not a big fan of. Richard, who still hasn't made that big an impression on me, wants to cleanse his karma, but it backfires and Phoebe ends up with someone else's bad karma. Mata Hari of all people. How that works out I do not know, but it sets up the main problem of the episode. It's basically a boyfriend-centric episode, which is one of the reasons why I don't like it so much. Moment of the episode will be Jason's goodbye, which is rather sad as I really liked Jason. I also really enjoyed the sexy dance Phoebe gave him, while possessed with Mata Hari's bad karma. Overall, not an impressive episode in the slightest, which is a shame and it continued the downward trend for season 6.

Winner of the Charmed One Award: Phoebe.

Phoebe: "You have every right to be very upset with me. I know I've been a very, very bad girl. Please let me make it up to you."

6.14 - "THE LEGEND OF SLEEPY HALLIWELL"
Original airdate: February 8, 2004

Ask anyone, and they will tell you that I love Washington Irving's classic tale, The Legend of Sleepy Hollow. I love its many reincarnations in film and TV, and I did really enjoy this episode. For one, it introduces Magic School (which was never used to its full potential), and Gideon. Gideon first appears to be a good guy (kind of like Chris), but as we soon learn, he has warped intentions. I did like him here though, and I loved the students of Magic School going to the Halliwell Manor. I love the Headless Horseman and that all three sisters get beheaded, but this could have been a much scarier, intense episode. It's rather early Harry Potter, which I do love. And I love the vision quest that Phoebe goes on, and it shows how important this episode actually is to the season, as we also find out (for definite) that Chris is Wyatt's brother, and Piper and Leo's future son - but only if they get back together. That is the moment of the episode. After the string of disappointing episodes, we return back to some good, quality Charmed.

Winner of the Charmed One Award: Phoebe.

Power of Three, unite!
End this grisly fright,
Reverse the roles,
And make us whole.

6.15 - "I DREAM OF PHOEBE"
Original airdate: February 15, 2004

Another Phoebe-centric episode, and again it's another episode I'm not a big fan of. I like that everyone had something to do though, even though Paige had to deal with Richard who gets more uncontrollable, Piper is seeing other men, and Phoebe is transformed into a Genie. It would have been a great opportunity to get the genie from season 2 to return. I wish we had a better episode for the one after the big Chris twist reveal, but alas, we had to have a pretty uneven episode instead. Sure, there's some funny moments and it's not a truly awful episode, but still not great - it felt very Arabian Nights. Moment of the episode is when Jinny wishes the Charmed Ones dead, but Leo heals Piper while she is sleeping, thus saving the day. It's so sweet how it happens and it fuses a spark of hope that Piper and Leo will get back together and conceive Chris before it's too late.

Winner of the Charmed One Award: Phoebe.

Phoebe: "Oh, and why do I always get stuck with the wig?"

6.16 - "THE COURTSHIP OF WYATT'S FATHER"
Original airdate: February 22, 2004

The worry that Chris may not be conceived doesn't last very long - I do wish it had of gone on longer. I love that the stakes are huge, as Chris begins to disappear, and Phoebe and Paige try desperately to save him. But problems arise, when a Darklighter accidentally sends Piper and Leo to another plane of existence. It might seem like a problem at first, but it gives them enough bonding time for them to do the deed - rather sick to think about and bizarre, but it's all good. Everything turns out well. The ghostly plane is a rather eerie place too, and I love the exploration of other planes of existence. We also learn Gideon's true intentions of destroying Wyatt before he becomes evil, which is rather pragmatic but it still makes him a villain. It's rather shocking still. And moment of the episode goes to Piper learning Chris is her son. Such a good moment, and finally all is out. What a relief. It had me shouting "YES" like Chris. Solid episode even if it is a little slower than others.

Winner of the Charmed One Award: Piper.

Paige: "I can't believe how hard it is to get two people laid."
Phoebe: "Paige, that is disgusting!"
Paige: "Well, it's what we're trying to do, right?"
Phoebe: "No, we are trying to romance Piper and Leo together so they can conceive Chris, our nephew."
Paige: "And that's different how?"
Phoebe: "Well, because what you said is very Springer, what I said is very Oprah."

