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What did you think of the series finale of "Sex and the City"? Talk about it on the TV Gal message boards.

'Everwood' and 'The O.C.'

Sometimes father really does know best.

On "Everwood" this season Ephram Brown (Gregory Smith, I love this kid) and Amy Abbot (Emily VanCamp) have been allowed to make their own decisions. Ephram began a romance with Madison (Sarah Lancaster), a college student four years his senior, and Amy dated Tommy (Paul Wasilewski), a boy from the proverbial wrong side of the tracks.

Dr. Abbott (Tom Amandes, whose meticulous performance is so deserving of an Emmy nomination) didn't want his daughter dating a former drug dealer, and Mayor Abbott had had it with her daughter's insolent behavior. Dr. Brown (Treat Williams) realized there was nothing he could do to stop his son from being with Madison. Amy ran away from home and into her grandmother's house. Ephram continued to throw sarcastic remarks his father's way.

What neither of them realized is that their parents were offering sound advice. I'll even add that I think the audience was encouraged to take the teens' sides. Dr. Abbott overreacted to Tommy's presence at Thanksgiving. Who wouldn't want to date the brooding Tommy, a boy desperately trying to right his life? Madison and Ephram are a charming couple. Ephram is a boy mature beyond his years and Madison is a young woman perceptive and savvy enough to realize this.

On "Everwood," parents are parents for good and for bad. In this week's powerful episode (9 p.m. Monday on The WB) both Amy and Ephram realize they are way in over their heads and maybe, just maybe, their parents were right. My love affair with the show continues.

That's a stark contrast to the parents of "The O.C." What can you say about a show where Summer seems to have been spawned (have we ever seen Mr. and Mrs. Whatever Summer's Last Name Is?) and Julie "the Dragon Lady" Cooper is sleeping with her daughter's ex-boyfriend? You can say "thank Chrismukkah for the Cohens." But last week Sandy failed me.

Now I can deal with a lot in the world of "The O.C." Even the Julie and Luke affair is'nt too much for me -- it's so preposterous and over-the-top, but it doesn't involve a crazy kid named Oliver so I'm going to let it pass. But I was really counting on Sandy to have a more honest conversation with Seth about sex. After he made sure Seth had practiced safe sex, Sandy couldn't wait to give his son bedroom advice. I expected more from Sandy, especially now that he seems to be waxing his eyebrows. I know that "The O.C." isn't exactly knee-high in reality, but I was really hoping for a better father-son exchange. I'm glad Seth and Summer realized they were going too fast, but it would have been nice if the parents had acted like parents. Where is Dr. Brown when you need him?

Quotes of the Week

"First Jack, now you. Hmmm ... what does that remind me of?" Nina to Tony on "24."

"I haven't made up my mind yet, but when I do, that's the person that will be going home." Boston Rob, moments before Rob Cesternino was evicted from "Survivor: All-Stars."

"What's new with you, Geller? Knock up any of my other daughters lately?" Dr. Green to Ross on "Friends."

"I think actresses and tennis players are a bad match. When Agassi was with Brooke Shields, his hair fell out and her show stayed on the air." Karen on "Will & Grace."

"You picking up what I'm putting down?" Warrick to Greg on "CSI." I love that phrase. I am so working it into my everyday conversation.

"99.999 ad infinitum percent the best relationships in the recorded history of the world have had to make due with acceptable happiness. Hiding behind your gypsy curse when there's a beautiful, engaging -- alright, occasionally hirsute -- young woman ... " Wesley to Angel on "Angel" after he worries about dating Gwen. Thanks to TV Gal reader Jeff for the quote.

Where Have I Seen Them Before?

Amanda Fuller was Jessica, the girl who had been missing for four years on "Without a Trace." Last season she was Eve, the slayer in training who turned out to be The First on "Buffy the Vampire Slayer."

Meredith Monroe, Andie (or Andaay, as Pacey liked to say) on "Dawson's Creek" was the author Kevin kissed on "Joan of Arcadia."

We just saw Nicholas Lea, Alex Krycek on "The X-Files" and Connie's dead brother-in-law on "NYPD Blue," on "Judging Amy." Last week he popped up as the club manager who got hot and heavy with Catherine on "CSI."

Kat Dennings was Sarah on "Raising Dad." She was also on "Without a Trace" as one of the teens participating in sex parties. She was the fast-food employee on "CSI."

