7th Heaven

Eric has a hard time telling Annie about Mary and Carlos. Rose wants her and Simon to go down to Glenoak to meet family. Lucy finds a house that she likes and buys it! Vincent still can't find the courage to tell Ruthie and keeps telling her lies. Martin tells Ruthie. Martin's dad comes home! The mother of the Davis children doesn't want to give up her rights. George and Gwen decide to just be their foster parents. Simon and Rose want to get married!



This was a great episode! I hate Vincent in this episode. What a jerk! I'm glad that the Davis children have a home! This episode gets a 10!

Season 9 concludes with this second part finale episode, and it's usual Camden goings-on. All in all, Season 9 was a vast improvement over previous seasons. It still had it's flaws, and increasingly weak(and sometimes downright odd)writing, but it was a step in the right direction. The show's finales are usually good, but season 9 ended without a bang, with a finale that is definitley it's weakest.



Simon Camden. All season long, Simon has had his "sex" storyline. The first Camden to have sex outside of marriage. People treated him like he was a leper, when he was just a normal, red blooded, teenage boy. It was a great storyline, but as it sometimes goes with this show, they beat it into the ground, and you no longer care. Recently, Simon got back in touch with god and seemed to turn about his "man-ho" ways. In the finale, he tries hard to connect with new girlfriend Rose, without going that extra mile. Much to her chagrin. While it's too little too late to put any interest back in this story, it was nice to see Simon turning it down. And Rose. What to say?. Sexaholics anonymous, maybe?. Seriously, is she that desperate?. In one way, it shows that she must really care for Simon if she keeps coming back to him, instead of going off to get her honey from another bee. And the marriage thing?. Weddings are nice, but it seems that it is the show's mission to marry off every cast member. I wouldn't be surprised if in the last season they age Ruthie to 20, just so they can marry her off. I don't think Rose is long for this show, but it will be interesting to see what happens. But really, was Simon doing anything wrong?. While there is nothing wrong with being crazy about girls, he could of made some better decisions. Maybe taken it a bit more seriously. All I'm saying is that Simon was just a regular kid, and at this point in life, sex is a big issue. Especially when you get to college. College can be one huge adventure, and it showed that not even a Camden is immune to what can come with it. And I like that. Is he a bad person for what he has been doing this season? No. Could he have made better choices and been more caring for some of his conquests?. Yes. But going by the "Brotherly Love" episode, you would think you were watching a different series with how most of the family ganged up on Simon. Especially Martin's talk to Simon. Sex is sex. Wether you like it or not, it's there, and Simon chose a different path. Was he wrong?. No. This is not the perfect little "Leave It To Beaver" world when mom and dad slept in seperate beds next to each other. This is modern day, and the show(and the family)need to get with it a bit. And as usual, David Gallagher shows that he is the best actor among the younger set on the show.



Lucy and Kevin. Move. Now. Right now. I know you just got a house, but move already. I know I was pretty bored with everything connected to Lucy and Kevin over the last half of the season. Are they going to move?. Are they getting a house?. Are they going to look at a house?. Will Lucy have time for Kevin?. Will Kevin get some alone time?. Back and fourth. You could miss a few episodes, and not be left out. It moved like molasses, and was hardly interesting. At least they got a house, and it sounds like it will be some work. It sounds like this could lead to some fun situations for season 10. Let's just hope the writers put some "oomph" into it, and not let it just wander aimlessly back and fourth like this season, because the second half of the season with these two seemed unending.



