Happy Wednesday TV fans! I have been recently re-watching one of my favorite television series of all time, Charmed for the 7th time through and I was very interested to find out that the CW has requested a pilot order for the reboot of the show. It has been about 20 years since the show premiered and ran for 8 seasons with the magical Halliwell sisters portrayed by Alyssa Milano, Holly Marie Combs, Rose McGowan, and Shannen Doherty. Holly Marie Combs is openly opposed to the reboot but Shannen Doherty is trying to stay positive. It’s understandable for there to be controversy around the reboot, as the original story and characters can never be replaced.
The original Halliwell sisters of Charmed still represent strong female characters to look up to and root for even re-watching today. That can never be replaced, but it would be exciting to see something similar for the new generation and something nostalgic for the rest of us who remember the series so well. 90210 had a reboot years later and even had special appearances by the show’s original cast, but it still doesn’t hold a candle to the original series and never will. Other shows featuring TV witches such as The Secret Circle and Witches of East End didn’t last for very long airing after Charmed was off the air so it’s hard to predict if the reboot will be able to have a successful run.
Similar to the spinoff proposed series of Wayward Sisters from Supernatural, the Charmed reboot has a real chance to capture an audience in desperate need of strong and smart female leads who can save the day from demons and deal with everyday problems. While I don’t know much about the pilot, it doesn’t seem like it will follow the lives of the next generation of Charmed ones, but may be set on a college campus with three new witches coming to power. Either way, I am all for giving the show a chance. How about you?
The attention around the Charmed reboot sparked my interest in discussing some of my favorite moments, episodes, characters, villains, and ships. For today, I will be discussing the most memorable couples/ships from the series. While some couples on the show do find their fairy-tale happy ending, others end a passionate bond in tragedy, breaking the hearts of our beloved Halliwell heroines along the way. Either way, their love was inspiring, fiery, and memorable. Please note spoilers are ahead if you have not gotten a chance to watch yet.
My top five ships from Charmed are:
5
Paige & Kyle aka Agent Brody.
When Paige is introduced as the half-sister of Piper and Phoebe in season 4, she has to learn about her powers and new destiny very quickly to keep up with the rest of the Charmed ones. Paige steps into the role of the third sister seamlessly and really captures the sisterly bond, but her ultimate destiny focuses more on helping others through Magic School rather than on a romantic relationship.
Paige does have her share of relationships over the seasons, but the most memorable one for her would be with Kyle aka Agent Brody. Portrayed by the charming Kerr Smith, Kyle came to the sisters seeking revenge on the new big bad, The Avatars, who he believes are responsible for the death of his parents. Paige and Kyle instantly have a spark and move quickly into a romantic relationship.
One of my favorite moments is when they get trapped in a 1930’s novel set in black and white and need to solve a mystery to get back. They embrace the world, costumes and all, and end with a very passionate kiss, letting fans know that this is the start of something lasting for sure. Sadly, Kyle’s quest to take down the Avatars leads to his untimely death, separating him from his love, Paige. While Kyle does become a white lighter and implies that they may see each other again, the series ends without them together, as Paige finds love with Henry instead.
4
Prue & Andy.
In the first season of the show, Prue is handling a lot. She moves back in with her sisters, basically has to represent the mother-figure as the oldest sister, gets attacked at her new job, and is reunited with her childhood sweetheart, Andy. As if that isn’t enough, Andy is an Inspector for the police and is desperately trying to figure out why Prue is connected to so many of his unresolved cases.
Prue’s love for Andy is pure and true, but she tries to keep her distance from him to protect him. When Prue thinks that she may be able to trust Andy with her secret of being a witch, she casts a truth spell that lasts for 24 hours. To her dismay, Andy reveals that he would not be able to continue a relationship with her. At the end of the season, Andy sacrifices himself to protect Prue and her sisters.
Prue has a fleeting moment with him in limbo before he is gone forever and it’s now clear that he would have accepted Prue completely, secret and all. He just needed more time to fully process what she shared, which is completely understandable. Sadly for Prue, she has to say goodbye to Andy forever and is never really able to find anyone as worthy again.
3
Phoebe & Coop.
Out of all of the Halliwell sisters, Phoebe has gone through the most relationships. Toward the end of the series, fans were wondering who she would ultimately end up with and immediately spot the romantic tension between her and Cupid, Coop. Coop is there to lead the way for Phoebe to open her heart again and find love; only he ends up falling in love with her in the process.
Coop is funny and charming and is really the only worthy candidate for Phoebe to end up with since Cole is gone forever. While they don’t necessarily have the same passion she had with Cole, Phoebe does learn to truly open her heart again with Coop and finally get the family she has been dreaming of.
2
Phoebe & Cole.
This list would not be complete without including Phoebe and Cole. Cole is introduced in season 3 and is a demon who is half-human. While he initially tries to use his budding relationship with Phoebe to worm his way into the house to steal the Book of Shadows, Cole falls deeply in love with Phoebe, jeopardizing his cover and bringing his humanity to the surface.
Phoebe and Cole’s love is the most passionate on the show. They have this almost magnetic pull toward one another, which does lead to some rocky moments, however. Cole eventually becomes the source of all evil, even luring Phoebe to darkness for a while, but his love for her never fades. It seems like Cole has been vanquished several times, but he always finds a way to return, holding on to the hope that he can be with Phoebe.
When he is finally vanquished for good, Phoebe says that maybe “it wasn’t meant to be.” However, fans still cling to the idea of Phoebe and Cole ending up together. The downfall of Cole was too much, however; leading to his demise, but their connection to one another has always been undeniable. Cole leaves a goodbye letter for Phoebe that reads:
Dear Phoebe,
If I’m dead right now,
I know it was at your
hand. No one else in
heaven or hell had
Power over me. Please,
don’t cry. I was dead
Before I met you. I was
Born the day you loved
me. And my love for you
will keep me alive…
Forever
Love,
Cole
This letter is one of the most resonating moments for me on Charmed. Cole brought new life into the show and was one of my absolute favorite characters. While being one of the greatest villains for the Halliwell sisters, he is Phoebe’s ultimate weakness. Even when they were apart, Phoebe knew that she may never love anyone the same way again.
Some honorable mentions before revealing my number one ship are:
- Paige & Henry
- Prue & Bane
- Phoebe & Jason
- Piper & Dan
- Prue & Jack
1
Piper & Leo.
My number one ship has to go to Piper and Leo as if there was any doubt! At the beginning of the series, their blossoming relationship is charming and real. Phoebe even initially competes with Piper to win Leo’s affection, but it’s always been clear where Leo’s heart lies. As Piper’s white lighter, it is forbidden for them to be together, but they cannot deny their connection.
Piper and Leo have been through so much together and Leo is even ripped away from her during their first attempt at a wedding. Ultimately, Piper and Leo are meant for each other. However, they go through quite a lot on the way and are tested constantly. Piper and Leo have two beautiful sons, Wyatt and Chris, and form a beautiful family together, constantly trying to keep this priority above all others.
While Piper is known for her quick temper, Leo balances her out and always keeps her calm. When they are apart, it’s truly heartbreaking, as fans recognize the selfless love these two have for one another. Piper and Leo do get their happy ending and keep their friendship and love strong in the process. There is something so believable and undeniable between Piper and Leo, still holding the test of time and reminding us what true love is all about.
I hope you enjoyed my list and feel free to post your own comments and thoughts about the ships on Charmed along with your thoughts on the new reboot. Happy viewing!
Best,
Amy Koto, TV Fanatic Girl
