Summer Fun, Summer Not
Season 3, Episode 1 TV-14
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With Bailey and Will preparing for a final road trip together before starting college, Julia is shaken by Griffin's unannounced return to San Francisco. Explaining that he left school to work on a merchant ship, Griffin claims not to have read any of Julia's letters detailing her break up with Justin. And struggling to get their Mexican adventure off the ground, Bailey is forced to let their girlfriends come along, too. Meanwhile, no one believes Claudia when she arrives home from summer camp claiming to have a new boyfriend as Kirsten's mom arrives unexpectedly to announce that her own marriage is over. As Charlie insists that she be asked to leave as soon as possible, Kirsten learns of her mom's affair with a family friend eight years ago that precipitated the break-up. Then, as Julia discovers Griffin lied about not having read her letters, car problems send the girls back home, leaving Bailey and Will to go on together. However, Bailey's problems mount when his jeep is stolen and Will announces he's going back home, too. While Kirsten appears unwilling to forgive her mom, Charlie attempts to sympathize -- but Ellie is in no mood to listen. Yet, following her mother's tentative truce with Charlie, Kirsten convinces her estranged parents to try and heal their broken marriage before it's too late. Returning from Mexico in defeat, Bailey faces up to Will's departure for college as Sarah offers to try and fill the void left by the loss of his best friend of ten years. Finally, as Claudia delights in her budding relationship with Byron, Griffin surprises Julia with word that he's willing to give their romance another chance.
Going, Going, Gone
Season 3, Episode 2 TV-14
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As Julia does her best to help get Griffin a job and an apartment of his own, Charlie suggests that he and Kirsten consider another stab at marriage. However, any plans are put on hold when she gets a job offer at a college two hours away from San Francisco. Meanwhile, Griffin uses all his money to buy Julia a broken down car. And when Byron develops a serious crush on Julia, Claudia accuses her sister of stealing her new boyfriend. When Bailey decides to get a place of his own nearer to campus, Julia objects to using their hard earned money when he can just as easily stay at home. Under the influence of his new roommate, Tucker, Will takes everyone by surprise when he decides to drop his girlfriend Gina before leaving for school. However, Tucker's meddling finally proves more than Bailey can stand and he forces Will to choose between them. Meanwhile, after his continual distraction causes a problem between Julia and her boss, Griffin's hot temper results in her being fired. The pressure of the long commute to work results in Kirsten taking an apartment closer to school for part of the week. Then, as Bailey decides to try and start his own life anew while continuing to live at home, Griffin decides to leave town on another merchant ship. Finally, as Claudia turns to Julia for romantic advice, Bailey makes his final break with Will before sending him off on a cross country adventure with Tucker.
Short Cuts
Season 3, Episode 3 TV-14
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As he nervously prepares for his first day of college, Bailey meets Cooper Voight, a fellow freshman who already knows his way around campus. And beginning their final year of high school, Julia and Justin find they still have plenty in common. However, when Sarah's college recommendation far outshines their own, the former lovers realize their last year together has left them with a lot of catching up to do. Meanwhile, Kirsten is accused of plagiarizing her doctoral dissertation. On Cooper's advice, Bailey decides on a schedule much easier than the one he planned. But, while his new friend also suggests cheating on a computer proficiency exam, he's determined to pass the test on his own. Unable to pad their resumes, Julia and Justin are left to compete in an essay contest which could dramatically improve their college prospects. Meanwhile, as he's looking for something to explain Kirsten's mistake, Charlie discovers a prescription for anti-depressants she took while completing graduate school during the collapse of their relationship. Although offering to read Julia's essay before she turns it in, Justin wants to keep working on his before letting her take a look. Yet, only after submitting her own essay does Julia discovers just why he was so evasive about his -- a very personal account of their brush with pregnancy and her abortion. Although Julia demands that he withdraw it at once, Justin insists that they each need to do what's best to insure going to a good college next year. Meanwhile, as Bailey is stymied by the exam and asks that Cooper's older brother re-take it for him, Kirsten's Ph.D. is revoked. And following the loss of her job, too, Charlie helps her move back home, while the results of his cheating places Bailey in good standing with his advisor.