Mary. Some people don't like it when they have big storylines for someone that isn't even there. I do because it keeps them in the loop. Mary was a huge character and a big part of the show, and they can't act like she no longer exists. I would prefer something better for Mary, and show that she still isn't having some troubles. There must be something else. Still, it makes for great drama and was far and away more interesting than any other storyline in these last 2 episodes. You knew it would break Annie's heart, and did, but you also understand why Eric lied about it in the first place. When she misinterprets what he is saying, and he saw the happiness in her face and voice, well, it would be hard for anybody to say what they really need to say. I don't believe a single word of there being some heat between Jessica Biel and Brenda. This was what became of Mary's character seasons ago, and it's just continuing the story. I just feel bad for Carlos. I look forward to seeing what comes of this. But I have to say that Mary and Simon have always seemed to be the most normal of the whole group of kids. Mary rebels and trashes the gym in protest. Okay, that was wrong, but she rebeled. She was a young kid. What young teenager doesn't go off the beaten path here and there and rebel?. People treated her like a criminal low life or something. What do Eric and Annie do?. They ship her off to live with "really old people". It makes you wonder how good of parents Eric and Annie are when one kid shows signs of actually being a teenager and they give up and ship her off. What would of become of Mary had she stayed home?. Another thing that really irked me was when Annie asked Eric where they went wrong as parents. Who said you did, Annie?. Nobody is perfect. There are no set rules for anything. People are who they are, and just because they did something bad or something you don't agree with, doesn't mean you did something wrong in parenting them, or that there is something wrong with them. Simon is a normal, red blooded teen boy. This is about as normal as you can get. Then again, with Brenda writing, things are becoming increasingly one sided and untrue.



If Lucy and Kevin's ongoing arc was boring, then the Martin/Ruthie/Vincent triangle was coma inducing. If it isn't hanging around Ruthie, coming in and out from school, or talking about his dad, what place does Martin have?. Now that his dad is back and he's moving out, there seems to be even less of a place for him. I am not a fan of the Martin/Ruthie hook-up at all, and I hope it doesn't happen. It just doesn't gel with me. The whole 'does he like her' or 'does she like him' scenario has as much interest as Aunt Sally's corn removal. I never felt anything in this storyline, and I doubt there can be anything good to come from it. Neither one have chemistry together, and it's awkward. Martin isn't so much a character as he is a plot tool just to give Ruthie something. And therein lies the problem. Ruthie needs to break out of the boyfriend/dating thing and get something new. Anyone in need of something new on this show is definitley Ruthie. Bring back Robbie!.



The rest is the George adopting the foster kids scenario, which was mostly filler. Even tho it sends out a good message. Help out when you can.



In the end, "Mi Familia" was a bit better than part 1, and it continued with what part 1 started, but it doesn't make it rise above just being a sorta OK episode. No big earth shattering finale that'll make anyone wonder during the summer hiatus. It was decent, but nothing special or memorable in the least. It was a quiet end for a season that started off with a bang.

Simon doesn't have sex, or maybe he does because he's made a commitment to be engaged to a disagreable woman he barely knows. While this show is praised for not encouraging sexual promiscuity, as some people say, it does seem to encourage getting married or promising to get married to people you barely know or barely like just to have sex.



Ruthie thinks Martin is hot for her, but he's not, or maybe he is (he may have had an erection while hugging her, but we're not sure). Vincent dumps Ruthie. She doesn't cry or scream or overact, or act at all.



Eric tricks a nice man into adopting a family of four, or maybe he's just a foster parent for three. We don't really know. He only meant to be a foster parent for one, but of course, Eric knew better. Or did he?



Lucy finally decides to move out, and actually buys a run down house in her parents back yard, so she's not really gone. Or is she?



And Mary is evil. She doesn't want to be married any more and abandons her baby son. That's not the way she was raised, however, so you can't blame the dysfunctional Camdens for her behaviour. While living at home, she was stalked, and lied to, and spied on, and tricked and manipulated and guilted into things, and finally was banished. But she was not raised to abandon her family. Or was she?



Its hard to tell where these story lines are going, but they were all boring and insipid.

Season 9 concludes with this second part finale episode, and it's usual Camden goings-on. All in all, Season 9 was a vast improvement over previous seasons. It still had it's flaws, and increasingly weak(and sometimes downright odd)writing, but it was a step in the right direction. The show's finales are usually good, but season 9 ended without a bang, with a finale that is definitley it's weakest.



