 |
I’ve never
been a big fan of the “Aaron Spelling
School of Nighttime Dramas.” For the
most part I tended to pass on shows like
“Beverly Hills 90210” and it’s
ilk, more so because they were little more
than soap operas. For the most part, the
actors (and I use the term lightly) that
made up the casts of those shows were little
more than ‘pretty faces’ with
no substance. But I’ll admit to there
being one or two shows that came out of
Spelling Television that not only didn’t
star any members of his family, but were
a darn sight better than most other TV dramas.
Right of the bat, “7th Heaven”
comes to mind. In part because the first
season is on its way to store shelves in
the form of a DVD set, but more so because
it was a show I actually went out of my
way to watch, though not at first. It was
actually my wife who introduced me to the
series when it was well into its 6th or
7th season, and although I wasn’t
what you would call ‘hooked’,
I was interested enough to try and catch
more episodes.
|
“7th Heaven” starred alumni from
two of the big budget “Star Trek”
films, Stephen Collins and (the lovely) Catherine
Hicks as Eric and Annie Camden. They held court
over a brood of five children and faced all of
the follies and foibles such a large family can
create. There have been many shows like this in
the past, but this one had one clear distinction,
that of Eric’s profession. He is a minister.
Being a Christian myself, I was immediately struck
by the way the series seemed to be able to present
most of the problems that families deal with today,
and add in a bit of a religious message without
getting overly preachy.
It was very realistic in the way that it presented
God, not so much as the answer to everything,
but as more of a guideline. It didn’t shy
away from tough subject matter, often relating
situations involving gang violence or even teen
suicide. The family did not always win and that
is representative of how life really is. The series
tended to be upbeat, but rarely strayed into the
area of saccharine sweetness. From the few episodes
I had seen I was rather hoping for a DVD release
so I could go back and see it from the beginning.
Thanks to Paramount Home Entertainment, my prayers
were answered.
The 1st season set offers up all 22 episodes in
a nice, neat 6-disc package. Once again, Paramount
has gone the way of the individual slim cases
that slip into a larger box, and I couldn’t
be more pleased. These are much easier to handle
than the old foldout packaging. All of the episode
are presented in their original full screen format,
with Dolby Digital English Stereo (and French,
if you’re so inclined…) and look and
sound as better than they must have during their
original broadcast.
I was hoping that after sitting down to start
watching the1st season set, I would take enough
notes to be able to point out particularly good
episodes, but I think I failed miserably. I was
so impressed by the entire season that it would
really be tough to touch on any high points. It
was great to see Peter Graves (“Mission:Impossible”)
back in action as Eric’s father in a couple
of the episodes, as well as the great Eileen Brennan
as an older ‘friend’ of their son
Matt. One episode that I did feel stood out was
“The Color of God.” It starred Dorian
Harewood as a Reverend whose church is burned
down by a hate group. Racists really get my ire
up, so when they are the subject of any series
It catches my interest.
“7th Heaven”, over the years has been
honored, and deservedly so, by the Parents Television
Council, The Media Project's Shine Awards, Entertainment
Industries Council's Prism Awards, Viewers Voice,
Anti-Defamation League, Film Advisory Board, The
Academy of Religious Broadcasting, Kids Choice
Awards, Teen Choice Awards, Family Friendly Forum
Awards and the TV Guide Awards.
If that doesn’t tell you it’s a show
worth watching, I don’t know what will.
Episodes:
Anything You Want
Family Secrets
In the Blink of an Eye
No Funerals and a Wedding
The Color of God
Halloween
Saturday
What Will People Say?
See No Evil, Hear No Evil, Speak No Evil
The Last Call for Aunt Julie
Now You see Me
With a Little Help From My Friends
America’s Most Wanted
Seven is Enough
Happy’s Valentine
Brave New World
Choices
Faith, Hope and the Bottom Line
It’s About George
Say Good-bye
Dangerous Liaisons, Part 1
Dangerous Liaisons, Part 2
Starring: Stephen Collins, Catherine Hicks, Barry
Watson, David Gallagher, Jessica Biel, Beverley
Mitchell, Mackenzie Rosman
Extras:
Specifications: Full Screen
Studio: Paramount
Release Date: 9/14/2004
Region 1
MPAA Rating: NR
Website
We'll give an 7th Heaven: Season 1 a B.
|
