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93 of 104 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
CHARMED: The Complete Eight Season (2005-2006), June 2, 2007
Well, this here is the final season of CHARMED. The Charmed Ones, PIPER HALLIWELL (played by Holly Marie Combs, for the final time), PHOEBE HALLIWELL (played by Alyssa Milano, for the final time), & PAIGE MATTHEWS (played by Rose McGowan, for the final time) return for the final time, with LEO WYATT (played by the outstanding Brian Krause, for the final time), to battle demons & warlocks before they go on to the next phase in their lives, where they would leave a legacy to the future Halliwell witches, who are soon to come.
"Still Charmed & Kicking"
Presumed dead, the Charmed sisters start their demon-free existence with new identities brought about by a spell that altered their appearances to the outside world, but not to those closest to them.
"Malice in Wonderland"
Hoping to lure the Charmed Ones out of hiding, Haas, a young demon wanting to take over the Underworld, uses the Alice's Adventures in Wonderland fairy tale to prey on young victims.
"Run Piper, Run"
Looking for a new career path, Piper goes on an interview with a corporate recruiter, but is soon arrested when a background check reveals that the physical appearance she adopted was that of a woman wanted for murder.
"Desperate Housewitches"
Wyatt's impending school play brings out the competitive nature in Piper when her hand-sewn costume for Wyatt and her parenting ability are attacked by Mandi, the perfect Stepford-like mother.
"Rewitched"
Unaware that she is being watched, Billie jeopardizes the Charmed Ones' new lives when she uses her powers to save an innocent and is caught by Agent Murphy of Homeland Security, who has suspected all along that she and the "cousins" are involved in supernatural activities and that the Halliwell sisters are not dead.
"Kill Billie Vol. 1"
Armed and ready to vanquish, Billie inexplicably freezes and is flooded with childhood flashbacks when she sees her latest demon target, the Dogan. Wanting to prove to the sisters that she is an asset, Billie casts a spell to erase her fears and goes after the demon.
"The Lost Picture Show"
Wanting to get her old job back as a social worker, Paige's plan changes when her Whitelighter father, Sam, asks for her help with his charge, J.D., a future Whitelighter, who recently reappeared after fifty years.
"Battle of the Hexes"
The Charmed Ones are given their first Homeland Security case by Agent Murphy going through cold case files. Billie discovers a belt in one of the boxes and can't help but put it on.
"Hulkus Pocus"
Phoebe has decided to take a hiatus from men. Piper seems to think Murphy and the government is hiding something from the sisters.
"Vaya Con Leos"
Piper notices that the Angel of Death is watching over them, but what she doesn't know is that he is actually there for Leo.
"Mr. and Mrs. Witch"
Billie's parents are in town and have supper with their daughter and the Halliwells.
"Payback's a Witch"
With the intention of helping his parolee get a loan, Henry, along with Paige, go to a bank but instead the parolee decides to take everyone at the bank hostage. Meanwhile, Phoebe and Piper have their hands full when, during his third birthday party, Wyatt turns three of his toys into real people.
"Repo Manor"
Phoebe, in an attempt to move on with her own life, signs a lease for a new apartment, much to the worry of Piper, while Paige considers telling Henry she's a witch.
"12 Angry Zen"
In searching for information about Leo, Piper discovers a message from Lo-Pan, a monk and keeper of a sacred Buddhist staff containing the power of influence.
"The Last Temptation of Christy"
Paige begins to realize the difficulty in dating a mortal when Henry tries to immerse himself in her magical world. She finds herself even more conflicted when a suitor, Sir Simon Marks, arrives hoping to convince her to marry him so they can become the ultimate magical couple.
"Engaged and Confused"
Piper organizes an engagement party for Paige and Henry, but the wedding is put in jeopardy when the couple begins to get cold feet. Phoebe notices a strange man following her, and soon discovers that he is a Cupid.
"Generation Hex"
Two former students of Leo's from Magic School turn up at the manor to inform the Charmed Ones that demons Leo had imprisoned in the Magic School dungeons have escaped and are seeking revenge.
"The Torn Identity"
Christy becomes a powerful force in the Underworld as the demon Creo tries to convince her that she needs to get Billie away from the Charmed Ones so she and her sister can fulfill their dark destiny.
"The Jung and the Restless"
The Charmed Ones are put into a dream-like state by Christy so that Billie can learn something about each of them.
"Gone with the Witches"
Convinced that The Charmed Ones are too self-involved to protect the "greater good," Billie and Christy team up to destroy their reputations in the magical community.
"Kill Billie Vol. 2"
Billie and Christy have managed to turn everything around: while the two of them are now at the Manor and demons are at Magic School, the Charmed Ones are forced to hide in the Underworld.
"Forever Charmed"
After the death of their respective sisters, Piper and Billie go their separate ways, both determined to get their families back together.
What an excellent season to close out the series. The series finale was absolutely incredible, especially the ending, with the sisters writing down everything they had experienced in the last eight years (eight years for Piper and Phoebe, five years for Paige), where it then shows an elderly Piper reading their legacy to her young granddaughter, who is named PRUDENCE (after Prue). As an elderly Piper and an elderly Leo ascend the long staircase in the old Halliwell Manor, they pass many photographs taken of the Halliwell family, including Penny Halliwell (good ole Grams), Patty Halliwell, Paige, Leo, Piper, Phoebe, Wyatt, & Chris. This show was, in so many ways, very amazing, and I still find myself heartbroken that it is now all over. I do wish the entire cast (SHANNEN DOHERTY, HOLLY MARIE COMBS, ALYSSA MILANO, ROSE McGOWAN, BRIAN KRAUSE, & KALEY CUOCO) nothing but the very best in their careers.
