Kaela is resistant to accepting her destiny, leaving the Vera sisters divided. Jordan and Harry investigate what was behind the mysterious death of Annie, and come away with answers they hadn’t expected.

So it turns out that last shot of Kaela in the opening episode was worse than we might have thought – far from ‘needing some time’ she just flat out doesn’t want anything to do with the life of a Charmed One, and asks them not to contact her again. Maggie handles this in a sensible, if slightly cold way. Mel, well, she’s never really been good at boundaries, has she?

Turns out that may not be a bad thing though, as it seems that there is some immediate danger lurking for Kaela, and one which she won’t be able to face down alone. Even as she tries to live a normal life and go back to what she knows, life conspires to stop her. Her inability to control her powers properly together with this new-found threat mean that she may have to get involved with magic again whether she likes it or not.

Meanwhile Jordan gets the news about Annie and decides it’s down to him to get to the bottom of it, enlisting Harry’s help whether he wants to give it or not. There’s some really good stuff here which brings in previously established character traits and background for both men. Harry is still raw with grief for the loss of Macy, and has become withdrawn, crabby and not a little too fond of an alcoholic drink or three. Jordan is struggling to define himself in his new role with his new powers and also doesn’t quite know how to reach Maggie through her own grief. Both men need one another, in ways they hadn’t perhaps realised, and each is able to help the other here.

When they go hunting for that mysterious Tallyman though, they find themselves in more trouble than they had bargained for, which helps to tie up the episode quite nicely once the girls have dealt with their own problem. What I like here is that in dealing with that problem, the show actually uses a nice bit of logic that Mr Picky Critic here would otherwise have been screaming at the screen about them missing. Then it’s down to Kaela to start believing in her own powers and abilities in order to save the day, so that the Lads can in turn do their own bit of saving.

It feels as if everyone is properly part of a team, and whereas a couple of bits are arguably a little contrived, overall it works well. I’m pleased that the writers have struck a nice even tone with regards to Macy as well, not forgetting her as a character but also not making everything about her and overdoing it. If this is an indication of the direction of the show moving forward, count me in.

Verdict: Another nice instalment that demonstrates exactly what this show can do when it wants to. 8/10

Greg D. Smith