Deal with It
Season 3, Episode 4 TV-14
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Upon their first meeting at the Salinger house, it appears something's happening between Cooper and Julia. After taking up an offer to use Cooper's dorm room at school, Bailey is surprised when he accidentally walks in on his sister and his new best friend. And when Julia refuses to heed his warning to steer clear of Cooper, Bailey decides to get a place of his own. To help with Kirsten's depression over losing her job and her degree, Charlie drafts her to work at the restaurant. But it's far too little to do any good. Meanwhile, Claudia is left to deal with having the water heater repaired. Once Sarah gets a look at his attractive classmate who's looking for a roommate, Bailey decides to have another talk with Cooper. And though Cooper initially agrees that a relationship wouldn't be for the best right now, Julia convinces him otherwise. Deciding to take the apartment after all, Bailey tries calming Sarah by pointing out that Callie's boyfriend will be living there, too. However, Sarah isn't so sure after the boyfriend bolts, leaving Bailey to comfort Callie. Meanwhile, as Claudia claims she did her best after agreeing to an expensive plumbing job, Julia doubts her relationship with Cooper. With Kirsten far more depressed than he thought, word from her psychiatrist that she won't be getting better anytime soon worries Charlie. And while Sarah isn't happy with his new roommate, Bailey insists that she be happy for him and show some compassion for Callie, too. Forced to practice the tolerance he's been preaching, Bailey has no choice but to accept the relationship between Cooper and his sister. Finally, Charlie tells Julia that he isn't sure he can see Kirsten through her illness.
Mixed Signals
Season 3, Episode 5 TV-14
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As Bailey is adjusting to Callie's whirlwind social life, Julia tells Cooper that she still isn't ready to resume having sex with anyone in the wake of her problems with Justin. As Kirsten's depression drives her to become compulsively organized, Charlie's ban on sleepovers reveals that Claudia's friend Jody is being sexually abused by her mother's fiancee. But a promise to keep it a secret forces Claudia to tell Charlie a series of lies when Jody arrives to stay. As he resists being called on to cover for her, Bailey discovers that the boyfriend he's helping Callie avoid is his economics teacher, Tom Digman. But when Bailey tries to transfer to another class, Tom is unwilling to consider the request. Then, after trying to explain her confusion to Bailey, Julia reconsiders starting a sexual relationship, only to shock Cooper with some unexpected resistance. So, following his run-in with Digman, Bailey warns Cooper against doing anything even remotely sexual with Julia. While trying to deal with Kirsten's debilitating mental illness, Charlie demands to know what's going on with Jody. When Claudia reveals her friend's dark secret, Charlie immediately tells Jody's mom. And with Jody in danger of being shipped off to live with her father, Claudia sets out to get revenge and calls Kirsten's parents with news of her illness. Meanwhile, when Callie claims she's being stalked, a visit to Tom causes Bailey to suspect otherwise. Finally, after Julia berates him for interfering in her relationship with Cooper, Bailey tries extracting himself from Callie's love life, only to be drawn in even deeper.
Going Home
Season 3, Episode 6 TV-14
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As Julia and Sarah set off on an east coast college visit, Kirsten's parents arrive unannounced to take over her care. After turning on Claudia for calling them in the first place, Charlie faces off with Gene and Ellie in an effort to convince them he has everything under control. However, as Kirsten's condition worsens after stopping her medication, an argument between Charlie and Gene uncovers some unacknowledged mental illness in the Bennett family. Meanwhile, as Bailey is called on to help Callie prepare for her father's sixtieth birthday, Sarah gets word that her mother had an accident at home. With the Bennetts already seeing another doctor, Charlie chances to help Kirsten are slipping away. As Julia tries to make the best of the weekend, Sarah is preoccupied with her mother's condition. Then, upon learning of the disaster brewing at home, Julia suddenly finds herself distracted, too. But once Julia arranges for them to go home early, Sarah reveals that she has no intention of cutting her trip short. Meanwhile, as Bailey and Callie spend the money her father sent for her plane ticket home, Charlie discovers that Gene and Ellie are determined to take Kirsten home. And when Bailey is summoned to help deal with the crisis, Callie thinks he's a hypocrite. With Charlie under siege by the Bennetts and their lawyer, Kirsten is in no shape to decide who she wants to stay with right now. While unable to completely accept Claudia's apology for making the phone call that started the whole mess, Charlie is clearly in need of someone to help him through the ordeal. And once Kristen and her parents have are gone, Julia finds herself stepping in to fill the role.
