7th Heaven is pretty much considered the ultimate family show. Amazingly enough, this show also had a strong sense of spirituality running throughout its run. But after the departure of some popular regular cast members in season seven, many fans thought that 7th Heaven would die a quick death. Yet here we are again for season 8, and there are still 3 more seasons to come. It’s funny that despite the more that faces and names continued to change on 7th Heaven, the more that everything pretty much stayed the same. If you have a successful preachy formula for a television show like this, why mess with it?
7th Heaven centers on the Camden family. Minister Eric Camden (Stephen Collins) and wife Annie (Catherine Hicks) are the head of a family containing seven children, all of whom are reaching various ages where hormones are raging, love lives are going through their ups and downs, careers are being considered and abandoned, and everyone is busy learning tough life lessons. In the eighth season, the eldest Camden children may have moved out of the house but there are still occasionally around to provide a constant source of mayhem. Lucy (Beverley Mitchell) is following in her fathers footsteps as a pastor in training and is now married to Kevin Kinkirk (George Stults). They are not far from home as they live in the apartment over the garage. Simon (David Gallagher) is attending college and in the start of this season accidentally kills a young man with his car. This brings the normally level-headed Simon to a personal crisis. Ruth (Mackenzie Rosman) is now in the midst of those turbulent teen years and as discovered boys much to the chagrin of her parents. The youngest members of the family are the twins David and Sam (Lorenzo and Nikolas Brino) who are mostly used for a little comic relief and general mischief.
Last season, two central and regular cast members, Jessica Biel and Barry Watson, were hardly ever seen. This definitely hurt the overall quality of the series, but that’s life and fans of the show must deal with that. Fortunately for them, Barry Watson and Jessica Biel do make occasional appearances during this season, with Watson appearing in multiple episodes this season as his character, Matt, is having marriage problems and consults Eric and father-in-law Rabbi Glass (Richard Lewis) for help. In addition, 7th Heaven continued to introduce new characters that they hope would fill in the gaps left by Biel and Watson. Cecilia Smith (Ashlee Simpson) is still Simons girlfriend but the relationship is not an easy one. Lucy and her new husband Kevin also have problems when Kevins ex-wife Mindy (Mindy Burbano) shows up and Kevin is afraid to tell his very jealous wife about her. Overall the acting is still great, and at least the chemistry between the cast and the whole “family feel” to the show is on its way back up during this season.
The storylines during this season also seemed a little sharper than seasons past. Again, the focus was on some of the new characters, most notable being Martin Brewer (Tyler Hoechlin), who the Camden family brings under their wing. Brewer is a gifted baseball player and has to decide whether to go straight into the game or attend college. He also becomes the sounding board for Cecilia during a few of her rough patches with Simon. But reall there was a better balance this season between storylines between new characters and long-time fan favorite characters. All of the classic 7th Heaven elements remain intact this season, though, which will surely excite fans of this series. There is lots of talking and a message to be learned at the end of every episode. Of course, some of the drama still feels forced, but the 8th season featured a lot of topical theme and storylines that all families can learn from today.
It’s amazing to see a series like 7th Heaven, first created by Aaron Spelling, last through all of these years with the central theme being a strong sense of family and faith. 7th Heaven showed a modern, likable family with old-fashioned values on television, and season eight was no exception. The series will never be as good as it was during the first 6 seasons when the original Camden family was involved in central storylines. The show’s producers attempted to right a wrong when Barry Watson was brought back for several episodes during this season, but Jessica Biel was still hardly ever seen again. That being said, season eight was still an improvement over last season. Casual fans of the series still might not like these later seasons, but hardcore fans will no doubt love this one once they start to become more comfortable with this new Camden family.
