A mysterious stranger causes issues for the Charmed Ones, leaving Macy and Jordan trapped and up against the clock to escape safely. Harry turns to Abi for help with a translation, leading them on a journey that will test them both.

Another strong instalment for the Charmed Ones this week, as the show takes the opportunity to really dig into some of the issues it started in on last week. It makes all the sense in the world when you stop to think about it that Macy and Jordan should be a bit closer, with the various shared experiences they have, and finally the writers realise it to, with the pair of them finding themselves trapped in a highly unusual situation which requires Jordan to confront certain elements of his past in order for them to escape. In doing so, he and Macy find some of that common ground.

What’s particularly resonant is that rather than taking the hackneyed route of going ‘here are two black characters, they’ll get one another’, the show instead has them reaching this understanding by way of much misunderstanding first. And it takes the time to really examine the issue of why Harry and even her sisters constantly asking her if she’s OK and trying in their own ways to help is in fact having more of a detrimental effect. It’s deep, resonant stuff, and it feels relevant and important now more than ever, and is somewhat surprising to see in this kind of show.

Meanwhile, Mel and Maggie have issues of their own as an unexpected intruder at the Vera home proves to be an awful lot more complex and more of a handful than they first appear. This is interesting, going to the very foundations of the show and what the girls think they know about themselves, their family and their history. It also takes the opportunity of bringing another current ‘hot button’ topic into the context of the show, and does so in a way that absolutely fits with the tone and context of this universe while still feeling wholly relevant to the current state of the debate. It’s a subject the show had already touched on earlier in the series but here it feels more directly plugged into the fabric of the show itself. I look forward to seeing where they take this thread moving forward.

As to Harry, he gets to do a bit of globe trotting with Abi. Having discovered some home truths about herself thanks to Jordan last time out, Abi is overcome with the desire to do a bit of good in the world, and extends a genuine offer of assistance. Unfortunately, neither she nor Harry are prepared for the individual with whom they must consult, who is entirely not what either of them had expected.

Verdict: For once, our characters get to learn some different lessons than the usual about themselves. Solidly entertaining stuff. 8/10

Greg D. Smith