7th Heaven: Season 2 - Episode 1: Don't Take My Love Away

 

Nora Chambers (Leigh Taylor-Young) in Eric's office at church. 

Nora comes to Eric's office because her anniversary is coming up. Eric tells her that Saturday is his 19th wedding anniversary. She tells him she would have been married 25 years. Eric apologizes because he forgot Nora's husband was murdered three years ago. (He must really care, he forgot the guy was murdered). Nora tells Eric she wants to see the boy who murdered her husband. (The fact her husband was murdered is sad, the fact he was murdered by a high schooler is heartbreaking. What a waste of a  life). She writes the boy every week and never gets a response. He doesn't want to see her, so she turns to Eric for help. Eric tells her, "I'll do my best." She wishes him and Annie a good anniversary before leaving.

Eric looks at the picture of him and Annie on his desk and immediately calls his wife at home. He tells her not to go anywhere and hangs up. 

Simon asks his mother who was on the phone, and when she tells him it was Eric and he didn't want Annie to leave the house, he tells all his siblings to hurry up and come to the kitchen because "something is up, something big."

Eric runs home and asks Annie to marry him. The kids look at each other. Annie looks shocked but then smiles.

The opening credits come up, and the theme song plays. 

In their bedroom, Annie tells Eric that she doesn't know how she will put a wedding together in a couple of days when it took months to plan the first time. Eric tells her not to worry, just show up at the church. Eric wants her to wear the wedding dress she wore 19 years ago. Annie says she wants to wear her mother's dress. She decides any dress will work. 

Simon comes into their room and asks his mother if she will have time to do the attic with the wedding plans. Eric asks him to wait another week, but Simon informs him he starts junior high next week, and he can't be sharing a room with Ruthie cause it would look bad for him.

Ruthie tells Simon she needs to talk to her parents alone. After Simon leaves, she informs them she may not be at the wedding because no one else wants to go. It's the last weekend of summer, and they have things to do. Ruthie said that she might not have a ride. Annie says she wants them there. Eric tells them they must go, and Ruthie makes a face and leaves.

Annie asks Eric if they are crazy or doing it because of Nora. Eric says yes to both. He said what happened with Nora's husband is a reminder that life is short. (True story, yo)! Annie asks if Eric can help Nora. 

Eric: Found out from his social worker that the thing he misses most from the outside is a real fast-food burger, fries, and shake, so...He might not see Nora, but I have the feeling he'll give me a shot. 

Annie: You have no qualms about bribing him?

Eric: The kid killed someone; it's not like I'm going to corrupt him. Okay, it's a small sin for a good cause.

Matt is on a date with Heather (Andrea Ferrell). He is learning sign language and can communicate with her better now. He tells her about his parents' second wedding. Heather is speaking orally more now as well. (Matt must have told her that her voice was beautiful). Matt tells her he is the best man, and she says it's cool that their last date before school is a wedding. Matt is like, "whatev." 

Back home, Wilson (Andrew Keegan) asks Mary (who is now on crutches) why she's in such a bad mood. (Oh, that's easy, Wilson, the writer of this episode, Brenda Hampton, decided it's Mary's turn to be cranky since last week was Annie's turn). She says she's not. (Denial ain't just a river, Mary). He says she is and wants to talk; she tells him he doesn't know everything. She won't talk and gives him a quick kiss and goes inside. 

Lucy is in her room, staring at a picture of Jimmy Moon and crying. She calls him and gets the answering machine. She hangs up without leaving a message. 

Mary comes into the room. Lucy tells her she's sleeping. Mary tells her she's (Lucy) not sleeping but crying like she's done all summer. Mary tells Lucy to "get over it." Lucy tells her she will have to see Jimmy with Ashley, which will "be a nightmare."

Mary: It'll only be a nightmare because you're making it a nightmare. Things like this happen. That is what life is all about, disappointment and failure, so get used to it.

Lucy: And you're not in a bad mood?

Annie is working on the attic. Simon is telling her where he wants to put the bed. Ruthie says she wants the top bunk. Annie tells them it's bedtime, and Simon says he doesn't like having the same bedtime as Ruthie. Annie tells Simon to go with Matt tomorrow to get a tuxedo. 

Simon: Mom, why do I have to wear a tuxedo?

Annie: Because I've always dreamed of having a wedding like this and seeing my two sons waiting for me with my husband at the end of the aisle.

Simon: Mom, do you hear out weird that sounds? (I do, Simon). 

Ruthie wants a tuxedo too. Annie tells her she will be the flower girl in a dress throwing flowers. Ruthie asks why she can't do that in a tuxedo, so Annie says she'll think about it. Ruthie asks, "What does a tuxedo look like anyway?" (Translation: I just want a tuxedo cause Simon's wearing one). 

Eric is in the kitchen calling his father-in-law. Grandpa has no idea who he is until he mentions surprising Annie. Eric says, "yes, that Eric." (I laughed at this). 

