rosek102 Reviews

Party of Five: The Intervention (1997) Season 3, Episode 20

an unforgettable landmark in an underrated show

[19 September 2006]

Many people remember watching "Party of Five" when it aired on TV, but it has surfaced as a sorely underrated little masterpiece that emphasizes reality and gives viewers a powerful image of what can happen when five young, immature kids are left to live life without their parents.

Season 3's "The Intervention" is a particular landmark in the show because it depicts the downfall of teenager Bailey, who spent the first two years of the series protecting his siblings, taking care of things, and bailing his more immature older brother out of several predicaments. When he becomes overpowered by a severe drinking problem, his siblings stage their own intervention, as best they can, knowing that Mom and Dad aren't there to help and that they will have to field this one on their own, just as they have for the past 3 years.

Though the performance of Scott Wolf is very effective, I have to give the biggest props to young Lacey Chabert, who was only 13 years old when this episode was filmed. Anyone who has become emotionally invested in "Party of Five" probably knows that little Claudia has had to step into the scary world of adolescence all alone because her brothers and sister, who love her but don't much have time for her, haven't been able to deal with what she's been doing. But she has always had a crystal-clear connection with Bailey--more so than any of the others--and Chabert's acting is absolutely Emmy material. I give her a lot of credit for taking that on at such a young age.

This episode is highly recommended for all fans, and the show in general is definitely something to see (just so long as you don't mind a heavy dose of drama).

Full House: Michelle Rides Again: Part 2 (1995) Season 8, Episode 24

a dry, overdone conclusion for an otherwise enjoyable series

[6/10 · 19 September 2006]

Almost everyone who savored the good old 1990's television undoubtedly remembers the cheesy yet irresistible quality that "Full House" provided for its 8 seasons on the air. In terms of this final episode, however, I must say that for a show that had an overwhelming number of better options for their finale (I'll elaborate on that later in this review), what they chose was dry, silly, and extremely corny for a show that could have stood to take a different direction.

It comes as no surprise that ever since the series premiered in 1987, the sweet little faces of the infamous Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen became a powerful staple in "Full House's" success. Everyone loved seeing these adorable little girls share the role of youngest daughter Michelle, and of course you had to figure that they would catapult her character to the center of this 2-part finale episode.

What could have been better than watching Michelle fall off a horse and lose her memory as the rest of the family lamented over her recovery? Well, there are a couple things: a girl for Joey, another child for Jesse and Becky, the return of Vicky...out of all the television shows I've ever watched, "Full House" is probably the one that had the most potential for something good and chose such a sour plot instead.

Cute as she was, little Michelle didn't have to be the center of everything....DJ and Stephanie really did get shortended throughout the series, and I think the finale could have been far better if their characters were emphasized a little more. Regardless of all this, however, "Full House" is a sound memory for many of us, and through its enduring cheesiness, it will always be remembered for what it was: a sweet, clean, and enjoyable show about family.