Customer Reviews

Charmed - The Complete First Season

5 star:		(291)
4 star:		(59)
3 star:		(41)
2 star:		(9)
1 star:		(13)

 

 

As a loyal fan of the Sisters Halliwell, the long-overdue release of the boxed set "Charmed - The Complete First Season" is a great pleasure!

Beginning with the discovery of their magical abilities, the first season wisely avoided "Buffy" comparisons by focusing, instead, on the efforts of the three sisters to combine "The Power of Three" with some semblance of a 'normal' life. Thus, eldest sister, Prue (the tempermental and ultimately 'short-lived' sibling, Shannen Doherty) juggles appraising antiquites, a sporadic affair with Homicide detective Andy Trudeau (T.W. King), and serving as a mentor to her younger sisters, while shy, introverted Piper (Holly Marie Combs) combines her talents as a chef with managing the trendy bistro, "Quake", and experiences a growing attraction to a handyman with a 'secret', Leo (Brian Krause). Only the youngest sister, free-spirited Phoebe (Alyssa Milano) shuns a regular job, devoting herself to exploring the sisters' mystical guidebook, the "Book of Shadows", and learning of their mystical heritage.

For those more familiar with the flashier, occasionally silly storylines of later seasons, the first 22 episodes may come as quite a surprise; each episode is carefully crafted, offers some excellent acting, and is often quite compelling. While Piper's droll timing and sarcastic one-liners (a major reason for the series' continuing success) are seldom evident in the first season, the incredible chemistry between her and Leo is ever-present, and far more interesting than the Prue/Andy romance, a fact not lost on the writers (Andy would be gone by season's end, while the door was wisely 'left open' to allow Leo an increasingly important role in the Halliwell's lives). Other regulars of the "Charmed" 'universe' are also introduced, including Andy's partner, the long-suffering Inspector Darryl Morris (Dorian Gregory); wise and funny 'Grams' Halliwell (the delightful Jennifer Rhodes); the sisters' mother, Patty (Finola Hughes), and father, Victor (portrayed in the first season by "Crime Story" alum, Tony Denison, and replaced by James Read in subsequent seasons).

The rapport between the three leading actresses is warm, genuine, and unforced, with no hint of the future on-set rivalries between Doherty and Milano that would create headlines by Season Three (and would lead to Doherty 'walking off' the show). Season One, in fact, includes one of Doherty's best "Charmed" performances, as three variations of herself, in the wryly funny "Which Prue Is It, Anyway?" While some male fans may be disappointed in Phoebe's less-revealing outfits in the first season, she was never cuter, or sweeter, than in these first 22 episodes.

"Charmed" has had many memorable moments over it's seven-year run, and certainly deserves boxed sets of each season; whether you have followed the series from the first episode, or are catching up, Season One is well worth a place in your DVD collection (although some 'bonus' materials would have been a welcome addition to the set).

Experience "The Power of Three" from the beginning...you'll be glad you did!

After many years of waiting we finally have something to show for it, Charmed on DVD!! The first season of this show was enough to make you either love it or hate it. Now the power of three can set us free. I have compiled an episode run down with plot lines so for those who have never seen this great show you can decide if you want to invest in it. If you are a Buffy and/or Angel fan and still have not really watched Charmed might I suggest you make the purchase. You won't be sorry!

01. Something Wicca This Way Comes 1998-10-07
Three sisters living in San Francisco discover that they are witches. Prue learns that
she possesses telekinetic powers, Phoebe learns that she has the power to see into the
future and Piper learns that she is able to stop time.

02. I've Got You Under My Skin 1998-10-14
Trudeau and Morris conduct a manhunt for a suspect who is abducting women. They are
unaware that he is really an evil being who feeds off women's beauty - and has just set
his sights on one of the Halliwell sisters. Meanwhile, Phoebe experiments with her power
regardless of her sisters' disapproval.

03. Thank You For Not Morphing 1998-10-21
Long-lost dad visits the Halliwell sisters and Prue is skeptical about his intentions.
Phoebe sets up a secret meeting with her father and is startled by a vision of her father
and the Book of Shadows.

04. Dead Man Dating 1998-10-28
After a thug kills a young Chinese man in order to stage his own death, the victim's
spirit seeks out Piper's help in order to get his body buried before evil beings can
claim it. Meanwhile, Phoebe finds works as a psychic; and Prue warms up to the idea of
spending her birthday with Andy.

