7th Heaven (season 11)

7th Heaven (season 11)
Country of origin	United States
No. of episodes	22
Release
Original network	The CW
Original release	September 25, 2006 – May 13, 2007

Season eleven of 7th Heaven—an American family-drama television series, created and produced by Brenda Hampton. It premiered on September 25, 2006, on The CW, and concluded on May 13, 2007 (22 episodes). It is the final season of the series. This season Collins, Catherine Hicks, Mitchell, and Mackenzie Rosman are the only cast members to star in all eleven seasons of the series.

Cast and characters

Main

• Stephen Collins as Eric Camden
• Beverley Mitchell as Lucy Camden-Kinkirk
• George Stults as Kevin Kinkirk
• Tyler Hoechlin as Martin Brewer
• Nikolas and Lorenzo Brino as Sam and David Camden
• Happy as Happy the Dog

Recurring

• Catherine Hicks as Annie Camden (19 episodes)
• Colton James as Theodore "T-Bone" Jr (18 episodes)
• Sarah Wright as Jane (18 episodes)
• Andrea Morris as Margaret (18 episodes)
• Haylie Duff as Sandy Jameson (18 episodes)
• Mackenzie Rosman as Ruthie Camden (16 episodes)
• Kyle Searles as Mac (10 episodes)

Production

After much deliberation within the now-defunct WB network, it was made public in November 2005 that season ten would be the program's final because of high costs, which were revealed to be due to a poorly negotiated licensing agreement by the WB network a few years earlier. The program's future was hanging in the balance and it was entirely in the hands of the newly established CW network whether to renew it for an additional season. In March 2006, the main cast of characters were approached about the possibility of returning for another season.^[1][2]

After further consideration by the CW network, it was decided three days after the airing of its "series finale", that 7th Heaven would be picked up for an eleventh season, which would air on their network in the Monday-night slot that had helped make it famous.^[3] Originally the show was renewed for thirteen episodes, but on September 18, 2006, the renewal was extended to a full twenty-two episodes.^[4]

Along with the show's unexpected and last-minute, renewal came some changes. The show's already-low budget was moderately trimmed, forcing cuts in the salaries of some cast members and shortened taping schedules (seven days per episode instead of the typical eight). Furthermore, Mackenzie Rosman, who played youngest daughter Ruthie, did not appear in the first six episodes. Catherine Hicks missed three episodes in season 11, as another cost-cutting move. Additionally, George Stults was absent for a few episodes at the beginning of season 11.

Also, after airing Monday nights at 8/7c for ten seasons, plus the first two episodes of season 11, the CW unexpectedly moved 7th Heaven to Sunday nights as of October 15, 2006. The Sunday/Monday lineup swap was attributed to mediocre ratings of shows on both nights. While 7th Heaven did improve in numbers over the CW's previous Sunday night programming, it never quite hit its Monday-night momentum again, and the shows that replaced it in its slot on Monday night never matched what it had achieved in that time slot.^[5]

