I know I'm a little late, and I want to appologize for that, but I was a bit busy the last few weeks,...

 

 Charmed has never put me in this position before. Never have I felt speechless after an episode of this show. Sure I was shocked - ''All Hell Breaks Loose'', and a little upset - ''Long Live the Queen'' but now, here with ''Vaya Con Leos'' it's genuinely sad to see such a happy, always positive guy leave in such a way. The reaction of the sisters, Piper more specifically, was heartbreaking and I honestly feel she should win some sort of an award for her performance during this episode.

It's hard to believe season eight, a season that just hasn't delivered what it's promised so far, has offered (Out of nowhere I may add) an instant series classic. Charmed can do itself justice when given a strong enough script and with just the writer needed it can dish out some great television. This is evidence of that and I do hope that the rest of the season will hold up in terms of effectiveness and standards.

On any show it's always hard to lose a character that you're usually used to seeing in every other episode, leave in such tragic circumstances like this. Remember Tara's death on ''Buffy''? But I think in some ways Leo's is more justified and unlike Prue's death there is a sense of closure to it all. Brian really did have a lot to do during this episode in terms of getting changed, heh. The scenes with around seven different versions of Leo onscreen at the same time was a great gimmick and it didn't look too fake. In such an emotional episode there was some nice moments that were worthy of a few giggles.

Death is a topic the sisters have to deal with every other week. But since their Charmed bond has gotten stronger over the years and they've faced almost every obstacle thrown at them I don't think it ever occurred that the threat would hit home in such a way. I mean, sure evil minions try to kill Wyatt all the time, but they can be stopped. What does one do when it's the Angel of Death knocking at your door? This aspect is brilliantly portrayed and Pipers explanation of ''You owe us for what we've done over the years'' approach was exactly the right route to take. Because as the Angel of destiny said, they need something to happen that will give them the drive to work harder to fight whatever is coming, it's the prize at the end of the day that wills us on to achieve our goal. Now that Piper and the sisters know this I think the latter half of the season will obtain a certain edge to it (Hopefully).

Holly was fantastic here. She really did give a Charmed performance for the books. This definitely tops her Fury breakdown back in season four. And yet again ''Vaya Con Leos'' proves she is the best actor on Charmed. The sisters goodbye to Leo was very, very sad and all of them acted as you would expect. Piper balling her eyes out, Paige giving that silence teary eyed goodbye and Phoebe holding the tears back blowing a kiss goodbye. Perfect. If this battle the Angel of Destiny said would happen, happens and the sisters win then I hope their reunion is just as emotional and as well thought out.

Which leads me to Billie. Yes, the bimbo of the group that I have left for last for good reason. Her story, yes her sister story that we've only skimmed upon, is now finally starting to pick up the pace. This is the first time the sisters and Billie had a good story that interacted a number of times. The quest to find her sister looks likes it's going to be a hard one and I did feel like Billie was pushed to the side very harsh-fully, if not rightfully by the sisters. Maybe now they will begin to realise why she's been acting like a ''Brat'' up until now, going off on missions she should not have been doing. She was trying to find a way to save her sister. Just like Piper was trying to save Leo.

The dilemma that occurred at the end - Save Leo to lose the only lead on Billie's sister was a very awkward situation. And this, now at least, will finally give ‘’Billie haters’’ a reason to like her. She tossed any chance to find her sister out the window in order to help her friends, to help a family that needed her help. Billie not crying at Leo's departure was necessary. She just lost her only lead. She may never be able to find here sis now because of the very tough decision she had to make. Sure she was sad for Leo, but still, I think the shock of it all overwhelmed her to a point that she just felt numb.

The sisters are now firmly in ''We're screwed'' territory. It really does say something if the elders, the avatars and the Angel of destiny are fearing this new power. And I must say the episode is affective in building the suspense throughout and with a beautiful performance from Holly it made you even more anxious in finding out who this being is and what it wants. Whatever it is it's clearing it's tracks in the process and the demon vanquish at the end was riveting with good music and special effects to boot.

What also helped this episode along was the fact it had some healthy sub plots that for once didn't drag anything down. The relationship between Henry and Paige is nice and subtle, not feeling forced as previous boyfriends have been. The multiple Leo plot was fun while it lasted and provided some comic relief in this otherwise dark hour.

Overall a stunning episode of Charmed that, I would assume, made many a fans cry their little hearts out - with good reason too. The ending was great with Paige walking into the arms of Henry, Phoebe playing with the kids and Piper switching off the lights to her husbands car.

 

By the Way, this is Rose McGowan's 100th episode in Charmed.