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22 of 22 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Changed, Different, But...Home!, July 4, 2007
I always feel, when it comes to watching "Charmed: Season 8", that I am watching something I shouldn't be. What with the drama and finality of the Season Finale of Season 7, and then the rumours that were spun in the summer of 2005 (that "Charmed" could very possibly NOT be returning for an eighth season), it really seemed like that was going to be it - the sisters had defeated one of their deadliest enemies, fled The Manor and relinquished their lives as Halliwells and The Charmed Ones. They had faked their deaths, left it to the next generation and disappeared off, in disguise, with Leo. Daryl's reaction to this appeared to be a satisfied one, and Prue's ghost - it is believed - had shut The Manor door one last time (an apt end to the series).
This, however neatly tied up, just didn't seem right though. Of all the endings, renouncing their heritage and giving up on life as they knew it was just not satisfying enough. When I watched the finale to Season 7, although it was not confirmed that the show would continue, something inside me knew that it would. The feel that episode left the viewer with was an uneasy one...like this was not the end, regardless of what the network was saying. It never really felt that "Charmed" was to conclude like that.
And indeed, it didn't. As Season 8 opens in "Still Charmed And Kicking" you feel almost honoured that you are allowed to see what happens next, after the threat that The Halliwells would not return as The Charmed Ones again. The viewer gets to see HOW the characters get out of the mess that they seem to have created for themselves.
Season 8 is not the best of seasons, but it is yet another superb one. It begins by revealing The Halliwells are back in The Manor, living with their father Victor. Only they are posing, in magical disguise, as The Bennetts, pretending that they are three cousins and that Victor is in fact their uncle.
The opening episodes of Season 8 hold a nostalgia that reminded me of Season 1 - the music and themes of it. "Charmed" has always had an underlying tragic feel to it, with the constant loss and sacrifice the sisters have had to experience over the years, both before and after they were witches; and a season that opens at the funerals of the three principle characters dwells on this further. Although we know that they are not really dead, there is a morbid feel to it - a morbid fascination nonetheless.
Season 8 carries the "faked death" theme throughout the first few episodes, not simply throwing the plotline away. And to great effect too. Their reasons for returning to their old lives are believable and well-planned, as is the way in which they eventually reveal to the world that they are still alive (the excuse that they have been working for the government). The best part of it is that they return to being Halliwells, allowing us to feel satisfied that "Charmed" will not end with the sisters forsaking their legacy.
This season introduces the character of Billie who seems unnecessary at first. She does, however, grow on the viewer and becomes integral to the outline of the season. Her story progresses into a great one and her character is worthy of the magnitude it markets. She is essential to the final battle that the girls have to face, as is her sister, Christie, who is forever shrouded in intrigue.
I shan't divulge exactly what happens, though shall reveal that Season 8 contains plots that involves Paige and marriage, the brief return of The Source and ANOTHER separation of Piper and Leo (probably the most tantalising of the entire series).
The finale of the season is spectacular! The battle The Halliwells have to face is superb, incorporating an assortment of various different elements from plotlines-past, such as The Hollow and The Triad. These are not used repetitively though, only to highlight the weight of this ultimate fight.
The explosion in the basement of The Halliwells' home, which occurs in the Season 7 finale, seems minuscule in comparison to the event that takes place in the penultimate episode: The Manor actually totally blows up! This occurrence is literally phenomenal.
"Charmed: Season 8" is a terrific final season. There are, indeed, "silly" episodes, such as "Mr. and Mrs. Witch" and "Battle Of The Hexes"; and why the writers insisted on throwing a leprechaun-related episode into every season since Season 5 is beyond me!
The title track that plays to the opening credits has also been inexplicably altered, which may displease fans (although it does grow on you actually). I was also irritated that, although discussed, Prue was not given nearly enough acknowledgment as the series she helped found came to a close. But aside from these minor flaws, Season 8 charts a perfect end to a show that risked throwing in the towel when one of its leads left the series at the end of Season 3. Not only did "Charmed" survive the death of Prue and the introduction of Paige, it endured the uncertain finish to Season 7, only to pave the way for a touching, enjoyable and rewarding end to the show. "Forever Charmed", the final episode, is the perfect mix of action, nostalgia, characters old and new and, most importantly, it renews our faith that The Halliwells will continue their birthright on into the future.
Highlighted by DVD extras (including an exciting look at the original unaired Pilot which didn't feature Alyssa Milano as Phoebe) this season is outstanding. From the gratifying turn of events of "Forever Charmed", to the glimpse into the future at the very end (something which is much more satisfying to see than The Charmed Ones faking their deaths) to the inspired last-ever closing of The Manor door - Season 8 is quite simply the perfect end to this radiant series.
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54 of 62 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Power of 3 FOREVER, April 2, 2007
Season 8 did not disappoint. It was very well written and the final two episodes are so well written and the final scenes of the final episode are beautiful. It was such a joy to see the sisters finally get a happy ending after all they have endured the last 8 years and seeing familar faces in the final episode was just wonderful.
I have no complaints about season eight of the final episode. Through Prue is mentioned, it was a little sad not see a photo of Prue anywhere in the house in the end when so many photos of the family were shown. But again, thats all a legal issue between Shannon and the producers.
This is a must have season!
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