Charmed (2018) Returns With A Fresh Start, But Is It Working?

Charmed (2019) season 2 returned on Friday, October 11th on the CW. In the season premiere, things pick up almost immediately as the girls are thrown a major curveball that changes the course of their lives. Mel, Maggie and Macy are attacked by a hooded assassin who is immune to their powers. When the assassin destroys the book of shadows, it opens up a portal, which the girls jump through. Now in witches protection program, the girls are stripped of their powers as a precautionary measure: to remain undetected to the magic world. They eventually learn that the lives of other witches are in danger and they must do everything to protect them.

A lot has changed this season. The charmed ones don’t have their powers, Harry’s the only white-lighter left in the world, they’re no longer in Hilltown, the book of shadows has been destroyed and any connection to their past—magic or not—has been severed, never to be brought up again. These changes indicate that Charmed is starting over by ultimately divorcing itself from its previous season and it’s effective in doing so. As such, it’s set up a show with a darker tone and new direction. However, too much has been stripped away, leaving us with a show that is a shell of its former self.

What's Not Working

Being that Maggie, Macy and Mel are ultimately untethered to their past and the events of last season, it feels like there are no consequences for this season. In other words, none of the events that affected them in the past (like the deaths of their partners, for instance) play a role now. As a result, the girls don’t have personal internal conflicts or character arcs. What does Macy want to achieve for herself this season and what does she have to learn? What about Maggie and Mel? This is ultimately what I liked about last season. Each of the charmed ones had their own personal journeys that intersected with their witch lives.

What Works

What does work, however, is that this season is more focused. There are two central conflicts: the witch genocide and the assassin who is trying to kill the charmed ones. With the assassin being some dark version of Harry, this brings up a lot of interesting question, like, why does he exist, what’s his connection to Harry and what does he want?

I also like that Macy is exploring her demon side this season and that the girls will travel across the world saving witches. The girls don’t have their powers at the moment, but it’s not much of a concern for me because I’m sure they’ll get them back eventually. I mean, they’re witches after all. What are witches without their powers?

Overall

I do like the new tone and direction is heading in. I just hope that there is some callback to last season. Being that the girls may all be having new love interests this season, there should be conflict that involves their past experiences. For instance, Maggie lost Parker and Gavin, Macy’s former love interest, died. How does that impact them now as they are forming new relationships? Maggie left university and for now, will not be pursuing her studies. Meanwhile, Macy has left behind her dream career as a scientist to be a full-time “witch superhero”. How do they feel about this? Why have they so easily given these things up?

I want to see the girls struggle a little to accept their new life, I want them to make new friends with witches, and I want them to have individual storylines that connect to the main conflicts. I also hope we see the charmed ones working together to resolve these conflicts. Despite my concerns and desires for this season, I’m looking forward to what it has to bring.

Hi! Shantal here. I’m a writer and a storyteller. I created Shantal Writes to share my experiences with writing fiction. I also provide new writers with tips, tools, and writing advice. I hope you find something helpful while you’re here!