Charmed 5.18 'Cat House'

Given that ‘Cat House’ was the result of a last minute addition to the episode order, it turned out quite nicely. Exploring Piper and Leo’s past romance, 'Cat House' also gives the newest sister the chance to experience a part of what she missed. Flashback episodes of this type can be pretty dull, but 'Charmed’s take is actually refreshing.

In ‘Cat House’ Piper casts a spell to help her and Leo experience some of their past experiences, but the spell accidentally sends Phoebe and Paige back in time, where they begin to experience each of them first hand.

These kinds of episodes generally tend to define the term filler, and I’m someone who can tolerate a substantial ‘previously on’ montage. Fortunately, the flashbacks were pretty well done and the ‘oh so obviously CG’d in’ Phoebe and Paige brought some life to the old scenes, especially as we got to see them experience them over again too. It was a great way to look back at how much each character really has grown too, especially Phoebe. In a way, this felt like an extension, or sequel to ‘Pre-witched’ just, y’know, not as amazing.

I was always sad that Kit disappeared after season 3. It was a small thing, but Kit almost bound things together in a way. She was there before they became witches and stuck with them as they learned more about the craft. I liked that she was never really questioned in the early seasons either, she was just this mysterious symbol of their tansition into witches. Giving such a small thing closure was a nice touch, even if Kit’s had more than 1 sex change.

Like Prue and Piper, I actually feel as though there is similar, if slightly diminished, chemistry between Phoebe and Paige, at leastbefore they become unbearable in future seasons. Phoebe, having been the baby sister, knows what it’s like to be her, and at times she seems like just as much of a mentor as Piper was. Seeing them explore the past memories together and battle a pre-‘Heroes’ Zachary Quinto was a lot of fun.

A lot of the power of this episode rests on Piper and Leo’s love story. If you’ve never been a huge fan, it diminishes a lot of this episode’s value. Obviously, their marriage is torn apart by season’s end, and I’m not sure if this was introduced to back that wack decision up, but it sprung up a little too soon for it to hold as much power as it was supposed to.

Prue’s unavoidable absence aside, ‘Cat House’ is a season standout and maybe closer to series standout as well, even if it was just a back-up plan.

8.5/10