JUDGEMENTAL STANDARDS

[vandergraafk]

In the Charmed Cafe, a meandering discussion regarding the use of magic for personal gain was abruptly challenged by ljones would cast doubt on the use of personal gain as any legitimate standard for judging the Charmed Ones. As she posted in the Charmed Cafe, ljones stated:

"Personally, I couldn't care less if a witch uses magic for personal gain. Why on earth did the producers insist upon adding this rule for witches? I've read a lot on Wicca and I have yet to actually find a rule similar to this. I have discovered that Wiccans frowned upon magic being used to deliberately harm others . . . or perform magic upon someone without his or her consent."


As a participant in the debates on "personal gain" and as someone who had attempted to apply the unwieldy concept of personal gain as a standard for judgement, I was prompted by this contribution to offer this lengthy response:

Ever since episode 2 (Season 1), personal gain has been a recurring theme in Charmed. Assuming the leadership mantle, Prue used the notion of personal gain - as an ostensible violation of Wiccan rede - as a somewhat gentle cudgel (or reminder) in order to keep the behavior of Phoebe (largely) and Piper (occasionally) under wraps. As we saw in I've Got You Under My Skin, Phoebe tried to use her power of premonition to win the lottery. She can predict the winning numbers, but she cannot claim the winning ticket. Later, she will use her powers to earn money in order to buy Prue a birthday present. By the time we get to later episodes, first Phoebe, then Paige, will have this down to a common refrain: "I know - personal gain".

In my own forum site, I have analyzed personal gain and assigned several hierarchies to it. There are major instances of personal gain attempted and many, many minor ones. Since I used cost-benefit analysis to create the hierarchy, I was basically forced to apply a complicated calculus in order to evaluate simple activities. For example, does Prue's use of her powers to spring clean the attic constitute use of her powers for personal gain and violate the Wiccan rede? I conclude no, but the argument gets rather ugly because of all of the variables one has to consider.

Ljones suggested that maybe the problem is with the concept itself. In an intriguing contribution, she suggested that in witchcraft personal gain is not the focus. Rather, emphasis is (properly) placed on harm that might result from an unwise usage of magic. Now, shifting on the harm that might ensue does not necessarily eliminate a messy calculus. We still have to consider physical harm, emotional harm, financial harm, etc. Although I still consider Paige's decision to decline her promotion to social worker in Charmed and Dangerous to be correct, the argument(s) leading to that conclusion are more complicated. Paige did not use magic to make Caroline presentable before a judge out of personal gain. She was faced with a mortifying result that did not result from Paige's distraction because of the imprecations of the Source. No, the ex-husband sought out Caroline and beat her to a pulp. Pressed for time, Paige did the only thing she could: the Vanishing Spell. True, it did result in Caroline's winning custody of her children. True, Bob Cowan did take note of the results of Paige's work on this involved case. True, it did tip the balance in favor of Paige's promotion at the expense of Scott, the more senior and equally qualified candidate. Paige was wise to turn down the promotion because a) her use of magic did tilt the balance in her favor; b) her use of magic, if rewarded as Bob Cowan had intended, would have harmed Scott; and c) she should have realized, as she later did in A Witch's Tail, that her duties as a witch might well have precluded her from performing to the best of her abilities in the best interests of her clients. Scott had no such conflict and may, in the long run, have been the better choice. As charming as "I did the rhyme..." may seem, personal gain poorly explains why Paige was wise to turn down this promotion.

In Morality Bites, Phoebe does suggest an alternative way of evaluating Charmed behavior, a method that accords well with that part of the Wiccan rede which advises against harming others. As her sisters are about to rescue her from being gassed in the chamber, Phoebe proclaims that they must not rescue her. Future Phoebe, in this alternative reality, must absolve herself of the crime she has committed: the murder of Cal Greene, an alleged murderer himself who escaped punishment on a technicality. A wrong deed done for the right reasons is still wrong, Phoebe suggests. Murdering Cal Greene was wrong. It preempted the legal process, even though the legal process itself led to a miscarriage of justice. And, it forced Phoebe to engage in a bad act herself: murder. Whether to obtain justice for her murdered friend (avenge his death) or whether to right the wrongly tipped scales of justice, neither reason can support the vile act itself: murder.

As a juridical absolute, this is always problematic. Indeed, the judicial process depends on examining extenuating circumstances that may obscure the clarity of the issue at stake or lessen the degree of culpability if a wrong deed has been done even for the best reasons. There is no black or white. There are always shades of grey. Perhaps this is why discussions pertaining to the alleged "rape" of Darryl's soul in Valhalley of the Dolls and the vanquish of Rick in Hyde School Reunion ignite such passion and ultimately force us to examine very deeply these greys (and the literary structure upon which these greys have been erected).