Simon Camden. All season long, Simon has had his "sex" storyline. The first Camden to have sex outside of marriage. People treated him like he was a leper, when he was just a normal, red blooded, teenage boy. It was a great storyline, but as it sometimes goes with this show, they beat it into the ground, and you no longer care. Recently, Simon got back in touch with god and seemed to turn about his "man-ho" ways. In the finale, he tries hard to connect with new girlfriend Rose, without going that extra mile. Much to her chagrin. While it's too little too late to put any interest back in this story, it was nice to see Simon turning it down. And Rose. What to say?. Sexaholics anonymous, maybe?. Seriously, is she that desperate?. In one way, it shows that she must really care for Simon if she keeps coming back to him, instead of going off to get her honey from another bee. And the marriage thing?. Weddings are nice, but it seems that it is the show's mission to marry off every cast member. I wouldn't be surprised if in the last season they age Ruthie to 20, just so they can marry her off. I don't think Rose is long for this show, but it will be interesting to see what happens. But really, was Simon doing anything wrong?. While there is nothing wrong with being crazy about girls, he could of made some better decisions. Maybe taken it a bit more seriously. All I'm saying is that Simon was just a regular kid, and at this point in life, sex is a big issue. Especially when you get to college. College can be one huge adventure, and it showed that not even a Camden is immune to what can come with it. And I like that. Is he a bad person for what he has been doing this season? No. Could he have made better choices and been more caring for some of his conquests?. Yes. But going by the "Brotherly Love" episode, you would think you were watching a different series with how most of the family ganged up on Simon. Especially Martin's talk to Simon. Sex is sex. Wether you like it or not, it's there, and Simon chose a different path. Was he wrong?. No. This is not the perfect little "Leave It To Beaver" world when mom and dad slept in seperate beds next to each other. This is modern day, and the show(and the family)need to get with it a bit. And as usual, David Gallagher shows that he is the best actor among the younger set on the show.



Lucy and Kevin. Move. Now. Right now. I know you just got a house, but move already. I know I was pretty bored with everything connected to Lucy and Kevin over the last half of the season. Are they going to move?. Are they getting a house?. Are they going to look at a house?. Will Lucy have time for Kevin?. Will Kevin get some alone time?. Back and fourth. You could miss a few episodes, and not be left out. It moved like molasses, and was hardly interesting. At least they got a house, and it sounds like it will be some work. It sounds like this could lead to some fun situations for season 10. Let's just hope the writers put some "oomph" into it, and not let it just wander aimlessly back and fourth like this season, because the second half of the season with these two seemed unending.



Mary. Some people don't like it when they have big storylines for someone that isn't even there. I do because it keeps them in the loop. Mary was a huge character and a big part of the show, and they can't act like she no longer exists. I would prefer something better for Mary, and show that she still isn't having some troubles. There must be something else. Still, it makes for great drama and was far and away more interesting than any other storyline in these last 2 episodes. You knew it would break Annie's heart, and did, but you also understand why Eric lied about it in the first place. When she misinterprets what he is saying, and he saw the happiness in her face and voice, well, it would be hard for anybody to say what they really need to say. I don't believe a single word of there being some heat between Jessica Biel and Brenda. This was what became of Mary's character seasons ago, and it's just continuing the story. I just feel bad for Carlos. I look forward to seeing what comes of this. But I have to say that Mary and Simon have always seemed to be the most normal of the whole group of kids. Mary rebels and trashes the gym in protest. Okay, that was wrong, but she rebeled. She was a young kid. What young teenager doesn't go off the beaten path here and there and rebel?. People treated her like a criminal low life or something. What do Eric and Annie do?. They ship her off to live with "really old people". It makes you wonder how good of parents Eric and Annie are when one kid shows signs of actually being a teenager and they give up and ship her off. What would of become of Mary had she stayed home?.



If Lucy and Kevin's ongoing arc was boring, then the Martin/Ruthie/Vincent triangle was coma inducing. If it isn't hanging around Ruthie, coming in and out from school, or talking about his dad, what place does Martin have?. Now that his dad is back and he's moving out, there seems to be even less of a place for him. I am not a fan of the Martin/Ruthie hook-up at all, and I hope it doesn't happen. It just doesn't gel with me. The whole 'does he like her' or 'does she like him' scenario has as much interest as Aunt Sally's corn removal. I never felt anything in this storyline, and I doubt there can be anything good to come from it. Neither one have chemistry together, and it's awkward. Martin isn't so much a character as he is a plot tool just to give Ruthie something. And therein lies the problem. Ruthie needs to break out of the boyfriend/dating thing and get something new. Anyone in need of something new on this show is definitley Ruthie. Bring back Robbie!.



The rest is the George adopting the foster kids scenario, which was mostly filler. Even tho it sends out a good message. Help out when you can.



