Episode 2.05 Blood Feast

[Reyn]

2.05 - Blood Feast



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Rated T for teen

When blood-hungry demons awaken from decades of slumber and begin hunting humans, the sisters must track them down before more innocents lose their lives.

Illustrated Set List
Wardrobe
Police Station
Magical Tome Cover
Magical Tome Page
Socrates
Ryan's Scar

[Phoenixlighter]

My 2.05 review:

SPOILER: Click to show

Episode 2.5 Blood Feast Review

-Wow, this season is moving along pretty fast. How much did you have written before premiering the first episode?
-Absolutely awesome teaser. I hadn't even stopped to comment anything, but it was so fresh. I enjoy your usage of words and the scenes are easy to imagine, even without those scene cards you present to us for accurate display. I definitely felt bad for the old man who was just trying to have a night to himself (or another night to himself) and can't enjoy his crappy t.v dinner because of Socrates. I enjoyed the continuous chase of the cat chasing the mouse and the man chasing the cat. Kinda poetic in a way. The Old Man amused me with his line regarding how one little mouse could bear so much blood.
-These Blood Hounds actually surprised me that they would pass off a meal, simply because he was old. That was shocking. Normally, you'd see them pounce on the old man as a little appetizer and then carry on, but not them. So I think it's safe to say that we can expect to see the old man and possibly Socrates again in the episode. When they killed the jogging woman was notably intense as well since they wanted her to scream to get that blood pumping for a more appetizing meal. Great teaser. Off to read more.
-I'm going to be honest when I say I don't understand the correct terminology for “beat cop”. Can you explain that to me?
-I wonder if this will be an episode where we see Darryl learn the secrets of the Halliwell sisters. I certainly wouldn't mind that story line being bumped up a little earlier. If not, I'll certainly settle for a clueless, but curious Darryl so whatever way you play it, I'm game. I can understand that Darryl would ignore an old man who's talking about otherworldly beings, but I think that it's safe to say that Darryl might take this back to the sisters hoping they can help.
-I'm loving Prue and Ryan. Now we have this scar of his to look into though and how he was fighting a savage enemy, that was quotably agreed to by Ryan, like “bears”. Possibly demons, or maybe he's -Ryan, the Wendigo Slayer. That's pretty unlikely, but I got nothing else to go off of, so I'll make some lame light humor.
-Okay, so we know that Piper has a routine of watching the television in the kitchen every morning, but she could've been a little more considerate to her baby sis considering that Phoebe is obviously taking a huge step returning to school and a term paper is pretty important. Crap, I'm doing one myself right now and I have a bull for a teacher. I think Piper should've been a little more considerate and possibly moved to the family room or her own bedroom for a day. Then again, Im just really looking into things.
-And this is what I love about your writing! When Phoebe grabbed the remote, you mentioned her other intentions where at times people will just say Phoebe touched something off some random reason for the sake of the premonition. Nice work and I liked how she, like Darryl, mocked the man for basically being insane.
-Back at Ryan's apartment, he claims to be a mind reader. I wonder if that's something that is meant to be looked into by reading in between the lines or a throw off. I think he might actually have some telepathic abilities because guessing blueberries pancake is someone's favorite, is a little out there. I realize I'm looking into things very carefully, but how fun would it actually be to remember all these details being unfolded when the time finally comes? And then we know there's an agent out on the field and my suspects are both Ryan and Jackson, but with this new suspicious scar, Ryan remains at the top as I believe I was still voting on him last time. And being a telepathic, he could easily infiltrate the minds of the Halliwell sisters, as well as their lives. Damn, if I'm wrong, I'm going to come off pretty damn stupid, lol. Honestly, I'll be viewed as the guy who mistook flirting for having powers.
-Haha, Piper's still calling Ryan “Bond.” Also, I know it was just Prue expressing how annoyed she was with Piper and Phoebe, but the way the scene was playing out, Piper was behind Prue and then Prue asked her to ring the doorbell. It kinda makes Prue lazy to the point where she doesn't want to take the extra steps, but I guess I'm just really and I mean, really looking into this.
-Lol at Phoebe. I like how she forged her San Francisco Chronicles card and her “Moral-Prue-Hooky-Teacher joke.”
-I loved the Madam Executive scene! Your dialogue for those is always spot on with the whole Incorporated demonic business conversations. And the Suit mentions that the agent has made progress with his target. Now this can be either Prue or Piper, for these reasons. Prue and Ryan just hit a sexual peak for their relationship, so unless he had this “Make a Charmed One pregnant” plan, which I doubt because M.E wants them dead, I'm beginning to stray away from him. But it can also be that Prue isn't some easy chick, so maybe he's trying to get her to care for him to the point where she'll be blinded...moving onto the target being Piper. I would suspect Jackson because Piper let him handle a business meeting alone, showing that she shows great trust within him enough to handle a meeting for people (the Promoters) of great importance and trust is important. So those are my speculations. I love this whole Mystery theme!
-Also about the Madam E. scene, I like that she's very careful with these blood reavers, knowing that they carry out in pacts to do their own personal bidding with no master now. It's nice that she's not so cocky to believe that she can contain any evil beings. I love her. Definitely a fan favorite.
-Generally, I don't mention spelling mistakes since they're not really a burden, but thought you might want to know about this incomplete word. “happed” which is supposed to be “Happened”. The Old Man says it in reference to how he's been keeping himself busy (ex. cookies)
-Glad to see that Dr. Withers shows enough trust within the CO's to tell them about the box. I'm sure Darryl would've paid more attention to him had he explained that they sprouted from their own little box of horrors for further investigating. Btw, I too, am shocked that Phoebe didn't get a premonition. I love the emotion that was displayed from that because it's as Phoebe said, that they don't know who the next victim is going to be. Normally, they may not even know the Innocent, but at least they know who to search for.
-I simply enjoyed the scene with Piper getting rid of Jackson.
-Wow, first Phoebe's premonition power fails them and now the Book of Shadows. Really intense episode. The answers aren't just falling into their laps for once.
-Not to sound pushy, I'm just surprised that Piper brings back to the manor a brown tome and you didn't have a picture of it. I would've liked to see that.
-Also, I was going to go low-key on this, but I feel it should be brought to your attention. Throughout the episodes, there have been times when you wrote the Charmed Ones as “charmed ones” and earlier in the episode, you wrote the Blood Reavers as blood reavers. This may not stand for the latter, but for the former, I think it should always be uppercased in the first letter as it's their prominent title. Not sure if it's official or just a popular choice between writers, but I just wanted to bring it up.
-The sisters explain that in the book it says that there are only two recorded accounts of Blood Reavers being used over the last 500 years, and M.E said she hadn't heard of them being used in the last decade, so I wonder if that went into the books or if it was an unrecorded event. Then again, the history of Alchemy and the hidden room outdate that and I'm not aware if the tome has abilities to update itself, but still.
-I enjoyed the whole Blood Reader educational scene with the added perks of an upset Phoebe and a still scared Prue. Definitely glad to see that Prue isn't brushing her near death experience to the sidelines.
-I love how you brought the Man into the scene by answering Phoebe's study question. Very damn cool.
-The Man is linked to Phoebe? Strange. And I'm glad he was able to guide her to the point where she realizes that her magic was lessened in the attic. Also, I've been thinking. Where the heck is the beau of Piper that they call upon when all else fails?
-Ah, Darryl was pretty damn clever figuring out that his “serial killers” were killing within a triangular territory.
-Also, in the end of that act, there was a huge jump in time. We went from early morning to the Halliwell sisters to evening with Darryl.
-Yes, a damn good start for an action scene. I love when the reaver pounces at Phoebe and Prue telekinetically defends her.
-Okay, I have a complaint and compliment. I was kinda hoping for more of a battle from these worthy enemies. Like Piper freezing one that jumps at her, then maybe Prue hurling one at the other and then the spell. That was my complaint, but my compliment goes towards those fantastic spells. You have said they were tricky before in a review for my fic, but you do some GREAT with them. The rhyming hasn't really been my thing for a while, but I compliment that skill.
-Uh oh. What is Darryl going to make of this? Ha. Darryl has his own mystery to uncover.
-Phoebe sure is popular in securing the safety of future Halliwells with writing entries, especially a well-needed one such as this one.
-Wow, I love how it revealed to be M.E who was talking to Mr. Withers and her murder was brutal. And a trans-dimensional encoder? No idea what that is, but I wouldn't be surprised seeing it later on.
-Fantastic episode. I'm so glad that I was able to get through it in one night. I definitely believe that this is one of my longest reviews as well for a damn good episode. It's so nice to see Madam E. go out and do some dirty work herself though. I loved when she realized there was a magical dampening system. She's so clever and just may be one hell of a threat for the CO's.

