Behind The Scenes

Producer Credits

Original Soundtrack

Summary

Charmed starts off with three estranged sisters (well 2 estranged and the middle one) moving back into their childhood home after their grandmother passes away. Spirit boards, books of witchcraft, and a psycho on the lose guarantee trouble. The sisters must accept their legacy to become The Charmed Ones-a powerful trio of witches destined to protect the world from evil. And their first test might be closer than they expect.

Cast

Main Cast
  • Prue Halliwell – Shannen Doherty
  • Piper Halliwell – Holly Marie Combs
  • Andy Trudeau – T.W. King
  • Darryl Morris – Dorian Gregory
  • Phoebe Halliwell – Alyssa Milano
Guest Stars
  • Eric Scott Woods – Jeremy Burns
  • Matthew Ashford – Roger
  • Chris Flanders – Chef Moore
Co-Stars
  • Woman (Serena) – Lonnie Partridge
  • Admitting Nurse – Charmaine Cruz
  • Pharmacist – Hugh Holub
  • News Reporter – Francesca Cappucci
Uncredited
  • Paper Boy – Alexander Lester
  • Man – Anthony J Sacco

Characters Introduced

Serena

Serena is a solitary witch and the owner of Kit, the cat. (read more)

Serena is also a nurse at County General Hospital, in her mid-to-late 20s, with a triquetra tattoo on her neck—a symbol seen on Kit's collar and found on two other recently murdered witches. Hours beofre the Halliwell sisters receive their powers, Serena is seen feeding her cat, Kit, before lighting a circle of candles with pyrokinesis from her fingertip. She attempts to cast a protection spell, but it doesn't save her. Moments later, Jeremy stabs her with an athame, making her the third witch killed in as just as many weeks.

Serena's Cat

Serena’s cat and suspiciously shows up during magical moments. (read more)

Serena's cat eventually gets adopted by the Halliwell sisters

Piper Halliwell

Piper Halliwell is the middle sister with the power to freeze time. (read more)

Piper Halliwell is introduced as the emotional glue of the family—gentle, overwhelmed, and often playing referee between Prue and Phoebe. She's introduced showing up late to an appointment, hinting at her time-management struggles. Piper is also in the middle of a job interview for a chef position, where she’s tasked with preparing a specific dish—one that requires a specific port, suggesting it’s a personal favorite. Her budding relationship with Jeremy adds another layer of pressure. They met at the hospital when their Grams was admitted; he gave her his number scribbled on a napkin while she was, in her words, “bawling over a bagel.” Piper’s power—freezing time—beautifully mirrors her desire to hit pause, collect herself, and regain control whenever things become overwhelming.

Prue Halliwell

Prue Halliwell is the eldest sister with the power to move objects with her mind. (read more)

Prue's kind of the "crunchy" one. With their parents no longer in the picture, Prue took on a parental role early in life, helping raise Piper and Phoebe. That sacrifice hardened her, but moments of warmth still show—like when she quietly brings Phoebe a blanket despite their tension. She quits her job at the History Museum after confronting both her ex-fiancé and her boss (who happen to be the same person). Prue’s power is telekinesis, allowing her to move objects with her mind—usually triggered by emotion, especially anger.

Andy Trudeau

Andy is a detective with the San Francisco Police Department. (read more)

Andy is a third-generation inspector, continuing a long family legacy in law enforcement. Having just returned from Portland, he’s finding his footing back in familiar territory—and familiar relationships. His past with Prue quickly bubbles to the surface, as the two start to rekindle the old flame they once had.

Jeremy Burns

Jeremy Burns is a love interest to Piper Halliwell. (read more)

Jeremy is introduced as a charming reporter from the San Francisco Chronicle, but beneath the surface, he’s a warlock with a deadly agenda. He met, Jeremy knew Piper and her sisters were going to receive their powers and he planned a romantic cover to get close. Once the sisters finally reunited, Jeremy struck—revealing his true nature. He becomes the first major threat the sisters face… and their first vanquish.