In the end, "Mi Familia" was a bit better than part 1, and it continued with what part 1 started, but it doesn't make it rise above just being a sorta OK episode. No big earth shattering finale that'll make anyone wonder during the summer hiatus. It was decent, but nothing special or memorable in the least. It was a quiet end for a season that started off with a bang.

Simon Caamden has been the object of the season and now he is to be holy now , whats up with that, are they trying not to loose him now? And Martin being the 3rd in the party in Ruthie and Vincents relationship , now thats not like Ruthuie at all. And how Vincent wants out when things get serious? Who knows. Well its great that George wants to adopt and I really do hope it works out. Its almost like theyn are trying to keep the family in the show en=ven though celcillia is gone. Then best part of this episode was that Martins dad returns home from Iraq.

Well twenty-two episodes ago we all thought this would be the last season, right? It made sense; the last two/three seasons have been suffering at times, only hitting the mark on a good episode once in awhile, and even then it didn't measure up to the older seasons---or as I like to refer to them, "the glory days." So everyone figured it was time for the show to end... but then, to our surprise, The WB (or some other reliable source) announces that 7th Heaven has been picked up for a record-breaking 10th season. For this--making it to ten seasons--I applaud the writers, producers, and actors/actresses for all the time and work they've put into the show all these years for our entertainment. Thank you.



However at some point all good things must come to an end, or reach a point where no matter what can't go back to the level of greatness it once was at. I think for 7th Heaven this pivitol point was about when Simon (David Gallagher) left the show in early season 8. Since then, no matter how hard the writers tried, all we've gotten are recycle storylines, cheesey, forced, cliche`, and preachy dialouge, and some of the worst acting television has ever seen, even for The wb. Sorry if I sound harsh--there have been some good moments, but they've just been too far in between to make a difference.



Okay, so now finally onto what I thought of this episode. Without a doubt, the last two season finales (season 8 & 9) have been such a disappointment, to say the least. Actually, the writing in this season finale was good; it's the storylines I had the problem with. Well also the acting, but that's way, way old news.



That for which doesn't kill us, makes us stronger



Eric kept repeating this line in the episode when trying to tell Annie of Mary & Carlos. I think in a way all the characters--or at least most--was going through something in here that that phrase could describe of them. Let me explain more and finally review the last episode of season 9.



Meeting the Parents (Simon & Rose): Well in part two this takes place the afternoon of the day Rose unofficially proposed to Simon earlier that morning/day. In the beginning of the episode I actually was liking Rose a lot more than in part 1, but then that quickly changed when she met Simon's parents. Really why was she so rude to Annie? Rose kept correcting her when Annie kept saying "[Simon]'s friend" she would interrupt and make it clear she's his "girlfriend". Who cares if your boyfriend's mother calls you the "friend"? Big deal. I can understand her wanting to make it clear to Annie that they're dating since she was thinking Simon and herself were on the same page on the marriage issue, but the way she said it was rude. I don't know if that's how it was written in the script, or if Sarah Thompson's portrayal of Rose was off. I'm leaning toward the script and how the writers wrote the character. I mean, what, are the writers trying to get us to not like Rose and not be on board with the two of them getting married? Why introduce a love interest for Simon (David Gallagher) if they're gonna make her so unlikable? Anyway eventhough I thought Rose was very rude toward Annie, I still like her. I like how she is with Simon alone. I just see a connection with them, is all (please don't flame me for this guys, haha). Having said that, it is still way too early for them to be thinking about marriage and the fact Simon so quickly get on board with wanting to get married "sometime soon" later in the episode is so unbelievable and ridiculous. It makes it seem like Simon just wants to do this so he can have sex without feeling like he is sinning (the last scene, when they were "engaged", they were really going at it in front of his family too). Well I could rant on how much I don't like this storyline but I did that in my last review, so I'll just accept the fact this is where the writers are taking this character---Simon. To getting married, or seriously thniking about it. They left us at them officially announcing their, umm, "pre-engagement" (?), so I guess season 10 for Simon (Gallagher) will be based on his relationship with Rose. Which means Sarah Thompson will be back next season. Drats. Well so far there's nothing storyline-wise that's making me wanting to watch season 10.



