Charmed (2018) Season 2 Episode 8 Review: The Rules of Engagement
Kiara Imani
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On the mid-season finale, we learn that sometimes wanting to see the best in people can put you in danger.
On Charmed (2018) Season 2 Episode 8, the Charmed ones are forced to ask themselves tough questions about who they trust and what they believe.
In an effort to defy her sisters, Maggie abruptly accepts Parker's wedding proposal.
In less than a few minutes, she goes from telling Parker she does not wish to be married, to telling Macy, Mel, and Harry that she is going to marry Parker.
Following her heart has always been both a blessing and a curse for Maggie, but she runs into trouble when she allows her feelings to control her.
Maggie was initially very clear that she was not ready to get married at 20 years old. She should have taken more time to think about her decision before rushing to accept Parker's proposal.
Maggie's decision to rush the wedding and get married that same day was overwhelmingly frustrating.
It did not make sense that she went from rejecting Parker, to being excited about the wedding within the span of a few hours.
While Maggie's decisions were frustrating, many of us know what it feels like to love someone that we know we shouldn't love.
Maggie: That was amazing.
Parker: That was the power of power.
Maggie was not the only one struggling with a forbidden love this episode.
Both Harry and Macy wrestled with the feelings they have and the attraction they feel towards darkness.
No matter how sweet, supportive and reliable Harry is, there is something in dark Harry that intrigued Macy.
Similarly, Harry continues to trust Abigael in spite of the number of times she has lied to him and the Charmed Ones.
It's very possible that Harry's attraction to Abigael is fueled by his jealousy.
Maggie: It will be like a power partnership. Beyonce and Jay-z. Barrack and Michelle.
Macy: Brad and Angelina. Marriages go south, Maggie. And then what?
Harry hated the fact that Macy was attracted to dark Harry more than him.
Harry was right to call Macy out on her hypocrisy when she judged him for trusting Abigael.
My heart when dropped when Macy saw Harry and Abigael making out. Harry and Macy obviously have feelings for one another, and will still likely end up together.
Harry is going to feel like an idiot when he finds out that Abigael is lying to everyone.
The writers have done a great job of delving into the complexity of loving someone's darkness.
It can cause a strain on your family relationships, and in your friendships.
Macy: Or maybe he has feelings for her.
Mel: Or you have feelings for him.
I was disappointed that Maggie chose to kick Mel out of her wedding when she found out that Mel had been spying on Parker.
She decided to ask Mel to leave before she even checked Parker's office for the apples.
Up until then, Mel had given Maggie no reason to believe that she was not trustworthy.
Maggie was ready to choose Parker over her sister, in spite of being separated from Parker for an extended period.
Maggie's reaction to Mel was too extreme given the circumstances.
Maggie also told her sister's that the Power of Three was practically non-existent.
The lack of a strong, sisterly bond has been consistent all season.
Daring to dream is a revolutionary act. Dreamers change the world.
Mel
While the various love stories were wildly entertaining, so much happened this episode that the story was hard to follow.
Similar to the first episode, It felt like the writers packed way too much action into just one episode.
With all of the action, there were lots of missed opportunities for real character development.
For example, to break the curse Mel used to turn herself into a fly, she had to experience a moment of true self-reflection.
In just a few moments, she managed to realize that she was powerful even without powers.
Breaking a curse often takes much more than just looking into a mirror and having a shallow "ah ha" moment.
Similarly, Parker's character had no real opportunity to evolve.
He went from trusting Maggie wholeheartedly, to doubting whether or not she could be trusted in a matter of minutes.
While Parker does have a demon side, it was uncharacteristic of him to distrust Maggie.
It should have taken a more egregious betrayal to make him question his allegiance to Maggie.
Parker's alleged vanquising also happened very fast.
No one attempted to explain to Jordan what happened after Parker tried to attack him.
It's also unclear how Abigael managed to save Parker after she stabbed him, or how much of the real Parker was highlighted throughout the episode.
The writers also brushed over the fact that Macy's powers came back. The Power of Three has been treated as an afterthought all season.
In spite of a plot that felt rushed, the episode still kept me on the edge of my seat due to the frequent plot twists.
For better or for worse, I had no idea what to expect.
There were also great messages and one-liners sprinkled throughout the episode.
Mel: A young visionary once said, "This is not the end. This is the beginning."
Maggie: Did you just compare me to AOC?
The constant female empowerment theme is a breath of fresh air in a world where women are often portrayed as victims but not heroines.
Even Abigael's character made it a point to embrace her femininity in an inspiring way.
I also loved the references to black power couples and AOC.
The Charmed reboot has done a great job of highlighting people of color in powerful ways.
As always, I want to hear your opinion!
What did you think of the Mid-Season Finale?
Will Macy and Harry end up together after all?
Will the Power of Three ever fully return?
If you missed this episode, you can watch Charmed (2018) online!
Charmed airs Fridays on the CW.
Kiara Imani is a staff writer for TV Fanatic. Follow her on Twitter.
