Charmed - 1.03: Sweet Tooth
Oct. 9th, 2024 02:02 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
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charmed_hilltowne
The sisters devise a plan to find a murdering demon while still taking instructions from Harry on how to use their magic.
Director: Michael Allowitz
Written by: Joey Falco
The scene opens with our ladies running wildly down an alley, surrounded by a crazy red light. Arrows are flying, there is loud, otherworldly screeching in the background. Maggie gets shot twice in either shoulder as Mel screams that it is too powerful to freeze. When Macy can’t get the elementals in her trusty jar working fast enough and the giant robot demon happens upon them, Mel does a quick spell that obliterates the demon but leaves an irritated Harry standing in his place. We learn this is all a simulation training exercise and the girls have failed it. Again. I don’t know how I feel about training exercises like this. It’s kind of weird to think about - although it reminded me (just a teeny bit) of the training seasons in OG Charmed Season 3 with the quirky Whitelighter Natalie.
That OGCharmed episode was a fun one. But I digress.
In the attic, Harry takes the sisters to task for failing the simulation. He and Mel clash which they have been doing since Episode 1. I feel like their little feud might come to a head in this episode somehow and I’m ready for it! Harry points out that Mel’s spell is one of the most dangerous and it could kill her sisters (foreshadowing, anybody?). He tells Macy to get out of her head and focus and yanks Maggie’s phone from her hand, reminding her witchcraft is not a game. He seems rather fed up with the sisters as he goes into his familiar spiel about how the Harbinger will raise its master the Source and … blah blah blah lol
As mentioned in the last episode, he believes the Harbinger is now in the body of a human vessel. Mel wants to go right out and find it but he says the Elders will do it. Mel is not having that.
Now we take a woozy little trip through campus where a strange force comes to the window of Cam - remember that little ingrate from the Pilot episode who was pro-Professor Thaine - and interrupts him while he’s podcasting about radical feminists. I shouldn’t be surprised by this. He has that incel vibe which is mentioned later in the episode. Anyway, he is yanked out of his window to face his doom, and let me be real here: I don’t feel bad for him. At all. (Does that make me a radical feminist? lol)
Back at Vera Manor, Mel is in the attic. The pages of our beloved Book of Shadows are magically turning. Mel jumps up when Niko appears. Niko looks kind of adorbs with her glasses off and wearing pajamas. But I digress (I know I say that a lot. I’m a rambler. Sorry!). Mel says she couldn’t sleep, she was just going through some of her mom’s papers. Niko worries she’s getting consumed by her mother’s death again but Mel tries to assure her she’s not It’s just something for class.
The next morning, Macy is practicing her telekinesis with some egg balancing in the kitchen. When she notices Mel and Niko coming, the eggs drop to the floor and she gulps out in surprise that she didn’t know Niko slept over. Niko quietly gloats, “See, I told you we weren’t that loud”. That made me giggle. Timid little Niko, I hardly knew ye!
Niko leaves and the girls get to talking about finding the vessel. Mel mentions they can find every demon within a 26-mile radius if they sacrifice a goat. Um okay?? Macy looks as sick about it as I feel hearing that and says shouldn’t they do what they were told? Yes, listen to your older, wiser sister, please. No goats need to be harmed in the making of this show! EVER.
Maggie comes in. Macy figures out with her superbrain how to bake a mixture into some cookies that if the students on campus eat (they will pass them out as Halloween treats) will narrow the herd enough to figure out which one is the vessel. The vessel will hate whatever it’s made of (sulfuric acid and something - wouldn’t everyone hate that tho? lol) and puke it up. Weird. Maggie has to get to work to make money for some Kappa thing to make Lucy happy. Mel mocks it. I don’t think she’s ever going to be keen on The Greek.
Maggie is waitressing at some nameless little place. A customer is rude to her and a reasonably cute guy her age rescues her from the rude customer. There’s a little flirting happening. I can’t help but feel like this meeting is no accident but don’t quote me on it. Maggie seems charmed (pun intended!!) by this guy.
Lucy is at the restaurant with her fellow Kappas talking about how our mysterious Angela Wu is awake (we saw that in the cliffy of Episode 2). Lucy pulls Maggie aside. She has some doubts about Maggie’s commitment to the sorority. Maggie says what if she can find a great place for a party? Lucy is enthused about having somewhere to go without a booze ban.
