Party of Five - Episode Guide

The five Salinger siblings struggle to make ends meet following the deaths of their parents, but Charlie is unsteady with the purse strings.

Bailey tries to break the ice with Kirsten; Julia's on thin ice at school; and Claudia searches for their long-lost grandfather.

Julia offers the Salinger home as a party pad for her friends; Bailey risks getting kicked off the football team; Charlie's noble act backfires.

Claudia has questions about sex---and so does Julia; things heat up between Kirsten and Charlie.

Charlie squirms when an old girlfriend returns; Bailey tires of being Kate's friend; Julia lies about her age, as does Claudia.

Charlie has a hard time trying to fill his father's shoes; the family takes in Julia's ex-boyfriend, who's running from an abusive stepdad; and Bailey makes a bad first impression on Kate's dad.

A solar eclipse casts a shadow of gloom over Claudia's plans and foreshadows a family crisis; and Charlie's confession clouds Kirsten's hopes.

As Julia's priorities change, responsibility falls to Charlie, who's saddled with his own priorities. Meanwhile, Bailey can't accept Kate's decision about intimacy.

The Salingers welcome a houseguest, a free-spirited friend of their mother's, who makes everyone feel special; and Claudia's dreams are dashed by a confession from Ross.

Thanksgiving brings back troubling memories for the Salingers, whose grief is compounded by news that the drunken driver who killed their parents has been paroled.

When a social worker visits unexpectedly, Claudia is missing, Julia's in a revealing outfit, and Charlie is doing another disappearing act.

Relationships are put to the test as Kate knocks the wind out of Bailey's sails, Kirsten challenges Charlie's one-track mind, Morgan comes clean with Julia, and Artie tires of Claudia's attention-getting techniques.

Charlie takes a great leap of faith with Kirsten; passion overpowers friendship for Bailey and Jill; Claudia feels unprepared for the internal and external changes facing her; and Julia feels responsible for Morgan's desperate condition.

Kirsten moves into Charlie's room and gets the cold shoulder from Julia. Meanwhile, Julia finds an old journal of her mother's hinting of an affair with a colleague; Bailey takes risks to please Jill; and Claudia considers converting to Judaism.

Charlie questions Kirsten's relationship with her advisor; envy wrecks Claudia's relationship with Artie; and Bailey's relationship with best-friend Will takes a back seat to Jill.

An earthquake leaves Claudia trembling and Jill babbling, but Charlie suspects Jill has a drug problem; and Julia's relationship with Justin shakes the foundation of her friendship with Libby.

Jill doesn't seem to want Bailey's help; Julia alienates Justin by getting chummy with his mom.

Everyone is too busy to celebrate Claudia's birthday: Bailey is in L.A. searching for Jill, Julia sets an unrealistic songwriting deadline, and business picks up for Charlie.

Charlie's once-in-a-lifetime job opportunity threatens to break up the family; Bailey and Julia end up in the same math class; and Ross pushes Claudia to a more advanced violin teacher.

Kate surprises Bailey with a return visit, as does Jill; Charlie's decisions get no respect; and Julia's creative writing humiliates her siblings.

Charlie discovers that he's needed more than ever at home; Bailey interferes with Jill's planning of a school dance marathon; and Julia is in no rush to have sex with Justin.

Jill's drug problems lead to a tragedy; Jill's brother rejects Julia's kind gestures; Ross tries to adopt a child; Charlie plans a surprise.

A surprise visit from an old girlfriend threatens to destroy Charlie's relationship with Kirsten.

Pamela's change of heart leaves Charlie and Kirsten torn about their future; Julia and Justin become the "poster kids for the kissing cause".

Charlie and Kirsten plan a hasty retreat as friends and family take over their wedding plans; Justin catches Julia in lies about her whereabouts; Sarah urges Bailey to run for school office.

Julia considers going all the way with Griffin; a medical crisis has Charlie searching for a replacement for Joe; another medical emergency leaves Bailey full of regret and fear.

