The Witch Is Back
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| “The Witch Is Back” | |
|---|---|
| Charmed episode | |
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| Episode no. | Season 1 Episode 9 |
| Guest stars | Billy Wirth (Matthew) Tyler Layton |
| Written by | Sheryl J. Anderson |
| Directed by | Richard Denault |
| Production no. | 4398007 |
| Original airdate | December 16, 1998 |
| Episode chronology | |
| ← Previous | Next → |
| "The Truth Is Out There...and It Hurts" | "Wicca Envy" |
The Witch Is Back is an episode of The WB drama series, Charmed.
Contents |
[edit] Synopsis
Spoiler warning: Plot and/or ending details follow.
Prue comes across a locket at Bucklands Auction House to go up for bid. Inspecting it, she unknowingly releases a warlock who was imprisoned inside. He reveals himself to be Matthew Tate and possesses the ability to duplicate a witch's power once it is used against him. The Halliwell's ancestor Melinda Warren trapped him in the locket for betraying her to witch hunters in Salem. He copies Prue's powers, then leaves to seek out her sisters to copy their powers as well. Prue calls to tell Piper and Phoebe to keep an eye out for a warlock and to meet at the house to consult their Book of Shadows. There, they summon Melinda Warren to help them vanquish Matthew. Meanwhile, Piper works up her courage to ask Leo out on a date.
[edit] Book of Shadows
[edit] Enemies
- Matthew Tate: A warlock from the 17th century, Matthew has the ability to copy a witch's power when it was used against him. Once he copies the power, he becomes immune to its effects by others. In addition, he possessed the warlock ability to blink. He posed as the lover of Melinda Warren, in order to get her powers. Once he had copied her powers, he betrayed her by exposing her as a witch to the Salem Witch Hunters. And because the warlock had stolen her love, she cursed him into the Pewter Heart locket, where he could spend eternity knowing the sting of betrayal. He was eventually released by Prue, intended by Rex and Hannah, and tried to obtain all three of the Charmed Ones' powers, but only got Prue and Phoebe's. With summoning Melinda Warren to the present, the Halliwell Sisters were able to banish Matthew back into the Pewter Heart where he still remains.
[edit] Spells
- To Banish Matthew Tate: Several herbs, a Spotted Owl feather, and a locket is needed. Outside of time, outside of gain. Know only sorrow, know only pain.
- To Summon Melinda Warren: Melinda Warren, Blood of our blood, Our great, great, great, great, great, great, grandmother, We summon thee.
- To Release Melinda Warren: Melinda Warren, Blood of our blood, We release you.
[edit] Episode stars
- Shannen Doherty as Prue Halliwell
- Holly Marie Combs as Piper Halliwell
- Alyssa Milano as Phoebe Halliwell
- Ted King as Andy Trudeau
- Dorian Gregory as Darryl Morris
[edit] Trivia
- The title of this episode is in reference to the 1974 Elton John song The Bitch Is Back.
- This is the first episode where Phoebe sees into the past.
- Phoebe makes a joke that she believed her future power was the power of flight. She does temporary develop the power to fly in season two's episode Be Careful What You Witch For. Later in the series, she develops the power of levitation.
- This is the first time the Charmed Ones learn of the warlock power to blink.
- In this episode, Melinda claims Matthew Tate must have copied the power to blink from a witch, but in future episodes the power to blink is specifically reserved for warlocks.
- Note when the sisters are watching the news of when Matthew Tate jumped out of Prue's office window, it says on the T.V. that it is a live broadcast of the scene and you see Andy and Daryl walk behind the newsreporter, but a few seconds later they are knocking at the front door of the manor.
- Piper asks Leo out on a date.
- Although Melinda is summoned back in this episode and stated to have her powers, we do not see her use any of them, despite having a premonition at the very end.
- When Phoebe triggers Melinda's premonition Melinda says she sees many more beautiful daughters. However since Phoebe is the only sister to have all girls this fits in context, as we can assume that Melinda only saw her daughters.
[edit] International titles
- French: La sorcière de Salem
- German: Rückkehr aus dem Jenseits
- Spanish: La bruja ha vuelto
| Preceded by: The Truth Is Out There... and It Hurts |
Charmed episodes | Followed by: Wicca Envy |
| Charmed |
|---|
| Main: Season summaries | Episode guide | Multimedia | Terms | Trivia |
| Locations and Artifacts: Bay Area | Halliwell Manor | Magic School | The Nexus | Book of Shadows |
| Good beings: Charmed Ones | Close friends | Ancestors | Family and friends | Whitelighters | Elders |
| Evil beings: Darklighters | Warlocks |
| Neutral: Avatars | The Hollow | Firestarters |