Episodes:
Disc One:
Episode 1 – The Long Bad Summer (Part 1)
In the eighth season premiere, the Camdens spend the last week of summer at a beach house. At the beginning of the summer, Simon killed Paul Smith in an automobile accident and is having a hard time dealing with the fact that he killed him even with everyone trying to help him. Eric and Annie try to push Simon to go back to school which begins in a week. Eric would like Paul’s parents (guest-stars Katie Mitchell and Mark Moses) to accept the insurance companies offer to the money. Paul’s brother vandalizes the church by adding graffiti to the sign saying “Thou Shalt Not Kill.” Simon runs away to New York to get away from the troubles he is having in Glen Oak. Also, Lucy and Kevin discuss possibly having a child. Peter is spending a lot of time around Ruthie and the Camden family. Ruthie finds out about Mary and Carlos being married.
Episode 2 – An Early Fall (Part 2)
Mary (guest-star Jessica Biel) makes a surprise visit home to deliver unexpected news to Eric and Annie. Meanwhile, Simon tells Cecilia (Ashlee Simpson) that he needs space. Also, Lucy and Kevin adjust to married life. Chandler breaks up with Roxanne after learning that she isn’t comfortable with the idea of being a preacher’s wife, while Roxanne seeks Kevin’s advice on dealing with a dispirited Chandler. Also, the Camdens finally learn who’s pregnant. Lastly, Eric ponders Simon’s academic future and Annie prepares for a potentially tense dinner engagement.
Episode 3 – PK (a.k.a. Preacher’s Kid)
With Annie out of town, Eric is left alone to accompany Simon on his visit to the Board of Education to discuss early graduation. During the meeting, Simon bonds with his adviser, Maynard (guest-star Cirroc Lofton), when they realize that they’re both preachers’ kids. Meanwhile, Lucy catches Chandler kissing a beautiful blonde woman at church and she agonizes over whether or not to tell Roxanne; Kevin’s (George Stults) boss, Detective Michaels (guest-star Christopher Michael), tricks him into babysitting his six-year-old granddaughter; Peter makes a deal with the school bully in an attempt to protect Ruthie and Cecilia agrees to watch the twins which leads to a confrontation with Simon.
Episode 4 – I Wasn’t Expecting That!
When a mysterious stranger, Martin (Tyler Hoechlin), wanders into the Camden home and spends the day with the family everyone assumes he is Simon’s friend. Meanwhile, a disheveled, Rabbi Glass (Richard Lewis) stops by to confide in Eric that he caught his wife (Loraine Newman) kissing another man and discusses about splitting up. Kevin feels emasculated after being attacked and injured by a woman during a domestic disturbance call and goes on medical leave. His attitude toward Lucy changes drastically as he worries that Lucy isn’t attracted to him anymore. Plus, Simon is concerned that no one seems to care that he’s leaving for college in a couple of days. Lastly, Ruthie and Peter struggle with a school project.
Disc Two:
Episode 5 – Simon’s Home Video (a.k.a. The Kid Is Out of the Picture)
In a video essay for his application to college, Simon (David Gallagher) recounts the experiences of his Camden family members including their relationships, friends and mistakes that they’ve made over the years in Glen Oak as well as his own pain at having killed Paul, a young boy in a car accident earlier in the year.
Episode 6 – Charity Begins at Home
During his Sunday sermon, Eric proposes that instead of a financial contribution, everyone should make a commitment to reach out and help someone in need. Kevin suggests that he and Lucy work together to set up a neighborhood watch program, but she feels passionate about working with Habitat for Humanity. Eric calls his new son-in-law Carlos (guest-star Carlos Ponce) and asks him to fly in without Mary for dinner with the family, which makes Carlos very nervous. Also, Ruthie picks a shy new girl at school as her project and soon finds out that she has a secret. Meanwhile, Peter picks Ruthie as his project, which prompts her to tell him that they should spend less time together. Chandler and Roxanne keep running into each other stirring up old feelings. Lastly, Annie becomes jealous of all of the time the twins are spending with Cecilia.
