‘Charmed’ is Cheesy yet Progressive Fun

Witchcraft. Feminism. ’90s nostalgia. The beloved supernatural drama “Charmed” was practically begging for a 2018 reboot. While its return to the small screen was somewhat inevitable, however, the decision to shift focus to a new, more diverse (and more political) family was not. Unsurprisingly, this move prompted major backlash — by racists, misogynists, and fans of the original alike — before the show even began. Amid this atmosphere of anger and confusion, the Oct. 4 premiere gives hope to those willing to give the show a try. The “Charmed” reboot is certainly a cheesy mess, but enjoyable nonetheless.

Like the original, “Charmed” tells the story of three sisters united in protecting the world. But unlike the original, these sisters are not together from the start. In fact, it is not until the death of the trio’s mother that the middle and youngest sisters even know the eldest sibling exists. This discovery comes from the delightfully British Harry (Rupert Evans), a so-called “Whitelighter” who promises to guide the sisters on their newly inherited quest to defend the Earth from a series of demonic evils. Arguably, the more exciting inheritance for the sisters is their newfound witchly powers: Macy (Madeleine Mantock) is granted telekinesis, Mel (Melonie Diaz) can freeze time, and Maggie (Sarah Jeffrey) is bestowed with the morally-conflicting ability to read minds. In addition to dealing with hellhounds and warlocks, the sisters must endure everyday human drama, like emotional breakups or trying to rush a sorority.

The pilot does little to assuage some fans’ fears of the show getting too political, however. Within the first five minutes, viewers learn that Mel, the middle daughter, is in a relationship with another woman. Though not political in and of itself, this commitment to representation does demonstrate that the reboot is willing to diverge from the original in the name of progress. Perhaps more notably, the premiere episode focuses just as much on sexual harassment as it does on witchcraft. In what is certainly too topical to be a coincidence, the old white man who gets to keep his position despite such allegations turns out to be a literal demon. The showrunners take it one step further by having Harry read a prophecy that explains what brought about the return of evil: “When the weakest of men reaches ill-gotten glory… suffice to say, it’s your current president.”

Any show can shoehorn in relevant political jokes, but few can do it seamlessly. Based on its premiere, “Charmed” unfortunately appears to fall into the former category. Many of the jokes and political references do feel awkward and artificial, but this doesn’t spell (no pun intended) certain doom for the show. If “Charmed” comes to embrace its campiness, it could certainly be a less misogynistic, but equally cheesy, alternative to other CW shows like “Supernatural.” There are hints that the show will embrace the intersection of cheesiness and politics throughout the pilot — a particularly memorable moment involves Maggie shouting “When it comes to consent, you can change your mind at any time!” to a demon/her boyfriend who is trying to absorb her soul (surprisingly not a huge spoiler). It’s scenes like this — which effectively combine the political, comical, and supernatural aspects of the show — that suggest it may one day reach the level of its predecessor.

In fact, there are some ways in which the reboot excels over the original. The decision to depict an all-Latina family not only is a win for representation, but it also calls back to the prominent depictions of witches in Latinx history and culture, particularly through the concept of the bruja. Another promising change is the eldest sister’s profession as a scientist. At multiple points in the pilot, Macy uses her scientific knowledge to solve supernatural problems. If this blend of science and magic continues, it could lead to some interesting and completely unique plot points. Despite all of these differences, there have been, and there are sure to be more, callbacks to the original that keep the nostalgia rolling.

“Charmed” is undeniably corny, but that can work to its advantage. Fans of the original who complain that the reboot has become too ridiculous and political seem to forget just how blatant the politics in its predecessor could be (a particular episode involving Alyssa Milano’s character appearing naked on horseback in order to support her sister’s public breastfeeding comes to mind). If given the chance, the “Charmed” reboot can show its true colors and reach greatness in its own right, all the while being woke as hell.