MovieChat Forums > Charmed (1998) Discussion > The Cole story arc

The Cole story arc

posted 3 years ago by Stratego (29294)
10 replies | jump to latest

Had the potential to be really good, but I had a few issues with it. First, they played their cards way too soon. Cole being revealed as a demon, Cole and Phoebe falling in love, Cole being (not) vanquished, Cole returning, Cole and Phoebe resuming their relationship, Cole turning evil again. His storyline could easily have been been spread over 2 seasons. Once Cole returned halfway in the season, it seemed they weren't sure what to do with him. Also, Phoebe turned really unlikeable. She was obsessed and it was already bad enough she kept lying and hiding things from her sisters, but she also had a huge chip on her shoulder about it. Even after Cole had returned and her sisters were pretty accepting of him.

[–] DoctorThirteen (10425) 3 years ago

I used to watch Charmed with my kids. The whole Cole thing dragged so much. I really got fed up with that storyline.

[–] Kowalski (59398) 3 years ago

MY DAUGHTER JUSTSTARTED WATCHING THIS SHOW...WE HAVE THE DVDS...SHE LOVES IT SO FAR...I COULDM'T BRING MYSELF TO REWATCH IT THOUGH.

[–] Mustang (5251) 2 years ago

It wouldn't surprise me if Cole was meant as a short term character and became popular so they started expanding on it. I guess I could look that up but can't be bothered.

Cole and Phoebe had great chemistry.

[–] [email protected] (5510) 3 months ago

I agree with the OP that they gave away Cole's true identity too soon. I mean, with Leo the audience was aware that something was unusual about him. But the writing didn't give it all away at first.

With Cole, it was too fast. They could have kept the audience guessing for a while. And I found it hard to believe that a sophisticated demon like Cole would fall for the obnoxious Phoebe so fast. Of course, her high school nickname was "Freebie", so a gal like that would probably appeal to a demon.

However when she faked his death and lied about it to her sisters, it really ruined a lot of her character for me. Face it, the girl had a permanent case of the hots for any good looking guy who crossed her path. How many of her bosses did she sleep with? She was a bit on the slutty side.

[–] Mustang (5251) 3 months ago

I guess when the chemistry is right that's all that matters. Although Cole was meant to be sophisticated he didn't always come across as such. Not to mention it probably started as a game for him when he realized (knew?) she was a Charmed one, I can't recall what led to his attraction for her now.

I thought they revealed it too quickly as well which is what makes me think that he was meant to be a short-term character who became popular. Apparently, the actor kept trying to get out of his contract later on but couldn't do it.

She was slutty but then she was the only hot sister so someone had to dress slutty and have lots of sex.

[–] [email protected] (5510) 3 months ago

Could be true. Maybe Cole was planned as short term but his character became popular.

I don't think anything was ever really revealed as to why he fell for Phoebe. It just seemed to come out of nowhere. When I first saw those episodes, I was surprised that he had developed feelings for Phoebe so fast.

Phoebe was the "only hot sister"? Well she sure dressed the part!!! I thought Piper was beautiful in a classy way. She didn't have the super slim figure to carry off some of Phoebe's trashier, revealing outfits. But a woman doesn't have to dress like Phoebe to be considered hot. At least I don't think so.

[–] Mustang (5251) 3 months ago

I think Cole and Phoebe were supposed to be soul mates. They just connected and that’s it. They did play it as if it were some great romance.

I like curvier figures and nice legs. Piper and Prue had really thin shapeless legs. Later on Paige liked flaunting her pale stick legs too. Piper had a pretty face she looked hot when she became an Amazon or whatever tribe it was.

It’s not about how they dress for me it’s just the way they look and what I like in terms of physical features. Willow was attractive in Buffy and mostly dressed like a dork.

[–] xergan (873) 3 months ago

I was watching Charmed from time to time (yeah, Alyssa Milano crush), but not really followed the show constantly, usually if the teaser not hooked me, I was out. But then Cole happened and the show got finally REALLY interesting, I was really interested in the plot and then more and more disappointed from it. It is a real shame how they developed Cole, Julian McMahon is a great actor (as he show in Nip/Tuck) and tried to save what was impossible. I was really fed up by his arc in his last episodes, it was so painful to watch. But the Charmed writers were never really good.

[–] Mustang (5251) 3 months ago

I think they kept him around too long, at least with how they treated the character.

[–] xergan (873) 3 months ago

Definitely, he should have stayed dead after 4x20. They could have redeemed him better in a later season for a nice happy end for Phoebe. Season 5 was atrocious.