I've always been a bit of a fantasy geek but, recently, I've come to wonder about the lack of witches on television, particularly the small screen. I mean, we have a good few in movies, Harry Potter, Hocus Pocus, The Covenant (wow, was that movie awful or what?) and yet, they seem to be something of an anomaly on television series. I've come to wonder why the shortage? I mean, aren't we sick to death of demons and vampires by now? On top of that when witches ARE on a series they're very rarely the good guys, but usually shady, shadow lurkers or just outright Evil. That's why I've come to realise that Charmed was probably a lot more original and unique than it was ever given credit for (and not just a Buffy rip-off) I've come up why five reasons why I think the sister coven stands out from other TV witches, both on series and films.
5. Protectors of the Innocent
Charmed was unique in that its protagonists were given very real responsibility. In traditional fairytales, or in movies, the most iconic witches are either portrayed as the frightful antagonist (Hansel and Gretel, Bellatrix Lestrange in Harry Potter) morally ambiguous (Tia Dalma in Pirates of the Caribbean, Nancy in The Craft) or comical (Sanderson Sisters in Hocus Pocus, Owens Sisters in Practical Magic). However, the Halliwell Sisters are arguably the most responsible, valuable and important witches in popular culture (along with Harry Potter's Hermione Granger) and certainly on television. From the pilot episode it is very clearly stipulated that the Halliwells, and witches in general, have a purpose: to use their powers to protect the Innocent from the forces of Evil. Here we have 'witches' destined with a role that is often attributed to guardian angels and superheroes in popular culture. These witches are very clearly NOT Evil, but in fact the strongest force for Good.