"All Hell Breaks Loose" | |
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Charmed episode | |
![]() The season ends with Prue (Shannen Doherty) and Piper (Holly Marie Combs) being left for dead by Shax. The cliffhanger ending was conceived by Brad Kern to accommodate potential cast changes. | |
Episode no. | Season 3 Episode 22 |
Directed by | Shannen Doherty |
Written by | Brad Kern |
Production code | 4300066 |
Original air date | May 17, 2001 |
Guest appearances | |
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"All Hell Breaks Loose" is the twenty-second episode and season finale of the third season of the American fantasy drama television series Charmed . Written by Brad Kern and directed by Shannen Doherty—the third and final episode of Charmed she directed—"All Hell Breaks Loose" was originally broadcast on The WB on May 17, 2001.
Charmed focuses on the three Halliwell sisters, Prue (Doherty), Piper (Holly Marie Combs) and Phoebe (Alyssa Milano), who are known as the Charmed Ones, the most powerful good witches who use their combined "Power of Three" to protect innocent lives from evil beings such as demons and warlocks in San Francisco, while trying to lead normal lives. "All Hell Breaks Loose" focuses on their secret as witches getting exposed to the public after Prue and Piper are caught on tape battling the demon Shax (Michael Bailey Smith), which proves to have deadly consequences.
Shortly before the episode aired, Doherty was fired from the series. In 2023, the reason for Doherty's departure was confirmed to have been due to an ongoing conflict with Milano, who had provided an ultimatum to the show's producers that one of them had to be let go, also threatening to sue them. Following Doherty's departure, Jennifer Love Hewitt and Tiffani Thiessen were offered the role of Prue but turned it down, at which point it was decided to kill the character off; this resulted in the episode's ending being recut. In a 2016 interview, Kern would clarify that he intentionally wrote the episode to end on a cliffhanger with all three sisters' lives being in jeopardy to accommodate any potential cast changes.
"All Hell Breaks Loose" was watched by 5.26 million viewers and received positive reviews, often being cited as one of the show's best episodes. Discussions have often focused on the episode marking Doherty's final appearance in Charmed and Prue's death, which critics have described as shocking. The episode's focus on magic getting exposed to the mortal world and the ramifications this has for the Charmed Ones was also praised, being noted for its thematic connection to prior works.
Prue, Piper, and Phoebe enter the manor with Dr. Griffiths (Matt Malloy), who is hunted by the demon Shax. Shortly after arriving, Shax attacks them, mortally wounding Prue and Piper. Before he can kill Dr. Griffiths, Phoebe performs a vanquishing spell that wounds Shax. She calls for Leo (Brian Krause), who orbs in and heals Prue and Piper. They go into the streets in search of Shax who attacks them, before Piper uses her power to blow him up. Believing him dead, they go back to the manor, unaware a news crew filmed them. Upon their arrival, Phoebe confesses she is going to the Underworld to save her boyfriend Cole (Julian McMahon).
At the news station, Elana (Mercedes Colón) shows her crew the footage of Prue and Piper vanquishing Shax, convincing them to air it. Darryl (Dorian Gregory) sees the news feed and informs Prue and Piper they have been exposed. In the Underworld, Phoebe finds Cole and asks him to return to the manor; he refuses, as demons would follow him. Worried about Shax, Prue and Piper arrive at the hospital to take Dr. Griffiths back to the manor. Shax appears, forcing them to perform the vanquishing spell, which kills him, unaware the news crew followed them and filmed them again.
The manor is swarmed by police officers, news reporters, and protesters. Leo arrives and informs Prue and Piper they need the demon Tempus to reverse time. Alice (Marianna Elliott), a Wiccan fanatic, breaks into the manor, wanting to join their coven, but Prue throws her out. Leo goes to the Underworld, informing Phoebe and Cole about magic's exposure, and asks Cole's help getting Tempus to reverse time. Cole asks the Source of All Evil (Michael Bailey Smith) for help, as the existence of demons has also been exposed. The Source agrees to help, but only if Phoebe joins the dark side, prophetically stating it will be the only way to save one of her sisters from dying.
