the warlock priest

Type:                 warlock hybrid (half-human) 

Powers:           Brendan's active powers were not revealed but it is safe to assume that he possessed the passive magical powers that all warlocks and witches share -  spellcasting, potion-brewing and scrying ability. 

Details:            Brendan Rowe was descended from a long line of powerful warlocks, who would grown in strength with each generation until the arrival of three brothers. Together they would form The Rowe Coven and become the most warlocks in the world. 

Brendan wanted no part of this because unlike his older half-brothers, Greg and Paul, Brendan was not a full-blooded warlock. He shared the same warlock father but thankfully, he was born to a mortal mother and grew up separated from dark magic. In fact, Brendan had spent most of his life trying to suppress his wicked warlock characteristics and hiding from his brothers to keep them from turning him to evil. 

In an effort to become completely incorruptible by the evil of his heritage, Brendan began studying to become a Catholic priest.  This commitment of his soul to God would keep him safe from his brothers' dark influence forevermore. It would also prevent the great evils that would occur with the rise of The Rowe Coven. 

Greg and Paul refused to forego the power that their destiny would bring and so they finally tracked Brendan down in San Francisco just as he was to be ordained. They confronted him in the church, violently attempting to sway him from the priesthood until they were interrupted by Prue. She used her power to scare them off but Brendan fled as well. 

The next day, Prue spoke to Father Austin, who was the priest in charge and also something of a mentor to Brendan. He directed Prue to the stables where she found Brendan and witnessed his kind, warm-hearted nature as he taught a little girl the value of life in all things. After the girl left, Prue approached Brendan but he hopped on a horse and rode off to avoid her.

After a brief chase on horseback, Brendan was impressed by Prue's tenacity and they got to know each other better. Both were taken with the other, but Prue was surprised that Brendan understood the danger he was in and she offered to help keep him safe. Brendan told her that he was to become a priest the following day and that only then would he truly be safe. 

After returning the horses to the stables, Prue caught up with Brendan in the church and was met with a grisly sight — a frightening warlock was crouched over the dead body of Father Austin. Before Prue could react the warlock backed away and transformed...back into the human form of Brendan Rowe! 

Prue was shocked and chased Brendan outside before disabling him with her power. He didn't fight back and begged her to call the paramedics. She told him they were already on the way and then demanded answers. Brendan revealed his dark history; how the warlocks that attacked him were his brothers and that he himself was half-warlock, the last born in a coven that was destined to become all-powerful.

It quickly became apparent to Prue that The Rowe Coven was the evil counterpart to The Charmed Ones, the dark Power of Three. Brendan explained that his brothers must have killed Father Austin in an effort to enrage Brendan, knowing fully well that this would bring out his warlock side. 

He knew they were trying to stop him from being ordained and that he would have to kill them to save himself. This, in turn, would fully bring his warlock nature out and he requested that Prue vanquish him thereafter. 

Prue promised to help Brendan and he left to hunt for his brothers. He found them later that night and told them he was there to kill them. Greg relished in the violence, knowing that it would entice Brendan's warlock nature and make him easier to tempt over to their side. 

During their fight, Greg revealed an innocent woman tied to an altar and ignited the ritual candles with his power. She was to be a sacrifice of blood that Brendan needed to make in order to join their fold. 

His dark nature stimulated by the fight, Brendan fought the urge to kill the woman until he could resist no longer. Luckily Prue, Piper and Phoebe arrived and Prue stopped Brendan from plunging the athame into the woman's heart. Paul ejected the sisters from the room with his power, telling Greg they would be no match for three witches. Greg knocked Brendan to the ground and the warlocks escaped. 

Much to her sisters' exasperation, Prue brought Brendan to the Manor to spend the night so that he would be safe from his brothers and able to take his priestly vows in the morning. Brendan thanked her for all that she had done for him and the pair shared a kiss. 

Brendan was so close to his goal, so close to protecting his soul from ever being turned to evil. Greg and Paul knew they had to do whatever they could before daybreak or their chance at absolute power would be lost forever. As Brendan settled in for the night his brothers worked a spell that called to Brendan, making him complacent and suppressing his good, human half so his evil nature could come forth. Brendan awoke in a full sweat as the spell took effect and fled the Manor. 

Though Piper and Phoebe were skeptical, Prue was certain Brendan had simply left early for the church to prepare, although she was also confused by his sudden disappearance. The sisters got ready to go to the church to support him. 

At the church, Brendan had found his brothers in a vestry and he agreed to join them. Greg informed him that in order to fully embrace his warlock nature he would have to take the life of a witch; Prue. Greg knew this would sever Brendan's humanity and prove his conversion to evil. 

Prue arrived as Brendan pretended to prepare for his holy ceremony and immediately could tell that he was not acting like himself. Brendan dropped the pretence and produced an athame. Prue knocked him back with her power and then appealed to his good side that was trapped behind his warlock facade. She reminded him of all the good he had done, of the long journey he had made to salvation and all that he had fought for to be good, imploring him not to throw it all away. 

Her words rang true and Brendan was able to break the spell, transforming back into his human self. He thanked Prue and together with her sisters they attempted to get him to the sanctuary of the church to begin the ceremony. 

The warlock brothers confronted them en route, disappointed in Brendan's regression back to good.  The Charmed Ones went on the offensive but found their powers neutralised by the Rowe Warlocks. 

Brendan was prepared to battle them but Prue reminded him not to use his powers as this would turn reawaken his warlock nature. Greg picked up the athame and made to strike Brendan but got Paul instead. As Paul dropped to the floor, he used the last of his energy to impale Greg with the blade, killing him as well. The warlock brothers lay dead on the floor, having vanquished each other and their corpses disintegrated into nothingness. 

It was over, Brendan was free to make his religious ascension and restrain his warlock half forever. He hesitated for a moment, stating that forgoing the chance at love with Prue was arguably the most difficult sacrifice he'd had to make yet. 

Prue kissed him goodbye, responding that she understood as the difficulty was mutual. Prue watched tearfully as Brendan was ordained, glad to have helped save his soul but pained by the loss of potential love, of what they could've shared, never knowing what could have been.

Status:              Alive

Episode:           S1E18  "When Bad Warlocks Turn Good"