Charmed – 10th Anniversary Special – Season 7 Review: “The Seven Year Witches”

CHARMED: THE COMPLETE SEVENTH 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

What I love about writing these retrospective pieces, is that I usually find myself liking a season more than I originally thought. The same thing happened with season 6 - a season I always generally despised, but with further reflection, I liked it more than I cared to admit. With season 7, I can still acknowledge the fact that Charmed has lost more of its magic at this late stage in the game. I generally found the season boring, but it helps to look at individual episodes to see some quality beneath.

This is still a rather poor season compared to prior seasons, but I've managed to appreciate some of the storylines and episodes amongst it all. For example, we have Zankou, who is apparently one of the strongest demons they have ever come across. In fact, he was a threat to the Source. While he stuck around for half the season, he didn't feel like that much of a threat - he resorted to tricks used by past demons to steal powers and whatnot, so the scope of his threat was not much felt. Having said that, I liked his personality, and he was a good foe, but perhaps he was a little underwhelming.

I enjoyed some of the Avatar storyline too, even if I thought the pay-off was largely anti-climactic. The death of Kyle gave it some urgency, and the drama of Leo becoming an Avatar was also a nice touch, but again, the possibilities of this was not fully explored. Kyra, played by Charisma Carpenter, was a great highlight of the season for me, as was the talent of Billy Zane. Some good characters, and some forgotten ones, such as Sheridan (may she rest in peace, poor thing), and a great finale that almost felt like a series finale, due to the uncertainty of the show's future. I'm rather glad it wasn't the finale (despite me loving the episode, but just because I love the way the season 8 finale closes the chapter on the family and gives us the flash-forwards), and I'm rather glad this wasn't the final season.

EPISODE GUIDE

SEPTEMBER 12, 2004 - MAY 22, 2005

22 EPISODES

7.01 - "A CALL TO ARMS"
Original airdate: September 12, 2004

I can't really care much about this premiere. People may enjoy it more than the mermaid or valkyrie premieres, but this one-hour opener does nothing for me. It's quite nice to take a step back from the "extravagant" concepts so that it isn't just another gimmick, but I wasn't taken by the Shakti and Shiva idea. In fact, it's rather bizarre. Last season, the girls had to get Piper and Leo to sleep together, and here, they can't, otherwise they'll destroy the world and it will be reborn. There's always a lot riding on Piper and Leo's sex life. This is Barbas' final appearance, so we can all give a sigh of relief, as he basically just tortures Leo a little. It's a very Leo-centric episode, who is on a rampage to kill Barbas for his involvement with Gideon in the previous season. Already I miss Drew Fuller. We do have a new male in the form of Leslie, someone who I didn't much care for, but I liked the sort of stigma that Phoebe gave him about being a male writer ghost-writing for a female column. It certainly taught Phoebe a thing or two. And Paige makes use of Magic School, a place in threat of closing down due to Gideon's death.

Winner of the Charmed One Award: Piper.

We call upon the mortal ways,
And Gods who guide but may not stay.
We seek those of divinity,
To separate from and set them free.

7.02 - "THE BARE WITCH PROJECT"
Original airdate: September 19, 2004

Season 7, you're letting me down so far. Lady Godiva - a prominent female figure from history - pays visit to the present day, and I do like the idea behind it, especially when Phoebe protests the prejudice against Piper for breastfeeding Chris in public (and this is something that Alyssa Milano is currently battling). I like how Paige becomes a leading figure at Magic School and she battles the Elders' decision to close it, which shows her development as an instructor of magic, rather than a learner. The world being changed as a result of Lord Dyson becoming stronger was a neat part of the episode - where you can basically be jailed for speaking in public, showing how important it is to keep history the same, without tampering it. But still, this is a levelling episode, one that does nothing to add to the show, despite its deeper message.

Winner of the Charmed One Award: Paige.

Where royals once lived, so did she,
Bring forth the naked lady from the eleventh century.

