I was impressed by this episode and is touching everytime I see it. The first reaction I had was: it's not possible to release a person who killed the parents of five children in a car accident in just 9 months, even with good behavior. But leaving that behind I realized the siblings would have to deal with this sooner or later. And the result was excellent. The Salingers won't celebrate Thanksgiving for obvious reasons despite Joe's insistence. Then, the lawyer of the family Emmett reveals the liberation of Walter Alcott, who wants to see the orphans, and they have different reactions. Julia thinks that seeing him might be good, but Bailey is clearly against it. Charlie quietly sides with Bailey. At the same time, they spend family time together and Claudia borrows some of Julia's stuff, like a hat, bracelets, clothes and a Shawn Colvin's CD.
When the accident happened Claudia was barely 11 years old, so she suffered and felt mostly sadness (in Much Ado you can see it). She's not old enough to hate, she's just curious because she never went to the "trial" and didn't know anything about the man. She asked Julia what happened in the trial and how was Alcott: turns out that his wife and daughter were there with him, he cried, the prosecutor said some stuff and his lawyer too, and the sentence was dictated. When Julia turns back to look for clothes, Claudia leaves her bedroom in a flash, and goes to see Walter in the book store he works. She asks him for a book, he is kind and offers her help to look when asked, and then she tells who she is. Later, Claudia tells her siblings that she only wanted to see him (she thought he looked ugly or like a monster), but nothing else, she doesn't want to know nothing with forgiveness and wants to forget it. Bailey blasts her and Julia wants to talk about it, and Charlie tells them to leave her alone. Then, probably to give a break for the dramatic side, Claudia spent the time looking for a Julia's bracelet she lost, even recruiting a helpless Thurber for it. She finally confess and tells Julia that she feels bad because she always yells at her, and she's just trying to be like her. Julia calms her down saying the bracelet was not important, was a piece of junk, and comforts her.
Bailey, who was 15, was clearly damaged by the loss because he remembers how his parents were and is a teenager (his emotions are flying). So he didn't know what to do with his anger. When he goes with Owen to the park to talk to Emmett about sue Alcott to make him pay for what he did, the lawyer tells him that it would take years of his life, in court appeals, process and then they could even lose the case. Emmett wonders about the others, including Owen, but Bailey wants to do something. So he goes to visit Walter in his apartment, and asks him what he knows about his parents. He says the common things, their age, professions, so Bailey, mad, tells him what he should know, that they loved each other, that he would let her to use long dark hair, that he pretended to be sick and would arrive from the restaurant just to be with his wife, and all the things that he doesn't remember and tell Claudia (like the songs to sleep that Diana sang or if Nick used a watch, etc). Bailey also says that Owen will walk soon, and his parents won't see him because what he did. He doesn't want to forgive him, he wants him to suffer and make sure he never forgets. Later, still with anger, he visits Kate in her mother's house and apologizes for pushing her away, that the reasons for breaking up were stupid, and now he just needs her to talk. He tells her what happened, so she can't help to be compassive and comforts him. The next day, she explains what her father did to her mother 2 years ago, the affair he had and that her mother found him, leaving her devastated. Kate and her mother, both of them hated Mr Bishop for a time, and one day they had to stop being angry, in order to be ok. She knows it's not nearly the same than Bailey's case, but still says that it might help. Here, Bailey's part was great and yes, someone had to tell Mr Alcott what Bailey told him, because no one else did. At the same time, was very good that Bailey realized his mistake with Kate in the episode 1x08, because the reason of their breakup was stupid. Things like this are the ones that really matters.
Julia, who was 14 when her parents died, was the most wise of the siblings today. She didn't let her emotions cloud her and tried to get over the situation the best way possible. I could say she thought how to deal with this without losing herself. She didn't know how to feel but she did know how to act. She received Annie Alcott and heard her story about Walter: he and his wife divorced while he was in prison, so she is alone between the two. Annie also offered a pie to Julia, saying she had to know how the Salingers live, that she feels bad, like she would have to be punished or forgiven. She knows her father is just a man, he is not bad. Then, Julia goes to visit Walter and his daughter in Thanksgiving, telling them that there's nothing they can do to help, she doesn't know if she can't forgive him because she is not the only one affected. Still, she comforts them, telling that she and her siblings are going to be ok, because somehow they are. Then, she took the leadership role in the family, for this time, and decided to cook a meal for the day after Thanksgiving, regretting their previous agreement. She uses some of the food Joe sent and Claudia helps her. She tells Charlie that having dinner doesn't mean they don't respect their parents, after all, they still manage to laugh or be fine many days. She also urges him to talk to Walter, given that she noticed how quiet/disappeared he has been the last days.
