This is one of the series' funniest episodes. Prue's interaction with the TV crews; Piper getting electrocuted; Phoebe's account of seducing her professor; Phoebe checking out the old delivery man; Piper's various ugly purchases (the swan!); Phoebe about to fall out the window; Piper and the boxing gloves; the sisters getting thrown into boxes and Piper getting buried under an enormous crate. It's all just so, so silly, but hugely fun at the same time.
Surprisingly, Sin Francisco is also an interesting depiction of the various concepts of sin, each sin tying in neatly with each sister's personalities. Sure, Piper's sudden efforts to become 'the perfect wife' feel a little forced, but her spending sprees create some of the funniest moments. Phoebe is generally pretty slutty, so it's unsurprising that her sin is lust. Prue, a lone wolf of sorts, experiences the sin of pride, causing her to become even more reckless and arrogant than usual. I loved Prue and Phoebe snarking at each other that they don't seem all that different while infected.
Equally intriguing was the idea of pride being unable to overcome through selflessness. It's understandable. Every heroic act Prue embarks on is somehow fueled by her own desire for compliments. After saving the pastor she's immediately talking to the TV cameras, she loves being the only sister to want to save the day because it once again means that she's stronger and more caring, she loves being the one making the sacrifice at the end. Prue's a great character, and I love that she has those flaws and frequently acts like a martyr. It's her personality, and it's no more annoying that Piper's whining or Phoebe's naivety.
Later Charmed years generally confused all-out comedy with sex-crazed stupidity, but Sin Francisco is that rare episode where literally everything clicks. The performances, the writing, it just works so well. A+
Crimes of Fashion Phoebe's powder blue waistcoat thing tied together with a safety pin (with pink bra underneath) is so ugly that even Prue comments on it. Further confirming Phoebe's insanity is that hilariously hooker-ish ensemble at the end, with two shiny pieces of silver fabric literally held together with string. Just become a prostitute, girl. Seriously.
Credits
Guest stars Kevin Weisman (Lukas); Michael Rodrick (Dean); Orgy (Themselves)
Writer Nell Scovell Director Joel J. Feigenbaum
This was one of my favourite episodes and it has held up very well on repeat viewing. So very funny and apt in the choice and the manner in which those infected were hit by the different sins.
ReplyDeleteArc-wise Lukas as a demon is quite weak and the fact that the sins are "bottled at the source by the source" (paraphrasing - but doesn't it sound like a mineral water ad?) is really wasted. Considering how important the source was very soon after this, not exploring that was throwing away an opportunity.
Having said that I still love it as an episode. Piper and Leo bogged down in sin were hilarious, Leo being too tired to orb all the way up there just cracks me up.
It's one of my very favorite episodes, and probably the one I've re-watched the most.
ReplyDeleteThanks for reading and sharing your thoughts, Smibby.