In beginning this post, I am wary that old arguments will ignite anew. I both fear and welcome this opportunity. I do hope that we will attempt to examine them, however, with less passion and more nuance in order to arrive at fresh insights.

[vandergraafk]

As I feared, the discussion would sink again to the level of Hyde School Reunion. Here's what ljones had to offer (again) in the Charmed Cafe in response to comments made by whitelightertony with respect to marionmad's statement. Afterwards, I post my reply.


Marionmad offered this comment:

Okay, I am deeply disturbed by that one instance when Phoebe and Paige killed Rick. Paige should have just orbed the gun out and cast a memory spell on Rick afterwards. After all, whitelighters can erase memories when they need to. What Paige did was inexcuseable and second degree murder by demon.


Whitelightertony wrote in response:

Paige should have just orbed the gun out and cast a memory spell on Rick afterwards.

But weren't Phoebe and Paige most concerned about getting Rick to reveal where he'd stashed Ramona and Todd?

If Paige had orbed the gun away, she could have risked angering an already-unstable Rick, and he might never disclosed the location where Phoebe's old friends could be retrieved from their captivity.
So, changing Rick's face to resemble Chris, so that he could be murdered by demons was the solution? Are you kidding me?


Why do many fans of the show ALWAYS make excuses for the Halliwells and Leo, yet condemn the acts of others? If you're going to condemn the actions of others, then the Halliwells should take the share of blame for their actions, as well.

As regards marionmad's coments, vandergraafk replied:

The literary structure of this episode has far too many holes and resorts to extraordinary and inexplicable plot devices to push along a shaky story to allow this simple rush to judgement. Yes, it would have made more sense for Paige to orb away the gun, perhaps by Phoebe prompting her to do so, as Piper did in Forever Charmed when she instructed Paige to orb Coop's ring from Christy. That would have been the logical step in Charmedverse. Instead, we are presented with Paige instructing Phoebe to duck - it could get messy, you know, if the scabbard demons attack - when Paige has absolutely no way of knowing that the scabbard demons would attack instanteously, soon, later, or whenever. Because of this one instance of terrible plot development, we, as viewers, are left with a situation whereby it appears that Paige has just aided and abetted a vengeance killing. The appearance is deceptive not only because of the shaky literary foundation upon which it is built, but also because it begs closer examination of the entirety of the circumstances.

In short, what she did was not second degree murder by demon. At worst, it was aiding and abetting in murder. And, even that statement would be difficult to prove in a courtroom, given the exigent circumstances: there was still a hostage to contend with.

Phoebe's responsibility is even less clear since she complied with a request from Rick - to alter his appearance, met his request with satisfaction - he liked the new look, yet withheld knowledge that Rick might now become the target of scabbard demons. Again, Phoebe has no way of knowing for certain whether an attack is imminent. Nor can she know for certain that the scabbard demons could be fooled by this ruse. After all, the Source had a way of sniffing out whether Leo was a demon, as he claimed, in Desperate Housewives. Weren't the scabbards able to penetrate eventually Chris's deception? Again, she is not guilty of murder. At worst, it is aiding and abetting. Yet, that would be equally difficulty to prove in a courtroom.

Yes, you may be outraged by the events in Hyde School Reunion. But, the real outrage should be at the writers who concocted such a horrific denouement to an otherwise good story. Correct the literary mistakes and the argument completely disappears.

To ljones vandergraafk offered this reply:

Now, if I were given the opportunity to re-write the denouement to an otherwise great episode, these are the most salient points I would make. First, Paige, perhaps prompted by Phoebe, orbs the gun away from Rick. Next, Rick is orbed to a location such as a jail cell or other secure location awaiting police custody after Phoebe has made arrangements with Darryl. Then, Paige and Phoebe do what the Charmed Ones usually do: scry for the hostage's location. She is found and the drama ends. Finally, Darryl is going to have to find some way to deal with the botched visit by glamoured Phoebe and friends to Rick where he was originally incarcerated in order to file away another unexplained case. There is no need for memory dust since no one will believe the ramblings of a three strikes criminal who had just committed further acts of violence (against the armoured truck driver and guard).

Every one of these actions accords well with behaviors and situations that have previously been encountered in Charmedverse. That's how the sisters and Darryl interacted with respect to criminal issues.

What happened in Hyde School Reunion does not square with anything that ever happened before in Charmedverse and runs completely contrary to what was laid out in Morality Bites. The cute story denouement that we are presented with never should have made it out of the writing review committee. Somebody should have spoken out and said: Wait a minute! What are we doing to the image of the Charmed Ones we have carefully nurtured over six seasons? Are we going to have them now appear to aid and abet in the execution of an admitted violent criminal by bypassing the judicial system entirely? Does anybody remember Morality Bites?

