Charmed 6.10 Chris-Crossed

One of the few saving graces of the sixth season, and it’s something I’ve discussed previously, is the idea of a greater purpose behind the serial plot this year. Chris Crossed is an episode that gives us our first piece of solid information by finally giving the walking enigma that is Chris a little more meat to his bones. If only Drew Fuller wasn’t a black hole of charisma...

There’s a surprisingly dark vibe that permeates this episode, and it’s one that didn’t feel all that forced and contrived either, a surprising feat for a late Charmed season. All of these flash-forwards (or flash-backs, I dunno), to Chris's time in this future San Francisco were decently produced, hinting at a much darker future without the Charmed One’s around to save the day. It’s the little things that bug me and this show being what it is, overlooking oddities like the Manor being some morbid museum, and the fact that this museum is open despite the fact that San Fran is in ruins, are the key to enjoying these episodes a whole lot more.

There’s a dreadful inconsistency to Chris that really smashes any perception of him being some hero from the future. Chris’s past doesn’t seem to hold true against the Valkery murdering, shady weirdo that we met 10 episodes ago. Where this part of the episode holds up is with the introduction of Bianca. Slutty outfit aside, she was clearly the show’s answer to a worthwhile recurring character. Oh well, another overlooked opportunity, I guess.

Chris Crossed ends with the three sisters’ separation, and it’s a separation I just never got. This season introduced their individual paths, but despite that, I never really bought into the idea of them leaving each other, leaving Piper, when they need each other most. But then again, with all that they’ve got going on, maybe a little space isn’t such a bad idea.

7/10