And so Charlie, as the older is the last. He has been dealing with the situation inside, without talking and avoiding it. And I don't know if it's a science fact, but what happened to him in season 4, maybe happened because of this: Charlie let the pain inside, he suffers alone, all by himself. In one moment, Julia yelled at him for not expressing his feelings, for acting cold or quiet, and he almost loses it, but he finally said "Just!!!... Cut it out", like hiding his emotions. Anyway, Julia helped him to understand that talking to Walter would help to push away his own fears, as she seems to know how hard is for him. Finally, he goes to the book store when Walter closes and waits outside (the sound there was great). And so the final talk with Alcott was outstanding. Seems that he asks Walter his side of the story: Walter was celebrating with friends from work and just had too much wine. He wonders why all the moments led to the accident, why he had to be on that street driving drunk at 8:25 pm. And Charlie reveals a surprising fact: his womanizing side is partially guilty of the accident. Turns out that Mrs Kelleher had the day off, for some reason Julia and Bailey weren't in the house, and he promised to babysitt Owen and Claudia at 8 pm, when their parents had to be at a concert. But Charlie lost track of time with a woman in her apartment, so he arrived late. Nicolas was mad at him and said "Next time, be here!" and Diana simply passed Owen to him and they left, to the tragic fate waiting them. Charlie finally breaks in tears, saying "Next time", knowing there won't be a next time. And now his parents are not here to forgive him. It's really sad, deeply sad, so Walter Alcott does something good today, he puts all the blame on himself, and tells Charlie he has to be the hero for the family, the true hero in this story. He has to be responsible and take care of his siblings. And I know he will, won't be perfect, he will commit some mistakes, but still, he will take care of them as well as he can. When he returns home, Julia realizes where he went, and she is glad. Thanksgiving dinner is ready, and Charlie says they always eat in the dinning room. Bailey mentions they are "celebrating" the day after, but Julia doesn't mind. The five, including Owen, finally share Thanksgiving like they used to, the first time without their parents.
To finish, I have to say that this episode is one of the best of the series, and is much better than The Intervention. The acting, the soundtrack, the script, the set, everything was perfect. The family dinner showed how united they become as siblings. The final scene at the cemetery was wonderful, with a emotional moment for the family. Bailey checked on Nana and Papa, saying it was getting weedy, so Charlie said he'll talk to the groundkeeper. The five were staring at their parents grave: Charlie with Claudia, Julia, Bailey holding Owen. They didn't bring flowers, so when Claudia asked, they agreed to look for stones to leave there. Soon after, Charlie tells Claudia "you're it" and they all happily start to play, running on the ground, even Bailey, still holding Owen. Those last moments were really tearful, because today they were that special family of orphans, who love each other no matter what, the true Party of Five. The ending scene, with Joni Mitchell's theme, was one of the best moments, and for all the people who really loves family, is just touching. They remind me all the moments of childhood, when you play and feel like the world is open, safe and free, when you just want to play and forget about the rest. And the fact that their parents are not there, makes that moment outstanding. This episode shows excellent family moments, unlike many other shows in the history of television. Gives life lessons, makes you value all the things you take for granted in life. Besides, after the last one (1x09) which was not good, since this episode starts a great streak. This might be one of the reasons why this show won the Golden Globe in early 1996.
When the accident happened Claudia was barely 11 years old, so she suffered and felt mostly sadness (in Much Ado you can see it). She's not old enough to hate, she's just curious because she never went to the "trial" and didn't know anything about the man. She asked Julia what happened in the trial and how was Alcott: turns out that his wife and daughter were there with him, he cried, the prosecutor said some stuff and his lawyer too, and the sentence was dictated. When Julia turns back to look for clothes, Claudia leaves her bedroom in a flash, and goes to see Walter in the book store he works. She asks him for a book, he is kind and offers her help to look when asked, and then she tells who she is. Later, Claudia tells her siblings that she only wanted to see him (she thought he looked ugly or like a monster), but nothing else, she doesn't want to know nothing with forgiveness and wants to forget it. Bailey blasts her and Julia wants to talk about it, and Charlie tells them to leave her alone. Then, probably to give a break for the dramatic side, Claudia spent the time looking for a Julia's bracelet she lost, even recruiting a helpless Thurber for it. She finally confess and tells Julia that she feels bad because she always yells at her, and she's just trying to be like her. Julia calms her down saying the bracelet was not important, was a piece of junk, and comforts her.
Bailey, who was 15, was clearly damaged by the loss because he remembers how his parents were and is a teenager (his emotions are flying). So he didn't know what to do with his anger. When he goes with Owen to the park to talk to Emmett about sue Alcott to make him pay for what he did, the lawyer tells him that it would take years of his life, in court appeals, process and then they could even lose the case. Emmett wonders about the others, including Owen, but Bailey wants to do something. So he goes to visit Walter in his apartment, and asks him what he knows about his parents. He says the common things, their age, professions, so Bailey, mad, tells him what he should know, that they loved each other, that he would let her to use long dark hair, that he pretended to be sick and would arrive from the restaurant just to be with his wife, and all the things that he doesn't remember and tell Claudia (like the songs to sleep that Diana sang or if Nick used a watch, etc). Bailey also says that Owen will walk soon, and his parents won't see him because what he did. He doesn't want to forgive him, he wants him to suffer and make sure he never forgets. Later, still with anger, he visits Kate in her mother's house and apologizes for pushing her away, that the reasons for breaking up were stupid, and now he just needs her to talk. He tells her what happened, so she can't help to be compassive and comforts him. The next day, she explains what her father did to her mother 2 years ago, the affair he had and that her mother found him, leaving her devastated. Kate and her mother, both of them hated Mr Bishop for a time, and one day they had to stop being angry, in order to be ok. She knows it's not nearly the same than Bailey's case, but still says that it might help. Here, Bailey's part was great and yes, someone had to tell Mr Alcott what Bailey told him, because no one else did. At the same time, was very good that Bailey realized his mistake with Kate in the episode 1x08, because the reason of their breakup was stupid. Things like this are the ones that really matters.