At the manor, Piper is shot by a rifle-wielding Alice. As Leo cannot hear them in the Underworld, Prue rushes Piper to the hospital, where Dr. Griffiths is unable to save her life. A SWAT team arrives, and Prue uses her powers against them, locking herself in the room. Leo orbs in to see Piper has died, and immediately goes back to the Underworld. Phoebe agrees to stay in the Underworld to save Piper's life. Cole informs the Source, who tells his hitman to kill Phoebe and detain Cole. As the SWAT team shoots at Prue, time is reversed to the sisters' first encounter with Shax. With Phoebe trapped in the Underworld, Shax kills Dr. Griffiths and leaves Prue and Piper for dead.
The episode was written by Brad Kern and directed by Shannen Doherty. [1] Doherty's role as director was first announced in March 2001, with filming taking place during April. [2] "All Hell Breaks Loose" marked the third and final episode of Charmed that Doherty directed, having previously acted as director for "Be Careful What You Witch For" and "The Good, The Bad, and The Cursed". [3] By May 1, production on the episode was still underway, with Kern stating he had seen "the rough cut" for the episode. [4]
On May 10, a week before "All Hell Breaks Loose" aired, Doherty exited the series, [5] reported to have done so to "seek other creative opportunities". [6] Although Doherty had expressed a "disenchantment with the show's storylines", her departure was facilitated by her feud with Milano. [7] While it was often speculated that Doherty left the series of her own volition, in a 2023 interview with Combs, she revealed that she was fired directly because of her feud with Milano. [8] The feud was partly fuelled by Doherty being the highest-paid actress on Charmed. [8] According to Combs, one of the show's producers revealed to her that Milano had provided them with an ultimatum where they either had to fire her or Doherty, and that Milano had threatened to sue them for a hostile work environment. [8]
Following Doherty's departure, the producers initially considered replacing her with a different actress while keeping Prue alive. [9] However, after both Jennifer Love Hewitt and Tiffani Thiessen turned down the role, it was decided in June 2001 to kill off Prue and replace her with a new Charmed One. [9] This necessitated the producers "recutting [the] season finale to explain the sudden disappearance of Doherty's Prue". [9] Kern revealed in 2016 that "All Hell Breaks Loose" ending on a cliffhanger was intentional. [10] Having the lives of Prue, Piper, and Phoebe be in jeopardy by the end of the episode ensured that regardless of any cast changes facilitated by either the actresses or the network "gave everyone options about what they were or were not going to do". [10] Kern clarified that had Doherty remained on the series, they would have resolved the cliffhanger differently in season 4. [10]
"All Hell Breaks Loose" was first broadcast on The WB on May 17, 2001. [11] The original broadcast was watched by 5.26 million viewers, making it the 82nd most-watched prime-time network television program for the week of May 14 to 20, 2001. [12] "All Hell Breaks Loose" also received a Nielsen rating share of 3.4/5. [13] This means that 3.4 percent of all households with a television viewed the episode, while among those households watching TV during this period, 5 percent of them were actively watching the program. [14]
"All Hell Breaks Loose" has often been cited as one of Charmed's best episodes. [15] [16] [17] [18] In January 2022, Comic Book Resources reported an 9.2/10 rating for the installment on IMDb, making it the second highest-rated episode of the series, behind the series finale "Forever Charmed". [19] Writing for The Guardian , Isabelle Oderberg referred to "All Hell Breaks Loose" as the "best episode of the whole show". [15] Gay Times ' Sam Damshenas described the episode not only as the best one of Charmed but also as "one of the best episodes of any fantasy drama ever". [17] Ryan Keefer, in reviewing the season for DVD Verdict , described the ending as a "defining moment for [Charmed]". [20]