Mel is passing out cookies to her class (I think she called it my class - is she the teacher? She seems so young so I am a little confused about if she’s a teacher, a student, or an aide of some kind) when she hears the news about Angela. She freezes everyone to try to make sense of everything and who should pop up, but Harry? They argue back and forth and it ends with Harry slapping “bling” on Mel’s arm that will alert him anytime she tries to do magic. Wuh-oh!
In the lab, Galvin shows off his DNA helix costume. There is a dorky but sweet little moment when he pins a letter “C” on her (it means Cytosine, which is an amino acid, according to my medical mother) on her lab jumpsuit that equates to her completing him. Aww. He asks her out but in the next scene, she tells Maggie on the phone her answer was no. She doesn’t need a tumultuous breakup jeopardizing her career. Maggie asks if she’s getting lost in her head again instead of letting this love story play out. Macy retorts that she’s just being realistic. (As they’re discussing this, Macy walks by someone with a shirt that says “Purity Posse” and is screaming about sex being destructive.) They hang up. Macy is unaware Angela is following her but Angela is stopped by Mel.
Meanwhile, at the manor, Maggie finds a glamor spell in the Book of Shadows which will spiffy up the place for this Halloween party she’s hosting. She’s very excited!
Back on campus, Mel talks to Angela, trying to convince her to eat a cookie. They talk about Mel’s mom being dead and how the cookie recipe is Marisol’s (thanks to our kind member PrueTurner, I now know that name! lol). Angela takes the cookie and puts it in her mouth but as soon as Mel is gone she claws it out and opens the fridge. We see Cam’s head inside. She drinks his blood from a soda bottle. Ewwww.
On her way off campus, Mel runs into Niko who is there to investigate stuff. Mel freezes Niko and starts to tell her everything about being a witch but Harry pops up again and stops her. They have another argument. Harry zaps away (I still don’t know what to call his blink-and-you-miss-him travels, so I am using ‘zap’ for now) and Mel unfreezes her girlfriend. She promises Niko she’s not hiding anything from her.
Macy and Mel arrive home. Macy summons Harry and he pontificates about how it’s nice to be summoned by someone who respects his position and the sanctity of magic. Mel tells Macy he put a tracker on her because he’s threatened by powerful women. He says the last part is “fake news”. LOL
Macy gets a text from Galvin saying he can’t wait for the ‘Macy Vaughn Party’ tonight. He’s stepping up his costume game. They all go inside and find the house in fantastic shape for a Halloween par-tay! Maggie comes down the stairs in a cute princess costume talking about how Martha Stewart must have been a witch. Welp. Macy is upset that Maggie invited Galvin. Maggie says she wanted to surprise Macy and Macy is all, “do I look like someone who likes surprises?” Touche, Macy! But the girls agree to the party at the manor because there will be 200 students crammed in there and they can (force) feed them cookies that way! As Mel points out, Harry’s precious Elders haven’t come up with a better idea on how to stop the Harbinger.
At the Purity Posse party (Say that 3 times fast), the leader of the “posse” tells Angela she thought more people would show up. Angela proceeds to eat her and then gets a text about the party at the Vera’s. She says she’ll be there because the party she is at is so dead. Hardy-har-har. This Harbinger dude has a wicked sense of humor.
A masked Harry is serving ‘biscuits’ to the party folk. Lucy and a fellow Kappa demand real margaritas, not the skinny kind. Maggie goes to conjure some up and Harry warns her about the dangers of using magic for personal gain. She waves him off. She sees Macy in her Ruth Bader Ginsburg costume and says she hopes she has lingerie under there if she wants to impress Galvin. Down the hall, Mel (in a witch costume, very on the nose, yes?) is impressing Niko with sexy witch talk that Niko thinks is all fantasy. It gets her hot and bothered but she has to take a phone call. Harry is watching Mel closely.
Upstairs, Maggie works her glamor spell to change Macy into Lara Croft. Macy isn’t feeling it. Maggie wants to know why she’s so allergic to being sexy. They sit down and talk. Macy explains that her father sent her to boarding school when she was in ninth grade. She was one of only two non-white students and she and her friend had to solidify what “type of minority” they were. Her friend became the fun, flirty one and she became the smart, serious one. She’s been acting that way for so long, she doesn’t know any different. Maggie gives her a very sweet pep talk, telling her “Screw anybody who tries to put you in a box”. Yeah, nobody puts our Macy in a corner!!