7.03 - "CHEAPER BY THE COVEN"
Original airdate: September 26, 2004

Another family reunion episode, which makes this episode title all the more relevant. Paige summons Grams for Chris' wiccaning, all the while Wyatt is displaying jealousy towards his little brother, as well as some resentment towards Leo. It was rather important to show us how the events of the show have affected the kids, which makes it all the more realistic. Grams casts a rivalry spell that backfires, turning the Charmed Ones into bickering siblings. It's rather comic to see the girls act like teenagers - almost reminds me of Once Upon a Time in season 3. They each do crazy stuff, with Phoebe making a fool of herself when accepting an award, and Paige kisses a student at Magic School - scandalous! Another aspect I like about this episode is the introduction of Kyra, aka Charisma Carpenter. I love the actress, so automatically I loved this new seer. My only pet peeve was that she wasn't used to her full potential, but in regards to this episode, she helps Leo while remaining smart. A better episode than the previous two in my opinion.

Winner of the Charmed One Award: Phoebe.

Let this girl,
Quick as a sneeze.
Stop this snit,
And quickly freeze.

7.04 - "CHARRRMED!"
Original airdate: October 3, 2004

Yo-ho, me hearties! If the Charmed-verse can have mermaids, why not pirates? Pirates of the Caribbean made a big splash on the big screen the year before, so it's rather crazy for this episode to sort of predict the plot of the fourth instalment of that film franchise. The Fountain of Youth - the main goal of the episode to save Paige from aging to death. In order to save her, they need a particular chalice, and to get the chalice, they need to go all mission impossible and steal it from a museum. It's a rather strange moment that we'd never expect the Charmed Ones to do, all dressed in black. The pirates weren't that much of a threat, but I did like this episode to an extent. This episode also introduces Kyle Brody, who kind of knows the Halliwells are witches, and wants to catch them in the act of performing magic. I thought Kyle was a bit of a dick at first, which is understandable, but his story becomes a little more tragic, so I end up liking him a little. I was confused when he knocked out Sheridan and let the girls go - really made me question his motives!

Winner of the Charmed One Award: Phoebe.

With these offerings, I call on thee,
Goddess of Fertility.
Rise now, show us the truth,
Give us the gift of eternal youth.

7.05 - "STYX FEET UNDER"
Original airdate: October 10, 2004

I find this to be a rather underrated episode. It's not one that is always mentioned by Charmed fans, but I think this episode is one of my hidden little gems. I love it. One, I loved the idea of Piper becoming the Angel of Death, and having his list so she has to carry departed souls over. And two, it features a heartbreaking exchange between Piper and Paige. The half-demon Sirk, in a tense confrontation, kills Paige unexpectedly, which might have been more shocking if the girls didn't die more times than they save innocents. But when Piper comes to take her away, that scene with Piper leading Paige towards the light is so emotional, it gives me such a heavy mouth. It's the first emotional scene of the season and it does it so well. It's also nice to see the original Angel of Death again, it's always a pleasure to see him (and he isn't nearly used as much as Barbas). It was a clever way of bringing him back, and teaching the girls (again) that they can't intervene with destiny, even if it leads to an innocent's death. Great episode that I personally love.

Winner of the Charmed One Award: Piper and Paige.

Piper: "I'm not dead, I'm Death! As if my life wasn't busy enough already!"

7.06 - "ONCE IN A BLUE MOON"
Original airdate: October 17, 2004

The Charmed Ones are the villains?! Shock horror! I mean, it's not a Charmed season without the girls turning evil, I suppose. But yeah, I didn't expect the girls to be the monsters that mauled the girls' new whitelighter (who happens to be Hodgins from Bones) at the start of the episode, even if the promo spoils that little surprise. There isn't much of a plot to this episode, though, which is what makes this just an "okay" episode, and not one that I look back on fondly. We have the girls attack both of their new whitelighters, and then the Elders, but what's new there? The Avatars also show up for the first time this season, appearing to Leo instead of just floating heads. Leo, who is continuing to irritate with some of his irrational actions, decides to stay away from his family again. He's so high maintenance. Kyle also informs Paige that his parents were killed by strange beings, and thus we begin his journey of discovering who killed his parents, and his motives revealed. This is also Leslie's last episode, but I'm not sure many people care.

Winner of the Charmed One Award: Paige.

Phoebe: "It wasn't demonic, it was just that time of month. Besides it won't happen for another 50 years!"
Piper: "Yeah. By that time we will be a menace to our rest home!"

