AfterThought: Charmed Series Finale
Finale Airdate: 28 July 2006, 19:30 SABC 3
Firstly, I am happy with the show's series finale. If you wanted action, watch the previous episode, 8:21 Kill Billie Vol. 2. I tried staying Spoiler free, which was hard, but I have preconcieved ideas about the finale. Firstly, I feel that they only wrapped things up properly for the entire series in the last 20 - 25minutes. After Vanquishing the Triad and returning to the Present, that's were I felt it was the a proper send off.
The biggest concern for me is that the lack of Rose McGowan and Alyssa Milano in the finale. I didn't feel them in the finale and I really think that Holly/Piper truely got the send of we all wanted her to get by being the lead in the Series FinaleI
I was also very very disappointed to see that they didn't have a special or refreshed Opening Credits for the final episode showing images from the past 8 years. This was something I would have wanted to see!!
While you have to admit, they did a lot of timetravelling, and time travelling does "give you a headache" (Piper), I didn't really think about it that hard or feel it. It all made sense. They needed to go back in time to get Grams and Penny to form thier own Power of Three and Piper pyschically I think needed to go to the future and see that everything is going to be alright and she will get the normal life she's yearned for all along.
It was great seeing the Guest Stars- Chris, Wyatt, Grams, Victor, Patty and Elise (well she was in Kill Billie. Vol 2- and it was nice to see her). There was no space literally to add other older faces, such as Dan, Darryl, Cole, Andy or even Jenny (Dan's Niece from s2). It would then have been nice to have mentions which was the next best thing. There was no mention of anyone of the above. Only a Prue mention three times and each with Patty if I'm Correct.
I know Brad Kern didn't even bother asking Shannen to appear in the finale and didn't even bother asking for her image to be used, which I am sure she would have allowed since this is the series finale. I know seeing Prue / Shannen in the finale would have only been done with a prayer and a spell cast, but to at least see the 'Old Power of Three Photo' (taken in 3x18 Pre-Witch) would have been great! It would really have showen us where the girls have started from before thier Charmed journed began!
I've felt that since Shannen's exit at the end of Season 3, Charmed has become the "Alyssa Milano Show" as Phoebe has always been in most cases, the focus. But It was a real treat for all Holly fans to see that Holly steals the limelight in the finale and is finally credited as the superwitch and main lead. This was one of the best things about the finale.
Besides the lack of Phoebe and Paige, where was Henry? And in the last few episodes as well? I'm sorry that he had to be reduced to three (short) scenes. (1) At Phoebe's Apartment- there they could have given Paige and Henry 5 Minutes more screen time and let Paige open up to Henry and the other two scenes were Flash Forwards of Phoebe's Wedding and Henry with his Parolee.
It was all great seeing Piper (as she is my fav. witch now that Prue has passed on) lead the finale, was the star of the finale and ended the finale and Charmed Legacy. However I wanted to see the Power of Three end the series. This is what I had in mind for the final scenes.
LOCATION- EXT. Outside Manor
Daytime
Piper is standing outside watering the garden (or something) while Paige comes outside wanting to ask Piper something and Phoebe pulls into the driveway. The sisters gather on the bottom of the stairs and say somethings like:
PIPER: I can't believe it's over and I finally got Leo Back.
PHOEBE: Yeah, I'm happy for you honey, you got your dream.
PAIGE: Yeah (to Phoebe) and apparently you to and 'Uncle Coop'. They all smile.
PIPER: Well we all got what we wanted- the happily ever after, we deserve.
PAIGE: So what are we going to do?
(The girls proceed by walking up the front stairs- Similiar to the final scene in 1:01 Something Wicca This Way Comes. Phoebe on the right of Piper whose centres and Paige on the left of her).
PHOEBE: We can get on with our lives now thats for sure. I've got a future husband to get back to.
PAIGE: And I've got a husband who'se waiting for me at home!
PIPER: And I got Leo back. (She smiles).
(The girls are in the manor now).
PIPER: But before we move on with our lives, there's something we each need to do.
PAIGE: (Looks at Phoebe) What is it?
PIPER: Follow Me.
LOCATION- INT. Attic
The girls walk towards the boook.
PAIGE: Oh no, don't tell me we have to fight another demon!
PIPER: No, we dont. I don't think we'll be doing that, (pause) we'll anytime soon.
PHOEBE: (Smiles)
PIPER: I think we need to write down our experiance, so we can pass it on to future generations of witches to come and pass down the knowledge.
Each sister stands by the book, with Piper in the middle, Paige on the right and Phoebe on the left.
PHOEBE: (Her little monologue and flash forward)
PAIGE: (Her little monologue and flash forward)
PIPER: (Her little monologue and flash forward)
OLD PIPER: (In the future reading to grandaughters) ...And although we have certainly had our fair share of heartache and pain over the years, we are a family of survivors and will always be, and that is why we have truely been Charmed. (She looks up and smiles).
Return to the Present.
The girls close the book, all three of them have thier hands on the book's cover with a show showing the triquetra.
PAIGE: So this is it now.
PHOEBE: Yea it is.
PIPER: The Power of Three.
The girls exit the attic and are seen from a shot behind the book of shadows. The Triqetra glows on the book.
LOCATION: Int. Hallway
The girls are walking down the stairs (this is just like the good old days)
As the girls are walking down the stairs we see pictures from the past eight years of the girls, for instance each sister's wedding picture, some pictures from previous seasons and the classic 'original Charmed picture' with Prue, Piper and Phoebe seen in the first three seasons.
(They arrive in the Hallway)
PAIGE: We'll I hate to ruin the parties ladies, but I got a husband whom i've been neglecting to go to and a family to start (she laughs).
PHOEBE: Yes, and I got a future husband to go to and a daughter to conceive.
PIPER: I got my Leo right here back, and that's all I need.
The girls hug and embrace themselves. Sad background music can play for added emotional feel.
The camera tracks out the manor showing the girls standing together and as it passes the door, a telekinetic power closes the door with the TK Sound Effect. (Don't ask questions about who.) Just assume that it's Prue's prescence with them and as the camera zoom out of the manor fades into a glowing Triquetra and I would have like to have seen:
"Thank you for watching us for the last 8 years. You have made us Charmed. Blessed Be."
"SERIES FINALE"
Now that would have been a terific Series Finale!