Great work, Reyn.

[Lexi]

Here's my review for this episode

SPOILER: Click to show

For some reason it took me a while to get into this episode. I'm not sure whether its because I've got so much on at the moment and the minute I sat down to read it, there was something else I had to do. I hope it was, because now that I've got through it I don't know why it took me so long just to get to the opening credits. I read the first bit about five times!

Anyway, moving on. I liked the idea of the demons, I have to say you're very imaginative with your demons! I was intrigued on how they showed up and then the explanation of the dead mouse and the second night of the full moon. An accidental demon made me smile, its makes a change rather than just having a demon showing up after the Charmed Ones.

Madame Executive was, as usual, intriguing. You constantly make me wonder about her agenda and I never get bored of reading about her. I'm glad that you're not constantly sending her after the Charmed Ones and that she is trying to break them slowly.

Phoebe having doubts over her powers was good to see. She always was the one to hate her passive power. However, arguably, it is the most powerful. Being able to see the future to help innocents is the best thing you could do, especially for Phoebe and for her to have doubts on that and think her powers aren't working was nice to see. Good job there. And to bring in the purple robed man to help her was also nice to see. I like this guy, I just hope that he doesn't turn out to be evil!

I love the fact that you're slowly bringing Darryl into it, and slowly having him learn about the magical world. Even though he hasn't yet, he's a smart man and knows that there's something just not right. It's only time when he finds out about the Charmed Ones - at least I hope it is. I liked the idea of the Charmed Ones having someone to turn to (although not abuse like they did in the later seasons).