6.17 - "HYDE SCHOOL REUNION"
Original airdate: March 14, 2004

Don't we all love high school reunions? We don't have them in Britain, but if we did, I could promise you, mine would not be very good - and I'm sure my friends would agree. So we can all probably relate to Phoebe's anxiety to going to her high school reunion. I wish it was Paige's they were exploring instead, and give her more exploration this season rather than Phoebe, who has had 3 central episodes in 5 episodes. Nonetheless, I rather like this episode for its plot, as Phoebe returns to her rebellious teenage self and becomes someone nobody can control. I love the spell she uses to turn her high school enemy into a dog (see below), and the adventures she goes on with her old high school friends. It's also nice to see Victor again after so long, and his bonding with Chris while he gets to the bottom of why Chris is rather distant with Piper. A great positive is how much screen time Phoebe and Paige do have together, I love their chemistry. Moment of the episode is when Phoebe turns into her teenage self, and also when Chris calls Piper "mom" for the first time. Good, fun episode.

Winner of the Charmed One Award: Phoebe.

I'd rather be rich,
Than a bitch!

6.18 - "SPIN CITY"
Original airdate: April 18, 2004

I like this episode, mainly because Chris becomes evil and tries to kill everyone - which is a family trait, really. The storylines surrounding this I do not like, such as Phoebe's speed-dating because of the vision she had, like she's become obsessed with finding a man. Paige has a problem with a Wicked Witch from the forest, which is a bit bizarre but I'll take it anyway, as she's become a bit of a workaholic. I love the Spider Demon, how slick and scary she can be, and how she uses Chris. Piper is unfortunately cocooned, but I loved that moment. This is a great episode for Chris, as he also seems to have an inferiority complex with Wyatt (like Paige had with Prue). Moment of the episode, however, goes to Chris' and Leo's talk about why Chris came back from the future, as Chris' resentment really comes out and it's rather emotional for both father and son. It's so sad but good in a dramatic sense. I like this episode, one of my top five of the season.

Winner of the Charmed One Award: Paige.

Chris: "Ugh, from the womb? He had powers from the womb? That's unbelievable. It's not like I don't have enough of an inferiority complex with him already. Thank you."
Paige: "He's actually right. Without the Wyatt force-field thing..."
Chris: "Okay, do you have to keep rubbing that in?"
Paige: "Aren't there any therapists in the future?"

6.19 - "CRIMES AND WITCH DEMEANORS"
Original airdate: April 25, 2004

Bah, humbug. I really dislike this episode. It feels like a clip show, and an excuse to barely use any of the show's budget for, well, anything. Most of it is just sitting around doing absolutely nothing but talking. I always like a little retrospective moment in the show here and there, but it just feels like a lazy cop-out on the writers' part - and coming out of a good streak of episodes too. So the Charmed Ones are basically on trial with Barbas, the little shit, leading it. The Cleaners are also back, and have framed Daryl for murder so magic does not get exposed. I liked that part of the episode, where the girls have to clear his name, but face problem after problem. But I still don't like this episode. The stripping of Phoebe's powers, I hate. Piper being reduced to a cameo, I hate. I'm just really not a fan. Daryl's execution is moment of the episode.

Winner of the Charmed One Award: Phoebe.

Gideon: "So then, despite what Barbas would have you believe, regardless of outside influences, the sisters have always managed to protect magic, and therefore based upon all the evidence, we ask the tribunal, no, we demand that the cleaners be forced to reverse what they have done, that Lieutenant Morris be freed, and that The Charmed Ones be allowed to do what they have always done so well... cover their own tracks. Respectfully."

