Nostalgia Friday: Charmed (TV show)

Charmed…I love Charmed. I love that the characters evolved so much throughout the show. Yes, the show was kind of all over the place at times, but how many shows can stay successful while having so many pivots in it? I mean for gods’ sake they got a new fraking sister at one point! And it worked!

If you’ve never seen Charmed and you like paranormal romance, you are in for a treat. Quickly, the premise, there are three sisters, they’re the most powerful witches in the world so they have to fight evil but they really wish they could just find the right man (sigh). This show has sisterhood, girl power, bad boyfriends, good boyfriend, humans, demons, angles, gods, leprechauns, time travel, banshees, the personification of fear, mermaids, a nightclub featuring relevant musical artists of the time. You know, so, basically everything you want.

In a time when women are still saying that they “want it all”—a career, a family, alone time, to feel sexy but real, to be vulnerable and badass—Charmed will hold a funhouse mirror to this ongoing social dialogue. Throughout the entire series The Charmed Ones struggle to have it all. They want sexy little outfits that are somehow still practical for fighting evil. They want healthy loving relationships and fulfilling careers, while still saving the world every week. I don’t know how this show holds up, it probably feels dated, possibly problematic…but maybe not. The woman who played Piper was one of the executive producers. I think Charmed is likely a fun and interesting stop along the evolution of feminism in mainstream media. Let me know what you decide.