7.07 - "SOMEONE TO WITCH OVER ME"
Original airdate: October 31, 2004

Why do they have to make demons so darn attractive? Seriously, I can see why the girls sometimes fall for the bad guys! In this episode, we have the Celerity demons after them, most specifically Sarpedon, who is stealing innocents' guardian angels. This is another episode I don't care much about, though I kind of like how Paige goes all "accident prone" around Kyle as she finds him rather cool. Young love. But also her guardian angel has been stolen (the girls have one?!), causing accidents. This is also a big step for Leo, who becomes an Avatar to save Piper and Phoebe, who have both been killed by Sarpedon. Their deaths are so quick too, it felt rather rushed, but it proved important to Leo to make that leap into becoming an Avatar. He's gonna have some 'splaining to do! Other than that, not much to take from this episode, though it further establishes the Avatars' presence, and proving this is going to be a Leo-centric arc.

Winner of the Charmed One Award: Paige.

Paige: "Guess I never knew how much my guardian angel actually helped me. Even with the little stuff."

7.08 - "CHARMED NOIR"
Original airdate: November 14, 2004

I'm a sucker for all things literature, so the idea of having Paige and Kyle be sucked into an unfinished crime novel that morphs everything into the style of classic American film noir was an exciting concept. I rather loved it. Having their parts of the episode in black and white was a really nice touch, and added to the effect. It really brought out Rose's acting talents as the femme fatale, and you can tell she's having a lot of fun with this role. Who doesn't love a good murder mystery (and one of a gnome, more or less, "and why is the G silent?"). Leo also seems much happier than he's been in quite a long time, and we know this is due to the Avatar influence, and while this is a bad thing, it's a relief to not see Leo depress whatever scene he is in. I like this change, to pull him from his mood. He proves useful, and helps Phoebe and Piper with what's happening with Paige. I like that Phoebe could tamper with the story and help from the outside by writing the narrative, which further gives my love to literature. This is an outside-of-the-box episode, and I can appreciate its triumph in trying this new style.

Winner of the Charmed One Award: Paige.

Kyle: "Suppose I'm not thinking about those books right now?"
Paige: "Suppose I'm hoping you're not thinking of those books?"
Kyle: "I wonder if I know what you mean."
Paige: "I wonder if I... Oh, shut up and kiss me."

7.09 - "THERE'S SOMETHING ABOUT LEO"
Original airdate: November 21, 2004

The Season of the Leo continues with a rather exciting episode, one that is easily changed, though, but is a big foreshadowing of things to come. It seems Leo should listen to the Avatars and not tell Piper of his new identity, as it only leads to the death of Kyle. It's a dramatic moment, when Leo blasts lightning through him, but it really shows Kyle's obsession with killing the Avatars, who he believes killed is parents, is an unhealthy one. It made me wary of him, after he started getting closer to Paige as a serious love interest, when he pulls the gun out on Phoebe. Dick move. I cannot tell at this point what is so bad about the Avatars, so it's still a rather good storyline at this point, there's just too much focus on Leo. Other than that, I can appreciate this episode for its progression in the arc, and I always like a bit of time reversal. Piper is still suspicious at the end of it, which is smart. Good episode.

Winner of the Charmed One Award: Piper.

Leo: "Piper, you can't walk out on this."
Piper: "You're right. We should orb."

7.10 - "WITCHNESS PROTECTION"
Original airdate: November 28, 2004

Aw I love this episode, even if I am rather crushed by a devastating event that happens during it. So the Charmed Ones help protect Kyra, who I have already mentioned my affection for due to the actress, and she wants to be made human. It's so sweet to see her excited by the idea, and even when she borrows one of Phoebe's dresses. She even shows Phoebe the utopia that the Avatars want to create, where no demons are present, which then convinces the Charmed Ones that the Avatars are good. In the demon world, Zankou is made free, and his first act of douchery? Well, to kill our new favourite seer. Why, Zankou, why?! I mean, you're a great villain, but in your first episode you manage to p*ss me off. Spoiler alert to those who haven't read the comics, apparently Prue saved her before she was vanquished, and makes her human, so she gets what she wants and it's a happy ending. In terms of the show, though, from what we see on screen, this is still a devastating loss. The ending, with the girls ready to talk to the Avatars, really drives the plot forward, and makes this one of my favourites of the season!

