An apparent attack by unknown demons on a witch raises many questions and challenges for the Charmed Ones. Abi continues to search for an answer to her problem. Macy has an upsetting encounter with the Shea group.

Last week’s Charmed was awful, so I was glad to see that this week’s instalment does mix things up slightly, pairing off Maggie with Macy on an adventure of their own, but still leaving Mel to be the one who gets to have a confrontation with Abi. It also decides to explicitly address some racial issues, which is something it often sort of leaves at the door while focusing on various other social issues, so that’s to be commended as well.

It even does a fairly good job of its main plot – an attack on a witch in British Columbia apparently made by demons. This sees Maggie and Macy go off to hunt down the apparent attackers while Harry and Mel remain at the Command Centre trying to deal with whatever esoteric poison seems to have been used on the unfortunate victim.

Macy though, is distracted by something we don’t get to see happen early on in the episode (we just get the aftermath as a teary-eyed and clearly distraught Macy walks toward camera) and Maggie finds herself trying to use her empathy and psychological learnings to get to the bottom of why her usually calm and placid sister is suddenly so furious and cold. I have to admit I like the way that this one is played – the issue, when it’s revealed, is one that’s all too common in society and all too often ignored by it, mentioning no recent UK government reports. Madeline Mantock handles it absolutely brilliantly and it’s nice to see the show making an effort to widen its range in this way.

Meanwhile, Mel wants answers from Abi as to exactly why her truce seems to have been broken. But Abi is busy asking Jordan for help in her own inimitable way as she is no further forward in determining exactly why her demon half seems intent on killing her. The confrontation with Mel is perhaps expected, but the way in which it plays out is interesting. Abi has long been one of the more intriguing elements of the show, because she’s one of the more complex antagonists/allies the girls have. Here, we start to get the impression that for all her bluster, that complexity may go right down to her very soul, and how the morality – or whatever passes for it – of the woman works. I hope they take the opportunity to do interesting stuff with this going forwards.

Finishing up, the conclusion of the main plot is interesting in that it doesn’t just get to be a monster for the girls to zap with the Power of Three. For the first time in a while we see the Charmed ones fulfilling their actual role, in terms of nurturing, protecting and aiding the Witch community. More of this would be most welcome indeed.

Verdict: A huge improvement on last week with much to recommend it. More please. 8/10

Greg D. Smith