Destiny?

[Nerf]

Okay, so I have noticed this discussed practically everywhere: In the later years of the show the sisters try several times to escape their destiny. What I'm asking is... is it really such a bad thing?

Now, I myself had several problems with their attempts to neglect their destiny. But I can also understand it and it made me wonder if they are completely in the wrong. I have several questions I want to pose.

First: Is a prophecy, or destiny, enough to dictate one's life? If something was written long before you were born, telling you what you had to do with your life, would you really have to do it, and would you be in the wrong if you didn't? For the sisters, this is the case. No one asked them if they wanted to do this. It was foretold and they were expected by their ancestors, the Elders, the magical community, and especially the audience, to do it. But should they have to? What if they never wanted to take on this "destiny"? Would they be in the wrong? And are they in the wrong to want to stop following that destiny after so many years?

Second: This deals with talents/gifts. If one has a talent, or gift, where they could help people with it, should they be expected to do so? For example, if someone has a talent for medicine, should they be expected to pursue that and help people with it? If someone is gifted with strength, should they be expected to join the Police/Fire Department/Military/etc. and use that strength to help save lives? Hell, if someone has the talent of singing, should they be expected to use that to entertain people? What if any of those people don't want to? What if they want to pursue other things that have nothing to do with helping others? Are they wrong? For the sisters, they have powers and people seem to expect them to use those powers to fight demons and save innocents. Sure, these gifts give them the ability to help others, but should they be expected to? Other witches have powers as well, some of them with very powerful ones. But no one seems to expect them to fight demons and save innocents. So are the sisters wrong if they don't want to use their powers in that way?

Third: Even if it is their destiny, how long are they expected to follow it? When is their destiny fulfilled? The sisters have been fighting demons for years, sacrificing so much for their "destiny." Are they supposed to continue this for the rest of their lives, putting their relationships, careers, themselves second until they die? How are they supposed to fight demons when they are 80? Or are they supposed to fight until they are unable to? They have lost so much already, including a sister. They have died several times themselves. How long are they supposed to put themselves in such danger, along with their friends, husbands, boyfriends. And what about Piper's children, or the children that Paige and Phoebe could (and do) have? Is it right for those children to be in constant danger of being attacked by demons? What about the moral implications of them growing up in that environment? Is it right for them to be forced to grow up that way just because their parents have a "destiny"? Think about what type of emotional/mental effects that could have on a child.

Is it wrong for the sisters to want to move on? To stop sacrificing everything? They have never been for completely abandoning the fight. In S7, sure, they wanted to bring about Utopia for the good of themselves, but also for the good of the entire world. And when they found out what the Avatars were doing they reversed course without hesitation to stop them, even if it meant bringing back the demons. At the beginning of S8 they did fake their deaths and started to train a witch to help with the demons, but even then they didn't stop. Whenever someone was really in trouble they would help, no matter what. Truth be told, they barely let Billie do anything. Just because they wanted to slow it down, just helping when they were really needed, does that make them wrong? When does it stop? If you think about it, technically they already fulfilled their destiny. They saved many innocents and defeated the Source of All Evil. The Angel of Destiny told them that they had fulfilled their destiny. Just because they rejected the offer to be taken off the demon radar and have their powers stripped, does that change the fact that they fulfilled their destiny? Why should they have been expected to continue fighting and sacrificing after that? Again, when does it stop? When they're dead?

Again, not saying I am one way or the other. I am just posing the questions.

Let the discussion begin.

[Deleted]

I'll write more on this later, but my main feelings in this is that "To whom much is given, much is expected." They were given their powers in order to protect innocents. If they didn't want to do that, then they shouldn't have kept their powers. Period.

They were given the chance to give up their destiny at the end of Season Four. Yes, Piper was *DRAGGED* into the decision, and, yes, letting her know she was pregnant AFTER they found out was horribly unfair--I think she wouldn't have agreed otherwise--BUT once they agreed, then, no, they should have either stuck with said destiny or given up their powers.