Personal Demons
Season 3, Episode 7 TV-14
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Claudia suspects a hex may be causing the Salinger's recent problems. As she secretly arranges for the house to be exorcised, Bailey tries avoiding Sarah's Halloween dance plans, especially after an unexpected sexual encounter with Callie. Following a brusque send-off for Grace Wilcox, a woman seeking donations of food for the homeless, Charlie fends off a drifter claiming to have once worked for his father. Yet, swayed by Earl's stories about the old restaurant, Charlie finds some work for him to do. Meanwhile, Julia is in need of a date for the Halloween dance after Justin asks his new girlfriend, Robin. When a credit card account is opened using their father's name, questions about who had access to family records force Claudia to admit to letting the exorcist into the house. However, Charlie is the one who's surprised when Earl is arrested for the crime. And following the house's "purification," Claudia is sure their luck has changed when she finds a warranty allowing them to get their leaky roof repaired at no cost. Meanwhile, Julia suspects she's caused trouble between Justin and Robin, only to discover that she's not that important anymore. Bailey is feeling guilty about his deception. So once Sarah blames herself for pressuring him about the dance, he turns on Callie. However, when he decides he can't take anymore, Bailey then leaves Sarah stranded at the dance and returns home to apologize, only to find Callie is already occupied. Finally, Julia gives Robin advice on making up with Justin, while a chastened Charlie heads for the homeless food bank to offer his help.
Not So Fast
Season 3, Episode 8 TV-14
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After confessing his infidelity to Charlie, Bailey decides there's nothing left to do but break up with Sarah. But his sudden case of the chicken pox combined with her attentive care make it impossible to do anything. Upon introducing herself to writer Gary Sherman, Julia gets invited to attend his seminar at Stanford, her mother's alma mater and the college she's hoping to attend next year. However she's quickly devastated by his painful but honest critique of her work. Meanwhile, following a violin competition, Claudia is approached by Avery Baltas, a musical colleague and friend of her late mother. In the wake of Gary's comments, Julia arrives for her admissions interview dispirited and unprepared. Yet, an old college yearbook that reveals her mom was once unsure of her own direction gives Julia hope. And though Bailey has been unable to tell her the truth, Sarah is suspicious after seeing Callie in one of her sweatshirts. Meanwhile, Charlie is unhappy to learn that Avery is encouraging Claudia to enter a music conservatory. And once Ross reveals his own doubts about the idea, a showdown that's been looming between Charlie and Avery takes place. Realizing what he's about to lose, Bailey apologizes to Sarah. And though hurt by what she suspects has been going on behind her back, Sarah is inclined to accept. Finally, despite Claudia's belief that she would be fulfilling her mother's dream by attending the conservatory, Charlie is adamant against making any big changes in her life just yet.
Gimme Shelter
Season 3, Episode 9 TV-14
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After Bailey fails to make the school's hockey team, Sarah is hired to sing on a commercial. Hoping to improve his bad attitude, she encourages him to try out for the wrestling team. And despite a tough and humiliating first workout, the coach invites Bailey back. Meanwhile, when his slogan for the restaurant wins a contest, artist Jim Seely brings a group of homeless people to Salinger's to redeem his prize. But when Charlie complains about it hurting business, homeless advocate Grace calls for a boycott of the restaurant. While facing a deadline for her college entrance applications, Julia's concentration is continually broken by Sam and his younger brother Alec, the roofers who've been hired to make repairs on the house. And still angry at Charlie for disrupting her plans to enter the conservatory, Claudia gets Sam to paint her room black. Following an uncomfortable encounter with Alec, Julia complains about his brother's drug use, but is still surprised when Sam refuses to help when Alec is arrested. Meanwhile, as Claudia's defiance extends to her schoolwork, Julia warns that bad grades could damage her future. After witnessing yet another defeat in the team's long losing streak, Bailey decides that wrestling isn't for him. And while his dissatisfaction is magnified by Sarah's unexpected success, her sharp rebuke convinces Bailey to try again. Meanwhile, after accusing Charlie of having it too easy, Grace realizes her mistake and helps him put things back on track. Then, after agreeing to bail his brother out of jail, Sam turns around and fires Alec when he shows up late for work. And despite this callousness, Julia decides Sam may not be so bad after all. Finally, Claudia reconsiders her room's new color and asks Julia for help repainting it.