A fortuneteller's prediction sends Kirsten and Charlie to ballroom-dancing lessons; Bailey gets off on the wrong foot with Sarah; Julia is stood up by Griffin; and Claudia takes a spill at a skating rink.

A surprise visit from Kirsten's parents results in angry clashes; Claudia warms to Griffin; and Bailey's need for encouragement is met with a mediocre response from his siblings.

Charlie lands on the hot seat following a fire at the restaurant; Julia stands by her man despite his betrayal; Will sets his sights on Sarah.

Plans go awry at Charlie's bachelor party after the groom-to-be encounters a needy woman whose husband is cheating on her; Julia forces a confrontation with Justin.

Charlie and Kirsten's wedding day arrives with a flurry of second thoughts for Charlie---leading to a crisis that everyone must weather.

With little to celebrate at home, Charlie seeks understanding---and forgiveness---elsewhere; Sarah seeks understanding from Bailey; Claudia experiences young love.

A favorite teacher betrays Julia's trust; Charlie misreads a fun-loving employee; Sarah seems to be using Bailey to punish her parents.

Justin and Sarah are thrust into the middle of an argument between Julia and Bailey; Kirsten and Charlie fall back into familiarity; and Claudia reconsiders pursuing her violin studies.

Owen fails to meet Charlie's expectations for pre-school; Sarah considers visiting her biological mother; Julia bonds with Justin's British friend; and Kirsten tries to move on with her life.

Justin's parents disapprove of Julia and Justin's sexual involvement; Charlie takes an interest in Claudia's math teacher; and Will introduces his chatty new girlfriend.

Bailey finds himself at the mercy of a mysterious benefactor; Charlie becomes distracted by an affectionate client; a desperate Julia turns to an ardent tutor.

Claudia warms to Jake, while Julia eyes him with suspicion; Sarah meets with a series of disappointments; and Charlie gets a taste of his own medicine.

Griffin's return takes the wind out of Justin's sails; Sarah's Valentine's Day plans don't involve Bailey; Charlie whisks Kathleen away from her harried world.

Julia shuts out Justin in her rush to have her problem "taken care of"; Bailey and Sarah anticipate intimacy; and Jake encourages Claudia to face the music concerning her damaged violin.

Julia turns to an old friend for comfort; Sarah's sexy new attitude turns off Bailey; Charlie feels increasingly trapped by Kathleen.

Bailey issues a painful ultimatum after discovering more truths about Jake; Charlie's lies backfire; and Justin and Julia drift further apart.

Thanks to Charlie, the family stands to lose their father's restaurant. So Charlie turns to Jake---and to ex-fiancée Kirsten---for support.

The family could lose their father's restaurant.

Bailey and Will take their girlfriends to Mexico, and Kirsten's mother makes a surprise visit to the Salingers.

Charlie stays behind when Kirsten accepts a new teaching job, Julia and Griffin resume dating, and Will leaves for college.

A fellow freshman instructs Bailey on how to breeze through college.

Charlie helps Kirsten deal with her depression, and Claudia handles house problems by herself.

Bailey helps Callie with boyfriend trouble, and Charlie helps Claudia's friend deal with a personal problem.

Kirsten's depression deepens shortly before her parents come for a visit.

Sarah tries to convince Bailey to go to the Halloween dance, and Claudia wants to rid the family home of a curse.

Bailey reconsiders breaking up with Sarah after she nurses him through the chicken pox, and Julia asks a novelist to critique her writing.

Charlie's refusal to serve homeless people creates bad press for Salingers.

Bailey rescues Callie from a bad date, making her more dependent on him, and Claudia writes an advice column for the school newspaper.

Joe returns to the Salingers to be married, and Charlie takes Grace to Joe's wedding.

Charlie convinces Kirsten to return to San Francisco without telling her parents.

Charlie suspects a hidden motive behind Grandpa Jake's holiday visit.

Guilt plagues Julia after a friend commits suicide, and Charlie attends a high school reunion.

Julia and Sam become a couple despite their age difference, and Callie asks Bailey to move out.

Passion overcomes Charlie and Grace, a reluctant Julia is accepted at Stanford, and Claudia reveals a teacher's secret.

