Over seven million people tuned in to watch the premiere episode of Charmed

It must be nerve-wracking for a new show's cast and crew moments before the premiere of their first episode. How an audience responds to that introduction is vital for a show's success. Sure, many productions get better as the season goes on, but first impressions are everything.

Shannen Doherty once revealed that she wasn't sure how people would respond to Charmed. It could be because, during her time on Beverly Hills, 90210, rumors swirled that she wasn't the "nicest" person to be around, which sort of damaged her reputation. Or, the actress could've felt that way because it was her first show using effects, and she wanted her supporters to love it.

Regardless, Charmed's audience responded in a way that kept the show popular. The pilot episode "Something Wicca This Way Comes" premiered on October 7, 1998. Over seven million U.S. viewers tuned in to see how the Halliwell sisters, a trio of good witches, would introduce themselves.

That high viewership set the tone for what the show's audience expected: good plots and lots of top-notch fantasy action. It became the highest-rated debut episode for its network, The WB.

In "Something Wicca This Way Comes," Prue (Shannen Doherty), Piper (Holly Marie Combs), and Phoebe Halliwell (Alyssa Milano) deal with their grandmother's death. They inherited their childhood home and magic powers: Prue has telekinesis, Piper can freeze time, and Phoebe has premonition.

The sisters must hide their supernatural abilities while battling evil beings and dealing with relationships/regular life problems.