The last little bit was great. I loved when Madame Executive was in the attic, her final line has to be my favourite of the whole series so far. And I could just picture Ali Larter saying it with a child-like voice.

That's all for now, hopefully episode 6 very soon.

[Reyn]

Heya Lexi! As always, many thanks for the review! Some comments:

SPOILER: Click to show

First off, thanks for taking the time to both read and review - I know how busy things can be at this time of the year, so thanks for making time for BAM!

Glad you liked the demons - I wanted to have an accidental demon early on, because I never really liked the 'everyone's out to get the Charmed Ones' plot line as justification of every baddie of the week. The Blood Reavers were also my homage to Vampires (although they are a specific form of vampires, which will be looked at in another season).

Madame Executive is quite happy to stay in the shadows for the first part of the season, quietly working to her plan. Later on she will become much more central, but as things stand now, I like that the sisters have no idea there's a woman bent on revenge who wants to see them suffer.

Great point with Phoebe and I completely agree. As you say, she was always the first one to downplay her ability, but it really was the linchpin for the sisters. Taking it away shows them all just how important Phoebe's premonitions are, and that without them, Prue's and Piper's powers don't mean much at all. Purple robes guy features in all the episodes so far, and his growing relationship with Phoebe is an interesting one to follow. Is he evil? That would be telling...

The Darryl finding out the sisters are witches plotline is definitely one of the more enjoyable plot-lines to write, if only because I won't be following the show's 'oh you're witches? Cool - here's a case I can't crack' reaction that Darryl had in season 2. After him spending the first season making fun of and outright rejecting magic or the occult in any form, his quick acceptance of the girls as witches in season 2 was very out of character to me. Plus I never liked the idea of the girls telling them they were witches - I want Darryl to find out himself.

Ali Larter is Madame Executive, to the extent that I can't watch heroes anymore without picturing M.E. I, like you, can definitely picture Ali speaking that last line in childlike glee, and I think that as a character M.E has had a lot of very good lines. But her last line, along with "I hadn't even finished my tea!" in Blood Feast remain some of my favourite lines from her.

Thank you again for your review, Lexi! I look forward to seeing your take on 2.06, which features some interesting character and plot developments.

[Terry]

There'll be smileys in this one (and those after), 'cause I still it (them) saved to my comp

SPOILER: Click to show

I’ve seen that the little header of a picture is different from here to TRoaP, why is that? Not that you don’t have the right lol, but I do prefer the one with the demons since the one for 2.04 already had Phoebe on it…

I like the opening scene with the Old Man complaining about his cat and also how you describe everything so well ^^

Ew, disgusting demon lol “makes your blood all the sweeter” I’m gonna be sick lol

Oh, it’s great to see Darryl again!

It’s strange to have Darryl not knowing about the Big Secret yet. I’m so hooked by this by I sometimes come to forget it’s not the real story and Darryl is not in on the thing yet lol

That’s some scar… ow… I guess we will get to learn where that came from… oh oh and mister Hunter seems uneasy at the question! Secret! Secret!!

“something” like that, huh? Like what? A demon, maybe???

Ahahaha! Oh God! So funny how, right after he calls Prue “beautiful”, she looks at herself hehehe!!

“You didn't have to. You chew louder than most people talk.” Oh God!

premonition Phoebe seems to get those a lot That’s cool, though ^^ I hope you’ll make Piper have more confidence in her powers and using them more naturally in your seasons cause she had a hard time resorting to them sometimes!

Oh, a mind reader? Should I be taking his little joke seriously though?

Oh, poor Piper… How could you forget that, lady?? Duh lol

PHOEBE
(mischievous grin)
So Prue - have fun at Ryan's this morning?
(beat)
And last night.
(beat)
And all day yesterday?
OMFG! So Phoebe lol

“So Bond lived up to his namesake, then?” hehehe

“Piper, it's the 90s. I Photoshopped it and printed it from my laptop.” My god

Piper’s powers have quite advanced from 1.22. I don’t think she was already able to maintain people into her freeze at will back then, did she?

Oh, oh, I can see M.Ex trying to get the Blood Reavers under her wing hehe!

OK, Either the Agent is Ryan and the Suit meant that he and Prue at a go at it… or it actually means Jackson and the fact that Piper trusts him enough for her to be letting him handle such an important meeting as the one she had with her promoters or something… you did actually do it on purpose, didn’t you? Lol

“like they could communicate without words” so, when the Reavers talked at the beginning, he couldn’t hear them, in fact?

Aha, for once, Piper actually could send someone away without being to obvious! Lmao

Oh! The sisters finally learn to remember what they read in magical tomes, then? Cause, come on! 8 years they worked with the Book in the original series and that wasn’t any help for them remembering in some cases!

This dark wizard-blood reavers business makes me think of Voldemort and his Inferi! :-o

I love all the mythology around the BRs and the full moon reference ^^

What’s up with Pheebs? Her power’s wackiness might just be related to her over-studying… she’s stressed so it’s normal.

Ow, it’s so strange to see Prue break down. Ow. Great characterisation, Tash!