Episode 7 – Getting to Know You
Eric and Annie throw a “Welcome to the Neighborhood” party for Ruthie’s Muslim friend Jill Dupree (guest-star Randa Sabbah) and her parents (guest-stars Kamal Marayati and Yareli Arizmendi), but the Duprees are hesitant to attend. Eric is shocked and disappointed when he learns that his neighborhood is not a friendly place for Muslims. Meanwhile, Cecilia’s house is robbed while she and her dad (guest-star Brad Maule, “General Hospital”) attend Kevin’s first Neighborhood Watch meeting; Roxanne mentors a troubled 16-year-old (guest-star A.J. Trauth) and suspects that he might be involved in the robbery, and Chandler finds himself attracted to Peter’s mom Paris (guest-star Shannon Kenny).
Episode 8 – Baggage (a.k.a. Out of the Past)
Eric arranges for Peter and his dog to visit a drug rehab center to cheer up the patients. Peter bonds with Nick (guest-star Joe Penny) and helps him reconnect with his estranged son. Meanwhile, a very uncoordinated Lucy finds out that Kevin has been secretly coaching the Glenoak Police Department husband-and-wife softball team and demands that she be allowed to play. Just before his first date with Paris (guest-star Shannon Kenny), Chandler receives a letter from Roxanne telling him she still loves him. Martin (guest-star Tyler Hoechlin) confronts Cecilia about her lingering feelings for Simon, prompting Cecilia to call Simon to let him know she has a new boyfriend. She is also surprised when he admits that he is also dating someone and Ruthie is jealous of Cecilia and Annie’s close relationship.
Disc Three:
Episode 9 – Go Ask Alice
Eric (Stephen Collins) is brought in by the school board to help investigate the local high school Principal, Ms. Jones (guest-star Meredith Baxter), when more than one concerned parent questions her behavior. When a female student disappears, all fingers point at Ms. Jones, but Eric believes strongly that the student’s father may be the real culprit. Elsewhere, rumors about Martin (Tyler Hoechlin) upset Cecilia, who then regrets talking to Ruthie about her feelings.
Episode 10 – The One Thing
Matt (guest-star Barry Watson) and Sarah (guest-star Sarah Danielle Madison) begin their student rotation in the ER, but get off to a bad start by arriving late and angering Dr. Norton (guest-star Dennis Boutsikaris), the attending ER physician. Matt and Sarah’s relationship is tested when Matt quickly demonstrates an aptitude for the work, but Sarah accuses him of trying to make himself look better than the other students, especially her. However, Matt ends up looking foolish when he can’t figure out how to turn off the ringer on his cell phone and he gets stuck fielding calls from his family. Matt’s day ends tragically, leaving him to question his destiny.
Episode 11` – When Bad Conversations Happen to Good People
Matt (guest-star Barry Watson) returns home to tell Eric and Annie that Sarah has left him and he’s dropping out of medical school. Rabbi Glass offers Matt marital advice. Meanwhile, Kevin must decide whether or not to tell a very jealous Lucy that his ex-wife (guest star Mindy Burbano) is in town and they got invited to dinner with her. Martin’s aunt (guest star Keri Lynn Pratt) asks Eric to step in and talk Martin into moving to New York with her and Chandler asks Peter how he would feel about Chandler marrying his mother someday. Peter thinks something is amiss when his mother goes out of town for a business trip. Ruthie keeps something from her mother.
Episode 12 – The Prodigal Father
A distraught Peter learns that his alcoholic and mean-spirited father, Vic (guest-star Bryan Callen), who abandoned his family three years ago, has changed his ways and wants to be part of Peter’s life again. In the wake of this monumental news, Chandler must decide how this will impact his relationship with Paris (guest-star Shannon Kenny) and Peter. Meanwhile, Ruthie feels that Peter is pushing her away during this chaotic time and Eric finds a philanthropic way for the community and his family to embrace Vic.
Episode 13 – Major League
Eric feels he must intervene when Martin, who recently moved in with the Camdens, is recruited by a professional baseball team, the Miami Gators and considers dropping out of school. Meanwhile, Ruthie enlists Lucy’s help to convince their mom that she should be allowed to attend a couples party with Peter. Finally, Chandler’s mother (guest star Concetta Tomei) pays him an unwelcome visit when he is named executor of his father’s estate. A rift happens between Lucy and Annie where an angered Lucy considers moving. Lastly, Cecilia teaches Sam and David on how to ride a bike.