Will questions Bailey about his drinking, and a fire destroys Grace's apartment, prompting her to move in with Charlie.

Things heat up between Charlie and Grace, Julia spends a lot of time with Griffin, and Bailey takes off for a weekend of intoxication.

Bailey's drunken antics as a birthday party clown frighten the children, and Julia dumps Sam when she learns he is a racist.

The Salingers hold an intervention for Bailey, and the business partner of Bailey's late father reveals a shocking family secret.

Rejected by everyone, Bailey continues to drink and endangers lives when he gets behind the wheel of his car.

Bailey finally admits he has a drinking problem, Sarah is released from the hospital, and Grace decides to run for local office.

Sarah is torn when she meets an attractive medical student, but she continues to help Bailey recover.

Charlie hesitates letting Bailey serve as soloist Claudia's chaperon, and Julia and Griffin take a motorcycle trip.

Justin invites Julia to Europe for the summer, Bailey talks candidly with Coach, and Sarah chooses her college.

Bailey is arrested for a driving accident that happened five months earlier, and Charlie contends with Owen's cross-dressing.

Bailey focuses on college, while Sarah quarrels with her parents.

Bailey discovers being a convicted felon is a problem, and Claudia refuses to do her community service.

Charlie meets Nina during an outing with Owen, while Bailey and Sarah deal with an annoying tenant.

Bailey gives cookie-jar money to Annie, and Nina accepts an assignment in China.

Charlie fails to notice Griffin's attempts at friendship, and Reed informs Claudia of his infatuation for someone.

Charlie collapses on the racquetball court, and Griffin gets into more trouble because he doesn't tell Julia about his financial problems.

Charlie hosts a wedding ceremony and reception for Julia and Griffin, and confides in Nina about his illness.

Charlie decides to tell family members, one by one, his secret.

Charlie's pride gets in the way after radiation treatments begin to take their toll.

Everything goes wrong when Charlie accompanies Kirsten on a trip, and Justin returns and trades lies with Julia.

Bailey tells Julia she's doing a bad job at the restaurant, and Claudia attempts to win Reed's love and attention.

Griffin has a hard time coping with Julia's new responsibilities, and Bailey and Annie tell Natalie about their relationship.

Time spent with another cancer victim helps change Charlie's view on life.

Julia convinces Griffin to make a commercial for the motorcycle shop, and Claudia writes a school time-capsule essay.

Charlie decides to make out a will after being diagnosed with pneumonia.

Griffin is attracted to another woman when Julia spends more time at home, and Charlie must name a guardian for Claudia and Owen.

Julia finds a love letter in Griffin's jacket, and Bailey discovers Annie is drinking again.

The family visits its mountain cabin and reminisces.

His cancer in remission, Charlie wants to throw a life-affirming party.

Uncle Joe tells the family that he wants out of the restaurant business.

Charlie gets involved with an exotic dancer, Justin and Griffin feud over Julia, and Sarah confronts her feelings for Bailey.

Daphne gives Charlie some shocking news, Bailey deals with the return of Annie's husband, and Julia aids a beaten Griffin.

Bailey turns to Sarah for consolation, and Charlie seeks Kirsten's advice about Daphne.

Overprotective Charlie prompts pregnant Daphne to return to her wild ways, and Claudia leaves for boarding school.

Charlie sees a lawyer about gaining custody of his unborn child, Sarah thinks her mother is having an affair, and Julia tries to dump Josh.

Charlie and Daphne try to name the baby, Sarah tries to find her natural mother again, and Claudia tries to escape from the dorm.

Daphne doesn't get the bed rest her doctor orders, and Julia and Ned find romance at a Halloween frat party.

Daphne goes into premature labour, threatening both her and the baby's lives and causing Charlie to choose between them.

Daphne and Owen have problems embracing the baby, and Bailey and Sarah differ on parenthood.

Owen disappears at the mall on Thanksgiving, and Claudia is upset at spending the holiday alone at boarding school.

Bailey fights to stop the opening of a new restaurant across the street, and Julia catches Ned in a series of lies.

