This is an episode of firsts. This is the first time that Prue uses her hands to channel her power, though that seems like a step back from just using your eyes. This is the first time that we see Grimlocks, who we will see again. This is the first time that potions are used to destroy bad guys. This is the first episode to heavily feature my least favorite conflict - exposure. And most importantly, this is the episode where Andy FINALLY finds out the sisters' secret. It is about time!
Even though the foolishness of the exposure subplot, which is virtually never done realistically, stops me from giving this more than an 8 rating, this is always an episode of Season 1 that I really look forward to seeing again. Maybe just because of the adorable romantic connection Phoebe makes with a blind guy, who is satisfyingly given his sight back by the end of the episode. Too bad that we don't see the guy again, but it was touching while it lasted.
So, at the beginning of the episode, the Grimlocks duo appear in a park to kidnap a child. Prue comes to the rescue but is frozen in shock when she channels from her hands and sends both Grimlock and kid suspended into mid-air. Her shock allows the Grimlock to escape with the boy in hand, unfortunately.
To add to that misfortune, a scuzzball reporter saw the entire thing; of course, there is nothing that rationally ties the mid-air suspension to Prue other than her raising her hands, but that doesn't stop the reporter from instantly believing Prue must have magical powers. I would think most people would need to see more than that to believe such a thing, but not this guy. Still, Prue could just deny everything and the guy would be just another nut with a possible future with The Onion. Oh, hell, there are several things Prue could do even beyond the simple denial of a crazy accusation. She could cast a spell to make the reporter forget the whole thing. She could threaten him in a myriad of ways, all of which would probably be very convincing, but anyway... The show tried to turn up the suspense on this subplot by having the guy catch Piper on video apparently freezing time. Of course, if you gave me that camcorder right now, I could shoot a video appearing to show the exact same thing because that's the power of editing, but this guy still thinks this is irrefutable proof of something no one is going to believe.
Anyway, while both the reporter and Prue see Andy regarding the kidnapping case, Phoebe does an investigation of her own and discovers two other boys were kidnapped by the Grimlocks twenty years ago. She finds one of the boys who is now a grown man and blind since the Grimlocks steal the vision from children in order to feed on people's good auras. The man is able to recall about where the Grimlocks took him and a premonition into the past for Phoebe seals it. After the sisters find Grimlocks in the Book of Shadows and learn that a potion vanquishes it, Prue makes the potion while Piper and Phoebe go to find the Grimlocks.
After Piper falls down a hole and is injured, Phoebe calls Prue to join her with the potions. Prue brings the potions out to her vehicle to find that her car is disabled by the reporter. Why? Don't know. Pretty sure Prue could call the cops at this point. Instead, pressed by time, Prue makes a deal with the reporter and tells him she's a witch in exchange for him fixing her car. He does and they leave to find Phoebe and Piper. Fortunately. Andy has also visited the blind guy and found out where the sisters are going. He arrives right behind them.
Even though he was told to stay out of the sewers, for his own good, the reporter, of course, wants live footage and follows. He gets separated from the sisters and then conveniently eliminated by a Grimlock, thus proving that even demons can do a good deed once in a while.
Andy also gets attacked by a Grimlock and is only saved by Prue, who uses her power. Now, finally, Andy knows. Our long national nightmare is over. Besides the fact that he deserves to know, I think it is long since been made obvious that having a knowing friend on the police force is a good idea.
The final Grimlock surprises the sisters, shattering the last potion and disabling Piper. He begins to strangle Phoebe, but fortunately, Prue Superwitch can pick the puddled potion off the ground and shower the Grimlock with it, destroying him.
The show ends with everyone getting their sight back, and with Andy now having the biggest eye opener of everyone. Good episode!
Even though the foolishness of the exposure subplot, which is virtually never done realistically, stops me from giving this more than an 8 rating, this is always an episode of Season 1 that I really look forward to seeing again. Maybe just because of the adorable romantic connection Phoebe makes with a blind guy, who is satisfyingly given his sight back by the end of the episode. Too bad that we don't see the guy again, but it was touching while it lasted.
So, at the beginning of the episode, the Grimlocks duo appear in a park to kidnap a child. Prue comes to the rescue but is frozen in shock when she channels from her hands and sends both Grimlock and kid suspended into mid-air. Her shock allows the Grimlock to escape with the boy in hand, unfortunately.
To add to that misfortune, a scuzzball reporter saw the entire thing; of course, there is nothing that rationally ties the mid-air suspension to Prue other than her raising her hands, but that doesn't stop the reporter from instantly believing Prue must have magical powers. I would think most people would need to see more than that to believe such a thing, but not this guy. Still, Prue could just deny everything and the guy would be just another nut with a possible future with The Onion. Oh, hell, there are several things Prue could do even beyond the simple denial of a crazy accusation. She could cast a spell to make the reporter forget the whole thing. She could threaten him in a myriad of ways, all of which would probably be very convincing, but anyway... The show tried to turn up the suspense on this subplot by having the guy catch Piper on video apparently freezing time. Of course, if you gave me that camcorder right now, I could shoot a video appearing to show the exact same thing because that's the power of editing, but this guy still thinks this is irrefutable proof of something no one is going to believe.
Anyway, while both the reporter and Prue see Andy regarding the kidnapping case, Phoebe does an investigation of her own and discovers two other boys were kidnapped by the Grimlocks twenty years ago. She finds one of the boys who is now a grown man and blind since the Grimlocks steal the vision from children in order to feed on people's good auras. The man is able to recall about where the Grimlocks took him and a premonition into the past for Phoebe seals it. After the sisters find Grimlocks in the Book of Shadows and learn that a potion vanquishes it, Prue makes the potion while Piper and Phoebe go to find the Grimlocks.
After Piper falls down a hole and is injured, Phoebe calls Prue to join her with the potions. Prue brings the potions out to her vehicle to find that her car is disabled by the reporter. Why? Don't know. Pretty sure Prue could call the cops at this point. Instead, pressed by time, Prue makes a deal with the reporter and tells him she's a witch in exchange for him fixing her car. He does and they leave to find Phoebe and Piper. Fortunately. Andy has also visited the blind guy and found out where the sisters are going. He arrives right behind them.
Even though he was told to stay out of the sewers, for his own good, the reporter, of course, wants live footage and follows. He gets separated from the sisters and then conveniently eliminated by a Grimlock, thus proving that even demons can do a good deed once in a while.
Andy also gets attacked by a Grimlock and is only saved by Prue, who uses her power. Now, finally, Andy knows. Our long national nightmare is over. Besides the fact that he deserves to know, I think it is long since been made obvious that having a knowing friend on the police force is a good idea.
The final Grimlock surprises the sisters, shattering the last potion and disabling Piper. He begins to strangle Phoebe, but fortunately, Prue Superwitch can pick the puddled potion off the ground and shower the Grimlock with it, destroying him.
The show ends with everyone getting their sight back, and with Andy now having the biggest eye opener of everyone. Good episode!
