Charmed

The entire plot is explicitly driven by feminist and queer themes. The central metaphor of the first season frames male authority figures and demons as literal agents of patriarchal oppression. Mel's journey as an activist lesbian feminist and her romantic relationships with women are central to her character arc. The story continuously uses modern intersectional feminism and LGBTQ+ representation as the primary lens through which the characters' magical duties and personal lives are explored.

The show heavily critiques traditional structures and institutions, presenting them as corrupt and inherently biased against women and marginalized groups. Campus administrations are portrayed as complicit in sexual harassment, and the magical hierarchy ("The Elders") is depicted as an outdated, controlling patriarchal institution that the sisters must dismantle. Traditional gender roles are consistently framed as flawed, while conservative social norms are rejected in favor of progressive, activist values.

The reboot completely changes the canon of the original 1998 series by replacing the white, heterosexual Halliwell sisters with the diverse, multicultural Vera sisters. The character of Mel is a direct, highly politicized update who is written as a lesbian feminist, introducing queer themes absent in the original main cast. The show's lore is also modernized to shift away from traditional European Wiccan roots, incorporating broader multicultural and political themes into the magical rules.

The show faced strong, persistent backlash from both fans of the original series and cultural critics who accused the reboot of pushing a forced "woke" agenda. Reviewers and social media users widely complained about "cringe-worthy" dialogue, heavy-handed feminist lecturing, and the decision to swap the original cast to prioritize identity politics. Many original fans felt the focus on modern social justice came at the expense of good storytelling and respectful adaptation.

The creative team has a mixed to high track record of prioritizing progressive themes. Co-creator Amy Rardin is known for championing intersectional representation, while writer Bianca Sams and producer Howard T. Owens actively work on projects focused on identity politics. Other writers and directors have more neutral or moderate portfolios focused on standard female-led dramas, leading to a noticeable but uneven activist influence behind the scenes.