Ok... I'll start this review with a statement. Maybe if all of us fans stick together and make ourselves heard, maybe then whoever's in charge for taking Brian Krause and his character Leo Wyatt out of the show will hear what all of us have to say about it, and what a big mistake they made. I don't think this should be only about what a network company thinks it's the best. We are the ones that give them reason to keep doing what they're doing. Without us, viewers and fans, they wouldn't exist. Therefore, I think it's in their best interests to actually listen to what we have to say. That said... I'll continue with my statement.

I've been watching Charmed for the past 8 years. I started from Season 1 and I've been a loyal fan throughout the seasons. Even when the show was, in my opinion, at its lower quality, I was a loyal fan. And with me, thousands and thousands of others have tuned week after week to watch what is and will always be our favorite tv-show. Now... when someone makes the wrong decision of cutting out one of the main characters from this tv-show, one that has been part of our weekly Charmed life, one that has been, without the slightest shadow of a doubt, one of the main foundations of the show, as much as the three main characters... then it's time for us, fans, to show how big of a mistake that is. You, network executives, producers, or whoever is in charge of this wrong decision, should see and understand that a show is made also by those who watch it. And you cannot find one single person that thinks that cutting Leo Wyatt from the show is a good idea. Take your time to look around, browse the net, or maybe even read your fan mail. I'm sure that almost every single article or letter will say: "DON'T TAKE LEO AWAY". I think it's time for you to give us some voice. To listen to what we have to say and rethink your decisions. Make us proud of being loyal to your show and your network. Make us stick around.

With that said, I hope that whoever is responsible for taking Brian Krause from Charmed will listen to us and bring him back. Let's all voice our opinions. Together maybe we can do something to change their minds.

Ok, that said... on with the episode review.

Now let me start by saying that this was so far the best episode this season. Heck... it was one of the best episodes on Charmed. It won't beat All Hell Breaks Loose cause I think no episode will beat that one. Ever. That was the best episode ever on Charmed. But... this one comes close. I don't know whether they were emotional for being Brian's last episode, or if the main episode theme was indeed sad, but everyone's acting was at their best. Even the demon-of-the-week was great. I can't think about anything that I didn't like about it. Honestly. I guess I'll just change the way of reviewing the episodes just for this one, since it is a special episode after all. I won't go character by character, because, in my opinion, this episode was a whole.

I guess I have to say again: Holly Marie Combs deserves a lot more recognition than she gets. This woman's one of the best actresses I've seen and unfortunately, I wish people would give her more credit for it. Her crying scenes are unbelievably realistic, I'm not one to cry when watching movies or tv-shows, but the only times I cried on Charmed was because of Holly Marie. She was, in my opinion, the total star of this episode. Yes. Even more than Brian, although the episode was about his character leaving, and also his last episode. No other actor in this episode did a better job than Holly. She stole every single scene she was in, and if the Emmy awards were based on episodes, she should get one for this one. That's how much I liked Holly's acting. And that's me trying to be milder about it. The truth is, Holly rocked. She usually rocks, but this time, she blew my mind. All scenes with Piper were emotional, strong, filled with power. She showed every single side of her character in this episode. The humorous, light-spirited Piper, when she was out with Leo buying the truck. The strong-willed Piper, the one that takes the charge into her hands, when she confronted the Angel of Death, the Elders and the Avatars, and the Angel of Destiny. The emotional Piper, whenever she had to face Leo and the fact she might end up losing him. I have nothing to say about Holly Marie and Piper except praises to both actress and character. I think I only felt this way about her in All Hell Breaks Loose and that famous hospital scene... Oh boy, that reminds me... This girl can act! Holly, I do hope one day your talents will be fully recognized.

Anyway, I'll go on and stop repeating over and over again about how much I liked Holly and Piper in this episode and try to see more than just her. Heh! Won't be easy though. She dominated the episode. Anyway... Phoebe and Paige. I can't say anything bad about Rose and Alyssa either. They were at their best. If we think back, I think this was Paige's biggest loss as a Charmed one. I mean, Phoebe and Piper lost Prue, they had been through a similar situation (if not worse, since Prue didn't have the chance to come back...), but I guess it was the first time for Paige. Correct me if I'm wrong. I loved the way Paige sorted the situation out, by figuring that it might not be just a normal work day for the Angel of Death, and giving Piper the means to dig into it and find out what was behind it. I loved her scenes with Henry (of course, I'm really enjoying Ivan Sergei... I heard he's staying through the whole season, thank goodness someone listened to us!). But, again, not so much to talk about, since there was no way we could focus on the secondary plots with such a big main plot going on.