Phoebe Halliwell

The youngest Halliwell sister, with the powers of premonition. (read more)

Phoebe returns to San Francisco after a rough stint in New York—unemployed, in debt, and carrying emotional baggage. She’d gone there hoping to reconnect with their estranged father, but came back empty-handed. Her return instantly stirs tension in the manor, especially with Prue. The friction traces back to a past incident involving Prue’s ex-fiancé, Roger. Still, it’s Phoebe who discovers the Book of Shadows and awakens their powers. She's also the first of the three to save not just their first but their first two innocents. Way to go, Pheebz.

TV Reporter

Mentions Serena’s murder during a broadcast that Phoebe was watching in her room.

Chef Moore

Piper’s stressed-out interviewer who gets frozen mid-interview.

Admitting Nurse

Works the front desk at County General Hospital, where Prue reconnects with Andy.

Pharmacist

Works at the pharmacy where Phoebe and Prue go looking for relief from Prue's headache.

Spells Cast

Serena’s Protection Spell

Cast at the beginning of the episode using candle magic—ultimately fails to protect her from Jeremy.

“Jeremy Go Away” Spell

Cast by the sisters using a poppet and the Book of Shadows. Intended to banish Jeremy but is unsuccessful.

The Power of Three Spell

The first successful spell cast by all three sisters together to vanquish Jeremy and fulfill their magical destiny.

Vanquishes

Jeremy Burns

Vanquished by the Halliwell sisters using the Power of Three spell. This marks the first successful vanquish in the series and their official beginning as the Charmed Ones.

Magical Terms

  • Serena’s Altar: Decorated with candles, carvings, and ritual tools. A central part of her attempted protection spell.
  • Spirit Board: Makes its first appearance in this episode. Features an inscription on the back and plays a key role in guiding the sisters to the attic.
  • Solitary Practioner: A witch who practices the craft alone.
  • Athame: Described by Andy and Darryl as a double-edged ceremonial knife used by witches to direct energy. Jeremy uses one to kill Serena.
  • Sabaat: A seasonal festival marking a solstice, equinox, etc... Andy mentions that Serena must have been preparing for one.
  • Triquetra: Seen as a tattoo on Serena’s body and on the cover of the Book of Shadows—a symbol linked to protection and power.
  • Book of Shadows: Discovered by Phoebe in the attic. She flips to the Dominus Trinus page and unknowingly activates their powers.

Powers Used

Pyrokinesis

  • Serena lights ten ritual candles with fire from her fingertips during a protection spell.
  • Jeremy later uses the same pyrokinetic flames from his fingertips.

Telekinesis

  • Prue unknowingly makes Roger’s pen explode at work during a moment of anger.
  • Slides a creamer bell across the bar.
  • Summons aspirin from the shelf into her hand.
  • Knocks more aspirin bottles off the shelf.
  • Topples the entire pharmacy shelves after a heated conversation.
  • Uses telekinesis on Jeremy twice—the first time she targets a demon/warlock.
  • Closes the manor front door with TK—a recurring visual signature throughout the series.

Freeze Time

  • Piper freezes Chef Moore mid-freakout in the kitchen at Quake.
  • Piper freezes Jeremy and the elevator they are in.

Premonition

  • Phoebe has a premonition while riding her bike—no physical contact involved.
  • Phoebe touches the cauldron/pot and sees Jeremy recovering from the spell.

Psychokinesis

  • Prue’s early control of telekinesis (e.g., without eye contact) suggests the development of psychokinesis. She used it on Roger's tie to choke him.
  • Jeremy uses psychokinesis to throw furniture blocking the attic door.

Other

  • Prue teleports the cream into a coffee mug.
  • Jeremy morphs his face into a demonic form with a distorted voice—his warlock nature fully revealed.
  • Jeremy explodes the attic door entirely—a more destructive evolution of the power.
  • Jeremy flicks his wrist with the athame in it and a gust of wind, tornado-like, surrounds the sisters.

Power Notes

  • Jeremy scares Piper outside of the phone booth but she doesn't freeze time.
  • After Prue destroys the shelves, she’s happy—as if she moved her headache out of her mind.
  • When Jeremy unfreezes, the elevator stays frozen and it stays frozen long enough from Jeremy to escape.
  • Prue, at one point, says she can feel her powers growing.
  • Phoebe concludes that Prue moves things when she’s upset.