Episodes

No. in series	No. in season	Title	Director	Writer(s)	Original air date	Production code
222	1	"Turn, Turn, Turn"	Joel J. Feigenbaum	Caroline Kepnes	September 25, 2006	1.48
Strenuous events impact all the Camdens as Kevin and Lucy cope with an unexpected tragedy in their young lives. Matters worsen when Lucy convinces her father to let her deliver next Sunday's sermon while she is still in an emotionally unstable condition. Martin frustrates Sandy by suggesting that they get married and build a family for their infant son, then becomes angry when he realizes why Sandy is really holding back. Ruthie is studying in Scotland for the time being, and Annie can't shake the feeling that something is terribly wrong with Eric.
223	2	"And Tonight's Specials Are…"	Keith Truesdell	Brenda Hampton	October 2, 2006	1.86
Tension mounts in Kevin and Lucy's marriage as Lucy pulls away from him emotionally, spends increasing amounts of time at the movie theater, and even starts pouring her heart out to a teenage boy who works there. Back at home, Annie encourages Kevin to not give up on Lucy. Eric is less than thrilled with the new name that his twin sons have given him, but it is nothing compared to a little run-in that he has with their very young third grade teacher.
224	3	"A Pain in the Neck"	Michael Preece	Brenda Hampton	October 15, 2006	1.89
Mary has recently given birth to twin daughters, so Annie heads off to Buffalo to help her out. Eric is left to take care of things at home. A difficult issue with the boys' teacher prompts him to pull them out of school without consulting Annie, and an excruciating physical pain in his neck isn't helping matters. Kevin's brother Ben (Geoff Stults) arrives for a visit, but there is only one way they can convince an emotionally unstable Lucy to let him stay with them for a little while.
225	4	"Don't Ax, Don't Tell"	Joel J. Feigenbaum	Brenda Hampton	October 22, 2006	1.89
Eric continues to manage the household in Annie's absence. He begins home-schooling the twins and finds even more stress added to his life when their third grade teacher shows up at the house, eager to start a relationship with him. Meanwhile, Kevin and Lucy start noticing Eric's strange behavior, but their attempts to uncover the truth only make matters worse.
226	5	"The Replacements"	Michael McDonald	Brenda Hampton	October 29, 2006	1.47
Eric makes yet another decision without consulting his wife, who finally comes home to some drastic changes in the house. Elsewhere, Sandy finds herself in a romantic triangle with Martin and a guy from school. Eric meets three homeless teens and gives them a place to stay—in his and Annie's home.
227	6	"Broken Hearts and Promises"	Michael Preece	Brenda Hampton	November 5, 2006	2.96
When the paramedics are called to the house, Annie realizes that Eric has been hiding his health issues from her, even though he insists he is fine. Meanwhile, Lucy contemplates having more children after visiting with Sandy, who has problems of her own when she must choose between the two guys in her life.
228	7	"You Take the High Road…" (Part 1)	Joel J. Feigenbaum	Jeffrey Rodgers	November 12, 2006	2.98
Ruthie is nervous when she finds out that her parents are heading to Scotland. She reveals a very unattractive side of herself when she openly admits that she is not about to sacrifice her own freedom and happiness to come home and be with her sick father. Kevin has a difficult time helping Lucy come to grips with Eric's illness. Sandy accepts Martin's marriage proposal just to get rid of her clingy boyfriend. Kevin finds out a secret about Jane. To be continued...
229	8	"…And I'll Take the Low Road" (Part 2)	Joel J. Feigenbaum	Brenda Hampton	November 19, 2006	2.06
Ruthie is informed of her father's health prognosis when her parents show up in Scotland, but she shocks them by reacting with very little sympathy or understanding. Sandy calls off her marriage plans with Martin after his best friend questions why they are in such a rush. Back at home, Lucy steps up as a much-needed source of stability for her younger siblings, as well as T-Bone, who needs help making a dramatic decision.
230	9	"Thanks and Giving"	Keith Truesdell	Brenda Hampton	November 26, 2006	2.84
Eric, Annie and Ruthie are on their way home from Scotland, but they are held for questioning at the airport after Ruthie makes an unusual comment. Elsewhere, as a favor to Martin, Mac seeks information about Sandy's feelings for Simon. Lucy does her best to stay strong for the whole family as the truth about her father's health condition comes out.
231	10	"You Don't Know What You've Got 'Til He's Gone"	Harry Harris	Jeffrey Rodgers	December 3, 2006	2.96
Eric takes a new approach to counseling members of the church. T-Bone stuns Ruthie by telling her what he really thinks of her selfish and obnoxious attitude, then ending their argument with a kiss.
232	11	"Christmas!"	Keith Truesdell	Elaine Arata & Brenda Hampton	December 10, 2006	2.78
Eric suddenly finds himself in heaven, quite literally, when he runs into several people who have gone before him, particularly Annie's late mother. Meanwhile, the family becomes nervous when Eric does not come home from work, and Annie tries to hold everyone together. Could he soon be headed to the pearly gates himself?
233	12	"Can I Just Get Something to Eat?"	Harry Harris	Teleplay by: Chris Olsen & Jeff Olsen Story by: Brenda Hampton	January 14, 2007	2.86
When Ruthie and T-Bone work on a school assignment about the genocide in Darfur, they get the whole Camden family, and the community involved in the cause.
