After everything that has happened during the season, this feels a bit like a letdown. It would have been better to end the season on one of the previous episodes, and use this one as an introduction to the next season -except for Piper's pregnancy, maybe.
The sad thing is that in itself the episode is rather good. The plot where the sisters have to choose between keeping or losing their powers is nicely done, and their arguments are sound. The only trouble is that the plot's outcome is obvious, as they would be no sequel if they gave up being witches. The witch-hunter story is not bad either, as it contains a few twists and reminds us of past events. But it's nowhere near good enough for a season finale. And I am still waiting to meet ONE man with magical powers who is not either dead or evil.
Then there is Cole's storyline. That one is GOOD and ominous (after seeing the wasteland, I am not sure I should use the word "cliffhanger" here). Once again we are reminded of Cole's two major traits : a) he is insanely in love with Phoebe b) he's nothing if not persistent. And once again he manages to make us feel a whole range of emotions within 45 minutes. Here I must say mention that I find Phoebe's attitude very unfair to him. He was not responsible for what happened, after all... although his next decision is definitely disastrous, and you know it will only cause trouble as soon as you see him make up his mind.
So at the end of the episode we're more or less back at our starting point, except that there is a good surprise for Piper and Leo -and here, might I add that their problem is solved a bit too quickly and easily ?
The sad thing is that in itself the episode is rather good. The plot where the sisters have to choose between keeping or losing their powers is nicely done, and their arguments are sound. The only trouble is that the plot's outcome is obvious, as they would be no sequel if they gave up being witches. The witch-hunter story is not bad either, as it contains a few twists and reminds us of past events. But it's nowhere near good enough for a season finale. And I am still waiting to meet ONE man with magical powers who is not either dead or evil.
Then there is Cole's storyline. That one is GOOD and ominous (after seeing the wasteland, I am not sure I should use the word "cliffhanger" here). Once again we are reminded of Cole's two major traits : a) he is insanely in love with Phoebe b) he's nothing if not persistent. And once again he manages to make us feel a whole range of emotions within 45 minutes. Here I must say mention that I find Phoebe's attitude very unfair to him. He was not responsible for what happened, after all... although his next decision is definitely disastrous, and you know it will only cause trouble as soon as you see him make up his mind.
So at the end of the episode we're more or less back at our starting point, except that there is a good surprise for Piper and Leo -and here, might I add that their problem is solved a bit too quickly and easily ?