They had the spell to give them up. If they no longer wanted to follow their destiny, they should've given their powers up--and better, it should've been set up so each one would have that choice--I HATED that it was all or nothing when the Source was dead; that should not have been necessary.

Yes, if Piper gave up hers, they would no longer be The Charmed Ones, (unless Paige has another sister we don't know about...) but without The Source, that was no longer needed as much as it was before, and if it was, then The Source wasn't really The Source of All Evil and destroying him wasn't really their destiny, was it?? (GRRRR at Kern!)

Had Piper given up her powers as soon as she knew she was pregnant so that she could take care of her kids (and bind their powers as soon as they were born until they were old enough to decide if they wanted them) while Paige and Phoebe continued to use their powers to protect innocents, the horrible season known as S6 (or S7 or S8) never would've had to happen. Piper would've been happy; Paige & Phoebe would've been happy; Es would have been ECSTATIC! Her favorite show would've remained her favorite show!

Yes, that's not the way the show was set up, but giving up their powers is what they should've done when they literally walked away from their destiny at the end of Season 7. Nothing was more disgusting than that, while had they given up their powers and THEN walk away, that would've been the perfect ending for Charmed, SOOOO much more than Forever Charmed!

[Lexi]

Their destiny was as the Power of Three. Without them, many demons would not have been able to be vanquished. So yes, them trying to get out of their destiny was a bad thing.

Your second point is kind of moot, sorry. It wasn't the fact that they had these gifts, being the Power of Three, their gifts just meant that they had an extra power boost. It was their bond as sisters that gave them their destiny. If they hadn't have had their powers, they could have still cast spells. Yes, the prophecy said that they would each have a power but just by using their powers didn't mean a guarenteed vanquish (until Piper's molecular combustion power came along). It was all behind the Power of Three spells, only they could say those spells.

That was a little jumbled, I'm sorry, and I'm also sorry if I come across a bit mean. I'm really tired and have been staring at a computer screen for a long time now so my brain isn't working and my eyes are hurting.

[Nerf]

Okay, this is quite a delayed reaction, sorry. Anyway.

I don't see why giving up their powers is the only way to end their destiny. They, as were all their relatives that came before them, were born with their powers. The powers were in their blood. Why should they have to give up a part of who they are to bring a stop to a destiny they didn't even ask for. And, as Lexi said, the powers were just... their powers. It was the magical and sisterly bond that tied them together that made the Power of Three work. So... how would they end that without being "selfish"?

Besides, if they did give up their powers then what happens if they do run across a demon, or someone that needs help? Loads of demons also know who they are and where they live, so how would they be able to protect themselves, and their loved ones, if they were attacked?

And what about their relatives before them, or all other witches? They are gifted with powers, yet no one expects them to lead a life of fighting demons. Why should the sisters be any different? Just because it was foretold that they would have this destiny? And no where in the prophecy does it say they have to do it for the rest of their lives.

I also, for the most part, don't few the sisters as selfish. Sure, a few times, yes, they would act quite selfishly. But they fought for eight years. Piper lost so much, went through hell with Leo, and had two children to raise. Doesn't she deserve to move on, but still be able to protect her family with her powers when need be? With Phoebe, she was afraid that with the constant troubles that come with magic, she would never be able to have a successful relationship. Paige... well, even though she may seem like she doesn't want to fight demons and such, I don't think she would ever truly want the magic to go away. Magic brought her to her family and, because of her WL side, she has a deeper connection with her innocents.

Anyway, I don't find it particularly selfish of them to not want to risk their lives and their loved ones lives all the time. And I don't see why they would have to give up their powers to have the option of leading a slightly more normal life. I for one love how the show ended, with it actually not being an ending. Life went on. They still had their powers and they fought demons when necessary. I think that's the way it should be. It shouldn't be all one or the other, battle demons all the time or give up your magic. No matter what I thought of the rest, I think they ended it perfectly.

[atlan]

Well said Nerf!