All Hell Breaks Loose (Charmed)

"All Hell Breaks Loose" is the twenty-second episode and season finale of the third season of the television series Charmed. The episode marks a significant turning point in the series, resulting in the death of a major character and dramatically altering the status quo.

The episode's title is a literal representation of the events that unfold. After Dr. Curtis Williamson exposes the Charmed Ones as witches to the world, chaos erupts. The sisters find themselves besieged by media attention, fearful neighbors, and opportunistic demons eager to exploit their vulnerability.

Trying to use their powers to save innocent lives in the face of escalating demonic attacks, Prue and Piper become increasingly desperate. The episode culminates in a battle with the demon Shax, during which Piper is fatally wounded. Prue is also gravely injured while attempting to save her.

Despite Paige Matthews unknowingly crossing paths with the Halliwells earlier in the episode, the introduction and full integration of the new sister doesn't occur until the fourth season premiere. "All Hell Breaks Loose" primarily focuses on the repercussions of the Charmed Ones' exposure and the immediate tragic consequences that follow.

The episode's ending is a cliffhanger, with Phoebe making a deal with The Source to turn back time and save her sisters. The outcome of this deal, and the circumstances surrounding it, resolve in the next season and establish the central plot device for the show going forward. The events of "All Hell Breaks Loose" are considered pivotal in Charmed mythology due to the permanent shift in the family dynamic.