7th Heaven - The Complete First Season - Region 1 DVD

Created by Barbara Hampton (Blossom) and produced by Aaron Spelling (Beverly Hills 90210), Seventh Heaven premiered on the WB in 1996 and would become its most enduring hit. It may lack a gimmick, but this heartwarming family drama doesn't lack a theme: communication. And since the Camdens are a minister's family, faith comes up often, as well, which gives the show something in common with such otherwise disparate programs as Touched by an Angel and Joan of Arcadia. Throughout 1996-1997, the Camdens would deal with many tough issues, both internal and external, including teen pregnancy ("Family Secrets"), death ("In the Blink of an Eye"), racism ("The Color of God"), spousal abuse ("What Will People Say"), and alcoholism ("Last Call for Aunt Julie"). In the years to come, the cast would have their own real-life issues with which to contend, such as Watson's battle with cancer (after taking 2003 off to recover, he would return in 2004) and the gradual loss of Biel (The Texas Chainsaw Massacre) to the movies. --Kathleen C. Fennessy