The mutual concepts of good and evil are intriguingly explored here, Phoebe even stating that the sisters have stumbled into an area that is no longer black or white. You can understand Phoebe's conflict. She loves her husband, she loves her sisters. Obviously the two ideologies could never co-exist, but you can almost see why Phoebe thought she could work around it. She could have been the broker for some kind of mutual peace between both sides. Phoebe's development here is really well-plotted, from her casual anger towards her sisters and Elise, to her gradual realization that the Seer's tonics aren't as advertised...And then there's Cole's final vanquish, a gut-wrenching sucker punch of emotion as Phoebe finally comes to terms with what 'must be done'. There's also some really great sisterly interplay here, from Piper's emotional checking-out of the whole thing, Paige's determination to get her sisters back together, and Phoebe's conflict between both sides. And it's capped by what is probably my favorite scene of the post-Shannen years, that gorgeous ending with Piper and Paige consoling a weeping Phoebe on her bed. Just a beautiful moment of sisterly support and connection. Aww.
What knocks the episode down a notch is the pacing. There are certain moments that really drag, notably the AA scenes. And despite being the star of this story arc, the Cole sequences also feel like they needed a re-write. Maybe I'm just not a fan of the various personality-free demons who are part of his little evil ensemble?
But the ideas on offer here are mostly successful, while the last fifteen minutes or so are ridiculously powerful and contain a bunch of twists that are surprisingly shocking, notably that great reveal of Cole having morphed into Phoebe at the Manor. Part of me thinks the 'evil-Pheebs' arc could have gone on longer, but Long Live the Queen is still an admirable closer to the story, however brief the arc was. A
Crimes of Fashion Why are Phoebe's boobs entirely hanging out of that pleather shirt she's wearing at her new place? And why does she then change into some fug cowgirl fringe disaster when visiting her sisters? And what's with the rainbow-colored corset underneath? Should we just blame it all on the evil baby?
Credits
Guest stars Jeff Meek (Dane); Jaime Gomez (Greg Conroy); Rebecca Balding (Elise Rothman); Debbi Morgan (The Seer)
Writer Krista Vernoff Director Jon Paré
I love love love the sisters crying together. It's become such an iconic moment for me from the show's run and one of my favorite moments ever! It's touching, haunting, and utterly beautiful.
ReplyDeleteI do wish they just ended the Cole storyline. Although there were moments I enjoyed with him in season 5, it wasn't enough to make it worth it. Well except for the fact that Julian McMahon is a wonderful presence. But still, they really dropped the ball with that one.
Totally iconic, I agree. And Rose looks so gorgeous in that little skirt with the ankle boots. Aww.
ReplyDeleteAnd agreed about Cole. We definitely see eye-to-eye with that story.
I'd just like to say that the arc WAS supposed to be longer! Originally, 'Charmed and Dangerous' was supposed to be the big finale for this season, with this arc spanning the fifth season. I'm not 100% sure on this, but I assume Kern and the WB's decision to get out some light episodes was probably what sped the whole thing up.
ReplyDeleteIt was too damaging, but now that you mention it those AA scenes were a TEENCEY bit dragged out. Still a series classic for me though.
Ur are RIGHT! LONG LIVE THE QUEEN was original supposed to be the 100th episode! :)
DeleteI didn't know that, and that sounds really cool. The whole evil-Phoebe could have easily been spread over a longer period, but I can understand why the WB wanted it sped up. Charmed was their "light" show, and I imagine the show-runners were a lot less focused and determined than, say, Joss Whedon, who I can't imagine would cave into network pressures like that.
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