What happened to the nice boy from my favorite movie "The Cutting Edge"? D.B. Sweeney was the man who killed his business partner on "CSI." He was on last season's finale of "CSI: Miami" as a child molester.

Sarah Carter was the girl obsessed with Clark on "Smallville." She was Allie on last season's short-lived "Black Sash."

Campaigns to Save Your Shows

Even though "Ed" hasn't been officially cancelled, many fans are concerned that the wedding will be the last episode we'll ever see of the show. A pretty good assumption, since NBC advertised it as "the final episode." Now, you know I liked "Ed," but this season the show went in the wrong direction and the circus wedding was the nadir of the entire series. (And I still don't understand the point of Warren's story line in the finale). But if you want the show back, you can go to www.stuckeyville.com for more information.

And the "Angel" fans have mobilized at the website www.savingangel.org. As for me, I'm still in denial. A television world without a Joss Whedon show is unthinkable.

Highlights of the Week Ahead, Part 1
All times listed are Eastern Standard Time for Feb. 23 to 25

Poor group one. They totally got screwed. Now, seriously, group three has to be better than last week's awful group two, don't you think? When even Paula gets critical, you know it's bad. But, boy, do I love "American Idol" (Tuesday, FOX, 8 p.m.).

Well, isn't that nice of NBC. The fickle network is actually going to air "Frasier" (Tuesday, NBC, 9 p.m.) during February sweeps. Laurie Metcalf plays Nanny G, Frasier's first wife. Many of you remember that Emma Thompson originally played this role.

It's another edition of "Super Millionaire" (Tuesday, ABC, 10 p.m.), or, as I like to call, it -- why "NYPD Blue" isn't on this week.

"The West Wing" (Wednesday, NBC, 9 p.m.) has always been a little heavy-handed. This is not a series which was ever subtle when it wanted us to get a message. But lately I feel like they've done everything short of having a ticker tape at the bottom of the screen that says things like "Leo's friend did not abandon him during the war so he will not abandon his friend now, get it?" Seriously, how melodramatic was the "we can save Social Security but no one will ever know" episode. To the writers and producers of "West Wing," I would like to say we are so getting what you're putting down. The dramatic hijinks should continue this week when Tim Matheson returns as the ex-vice president who is positioning himself for a run at the White House.

"Soul Food" (Wednesday, Showtime, 10 p.m.) returns for its fifth and final season without Boris Kodjoe, who played the ever-troubled Damon. In case you forgot, Damon and Teri ended their relationship in last season's finale.

To the TV Gal Reader Belong the Spoils

You know the rules. Don't read if you donmt want to know.

I knew if we were patient that one day our dream would come true. It has finally happened. Randy Spelling, who played Steve's half-brother on "90210," will play a lawyer on an upcoming episode of "7th Heaven." Also Chandler will consider adoption.

Boris Kodjoe may no longer be in the opening credits. But he'll be making two guest appearances to stir up trouble in Teri's life on "Soul Food."

Kelso burns down the police academy on "That '70s Show," while Donna tells Eric they have to wait until their wedding night to have sex again. This episode also features Billy Dee Williams as the pastor. Brooke Shields will guest star as Jackie's mom (boy, do I feel old) who will begin a little romance with Donna's dad.

The next new episode of "Alias" on March 7 will be told through the perspective of Sydney and Vaughn and then the exact same story will be told through the eyes of Lauren and Sark. Also, Marshall will have some difficulties with being a father.

Lt. Rodriguez will resign on "NYPD Blue" and Baldwin will officially become a foster parent for Michael. Now does anyone else think we need to send the TV Gal search party on the look out for Valerie? They're a little exhausted since they just tracked down Nina on "Everwood," but I think they're up to the challenge. Oh, and Doug Savant, Matt from "Melrose Place," will guest star.

Luke and Nicole will have a big fight on "Gilmore Girls."

Theresa will decide that Newport is so much better than Chino on "The O.C." And I told you that Jimmy is going to find out about Julie and Luke, right? Seth will think it's his fault when Anna decides to go back to Pittsburgh.

That's all for today. But because it's February sweeps, I'll be back on Thursday with a brand new column. And coming in March I'll have a reviews of "Cracking Up," "The Help" and "Stephen King's Kingdom Hospital." Have a question, seen a familiar face, have an inside scoop or want to nominate a quote of the week? Write me at amytvgal@zap2it.com by clicking on my byline at the top of my column.