Annie comes downstairs into the kitchen; Eric tells Grandpa to hold on. Annie asks him who he's talking to, and he says he's working on wedding plans. Annie puts two paintbrushes in the freezer. She says it's "an old painter's trick." (Since I don't know anything about painting outside of sets for the theatre, I looked this up, and it's true). 

Matt and Heather are in the car kissing. Matt says he doesn't want to go back to school. She gets out of the car and hugs some other guy.

Lucy comes into the living room the following day and sees Wilson. She tells him she's getting ready for the wedding. Mary sees Wilson and snaps at him, asking what he's doing there. He wants to go to the pool to work on her knee. Wilson reminds her about her goal to be off the crutches before school starts. She tells him he doesn't know anything. He asks about the wedding, and she tells him he can come if he wants. Wilson said he wanted to go but wanted to be invited. She is silent. He asks if Mary doesn't want him there. She says she doesn't even want to be there. Wilson decides to spend the day with his son, Billy, and give Mary space. (You are wise, young grasshopper). He asks if she wants to go out tonight, and she tells him, "not really."

At the tuxedo shop, Matt and Simon are ready. They have to wait for Ruthie to pick out her tuxedo. (Guess Annie decided to let her wear it after all). Simon wants to leave her and let their dad pick her up later. Matt tells his brother their dad is gone to see "that murderer." Simon asks Matt about Heather; he says a friend is staying at her house from Canada to ride back to school together. Simon realizes the friend is male, and Matt says it caught him by surprise. 

Ruthie comes out in a blue tuxedo but asks to see something in white. Matt asks to come into the changing room. He talks to Ruthie, and she says she's stalling because Simon doesn't like her and is leaving their room. She thinks she will never see him again. (Poor Ruthie). Matt tells her if she picks a tuxedo, so they finally leave, he will make sure Simon doesn't leave her anytime soon. 

Annie is in the attic working, and Lucy comes in and tells her she doesn't want to go to the wedding because she was dumped. Then she says she wants to invite Jimmy as a friend. (You just keep telling yourself that, Lucy). 

Eric is at the juvenile detention center with the fast food for Martin (Cliff Dorfman), the boy who murdered Nora's husband. He shows Eric that he got the letters from Nora. Eric tells him that Nora really wants to talk to him for closure. 

Martin: I gave her the ultimate closure, man. I killed her husband.

Eric doesn't believe Martin's tough-guy act. (I don't either, I think he's trying to hide the guilt by acting like a jerk). Eric thinks killing Nora's husband really bothers him. Martin says he doesn't owe anyone anything because he's in juvie paying his debt to society. Martin tells him he's (Martin) a disappointment to everyone because he had a bad life. Eric isn't very sympathetic and tells him just because he saw killing, he still knows right from wrong.

Martin dumps a bag of all the letters. He had only opened the first one and refused to see Nora. Eric leaves angrily. 

Mary tells Lucy they have to try on "these stupid dresses." The phone rings, and Mary answers. Jimmy Moon (Matthew Linville) wants to know why Lucy called. Mary tells him she called by mistake while trying to contact Wilson. Jimmy doesn't buy it. Mary gives Lucy the phone. Lucy admits she called and invited him to the wedding as a friend. Jimmy asks if Ashley can also come, and Lucy says Ashley can. After she hangs up the phone, Mary asks her what she did.

Lucy: I don't know, but it's all your fault, and I hate you.

Mary: Well, fine, I hate you too, but we still have to try on these dresses. 

Matt arrives at Heather's house and rings the doorbell. Zack (Norman Weiss) answers. Matt asks Zack if he read lips and then asks how he knew someone rang the bell. Zach rings the bell and shows him the lights flicker. Heather says she doesn't want to go out and leave Zach. Matt protests until Heather kisses him, and then he's happy to come inside to hang out. 

Simon is telling Ruthie his plans for decorating the attic. Ruthie tells him the woman who died and left the house to the church died at home in the attic. And her ghost is up there. She says Matt told her.

In the living room, Annie looks at the older girls' dresses and sees how they fit.

Eric comes home and apologizes for being late. He lets Annie know how people from church are helping. Mrs. Bink is making a cake. (Sadly, we don't get to see her in this episode). The Ladies' Circle is making a potluck dinner. 

Annie asks him about this day, and Eric says they can talk about that later. He asks Mary if Wilson is coming to the wedding. 

Lucy: No. He's crazy about her, but what does she care?

Mary: Shut up.

Annie: Mary, why isn't Wilson coming to the wedding.

Mary: I don't want him there, okay?

Eric tells the girls the wedding is supposed to be fun. (You'd think so, wouldn't you)? Mary informs them that no one else is having fun.

After the girls leave, Eric asks how the tuxedo shopping went. She tells them every one is all set. Eric says that Matt's shorter hair will look good with the tuxedo. 

Annie: I don't know, I liked it better longer. (So did I).

Eric: Yeah? Do me a favor?

Annie: Hmm?

Eric: Don't tell him. 

The doorbell rings, and it's Wilson. Mary says she doesn't want to see him. Wilson says that it's okay, Mary's in a bad mood, and he should have called. (I've noticed that too). He leaves. 