A huge tax refund sends Bailey on a spending spree, and Julia thinks Ned's brother may be a savant.

Daphne's mother and her boyfriend visit for the holidays, and Bailey scolds Owen for destroying Sarah's art project.

After a luckless camping trip with Owen, Bailey doubts his abilities as a caregive.

Bailey and Sarah surprise a robber at the restaurant, and Julia flees Ned's violent outbursts.

Julia forgives Ned for hitting her and lies to Griffin about her bruises, and Sarah is undecided about testifying against her attacker.

Griffin urges Justin to help a battered Julia, and Charlie finds out more about Daphne's background.

Griffin brawls with Ned, putting him in the hospital, and Bailey relishes his role as father figure to Owen.

Charlie fights with Bailey over legal guardianship of Owen, and Julia convinces Ned that they should see a therapist.

The Salingers are torn apart over the custody battle for Owen, and Maggie tells the family about Ned's abusive behavior.

Bailey tries to convince his siblings that he and not Charlie should have custody of Owen, and Griffin plans to kidnap Julia.

Charlie is served with a subpoena in his custody battle with Bailey.

Julia and Griffin are trapped in an elevator during a blackout, and Sarah plans a sweet 16 party for Claudia.

Bailey wants to return to the Salinger home with Sarah and Owen, while Kirsten receives an overseas job offer.

Julia plunges into a new friendship with a visiting professor.

Julia and her professor share intimacies, and Claudia invites people to a party.

When Daphne returns to see Charlie, Kirsten feels threatened, and Perry encourages Julia to date Josh.

Charlie proposes to Kirsten, Bailey proposes to Sarah, and Julia wins a fellowship and receives a surprise invitation.

Charlie and Kirsten get married after searching for a wedding location, and an editor offers Julia a book deal.

A Mexican honeymoon leaves Charlie and Kirsten sick and sunburned, and Julia has writer's block.

Sarah feels compelled to find out more about her parents after meeting her mother's high-school friend.

Owen gets Victor to let him have a haunted house for Halloween, and Julia's feelings for Evan run deeper than she thought.

Bailey decides to drive cross country to New York and bring Sarah back, and Claudia feels torn about her relationship with Cameron.

Charlie is charged with inappropriate behavior after he tries to help a troubled student.

Accusations are leveled against Charlie, and Julia tries to forge a reconciliation between her editor and his son.

Bailey pursues a beautiful woman lost in his neighborhood, and Claudia is uneasy around her new friends, especially Derek.

The family takes care of Griffin after the motorcycle crash, and Charlie and Kirsten seek illegal fertility drugs.

The Salingers must decide what to do with their sick dog, and Julia's book may not be published.

Bailey and Holly's newfound relationship falters, and Owen turns to Victor when he gets bullied at school.

Charlie hires Daphne to help him at the furniture store, a fellow student impresses Julia, and Owen learns about discrimination.

Bailey meets a girl at an AA meeting, and someone is stealing money from the restaurant.

Daphne moves out of town with her new boyfriend, and Bailey continues to drink in moderation.

Bailey's car accident transports him to an alternate reality where he witnesses what life would have been like if his parents had lived.

Kirsten receives news that will change the family forever, and Julia follows Justin to Las Vegas to discuss his wedding.

Bailey begins life after rehab, and Charlie turns to him for help.

Bailey continues searching for a new career, and Claudia discovers that Victor is hiding a secret.

Bailey enlists Will's help to keep Holly in the country, and Claudia plays Cupid with Ross and Victor.

Bailey is upset when Will and Holly exchange intimate details, and Claudia's dream affects her feelings toward Todd.

Claudia struggles to balance school and Todd, and Will may tell Bailey about his true feelings.

Julia is offered a staff position at a magazine, Will reveals his feelings to Holly, and Claudia ponders having sex with Todd.

Bailey considers attending college in Philadelphia, and Charlie surprises everyone with a revelation of his own.

During a family dinner at the restaurant, Bailey, Julia and Claudia all announce their plans to leave town to start over.