With Harry largely insensible, Mel and Maggie enlist Ray’s help to chase down the one lead their Whitelighter is able to give them. Macy tries to help Harry but ends up in trouble herself.

So. Julian is a bad guy. His corporation is behind all the doings of The Faction. And Harry has lost his memory. Things aren’t looking good for the Charmed Ones as this episode starts, and then lots more stuff gets thrown in their way. And for once, it’s all actually pretty interesting.

For starters, there’s the revelation that Mel has been keeping in slightly closer touch with Ray than she’s necessarily been open about. Needing his help to run down the only lead Harry has been able to give them, his presence prompts a series of revelations as to just how close which leave Maggie feeling increasingly uncomfortable. As if that weren’t enough, she seems to have been afflicted with some sort of magical virus/illness, and is therefore at less than peak performance. The way that the episode explores the complexities of this odd family relationship and the reactions of the various players is genuinely fascinating and quite emotionally resonant. I’ve said before and I’ll say again that Felix Solis is a welcome addition to the cast and I hope that the writers have plans to use him more in future.

Meanwhile, Harry is still completely baffled as to what is going on, having lost his memory and convinced he is still James. Macy cooks up something to act as a restorative and wouldn’t you know it – it doesn’t quite work according to plan, leaving Macy in danger and Jordan to come in and offer some help. It’s nice that Jordan isn’t being treated as the idiot token human there to gawp at the magical goings on, and the way in which the plot works him in here feel organic and natural.

This part also gives the show a chance to explore Macy’s own past in its own way, and some fascinating revelations follow. What’s even better though, is that the writers avoid what felt like the ‘normal’ route they’d take this down, bypassing a lot of needless drama and opting instead for some narratively satisfying stuff – excellent work indeed.

All told, Charmed has been on a bit of an uptick in quality these last few weeks ,and this episode continues that trend. At this rate, I may even start enjoying it.

Verdict: Complex emotional explorations of character and some fun as well. 7/10

Greg D. Smith