6.20 - "A WRONG DAY'S JOURNEY INTO RIGHT"
Original airdate: May 2, 2004

Paige is rather naughty in this episode, as she conjures Mr. Right while accidentally summoning Mr. Wrong. I find this episode rather silly actually, with the Demonatrix and, again, the girls use of personal gain to conjure a perfect man. Poor Paige needs it, as she's been so unlucky in love so far that she has had nobody longterm like Piper has or Phoebe had. Still not an episode I look back on fondly though. I'm just not a fan of the Demonatrix at all. Moment of the episode goes to Chris getting arrested, as it was rather dramatic, but it wasn't an important part of the episode, so it says a lot. It's a shame, too, as this is all building up to the season finale and the eventual fight with Gideon, yet this episode was far too irrelevant to be coming in so close to the finale. Can anyone really say this is their favourite episode? No offence to anyone who does.

Winner of the Charmed One Award: Paige.

Chris: "He tried to run me over with his Porsche. Not cool!"

6.21 - "WITCH WARS"
Original airdate: May 9, 2004

Love the idea, not the biggest fan of the execution. Looks like witch killing is the new American Idol in the underworld, and Witch Wars is a fantastic social commentary on the rise of reality television, so it's a perfect satire. But they could have done so much more with it. I complain a lot about this season, I know, but it sometimes felt a little silly. I did love when the demons were watching what was going on, as odd as it was, it was rather entertaining. I wonder if Witch Wars got good Nielsen ratings. I like that it's a balanced episode between the girls though, and it focused solely on the action more than it did pursuing men. Moment of the episode goes to Phoebe gaining demonic powers and Paige having to stab her with the athame to get rid of them. Not a bad episode, for me, just an alright one. Good ending with Gideon though, which leads nicely into the 2-hour finale.

Winner of the Charmed One Award: Paige.

Paige: "That explains how the demon knew that a witch had died last night... he watched it on TV. Pretty sick."
Leo: "No sicker than any other reality show."

6.22 - "IT'S A BAD, BAD, BAD, BAD WORLD, PART ONE"
Original airdate: May 16, 2004

Oh man, part one of the finale, which I do love, but I think I like part two better. Chris wants to go back to the future before little Chris is born, and I love that the girls got to say goodbye to him before he goes (as we all know what's coming). But Gideon's meddling causes Leo and Chris to go to a parallel universe where the good guys are evil, and the evil guys are good. The evil Charmed Ones are so cool, and not all that evil really (as they do help, and put family first), and good Barbas is just so funny to see. I like when the world gets thrown into imbalance, and things get rather hectic. It's rather scary how nice people are in the good world at the end, and when the patrolman shoots Phoebe was rather a shock. It reminded me of All Hell Breaks Loose, but not as good (which is partly why I have problems with this episode, as it just didn't hit the right notes at times). It was a good moment to end on to lead into part two, but moment of the episode goes to when evil Phoebe and Paige, and good Phoebe and Paige, cast the spell to vanquish both Gideon's with the Power of Four, while Wyatt orbs an athame into him. Good boy.

Winner of the Charmed One Award: Piper.

Phoebe: "It's okay. We've been through worse. We'll get through this. We'll figure it out. And if you get back to the future and we're in jail, you just have to bust us out. You just go back to that beautiful, peaceful world that you helped create. I'm really gonna miss you."

6.23 - "IT'S A BAD, BAD, BAD, BAD WORLD, PART TWO"
Original airdate: May 16, 2004

So much happens, so little time to cover it. Diving straight in, I love when Piper casts the happy spell on Paige and Phoebe, causing them to become so not like themselves. Laughs ensue, of course, despite this being a rather dark episode by the end of it. I may as well discuss my moment of the episode, which is when Chris saves Wyatt but is fatally stabbed by Gideon, causing Leo to vanquish Gideon, but Chris then dies in Leo's arms. I can feel the tears welling up as I type this. Chris was such a big miss in season 7 as he was such a big part in season 6. Even though he isn't really dead, as Piper succeeds in giving birth to him, but Drew Fuller is no more. A bittersweet moment when the baby Chris is born, and everyone is happy at the hospital, but it also means the adult version of Chris never got to experience the happy future he fought for. He's a hero. One thing I didn't like was that, instead of the manor doors closing as always, it's the hospital doors. I guess it was unavoidable, but still, I'm rather sad about the tradition. Literally, the whole Gideon/Chris/Wyatt/Leo part of the finale is what makes it, and it really tested Leo to be there for his family, something he should have always known to do.