Macy looks seriously like a goddess in her new Persephone (“goddess of the underworld”) costume and Galvin, looking debonair as James Bond (“as played by Idris Elba”) agrees. He asks if she’s changed her mind about going on a date but Mel declares there’s a ‘sister emergency’ and pulls her away. They have found out the purity posse girl, Cam, and a nun have all been killed by the vessel. What does that mean they have in common? They’re virgins! Harry says virgin’s blood is a powerful energy source for demons. No virgin in this town is safe. They decide that their best option is to do a protection spell to seal off the house and keep everybody safe that way. Harry assigns them tasks, but Mel must come along with him. Mel passes Angela coming in the door and is happy to see her.
Maggie is on a ladder looking for sage when the glamor starts to flicker (I think that’s what’s flickering anyway) and she tumbles. Someone pops up and catches her rom-com style - the guy from the restaurant!! Doing his best Richard Gere in Officer and a Gentleman routine, he introduces himself as Parker. Maggie can hear him think she’s beautiful. I can tell she’s charmed (pun intended!!). He says he’s grabbing a drink, can he pour her one? She tells him he’s busy but can she catch him later. He says yes, ma’am, and salutes her. Is this guy going to cause some trouble? I am getting that feeling. They’re sort of cute together but I am getting suspicious vibes already. Someone’s got to fall for a demon in disguise on this show, right?
Outside, Mel and Harry have more words. He asks her if she thinks he enjoys policing her. He knows the methods are harsh and he doesn’t want to put up barriers between her and the woman she’s dating. Mel says Niko is more than that. It’s so painful because Marisol raised her daughters without judgment. She knew Mel was gay before Mel even figured it out. Marisol made sure that Mel was proud of who she was and never had to be in the closet. She has never had to hide who she is. It was the biggest gift she gave Mel and now she’s in the closet. I thought that was a lovely scene. Melonie Diaz’s delivery was earnest and authentic without going over the top. I never was drawn to acting where people chomped all the scenery. Subtle but meaningful is the way to go for me. Anyhoo…
Galvin finds Macy and tells her he’s going to bounce. She says don’t go, she will be right back.
The Charmed Ones and Harry go outside, but the spell to protect the house doesn’t work. They realize the demon must already be inside, and to get them to come out, they need a virgin sacrifice, or as Macy calls it, chum in the water. That’s certainly one way to put it! Mel asks where they are going to find one of those. Well, lo and behold, there’s Macy! She slices her hand and smears the blood on a tree like a true warrior queen. I think I may have actually shouted at my screen, “Yasss, queen!” I love how she just went about her business with procession and power and while the girls are questioning her about why she stayed a virgin so long she’s very matter-of-fact and honest as she stays focused on the task.
They are surprised when Angela is the one to show up. Maggie has to turn off the glamor and they tell Macy to run! Macy runs like the wind but Angela catches up with her (She is swinging upside down from a tree like something out of The freaking Conjuring). Maggie knocks her aside but she quickly recovers, going in for the kill. Mel reacts, doing the dangerous spell Harry warned her about. Macy is out for the count. Harry has to heal her to bring her back around. Harry says the Elders will decide what to do with Angela.
When Macy and Maggie are gone, Mel admits to Harry he’s right. She was reckless and she almost killed Macy. Harry says it was a teachable moment but lest she forget, she was the first to suspect Angela Wu and take down a powerful demon. (So is the Harbinger vanquished-vanquished? If so, what’s going on with Angela?!! Inquiring minds want to know.)
Harry tells Mel she reminds him so much of one of his former charges, a young woman named Fiona, who was passionate, talented, and stubborn like her. But she trusted the wrong person with her secret and was locked up in a psych ward, pumped full of drugs, and written off as a schizophrenic until eventually she couldn’t take it anymore. That is why Harry became so vigilant and protective with his charges.
It’s obvious Mel is touched that he trusted her with the story. She says she won’t tell Niko but she’s not Fiona. Harry removes the magical bracelet and tells her when the evil is no longer at the doorstep, he will get her permission to tell Niko the truth. O.M.G. This was … a beautiful scene. I can honestly say this is my favorite scene from the show thus far. It was so… human… so special … so effective and quietly powerful. I was truly touched by it. I hope Harry and Mel continue to be allies in the future, maybe even someday thinking of themselves as friends. Wow, this was good.
Speaking of good, it was a good surprise for Galvin when Macy rushed up to kiss Galvin. It was a nice kiss and I am kind of shipping them now. I don’t know if they’ll last or if my attention will stay on them, but they’re cute.
The party is breaking up inside. Lucy says it was lit. She wants to introduce Maggie to someone. And oh, surprise (not really), it’s Parker. I had a feeling that was coming. I don’t know how I feel about this. I like a good forbidden romance trope but the whole crushing on the mean girl’s guy is pretty high school. Hopefully, there’s a twist in there somewhere. We’ll see.
