Bidding adieu to 'Heaven'

[Brian Damage]

Over its 11 record-breaking seasons, "7th Heaven" has seen several family members leave the nest.

For the show's series finale tomorrow night at 8 on the CW, series creator Barbara Hampton goes all in.

Before the hour is over, everyone leaves the nest. Including Mom and Dad.

It's all part of a clever twist that ends the persistently underappreciated drama series on an up, rather than solemn, note.

Last week, the Rev. Eric Camden (Stephen Collins), hampered the last few years by an enlarged heart, woke up and felt oddly ... healthy. A trip to the hospital later, and he was telling his congregation the good news: his heart had reverted, spontaneously, to its original size.

The reverend used the occasion to deliver an impromptu sermon - on positive attitudes, negative fears and song lyrics, delivered with winning sincerity by the reliably charming Collins.

Eric explained his healthy reversal in medical terms, and never used the word miracle. But like this final CW season of "7th Heaven," it's clearly a new lease on life. This series, which premiered on the WB in 1996, presented its series finale last season on that network, before CW picked it up in a surprise 11th-hour move as part of its inaugural schedule.

Hampton, given a second chance to end "7th Heaven," reacts as giddily as Eric. Her final script packs the entire Camden family, and a few others, into a massive RV to leave Glenoak and the church behind, and hit the road.

"You're not just going to walk away from your church, are you?" asks incredulous son-in-law Kevin (George Stults).

"Of course not, Kevin," Eric replies. "We're going to drive away."

The decision isn't taken as lightly as all that, but it is taken lightly. The RV, called "a 'got well' present," has the words "7th Heaven" emblazoned across the front, and, at the end, everyone piling into it. The final image is of patriarch Eric smiling winsomely into the rear-view mirror - taking us on, and thanking us for, the ride.

And while none of the long-departed co-stars and characters return for the finale (no Jessica Biel as Mary, no Barry Watson as Matt), everyone who stuck around for the end is saluted by one extra treat.

The opening credits of this final "7th Heaven" present snapshots of the characters at various ages, documenting the growth of a series that has enjoyed a long and successful life.

[luv_dhp]

Okay, interesting ending, but I can't help feel I'm missing something about it.....that it packed a punch that I'm not getting. Was it really that simple....that Eric just packed up the family, plus others (I counted about 16 people) and hit the road, leaving everything behind?

Who was that guy, Stan, who Annie said she found to get the RV out of the driveway, and why did Eric so readily agree to take him along with them? Who was he really? Also, Eric drove the RV, but I thought I saw him standing outside the RV at the time it drove off.

I've watched this show pretty much from the beginning, but the finale has me baffled. If something isn't blatently clear, it tends to go over my head. Or am I just trying to over-analyze this

I'd be interested in any comments.

[comedyfreak]

I was disappointed with the finale, it was missing something. Not much better than the last finale, too bad they couldn't do better. I'm glad it has ended, why did they leave the church? No Simon at least? Crapfest

[mstewart]

Originally Posted by luv_dhp

Okay, interesting ending, but I can't help feel I'm missing something about it.....that it packed a punch that I'm not getting. Was it really that simple....that Eric just packed up the family, plus others (I counted about 16 people) and hit the road, leaving everything behind?

Who was that guy, Stan, who Annie said she found to get the RV out of the driveway, and why did Eric so readily agree to take him along with them? Who was he really? Also, Eric drove the RV, but I thought I saw him standing outside the RV at the time it drove off.

I've watched this show pretty much from the beginning, but the finale has me baffled. If something isn't blatently clear, it tends to go over my head. Or am I just trying to over-analyze this

I'd be interested in any comments.

Here is my take on the finale. It was not one of those typical series finale where it may had ended with a wedding, a birth or some kind of celebration one would see in a series finale. But it was a celebration of sorts but not the way I believe we are accustomed to seeing. Eric got a new lease on life and with him getting a clean bill of health he felt it was time to pursue things in life he always wanted to do. Getting the "got well" gift from his parents he spontaneously decided to go on the road and Annie was in agreement with it. I believe Annie would be homeschooling the boys.

I understand what Eric and Annie was doing because I was diagnosed last September with Congestive Heart Failure and I am doing things now in life I always wanted to do but never did. BTW I got a clean bill of health as well and do not have to go back to the doctor for another six months.

The only that was far fetched with this was all those people going with them. It should had been the Camden's only that is: Eric, Annie, Lucy, Kevin, Savannah, Ruthie along with Happy. That's it. To me that is their time to rest, relax and enjoy life.

What was missing were at least a brief appearance from Mary, Matt and Simon. The show was losing steam when Catherine Hicks was not in it as much. I think she was getting tired from doing the series and wanted to pursue other interests but from what I understand she got an arrangement to come in once a week to do her scenes and that was it. About the last three seasons her part was dimenishing slowly but surely. I did like how she played Annie Camden and she made her into a real mom.

[qwerty]

Originally Posted by luv_dhp

Okay, interesting ending, but I can't help feel I'm missing something about it.....that it packed a punch that I'm not getting. Was it really that simple....that Eric just packed up the family, plus others (I counted about 16 people) and hit the road, leaving everything behind?

Who was that guy, Stan, who Annie said she found to get the RV out of the driveway, and why did Eric so readily agree to take him along with them? Who was he really? Also, Eric drove the RV, but I thought I saw him standing outside the RV at the time it drove off.

I've watched this show pretty much from the beginning, but the finale has me baffled. If something isn't blatently clear, it tends to go over my head. Or am I just trying to over-analyze this

I'd be interested in any comments.

Stanley is Eric's guardian angel. He met him when he thought he may die. This leads me to wonder if Eric is really OK. Maybe if there is a spinoff it will be answered on that show.

7th Heaven hasn't always been realistic so the fact that everyone just up and left didn't surprise me. I can understand why you are confused.

I was disappointed again with the series finale. They left things hanging again (Eric, Simon and the church) The good thing about the last finale was that they got the characters that played Matt, Mary and Simon to be on the show. If they do a spinoff I hope it's better than 7th Heaven has been the last couple of years.

[mstewart]

That's another thing about it too. I am glad it did not end with Eric had died and/or doing a death scene. If you remember Roseanne on her finale Dan had passed away when he had developed heart problems. But it was read as a reflection on Roseanne's life at the end. Again, the finale could had been better but I look it at, given I know what it is like to have a life threatening illness, as he now is feeling better and now have a new lease on life and want to go out and experiencing it.

[qwerty]

^^^I agree with your point about him not dying in the finale. But if he is completely healthy why would his guardian angel go on the trip with them? We know they don't always tell the truth about themselves. Lucy and Kevin were definitely concerned about him.

I am glad you are doing well.

[mstewart]

Originally Posted by qwerty

^^^I agree with your point about him not dying in the finale. But if he is completely healthy why would his guardian angel go on the trip with them? We know they don't always tell the truth about themselves. Lucy and Kevin were definitely concerned about him.

I am glad you are doing well.

They should had the doctor told the news to Eric and the family in the same room.

Thank you very much. I lost 160 pounds from this and a total change in lifestyle that I am happy with very much. Not just physically but spiritually and emotionally as well. The fun part of the whole thing is clothes shopping.