05. Dream Sorcerer 1998-11-04
Prue is targeted by a dream sorcerer, who tries to kill women who spurn him by invading
their dreams; Piper and Phoebe work together to cast a love spell.

06. Wedding From Hell 1998-11-11
The sisters suspect that a demon is posing as a bride-to-be so that the groom will
impregnate her.

07. The Fourth Sister 1998-11-18
A young teen witch wants in with the Halliwell clan but finds trouble when her mentor
(Rebekah Carlton) is seeking the Halliwell's magic. Also: Piper and Phoebe cast their
hearts on the the same handyman.

08. The Truth is Out There... and It Hurts 1998-11-25
Prue casts a truth spell on Andy to find out how he really feels about her and a vision
has Phoebe looking for the next victim of a serial killer who reveals a ugly feature upon
confrontation.

09. The Witch Is Back 1998-12-16
Prue releases a warlock who was trapped in an old locket and the Halliwells conjure
up the woman resonsible for putting him there: the first witch in their family. Andy
investigates how Rex and Hannah might be involved with the being's arrival.

10. Wicca Envy 1999-01-13
Rex tries to in vain to frame Prue for stealing a tiara by manipulating the thoughts
of her sisters and the police. Piper and Leo explore new love.

11. Feats of Clay 1999-01-20
Prue agrees to auction off an urn that Phoebe's old flame acquired while in Egypt.
Who knew it would turn out to be stolen and cursed? Meanwhile, Phoebe tries to reignite
the old flame and Piper tries to help a co-worker.

12. The Wendigo 1999-02-03
A man saves Piper from a beast that also killed his fiancée. The attack prompts
Andy to team up with an FBI agent to investigate the creature. Matters are made
worse when it is discovered that the beast takes on a human form during the day.
Meanwhile, Phoebe has the task of trying to prove that a mother's kidnapped daughter
is still alive.

13. From Fear To Eternity 1999-02-10
The Halliwells' late mother warns them about a potential threat, Phoebe must contend
with job issues and Piper's superstitions interfere with her love life.

14. Secrets and Guys 1999-02-17
The sisters receive a message for help from a kidnapped boy with powers, but they
don't know who or where he is. Meanwhile, Phoebe finds out the true identity of Leo
when he returns for a visit.

15. Is There a Woogy in the House? 1999-02-24
After an earthquake releases a shadow deamon into the Halliwell household, Phoebe
finds herself under the control of the "Woogyman," and Prue and Piper must fight to
stay alive and find a way to banish the "Woogyman in order to free Phoebe.

16. Which Prue Is It, Anyway? 1999-03-03
A magical warrior hunts Prue in order to restore his own power; Prue casts a spell
in an effort to increase her power but succeeds in creating two clones instead.

17. That '70s Episode 1999-04-07
The sisters travel back to the 1970s in an effort to prevent their mom from making a
pact with a warlock, but their trip is interrupted when the girl's mother and
grandmother mistake them for warlocks.

18. When Bad Warlocks Go Good 1999-04-28
Prue comes to the aid of man who is trying to escape his evil family and his own dark
nature.

19. Blind Sided 1999-05-05
Prue tries to help a young boy being kidnapped by Grimlocks and a reporter plays
witness to her powers. Phoebe seeks out the help of one of the Grimlock's old victims
in an effort to find where the missing children are being taken; Piper learns that her
boyfriend is willing give up a job in Beverly Hills to stay with her and Andy finally
learns of Prue's powers.

20. The Power of Two 1999-05-12
An evil ghost looking for revenge agains the people who killed him disrupts the
Halliwell house and Prue and Phoebe must deal with it.

21. Love Hurts 1999-05-19
Leo returns to ask Piper for help when he tries to protect a woman that is being
hunted by a demonic being.

22. Deja Vu All Over Again 1999-05-26
With only their deaths to end the dangerous time loop, the sisters are forced to relive
the same day over and over again.

