As Mel works at getting her powers back, the Charmed Ones find themselves in a unique spot of bother as a conspiracist hobgoblin decides to take matters into his own hands at the Blue Camellia.

Upfront spoiler(ish) warning – the sandwich in the title of this episode is literal rather than metaphorical, and it really does end up being an awful lot more important than you might think.

While that might make this instalment sound nonsensical, it’s actually very topical, and tells a great story in its own right while holding up a frighteningly accurate mirror to the real world. In the wake of what happened at the spa last time out, there’s a lot of anger and fear in the wider magical community, and not all of it is directed at the Tallyman. Thanks to the spread of viral videos, encouraged by their shadowy nemesis, many in the magical community are starting to question just whose side the Charmed Ones are on. Conspiracy theories and rumours take on an organic life of their own, and one hobgoblin in particular decides to take matters into his own hands, having lost his job at the spa and being in no doubt who is to blame.

Through a series of convoluted events, this means that Maggie and Kaela end up a long way from home in more senses than one, while Mel and Roxie find themselves forced to work together in order to stop a lot of people from being killed. And there is a relevance to the sandwich!

Maggie, meanwhile, aside from trying to work through the obvious issues, is also having trouble with accepting Kaela as Macy’s ‘replacement’. She’s not ready to use the ‘S’ word just yet (sister) and the pair of them being flung far away from home together with only each other to rely on is basically her worst nightmare. That said, it turns out that it might be just what they need, and it reveals a connection between the Charmed Ones and Roxie that none of them could have ever guessed at before.

And for Mel, who is feeling vulnerable and strung out after everything in her personal life, it’s an opportunity to maybe think about trusting in someone else again, even if she doesn’t have any obvious reason to do so. It’s also a chance for her to really start honing some of her newfound abilities. Thanks to the sandwich.

All told, this is another incredibly strong episode, in which everyone gets plenty to do, growth happens and the characters learn stuff. I feel like after the previous three seasons, I’m almost watching an entirely different show, and whatever groove the writers’ room has hit, I am hoping they stay in it.

Verdict: Topical, deep and one of the best examples of this particular type of story I have seen in a while in the genre. 9/10

Greg D. Smith