I digress... Many of us have noticed that the writers made Phoebe seem a little selfish in the past seasons. This episode was maybe the first time I didn't cringe with Phoebe's selfishness. When she refused to help Billie find the demon that took her sister so she could help saving Leo, I thought to myself: "This is the selfishness I can accept". The good thing though is that later on, it was the same Phoebe that saved Billie from being vanquished by Burke, the demonic bounty-hunter, also known as the demon-of-the-week (Pity though. He was good!). And it was the same Phoebe that stayed with Billie, helping her get answers out of Burke. Until, well, she was summoned by her sisters. Not her fault, though.

Brian and Leo... how do I even start this? I think knowing that it was his last episode made him act better than I've ever seen him acting before. Every single scene was great. We could see the pain in Leo's eyes when he learned Death came for him, and how he just wanted to say goodbye to the boys. Or when he actually met the Angel of Death, and watched the children leaving school, hoping to catch a last glance of his son before dying. At the hospital, when he mumbles "You've always been a bad liar", when Piper tells him he'll be ok. Oh and tell me about that hospital scene... I still get emotional just to remember it. Great ending scene from Brian as well, as Leo gets frozen. Oh boy... top acting from both Holly and Brian. Oh well, top acting from both of them throughout the episode, but again, I digress... I loved how different Brian was able to make all the Leo's look-a-likes... the pizza guy, the cable man, even Henry. He did a great job copying Ivan Sergei's mannerisms. Let me state once more... taking Brian Krause and Leo Wyatt from the show was the worst mistake ever. I hope that after so many complaints, the powers that be will do something about it. If this is to be Charmed's last season, I want it to have all the foundation characters in it. And that includes Leo. I think I've made my point.

Now, I have to make a special paragraph to the Angel of Death. I love that actor and I think that if Death had a face, I'd probably think that it would look like him! Heh! I loved how they managed to keep the same actor for all the times they faced the Angel of Death. I have to be honest and say I'm too lazy to look up for his name right now, but I think he portrays Death perfectly. He gives us the emotionless, calm, permanent air about Death, the way he talks, the way he articulates his sentence, and maybe even his British accent. Particularly in this episode, it was funny to see that even Death has some emotions. Those two sentences were some of the best delivered in this episode:

"My job was a lot easier before I met you and your sisters"

And:

"It's curious, I actually feel bad about it"

Funny how Death would feel bad about taking a life. Talk about irony!

What else can I say about this episode? The final scene was heartbreaking, and one of the only times anyone would ever see me crying over an acting scene. It was touching to see how each one of them would find their own consolation. Paige would go for Henry, and that should make her realize how she likes him more than she thinks she does... Phoebe playing with Wyatt and Chris, trying to make everything a little easier for them... and Piper (Oh, Piper!) watching Leo's truck and breaking down in tears. Awesome! After this scene, we can wipe off our tears and say... This is how Charmed should have stayed! And maybe forget about Season 7...

Anyway, since I don't want to break the habit, some episode tidbits:

- I'm a detail freak. So I noticed that the Elder was the same actor that played Operations in La Femme Nikita. I used to love his acting in that show.

- So, by the end of this review, I stopped being lazy and looked for the name of the actor playing the Angel of Death. Simon Templeman.

- The actress playing the Avatar has my name. Not that it has anything to do with the episode at all, but I thought I should mention that! Heh!

- If I have to say anything bad about this episode, I think Paige was a little too dressed up with that sparkly blouse of hers. Beautiful blouse, but better if you're out for dinner in a fancy restaurant or at a nightclub. Would you walk around in daylight with a blouse like that? I wouldn't.

- I couldn't understand anything of what the truck driver (Lenny, was it?) was saying. Honestly. I just ignored that scene since I was forcing myself to understand what he said.

- Maybe it was just me, but I thought it was great to see a black Angel (the Angel of Destiny was played by a black actress). Good to end up that stereotype that angels should be blond with curly hair...

- Too bad we won't be seeing Burke again. He was good.

- Now, what's this big battle thing that the sisters have to face? Is it anyhow related to Billie's sister? Will it be about the series finale? That surely got me wondering... and that should be a good reason to keep on watching. That, and the hopes that they'll bring Brian back...

Anyway... this will be the last episode I review for a while, since I have personal reasons that will make me a little busy. But I do hope you enjoyed it and keep tuned for the other reviews!

From Barbara Roberts

     I begin this review with great sorrow and distaste in the judgment of this show's ending of a beloved character, Leo Wyatt.  The removal of a great
icon of this series is mind boggling, it's like peanut butter without jelly or a latte without the foam. How is it that you can remove the heart and expect the body to continue to produce life.  Don't get me wrong, the Charmed Ones are definitely the show, but they need Leo.  Piper needs Leo.

The fans need LEO, for his strength, warmth and everlasting positive support. Last year the show struggled with ratings and story lines.  It seemed that we have seen the same plots in prior seasons of glory.  The writers of the show were no doubt running out of material, but no matter what script lines were given to the fans, the characters, all of the characters were always there to make bad story lines work and turn the show around into an incredible success.

