Charmed (TV Series) Apocalypse, Not (2000) User Reviews

The Four Horseman of the Apocalypse

[claudio_carvalho · 7/10 · 23 March 2007]

San Francisco is in a chaotic situation, with riots everywhere. Piper and Leo find a mysterious man in the middle of the confusion, who vanishes when they chase him. Later, the Halliwell sisters prepare a spell assuming that they have to vanquish an Anarchy Demon, but they find that the man has three mates and they actually are the Four Horseman of the Apocalypse: War, Death, Famine and Strife. When they cast the spell in an alley, Prue and War disappears. Then Phoebe and Piper join to the three other horsemen trying to bring Prue and War back. But the sisters feel that they are making a mistake and they take the heartbreaking decision of sacrificing Prue for the good of mankind.

"Apocalypse, Not" is an episode with good moments, specially when Piper and Phoebe realize that they should sacrifice their own sister. This episode is funny and entertaining and has a good message in the end. My vote is seven.

Title (Brazil): "Apocalipse Não" ("Apocalypse Not")

Never go into bed with Evil

[owlaurence · 9/10 · 10 August 2008]

There are several very good things in this episode. First, the situation always gets interesting when civilians are involved in demonic schemes, so those mass riots are promising (and so is the ominous countdown that *finally* explains why the Year 2000 Problem never occurred !). Then I like that Piper and Leo actually chance upon the big bad demons and their world-destroying conspiracy when Piper freezes... a flying watermelon. Ironic. Just as the rewriting of the legendary Horsemen as almost standard businessmen. They have a scary boss, harsh competition, high-tech devices and a very strict deadline -and being fired is a rather literal proposition for them.

As for our heroes, Prue doesn't get much to do since she spends most of the episode manifesting in very interesting ways (good use of special FX here). But she's at the core of the episode since her sisters have to choose between saving her or saving the world. The outcome is rather predictable -although Prue is saved at the last second- but touching nevertheless, and it reminds us of all the sacrifices the Charmed Ones have to do over the years.

So Piper and Phoebe lead the show. I love that the episode really takes some time to explain how spells work on both sides. It opens lots of interesting avenues, and it is nice to know that magic isn't just about random rhymes. It is also very unusual to see the Charmed Ones argue with their Whitelighter. Leo usually is so easygoing that his absolute refusal to fraternize with the enemy seems significant. (Although I can't help but smile when he tells Phoebe that she "must never go into bed with Evil"). And Phoebe does seem a bit attracted by that charming tie-wearing businessman (foreshadowing much?)

The end is at hand

[Realrockerhalloween · 29 September 2016]

This should've been the last episode of season 2 as the Charmed ones stop the four horsemen from destroying the world. It follows theme about doing the right thing as Prue is trapped in the astral plane with one horsemen and they must decide between freeing her or letting a lot of people die. Its there quick thinking, not being selfish, that allows life to go on and save their sister. Another aspect is the tension it builds up as a click counts down to Armageddon and Leo has to go undercover seeing the chaos they're inflicting.

Phoebe once again feels close to the darkness with one even asking of she had ever been a demon all leading up to her falling for one and becoming the queen of the underworld later on. This is what charmed should always strive for is bigger It's and doing what's best for the innocents they protect not themselves.