Prue's death was commented on by various critics, who acknowledged it as shocking. Collider 's Jay Snow similarly described it as one of the show's best episodes, singling out Doherty's performance and calling it "an impressive final outing for Prue". [16] Comic Book Resources ' Vera Vargas cites "All Hell Breaks Loose" as the second most-rewatchable episode of Charmed and describes Prue's death as having shocked fans of the series. [21] In a retrospective review, Paste 's Lacy Baugher Milas also described the episode as the show's best. Concerning Prue's death, which she described as a "shocking choice", Baugher Milas lamented that it resulted in the show's declining quality and argued that Phoebe should have died instead. [18]
Besides Prue's death, Paste's Baugher Milas praised the episode's plot focusing on magic and the Halliwell sisters getting exposed as witches, arguing that "All Hell Breaks Loose" showcased Charmed's greatest strength being in showing the "more uncomfortable aspects of what being a witch could mean, both from a personal and professional perspective". [18] In his review of the third season, David Hofstede described the Halliwells' status as witches being exposed as the greatest moment from the season. [22] Anthropologist Willem de Blécourt argues that the Bewitched episode "I Confess" influenced "All Hell Breaks Loose"; alongside the film Escape to Witch Mountain and the Sabrina the Teenage Witch episode "To Tell a Mortal". [23] de Blécourt notes how all four works have the same central theme of "outsiders becoming aware of witches in a world that denies their existence, followed by the consequences of this revelation". [23]
Charmed is an American fantasy drama television series created by Constance M. Burge and produced by Aaron Spelling and his production company Spelling Television, with Brad Kern serving as showrunner. The series was originally broadcast by The WB from October 7, 1998, until May 21, 2006. The series narrative follows a trio of sisters, known as The Charmed Ones, the most-powerful, good witches of all time, who use their combined "Power of Three" to protect innocent lives from evil beings such as demons and warlocks. Each sister possesses unique magical powers that grow and evolve, while they attempt to maintain normal lives in modern-day San Francisco. Keeping their supernatural identities separate and secret from their ordinary lives often becomes a challenge for them, with the exposure of magic having far-reaching consequences on their various relationships and resulting in a number of police and FBI investigations throughout the series. The series initially focuses on the three Halliwell sisters, Prue, Piper, and Phoebe.
Piper Halliwell is a fictional character from the American television series Charmed, played by Holly Marie Combs from October 7, 1998, until May 21, 2006. The character was created by Constance M. Burge, who based Piper on her second-oldest sister. Piper is introduced into the series as the middle sister to Prue and Phoebe Halliwell. She is one of the original featured leads and, more specifically, a Charmed One – one of the most powerful witches of all time. Piper's power was initially described as the ability to stop time in her surrounding environment. As the series progresses, Leo reveals that her power actually works by slowing down molecules to the point that they stop. She also receives the power to cause evil beings or objects to explode using her hands, by instead speeding up molecules to the point of combustion.
Phoebe Halliwell is a fictional character from the American television series Charmed, played by Alyssa Milano from October 7, 1998, until May 21, 2006. The character was originally played by Lori Rom in the unaired pilot episode. However, Rom quit the series, and a new pilot was filmed with Milano in the role of Phoebe. The character was created by Constance M. Burge and is based on Burge herself. Phoebe is introduced into Charmed as the youngest sister to Prue and Piper Halliwell. She is one of the original featured leads and, more specifically, a Charmed One – one of the most powerful witches of all time. Phoebe initially possesses the power of premonition, which enables her to see into the future and the past. To make up for initially only having a passive power, Phoebe develops martial arts skills in order to better assist her sisters when they fight evil beings. As the series progresses, she also gains the active powers of levitation and empathy.
