The following contains spoilers for the Charmed reboot now on The CW.
The CW's Charmed reboot has just been canceled after four seasons. When it was first released back in 2018, fans of the original series were up in arms about how the show was different from its '90s counterpart. However, while it does take certain liberties and makes choices that take it further away from its predecessor, it still had certain elements to it that drew from the original source material while allowing it to stand on its own.
When the original Charmed was first released in 1998, it was the embodiment of the “girl power” movement at the time. Three sisters, Piper, Phoebe and Prue, later to be joined by Paige, were powerful witches that took on the forces of darkness. When it ended in 2006, fans thought it would be the last they would see of the charmed ones. However, this did not turn out to be the case as The CW announced that it would be launching a reboot releasing in 2018. The reboot was met with much concern from past fans, who mostly thought it was a cash grab, and raised questions around whether it lived up to the original.
There has always been controversy around whether classic shows and movies should be rebooted, with the latest discussions surrounding the vampire series, True Blood. This was the same for the Charmed reboot, which resulted in fans of the older and newer series clashing on social media. The reboot starts off in the same way, but with new sisters, Mel and Maggie Vera who discover that they have magical powers along with a long-lost sister Macy. From here, it separates from its predecessor by speaking to today's younger generation and introducing a diverse cast, that apart from fighting evil, also tackles current social issues.
However, it has its issues, especially since a lot of its fantasy elements and mythology appear to be copied over from other shows, such as Game of Thrones. In the later seasons, it started to find its footing and address some mistakes from previous seasons, meaning that it could've become an even better reboot. The series introduced a new sister in Season 4 and an interesting storyline around their position in the magical society. However, now it won't get the chance to explore things further due to the cancellation.
Looking back at the original, the characters are what really drew in audiences. Each one was thoroughly rounded and had moments of vulnerability and strength that made them extremely endearing. They are not only three-dimensional, but their sisterly bond is genuine and heartwarming, much like that of the Sharma sisters in Bridgerton. However, there is something missing from the Vera sisters, as their relationship doesn't elicit the same kind of emotions from audiences as the Halliwells' did.
Overall, the reboot sticks to the original show’s premise of sisterhood and the power of women, but challenges itself to be different. This message of women having the power to achieve anything parallels that of another supernatural show that was released around the same time as the original, Buffy The Vampire Slayer. While the reboot does make an effort to differentiate itself, it is similar enough that it can be described as a sister to the original, meaning that they can both still have their place in the overall universe.