234	13	"Script Number Two Hundred Thirty-Four"	Joel J. Feigenbaum	Caroline Kepnes	January 21, 2007	3.97
Eric and Lucy tell everyone that they are going out of town on "official church business," which is not exactly true, while Annie and Kevin seek the truth about their spouses' little white lies. Meanwhile, Sandy takes over Lucy's teen class for the day, and Ruthie will do anything to prove that she is not a little girl anymore.
235	14	"Deacon Blues"	Michael Preece	Jeffrey Rodgers	January 28, 2007	2.82
Ruthie insists that T-Bone get his driver's license so they can go away for privacy; unfortunately, T-Bone makes the mistake of asking Kevin to help him get ready for the test. Lou informs a stunned Eric that the church deacons feel he and Lucy are no longer appealing to the younger church members, so it is suggested that Sandy deliver the next sermon. Mac gets a job at the movie theater so he can afford an apartment with Jane and Margaret.
236	15	"Tit for Tat"	Lindsley Parsons III	Chris Olsen & Jeff Olsen	February 11, 2007	1.95
Sandy starts falling for a handsome doctor, and Martin may not be able to handle it. Elsewhere, T-Bone and Ruthie want to do something romantic for Valentine's Day, and they profess their love for each other in an unusual way. The Colonel and Ruth drop by unexpectedly, prompting Lucy and Kevin to leave town, and Eric fears that his parents know about his health problems.
237	16	"Gimme That Ol' Time Religion"	Joel J. Feigenbaum	Chris Olsen & Jeff Olsen	February 18, 2007	3.93
Ruthie tries to hide her tattoo from her parents, not realizing that they already know something is up with her. Lucy knows about the tattoo, but she has a very specific reason for keeping it to herself. As it turns out, most of the Camdens have dirty little secrets that they would rather not reveal.
238	17	"Small Miracles"	Michael Preece	Elaine Arata	April 8, 2007	3.75
When small things happen, some Camdens see them as signs. Lucy and Eric both cross paths with a black bird. They both come to the conclusion that this is a sign, and a bad one at that. Meanwhile, Ruthie gets a sign on her own. When she loses a diamond in the ring that T-Bone gave her as a promise to get engaged someday, she thinks that this is her sign that maybe being with T-Bone is not the best choice.
239	18	"Inked"	Keith Truesdell	Chad Bynes	April 15, 2007	6.54
When Lucy gets an unexpected job offer in a small town known as Crossroads, she and Kevin take a trip out there to see if they might consider making the move. Back in Glenoak, Ruthie learns that removing her tattoo will not be an inexpensive procedure, and after getting no sympathy from her parents, she tries "guilting" T-Bone into paying the bill.
240	19	"Some Break-Up and Some Get-Togethers"	Jason Priestley	Justin Trofholz	April 22, 2007	5.97
Ruthie gets a text message from what she thinks is T-Bone breaking up with her. But the truth behind the matter is a bit different. Meanwhile, Lucy and Kevin try to decide whether or not they will relocate to Crossroads.
241	20	"Nothing Says Lovin' Like Something From the Oven"	Joel J. Feigenbaum	Brenda Hampton	April 29, 2007	5.96
With plans for another child, Lucy tells Kevin that it might not be a good idea to move so far away from the rest of the family. T-Bone confides to Eric that he's having second thoughts about breaking up with Ruthie, who is spending all of her free time lately with her former crush, Martin. Sandy's boyfriend surprises her with a marriage proposal, and T-Bone's estranged father shows up on the Camdens' doorstep.
242	21	"Good News for Almost Everyone"	Keith Truesdell	Brenda Hampton	May 6, 2007	7.84
Eric has a dream of something being better and drives himself to the hospital when he wakes up with a certain hunch about his heart condition. The doctors are questioning whether he has had anything to drink since he keeps singing "You Are My Sunshine". The kids are a bundle of nerves—especially Lucy—since they don't know whether the news is good or bad. While sitting around in the waiting room, Ruthie and T-Bone decide to get back together, but an unexpected twist of events brings back unresolved issues with the guy who broke Ruthie's heart a year ago. In the chaos, David and Sam are left home alone.
243	22	"And Away We Go"	Harry Harris	Brenda Hampton	May 13, 2007	8.85
The longest-running family drama in television history bids us farewell as Eric and Annie decide to celebrate Eric's clean bill of health in a spontaneous way. The Colonel and Ruth send Eric and Annie a present – an R.V., so they can see the United States. Eric is planning on quitting his job as a minister and he already took the twins out of school and home schooled them. Ruthie choose T-Bone as her boyfriend and she and Martin part ways on good terms. Ruthie graduates high school early and informs Eric and Annie that she is wanting to forgo college in the fall to travel the world with T-Bone. Meanwhile, Kevin and Lucy make some final decisions about their future and as the lives of the Camden family members start changing dramatically, their most recent live-in house guests must determine where their own lives are headed.

References

1. ""7th Heaven" Cancelled Because of Costs". TVFodder.com. Retrieved 2006-01-16.
2. "Collins Celebrates New Life For '7th Heaven'". Zap2it.com. Archived from the original on 2007-06-13. Retrieved 2006-05-19.
3. "'7th Heaven' Back for an 11th Season". TVWeek.com. Retrieved 2007-06-19.
4. "The CW gives full season orders to new comedy "The Game" and "7th Heaven"". TheFutonCritic.com. Retrieved 2006-10-20.
5. "CW Flips Sunday, Monday lineups". Zap2it.com. Archived from the original on 3 November 2006. Retrieved 2006-10-05.