Instead, we are presented with a cute story denouement that defies logic entirely. Paige cannot know that the Scabbard demons will attack. Nor can Phoebe know that the ruse will even fool the Scabbard demons who have already uncovered Chris's deception. On the surface, to be sure, it seems as if the trick has lessened the danger for Chris. But, why should we even assume that? Surely, there are more than three Scabbard demons after Chris!

Unfortunately, ljones, you are flogging a horse of a different breed. I am not defending the Halliwells or Leo. In fact, with respect to this episode, I am really not even discussing their behavior. I would like to - and I am working on the analytical tools to do so. What I am attacking is an absolutely atrocious resolution to an otherwise excellent story that cannot be defended under any circumstance.

Please note that this view represents a slight change in my original view. Originally, I embraced a two-pronged approach in discussing this episode. On the one hand, I maintained then, as I do now, that this literary resolution is nothing of the sort and violates the very crux of Charmedverse. On the other hand, I then tried to argue nonetheless that their actions, however reprehensible, as displayed in this episode, could be mitigated with respect to the hostage situation. Further reflection strongly suggests to me that this is neither fruitful nor necessary. I am convinced that those who have pointed out repeatedly that Paige ought to have orbed the gun away are correct, and nothing is gained by defending the denouement as written. Although it would be difficult in a courtroom to sustain the charge of aiding and abetting, this is not a satisfactory explanation with respect to Charmedverse.

[vandergraafk]

Whitelightertony was still not satisfied:

So, changing Rick's face to resemble Chris, so that he could be murdered by demons was the solution? Are you kidding me?

Why do many fans of the show ALWAYS make excuses for the Halliwells and Leo, yet condemn the acts of others? If you're going to condemn the actions of others, then the Halliwells should take the share of blame for their actions, as well.



It's been awhile since I've seen the episode, but didn't Rick withhold the information (as to where he was holding Ramona and Todd hostage) until after Phoebe and Paige agreed to glamour him (since it's specifically what he demanded) and followed through with it?

If you'd been in Paige's position, how would YOU have gotten that information out of Rick?


Vandergraafk replied:

Well, the Charmed Ones have scried for innocents in the past. So, what makes this any different? Theoretically, they would have to acquire something of Ramona's and use that in the brew. Or, as you suggested, cast a Truth Spell to compel Rick to talk. All of that is consistent with Charmedverse. Turning Phoebe and Paige into possible criminal facilitators for want of writer imagination and awareness of the precepts of Charmedverse is a horrible price to pay.

[vandergraafk]

Meanwhile, vandergraafk sought to regain the original purpose of this thread by beginning his analysis thusly:

As I indicated above, we need an analytical framework to assess Charmed behavior. Since opening the Book of Shadows, reading aloud the incantation and receiving their powers, the Charmed Ones have been at war. Indeed, Phoebe, while walking with Prue from the cafe back to the manor, points to several etchings or wood carvings rendered in the Book of Shadows that show the sisters at several stages in their lives: an era of innocence. one of awakening, and one of constant attack from warlocks and demons. Though their powers will evolve to fend off these attacks, the sisters must realize that the battle is now on until some undetermined.

If that reminds you of the so-called war on terror that the Bushidos have used as the conceptual framework for their jeremiad against all things Osama, it should. Better yet, it should point us in the direction of where to look for a conceptual framework in order to evaluate the Charmed Ones. From the time of St. Augustine at the very least and Mohammed - more or less his contemporary - religious authorities have wrestled with the notion of just and unjust war. Over time, the many arguments over justice and war have been subsumed under three headings: behavior preceding an outbreak of conflict; behavior during a conflict; and behavior subsequent to the end of major fighting. For example, under what circumstances is a country able to wage war: to defend itself after an attack (clearly, yes) or to attack preventatively an opponent in order to stave off an impending attack by one's enemy and thereby minimize one's own losses or to attack preemptively an opponent who might attack, but at least can be viewed as a hostile opponent.

The Charmed Ones are faced with that decision each day. There are periods when the sisters are in demon lite mode. Attacks from demons are few and far between. There doesn't seem to be any impending threat. But, there are also periods when the danger is ever present: the Source during Season 4. Yet, some threats are apparent, but nevertheless not as ominous: Cole as Mr. Invincible during Season 5. How should the Charmed Ones behave with respect to the demonic underworld?

When an attack is on-going, what are the Charmed Ones allowed to do? May they (Paige and Billie) engage in torture - via crystals - to extract information from demons? How do the Charmed Ones limit collateral damage, especially as it concerns innocents (Malice In Wonderland)?