Paige Matthews is a fictional character from the American television series Charmed, played by Rose McGowan from October 4, 2001, until May 21, 2006. The character was created by executive producer Brad Kern as a replacement for lead character Prue Halliwell, following the departure of actress Shannen Doherty. Paige is introduced into season four as the fiercely independent younger half-sister of the female leads, Prue, Piper and Phoebe Halliwell. Like her sisters, Paige is a witch and more specifically, a Charmed One—one of the most powerful witches of all time. Paige is introduced as the secret love child of the Halliwell sisters' mother Patty and her whitelighter Sam Wilder, making Paige both a witch and whitelighter. She was given up at birth and raised by her adoptive parents, Mr. and Mrs. Matthews.
Prudence Halliwell is a fictional character from the American television series Charmed, played by Shannen Doherty from October 7, 1998, until May 17, 2001. She is the eldest daughter of Patty Halliwell and Victor Bennett. The character was created by Constance M. Burge, who based Prue on her older sister. Prue is introduced into the series as the eldest sister to Piper Halliwell and Phoebe Halliwell. She is one of the first original featured leads and more specifically, a Charmed One – one of the most powerful witches of all time. Prue initially possesses the power to move objects with her mind by channeling telekinesis through her eyes. As the series progresses, she learns how to channel her telekinesis through her hands and gains the power of astral projection, the ability to be in two places at once. Prue also develops martial arts skills and becomes an effective hand-to-hand fighter like Phoebe.
Holly Marie Combs Ryan is an American actress and producer. She is known for her roles as Kimberly Brock in the CBS series Picket Fences (1992–1996), Piper Halliwell in The WB series Charmed (1998–2006) and Ella Montgomery in the Freeform series Pretty Little Liars (2010–2017).
Kyra, also known by her title the Seer, is a fictional character from the American television supernatural drama Charmed, which aired on The WB Television Network from 1998 to 2006. Kyra was created by executive producer Brad Kern and portrayed by actress Charisma Carpenter. Her original contract was a recurring role that included three episodes in the show's season seven. TV Guide reported the WB had considered promoting her to a series regular.
"Something Wicca This Way Comes" is the first episode of the television series Charmed. Written by series creator and executive producer Constance M. Burge and directed by John T. Kretchmer, it was first broadcast in the United States on The WB on October 7, 1998. "Something Wicca This Way Comes" was the highest-rated episode of Charmed in the entire series. It was watched by 7.7 million viewers and broke the record for the highest-rated premiere episode in The WB's history, being later surpassed by the pilot episode of Smallville.
The Book of Shadows, or simply the Book, is a book of witchcraft from the TV series Charmed. In the beginning, the book was created by Melinda Warren and was passed down the family to the Charmed Ones. This book contains spells, incantations, potions and information of the evil beings that their ancestors have once faced. They first find out that they were witches when Phoebe finds the Book of Shadows in their attic, at midnight on a full moon, and reads an incantation aloud. The Book of Shadows is enchanted. It can protect itself from any evil being who dares to touch it.
Billie Jenkins is a fictional character who appeared in the American television supernatural drama Charmed, which aired on The WB from 1998 to 2006. The character was created by executive producer Brad Kern and was portrayed by Kaley Cuoco. Billie was developed in response to The WB's request for a new character, and was intended to expand the show in a new direction for a possible ninth season or a spin-off series, leading to mixed opinions of media outlets.
"Forever Charmed" is the last episode of the American supernatural-drama television series Charmed, and the 178th overall. It is the second part of the double-episode series finale of the show's eighth season. The episode was written by Brad Kern and directed by James L. Conway. It was originally broadcast in the United States on May 21, 2006 on The WB. "Forever Charmed" involves time travel, nostalgic family visitations and a reprise of various important historical background situations, as well as a glimpse of the future to other progeny of The Charmed Ones. It was watched by 4.5 million American viewers, becoming the highest-rated episode of the season.
The first season of Charmed, an American supernatural drama television series created by Constance M. Burge, originally aired in the United States on The WB from October 7, 1998, through May 26, 1999. Paramount Home Entertainment released the complete first season in a six-disc DVD box set on February 1, 2005, and was released as a high-definition blu-ray on October 30, 2018.