Inspired by the actual Earth-centered religion of Wicca, many television viewers in 1998 became enchanted with the fictional story of three extraordinary sisters who, after their grandmother's death, discover that they are witches and that each has a unique magical power. The oldest, Prudence "Prue" Halliwell (Shannen Doherty), discovers that she has a magical "punch" with which she can physically force anyone (or anything) to be thrown away from her. The middle sister, Piper Halliwell (Holly Marie Combs), discovers that she can magically freeze anyone or anything. The youngest sister, Phoebe Halliwell (Alyssa Milano), discovers that she has a magical gift of foresight that allows her to see potentially disastrous future events for individuals if she touches an object that has been handled by them. As it turns out, the sisters' mother Patty Halliwell (regular guest Finola Hughes) and their grandmother Penny 'Grams' Halliwell (regular guest Jennifer Rhodes) were also witches and hidden within their San Francisco house attic is their famed Book of Shadows (book of spells and information about various paranormal beings, such as demons and white lighters). The sisters also discover that they are unique among witches in that they possess the very powerful ability to invoke the "power of three", which is a very powerful incantation that can be used to destroy demons and other evil beings. In fact, that is their mission: to protect the world from the evil attacks of various demons, warlocks and other evil beings. Of course, these newly discovered abilities and frequent attacks from demons wreak havoc for the sisters' lives, especially their careers and attempts at dating. However, the sisters also discover that they are not alone in their efforts as they are frequently visited by the ghosts of their mother and grandmother, and that the equivalent of a guardian angel known as a "white lighter", Leo Watts (Brian Krause), not only provides them with important information and assistance, he can also heal them of their wounds. The sisters are also occasionally visited by their estranged father, Victor Bennett (regular guest James Read); and because the sisters are so frequently involved with seemingly criminal activities, they become friends with local police officer Darryl Morris (Dorian Gregory).

The 22 episodes of the first season include: "Something Wicca Comes This Way", "I've Got You Under My Skin", "Thank You For Not Morphing", "Dead Man Dating", "Dream Sorcerer", "Wedding From Hell", "The Fourth Sister", "The Truth is Out There... and It Hurts", "The Witch Is Back", "Wicca Envy", "Feats of Clay", "The Wendigo", "From Fear To Eternity", "Secrets and Guys", "Is There a Woogy in the House?", "Which Prue Is It, Anyway?", "That '70s Episode", "When Bad Warlocks Go Good", "Blind Sided", "The Power of Two", "Love Hurts" and season finale "Deja Vu All Over Again". With engaging characters, wonderful scripts, exciting plots and great special effects, I rate the first season of "Charmed" with a resounding 5 out of 5 stars and highly recommend it. Though Shannen Doherty left "Charmed" after its third season, the show has continued to gain popularity when it included a new sister, Paige Matthews (Rose McGowan), at the beginning of the fourth season. The seventh season of "Charmed" is currently being broadcasted.

I keep hearing people ask when they are going to release more seasons of Charmed so I thought this might help those of you who want to know. I Love Charmed! Charmed Season 1 DVD is the best DVD I have ever gotten.
Season 2 - May 2005
Season 3 - August 2005
Season 4 - November 2005
Season 5 - Begining of 2006
Source: theprophecy.net

I have watched Charmed since it first aired and have waited anxiously for the series to be released on DVD. It is great to have these shows on DVD but there are no special features!! WHY? It would have been great to see maybe some screen tests, a glimpse at the original Phoebe or something but we have not been so lucky. If you like Charmed, it is a must have but if you are looking for the extras, they just aren't here.

I am a huge fan of Charmed, and have loved it since it began. I was so excited when I found out that the show would be released on DVD! I ran out and bought it the day it came out. I watched it virtually non-stop until I was done! BUT...
I was very disappointed when I discovered there aren't any special features. I realize it takes a little more work to come up with extras for DVD releases, but I was really hoping for a little something. The only thing in the set that isn't the episodes is trailers for 2 other series that will be released on DVD soon. Honestly, I don't care about that. I want behind the scenes footage, bloopers, a little documentary about how they did the special effects...stuff like that.
I'm not saying it's not worth the money...just realize before you buy it that all you will get is the episodes (which are 'charming').
I still love the show, and am ready for them to release season 2!

As I write this, the first season DVD set is ranked at #21. That speaks of some appeal to a wide range of people. The first season shows the sisters finding out for the first time that they are witches. Understandably, they fumble with new powers and experiences. Phoebe is afraid to enter a church, as if she has become something evil. Their confusion increases as they learn how much evil there is in the world. Their relationships as sisters change. There is plenty of family history to be worked out and they fight plenty. We see the sisters grow up and learn to appreciate each other's strengths and understand each other's weaknesses. They begin to rely on each other as they understand the teamwork that is necessary for the Charmed ones to be effective.