In this case, this episode was superb.

I adored the beginning of this episode of watching Leo lovingly stare and tinker with the 1941 Chevy pickup.  Its nice to have acknowledgements of his past life of how his "grandfather gave him a truck just like that one 60 years before".  We know so little about Leo Wyatt's past and it would have be great to have some storylines referring more to his days in the 1940's.  This show amazingly had every aspect of a good Charmed episode. Love between Leo and Piper was exciting and warm.  The tenderness that these two characters shower one another with was wonderful. I was really enjoying the scene when Leo walked off to purchase the truck and Piper turns around and sees the Angel of Death.  My heart jumped into my throat at that very moment.

The sub-story of this episode was actually quite good with Billie and Phoebe hunting down the demon Burke and trying to find out details of Billie's sister.  This part of the plot really needs to have more time invested in it.  It would make a great header story for a future episode.

I really liked the fact that the writers focused in more on Paige and Henry.  I think he would be an awesome additional to Paige's life.  In was a very nice touch to add that even men can be nervous about dating.

The scenes I truly enjoyed were beginning with Piper calling for the Angel of Death and confronting him. Letting him know that she wasn't going to take this laying down.  She was going to keep Leo by her side forever more. (Hint...Hint to the WB-Read between the lines from this fan).

The next scene added the spice of laughter to the show that comes just at the right moments when the Angel of Death appears to confront Piper that she can't hide Leo forever and there are several Leo's running a round delivering pizza, fixing the clock etc.  It was a nice effect to have Leo everywhere on the street, driving a car, running with a cup of coffee in his hand - amazing what modern technology can do in television.

When the Angel of Death finally found Leo and he asked the Angel if he could at least see his son broke my heart.  When I witness Leo beginning to cry and I began to cry myself.  It was a most amazing scene with that much heart felt emotion coming across and as soon as Leo stepped out the car and the truck hit, I screamed with anticipation of how this could be happening. The scene was pumping my adrenalin and I couldn't wait for the commercial to end.

As I watched on, glued to my ottoman (the closet sit to the television) I watched as a frustrated Piper tried to hold her composure in the hospital. I felt frustrated at this moment (Now that is good acting) and I wanted to shake that nurse myself.  To see the tears flow and the most touching scene of admirable love between Piper and Leo being acted out in front of me, how could you not feel their pain and not want to cry along with them.

I truly loved the scene when Piper called everyone together (Elders, Avatars) to find out why this was happening to her happy little family. (Kondos to the acting in this particular episode. Brian Krause and Holly Marie Combs should be awarded for their outstanding performance).

It was truly thrilling when the Angel of Destiny showed up after the Charmed ones had summoned her.  Piper has come along way in this series from the middle sister to kicking some major booty when need be.  She has shown us that you can accomplish anything to keep what you truly hold dear.

By far the best scene was the last one with Piper and Leo.  It was heart wrenching to view. The looks between the two as they spoke said more volumes then anything I had every seen between these two characters.  You
could feel the love, kindness, sorrow and despair that was evidently present in this scene.  To watch Leo and Piper kiss goodbye was the worse possible thing I could have ever seen in this show's history.  Many thoughts visited my mind as I am sure with other fans.  Will Leo be back? Are the writers doing this storyline to cause attention to show? Are they just making cuts to the budget?  I am not sure why, but truly want to know. Does the WB not know that we as the fans rather see Leo than super stared cameo appearances by household names.

This show by far held more excitement, intrigue, romance, sorrow and laughter than any other show in the last eight years.  The only praise that I will give to the WB is the great writing of this show.

MORE NEEDS TO BE SAID!

I am outraged and frustrated at the fact that the WB is not listening to its fans. The WB's constant ill blatant regard for what the fans wish to view is obvious not very important to the network.  We (the fans) have painstakingly remained loyal to the show when Prue died.  We never questioned there reasoning we only accepted and supported their change in the show's direction.  This time I am and I am sure many others agree that we say NO! What more do we need to do and say to the network?  How much more proof do they need that the show will not WORK without LEO.  Read the wonderful fans letters and the outpour of love and support given to Brian Krause in keeping his character alive.  Need we say more! If we do I am sure several of us (fans) will shout it from the rooftops.

BRING LEO BACK!

The fans deserved better for their loyalties and I am just in stating that at this moment I have second thoughts in my continuing to view this farce of a series. The show is wonderful. The loss too great.

Charmed will never be the same without Leo.  So I have now made my statement and as I have, I am sure many will strike out against this network.  Perhaps the WB CEO's will notice the drop in ratings and make a change.  Anything is magically possible. (Hint)

I wish the very best for the Charmed cast and crew and in hopes that they mourn the lost of one of their own, as the fans are doing. Perhaps they will make their demands as well and Leo/Brian will return soon.

Until then Charmed will not be Charmed Again.