I started watching 7th Heaven at the beginning of its second season and have continued watching it all the way into this season—the tenth. Over the weekend, the WB Network announced that this will be the final season for the series. I think it was a good call.
The shows seems to be drifting in recent seasons and I almost stopped watching it two seasons ago when Annie became psychotic. Then, I almost stopped watching it last season when Lucy overreacted about nearly everything. And this season, we've been introduced to one new character after another—including one psychotic, overreacting, girlfriend—that Simon is considering marrying. Noticing a pattern here?
The show has bothered me for other reasons throughout the years—the strong desire to create episodes that deal with hot issues of the day that often seem a bit forced, the left leaning slant, and for a family that purports to be Christian, they often are governed by feelings, emotions, pop culture and almost anything except the scriptures.
But the show also has major positives as well. Eric, the father of the family and a pastor, hasn't been portrayed as a buffoon—a rarity these days. Instead he's been a strong, steady influence on his family. He's been willing to admit his mistakes and during one season he even struggled with his faith and it seemed quite genuine.
Most seasons, Annie, the mother of the family, was also a steady influence in the family. Matt, their oldest son, has continued to help his siblings whenever possible. And I liked the way the show portrayed the Camden children as going astray sometimes, but then learning their lesson and correcting their actions. And it was the longest running family drama in television history. 7th Heaven lasted longer than the Walton's and Little House on the Prairie and proved that a market still exists for family television.
Unfortunately, it seems like the writers ran out of good material about two seasons ago and it just feels like the show has runs its course. I was glad to be along for the ride—even though it was a little bumpy at times.
