Party of Five - The Complete First Season (1994)

In its seven-year run on television, Party of Five managed to portray extreme emotions in a contained, tasteful, and level-headed way without sacrificing poignancy or richness. Aimed at a teen audience but with crossover appeal to most viewers, the series dealt with recurring themes of loss and disappointment, made all the more interesting because Party of Five's major characters, especially in season 1, are youthful siblings coping with the recent deaths of their parents in an automobile accident.

Shocked into a beyond-their-years awareness of the fragility of ordinary life and the importance of loyalty and loving bonds, the Salinger offspring--24-year-old Charlie (Matthew Fox), high schoolers Bailey (Scott Wolf) and Julia (Neve Campbell), 11-year-old Claudia (Lacey Chabert), and baby Owen (various infant actors)--bring a deeply felt, sometimes desperate gravitas to lesser but still significant misfortunes in relationships, peer pressures, and ambitions. On top of that, each has to take on responsibilities beyond their experience--hiring nannies, raising money for mortgage payments, etc.--and make sacrifices robbing them of formative experiences. Charlie, accustomed to adult freedom, has to rejigger his plans and move back home as a surrogate, and often resented, parent. (If he doesn't do this, his brothers and sisters could be separated and sent to foster homes.) Ultra-responsible Bailey, with little time for homework, buddies, or girls, loses perspective and gets hung up on an older, appealing nanny (Paula Devicq). Top student Julia's academic career fades as she seeks a second family among undeserving thrill-seekers. Claudia, a gifted musician, pawns her violin.

Despite all that drama, the essence of Party of Five is the Salingers' homing instinct, the way they survive internal and external conflict to find their way back to reassuring family rituals--among them weekly (free) dinners at the restaurant their late father owned. The 22 episodes on six discs in this boxed set typically test the Salingers' hopes, dreams, and mettle, and while stories can certainly be unsettling, a viewer is never left with serious worries that things won't turn out all right. Among the highlights are "Homework," in which Julia, having made plans to attend a party rather than salvage her failing grade in English lit, stays home instead to save Bailey's bacon by writing his difficult term paper. The powerful "Thanksgiving" concerns a face-to-face meeting between the Salingers and the drunk driver (John Rubinstein) who killed their parents. Most memorable is a suite of episodes featuring Megan Ward as Bailey's girlfriend, Jill, a possible drug addict whose fate rocks the startling season finale, "The Ides of March." --Tom Keogh Amazon.com

 Not just for Teens
I had forgotten how superb the acting is in this show. So many life lessons that you can show your teenagers as they discover this beautifully scripted show with you. Lacey Chabert steals the show with her wisdom and heart felt performance. I love the dichotomey between the family members. Each personality shining through as is customary in every family which helps keep this drama more realistic. The struggles they go through because their parents are not there to guide them and help in the moral choices they face each day just as we all do help to keep this grounded and foster its appeal. The last episode on disc 2 is so riveting. For those that have not seen it I will not spoil it for you, but suffice it to say it is some TV's finest dramatic moments that we do not see to this calliber any longer. The issues that are dealt with are timeless.
March 7, 2008

 Party of Five - The complete First Season
I used to love this show when it was on the first time around. Never had caught the first season, so it was with delight that I saw that the first 2 seasons were available, with the 3rd to be available in March. The show has everything, so well done it's almost unbelievable. I half-way cried my way through the first season, just watched it in an orgy of Party of Five. Each character is so completely drawn, this is a true ensemble cast, even if Scott Wolf is perhaps better known than some of the others. The premise is so well drawn, with the feelings of the characters explored realistically. If you like drama with everything, along with a young & good looking cast who know how to act, this is it. I sincerely hope that the network comes out with the entire 7 years of the show. This show isn't dated much, the themes are timeless, & each episode contains moments that could be discussed with your children. It's a show that I expect to watch over & over through the years, a keeper. Can't recommend too highly. February 13, 2008

 Crapfest
This show is kinda boring. I remember watching it in middle school and liking it, but it's not that great. I didn't finish the set. I might sell it. November 1, 2007

 wow
seeing this show again was like seeing it for the first time, and it has made my life so much better. they just dont make shows like this anymore. neve campbell and lacey chabert are fantastic beyond words. and the "boys" really bring it all together. seriously if you have never seen this show or havent watched in a long time, you absolutely have to buy these dvds. they dont seem to be particularly edited and with few exceptions, the music is intact. party on.. October 25, 2007

 Great TV show that was ahead of its time.
This is a great DVD that you will enjoy watching over and over. This reminds everyone that sometimes television can produce a quality product. October 7, 2007

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