Buying a House...finally! (Lucy & Kevin): Well this is one storyline of the few that I was pleased with: Lucy & Kevin officially buying a house. Goodness, it's about time. After over a year of stalling it's finally happened. Still, sorry to say I still have some complaints about this storyline. I understand the writer's need to keep the married couple close to the Camdens eventhough they're moving, so that next season it can be easily explained when Lucy and Kevin are over their house. However, the fact Lucy was so excited to buy a run-down, fixer-upper that was right behind her parent's house makes her seem like she's still attached to her parents and are dependent on them for living and helping raise Savannah. And that's not good. I mean, that house Kevin had bought in Paper or Plastic? without her permission was beautiful and perfect for a young new family. Why Lucy would decline that house but so excitedly accept this messed up house is anyone's guess. Really, that house Kevin picked out was right across the street from the Camdens--still very close, so why would Lucy take this beat up house just because it's right behind her parent's? Eric and Annie seriously need to cut the cord on Lucy, and hopefully next season the writers have Lucy (and Kevin) grow up more and be more independent and act as a family living alone (Kevin, Lucy, & Savannah). Lucy really needs to stop being so attached to her parents, especially Annie, it's really bringing down the character. So having said all that, I am kinda looking forward to watching Lucy and Kevin move into their new house next season---and probably another reason the writers had them buy such a dump is to give them some actual good storylines next season. Like I'm sure we'll see some storylines with them fixing up their house and whatnot. But still, it's just not realistic they'd buy that house. They both have full-time jobs, a six month year old baby, so realistically speaking where will they get the time to fix this house up? Well since it'll give them potential for good storylines I'll drop it. But if next season Lucy & Kevin are still boring me I'm gonna be p/o'ed at the writers.



Ruthie, Martin, & Vincent: Well last week we saw Martin agree to breakup with Ruthie for Vincent, and by doing so he got Ruthie the impression that he has feelings for her thus why he wants her to break up with Vincent. It backfired in Vincent's face when Ruthie told Vincent "let Martin down easy" but to tell him she's not interested. Anyway, this episode begins with Vincent confronting Martin on the huge pickle he got himself into and wanting Martin to to his dirty work for him and to fix this mess. I loved how Martin told Vincent off when Vincent asked him, "How are we going to fix this?" or something. Excuse me, we? No, Ruthie's your girlfriend, you fix it. Martin's done more than enough for him already. Too much in fact. I really hope Vincent (Thomas Dekker) isn't back AT ALL next season, and i highly doubt he will be as the writers are having him go to Hawaii for summer break. Hopefully in the 10th season premiere Ruthie will get news that Vincent got eaten by a shark while surfing. ...I can dream, can't I? Well anyway, I must say, Ruthie had quite a big ego this episode. Martin says a few nice things about her and why Vincent isn't good enough for her and she suddenly thinks he wants to date her. And then she even starts yelling at him basically saying she won't let him screw things up with Vincent and herself. Geez! I was so frustrated because Martin all this time was just trying to do a favor for Vincent and he totally didn't deserve that from Ruthie. I'm glad she apologized at the end, but still---Martin seems to be the only sane one left in the Camden home. And not even, because now he is/will be living with his father across the street. And hey, about that apology--wow. It wa so cute when they hugged, I could totally see them making such a great couple. Hopefully the writers won't abandon this storyline next season---or forget about it---especially after like a whol season practically of hinting toward a Ruthie-Martin hookup. I really want to see these two together next season and with Martin not living with her anymore I see them looking at each other in a different light. In fact, this Martin-Ruthie thing is really the only reason that's making me wanna tune into season 10, since writer Sue Tenney doesn't know how to write cliffhangers. Well anyway not much else I want to say here, except the how Ruthie spoke to Vincent when he told her the truth. What a jerk, he can't even wait the whole summer for her and why? Because they weren't gonna get married anyway? Umm, that's lame Vinnie. But I do applaud the writers for making Ruthie's (ex)boyfriend more realistic for his age (ie, Peter Petrowski), since the truth is guys that age really are like how he was acting.



