This is the first episode without Simon (David Gallagher), Matt and Mary. It was actually pretty okay but one thing that concerns me, a lot of the storylines seemed used already.
10
"Perfect"
Well, another episode of "7th Heaven" has come. On a side note, I'm very sorry for the late review. It's my first year in college as a freshman and with having a little part-time job on the side too it consumes me a little more now. But anyway let's get into this episode. This is the first episode without Simon (David Gallagher), Matt and Mary. It was actually pretty okay but one thing that concerns me, a lot of the storylines seemed used already. Let's break it down…
Ruthie and Peter: I'm so glad the writer's addressed the issue of Ruthie and Peter spending so much time together so far this season. It kind of surprised me that Peter didn't take the hint and was being all assertive and hard when not understanding that he couldn't be with and help Ruthie all the time. He was starting to bother me and creep me out a little, but in the end he was okay. Luckily, Ruthie knew it too and realized he needs to spend more time with his mother and doing other things than always being with her. I'm glad that Ruthie took to time to befriend Jill. But yet, why do the writers have to make her character Muslim and yet again she's hiding that she's been bullied before because she is Muslim. We already went through this with Yasmine. In fact, where is she this week? (Oh Yasmine you're not there when we need you). At least Jill has better acting abilities than Yasmine. Also, it was great that Ruthie's friends accepted Jill and things were ok in the end, unlike Yasmine. But again, this storyline was too familiar and old as we've done it already with Yasmine.
Annie and Cecelia: Ok, I really hope the writers don't keep this ‘Annie going to Arizona to take care of her father' storyline all season long. I'm guessing the writers don't want another tragedy to happen to the Camdens for awhile (Simon was enough for now) as the actor who plays him is deceased, but Annie needs to stay more in Glenoak and be with her family and get more storyline. By the way, where is Ginger in all of this? Beverly Garland we need you! I miss Annie! With already 3 Camden kids gone we need all the original Camdens that we can get. And another thing, I can't see Cecilia being on the show every week without Simon (David Gallagher). Instead of making her a regular I just wish they made her a recurring character instead and make her do a few guest spots in an episode here and there—not every week though. I guess Annie lashing out at Cecilia was her homesickness talking that she's not with the twins and her family as much as she used to be. They're conversation and making up with each other in the end was okay and understandable.
Eric and Carlos: These two highlighted the best parts of the episode. I loved Eric's speech in the beginning of the episode. I love it when the episodes start out inside the church with Eric speaking. Stephen Collins does an always believable job as a minister. Although this is not the first that he/the writers have made that speech in church to go out and do something for someone else. Although, in defense many pastors do from time to time remind us to do something over and over again especially in conditions of how we the human race do tend to forget on what's important and what's bothering us. For example, September 11. It's great for Eric as a minister to address his community on the things he reads and hears from them on their anxiety and tensions as a nation and a community and knows that with all the bad news we hear everyday there is evident to be bitterness. The collection plate with helping ideas instead of money was a great idea. Eric really is a terrific minister.
Now, Eric and Carlos. I have to say I really like Carlos. I have to say I even like him better than Chandler, Roxanne, Cecilia and Peter at the moment. He was so funny when he didn't recognize who Eric was on the phone. If I was Carlos I'd be nervous too if my father-in law wanted me to fly alone to see him---especially under the conditions they're in with Mary and the baby and getting married with no one being there—and all of this in a ministers family. Luckily, knowing Eric, in the end he comes through as him making Carlos and Mary his project for the year from his speech and committing that he stays in touch with and getting to know the both of them now. It's evident that Eric doesn't know his daughter very well and has a lot to learn from her too. I can't wait till Jessica Biel (Mary) comes back later on in the season.
Kevin and Lucy: Ok, their storyline was a real no-brainer. I mean Kevin wanted to do a neighborhood watch program and thought Lucy wanted to participate with him- since she always wanted to. Lucy didn't want to; she wanted to do Habitat for Humanity. All she had to say was "No honey, I don't want to do that, I have another interest in mind for helping someone---Habitat for Humanity, I've done it for years and want to get back into it." That's all she had to say way in the beginning of the episode and that would've been the end of it. All the avoidance and non-communication was really not necessary throughout the episode and made the story weak. I know the writers were trying to point out that communication is important in a newlywed marriage in this storyline as an example, but next time use a stronger storyline to example it.
Roxanne and Chandler: Man, I'm getting to the point where I don't want them on the show anymore. These two do nothing for me anymore. The scenes that they were in I barely paid attention to. All I know is that they both went talking to a guy name Paul at some community program for disadvantaged children only we hardly saw any kids and Chandler and Roxanne were arguing about their broken relationship blah, blah, blah. Although, I got to give Roxanne credit for making out with Chandler even though still not wanting to be in a relationship with him. It's kind of slutty and mean of her but that's one little thing I like about Roxanne for some reason, even at Chandlers expense. Plus, I have to say Paul is better looking than Chandler. But we know in the end at some point Roxanne and Chandler will make up and probably get married sometime later in the season. It's "7th Heaven" no doubt.
All in all, I had mixed feelings with this episode. On the outside it was good because the majority of the storylines were well written, but internally, a lot of them were used already in previous episodes, just a little differently. I need Annie back in a better role of storylines! I need Mary! I need Matt! I need them all back! Come on writers, Cecilia, Chandler, Roxanne and Peter isn't doing it for me. Who knows maybe when Martin comes back I'll feel better. Hopefully the proposed spin-off will take Roxanne and Chandler off this show. Anyway, see you in two weeks.
Grade: **7 out of 10**
Rants and Bits
*Where's Martin in this episode. Since Simon is gone I thought the writers would jump on to first episode without Simon in it to get to Martin.
*The twins were cute praying at the end of the episode. But at the beginning putting their hands in the toilet was quite nasty. I know the writers were trying for a cute scene there but even when I was 4 I knew the toilet was for potty and knew not to put my hands in there.
*What a nice song to play at the end of the show with Wynona Judd.
*Wow, I'm glad someone finally fed Happy. Good job Cecilia. I guess you're the only one who cares (at least on screen)
*I'm surprised Eric was shocked and a little befuddled that Carlos was Catholic. He wasn't like that when Kevin and Ben were when they were in a relationship with his daughters.
*Also, glad Carlos flatly told Eric that he wouldn't convert even though he married Mary (who's still Protestant Christian). If only Matt could've taken a lesson from this 2 years ago.
