I know Mackenzie relapsed with the drugs, but while it's been a good decade since I saw the last season, I really hated the way they turned Julie into a bad person instead her and her husband off the show for good a second time. Making her abandon her daughter and husband just made her look like a bad person, and that nullifies the eight seasons beforehand. Of course, by that time, they didn't seem to care so much about Mackenzie as they did Valerie anyways.

I agree! Even if they didn't want to get rid of Michael Lembeck (since none of this was his fault), they could have written a plausible reason for Julie not being there, such as a great job offer and she was away apt hunting, etc.

I also agree! However, if I may play devil's advocate, Julie was always characterized as a "wild child." So, it didn't hurt as much as say if it were Barbara who did the same thing.

they have at least had max mention that he had receved a letter or a phone call in the last ep telling him that julie was feeling better and had foud a good job or something instead ;all of us loyal viewers were left wondering about her fate

I agree! Even if they didn't want to get rid of Michael Lembeck (since none of this was his fault), they could have written a plausible reason for Julie not being there, such as a great job offer and she was away apt hunting, etc.
Same here. It was such a roller coaster ride seeing Julie be this rebellious teen but what a nice change of pace to see her become mature and become a wife and mother. I did not like it one bit how Julie was "written off". There had to be some other way to deal with her firing without degrading the Julie character.

Eggs Zack Lee! :D

That is one reason why I would dread seeing the 9th season episodes again, knowing that disappointing story would be coming.

Same here. It was such a roller coaster ride seeing Julie be this rebellious teen but what a nice change of pace to see her become mature and become a wife and mother. I did not like it one bit how Julie was "written off". There had to be some other way to deal with her firing without degrading the Julie character.
:yeahthat