Close to You
Season 3, Episode 10 TV-14
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After walking in on a sexual assault in her room, Bailey is surprised when Callie insists she doesn't need any help. Although refusing to report the attack, Callie tearfully asks Bailey to skip his date with Sarah and stay with her instead. Distracted by Julia's questions, Sam forgets to put a tarp back over the roof before leaving for the day, only to have it rain unexpectedly. And as Claudia is asked to give advice to the lovelorn in her school's newspaper, Charlie agrees to be Grace's date at a big fundraiser after making it clear that he's uncomfortable in her rough and tumble neighborhood. When Charlie demands that he repair the water damage for free, Sam claims that it was at least partly Julia's fault and offers to split the cost instead. So, after telling her brother that Sam has agreed to his terms, Julia then turns around and tells Sam that Charlie will pay while using her own money to keep him on the job. However, Sam's next encounter with Charlie forces Julia to tell him the truth. Then, after learning of the assault, Sarah suggests spending some time comforting Callie, and even that she speak with Bailey about it. But once Bailey helps her find the strength to report the attack, Callie's story is questioned by the campus police. With everyone assuming that they are dating, Grace decides to try and advance things with Charlie. But she's surprised when he recoils from her kiss, claiming he's involved with someone else. And when Bailey's efforts start to infringe upon their relationship, Sarah suggests that he help Callie find support elsewhere. But when Bailey tries, he discovers Callie is falling in love with him. Finally, as Claudia fails to see that the newspaper's editor is in love with her, Sam tries to return Julia's money and is met with an unexpected kiss.
I Do
Season 3, Episode 11 TV-14
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After Julia is told that a romantic relationship with Sam is out of the question, Sarah grows increasingly uncomfortable over Bailey's friendship with Callie. To calm her, Bailey encourages Callie to join Sarah's cousin on a blind date. Already unnerved by the approach of the anniversary of his aborted wedding to Kirsten, things don't improve for Charlie when Joe arrives at the restaurant to announce that he's getting married -- almost exactly one year to the day after his own. Meanwhile, after Grace agrees to be his date at Joe's wedding, Charlie lectures Julia about her seeing Sam again. After the blind date fails to deflect Callie's attention, Sarah tries using sex to breathe life into her flagging relationship, only to be surprised when Bailey can't perform. As Sarah turns to Julia for help, Bailey finds that Charlie is too preoccupied to listen to him. Then, as their own strained attempts at facing up to their problems are interrupted by a toast to the bride and groom, Bailey and Sarah watch with the other guests as Charlie struggles with his own cascading emotions. As Julia leaves mid-way through the wedding to tell Sam just how she feels, Grace insists that whatever Charlie is looking for right now, she can't provide it. Then, as Sam suddenly returns to the Salinger's house to check on the work, Bailey finds himself back in his apartment sharing a bottle of champagne with Callie before slipping into bed together. Finally, Charlie tries to come to grips with his feelings by making plans to see Kirsten in Chicago.
Desperate Measures
Season 3, Episode 12 TV-14
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Leaving Claudia and Owen with Julia, Charlie heads for Chicago, where Kirsten gives him reason to believe things between them have healed. And when she suggests going home with him, Charlie agrees to drive Kirsten to San Francisco without telling Ellie first. Meanwhile, despite Claudia's complaints about a stomachache, Julia insists that she baby-sit Owen so she can go skiing with Sam. But, as Julia is making all the arrangements, Claudia is rushed to the hospital with appendicitis. Although he tries using wrestling as an excuse to not have sex, Sarah finds Bailey with a hangover from a drinking binge and learns of his sexual relationship with Callie. Told that his sister is sick, Bailey then gets his roommate to drive him to the hospital. Meanwhile, only after they are well on their way to California do Charlie and Kirsten call Ellie, who warns against the move. Yet, as Kirsten's condition worsens without her medication, Charlie faces the fact that he's the problem and takes her home to her mom and dad. As Claudia gives Julia the cold shoulder, Sarah arrives at the hospital where she confronts Callie. Tracking her down at home to apologize, Bailey discovers Sarah is hurting but still in love. Then, as Claudia's anger with her begins to thaw, Julia realizes she can salvage her relationships with Sam and her family. Finally, as Bailey and Sarah struggle to put their damaged relationship back on track, Charlie returns Kirsten to her worried parents, still unaware of the turmoil that embroiled the family in his absence.