Winner of the Charmed One Award: Phoebe.

The Power of Three now acts as one,
To make this demon come undone.
We vanish the powers and evils of She,
Now bless her with humanity.

7.11 - "ORDINARY WITCHES"
Original airdate: January 16, 2005

I kinda always wanted to know what it would be like if random innocents received the Charmed Ones' powers, and what they would do with them. This episode, though interestingly timed between the big Avatar-arc, answered that question, and allowed a bit of room to breathe away from the heaviness of the main story. Having said that, we do get the time travel for Kyle to see what really happened to his parents, and Paige accompanies him. Through this, we discover that the Avatars did not kill his parents, but a group of demons wanting protection from them. Sneakily, Kyle keeps one of the potions just in case, which we all know does not bode well for him. The utopian premonition is also enough to convince the girls to try this new future with the Avatars, meaning the next 2 episodes are going to be important to the Avatar-arc. This isn't a bad episode in the slightest, as it does prove vital in further solidifying the girls' perception of the Avatars, and Kyle's understanding that the Avatars did not kill his parents. Still, a vendetta is hard to shake.

Winner of the Charmed One Award: Phoebe.

Paige: "What? What's going on?"
Piper: "Oh, you know, nothing. Your boyfriend tried to kill my husband."

7.12 - "EXTREME MAKEOVER: WORLD EDITION"
Original airdate: January 23, 2005

Many concerns raised in this episode, a lot to do with the deeper problem that good cannot exist without evil, which is the first time anyone can really agree with a demon. This is an okay episode, as it begins the Utopia spell and we begin to sense things are aloof, and we also have the big event of Kyle's death. It happened a few episodes before, by Leo, but with that being reversed, I wasn't sure I could take the death as final at first. I convinced myself they would reverse it, but in all honestly I can't really say I was too sad about it. His obsession with killing the Avatars, while he had a point of not trusting them, was really irritating by this point. Poor Paige though, what a devastating event to happen to her. The true effects of the Utopia spell is not as explored in this episode as the next one, so this episode really just acts as the bridge, the part one of a bigger story. Still rather slow, despite the death and big event.

Winner of the Charmed One Award: Paige.

Alpha: "But Zankou poses a unique threat. One that could bring enough conflict into Utopia to undermine it. And he's determined to do everything in his power to stop us."

7.13 - "CHARMAGEDDON"
Original airdate: January 30, 2005

This is a great episode to show the extent of what the Avatars' ultimate plan was, and just how bad it can be. It's an ideal world when everybody can be good, but when the Avatar chooses who lives or dies based on the trivial matters, well, it gets a little uncool. I was rather on board for the idea, but with the Avatars playing God, it was time for the girls to take back the playing field. They need evil to survive, really, or they wouldn't be the Charmed Ones. It's weird to see them unresponsive to death, as it's a big part of their lives, so it was good of Phoebe to convince her sisters to feel pain - as hard as it is. With Leo being wiped from existence, it should have hit Piper harder. When she realises this, though, and cries, it's emotional, just as it always is when Piper breaks down. Paige also does the same for Kyle, but fortunately, he's been made into a Whitelighter. I really liked the inner conflict of the episode as outward conflict is outlawed by the Avatars, just to show the necessity of evil. Also, having Zankou on the side of good-ish was neat, and he really helped with making Leo and the girls see the world around them. Who knew?!

Winner of the Charmed One Award: Phoebe.

Leo: "Don't let them make you forget why I'm doing this, Phoebe. It's supposed to hurt. Go to the Book. Remember all the losses. Then go to Zankou."

7.14 - "CARPE DEMON"
Original airdate: February 13, 2005

I do love Billy Zane, and he does a great job in this episode, but unfortunately, not the biggest fan of this episode in general. I do love a Robin Hood story, when done right, so this part of the episode was rather okay. It was a great introduction to his character, as he's so spunky and complex, and the fact that he was an ex-demon should have placed Cole in my mind, but it didn't. I was sad to learn he only had 2 weeks to live, and thought maybe the girls could change that, but alas, Billy Zane was too expensive to keep! Someone I have barely mentioned is Sheridan, Darryl's partner. I liked that she had a clean slate (since she previously learned more about the sisters but was comatose by Kyle, but then had her memory wiped), but she returns to distrusting the sisters so quickly. Whatever happened to girl power? Loved Paige's parts in this episode too as she looks for a literature teacher for Magic School, and she really takes control. An okay episode overall though.

