S1-18 WHEN BAD WARLOCKS TURN GOOD

[vandergraafk]

This episode threatened to derail Charmed in ways perhaps unintended by the writers and producers. To posit the existence of a Rowe Coven of warlocks dating back to the 10th century and stipulate that through each successive generation of Rowe warlocks, the demonic power of the Rowe Coven would grow so that there would come a time when three brothers would arise, brothers who would be the most powerful evil of all time, sounded too cheesy. Just what we needed: the anti-Charmed Ones.

Perhaps the prophecy was correct. Perhaps that's why the Charmed prophecy later came into being. Thank goodness, the anti-Charmed Ones were betrayed by one of the brothers who chose good (God) over evil. The threat was over, at least for now.

The problem with the Rowe Coven prophecy is obvious. Warlocks are witches gone bad who still (good) witches powers. As such, they only have limited, but perhaps quite powerful demonic powers. Demons, on the other hand, have much greater power than most warlocks. And, as we later learn, among the demons in the Underworld, there were powerful factions. For the past several hundred years, the Source had been able to suppress the factional infighting as he banished rivals to the dungeon or contained them in other magical vessels (Zankou). As a result of his success, the Source was deemed to be none other than the Source of All Evil. How exactly was the Rowe Coven then to become the most powerful evil of all time?

[avallacj]

Especially in Season 1, warlocks were the main adversaries of the Charmed Ones. As the sisters confronted their demonic masters directly, warlock more or less faded into the background. Demons in the early seaons were truly terrifying evil creatures. There was a special sense of foreboding when a demon was confronted that was not there when for a warlock.

Of course, in the later seasons, demons were toned down a lot (partly due to budget cutbacks, but mostly because of crappy direction). They were no longer creatures and dressed like rejects from a leather bar. They became silly, more to be laughed at than feared (like "Stanley").

In regards to the Rowe Coven, I think there were originally meant to be the mirror evil opposites of the Charmed Ones. I think it makes sense they would be the most powerful force for evil (like the COs is for good). As for their relationship with the Source and other demons, I think it would probably be the same way as it is with the Charmed Ones and the Elders...They would be the most powerful warlocks that would be fighting for their behalf. Whether they can defeat demons seems based on the answer on whether the Charmed Ones can defeat the Elders (I also like to pretend that that seasons 5-8 don't exists..I like to think the Charmed Ones are the most powerful witches ever, regardless of Wyatt, Billie, etc..)

It would have to been very interesting on whether there is a long-lost Rowe brother out there like there was a lost Halliwell in Paige (of course, the Rowes were vanquished, but they could always been brought back). That would have been a great storyline.

[vandergraafk]

Good point about warlocks being the principal adversary in Season 1. Is this an example of the Source's hubris where he thought the sisters could be vanquished by lesser evil? Having said that, I must remind myself and others that Eames, a powerful warlock who had amassed a sizeable collection of powers and was determined to destroy the Elders, emerged during Season 3. The warlock Baccara was very powerful as well, and he didn't appear until Season 5! Still, as Cole notes in A Witch in Time, why would he (Cole) work with a (mere) warlock in the future. Whatever the particular power an individual warlock might amass, a warlock still occupies in general a lower rang on the demonic ladder.

[vandergraafk]

That was then, this is now. It seems as if I've hardly modified my views at all. As noted in the Charmed Cafe,

"I usually try to avoid discussing when Bad Warlocks Turn Good, the Season 1 episode with Brendan Rowe and the Rowe Coven. First, the idea of an anti-Charmed trio was too cheesy an idea to begin with. Second, if I allow this episode to be integral to Charmedverse, then I have to accept that maybe the Charmed Ones were the most powerful witches of all time since the Rowe Coven was deemed to be the most powerful warlock coven of all time. I much prefer the self-fulfilling prophesy explanation that is derived directly from All Halliwell's Eve since this allows an explanation for Wyatt as a more powerful witch than the Charmed Ones, who were only imagined to be the most powerful witches of all time since that's whom the coven summoned to protect Charlotte and Melinda (her expectant baby).

In general, warlocks are not part of the demonic hierarchy. They are allies, however. In Charmedverse, warlocks are viewed as good witches gone bad. They are mortal and can easily be vanquished. Some, however, try to rise in the Underworld, as we saw in the episode with the muses. And, Cole wondered how Baccara, a warlock, had managed to become Cole's right hand man in the near future. As Cole mused, "why would I trust a warlock?"