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As with previous years, season four ends with some surprises. In this case, Matt and Mary make crucial decisions about their futures. Eric and Annie (Catherine Hicks) are particularly upset by Mary’s choice, so much so that touchy-feely dad (briefly) becomes furious dad. Guest stars include Soul Food's Irma P. Hall ("All by Myself"), Moonlighting's Allyce Beasley ("Liar, Liar"), and 'N Sync's Lance Bass ("Who Do You Trust"). --Kathleen C. Fennessy

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

Since 7th Heaven is an issue-oriented show and since the Camden brood are basically good, it's up to their friends and neighbors to generate the bulk of the trouble. This season's problems include underage drinking ("Drunk Like Me"), cutting ("Cutters"), child abuse ("The Legacy"), and infidelity ("We the People"). Granted, the Camden kids aren't perfect--Mary does skip one class and Matt handles an ex-girlfriend's engagement poorly--but they make most others look like hooligans in comparison. Third year guest stars include Ray Walston ("Home of the Brave"), Tim Conway and Ruth Buzzi ("Here Comes Santa Claus"), Phyllis Diller ("Nobody Knows..."), and future big screen stars Alison Lohman (White Oleander) and Michael Peña (World Trade Center), who both appear in "Let's Talk About Sex." Ed Begley Jr. also drops by a few times as the doctor who delivered Matt 19 years ago, returns to deliver twin brothers Sam and David, and woos a certain member of the extended Camden clan. --Kathleen C. Fennessy