I did some searching on the internet to find out what was on the DVD set. The web site, thecharmedones.com, had this information:

"- Biographies on the actresses.
- Behinds the scenes looks.
- Process of creating a Charmed Episode.
- Interviews with the actresses.
- And Games
Possibly the lost Lori Rom episode as well."

Evidently the pilot is very similar to the first episode, "Something Wicca This Way Comes". One big difference is that Phoebe is played by Lori Rom, who left for personal reasons. Hopefully, we'll get some clarification soon about what extras are on the DVD set, including whether or not the pilot will be included. This season has 22 episodes, not counting the pilot.

Charmed Season 1 begins telling the story of three very sexy sisters:
Prue(played by Shannen Doherty who has the power of "telekinesis" and later in Season 2 "Astral Projection"),

Piper (played by the lovely Holly Marie Combs who has the power of "Temporal Stasis(freezing)" and later in Season 3 "Molecular Combustion" (blowing up stuff))

and Phoebe(played by Alyssa Milano who has the power of preminition and later in Season 3 "Levitation" and in Season 6 "Empathy") who find out there destined to be witches.

Season 1 takes you through as their lives are turned upside down as they adjust to their new powers to fighting demons, warlocks, and other evils, and still try to have a normal life. The acting by all three ladies is superb(esp. Holly Marie Combs) and this season is very well balanced, however, it's not the best season out of the series (you'll have to wait til Seasons 3 and 4 for that)

Here is the list of all the episodes in Season 1:
1.01 Something Wicca This Way Comes
1.02 I've Got You Under My Skin
1.03 Thank You For Not Morphing
1.04 Dead Man Dating - One of the Best
1.05 Dream Sorcerer
1.06 The Wedding From Hell
1.07 The Fourth Sister
1.08 The Truth is Out There...And It Hurts
1.09 The Witch is Back - A Highlight
1.10 Wicca Envy
1.11 Feats of Clay
1.12 The Wendigo - Really Good
1.13 From Fear to Eternity
1.14 Secrets and Guys
1.15 Is There a Woogy in the House
1.16 Which Prue is it Anyway?
1.17 That Seventies Episode - VERY GOOD
1.18 When Bad Warlocks Go Good
1.19 Blind Sided
1.20 The Power of Two
1.21 Love Hurts - Another Highlight...Get the tissue!!
1.22 Deja Vu All Over Again - Leaves you wanting more!

Go check it out!! You won't be disappointed!!!

Also, for those of you wondering...according to "Charmed Magazine", SEASON 2 will be out shortly in May, 2005...though no specific date, it's just around the corner!!

A previous reviewer seems to think that only people who are 13 years old and people who are personally into Whicca watch Charmed well I'm not personally into Whicca and I'm over 13 and and I know plenty of older people who like this show and I personally like Charmed because of the actors, the thrilling episodes that have mixes of horror, humor, drama and fantasy and the family dynamics of the three sisters and another thing I like about this show is that it's a lot like Buffy and Angel but has it's own unique twist! I got the Charmed first season DVD and the shows are great though it's disappointing that they didn't bother to add any extras. They could have thrown it's fans a bone and shown behind the scenes footage and shown us the pilot with the different actress playing Phoebe (even though I can't picture anyone playing her but Alyssa Milano) but I'm still not sorry I got this DVD and I recommend it to all fans of Charmed!

When I first heard of this show, I was rather skeptical to it. I wanted to watch it, but I wasn't sure that I should. Just this year, I decided that it was time to watch the show, where I had bought the first four seasons on DVD. After watching this first season, I realized that I deeply regretted not watching this show from the very start to the very end.

PRUE HALLIWELL (played by the beautiful Shannen Doherty) and her sister, PIPER HALLIWELL (played by the beautiful Holly Marie Combs) are living in their old family manor in San Fransisco, CA. They have been living there, taking care of their grandmother, PENELOPE "PENNY" HALLIWELL (played by Jennifer Rhodes), who had been sick for awhile. But it wasn't until six months ago that Grams had passed on. The girls' mother, PATRICIA "PATTY" HALLIWELL (played by Finola Hughes) had already died when the girls were very young. Moving in with Prue and Piper is their sister, PHOEBE HALLIWELL (played by the sexy knock-out, Alyssa Milano). I should mention that Prue is the oldest of the sisters, with Piper being the 2nd oldest, and Phoebe being the baby. Below is the episode list.

