Charmed Re-Watch: Dead Man Dating (Season 1 Episode 4)

Charmed Season 1 Episode 4, “Dead Man Dating,” is the show’s sappiest and shippiest hour yet. So, it’s no surprise it is also my favorite episode to re-watch thus far!

I feel my heartstrings tugged by different parts of the story this time around as I am pulled in by Piper’s soft romantic heart.

There is much to love and little to lament on “Dead Man Dating.” Let’s get into it!

Charmed

Piper really gets ghosted on “Dead Man Dating,” and it’s a deeply heart-warming haunting. The chemistry between Piper and Dead John Cho is instantly palpable. Both of them are sincere, sweet, and secretly badass people.

The single-episode love story is bittersweet because Dead John Cho never had a legitimate shot with Piper. I

mean, if anyone was going to be able to make it work with an air-person, it would be Piper. But, from the initial scenes on the episode, we know that Dead John Cho is going to need to cross-over, and his time on Earth has burned up.

Even though it is brief and super cheesy, I definitely ship Dead Man John Cho and Piper. The actors’ chemistry is very natural, and it is easy to fairly instantly fall in love with the couple.

The story itself has fairy tale elements that really highlight how romantic Piper is, especially in comparison to her sisters. I love that Piper is the hero in the story, while Dead John Cho is more the damsel in distress.

Overall, the ship works, and I mourn right alongside the Halliwell sisters as the hope for a multi-episode arc for Dead John Cho dies with him.

I am very charmed by the ship and the choice to have Piper fall in love with an Asian man. While some of the portrayals of Chinese culture are problematic, it is refreshing to see a few types of Asian men on one episode of television.

Additionally, Dead John Cho is sexy.

He does play a “nice guy” which leads into stereotypes about Asian men, but he smolders. John Cho pulls off the cute but sultry character fabulously.

The inclusion of a diverse group of love interests for the sisters is an encouraging and charming aspect of Charmed.

Andy and Prue’s ship gets some conflict on “Dead Man Dating,” and I’m into it!

Frankly, it is a bit soon for a weekend getaway for the couple, and I am glad there is a reasonable wrench thrown in. Ex-wives and ex-husbands have a way of confounding romance, on screen and off. So, the conflict is a very reasonable one for Andy and Prue to be facing.

I’m a fan because of how normal it is (not all of their conflicts should be witch-based) and because it makes clear that the high school lovebirds still have a lot of catching up to do. Yummy.

I’m a little confused how Andy, a detective who got hints of the occult influences on Charmed Season 1 Episode 1, “Something Wicca This Way Comes,” is so oblivious to a whole table flying through the air and just landing right in front of him. But, okay.

It’s a fun way to explore Prue’s jealousy, so I can suspend my disbelief for a little while longer.

Just like with the first three episodes of the season, I am also charmed by the unity and support between the very different Halliwell sisters.

As the Charmed Ones hold each other at Dead John Cho’s funeral, it is clear that they are going to continue to face big battles; their biggest sword and shield is their bond. The procedural flow of the episodes includes the three witches coming back together.

It makes the show so cozy and welcoming, like sitting and gabbing with roommates at the end of the day.

It is an unexpected tone for a story about demons and warlocks and witches, but it elevates the story from an occult show to a family classic.

Finally, I am charmed by the little details on “Dead Man Dating.”

I love the “D.A.R.E.” sticker posted next to Andy’s desk at work and other quality details like it. Phoebe’s bejeweled face is another example of little touches that make a big impact on the episode.

It is a strange detail, but I even love the electric green color of the frosting on the cake.

Sure, it’s a bit ridiculous. But, this frosting detail and the others like it add humor and visual depth to the show. Charmed, I’m sure.

Chagrined

Phoebe’s storyline on “Dead Man Dating” makes me chagrined.

The concept is good: make money as a “psychic” to pay for a nice birthday gift for Prue and in the process have to figure out how to save someone’s life. The execution is a bit less than lackluster.

Pheobe’s pink costume is so cheap and childish that I find it a bit offensive.

Her boss at the hotel is needlessly dark and strange, which doesn’t match the aforementioned kitchy costume.

And it’s not really a misstep, just a matter of preference, but the slow-motion and black and white effects to symbolize the premonition are not quite working for me. They’re just a bit too excessive and already boring four episodes in.

The whole thing is just a bit too separate, silly, and sloppy to be effective. I’m hoping for Phoebe to have more integrated or primary storylines moving forward. So far, she’s been stuck in B-story land.

The only other aspect of “Dead Man Dating” that makes me chagrined is Piper’s insistence on throwing Prue a surprise birthday party when she directly expresses she doesn’t want one.

Based on my personal experiences, I find it very bothersome when people think it is cute to disregard someone’s preferences for social events.

Piper is the sweetest of sweet, and she really means well. But, consent is consent and I think ignoring someone when they say they don’t want a surprise, is violating a boundary.

It’s a minor violation, with rather happy consequences, but it can erode a woman’s sense of being able to set boundaries and generally say no. I’m not too worried about Prue as she is quite capable of setting boundaries for herself.

But, still. I’d prefer to see sisterhood where respect includes listening to and believing what your sisters say.

Changed

When I first watched Charmed, it seemed perfectly normal for a person in their late/ mid-twenties to be a detective and have an ex-wife. I would, of course, be at the peak of my career by the time I was 30, right?

On this re-watch, I am a bit skeptical of what Charmed expects of its characters at their ages. Prue and Andy are the same age because they are in the same grade in school. But, Andy seems to have skipped quite a few steps and already be very senior in his life.

My perspective on age has definitely changed since my original watch.

This probably tracks with changes from 1998-2018 in the ages when it is typical to do certain things like get married, become the boss, or have children. I love that The Charmed Ones are career driven and that we get many seasons with them sans marriage.

The other thing that’s changed since my first watch is how down I am for Piper’s soft and sincere approach to life.

When I first watched, all that mushy stuff grossed me out. I liked Prue’s sexy snark and Phoebe’s messy rebellion. I have changed, and now I am so enamored with Piper’s open-heart.

She goes for it. She is unafraid to be in the world and accept it for what it has to offer her. That kind of soft bravery is so special. Although it is still not a character trait I share with Piper, I have come to absolutely admire and love it.

Her romance with Dead John Cho is so sweet. They have some delightful banter, and Piper gets moments to show off like when she wisely takes the amulet of the door so he can pass. But, the heart of their connection is a puffy-cloud romance that is absent cynicism.

It’s so tender that even though it’s just one episode, it really hurts to lose Dead John Cho.

My heart has been primed over the years and I now enjoy this ooey-gooey storyline for Piper. What a change for the better!

What did you think of Charmed Season 1 Episode 4, “Dead Man Dating?” Let us know in the comments!

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