Oh, Manny Man’s back ^^

Btw, it’s cool how you manage to add things of everyday life like those Freudian things or something, it gives more reality to the show ’cause it’s true that, with time, it was mostly all fairies and trolls.

Please tell me we’re soon going to have a name for “the man” cause it’s starting to get confusing to write “the man” over and over again, especially when HE’s not the only man involved lol

Link, link! Stop the cryptic and tell us why you’re link, you truster or something lol

Ow, something’s happening between “the man” and Phoebe (so glad she wasn’t the one blocking her powers, btw! ^^)

I do hope Phoebe won’t have the bad idea to put that watch back into the evidence bag… wouldn’t want her fingerprints to be found by the CSI!

Well, she obviously did what I just told her not to! Duh! I guess that’s how Darryl will come to ask how her prints can be there and that’s how he’ll get to learn the Big Secret…

Oh, oh, Darryl’s found the address… Are we looking for a discovery on his behalf, then?

Cool vanquish ^^ But I think you already have been told that vanquishing spell are generally shorter and straighter to the point in describing the demon’s deed and what happens of them

Ho! Love how you have Piper say she wonders what can still be in Mr. Withers’s attic and the next scene happens there… with M.Ex :-o

Wow, Ex does have some guts :s

Speak about personality troubles lol a murderer one minute, a child the next! What’s even a trans-dimensional thingamabob?

[Dark Witch.]

Here is my review for Ch. 5!

SPOILER: Click to show

Scene 1 - I wonder what the significance of the old man, and the cat have to do with anything. I am curious to know what it is...guess I will find out hehe.

Scene 2 - Wow...a little mouse's blood could bring demons back to life? Dang! But I am a little interested with these demons, I hope we get a good episode from them. I am also very excited, for the theme for this episode is blood...hehe. I wonder how dark you will make this episode... Whoa...no kidding it is bloody...

Scene 3 - So the demons are similar to vampires. But i wonder what they need it for, and why they are like vampires. I guess I shall find out, and I always felt bad for Darryl he had to deal with so much in Charmed, and now he is still dealing with a lot.

Scene 4 - Well, Ryan and Prue are a little more personal now, obviously. I am getting the Supernatural impression with Ryan, that he hunts demons, but I still think he is evil...so I guess we will finally find out.

Scene 5 - At least Phoebe's still doing college stuff, very interesting..lol. And the premonition, I wonder what the Charmed Ones will do about the demon. Also your bantering with the two sisters was good. Nicely done.

Scene 6 - Still the sister encounters and the interaction with Ryan, all nicely played. Very well done .

Scene 7 - Wow, at first I thought Phoebe actually worked for the Chronicle! But oh well, forging would be a Pheobe thing hehe. I also keep seeing the women's banter again. Pretty funny.

Scene 8 -

I will finish the review later!

[melindacharm]

Beginning this episode tonight.

SPOILER: Click to show

scene 1 - I very much like the start of this episode. Not sure why but I do. I find it gives a charmed touch to it eaily. Like in the past with kit. I liked Kit episodes. She is a true sign of charmed and the triquentra and all it stands for. Im almost sure though that this cat and man play a vital part in this episode.

scene 2- This scene to me had a very dark element added to it. However it still felt light. Almost as if the two were on an equal balance. For example the creatures were very dark but the man and the cat seemed very innocent and so it balanced out. Good and bad. I enjoyed this. Feeling like I wanted to cheer on the beginning. Very devious and mysterious.

scene 3- I enjoyed the biker thing, its shows that the vampires or whatever they are are really vampires. I dunno but they seem more true. I hate when its just a normal person and they say " Im a vampire" or whatever. You wrote that part good. Even the reactions of the biker.

scene 4- I like the part of the old man. Very funny!! determined and well written.

scene 5- The Prue / Ryan relationship is getting all too cute. She is warming up to him and they make a nice couple. However Ryan cooks? WOW! that I wouldnt see coming. I picture him as a sorta garage working man.

scene 6- I love the Phoebe / Piper moments it is very halerious. As Piper is loud eating Phoebe studying. It is nice to see that Phoebe is trying to complete her schooling.

scene 7- to me this scene was very good. I like the Prue / Piper relationship as well. Though I feel sorry for Prue as she is trying her best to live a normal life a double life and to her luck its not turning out. Which of course is expected. Piper doesnt like Ryan. LOL! although I knew she wouldnt.

scene 8- Phoebe is very clever, even at a young age. There is something about her that her others sisters will never have. I think its from her father's side but both Piper / Prue seem to be understanding and upright where as Phoebe is clever and a fighter.

scene 9 - What is confusing me is the Suit and Madame Executive. Are they evil? or just playing on the side of evil to get to the charmedones? Not sure. Playing out convincingly though.

scene 10- I am wondering now why is Mr. Withers so open to the girls? He doesnt even know them yet we wishes to tell him about something he doesn even believe he saw. That to me is alittle shaky. Also what was the reason for Phoebe not getting a premonition? Were demons blocking her information?, that she could rightfully have got?

scene 11- okay. I dont have much to say about the club thing.