Winner of the Charmed One Award: Paige.

Evil blast we cannot use,
The Power of Three now lights the fuse.

7.15 - "SHOW GHOULS"
Original airdate: February 20, 2005

This isn't a particular favourite of mine, but it's one I always remember. I love the plot, of a catastrophic fire at a cabaret that has trapped souls in a loop, and that has kind of stuck in my brain. The time loop has been done before, a good couple of times, but the new setting really helps. The scenes at the cabaret where great to watch, they really got the costuming and time period down. Billy Zane was a delight, as he was in his first episode, and gives Phoebe some interesting things to do. Meanwhile, Paige is hilariously giving an interview at the Bay Mirror glamoured as Phoebe as she couldn't be there, and makes it sound like she is the whole reason Phoebe is who she is today - that's my girl. Leo is also worried about the punishment from the Elders, but fortunately he has a supportive wife who takes his bullshit as it comes. Probably the best episode for Billy Zane in Charmed.

Winner of the Charmed One Award: Phoebe.

Free our souls from their shells,
See where the lost spirits dwell.
Long enough to find their pain,
Quick enough to return again.

7.16 - "THE SEVEN YEAR WITCH"
Original airdate: April 10, 2005

Another milestone met, and the last one too, as the show gets 150 episodes old. What I love about this episode is that they acknowledge the time Holly Marie Combs has been a part of the show, as the seven year witch, and even though Alyssa has been in since the Pilot, she replaced Lori Rom from the unaired Pilot, while Holly is the only actress to be in every taped episode. It's also good to see Cole again after a 50 episode absence, when his tenure on the show had dried up. He is still meddling in Phoebe's affairs, though, as it's revealed he was behind sending Drake to her, so she wouldn't give up on love. Drake delivers a beautiful speech on love earlier in the episode, which made me fall in love with him even more. Cole is also trying to help Piper re-find her love for Leo, who has had his memory wiped and is put through a test by the Elders. His fall from grace was quite an iconic moment and one I finally loved Leo for again. He finally put his family first, and while he couldn't heal Piper, it was rather nice that Wyatt did it instead. A good 150th episode, but not as good as the 100th.

Winner of the Charmed One Award: Piper.

Cole: "You’re still attached to your body. You’re not a ghost. But you will be if you don’t start trusting me. There is only one way out of here."

7.17 - "SCRY HARD"
Original airdate: April 17, 2005

After Zankou briefly disappeared following the takedown of the Avatars, he is back in full swing and forever causing mischief, and this is a great episode for him to reveal his plan. He's after the Nexus, and he needs all the sisters out of the house so he can take it. Unfortunately, Wyatt is a naughty little boy (though rather sweet for trying to protect his parents) and shrinks Piper and Leo and puts them in the dollhouse for safe keeping. So much power in one little boy. I loved those parts of the episode, and how Phoebe and Paige try to reclaim the manor and fight their way through, vanquishing demons to get to Piper. Zankou, though, is one tricky man. Fortunately, his plan of claiming the Nexus is thwarted when the girls say he needs the Power of Three to obtain it, so it shows these girls, after 7 years (and 4 years for Paige) still know how to outwit a demon. Good episode, and very memorable for the dollhouse parts.

Winner of the Charmed One Award: Piper.

Piper: "Okay. Let me handle Wyatt. This requires a mother's touch... WYATT MATTHEW HALLIWELL! YOU WILL STOP THIS NONSENSE RIGHT NOW!"
Leo: "Wow, first time you used his full name."
Piper: "Well it sounds better when I'm scolding him."

