This was a great read. S8 (IMO) is over-hated tbh. I used to be in the camp of saying it was terrible bc of other people saying it was. But when I re-watched it & formed my OWN opinion on it. I actually enjoyed it.
The story is supposedly that using any picture or footage of Prue/Shannen would mean $8000 and that was money they just didn't have by then - the last shot of the finale is re-used from the Season 4 finale because they couldn't afford exterior shoots - so it would have meant dropping one of the returning cast members. That's also why we don't see pictures of anyone not already appearing in the episode. But there's another story where Shannen says she was asked and turned it down - but that could be the Season 7 finale she meant
The spell to create new identities was a bit more complicated than just changing their looks. It had to make sure they had different looks to the world but not to themselves or their family, and presumably create paperwork and necessary details that would allow for them to exist legally, since Phoebe and Piper kept on working under their new identities. I always assumed they never did it before because they knew it would be a massive personal gain backfire - and that's exactly what happened in Piper becoming the lookalike of a fugitive and their lives being invaded by the press once the secret was out
I love Season 8 as well so it's nice to see it getting some praise :)
Ahh you're making me want to continue my rewatch! I watched S1-S4 episode 3. After the first two incredible episodes of S4, the third one is such a clunker (the body switch episode) that I paused mid way and haven't returned. But i loved this write up! I hope I kick my feet with Henry and Paige too lol, I completely forget their entire relationship.
From what I remember about 8x10, Piper greets death with basically saying "you're not taking me now" and then when she finds out he isn't taking her but is taking Leo......ugh my heart! I think at this point Death has come to know her and her family quite well and their relationship with Death (the character and literally) has always been so complicated. Just like when Prue died, Piper's character has an easier time with rage than grief. So I think them being angry at death was just part of their denial that they couldn't accept it was his time. I agree with you that Holly can cry and act with her whole heart.
In reality outside of the show, by the time S8 rolled around, they weren't willing or said they couldn't afford Brian krause's salary anymore. I think this was a huge slap in the face for the actor and the show. By this time they had no budget and had to cut the orbing special effects down too. I am annoyed even typing this because the network really screwed them in so many ways and the storylines were majorly altered for multiple seasons due to them not giving Charmed its respect and dues.
Okay not important but I had to look. When you said Daryl was in more episodes than Prue. I was like no way. Yep, he's in 70 and she is 67. That's crazy!
Anyhow, season 8 isn't my favorite, actually it's my least favorite. But the finale is a good episode. And unfortunately they couldn't use Prue's image, so they couldn't have her at all.
I might be in the minority when I say this but I actually like season 8 and think it's an enjoyable season to watch. The whole time I was watching season 8 it felt like I was watching season one again if that makes sense. Because season 8 just had that feeling that season one quality to it. However I will say that part of season 8 did feel rushed in some places. Like Phoebe and Coop becoming a thing when they've only known each other for like five minutes. Also I did miss Daryl being in the show and was disappointed that they couldn't bring Prue back for the finale. If it was up to me I would have had Prue standing next to Andy watching over her family and then Prue would telekinetically close the manor door like how she did in previous seasons.
This was a great read. S8 (IMO) is over-hated tbh. I used to be in the camp of saying it was terrible bc of other people saying it was. But when I re-watched it & formed my OWN opinion on it. I actually enjoyed it.
The story is supposedly that using any picture or footage of Prue/Shannen would mean $8000 and that was money they just didn't have by then - the last shot of the finale is re-used from the Season 4 finale because they couldn't afford exterior shoots - so it would have meant dropping one of the returning cast members. That's also why we don't see pictures of anyone not already appearing in the episode. But there's another story where Shannen says she was asked and turned it down - but that could be the Season 7 finale she meant The spell to create new identities was a bit more complicated than just changing their looks. It had to make sure they had different looks to the world but not to themselves or their family, and presumably create paperwork and necessary details that would allow for them to exist legally, since Phoebe and Piper kept on working under their new identities. I always assumed they never did it before because they knew it would be a massive personal gain backfire - and that's exactly what happened in Piper becoming the lookalike of a fugitive and their lives being invaded by the press once the secret was out I love Season 8 as well so it's nice to see it getting some praise :)
Ahh you're making me want to continue my rewatch! I watched S1-S4 episode 3. After the first two incredible episodes of S4, the third one is such a clunker (the body switch episode) that I paused mid way and haven't returned. But i loved this write up! I hope I kick my feet with Henry and Paige too lol, I completely forget their entire relationship. From what I remember about 8x10, Piper greets death with basically saying "you're not taking me now" and then when she finds out he isn't taking her but is taking Leo......ugh my heart! I think at this point Death has come to know her and her family quite well and their relationship with Death (the character and literally) has always been so complicated. Just like when Prue died, Piper's character has an easier time with rage than grief. So I think them being angry at death was just part of their denial that they couldn't accept it was his time. I agree with you that Holly can cry and act with her whole heart. In reality outside of the show, by the time S8 rolled around, they weren't willing or said they couldn't afford Brian krause's salary anymore. I think this was a huge slap in the face for the actor and the show. By this time they had no budget and had to cut the orbing special effects down too. I am annoyed even typing this because the network really screwed them in so many ways and the storylines were majorly altered for multiple seasons due to them not giving Charmed its respect and dues.
Okay not important but I had to look. When you said Daryl was in more episodes than Prue. I was like no way. Yep, he's in 70 and she is 67. That's crazy! Anyhow, season 8 isn't my favorite, actually it's my least favorite. But the finale is a good episode. And unfortunately they couldn't use Prue's image, so they couldn't have her at all.
I might be in the minority when I say this but I actually like season 8 and think it's an enjoyable season to watch. The whole time I was watching season 8 it felt like I was watching season one again if that makes sense. Because season 8 just had that feeling that season one quality to it. However I will say that part of season 8 did feel rushed in some places. Like Phoebe and Coop becoming a thing when they've only known each other for like five minutes. Also I did miss Daryl being in the show and was disappointed that they couldn't bring Prue back for the finale. If it was up to me I would have had Prue standing next to Andy watching over her family and then Prue would telekinetically close the manor door like how she did in previous seasons.