scene 12- This scene was cute, in my opinion. Piper was there for Prue but what really got me mad was that Phoebe doesnt get as much confert for her problems as does either Piper/ Prue. Which in a way explains her rebelling. What also caught my attention was the fact that Piper is and always has been mediator between her two sisters. It must be hard..


scene 13- Very nice suspense, and who is the man? Is it Cole?? Im a bit confused. However im sure of this. Whoever the man is he has a deep connection to Phoebe and Phoebe feels open around him. They should be together.


scene 14- I knew it, that the premonition would work. However what does that say about the man? and does he know much more about Phoebe than he's letting off?


scene 15- Darryl is very smart, I find he figured it out well. Sometimes it takes even the most obvious of clues to be relooked upon. We wont know what is there in our face until we look and look. Darryl did well. However I find the charmedones found out there research well before due. Its too fast.


scene 16- I like the spells you use. Not to chessy very good. Believable. Though im finding alot and alot more that the other side is just letting the charmedones kill them. Whats up with that?


scene 17 - OH MY GOD!! what a twist. I thought Madame Executive was evil. However that evil?? Wow! that really got me. I liked her character. Now I just think she's the one who's ass needs to be vanquished. Pardon my words but shes so horrible!!. She deserves whats coming to her. weird that she still has child in her, guess you had fun with adding that one. However she still is evil. How could she bring the barrier down? and is it possible she is from the same time frame as the person who set the barrier? even related maybe?

[Reyn]

Smilies just brighten up the post, don't they?! Some replies for you, Terry

SPOILER: Click to show

I changed it because it was the only one to feature the demon of the week and I wondered if it was a little out of place. But you are right in saying the previous banner featured Phoebe. I might find a better picture of the Reaver and redo it again!

Darryl's journey to find out about the Charmed Ones is something I wanted to focus on this season - I really disliked the way the real season simply informed him so bluntly and then basically said he was fine with it - I doubt Darryl as a character would have had a reaction like that - and I believe that the way the revelation was handled in the series cheated Darryl out of some character development. I want to remedy that!

Is anything a co-incidence in this season?

Woo - quotes! I love when you include quotes - lets me know when I get the dialogue right! So thank you

So, terry, you are saying that you believe, without a shadow of a doubt, that either Ryan or Jackson is the Agent? And if you had to pick one of the two - who would it be? I love hearing speculation, you know! And you are the king of speculation here!

When the reavers talked at the beginning, Mr. Withers could hear them, but I guess he was meaning that they seemed to be communicating further without using words - so they were speaking some of their conversation, but there were other parts that, to him, appeared to be telepathic.

Voldemort is Harry Potter right? I can safely say I have never read any of those books, so my Harry Potter knowledge is a big fat zero!

Glad you like the normal, everyday inclusions - I do try to inject a bit of normality into the show. The sisters can't be fighting demons and nasties every day - they'd get mighty tired!

The man gets a name in 2.08, I believe - so not long to go!

Having her prints on the watch might be what sets Darryl onto their secret, but it certainly won't be the only thing that alerts him that something unusual is going on

But I like long vanquishing spells! Well, actually, I dislike all vanquishing spells and would use anything else but if given the option! I'll see if i can condense the vanquishing rhymes in the future

What's a trans dimensional encoder? I'm going to pull the writers card here and say 'wait and see' lol

Dark Witch, I'll comment on some of your comments - and again, thank you for your review! Reviews are my gummi bears! Or maybe arrowroot biscuits, if i'm on a diet

SPOILER: Click to show

2.05 is a pretty dark episode, especially with the ending! As the season progresses, I'm trying to increase the moodiness a little with each episode, so that by the end of the season (when something HUGE happens) it won't be seen to be as gory as it might otherwise have been.

Heh. Ryan the Demon Hunter! I can say he's tied in with demons - whether he hunts them or is related to them in some other way you'll have to read to find out

Glad you like the sisterly interactions so far - they are always among my favourite scenes to write! Especially with the mix of snarky Piper, serious Prue and carefree Phoebe.

Melindacharm - another awesome review! Thank you once again! Some comments:

SPOILER: Click to show

Kit was a fantastic addition to the charmed world, wasn't she?! She's been noticeably absent in this season though - for reasons that will be explained in a later episode. Hopefully the appearance of this cat will tide you over until Kit's reappearance

Glad to hear you enjoyed the beginning! I think balance is very important for a scene like that - you don't want it to be too bloody, but at the same time you want to show that these demons mean business, and that they are very efficient killers. Mr Withers and his cat were a nice counterpoint to all the nastiness going on outside.

So - can I put you down as a supporter of the Prue/Ryan relationship then? Ryan is quite the cook - but I love your comment about seeing him more as a garage working kind of guy! Now you mention it, I can also see him in a white singlet underneath a car chassis making sure the wheel alignment is correct! Especially with that american muscle car of his.

The Piper/Ryan relationship is an interesting one that changes over the course of the series. She definitely doesn't trust him at this particular time (and she has good reason to) but as the season progresses their relationship develops. It's an interesting change from what it started as.

I think Phoebe has a fiestyness about her that the other two sisters lack. She has that fighter attitude as you mention, and that 'i'll never give in, no matter what happens' mentality. She's very devoted to the people she loves, and she'd do anything for them. It's a good trait to have, as long as people don't take advantage of it.