The third season of Charmed, an American supernatural drama television series created by Constance M. Burge, originally aired in the United States on The WB from October 5, 2000 through May 17, 2001. Paramount Home Entertainment released the complete third season in a six-disc box set on November 15, 2005. It was later released on high-definition blu-ray on May 18, 2021.
The fourth season of Charmed, an American supernatural drama television series created by Constance M. Burge, originally aired in the United States on The WB from October 4, 2001, through May 16, 2002. Airs on Thursdays at 9:00 pm. Paramount Home Entertainment released the complete fourth season in a six-disc boxed set on February 28, 2006. It was later released on high-definition blu-ray on June 15, 2021.
Shannen Maria Doherty was an American actress. During her career in film and television, Doherty played a number of notable characters, including Jenny Wilder in Little House on the Prairie (1982–1983); Maggie Malene in Girls Just Want to Have Fun (1985); Kris Witherspoon in Our House (1986–1988); Heather Duke in Heathers (1989); Brenda Walsh in Beverly Hills, 90210 (1990–1994), 90210 (2008–2009), and BH90210 (2019); Rene Mosier in Mallrats (1995); and Prue Halliwell in Charmed (1998–2001).
The term "Power of Three" in the original Charmed television series (1998–2006) and its reboot series of the same name (2018–2022), refers to the bond and connection between three sisters, known as The Charmed Ones, who are said to be the most powerful trio of witches. The term is represented by the triquetra symbol, which is placed on the cover of the sisters' Book of Shadows in both shows. Each sister has individual magical powers, which is noticeably stronger when they are combined as the "Power of Three". The sisters use their powers to protect innocent lives and vanquish demons and warlocks, often invoking their joint "Power of Three" to defeat their enemies.
Charmed comics were officially licensed continuations of the popular television series of the same name, which ended its eight-year run in 2006. The comic books were published monthly by Zenescope Entertainment. Charmed: Season 9 served as a continuation set eighteen months after the events of the televised show's final episode and was first released on June 16, 2010. After concluding in 2012, it was succeeded by Charmed: Season 10 which debuted on October 8, 2014 and ended on September 14, 2016. Each season comprises 22-24 issues and one story arc spans between five and seven issues which is reprinted in graphic novel form.
Charmed: Season 9 is a comic book series that was published monthly between June 2010 and October 2012 by Zenescope Entertainment, which owns the publishing rights to the Charmed comic book series. Written by Paul Ruditis and Raven Gregory, the series is an officially licensed continuation of the popular television series of the same name, which ended its eight-year run in 2006. Charmed: Season 9 is set eighteen months after the events of the television show's final episode. The first issue was released on July 21, 2010, and made its premiere at San Diego Comic-Con. The series concluded with the season finale issue, "The Power of 300", and was succeeded by the novels The War on Witches (2015) and Let Gorgons Be Gorgons (2016), both written by Ruditis, as well as Season 10 (2014–2016), written by Pat Shand.
American actress Shannen Doherty (1971–2024) appeared in numerous television programs and motion pictures. After her television debut in Father Murphy in 1981, she landed her first major role in the dramatic western television series Little House on the Prairie (1982–1983), and reprised her role in its three television specials. Doherty received two Young Artist Award nominations for playing the oldest Witherspoon sibling Kris in the family drama Our House (1986–1988). She appeared in four films during the 1980s, including the positively-received, animated film The Secret of NIMH (1982) and the cult classic Heathers (1988). Her breakthrough role was as Brenda Walsh in the teen drama Beverly Hills, 90210 (1990–1994), but she was later dropped from the series because of backstage issues and her negative image as a "bad girl". She starred in television films in the early and mid-1990s, and played Rene Mosier in the romantic comedy Mallrats (1995) in an attempt to rebuild her career.