Disc Four:
Episode 14 – Healing Old Wounds
Martin’s father, Bill Brewer takes a short leave of absence from tour duty to return to Glen Oak and talk to Martin about pursuing baseball instead of college. Although, their reunion turns sour when Bill is caught making out with Roxanne, which leaves Martin less than thrilled. Meanwhile, with Paris’s ex-husband Vic now back in the picture for Peter they begin to re-evaluate their relationship on where they stand. Lastly, Roxanne gives her two cents on her political beliefs as well as the war in Iraq.
Episode 15 – Don’t Speak Ill of the Dead or the Living
Annie’s half-sister Lily (guest-star Michelle Phillips) returns as she shows up on the Camden’s doorstep to discuss an important family matter regarding their father, Charles. Eric tries to figure out why Annie doesn’t want to talk to Lily when she shows up. Meanwhile, Cecilia sets Martin’s friend Mac (guest-star Kyle Searles) up with a girl from school, but later rejects the offer when he remembers a horrifying moment that happened in school back when they were in the 1st grade. Ruthie and Peter’s school project lands them in trouble when they create a newspaper featuring false and derogatory stories about two former U.S. presidents. Lastly, Roxanne turns to Chandler when she finds herself faced with a moral dilemma as she is keeping a secret from Kevin regarding Det. Michaels.
Episode 16 – The Anniversary
Matt returns to Glenoak to celebrate his special “secret” 2-year anniversary with Ruthie. She tries to desperately avoid seeing the rest of the family as Matt doesn’t want the rest of them to know he’s in town. However, when Lucy discovers the secret, she, Eric and Annie go crazy trying to figure out why he’s in town.They pay a special visit to the Glass in-laws. Meanwhile, Martin shares something special with Cecilia about himself when he takes her out on the town. Also, Annie accidentally lets it slip to nurse Kelly that Matt and Sarah are married on the phone. Lastly, Vic invites Paris to spend a special evening with him, but she doesn’t want to go because she thinks he might propose—which is exactly his intentions.
Episode 17 – Two Weddings, an Engagement and a Funeral
Annie’s half-sister Lilly (guest-star Michelle Phillips) is getting married and wants their ailing father Charles to walk her down the isle. Annie worries that the wedding ordeal might be too much for her father. Meanwhile, Fred (guest-star Al Ruscio) and Mrs. Bink (guest star Eileen Brennan) attend premarital counseling with Chandler, but Fred’s mother (guest-star Carol Arthur) tries to put a stop to the wedding because she thinks Mrs. Bink is a gold digger. Lastly, two mentally challenged people, Jimmy (guest-star Glen Poehlman) and Pat (guest-star Pam Rawuka) decide to get married after just one date together. The couple ask Chandler to perform the ceremony for them, but Jimmy’s parents (guest-stars Dick Van Patten and Patricia Van Patten) try to put a stop to it.
Episode 18 – Angel
The Camdens, especially Lucy and Ruthie, grow concerned that an unusually joyful Annie isn’t dealing with her true emotions following the death of her father Charles, but the happiness proves to be infectious as it soon spreads through the family and all over town. Meanwhile, Eric tries to convince an unhappy Chandler that he should consider adoption, which leads to a meeting with a lawyer (guest-star Randy Spelling). At the same time Chandler is approached by a mysterious young girl who gives him a cryptic message before she disappears.
Disc Five:
Episode 19 – There’s No Place Like It
Prospective homeowners Lucy and Kevin are ready for a fight to the finish when they learn that Chandler and his soon-to-be-adopted son Jeffrey (guest star James Henrie) are their rivals in a bidding war on a house. However, the conflict sparks an idea with Eric and Annie who decide to use their savings to buy their house from the church. Meanwhile, Ruthie is upset with Martin because she thinks he will get the garage apartment instead of her when Lucy and Kevin move out, and Peter suspects that his dad, Vic (guest star Bryan Callen), might be having an affair.