Regarding Mr Withers being so open with the girls - I believe he was just so happy to have someone to talk to that he let everything slip. He's an old man living alone in a neighborhood where the neighbors don't associate with him. Having three people knock on his door and ask for his side of the story is a dream come true for him - and when they didn't tell him he was crazy when he mentioned what he saw - well that just enabled him to tell them everything. I live next door to two elderly people, and whenever I pop around to see how they are doing, they invite me in and I end up spending 2 hours there chatting with them, because they just don't stop talking! So I think Mr. Withers is a bit like that - all he has for company is his cat, and cats (unless their magical, of course) don't make very good conversationalists.

I think the point that Phoebe didn't get much comfort from her sisters is an interesting one, because of the relationship she has with the two of them. The Prue/Phoebe relationship is still strained - they didn't leave on very good terms and Prue being the character she is isn't one to sit you down and let you talk about your problems. Similarly, Piper, for all her peace-making, really doesn't know how to comfort Phoebe sometimes, because Phoebe is so different from both her and Prue. I think, because of her adventuresome streak, Phoebe has always felt a little like an outsider to her own family, and that's why she's never really confided in them as Piper has with Prue. I think that's why she finds it a lot easier to discuss her feelings with someone outside her family.

The Man is definitely not Cole - he's a completely new character from a race of magical beings we haven't heard of before. And ahh - so I can put you down as a Phoebe/The Man supporter, then?

The Man definitely knows more about Phoebe than he's letting on. He's in her life for a specific reason, and you'll be seeing a lot more of him in the next few episodes.

The Charmed ones were lucky there was mention of the Reavers in one of the books from the secret room in Alchemy. Had they not found that book, they might never have known exactly what they were up against.

The other side sure is just letting the Charmed Ones kill them - perhaps that is because the other side has a much larger plan for the Charmed Ones! Something that transcends the fighter level demons that we've seen over the past few episodes.

Poor Madame Executive - you really don't like her! I think that's good, as I know a few people who really do like her and who have said to me they'll be sorry to see her vanquished (if that is to be her fate). I'm going to be very interested to hear your thoughts on 2.11 now, knowing that you dislike her!

Huge review from you melindacharm - again thank you very much!

[melindacharm]

Your welcome. Very good episodes!!!

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Oh, I notice that now. However if you hadnt brought it up it would be late guess. I like Kit very much and will try my best with the new cat but its not the same..

Well... I think it was a good point to have balance and to show that it was something affecting the mortal world of charmed but I also say it was a unique situation. Mr. Withers had ancestors who practiced that stuff so he wasnt total mortal. Get what im saying?


HA!! yes me too. Very good description. You may put me down as a supporter and no matter how much Piper / Leo are my # 1 couple. This season Phoebe / Man is my favourite. As it turns out.


Interesting change yes.. I find them a cute couple but still they have many issues to work through.


It could be taken advantage of, or even taken the wrong way. What I mean by that is she can try too hard to win over someone she barely knows. Like Piper said once. " Phoebe will risk her life to save a stray dog." Something along thoughs lines.


true, true cats are not great conversationalists but they do make amazing listenners. Always thought that. I like how you are writting your characters knowing what people can be like.

It very weird how sometimes that happens though isnt it? You trust strangers more than your family?? Doesnt that mean though that somewhere inside you are dieing to get out. To be heard. To be loved. Phoebe still needs support even though she has with her sisters. ( I feel bad now..) Phoebe should have got what her sisters did but never did. She as well took over more a burden like Prue. She didnt get the support. ( I think its due to the death of her mother as well.)


I can see he has a very strong tie to Phoebe. I expect as much, that I will be seeing him more. Also I am 100 % supporter of their relationship.


Maybe so, that the other side has a bigger and more devious plan but it is still unfair. There not equal match. At least the charmedones knew what they were dealing with in the earlier episodes. At least a general image. Here they do not have that.


Its weird for me though, I do not like her methods however I enjoy her character qualities. She shapes a good image of the
" Bad guy" Type here, but what I do see now in the later episodes is she is just a damaged soul. Probably not too far from an innocent. Or another Christy.

Its getting good. Very good.

[Reyn]

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Ahh - A Phoebe/The Man supporter! They've become quite the popular couple among readers! In fact, they even have their own scheme here at the boards, as a testament to how popular they are! I like them as well, although I can't go past Prue/Ryan as a couple. They're my number 1

Ahh - I see what you mean with Phoebe. And I agree - she was always one to let her heart rule her head. Good on some occasions, but terrible in others.

Glad to hear you are enjoying the characters - I always find it's better when you model traits and attributes of your characters on people you know in real life. It makes them all the more believable in my eyes - makes them more relatable.

It is weird how you will tell strangers things about yourself that you wouldn't tell your friends - and in psychology it is a largely researched phenomenon. Researchers have found that people are more likely to divulge private personal information to strangers because they believe they won't ever see them again, and therefore they feel comfortable sharing things they wouldn't share with people they have to live with. The stranger doesn't judge them, and doesn't know them, so there's no risk. But your friends do know you, and they know your other friends - and there's always that chance that they'll repeat what you said to them in confidence. Strangers have no such affiliation to you or your friends. Interesting, anyway. But I really like your point about Phoebe - i think it's very true! You have very intriguing points of view - I like reading them!

