Episode Report Card Demian: C+ | Grade It Now! YOU GRADE IT This is the way the season ends
By Demian | Season 4 | Episode 22 | Aired on 05.15.2002
I'd buy the "Smallville -- No Warning" concept if you didn't keep counting down the days, guys.
Manor hall. Piper answers the rapping at the door to find a Bruce on her porch. She confirms that they have Selena in the parlor, and he makes to pull his automatic from his shoulder holster. Piper orders him to put it away. Selena's still unconscious from Raige's earlier belt, so there's no need for gunplay in the Manor. The Ps inform Bruce of Selena's armed escort. He seems genuinely surprised to learn of this development, but Raige isn't having it. Why, she wonders, would a serial killer employ bodyguards? Bruce lamely supposes that she's no longer working alone. Phoebe rather more astutely supposes that Bruce isn't telling them everything he knows. He drops all pretense of affability, and dares them to challenge his methods. Piper allows that they can't exactly do that, but they can prevent him from removing Selena from the Manor unless he produces a warrant. He digs a crumpled piece of paper from the inside pocket of his jacket, but not before he sneers something about how all witches are alike. Because they have powers, they think they're "above it all" and "something special." He asserts that the "arrogance" of witches is their "Achilles heel," and that it's also the primary reason "demons and witch hunters are always after [them] and always will be." Thanks for the overshare, doll. You think maybe Mr. Evil Dead here is the real serial killer? Maybe? Yeah. Whatever. He hauls Selena into his arms and turns to leave, adding that the Glamorous Ladies will receive their agency files once he's certain that he's no longer in danger. "I don't want to be another one of those people who mysteriously disappear around here," he snarks, disappearing through the front door with his zonked-out "suspect."
"I knew he'd never give up those files," pouts Piper, flouncing onto the sofa. "In case anybody is wondering, we are officially screwed." "Not necessarily," Phoebe notes, sending Raige into an immediate and loud snit that takes her from the sofa to an overstuffed chair on the other side of the room. She will not relinquish her powers, do you understand? Piper gently explains that had The Angel Of Massive Man-Teats not made his offer, she'd without hesitation soldier on against Bruce and his ilk. However, now that there's an offer on the table and a crisis at the door, Piper's more inclined to "wipe the slate clean" as Man-Teats promised. Phoebe distractedly wonders if they have to consult the Dolt about their decision. Piper notes that the choice has nothing to do with her husband, and that he'll support them no matter what they choose to do. Little Orphan Raige finally cracks and spells out the true reason for her opposition: "Without being witches, I wouldn't have sisters." She attempts to smile and shrug her shoulders as if it's not that big a deal, but she's tearing up a bit. Phoebe and Piper stare at her silently, no longer able to argue.