Minister Eric Camden (Stephen Collins) and his wife, Annie (Catherine Hicks), as concerned when oldest sonm Matt (Barry Watson) had picked up the habit of smoking, while oldest daughter, Mary (Jessica Biel) is simply boy crazy. Lucy (Beverley Mitchell), the middle child, discovers that she is rapidly becoming a woman, while youngest son, Simon (David Gallagher), hopes to add a pet to the Camden brood, whicb also includes the adorable 5-year-old Ruthie (Mackenzie Rosman).

 

2. Family Secrets - September 23, 1996

   Romantic entanglements involve the oldest Camden children as Matt befriends a pregnant teenager, Renee; Mary tries to keep her new boyfriend a secret; and Lucy develops a secret crush on classmate Jimmy Moon.

 

3. In the Blink of an Eye - September 30, 1996

   The Camdens face traumatic times when Annie's mother, Jenny (Alice Hirson), recently diagnosed with leukemia, moves into the house to spend more time with the family. Matt and Mary have dating problems, while Lucy had her first real date with her secret crush, Jimmy Moon.

 

4. No Funerals and a Wedding - October 7, 1996

   Eric tried to counsel a young couple whose marital problems escalate at a reception at the Camden home, while Matt helps with the delivery of Renee's baby and Mary has second thoughts about her breakup with her boyfriend, Jeff.

 

5. The Color of God - October 14, 1996

   Racism rears its ugly head when Reverend Morgan Hamilton's (Dorian Harewood) church is burned down by a hate group. The Camdens invite the Hamiltons to stay at their home - and the close quarters prvide both problems and enlightenment for all involved.

 

6. Halloween - October 26, 1996

   As Halloween approaches, Lucy is determined to uncover the truth behind the mysterious "Mike the Mutant" (guest star Richard Moll) - an enigmatic recluse accused of murder. Simon enters a pumpkin-carving contest, while Eric comes to realize that his hatred for the spooky holiday stems from a traumatic experience he had as a young boy.

 

7. Saturday - November, 4, 1996

   Lucy's babysitting skills come into question after Simon and Ruthie, accompanied by Happy the dog, get lost while following the mailman all over town as "spies" while under Lucy's care. Meanwhile, Eric is troubled by the news that a young family friend is facing problems due to an on-again off-again drug habit.

 

8. What Will People Say? - November 11, 1996

   The entire town is abuzz over the rumor that Eric is having an extramarital affair when he is seen escorting a woman to a hotel; Simon endures the wrath and ridicule of his fellow classmates when his secret crush is discovered.

 

9. See No Evil, Hear No Evil, Speak No Evil - November 18, 1996

   Annie and Matt have differing reactiosn after they are carjacked, with Matt afraid to leave the house and Annie seemingly unaffected by the incident. At school, Lucy's opponent in her bid for class president is her steady boyfriend, Jimmy Moon.

 

10. Last Call for Aunt Julie - November 25, 1996

   When Eric's younger sister, Julie (guest star Deborah Raffin), arrives to spend the Thankgiving holidaies with the Camdens, the family is thrown into turmoil as a result of her serious drinking problem.

 

11. Now You See Me - December 16, 1996

   After meeting Tia (Tamara Mello), Matt's new girlfriend, it becomes obvious to all that Tia would rather spend more time with the family than alone with Matt. Lucy faces a challenge when she attempts to overcome her clumsiness in order to try out for the school cheerleading squad.

 

12. With a Little Help From my Friends - January 13, 1997

   Matt's relationship with an older woman (guest star Eileen Brennan) alrams his parents when he begins missing church and skipping school to be with her; Eric's earnest attempts to help a homeless family stay off the streets goes awry when he begins breaking things so he can pay the father to fix them.

 

13. America's Most Wanted -  January 27, 1997

   Mary's participation in a basketball team ritual backfires when Matt, attempting to rectify the situation, winds up arrested for theft. Lucy experiences guilt pangs of her own when she cheats on a school assignment, and Ruthie asks Simon for help on a task she hopes will impress her father.

 

14. Seven is Enough - February 3, 1997

   All three generations of Camdens dread the annual visit of Eric's parents, John "The Colenel" Camden and his wide, Ruth (guest sars Peter Grave and Barbara Rush). The visit culminates with Eric openly voicing his scorn over his parents' nurturing skills. Meanwhile, Annie is shocked to discover the fate of her long-lost wedding ring, which was stolen during a carjacking.

 

15.Happy's Valentine - February 10, 1997

   Chaos reigns at the Camden household when Annie and Eric embark on a camping trip with anout couple, leaving Matt in charge of his sisters and brother. However, the situation takes a serious turn when Happy, the family dog, is struck by a car and a distraught Simon blames Matt for the accident.

 

16. Brave New World - February 17, 1997

   Annie experiences menancholia as younges daughter readies herself for her first day of school, and Simon becomes jealous of his little sister's new best friend. Meanwhile, Matt intervenes when a bully harasses Mary at school, and Lucy asks her father to find out the financial background on a classmate's family.

 

17. Choices - April, 14 1997

   Mary meets a girl names Camille in detention and afrees to sneak out of the house to attend a fraternity party with her. Lucy questions her religious beliefs and faith, much to the consternation of her father. Meanwhile, Simon and Ruthie secretly buy pet farrets and try to keep the active critters a secret from the rest of the family.

 

18. Faith, Hope, and the Bottom Line - April 21, 1997

   Eric faces strong opposition  when he decides to hire an ex-convict to be the church's new organist, while Annie attempts to find money within the church's budget to pay fot the new employee. Meanwhile, Lucy becomes jealous after she convinces Mary to tutor her boyfriend, Jimmy Moon.

 

19. It's About George - April 28, 1997

   When Eric's parents, "The Colonel" and Ruthie, return for another visit with their newly adopted 10-year-old son, George, in tow, they are shocked to meet the boy's real father, who desperately wants to be a part of his estranged son's life again. Meanwhile, Eric's sister, Julie (returning guest star Deborah Raffin) is released from rehab and experiences difficulties reconnecting with both her parents and family,

 

20. Say Goodbye - May 5, 1997

   Change is in the air as Ruthie decides to say good-bye to her imaginary friend, Hoowie, while Lucy faces a similar situation with her real-life best friend, Suzanne. Matt faces an unsettling predicament when his mother's divorced friend makes a pass at him. Meanwhile, Mary faces the trauma of making her publi singing debut at a coffeehouse.

 

21. Dangerous Liaisons - Part 1 - May 12, 1997

   Annie's father, Charles (Graham Jarvis), pay a visit with his new girlfriend, Ginger (Beverly Garland), in tow. Matt asks a girl out on a date and learns that she is deaf, while Lucy takes Simon's adivce and dyes her hair blonde. And the entire Camden family faces a sudden trajedy when Mary is involved in a life-threatening accident.

 

22. Dangerous Liaisons Part 2 - May 19, 1997

   In the season finale, Mary faces a long and painful recovery after her accident, while Lucy and Jimmy Moon break up after Jimmy is critical of Lucy's new blonde hair. Annie attempts to mend the broken relationship with her father and Ginger, his new girlfriend, upon recieving helpful advice from Mrs. Bink (returning guest star Eileen Brennan).