Heh - Madame Executive wasn't always as callous and cruel as she is now. She's the way she is now because of The Charmed Ones - or at least that's what she believes.

Very good is always better than good! So Yay!

[melindacharm]

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I love the Prue / Ryan couple they are # 1 couple. I totally agree, although I keep assuming that they need a deeper thing to there relationship. Probably like when Paige / Kyle went on there past trip.

I think that Phoebe was one of the most thinking sisters out of the three, she was very intelligent for her age. Her young age to her from season 1.

Yes, but its harder to do that than you would think. In my opinion. If you dont know many people than your stuck to the basic structurre of the character.

Thank you I like commenting. I believe totally in what you say, people are always hoping to see the best in others and since they dont know them they assume that that person will be instantly nice. Thats what can be dangerous..

I enjoy the way you made Madame Executive act. Her characteristics. It makes her more interesting and sticking out. Madame Executive is a character that is different from many others than others. I truly believe that Madame Executive was made to be the way she was. I cant wait to see what made her that way though. ;D, Its bound to be surprising.

Thanks, for everything!!!. I enjoy commenting and im hoping that you can rp with me on my site

[Reyn]

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Woo! Pryan love! lol - and they'll definitely get a deeper connection to one another over the course of the season. There is more to Ryan than meets the eye, after all.

I think Phoebe had an intelligence that the other two didn't - she had the 'street smarts' vibe that both Prue and Piper lacked, and I think that was definitely a strength for her.

That's very true. And then it becomes very close to stereotyping based on occupation/race/gender etc. Which is very dangerous territory - especially if you do it too often!

Definitely so - I think there's a lot to be said for having Prue's viewpoint - that you don't trust with 100% of your heart because you can then be so easily disappointed/mistreated. A little bit of mistrust can be a very good thing, and save you a lot of heartache in the long run.

Madame Executive is heaps of fun to write - because she is her own character, and not just some 'baddie of the week'. I'd have to say she's one of my favourites because of that - and since I know her fate, she's even more of a favourite. I can only hope that those who like her will be happy with what happens to her in the end

[melindacharm]

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By the sounds of it, there is more to the mysterious man. Guess thats why he's mysterious lol.

A strength it was in my opinion as well. You see Phoebe even at a young age did not have everything that Prue and Piper took for granted. A loving father, a caring and devoted mother, stable relationships.

Ya, thats why I dont think its a wise idea to start doing that. Unless you have it down packed. People notice quickly.

Not so sure what you mean by alot of heartache in the long run. I think its good to be trust worthy but also to have the truth in the back of your head. That way you cant be fouled. You trust but your not naive.

I have this weird feeling that she wont be killed off. Just maybe stripped of powers or something.

[Reyn]

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That's very true about Phoebe - she didn't have a mother or father figure - just her sisters and her grandma. Which I suppose is why Phoebe took the death of grams so hard.

I guess that's what I mean - if you go around trusting everyone you meet, you leave yourself open to be taken advantage of - and that can result in a lot of heartbreak and angst. However, if you keep a little bit of suspicion at the back of your mind, you're always prepared and you're less likely to be taken for a ride. In this way, I agree with Prue's methods rather than Phoebe's. But surprisingly, I think Phoebe is more resiliant to having her heart broken - she takes risks and sometimes they end badly, but she's able to dust herself off and push on. But for Prue, who doesn't take as many risks, the consequences of being taken advantage of are far more severe, and they cut her more deeply. She can't just shrug it off like Phoebe - it marks her as a character and it's always with her.

Stripped of powers, eh? But where would they put her, if they did that? And would Madame E allow that to happen, or would she fight to the death?

[melindacharm]

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Yes they all took the death of Grams so hard, In a way maybe even harder than the death of their mother knowing Patty for such a short time than growing up with Grams. I wonder what it would have been like if they had not had grams or been raised by only Victor.

Sometimes ive noticed though, You can be suspicious and take all the prcausions and still be taken for a ride no matter how rediculous that sounds. Here is my opinion for both Prue and phoebe's relationships. I do agree with you that Prue takes her relationships much more seriously, much more to heart and therefor they hurt her more in the end. However I can also see that Prue's relationship also had more pressure as in the time frame and what was expected as a man back than. For example when Prue was dating Andy she looked for comfert, love, friendship, trusting. etc and had a hard time opening up.

While Phoebe was younger and had already past her boundries with Cole telling him everything and anything that she could think. Her heart was broken in a different way. Phoebe trusts too easily and Prue holds back too much.

I cannot picture Mme Executive fighting to the Death straight up against the charmedones but I can picture her maybe having something up her sleeve and using bait before attacking the charmedones that way she has an advantage and they would have to rethink there steps. Phoebe could always say a spell lol. " Send her off to TIMBUCK two."

