Charmed Re-Watch: The Truth Is Out There. . .and It Hurts (Season 1 Episode 8)

The truth is Charmed Season 1 Episode 8, “The Truth Is Out There. . .and It Hurts,” inflicts joy and romance, not pain.

The tbh-filled episode has a tender heart as Prue mourns her break-up with Andy and Piper takes bold steps forward with Leo. Honestly, it is my favorite episode of the series so far.

Charmed

I am continually charmed by the friendship between The Charmed Ones. They rib and roast each other, sure. But they know details about each other’s lives, like about Piper’s struggles with Martin.

They even go to the movies together!

At a time when it feels like everyone is too busy and too connected to their insta-followers, it is refreshing to just see the sisters hanging out.

The friendship and connection the episode showcases make the emotional moments hit deeper and heavier. In particular, when Prue comes to Phoebe with her sorrow over Andy’s honest reaction to her being a witch, the conversation and hug they share is moving.

It wouldn’t have that strong impact if Charmed hadn’t taken the time to repeatedly establish that, as different as they are, these women know each other and are there for each other.

Sisterhood is the strongest spell on Charmed.

I am also incredibly charmed by the ships on “The Truth Is Out There. . .and It Hurts.”

Piper takes the opportunity (and risk!) to get the truth from Leo about his attraction to her. She then makes the first move and kisses him.

It is a dreamy kiss! There is a second helping when Leo reciprocates her smooch-moves. Another dreamy kiss!

The moment isn’t perfect, as I will discuss a bit in my chagrined section, but it is great.

The truth-spell is a really fun trope to play with, and I am so glad that the characters forget what they say. We learn key details about the characters’ emotional truths without having to move the relationships forward too quickly.

The truth-spell allows us to get to the big moments, without having to earnestly deal with the ramifications quite yet.

I also love how the truth-spell lets us know things about the characters through inference.

Even though he doesn’t necessarily directly say it, Andy is obviously on board to start a family with Prue. That is why his concern about her being a witch isn’t the magic itself, it’s about what their life as a family would be like.

That is so charming!

Likewise, when Leo asks Piper about guys that make the second move, she says, “I love them!” She’s under the spell too, so we know she’s telling the truth.

So, she basically admits that she loves Leo.

It’s really too soon for love because so far we have only seen Piper admiring Leo’s body and looks, not his character, but still. It’s a really sweet reveal of her feelings for the cute carpenter.

The final thing I am charmed by on “The Truth Is Out There. . .and It Hurts,” is Phoebe’s call-outs of Prue. My two favorites are:

“The biggest pooper at the Wicca party has finally used her power for personal gain. It’s about time”

“What a way to come out of the broom closet.”

It’s never a bad idea to throw in some punny lines, as far as I’m concerned.

It’s also quite charming that Phoebe’s truth is so full of wordplay. That suits her playful personality.

Chagrined

There is little about “The Truth Is Out There. . .and It Hurts” that chagrins.  In fact, the title of the episode might be its weakest part as it’s long, awkward, and needlessly includes ellipses.

There are the little things, though.

I am chagrined, again, by the lack of diversity in casting on Charmed. The episode includes a time-traveling warlock, a sandwich delivery victim, and a vicious boss as the prominent guest stars. All of these actors are white.

The episode continues the trend that I have noted in my previous re-watch of Charmed Season 1 Episode 5, “Dream Sorcerer,”  and I imagine the lack of diversity will continue throughout the series given its late ’90s identity.

After learning how great it feels like to be represented by watching diversely cast shows like Brooklyn Nine-Nine, the homogeneity on Charmed stings.

There is relief from that sting in the fact that the upcoming reboot is featuring Latinx leads. That’s the hopeful truth.

I am chagrined by the emphasis on looks, not personality or character, in the scenes between Leo and Piper. When Piper asks Leo what he thinks of her, he responds about her beautiful eyes.

That makes Piper swoon but makes me barf.

Physical appearance and beauty are such surface-level points of attraction. Piper is an amazing, complex character with many talents and quirks. Those are the things about her that are most attractive.

The most information we get about Leo is that everyone loves staring at his butt. But, that too is not sufficient to explain Piper’s feelings towards him.

He is obviously very hard-working and artistic. His gentle interactions with the sisters are telling of his personality.

I want to hear Piper articulate those qualities. Instead, we see evidence that Piper’s head over heels, without any explanation why.

I also want to hear what Leo has noticed about Piper. It is so sweet and heartwarming to hear Andy list all of the details he has observed about Prue.

I want Piper to have someone who sees her that much.

It is hopefully just a matter of time before the love story between Leo and Piper unfolds to include more than just what they look like.

Changed

The phrase “surfing on the web” is a phrase of yesteryear at this point. I love hearing Phoebe refer to her research needs in this way.

It is lip curling fun to watch the early days of the internet age unfolding on screen. My amusement at the technology has certainly changed since my first viewing.

I am also changed on my re-watch in my view on communication in a good relationship. When I first watched Charmed, I felt like a great romance meant you understood each other without talking. You were just that connected.

Now, I see how Andy and Prue, who want to be together so badly but can’t seem to make it work, have success even in their breakup because they communicate.

They leave the relationship without bitterness or resentment. They have the same level of desire and interest in each other, and they aren’t afraid to tell each other that! While there is a big secret between them, they even find a way to communicate about how that secret is impacting their relationship.

This not only leaves the door open for them to reunify without major drama, it also sets a great example of a healthy relationship. That’s some time travel to the feminist future right there!

I didn’t even notice the role of communication in Prue and Andy’s love story on my first watch. Now, I see how powerful it is and it has made them my favorite ship on the show.

What do you think of Charmed Season 1 Episode 8, “The Truth Is Out There. . .and It Hurts”? Join my re-watch and add your comments below!

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