Carpe Demon
Paige is hiring for a new literature professor at the Magic School. She's interviewing Miss Donovan, who has the ability to astral project, when a man suddenly appears via a portal on a motorbike. Skidding to a stop and breaking a table in the process, the man explains he's wanting the teaching position and displays an impressive knowledge of literature.
Sheridan is now awake from her coma, having been healed by Kyle. She remembers nothing about the Charmed Ones.
Meanwhile, the man on the motorbike is introduced as Drake. He's a former demon who was made human by a sorcerer a year previous. He denies ever killing a human, stating he preferred reading. However, the deal to make him human means that he can keep his demonic powers but if he uses them to harm, the sorcerer will take them. Phoebe is immediately taken with him.
Elsewhere, Leo is arguing with the Elders about his role as an Avatar and their decision to punish him. He explains his reasoning and that he should be able to defend himself before being punished.
Drake is caught dancing around with Phoebe and dresses himself up like Robin Hood with the sisters as the merry men. He changes them back however the sorcerer appears and attacks. The sisters manage to fight him off but Drake is now convinced he is the real Robin Hood. The sisters discuss how to change him back and agree that they need the librarian, Miss Donovan's help. Drake finds the sister's phone bill, which Phoebe had been complaining about due to the owner, John Normand cheating his customers. He resolves to confront 'Little John'. Phoebe tags along on the motorbike to try and talk him out of it. They arrive outside the phone company office where Drake starts a revolt with the line of complaining customers. Drake robs an armoured car and scatters the cash inside the car everywhere.
At the Magic School library, the sorcerer is holding Miss Donovan hostage. After finding out she's the school's librarian, he asks her about what information she knows on the Robin Hood story.
At the manor, Leo and Piper are in the kitchen discussing the problem when Paige orbs in. They find out what's happening with Drake via a TV news report. Paige notes that she hasn't heard from Miss Donovan for a while but doesn't think too much on it. Leo calls Darryl to inform him about what's happening with Drake. Darryl tells him that he and Sheridan are due to work together again but she doesn't remember anything about the sisters.
At the phone company office, Sheridan arrives and arrests Phoebe as Drake enters the building. He threatens John Normand with a bow and arrow, demanding that the money he stole is returned. The police then surround the building with Darryl convincing Sheridan to allow Phoebe in to the building.
Meanwhile, Miss Donovan uses her astral projection power to project into the manor attic. She tells Piper and Paige what's happened however it's revealed that the sorcerer has forced Miss Donovan into it and it's a false plan.
Phoebe and John talk Drake into leaving, however the sorcerer casts a spell at that moment which causes John to deny giving the money back. John taunts Drake, who uses his demonic powers to throw fireballs at John. He crashes out the window but manages to catch the ledge where Phoebe can rescue him. The sorcerer appears and casts Drake into hell for using the powers against their agreement. As Paige and Piper orb into the office, the sorcerer taunts them to come and find him.
Later on, news reports show a bomb was detonated by the 'Robin Hood character' at the phone office and that Drake is now missing. Paige believes that the spell written against Drake should be just as effective against the sorcerer as well. The sisters and Leo decide that Drake is their priority and dealing with Sheridan can wait. Paige scrys for Miss Donovan however Phoebe thinks they're being set up.
In the sorcerer's hideout, an image of Miss Donovan appears, taunting him. More images appear around him but he realises too late that Miss Donovan is not the cause. It's actually the Charmed Ones. They say their spell and vanquish him, allowing Drake to reappear. They free Miss Donovan and return home.
Paige decides to hire Drake and makes Miss Donovan his assistant. Drake explains to Phoebe that he is to die a year after he was turned human and tells her he only has two weeks left to live.
Tropes
- Ascended Demon: Drake made a deal with a sorcerer to become human, as he didn't want to be evil anymore.
- Big Bad Wannabe: The sorcerer wanted Drake's powers in order to begin his own conquest, and he's really feeling the pressure to get going now that Zankou is free.
- Nice Job Breaking It, Hero: Kyle freed Sheridan of her coma. While that is nice for her, she will cause major problems for the sisters down the line.
- Race Against the Clock: The four week deadline is there, but the real reason the sorcerer wants to step up his plan is because Zankou has begun a takeover of the Underworld. The sorcerer needs the powers in order to stand against him.
- Your Days Are Numbered: Part of Drake's deal with the sorcerer meant that he only had a year left to live. By the time we meet him he only has four weeks of that year left.