7.18 - "LITTLE BOX OF HORRORS"
Original airdate: April 24, 2005

Pandora's Box, the one of legend. We were all probably wondering when this little box would show up on the show. Not a bad episode to use it in either, but it's such a huge concept in such iddie-biddie screen time. I really liked Hope, and I liked that she was supposed to be a guardian of the box, while Katya (played fabulously by Michelle Hurd) is after it. We don't really get to see any kind of real threat from this box, though, so it's not the best episode to take advantage of the mythology its been given. I must give shout-out to Paige. She begins to have calls from the Elders and future Whiteighters, and she then becomes stuck in an elevator where a little girl has an asthma attack. She really helps the situation, because why wouldn't she, she's awesome. She also vanquishes Katya after glamouring into Hope, which shows just how badass a witch she can be. Another okay episode.

Winner of the Charmed One Award: Paige.

Phoebe: "I'm feeling a little..."
Piper: "Bummed? Yeah, I know. Nina, or Katya I’m assuming, said that it was the first wave of sorrow from the box."

7.19 - "FREAKY PHOEBE"
Original airdate: May 1, 2005

'Freaky Phoebe' is a rather freaky episode (sorry that had to be used). I always remember it for the truly hideous villain, Imara. While she isn't a brilliant villain, she still manages to achieve her goal of stealing Phoebe's body, so we have to admire that at least. This is a kind of guilty pleasure episode, where it doesn't add anything to the Zankou saga, but it totally fills up the entertainment hour. Loved the scenes of Imara in Phoebe's body and what she does with it. I do feel rather sorry for her, but all villains must die, and die she did. I liked Paige's side story too with her new charge, a man refusing to accept witchcraft because his fiancé died during a demon attack, and he thinks he could have saved her. Paige tells him it wasn't his fault, and she saves the day. Entertaining episode, still not really great.

Winner of the Charmed One Award: Phoebe.

Lock of hair completes our goal,
To help reclaim our sister's soul.
Banish this evil, spare no pain,
Bring Phoebe back from the ghostly plane.

7.20 - "IMAGINARY FIENDS"
Original airdate: May 8, 2005

Adult Wyatt, always a pleasure. We all had an imaginary friend growing up, right? I rather like when the show taps into the real-life issues, especially to do with children, and manifests them to make them a little more magical. This is a good episode with a good story, as Wyatt seems troubled, so Piper casts a spell that backfires, and brings forth big Wyatt. Nice to see him all good and not evil, well, for most of the episode anyway. Virus, his "imaginary friend" is actually a demon invisible to everyone but Wyatt, and he curses his teddy bear which turns him evil. Dirty trick. Such a Piper episode, as baby Wyatt begins to speak for the first time too - it's about time! Not really much to say about the other sisters, though they protect their nephew like the good aunts they are, and I love that. Good episode.

Winner of the Charmed One Award: Piper.

Help this mother and understand,
The thoughts inside her little man.
Though his mouth be quiet,
Let us hear the inner Wyatt.

7.21 - "DEATH BECOMES THEM"
Original airdate: May 15, 2005

The countdown begins to the finale! This is a great episode as a precursor to the next one, and rather scary too. I love seeing old faces, such as Reece from season 3, and it added a nice effect to the urgency of the drama. I also love the moment Phoebe sees Tim as one of the undead in her bed - I literally jumped out of my skin. Loved the idea of the undead and how they attack the Charmed Ones, it was a good ploy by Zankou, to try and make them feel worse that they can't protect people. And poor Joanna, Paige's charge, who is killed by Zankou to prove a point. The stakes are rather high with this one and it's terrifying. Great plan by Zankou to steal the Book of Shadows, and the scene in the graveyard with all the reanimated zombies and the Alchemist was great. Loved this episode.

Winner of the Charmed One Award: Paige.

Zankou: "The sisters and the Book of Shadows are linked. They always have been. And by weakening them, I'll weaken the Book's defenses, too ... enough to make it mine."

7.22 - "SOMETHING WICCA THIS WAY GOES...?"
Original airdate: May 22, 2005

While season 7 began on a really low note, this finale managed to allow the season to go out in style. This is one of my favourite finales, one that I much favour over the last 3 that aired (from season 4 onwards). It felt a lot like All Hell Breaks Loose, in that the sisters become exposed and all hope seems to lose itself as the episode draws on. Zankou really does have the upper hand on the girls as they are forced out of the manor and don't have the Book of Shadows to help. What I love is that they come back fighting though, and prove they don't need anything but each other to win. I also loved that some help from Prue came in handy too, a nice little nod at the end when the door closes. The plan of using astral projection was inspired, and led to a great defeat of Zankou in the end. It was a really nice way to end the season (and at the time possible series finale) with the girls going off to lead new lives after seeming dead to the world. Also need to give a little shout-out to Darryl, who last appears here. I am rather heartbroken he never appeared in season 8. All in all, great finale, and one I could talk about endlessly.