The Book of Shadows

Seen On Screen

  • The Book appears showing the cover, title page, and the Dominus Trinus page (as Phoebe flips it).
  • Phoebe reads the Dominus Trinus which triggers the sisters’ powers.
  • Prue holds the Book later, revealing another page.
  • The Book is seen again during the poppet spell scene ("Jeremy Go Away") near the climax.

Mentioned or Described

  • The "Three Essentials of Magic" are referenced: timing, feeling, and the phases of the moon.
  • Melinda Warren is introduced as the original source of the Halliwell powers.
  • Phoebe expands on Melinda Warren’s story—how she passed on her gifts through generations.
  • The line “We’re known as the Charmed Ones” comes from a BOS entry.
  • Phoebe explains visual BOS details: carvings, Bosche-style illustrations, and pages on good vs. evil witches, warlocks, and the Wiccan Rede.
  • Phoebe quotes the Book, saying “powers will grow,” referring to how their abilities will evolve over time.

Quotes

  • “We’re known as the Charmed Ones.” – Phoebe

    A defining moment that echoes throughout the series.

  • “C’est magnifique!” – Chef Moore

    His over-the-top approval after Piper freezes time and saves the dish.

  • “Inquiring minds wanna know.” – Andy

    A flirty callback during his reunion with Prue.

  • “Soon you will be on top.” – Jeremy (via fortune cookie)

    A creepy, foreshadowing moment before things go full warlock.

  • "Without it, it is nothing more than a salty marinara-a recipe from a woman's magazine." – Chef Moore

    A misogynistic comment regarding the importance of a particular port.

  • "Roger" – Phoebe Halliwell

    Phoebe's initial attempt to trigger Prue's telekinetics through anger.

  • "Dad, dad, dad, dad, dad, dad, dad." – Phoebe Halliwell

    Phoebe's rather super succesful attempt to test Prue's telekinetics by making her angrier.

Episode Notes

Location Notes
  • Halliwell Manor: The manor has been in the Halliwell family for generations.
  • The attic has remained mysteriously locked—until now. When it opens on its own, it marks the reawakening of their magic.
Magical Moments
  • The planchette on the spirit board moves by itself—cue the suspense.
  • The board spells out “ATTIC,” directing the sisters to their destiny.
  • A moonbeam illuminates the old trunk in the attic—subtle but powerful magic vibes.
Cultural References
  • Darryl comments that Salem and witches were “500 years ago”—historically inaccurate, but we’ll let it slide.
  • Phoebe references The Exorcist when teasing Prue.
  • Piper jokingly describes their extended family as “a drunk cousin, manic aunt, and invisible cousin.”
Behind-the-Scenes
  • Shannen Doherty reportedly had difficulty filming the bar scene due to personal sobriety goals.
  • The actor playing Jeremy refused to say the word “bitch.”
  • The newspaper Prue is holding reads “Doubtfire”—likely a prop department oversight or Easter egg.
  • Serena’s actress was only credited in two more films following *Charmed*.
  • The paperboy actor went on to appear in 222 episodes of *Shortland Street* and 368 episodes of *Fair City*.
My Premonitions
  • Spirit board joke: “Will Prue have sex with anyone?” It spells out “A-T”—Andy Trudeau’s initials. Prue does, in fact, sleep with him in the next episode.
My Telepathy
  • Question: Who or what actually led them to the attic?
  • Andy and Prue’s handshake is awkward enough to make anyone wince.
  • Prue’s bad day just snowballs—from Roger drama to magical awakenings.
  • She finally snaps into full protective big sister mode during the fight with Jeremy.
  • Piper and Phoebe don’t even blink at seeing Andy again—it’s like he never left.

Filming Locations

Exterior Locations
  • Serena’s Apartment Building
  • Halliwell Manor
  • History Museum
  • Ristorante and L’Opera
  • Manor Neighborhood (Phoebe’s bike ride)
  • County General Hospital
  • Bar Sidewalk
Interior Locations
  • Serena’s Apartment
  • Serena’s Apartment Lobby
  • Halliwell Manor
  • History Museum
  • Ristorante Kitchen
  • County General Hospital
  • Bar
Stock Shots
  • Golden Gate Bridge
  • Trolley Car