The Witch Is Back

Phoebe's power grows early in this episode and suddenly allows her to see into the past, greatly augmenting her investigative abilities. A power-copying warlock, Matthew Tate, cursed by the sisters' ancestor Melinda Warren in the 1600s in colonial New England, turns out to be one of the sisters' most serious adversaries when he is inadvertently released from his prison (a cursed locket which will open only to a Warren descendant). Prue is manipulated into touching it and opening it for evaluation at the auction house by her demon boss (Rex) and his henchwoman. Tate battles with Prue in her office. Soon after, aided by Rex and his acolyte, Tate manages to steal two of the sisters' three powers. Escaping temporarily, the sisters resurrect Melinda Warren to combat him. Melinda teaches them they can make up spells, cast curses and concoct potions and they build one to re-curse Tate.