Ep 21. There Goes the Bride (1)

In the 21st episode of the third season of 7th Heaven, titled "There Goes the Bride (1)", the Camden family is getting ready for a wedding. However, it is not a happy occasion for all as the groom, Richard, is a recovering alcoholic who has recently relapsed, and the bride, Chandler, is pregnant with his child.

As the episode begins, Simon and Ruthie are making breakfast for the family, and Lucy and Mary are discussing the wedding plans. Meanwhile, Eric is attending a meeting with the groom and his sponsor, hoping to get Richard back on track before the wedding. Despite their efforts, Richard is still struggling and asks Eric to postpone the wedding. Eric agrees but warns Richard that their family will not be happy about it.

Back at the house, Chandler confides in Lucy and Mary that Richard has relapsed, and they both vow to help her. However, they are unsure how to bring it up to the family without causing a scene. Meanwhile, Simon and Ruthie are excited about being in the wedding, but they too are unaware of the turmoil surrounding it.

The next day, Eric and Richard meet again, and Richard is still not ready to get married. Eric tells him that he will need to talk to Chandler about it, but Richard is hesitant to do so. Later, Chandler confronts Richard about his behavior, and he admits that he needs more time to get his life back on track. Chandler is understanding but knows that it will be difficult to explain to her family.

As the wedding day approaches, tensions are high, and the family is getting increasingly frustrated with the lack of communication from Richard and Chandler. Simon and Ruthie are rehearsing for the wedding, and Lucy and Mary are trying to get Eric to intervene. However, Eric believes that it is not his place to interfere and that Richard and Chandler need to sort it out themselves.

Finally, on the day of the wedding, Richard shows up at the church, ready to get married. However, Chandler is nowhere to be found. She has decided to call off the wedding, realizing that she cannot marry someone who is not sober and ready to commit to their future together. The Camden family is shocked and disappointed, but they support Chandler's decision.

The episode ends with Eric speaking to Richard outside the church, trying to help him understand why Chandler made the decision she did. Richard is upset but acknowledges that he needs to focus on his sobriety before he can commit to a relationship. The family watches from inside the church as Richard drives away, wondering what the future holds for him and Chandler.

"There Goes the Bride (1)" is a dramatic and emotional episode that explores the difficult themes of addiction and relationships. It showcases the strength and resilience of the Camden family as they face yet another challenge together.