Winner of the Charmed One Award: Piper.

Gideon: "Leo, listen to me. You know what happens. You know what Chris came here to stop. Let me finish what I started. Let me save the future, the only way it can be saved."
Leo: "You're the reason the future's threatened, Gideon, not Wyatt..."

SEASON VERDICT

Season 6 started out pretty good, lost it a little, had a killer episode (Chris-Crossed), and then lost it right until the end (with some gems here and there). For me, even the Chris twist couldn't save the whole season for me. Phoebe was very focal, and poor Paige didn't really get much of the spotlight. Piper had her usual Leo troubles but it was great to see her develop more as a mother. I really wish I could like this season a lot more, I just don't. Chris saves it from being a really bad season, and I liked Gideon's complex of being a good guy turned bad with sort of good intentions. He just got a little too evil. Perhaps a more uneven season than any other, but that's just my opinion.

Winner of the Charmed One of Season Six Award: Despite several Phoebe-centric episodes, the middle sister came in third place with 6 wins of the award. Paige, hot off her season 5 win, comes runner-up with 7 wins of the award, while Piper deservedly wins the Charmed One of Season Six award with 10 total wins.

TOP 5 EPISODES
1. Chris-Crossed
Season 6, Episode 10
2. It's a Bad, Bad, Bad, Bad World, Part Two
Season 6, Episode 23
3. The Legend of Sleepy Halliwell
Season 6, Episode 14
4. Spin City
Season 6, Episode 18
5. The Power of Three Blondes
Season 6, Episode 4

For a season I'm not a general fan of, I do like a good selection of the episodes on offer. Chris-Crossed is a true gem of an episode, as is the second part of the season finale. The first part is still good but I have some problems with it. I liked the episode with the Spider Demon (as spiders are one of my worst fears), and I'm sorry to say that The Power of Three Blondes is a total guilty pleasure of mine. I'm really not a fan of Crimes and Witch Demeanours (it feels lazy, like a clip show), Prince Charmed and Used Karma, as well as a handful of episodes I find rather mediocre.

TOP 5 SPELLS
1. To Go Back in Time ('Chris-Crossed')
Season 6, Episode 10
2. Empathy Spell ('Valhalley of the Dolls, Part Two')
Season 6, Episode 2
3. Seduction Spell ('Witchstock')
Season 6, Episode 11
4. Fill in the Blanks Spell ('Forget Me... Not')
Season 6, Episode 3
5. Mabel Stillman's Identity Theft ('The Power of Three Blondes')
Season 6, Episode 4

Season 6 was actually an improvement over season 5 in the spells department. A lot of spells are rather repetitive and you can tell they've reused some to try and make a new one. Loved the spell used in Chris-Crossed to go back in time. There were a couple of memory spells used too, and my god the Vanishing Spell is annoying (as it is used a couple of times in this season). But still, better spells than most of season 5.

TOP 5 VILLAINS
1. Gideon
Season 6, Episode 14-23
2. Bianca
Season 6, Episode 10
3. Barbas
Season 6, Episode 19-23
4. The Stillman Sisters
Season 6, Episode 4
5. Spider Demon
Season 6, Episode 18

I hate Gideon, but that means he's a good villain when he can inspire such an emotive reaction to him. I rather liked Bianca and how she wasn't so black and white, so I added her to the villains list just so she's noted for her performance. Barbas is back (again), but I loved seeing Good Barbas in the finale. Also have to give special props to the Stillman Sisters for making me laugh.

QUESTIONS FOR THE FANS

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

1. What was your favourite episode(s) of the season?
2. Did you have a least favourite episode of the season?
3. How did you find the Chris twist?
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, May 14th, for Charmed's next anniversary article, where I will be discussing the show's seventh season. But what did you guys think of the sixth season of our favourite show? 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 six 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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