We end in the attic with Harry telling the sisters the Elders will come and get Angela the following day. Angela is chained by magical bindings, snarling like a feral hellhound (or make that demon dog, as Maggie would say). She takes a flying leap at the sisters. End scene.
So, that was the longest recap yet! I’m sorry for rambling so much but I’m proud of you if you made it through all that. If not, that’s cool too, but I’d still like to hear all your thoughts.
**Did you like the episode? If so, why? If not, why not?
**Did you have a favorite scene?
**What do you think of the introduction of Parker?
**Your thoughts on the Harry & Mel dynamic in this episode?
**Are you a fan of cliffhangers or not?
**Do you believe the Harbinger is gone-gone and if so, do you think another demon lurks inside Angel that explains why she’s still going cray cray? (I will update the vanquished demon total next week when we find out for sure lol)
Thanks!
Episode Quote:
Harry: [to Macy] Magic isn’t some test you can ace. It should come as natural as breathing. So, please, try to stay out of your head. The only person who should be in it is Maggie... A little telepath humor there.
sweet tooth
Date: 2024-10-11 01:38 am (UTC)Parker does seem like an interesting love interest for Maggie, but I'm not sure how I feel about him being Lucy's boyfriend already. For one thing, like you mentioned, it seems a little high school. For another, if you're dating someone I feel like your focus needs to be on them and not cute waitresses, even if they are main characters.
Galvin giving Macy the cytosine was super cute, especially since I think he was guanine which meant since those two nucleic acids bond (activating science nerd powers!). Also, the kiss was nice! They are starting to be shippable, but I'm not sure if Macy is going to be good at balancing those two things--Galvin did already seem a little concerned about things when they tried to do the protection spell.
Mel and Niko are giving me Prue and Andy vibes a little, but that might be because Niko is starting to investigate into the murders caused by the Harbinger--I'd love for that role to develop for Niko, because I think she's definitely smart enough to figure out what's going on, or at least that something is a little suspicious.
My favorite scene was probably Angela unhinging/unswallowing that cookie and then drinking the blood from the mini fridge, especially since she wasn't in the costume yet. That stuff is always a bit comical to me more than scary, especially since she's got the blood in water bottles right next to Cam's head.
Least favorite was probably Mel and Maggie pestering Macy about her virginity, but I get why it was in there. It was a good scene for Macy, not a good look for Mel or Maggie. That's her business! Plus, makes for useful demon bait. I am really, really glad they didn't have Harry try to explain anything or ask any questions. That would've been 1000x more awkward.
The Harry-Mel dynamic is interesting to me: I'd like to know more about Fiona. The way that Harry talked about her made me think that he was possibly alive at the same time as her--maybe he was the one responsible for her hospitalization? (re: "She made me the way I am today" or something along those lines). I think that Harry and Mel will have a pretty good relationship if he can get over himself a little (did she really need a tracking device?) and once Mel figures out more about her powers.
Also, I do like "zap" for the Harry-traveling. It's fun!
Cliffhangers are fun for me--allow for more theory-making. Of course, if I really wanted to know what happened, I don't actually have to wait a week (but I am being patient. And also have a shockingly low amount of time to devote to binge-watching).
Personally, I think the Harbinger is still in Angela, and maybe needs to be banished by something special (the Elders?) to avoid harming actual Angela. But I can't remember if Maggie heard her screaming before or after the Harbinger got her--maybe being in a coma is just really scary?
Re: sweet tooth
Date: 2024-10-13 06:54 am (UTC)LOL good one! Future generations could certainly benefit from that knowledge.
I always like reading your comments. It's cool to have another OG Charmed fan's perspective. I am warming up to Niko/Mel finally. I think it was the "see I told you we weren't that loud" thing that got me. Plus how into Mel's "role play" (or what she thought was Mel's roleplay) about witch talk she was. And now that you mention it I can see a Prue/Andy vibe there. Just wonder if they will end as tragically. I hope not.
The Fiona stuff makes for an interesting backstory. I would like to hear more about it. We need some flashbacks to the past. OG Charmed handled those so well.
I was *not* a fan of the girls' pestering about Macy's virginity but I was a fan of how Macy handled it and how she was very much in control, let's do this and get it over with, no shame, no apologies, just get let me out of my head and do what needs to be done. And yes, I am glad Harry was quiet at that point because if he had said something, I would have jumped through my screen lol
Hope to 'see' you around next week