Complete story — includes the ending
The Salinger family tries to solve Bailey's drinking problem. Claudia calls him and tells a story about Owen falling down the stairs. Bailey rushes to the house, when Charlie, Julia, Claudia, Grace and Sarah confront him. One by one, they all try to show Bailey that he has a serious drinking problem. Still in denial, Bailey refuses to accept it and fights with everybody. Joe arrives later that day and tells Bailey and everyone else that his late father, Nick Salinger, also had a serious drinking problem for many years, but he stayed sober for 18 years until he died. Bailey does not believe Joe, but Charlie does and proves it to be true with stories from his childhood. They all try to get Bailey into an AA program, but he refuses claiming that alcoholism is a part of who he is, and he openly states he would rather die than seek treatment. After everybody has given up, Claudia tells Bailey that if he does not face his drinking problem and look for help to stop his self-destructive lifestyle, than he will no longer be a part of the family. Bailey leaves without saying a word. In 2009, TV Guide ranked this episode #92 on its list of the 100 Greatest Episodes.
Sources and content license
Source and revision history · Adapted from Wikipedia contributors, List of Party of Five episodes. HTML formatting and reference markers removed. · Content license