The Davis Childen & The Smiths, Part Two: I enjoyed watching this storyline this time much more than in Mi Familia, Part 1, I must say. I liked the obstacle the writers put up from stopping George and Gwen from adopting the children---their alcoholic mother won't allow it. Also it was quite sad that the children wouldn't testify in court against their mother to tell the judge what they've been telling Eric---yet it was very understandable. The reason, Kelly Davis (Alyssa Spradley), I believe, for not wanting to testify against her mother in court and quite realistic. As rotten as their mother has treated them, she's still just that: Their mother. And kids find it hard to tell their parent(s) that they've made their lives miserable in fear knowingly that they'll hurt them (the parents). Kelly knew The Smiths adopting them and totally taking them away from their mother would devastate her and Kelly didn't want her mother to start drinking again. I'm glad the writers showed the kids do love their mother and want the best for her, eventhough she has hardly been a mother to them. It shows it's the kids who have the caring and loving heart and can't hurt their mother like that. I also liked the resolution of it all as well, with George and Gwen moving a little slower, just having the kids move in with them so that the mother doesn't feel totally disconnected from her children. As always, the storyline in a two-part episode is always better in the second part.



The way I've been feeling about this show can probably be summed up by saying the following:



"I think i feel exactly the same way... like I really don't even like the show, but somehow I still watch it and care enough to want to know what'll happen. I think the storylines have been unrealistic, and the marriage thing overdone, as well as about all of the storylines!"

-Emily14



Nicely put.



Well that's all for me and also for season 9 of 7th Heaven. It's been an iffy season; some good and bad episodes, some milestone episodes we've been waiting for since Lucy and Kevin's wedding (Paper or Plastic?), and as a whole, for it being the ninth season, 7th Heaven continues to make it interesting. I hope for season 10 the writers get a bit more creative and realistic with their storylines and characters than this season was, but as always I'll continue to tune into this show every Monday night, despite how much the storylines have been bugging/boring me as of late. So have a good summer everyone and I'll see you back right here come September for 7th Heaven's record-breaking 10th season. There are still some things to look forward to/resolve: Ruthie-Martin hookup, Lucy & Kevin moving into their new house, the fall-out of this big Mary abandoning her family storyline, and to see just how far into their "engagement" Simon and Rose will get. Will they get married? See you in September!



Quote of the Week:



"I'm losing a son-in-law whom I love and adore," Annie says, "And I'm getting...Rose?"



This 'n That:



*Thanks to Emily14 for pointing out that I forgot to mention the subplot of that of the twins being mad at Annie for thinking she kicks all their siblings out. I thought this was a good storyline because it's totally realistic and natural for young kids to feel this way and I'm glad the writers tackled this.



*On that note, Kevin and the twin's talk in the bedroom this episode with Kevin explaining why everyone moves out was actually one of the better/sweet scenes for me in both these episodes. Which considering it was only with George Stults and the Brino twins, that is odd.



*What a great ending scene with the family all together and Martin's dad finally arriving home. Very touching, but I still wish the writers would have left us with a cliffhanger instead of ending it on a happy note like in last year's Little White Lies season finale.



*Speaking of Martin's father, with them living across the street, will Martin's dad be on the show more now? Like as a guest star? Or will he become the infamous "invisible" character Mary has become?



*No Matt (Barry Watson) in the second-parter? Can't say I blame him, the writers haven't given him any rea material. And I doubt we'll see him next season at all (except if there's a series finale at the end of the season), since he's signed onto do another show on ABC, I think. I think it's pretty safe to say we've seen the last of Barry Watson, Jessica Biel, and Sarah Danielle Madison, as they've appear to have moved on from the show.



*What has happened to Mac (Kyle Searles)? Hopefully we haven't seen the last of him, with Martn-Ruthie getting feelings for each other next season it'll be a good time to bring out Mac's crush on Ruthie again.



(Dis)agree with my review? Let me know why!

Most of season 9 has been a disappointment overall for me, and the finale for season 9 was just as bad. It had a weak plot and poor writing and character development. For starters, the producers choose to yet again include Mary without really including her. As far as the rest of the plot, it was never truly built up or added to from Mi Familia part 1. I can't say much more, becuase there isn't really much to talk about of this episode.

All of that being said, I still have always liked the past seasons, and I think that 7th heaven is one of the few shows left of TV with some substance. So I couldn't give it a horrible review without including that.