One problem with 7th Heaven is that it is somewhat simplistic. I use the qualifier advisedly, though some critics will roll their eyes at the suggestion of complexity. All the same, you should not take things simply on face value, or rather, take a simplistic view of the show. This does not mean the show is simplistic -- more below -- but it also does not mean you should avoid the nuance. And, when you examine your typical movie or television show, it are those signs of nuance that makes them stand out. For various reasons, we are not re-inventing the wheel here. After all, you have too many shows, too few time and resources, to do that.
But, the character of Lucy Camden is an example. Lucy is probably the one most like her parents on the show, rather close to her mother while following in the footsteps of her father (training to be a minister). In fact, it is notable that the other children do not have a similar close relationship with their parents, though the younger ones (Ruthie and then the twins) are somewhat closer to the mother, since they have less independence.* There are also clear sibling duos, Ruthie/Simon (later, quasi-sibling Robbie), Lucy/Mary with the oldest (Matt) having a big brother role over more than one of his siblings. Still, though there is an overall closeness as shown by failure to keep many secrets and much familial interaction, it is not really a unit in many ways. This is clearly the case later on, when the oldest leave home.
One positive noted somewhere was that the show makes one nostalgic because it honors the family and the safety of the home. Some bad things happen to these people, including a miscarriage, but there is clearly a safety there. The Lucy/Kevin marriage also has some of that too. But, on another level, the family can be as splintered as some real families tend to be. BTW, once Matt and Mary aren't around too much, the show started to go a bit downhill. This also was after about half of its long run, so this was due to occur anyway. But, letting Lucy and various teens outside the family carry more weight was clearly a step down.
Anyway, Lucy is emotional, an exaggerated case of her mother. And, is conservative in her actions, reflecting her parents. Mary, furthered by problems Jessica Biel had with the show (infamously shown in an ill advised explicit pictorial that in hindsight is rather embarrassing, including a thinly clothed shot with her in a sink), is a rebel. But, Lucy does have a thing: she loves to makeout with guys. The show is very anti-premarital sex, though a few characters tellingly do it (one main one, after a VD scare, seemed to have repented), the family basically against it. All the same, Lucy makes out a lot -- this includes on the first date, outside of a movie theater in her small town (one movie showing). Another character gets a tattoo. Small things, sure, but it offers some sense of reality to the show. And, to the degree the characters can be too good to be true, they also are a bit hard to take (bratty too), so flawed anyway!
Another charm of the show btw is that at some point, it has a great flow. When the dad self-knowing says at one point "you're lying" on the phone to one of the kids, it was amusing in a "we know these guys" sort of way, and an example of regulars totally into the flow of their characters. [Contra, iCarly is depressing this season in part because everything seems forced ... one gets the idea that something is wrong there, though some of the lame plots don't help.] There are also some nice episodes, such as a musical Valentine Day one (also the birthday of the twins), and good guest stars. I liked the woman who played Robbie (Mary's bad boy bf who later repented) and Matt's girlfriend, for instance. And, on the real inside baseball guest list, the rich girl/maid on Newhart played a history teacher here, and a teacher on Drake and Josh ... doing a pretty good job in both cases!
And, even if not realistic, the marriage after the first date episode was a hard to resist episode. This is so even when we learn Matt voted for Bush (his father is a Democrat, though apparently of Lieberman persuasion, given his moralizing). Of course, this allows him to have sex with his wife, though the religious ceremony would not come for a few months. [As with Lucy, and apparently Mary (husband in family business), he married someone well-off. Don't know if Annie's family is wealthy. Lucy's husband is Catholic, Matt's Jewish, so there is also some interreligious stuff going on.] The show's Puritan take on sex (I do not know of a homosexual episode, nearly every other topic apparently tackled, including the Taliban in the late 1990s) has to be forgiven. Compare this more realistic take on another television show.
The overall liberal nature of the show mixed with its Puritan side (including Simon not having video games ... the family doesn't even have a computer or cell phones until circa 2005) suggests its complexity -- the children are level-headed about things overall. But, it had a set formula, and in various ways was not the real world. Even for a television show. So, you take the good and the bad, and enjoy it for what it is. Or was. I did. It is like that show Rules of Engagement. It is not a masterpiece, but for 9:30 P.M. lower expectations, it fits. And, recent episodes actually were rather good.
Back to our story. More can be said about this series, including its ill-advised decision to come back for one more year after a clear series finale ending with an actual fat lady singing, but I'll end there! But, that non-ending -- sheesh -- not only are we asked to forget about an obvious big hint involving a baby, but a pregnancy was dealt with in an unpleasant fashion. Oh well, the show coasted some on good feelings earned earlier on, and it is only Christian to forgive such transgressions.
Oh, and "Matt" is on Christiana Applegate's latest show. Just one sighting. There is some life after 7th Heaven, don't worry fans!
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* Ruthie also is the most self-confident of the children, a reflection of her mother, which might be an aspect of why certain people simply do not like Annie Camden's character. Some consider her self-indulgent, though dealing with seven kids as a (mostly) stay at home mom alone requires a great amount of self-confidence, putting aside her dealing with the sickness and death of her parents, and all the drama her social outreach husband is involved in.
Over at IMDB, I actually got into a debate over this with someone (too silly to link to), pointing out that it is unfair to cite Annie without noting Eric also leaves something to be desired. One of the least attractive aspects of the show is that he has something of a God complex, always wanting to know what is going on, always cocksure about what people should do. The angels in Touched By An Angel and Highway to Heaven weren't as confident at times, but then, overconfidence (helped by scriptwriters) is a human failing.
Then again, everything does generally turn out in the end, so no wonder he is so confident. Eric Camden, deus ex machina. One character's father, e.g., was an alcoholic. He was amusingly blunt about being a "functional alcoholic," itself notable for this show (him making Lucy so angry that she tossed a soda in his face almost made me stand up and cheer). But, darn, if he actually becomes sober in time for his daughter's birth. Joining with the other grandfather's landscaping business in the process! He too was absorbed into the Borg.