For much of its run, this one seems to be shaping up to be a good episode, with the Charmed Ones on the hunt for a mystical artifact, pursued by a mysterious opponent.We know from fairly early on that Caine is behind the other demon, although his involvement in the season arc remains unclear, but we don't find out who else is behind things until the final scene.Meanwhile, all three sisters have challenges that cause them to redefine themselves.
Unfortunately, it all falls flat.We get an anti-climax climax that doesn't really solve anything an act from the end, and instead of revisiting it, the episode limps to a conclusion by dealing with lesser issues.Some of these are quite good, such as Macy demonstrating steal in sorting out a problem at work, and Mel seems to be becoming a bit more three-dimensional as she decides she doesn't want a career writing feminist propaganda, but it's hard to care that much when there's a demon-freeing artifact out there.
There seems to be a move towards more serialised storytelling, which is necessary, but it leaves this episode very unfulfilling in isolation.