Mel turns to Harry for guidance after learning information about the magical world that leaves her questioning everything she knows. Galvin shows up to see Macy and she is determined to not let fate get in the way of their potential relationship. Maggie tries to keep her mom's Christmas traditions going and is excited for Parker to be a part of it.
In 2018, it has become very difficult to keep up with every television show out there. It's even more difficult to provide adequate coverage on this site about the episodes that air every week. Not every show can get full coverage because of my busy and hectic viewing schedule. As such, some reviews will now be condensed to give only some summary thoughts. But it also affords a space for me to jot down my thoughts on the various episodes. And so, here are my thoughts on this week's episode of The CW's Charmed.
"Jingle Hell" was written by Jessica O'Toole & Amy Rardin and directed by Michael Lange
This is a very busy episode. There are massive reveals and shocking developments from basically every corner of the narrative. That can be a lot for one episode to handle. In fact, there is even the tease of something more being added on top of everything else that ultimately doesn't come to fruition. Maggie's father is suppose to stop by for the holiday celebration. He doesn't. His presence is just mentioned to fit into the overall theme of Maggie being too trusting of people. This hour plays that as her one constant character flaw. It really hits the audience over the head with it as well with all of the teases that her sisters can see that Parker is dangerous and lying to her while it takes awhile for her to come to that same realization. However, Parker is eventually outed as a demon who is trying to steal the powers of the Charmed Ones. He has given Maggie a necklace that is draining her powers. That's what he needs in the hopes of becoming a full demon. Right now, his duality is killing him. It's also making him conflicted because demons apparently don't have the same range of emotions as humans do. They may present in similar ways but they don't have empathy or love. That can be so damaging especially as it plays out in Parker's little family unit. It's also revealed that Macy's supervisor at work happens to be his human mother. She's the one who comes up with this solution with the necklace. Meanwhile, his father teases that he will become the source for whatever nefarious agenda he has planned for the world. He needs Parker more than he needs Hunter. Of course, Hunter is the demon who has more fun and is fully onboard with this plan. He even intercepts Macy before she can reveal to her sisters that Parker is a dangerous demon. He poses as her throughout this party in order to keep things at bay in a precarious situation. However, it all ends up being exposed. He can't pull off this facade for very long. Harry understands that something is going on when he hears the real Macy calling out for help once her powers come back to help her out of her restraints. That culminates in a fight where Mel pushes Hunter away thanks to the new birds that protect those who are loyal to the Sarcana. That is another warning sign that this group may be responsible for the killings of several Elders - including Marisol. However, Jada seems to dispel with that notion by being more than forthcoming with Mel while also teasing that she has big plans for her. That's mostly just ominous though. Plus, Hunter isn't gone for good. He quickly rematerializes at the Vera home. He is only defeated the second time because Parker apparently makes his choice of which side he wants to fight on. He opens up a portal to Hell thanks to the staff that his brother just acquired. It just unfortunately leads to Harry being sent there as well. Parker may have only done this to prove to Maggie that his feelings for her are real. He was simply doing what his family expected of him. He never wanted to hurt her. And yet, the betrayal still stings for her. She doesn't know if she can trust anyone or her powers ever again. That's before Harry falls into that pit. That also happens to be seen by Galvin. He is immediately confused about what has just happened in front of him. It can't be easily explained away as him being too drunk to understand that what he's seeing is real. That means that the show will continue to shake up in a major way for the remainder of its first season.