Episode 20 – High and Dry
Lucy and Kevin celebrate their one-year wedding anniversary and contemplate whether they’re ready to start a family, but things don’t go off smoothly as Lucy refuses to drink champagne with Kevin during their anniversary dinner. Cecilia and Martin realize that their relationship may face a rocky future if Cecilia goes away to college. Chandler’s foster son asks him to rid their house of all alcoholic beverages. Peter lies to Ruthie about his plans for the evening when she asks him to help her baby-sit the twins. With that, Peter goes missing, but concern turns to disappointment when Eric and Vic (guest-star Bryan Callen) find him drinking alcohol with his friends at the park. Lastly, a new couple in town calls on Eric and Annie for help…on decorating their new home.
Episode 21 – Lost and Found
Lucy finds her husband Kevin and his partner Roxanne in a compromising position while on an undercover police assignment; Cecilia and Martin’s relationship hits another bump in the road when their after-school commitments get in the way of one-on-one time; and Chandler may have bitten off more than he can chew as a new parent. Meanwhile, Ruthie and Peter, who get lost during a school field trip, cross paths with “Lost Boys” Nicodemus and Jacob, who not only take care of them until Reverend Camden arrives, but also share the heartbreaking story of their struggle to stay alive during the civil war in Sudan.
Episode 22 – Little White Lies (Part 1)
It’s Camden chaos all around when Matt (guest-star Barry Watson), who is having problems in his marriage to Sarah (guest-star Sarah Danielle Madison), returns to Glenoak for a visit and runs into his ex-girlfriend Heather (guest-star Andrea Ferrell) on his flight to Glen Oak. Simon (guest-star David Gallagher) unexpectedly announces he’s coming home for the summer. Also, Lucy sets out to discover why Roxanne is suddenly too busy to hang out with her as she’s convinced that Roxanne is secretly trying to become a detective behind Kevin’s back. Ruthie keeps a secret about a fellow student from her parents. Lastly, Martin learns that his baseball teammates think he’s having sex with Cecilia.
Episode 23 – Little White Lies (Part 2)
In the eight season finale, The Camden chaos continues with Matt (guest star Barry Watson), who is trying to salvage his marriage, questioning whether he still has feelings for his ex-girlfriend Heather (guest star Andrea Ferrell). Meanwhile, Simon’s (guest star David Gallagher) return to Glenoak creates conflicted feelings for his ex-girlfriend Cecilia, who is torn between her feelings for Simon and her current boyfriend Martin. Also, Ruthie’s foreign exchange student friend Maria (guest star Samantha Sandoval), appears to be making the moves on Ruthie’s boyfriend Peter; and grandparents-to-be Eric and Annie hop a plane for New York, despite Mary’s (Jessica Biel, who does not appear in the episode) repeated pleas for her family to stay away during labor.
Like previous season sets, the video is given in fullscreen color with an aspect ratio of 1.33:1. The transfer is good, but not great since this is only fullscreen. But there are no major problems at all.
The audio included is English Dolby Digital 2.0 Stereo sound. The dialogue and music come out loud and clear. The audio, like the video is basic, but there are no major problems here either.
There are no extras for this season’s DVD set, which is always disappointing.
Once again, hardcore fans of 7th Heaven will probably buy this season to complete their sets, but it is not as much of a “must-buy” as previous seasons. The show is definitely not in its prime anymore, so this still wouldn’t be the best place to start if you are new to this show.
Paramount Home Entertainment presents 7th Heaven: The Eighth Season. Created by Aaaron Spelling. Starring Stephen Collins, Catherine Hicks, Beverly Mitchell, Mackenzie Rosman, David Gallagher, Lorenzo Brino, Nikolas Brino, and George Stults. Running time: 816 minutes. Rated: Not Rated. Released on DVD: March 3, 2009.
Available at Amazon.com