"Something Wicca This Way Comes"
Phoebe returns to live with her older sisters, Prue and Piper, and finds a book of witchcraft in the attic. After reciting an incantation, they gain the supernatural powers they were destined to have.

"I've Got You Under My Skin"
Piper has trouble dealing with her power while Phoebe meets a photographer who is sucking the life out of young women to maintain his youth.

"Thank You for Not Morphing"
The sisters' estranged father returns, but trouble arises when he teams up with the new neighbors, who are more than what they seem.

"Dead Man Dating"
Piper falls for the ghost of a recently murdered man who needs her help. Phoebe gets a job as a hotel psychic to pay for Prue's birthday present.

"Dream Sorcerer"
Prue finds her sleep disturbed by strange visions in which she's taunted by a man. Meanwhile Phoebe and Piper cast a spell to attract men which goes awry.

"The Wedding from Hell"
The sisters must face Hecate, a powerful demon goddess, who is attempting to conceive a full demon child.

"The Fourth Sister"
A troubled teenage girl who has been manipulated by an evil sorceress befriends Phoebe with the hopes of joining the Halliwells.

"The Truth Is Out There...and It Hurts"
The sisters race to stop a mysterious killer while Prue uses a truth spell on Andy.

"The Witch Is Back"
A warlock from the past is released from his curse and tries to steal the sisters' powers, but the sisters resurrect their ancestor to combat him.

"Wicca Envy"
When Prue is framed by Rex for stealing from the auction house, it's up to Piper and Phoebe to save her and uncover the truth.

"Feats of Clay"
When Phoebe's ex-boyfriend comes to town he brings trouble in the forum of a stolen Egyptian urn which carries a mortal curse.

"The Wendigo"
When Piper is attacked by a vicious beast, Andy goes on a stakeout with an FBI agent who is hunting the creature.

"From Fear to Eternity"
The sisters' mother warns them about a demon from the underworld who comes around every 1300 years on Friday the 13th to literally scare witches to death and feed on their fear.

"Secrets and Guys"
Prue helps a young witch who has been kidnapped, and renews her own faith in having children. Meanwhile, Phoebe finds out that Leo is really a guardian angel, causing him to break up with Piper.

"Is There A Woogy In The House?"
An earthquake releases a shadow demon, "the Woogyman". Phoebe, under his control, tries to kill Prue and Piper, who must find a way to rescue Phoebe and vanquish the demon.

"Which Prue Is It, Anyway?"
When Phoebe has a premonition of Prue being stabbed to death, it coincides with a warrior coming to town in order to kill the eldest sibling witch as he did to the sisters' great-great-great-aunt. Prue casts a spell to triple her powers but ends up making two clones of herself.

"That '70s Episode"
The three sisters go back in time to the 1970s, when their mother was still alive, to try and prevent her from making a pact with a powerful warlock in which he spared her life in exchange for the girls' powers.

"When Bad Warlocks Go Good"
Prue attempts to help a young man who wants to become a priest in order to avoid fulfilling his destiny as a warlock of the Evil Charmed Ones.

"Out of Sight"
When Prue witnesses a kidnapping in the park, a reporter sees her using her powers. Phoebe and Piper attempt to learn more about the demons who stole the child and stop the reporter from exposing Prue. Meanwhile, Andy finally learns about Prue's powers.

"The Power of Two"
While taking a tour of Alcatraz, Phoebe sees the ghost of killer take possession of a guard's body so he can cross the waters surrounding the prison, and must stop him before it's too late.

"Love Hurts"
Leo is shot by the arrow of darklighter, and asks the sisters to help to protect a girl that is being targeted by the darklighter. Piper casts a spell to swap her powers with Leo's which mistakenly causes Prue and Phoebe's powers to swap also.

"Deja Vu All Over Again"
As a warlock makes plans for his attempt to kill the Charmed Ones, he receives a visit from Tempus, a demon who will turn back time until the warlock succeeds in killing all the sisters.

This show is outstandingly CHARMing, and it will definitely BEWTICH you. Each sister is very unique (not to mention extremely sexy). I would be lying if I said that I loved all three sisters. But in all honesty, Prue is my favorite. This is a great show, and this is the season to start out with.