Charmed Re-Watch: I’ve Got You Under My Skin (Season 1 Episode 2)

In a modern 90s move, a man, rather than a woman, is obsessed with staying young on Charmed Season 1 Episode 2, “I’ve Got You Under My Skin.” The very vain villain on the episode lures beautiful young women to his studio so he can suck the youth out of them.

It’s less scary than it is endearing, as we are really focused on The Charmed Ones figuring out their powers and their new lives.

Charmed is established on this second episode as an occult-themed procedural, with each week presenting a new monster or supernatural enemy and ending with the sisters defeating it. Like Xena Warrior Princess and Buffy the Vampire Slayer before it, the procedural style works really well for Charmed because it is exciting and intriguing, but the monsters never take over as the show is grounded in the relationships between the leads and their love interests.

For our Charmed re-watch, we’ll be breaking it down into things that charmed, things that chagrined, and things that have changed since the original watch.

Charmed

We’re not in high school anymore! “I’ve Got You Under My Skin,” bursts through the walls of a teen character show and delivers a sexier and more mature voice. It’s no wonder we’re hooked from the get-go!

Prue and Andy have sex and we viewers are privy to the morning after. I am completely charmed by the fact that these characters boldly assert their lack of shame regarding their sexual choices.

While it is complicated for Prue because she has a history with Andy and her life is in such turmoil at the moment that she doesn’t feel ready to give their romance her focus, she isn’t feeling bad about sleeping with him.

Piper is surprised by her sisters’ sexual choices, but I love that Charmed emphasizes the normalcy and empowerment of sex, rather than suffer from any slut-shaming.

I am also charmed by the super-hokey special effects.

I can’t help it! I recognize they are over-the-top and, from my 2018 lens, low-budget. At the same time, they are so fun!

My absolute favorite from “I’ve Got You Under My Skin,” is when Demon Dude is pulverized by the Power of Three chants and turns to a pile of dust. Bye, demon, bye.

A close second is how the faces of the characters morph from young to old or old to young. It’s wonderfully satisfying to see the quick change, almost like a make-over story that covers 50 years of work in 5 seconds. And who doesn’t love a good make-over?

The final aspect of “I’ve Got You Under My Skin” that charmed me (to my core!) is the dynamic and unity between Prue, Piper, and Phoebe. I have two sisters and the way that the show portrays the ebb and flow of sisterhood tracks perfectly with my experiences.

When Piper is overwhelmed at the restaurant, quietly trying to be everything for everyone, Prue comes in and assertively complains about her hard day and botched interview, all while Phoebe is flirting it up and enjoying the splendors of the restaurant, I nod my head. That is SO how it goes.

One sister does the hard work with little glory, the bold one comes and bugs her by complaining about her day and the third is off, flirting and just reveling in her adventures. Classic!

I love seeing these struggles and interactions because they are very genuine.

The dynamics could be annoying, though, if that is where the episode stopped. But, the show is not about how these sisters are different, it is about how they use those differences to form a perfectly balanced team.

Their weaknesses become strengths when joined together to fight off evil. I am a sucker for an empowerment story, and The Charmed Ones deliver empowerment in spades, with a little “I told you so,” added for good measure.

Chagrined

Honestly, there was little to be chagrined about on “I’ve Got You Under My Skin.” It holds up!

My complaints are limited to British Boss and the off-screen get together between Andy and Prue.

British Boss pulls the old “you thought I was an underling in the elevator, but NO! I am really your potential boss who is infatuated by your cell phone confessions” trick. But, the predictable elevator set-up isn’t the problem (who doesn’t love a good elevator bit, especially when a large man in overalls is in said elevator?).

The problem is British Boss’s terrible accent. It sounds like a tepid attempt to imitate Hugh Grant, and it’s a flop.

Even more problematic than the accent, is British Boss’s suggestive and domineering approach to Prue. It seems like he is most interested in having Prue in his bed, not the office. Gross.

It is fun to see Prue showcase her talents with identifying the art pieces, but the joy is undermined by the woman assistant being competitive with Prue, while British Boss loftily assess the two. That is a yucky dynamic that I am chagrined to watch.

I am also chagrined that we didn’t get to see Prue and Andy get together. I recognize the value and fun in the slow burn, which is only possible by pulling back after the couple sleeps together.

I’m just saying I would have greatly appreciated a make-out flashback.

Changed

When I watched Charmed back when it first aired, I was very focused on Phoebe and her rebellious and fun character. I shipped Prue and Andy, but I saw myself in Phoebe.

What has changed since that initial viewing is that I now connect most with Piper! Her journey on “I’ve Got You Under My Skin” involves questioning whether she can be good and be a witch. Piper supports her community, her sisters, and her restaurant, while often setting aside her own needs. It is powerful to see her seeking out validation for her new identity on her own.

When Piper triumphantly shouts “I am GOOD!” I rejoice with her. In adulthood, there are so many opportunities to question whether we are doing the right thing, whether we are doing enough, whether we are good.

Phoebe is in a more selfish, pleasure-seeking journey, which is valuable and great. But, this time around I am in my 30, so I relate to and am embracing Piper’s story.

What do you think about Charmed Season 1 Episode 2, “I’ve Got You Under My Skin”? Let us know in the comments!

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