[Reyn]

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I agree that Phoebe trusts too easily and that Prue doesn't open up. And I think both are jealous of that trait in the other - part of the reason they clash so often. Prue wishes she could open up as easily and trust as quicky as Phoebe does, whereas Phoebe wishes she had Prue's sensibilities and measured outlook. They both respect that trait in the other, and wish they had a bit more of it.

Madame E does like the bait! And setting traps as well - she's very open to doing something like that. She definitely wouldn't allow herself to be blindsided by the Charmed Ones at a place of their choosing. Rather, she intends them to bring the fight to her - so that she can dictate the fight on her terms.

[melindacharm]

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Agreed, but it is who each sister is. Phoebe is the trustworthy one yet at times lol in the newer episodes Ive noticed she has learned alot and judges many friends that her sisters make. However in this season it belongs with her. While Prue needs her stablization, Prue needs assurance that things will turn out the way they were promised it is her.

THATS HORRIBLE!! she is horrible. Not only does she want to make traps, and payback to the charmedones she wants to navigate the direction in which there attacks go. Hmph! thats not nice. The charmedones have totally no chance.

[Ren]

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A vampire episode. Man oh man am I ever excited. I have a soft spot for the vampire/zombie/outbreak genre. Barring Twilight. But I don't want to get shanked unawares while grocery shopping or something, so I'll move past that declaration. The opening scene was probably my favourite thus far; I enjoyed every minute of it starting from when the old man followed the cat up the stairs. Nothing good ever comes from doing that in television, haha. What is that expression?... “If you follow the trail of blood into the forest, you deserve what happens to you.” I can’t for the life of me remember where that originated, but that’s the line that immediately jumped into my head when the old man leaned toward the box for a closer look. They always have to lean in for a closer look. And I think that the audience loves that, because it makes people like me feel as if they would either be the first rando killed in a horror movie, or they would live to the very end. Because while I have the worst luck ever, if I saw odd appearances of any kind, I would be running. Quickly. And McGyvering it up with whatever I happened to be wearing/carrying in order to defend myself. Sheesh. Anyway; opening. Serious fun.

Poor old man. I was initially slightly surprised when he lived, but now it makes sense, haha. The survivors are always made out to be crazy.

“Aside from this, his body is chiselled perfection.”

damn right it is. Here it comes… my episodely mantra…. Ready? I. Love. Ryan. And awww, he’s got some sad dark past story. Of course he does! I’m so pumped to hear it. Eventually. For now, I’m content to let him and Prue bask in bed.

PIPER
Was that Ryan's voice I just heard?
(beat)
Are you over at Ryan's place right
now?

About to take a sip of orange juice, PHOEBE mutters under her
breath.

PHOEBE
Half her luck.

Haha. There’s always, always at least three quips among the girls that make me grin to myself. I know I can’t quote all of them, but this one was too great to let pass.

This just occurred to me as I was reading Ryan and Prue part ways…. Where the heck did Leo get to that night at the club last episode? Lol I feel like I should have thought of this before, but he never did come back, did he? Interesting. There’s one Charmed One who is certainly going to be less than pleased with that. Oh well. Back to the episode at hand.

I love the patience of Madame Executive. She has that same allure that Cole did in the beginning, because he was just so evil and calculated before he discovered he truly cared for Phoebe. I love smart villains. Dexter, the Boston Strangler from ‘Criminal Minds’… they’re terrifying and brilliant, and everything you want to see in a villain. You watch the way Madame Executive handles news on demons and the witches alike, and you just know she will be willing to wait until the absolute right time to strike them down in a way they won’t even see coming. The subtlety of her attack on Prue is I’m sure just the first of many things to come. Bring it.

Alright. So at this point, going by the Suit’s conversation with Madame Executive, either purple robed man is secretly working for her, or Ryan is. Or possibly Jackson. It’s Ryan, isn’t it? Aw man! It’s totally Ryan. That’s okay… if Phoebe can turn Cole, Prue can turn Ryan. I am not giving up on him.

I really felt bad for Phoebe when she started blaming herself for her inability to pinpoint an exact location on the blood reavers after Piper figured out what they were. Piper and Prue always had powers that could be used or not used at their discretion once they learned to control them, but Phoebe’s was so much more unpredictable. While she did eventually learn to call them with relative consistency, Oftentimes she had no real control over when she received a premonition. And it couldn’t have been easy for her watching Piper and Prue manipulate their powers to their liking so long before she could do the same. Early season Phoebe so rarely beats herself up the way Piper and Prue tend to, that when she does your heart just sort of aches for her.

Oooh Darryl, lol. Those girls sure know how to keep the cops guessing.

Yep. Loving Madame Executive. As soon as I read Piper’s line along the lines of, ‘who knows what else is up there?’ I knew poor Mr. Withers was done for, haha. The only thing I don’t understand, is why the box with the blood reavers was visible to everyone who entered the attic, while the perception shield masked everything else of magical interest? The Charmed Ones are going to have their work cut out for them…. As if Madame Executive wasn’t tough enough without all these extra gadgets. The woman is going to have waaay too much fun with them with this gear. Fun times! Nice work, Reyn. I’m sure you’ve been told a hundred thousand times, but this series really is just such a great read. I wish school didn’t get in the way of my blazing through it ;D.