Annie tells Eric that Lucy and Mary are having a "self-pity contest." She goes upstairs to deal with them.

Wilson is throwing stones at Mary and Lucy's bedroom window. He accidentally breaks one, and Annie opens the window. He apologizes and says he will pay for it. Annie agrees. 

Annie tells Mary to tell Wilson to leave or be nice because he's been supportive all summer. She then tells Lucy to stop feeling sorry for herself, and if she wants to uninvite Jimmy and Ashley, blame it on her. After her mother leaves the room, Lucy calls Jimmy. She gets his answering machine and leaves the uninvite message but says he can come alone. (I know Mary has been in a bad mood, but I agree with her, get over it).

Wilson is in the living room with Mary apologizing for pushing her too much. He says he's crazy about her. Mary cries and tells him she's afraid to do anything without the crutches because she might fall. (I was glad to see she could admit it finally. I thought it was rather obvious, and I guess Wilson did too). Wilson agrees she could fall, but she just has to get back up. 

Mary: You know, you are really no help at all.

Wilson: Yeah, but I'm trying.

As he leaves, Matt asks how he's doing. Wilson tells him not so good, and Matt says the same. 

Wilson: Heather?

Matt: Yeah. Mary?

Wilson: Yeah. 

Matt goes into the kitchen, where Eric is typing on a laptop. Matt says he's confused about Heather and the long-distance relationship while she's at school. He's also upset about Zach. His father tells him he "wouldn't let any man in the world change how I feel about the woman I love."

Simon and Happy are in the attic at night. Simon gets scared when he hears a noise, but it's his mother. She asks him why he's up there so late. Simon tells her about the ghost. Annie informs her Matt is wrong, and perhaps they have a conspiracy against him because Ruthie's not ready for him to leave. He offers to stay a little longer with Ruthie.

The phone rings, and Eric answers. It's Martin's social worker who tells Eric that Martin is willing to see Nora tomorrow. Eric says he's getting married, but he'll be there. (It's got to be hard to be a minister's wife sometimes). 

The doorbell rings. It's a delivery man, and Eric signs for the box which he gives to Annie. He says it's a gift from her father. She reads the letter and sees it's her mother's wedding dress. (Alright! Grandpa came through)! He says he has to go get Nora, and Annie says they won't start the wedding without him.

Matt rings the doorbell at Heather's. he signs that Heather looks beautiful. Zach hands him a box, and Heather says it's for Matt's parents. Matt thanked Zach. He asks Zach to come to the wedding with him and Heather. He says they will bring Zach back after the wedding and have time alone together. 

Zach: Do you have five minutes?

Heather: Five minutes.

Matt: Actually, I got that one. 

Simon tells Ruthie he has decided to stay for six months so Ruthie can get used to the idea of him leaving. Ruthie kisses her brother. Ruthie asks for the top bunk, but Simon tells her, "no." 

Ruthie: When is six months gonna be up?

Eric and Nora are at the Juvenile Detention Center. Eric introduces Nora and Martin to each other. Nora asks how and why Martin killed her husband. He tells her that her husband got in his way when he tried to rob the manager. He had a knife and didn't intend to kill, but her husband got in his way, as he had said. 

Nora tells Martin how her life has changed since he committed the murder. Then she tells him that she has seen him, she is ready to move on. She says it's a little comforting knowing her husband died a hero. She tells Martin she forgives him. Martin becomes angry with her for not wanting forgiveness. (This is how I know he feels guilty; he doesn't want her forgiveness. Not because he doesn't care, but because he doesn't believe he deserves it). Nora buzzes to be let out of the room. 

Eric: She didn't forgive you; she did it for herself. Otherwise, she'd go on being a victim, and I think she's been your victim long enough. 

Martin: Wait.

Eric: I can't. I'm getting married this afternoon. 

Martin: Before you go, just tell me one thing, Reverend. Do you, uh...? Do you think God will forgive me? (I see the guilt here, too, he's concerned about God). 

Eric: You better pray he does. But I gotta tell you, I'm not so sure I ever will. (I really dislike Eric's response. As a minister, he should know we Christians are commanded to forgive. But Eric is human like everyone else). 

At the church, Lucy and Mary are arguing. Soon they are on the ground wrestling., and their dresses get torn. They look at them and then go back to fighting. Annie and Matt break them up. Their mother asks them if they feel better. 

"The Wedding March" plays and Ruthie walks down in her tuxedo, throwing flowers.

Ruthie (Mackenzie Rosman) in her tuxedo. (She is too stinkin' cute)!

Lucy and Mary walk down the aisle. Mary walks without her crutches but instructs Lucy not to let her go. (I had seen these episodes many times and never realized before this that Mary didn't have her crutches. Somehow I missed this whole part). 

Annie then comes down the aisle, and when she gets to Eric, she mouths, "I love you." 

The closing credits come up. 

(This was a good episode. It was sad about the teen in prison, but he made a choice; however, it was nice to see the widow asking to talk to him not out of anger but to obtain closure. And Ruthie, as always, was too stinkin' cute).