Julia, who was 14 when her parents died, was the most wise of the siblings today. She didn't let her emotions cloud her and tried to get over the situation the best way possible. I could say she thought how to deal with this without losing herself. She didn't know how to feel but she did know how to act. She received Annie Alcott and heard her story about Walter: he and his wife divorced while he was in prison, so she is alone between the two. Annie also offered a pie to Julia, saying she had to know how the Salingers live, that she feels bad, like she would have to be punished or forgiven. She knows her father is just a man, he is not bad. Then, Julia goes to visit Walter and his daughter in Thanksgiving, telling them that there's nothing they can do to help, she doesn't know if she can't forgive him because she is not the only one affected. Still, she comforts them, telling that she and her siblings are going to be ok, because somehow they are. Then, she took the leadership role in the family, for this time, and decided to cook a meal for the day after Thanksgiving, regretting their previous agreement. She uses some of the food Joe sent and Claudia helps her. She tells Charlie that having dinner doesn't mean they don't respect their parents, after all, they still manage to laugh or be fine many days. She also urges him to talk to Walter, given that she noticed how quiet/disappeared he has been the last days.
And so Charlie, as the older is the last. He has been dealing with the situation inside, without talking and avoiding it. And I don't know if it's a science fact, but what happened to him in season 4, maybe happened because of this: Charlie let the pain inside, he suffers alone, all by himself. In one moment, Julia yelled at him for not expressing his feelings, for acting cold or quiet, and he almost loses it, but he finally said "Just!!!... Cut it out", like hiding his emotions. Anyway, Julia helped him to understand that talking to Walter would help to push away his own fears, as she seems to know how hard is for him. Finally, he goes to the book store when Walter closes and waits outside (the sound there was great). And so the final talk with Alcott was outstanding. Seems that he asks Walter his side of the story: Walter was celebrating with friends from work and just had too much wine. He wonders why all the moments led to the accident, why he had to be on that street driving drunk at 8:25 pm. And Charlie reveals a surprising fact: his womanizing side is partially guilty of the accident. Turns out that Mrs Kelleher had the day off, for some reason Julia and Bailey weren't in the house, and he promised to babysitt Owen and Claudia at 8 pm, when their parents had to be at a concert. But Charlie lost track of time with a woman in her apartment, so he arrived late. Nicolas was mad at him and said "Next time, be here!" and Diana simply passed Owen to him and they left, to the tragic fate waiting them. Charlie finally breaks in tears, saying "Next time", knowing there won't be a next time. And now his parents are not here to forgive him. It's really sad, deeply sad, so Walter Alcott does something good today, he puts all the blame on himself, and tells Charlie he has to be the hero for the family, the true hero in this story. He has to be responsible and take care of his siblings. And I know he will, won't be perfect, he will commit some mistakes, but still, he will take care of them as well as he can. When he returns home, Julia realizes where he went, and she is glad. Thanksgiving dinner is ready, and Charlie says they always eat in the dinning room. Bailey mentions they are "celebrating" the day after, but Julia doesn't mind. The five, including Owen, finally share Thanksgiving like they used to, the first time without their parents.
To finish, I have to say that this episode is one of the best of the series, and is much better than The Intervention. The acting, the soundtrack, the script, the set, everything was perfect. The family dinner showed how united they become as siblings. The final scene at the cemetery was wonderful, with a emotional moment for the family. Bailey checked on Nana and Papa, saying it was getting weedy, so Charlie said he'll talk to the groundkeeper. The five were staring at their parents grave: Charlie with Claudia, Julia, Bailey holding Owen. They didn't bring flowers, so when Claudia asked, they agreed to look for stones to leave there. Soon after, Charlie tells Claudia "you're it" and they all happily start to play, running on the ground, even Bailey, still holding Owen. Those last moments were really tearful, because today they were that special family of orphans, who love each other no matter what, the true Party of Five. The ending scene, with Joni Mitchell's theme, was one of the best moments, and for all the people who really loves family, is just touching. They remind me all the moments of childhood, when you play and feel like the world is open, safe and free, when you just want to play and forget about the rest. And the fact that their parents are not there, makes that moment outstanding. This episode shows excellent family moments, unlike many other shows in the history of television. Gives life lessons, makes you value all the things you take for granted in life. Besides, after the last one (1x09) which was not good, since this episode starts a great streak. This might be one of the reasons why this show won the Golden Globe in early 1996.
