Episode guide

Party of Five

142 episodes · 6 seasons · 1994–2000 · Fox

← Show package · 1990s

Season 1

22 episodes

  1. S01E01 Pilot

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

  2. S01E02 Homework

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

  3. S01E03 Good Sports

    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.

  4. S01E04 Worth Waiting For

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

  5. S01E05 All's Fair

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

  6. S01E06 Fathers and Sons

    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.

  7. S01E07 Much Ado

    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.

  8. S01E08 Kiss Me Kate

    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.

  9. S01E09 Something Out of Nothing

    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.

  10. S01E10 Thanksgiving

    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.

  11. S01E11 Private Lives

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

  12. S01E12 Games People Play

    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.

  13. S01E13 Grownups

    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.

  14. S01E14 Not Fade Away

    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.

  15. S01E15 It's Not Easy Being Green

    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.

  16. S01E16 Aftershocks

    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.

  17. S01E17 In Loco Parentis

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

  18. S01E18 Who Cares?

    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.

  19. S01E19 Brother's Keeper

    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.

  20. S01E20 The Trouble with Charlie

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

  21. S01E21 All-Nighters

    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.

  22. S01E22 The Ides of March

    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.

Season 2

22 episodes

  1. S02E01 Ready or Not

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

  2. S02E02 Falsies

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

  3. S02E03 Dearly Beloved

    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.

  4. S02E04 Have No Fear

    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.

  5. S02E05 Change Partners ... and Dance

    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.

  6. S02E06 Analogies

    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.

  7. S02E07 Where There's Smoke

    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.

  8. S02E08 Best Laid Plans

    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.

  9. S02E09 The Wedding

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

  10. S02E10 Grand Delusions

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

  11. S02E11 Unfair Advantage

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

  12. S02E12 Hold on Tight

    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.

  13. S02E13 Poor Substitutes

    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.

  14. S02E14 Strange Bedfellows

    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.

  15. S02E15 Benefactors

    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.

  16. S02E16 Comings and Goings

    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.

  17. S02E17 Valentine's Day

    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.

  18. S02E18 Before and After

    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.

  19. S02E19 Altered States

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

  20. S02E20 Happily Ever After

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

  21. S02E21 Spring Breaks (1)

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

  22. S02E22 Spring Breaks (2)

    The family could lose their father's restaurant.

Season 3

25 episodes

  1. S03E01 Summer Fun, Summer Not

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

  2. S03E02 Going, Going, Gone

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

  3. S03E03 Short Cuts

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

  4. S03E04 Deal with It

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

  5. S03E05 Mixed Signals

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

  6. S03E06 Going Home

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

  7. S03E07 Personal Demons

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

  8. S03E08 Not So Fast

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

  9. S03E09 Gimme Shelter

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

  10. S03E10 Close to You

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

  11. S03E11 I Do

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

  12. S03E12 Desperate Measures

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

  13. S03E13 Christmas

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

  14. S03E14 Life's Too Short

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

  15. S03E15 Significant Others

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

  16. S03E16 I Declare

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

  17. S03E17 Misery Loves Company

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

  18. S03E18 MYOB

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

  19. S03E19 Point of No Return

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

  20. S03E20 Intervention

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

  21. S03E21 Hitting Bottom

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

  22. S03E22 Leap of Faith

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

  23. S03E23 Promises, Promises

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

  24. S03E24 A Little Faith

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

  25. S03E25 You Win Some, You Lose Some

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

Season 4

24 episodes

  1. S04E01 What a Drag

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

  2. S04E02 Past Imperfect

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

  3. S04E03 Handicaps

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

  4. S04E04 Zap

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

  5. S04E05 Fight or Flight

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

  6. S04E06 Immediate Family

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

  7. S04E07 Positive Attitude

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

  8. S04E08 Sickness, Health / Richer, Poorer

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

  9. S04E09 Truth Be Told

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

  10. S04E10 Adjustments

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

  11. S04E11 S'Wunnerful Life

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

  12. S04E12 Empty Shoes

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

  13. S04E13 Parent Trap

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

  14. S04E14 Of Human Bonding

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

  15. S04E15 Here and Now

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

  16. S04E16 I Give Up

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

  17. S04E17 Of Sound Mind and Body

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

  18. S04E18 True or False

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

  19. S04E19 Go Away

    The family visits its mountain cabin and reminisces.

  20. S04E20 Square One (1)

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

  21. S04E21 Free and Clear (2)

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

  22. S04E22 Opposites Distract

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

  23. S04E23 Fools Rush In

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

  24. S04E24 Fools Rush Out

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

Season 5

25 episodes

  1. S05E01 Moving On

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

  2. S05E02 Separation Anxiety

    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.

  3. S05E03 Naming Names

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

  4. S05E04 A Mid-Semester's Night Dream

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

  5. S05E05 The Baby

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

  6. S05E06 Forgive and/or Forget

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

  7. S05E07 Tender Age

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

  8. S05E08 Love and War

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

  9. S05E09 Gifts

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

  10. S05E10 One Christmas to Go

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

  11. S05E11 Rings of Saturn

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

  12. S05E12 Witness for the Persecution

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

  13. S05E13 Fillmore Street

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

  14. S05E14 Stand by Me

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

  15. S05E15 Whatever Works

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

  16. S05E16 Party of Freud

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

  17. S05E17 fam-i-ly

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

  18. S05E18 Driven to Extremes

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

  19. S05E19 Judgment Day

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

  20. S05E20 The Wish

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

  21. S05E21 Get Back

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

  22. S05E22 Fragile

    Julia plunges into a new friendship with a visiting professor.

  23. S05E23 I'll Show You Mine

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

  24. S05E24 Haunted

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

  25. S05E25 Otherwise Engaged

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

Season 6

24 episodes

  1. S06E01 Don't Let Go

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

  2. S06E02 Naked

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

  3. S06E03 Bye, Bye, Love

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

  4. S06E04 Wrestling Demons

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

  5. S06E05 The Shortest Distance

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

  6. S06E06 Too Close

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

  7. S06E07 We Gather Together

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

  8. S06E08 Fate, Hope and Charity

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

  9. S06E09 Ties That Bind

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

  10. S06E10 Dog Day After New Year

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

  11. S06E11 Fear and Loathing

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

  12. S06E12 Bad Behavior

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

  13. S06E13 The Declaration of Co-Dependence

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

  14. S06E14 One for the Road

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

  15. S06E15 What If ...

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

  16. S06E16 Blast the Past

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

  17. S06E17 Getting There

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

  18. S06E18 Too Cool for School

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

  19. S06E19 Isn't It Romantic

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

  20. S06E20 Great Expectations

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

  21. S06E21 Taboo or Not Taboo

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

  22. S06E22 Falling Forward

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

  23. S06E23 All's Well... (1)

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

  24. S06E24 ...That Ends Well (2)

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