Winner of the Charmed One Award: The Power of Three - Piper, Phoebe and Paige.

Paige: "I don't think we're getting out of this one, girls."

SEASON VERDICT

I began writing this article with the intention of slating the entire season as overtly dull and uninspired. I have since changed my mind slightly. While this is still not a great season in the slightest, I have learned to appreciate more of the simple episodes, including the ones that really stand out. While the Avatar storyline felt bigger than it actually was, I still enjoyed a good majority of it. Zankou was a good foe, perhaps made to sound more threatening than he actually was, and the season had a great finale, even after the awful premiere. It started bad, got a bit better for random points then on, and then struck gold for the finale. I still consider this one of my least favourite seasons of the show, but 11 years after the season ended, I find myself liking it more than I did then.

Winner of the Charmed One of Season Seven Award: Poor Piper comes in at third place in the penultimate season with 7 wins of the award. The runner-up belongs to Phoebe, just beating out Piper with 8 wins, while Paige reigns supreme with a total of 10 wins.

TOP 5 EPISODES
1. Something Wicca This Way Goes...?
Season 7, Episode 22
2. Witchness Protection
Season 7, Episode 10
3. Charmageddon
Season 7, Episode 13
4. Styx Feet Under
Season 7, Episode 5
5. Death Becomes Them
Season 7, Episode 21

As much as I felt the Avatar storyline underwhelmed, it's not surprising to see a couple of the middle-arc episodes in my top five. I love Witchness Protection for Charisma Carpenter, and Charmageddon, while anti-climactic, it was still a good episode. The season finale tops the list though, due to the excitement and vanquish of Zankou, and the lesser impactful episodes Styx Feet Under and Death Becomes Them are personal favourites of mine. There are, however, the duds, which to me include the season premiere (which is unfortunate) and the follow-up episode, so not a great start to a new season.

TOP 5 SPELLS
1. To Banish a Suxen ('Something Wicca This Way Goes...?')
Season 7, Episode 22
2. Humanity Spell ('Witchness Protection')
Season 7, Episode 10
3. To Summon Future Wyatt ('Imaginary Fiends')
Season 7, Episode 20
4. Imara Vanquishing Spell ('Freaky Phoebe')
Season 7, Episode 19
5. To Call Forth the Fountain of Youth ('Charrrmed!')
Season 7, Episode 4

Season 6 improved on season 5 for spells, but season 7 again failed to impress in that department. I loved the spell in the season finale to banish the suxen, and ultimately vanquish Zankou, and it happens to be one of my all-time favourites. But one spell alone cannot carry a whole season worth of poor spells. Some good ones still, including one from episode 10 that was actually cut from the episode (but seen in a featurette of the filming of the episode).

TOP 5 VILLAINS
1. Zankou
Season 7, Episodes 10-22
2. The Avatars
Season 7, Episodes 9-13
3. The Alchemist
Season 7, Episode 21
4. Cole Turner
Season 7, Episode 16
5. Sirk
Season 7, Episode 5

Zankou, while not as complex as Gideon, was a great foe for season 7, and so my favourite villain. I really felt rather uninspired by the demonic threats this season, and so I struggled to fill my top five. The Avatars I didn't much like in the end, and while they are supposed to be "neutral", I found them to be rather bad in the end, so I included them here as they proved to challenge the Charmed Ones. Cole also made the list despite being good in the episode he appeared, just because he's rather manipulating in that he used Drake. Not a great season for demons.

QUESTIONS FOR THE FANS

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

1. What was your favourite episode(s) of the season?
2. Did you have a least favourite episode of the season?
3. Do you feel the Avatar storyline was used to its full potential?
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 21st, for Charmed's last anniversary article, where I will be discussing the show's final season on the actual anniversary of the series finale. But what did you guys think of the seventh 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 seven 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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