Party of Five: The Complete Second Season

With the traumas of the first season no longer fresh, the young survivors in the Salinger family—twentysomething Charlie (Matthew Fox), high-schoolers Bailey (Scott Wolf) and Julia (Neve Campbell), and middle-schooler Claudia (Lacey Chabert)—are adapting to life following the deaths of their parents, juggling premature adult responsibilities with typical dreams of going to college, finding careers, nurturing relationships, etc. Of course, there wouldn't be a second season to speak of if these developments occurred smoothly: Charlie's impending marriage will fall apart over doubts, Bailey's romance with Sarah (Jennifer Love Hewitt) will take a complicated turn, Julia will become one point in a love triangle, and Claudia will hook up with a gal pal who pushes her to grow up too fast. Add to that the appearance of the Salinger's long-sought grandfather (Carroll O'Connor), who moves in with the kids but brings a certain emotional price tag in the process. If that's not enough, the family's restaurant faces possible ruin (so much for those free meals Charlie and company have been enjoying every week). As with the debut season, the 22 episodes of Party of Five's 1995-96 sophomore year are engrossing, well-acted, and more than a little touching. DVD extras include cast and crew commentaries and a featurette starring Hewitt, who reminisces about making the second season's episodes. Recommended. (T. Keogh)