Episode Report Card Demian: B | Grade It Now! YOU GRADE IT Wrestling with the Nielsens
By Demian | Season 3 | Episode 12 | Aired on 01.31.2001
Manor kitchen. Phoebe and The Dolt argue about Phoebe's need to tell Piper and Prue about Cole. Phoebe tells The Dolt that the matter is not an easy one to drop into casual conversation. The Dolt tells her that "confession is good for the soul." Whatever, Brother Pius Dumbass of the Order of the Irritating Heart of Morons. Phoebe wants to "skip the confession and go straight to the penance." She reminds The Dolt she has "a demon to vanquish" and he has "a ring to find." Phoebe leaves The Dolt alone in the kitchen and heads off to join Piper on the sun porch. Piper waters another damn plant as Phoebe riffles through the pages of the BoS. Phoebe mentions that her research turned up spells for finding witches and "lost loves," but the book has nothing on determining the whereabouts of demons. I suppose they can't rewrite the "magic calling magic" spell Prue reworked to summon Kwell in "Sleuthing with the Enemy" because Tom isn't a full demon yet.
I pause to consider that last sentence. I think an intervention on my behalf is in order. If I can remember a stupid little detail like that, I'm well on my way to becoming the kind of guy who will one day travel Trekkie-like from one goddamned Charmed fan convention to the next, arguing the finer points of demonic possession, the powers of an empath, and the guidelines that govern Whitelighters. On second thought, forget the intervention. Just shoot me in the head.
Just kidding. Like this show is ever going to have fan conventions. As if.
Anyway, Piper notes that perhaps the reason the BoS lacks a demon-locating spell is the fact the demons tend to locate the sisters first. Phoebe tells Piper that "there has to be a way" to find Tom. Piper distractedly replies that if there is, Prue will have to be the one to figure it out. She then asks Phoebe if there's anything in the BoS to assist The Dolt in his ring search. Phoebe tells Piper they can't shirk their responsibility, and that they have to find Tom before he gets a chance to kill anyone else. Piper: "Okay, then do you got a spell?" A light switches on in the dark recesses of Phoebe's brain. "Maybe."
Cut to Phoebe's boudoir, where the lady herself slides a small wooden chest out from beneath her bed. She scoots onto the bed, places the chest on her lap, and eases open the lid. Phoebe rummages about a bit, then pulls out a folded piece of notepaper. As Phoebe hesitantly opens up the spell, Piper enters. "I'm afraid to ask," Piper says, eyeing the Cole Guilt Goggle plastered all over Phoebe's face. Phoebe tells Piper the spell is "just something that [she] thought [she] needed and then decided that [she] didn't." Piper plucks the paper out of Phoebe's hands with an "ohhhh-kay," as Phoebe notes that "it's a 'lost-and-found' spell." "Perfect timing," Piper replies as she reads. She levels her gaze at Phoebe and asks, "Do I want to know what you were trying to find?" Phoebe with the Cole Guilt Goggle. Pause. Piper waiting for an answer. Pause. Phoebe, eventually: "Cole." Piper raises an eyebrow at this and wonders if Phoebe really thought she could bring a demon back from beyond the grave. Phoebe finally reveals that she let Cole go. Piper's eyes understandably bug out a bit at this news. A bit of back-and-forth between the two as Piper essentially asks Phoebe if she realizes what she's done, and Phoebe essentially reassures her sister that she's certain the Colethazor is no longer a threat. Piper insists that they inform Prue. Phoebe: "She won't understand." Piper, through clenched teeth: "She's not the only one."