Christmas
Season 3, Episode 13 TV-14
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During a surprise visit for the holidays, Grandpa Jake finds Claudia and Julia looking on as Charlie rids the house of everything belonging to Kirsten. And Bailey refuses to come home at all, preferring to join his wrestling coach to watch a football game on TV. When Bailey learns that a much-anticipated holiday visit by Coach Petrocelli's daughter has suddenly been canceled, he invites the coach to a hockey game on Christmas Eve. Meanwhile, as the girls pressure him to stay for Christmas, they find that Jake is hiding the fact that he's going blind, while Charlie tries to help a homeless man get a job, only to discover that he's a hopeless schizophrenic. When told about Jake, Bailey decides to spend Christmas at home. However, Charlie remains apart from the celebration, unaware that his siblings have asked Jake to move in. Yet, once Christmas Eve is over and he's caught trying to slip away, Jake tells Charlie that his health problems are far more serious than he's let on. Meanwhile, when his affectionate gift places Claudia in a difficult spot, an impersonal reply fails to squelch Stuart's feelings for her. So when Stuart personally delivers a thank you note, Claudia makes it painfully clear that she's not interested. On Christmas morning, Charlie tells Claudia that Jake is gone, but holds back on telling her why. But the gloom is broken when Bailey shows up with Coach Petrocelli. And when Stuart drops by to apologize for making her uncomfortable, Claudia invites him to stay, too. Then, as Julia encourages Bailey to forget his mistakes with Sarah, and Charlie admits he's longing for something more in his life, Grace drops by unexpectedly as Stuart delights everyone with his rendition of a classic Christmas song.
Life's Too Short
Season 3, Episode 14 TV-14
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As Bailey tries keeping Sarah happy by finding another apartment, Charlie prepares for his high school class reunion. Despite some last minute reservations, he agrees to join classmates T.J. Jensen and Aaron Hughes to break into their old school's gym, where they reenact winning the city basketball championship 10 years ago. Meanwhile, shortly after learning of a friend's early admission to Harvard, Julia and Justin get word of her suicide. As Julia and Justin struggle with both grief and guilt, Sarah turns to Bailey, seeking comfort following Libby Dwyer's death. After raising the issue of his living with Callie, Bailey unwittingly makes things worse by getting Sarah a fake ID for her birthday. And when he takes her out to a club so she can use it, she ends up dancing with another man. Meanwhile, Charlie is reunited with Lori Giovanni, a woman he unsuccessfully pressured for sex while in high school. But, after Aaron rekindles a long-simmering dispute with T.J, Charlie discovers he and Lori slept together back in high school. As Julia searches for answers, Libby's mother gives her some private journals which reveal that her daughter collapsed under the pressure of getting into Harvard. Then, as Julia delivers a touching remembrance at the funeral, Bailey arrives determined to give Sarah the time she needs to heal, only to find that she wants to break up for good. Finally, as Charlie's memories of an idealized past are shattered by its harsh realities, Julia hopes she can avoid the pressure that destroyed her friend.
Significant Others
Season 3, Episode 15 TV-14
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As Julia talks Sam into taking her to a party where she learns he was once engaged to be married, Bailey meets with some unexpected success at wrestling. Despite Coach Petrocelli's doubts, Bailey decides to enter a big all star wrestling tournament with only two days to prepare. However, after his first workout ends abruptly, he jeopardizes his training by getting drunk. Meanwhile, after reluctantly agreeing to attend a banquet honoring his participation in the food bank program, Charlie finds himself acting as the go between for Grace and a handsome aide to the mayor. When Sam insists that Julia join him and his ex-fiancee for dinner, he cannot hide his disappointment when Karen announces her engagement. Once Julia suggests he's still attached to Karen, Sam tries to prove that the relationship is over by proposing an impromptu weekend skiing trip. Yet, when confronted about his motives, Sam admits that he doesn't yet have strong feelings for Julia. Meanwhile, after accepting an invitation to spend an evening at Charlie's house, Grace cancels in order to attend a benefit concert with Michael Garber. As Callie starts looking for another roommate, Petrocelli decides Bailey isn't ready for the tournament. However, Bailey insists that he has to wrestle and, after issuing a last minute invitation to his family, he convinces Claudia to come. Surprising everyone by winning his first match, Bailey then risks losing Claudia's support when he chooses to celebrate his victory with his teammates and not her. Finally, as Sam and Julia agree to try for a better start, Charlie asks Grace to stop seeing Michael.
I Declare
Season 3, Episode 16 TV-14
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As Charlie and Grace tentatively move forward with their romance, Claudia discovers that Ross has been dating a teacher at her school. And while giving advice to a troubled gay student, she also makes Mr. Archer's homosexuality public. Meanwhile, as Julia is accepted at Stanford, Bailey finds he needs an outstanding English paper to stay off academic probation and keep his spot on the wrestling team. But his resolve is tested when Callie throws a party that results in their landlord demanding they move out. And while Charlie confounds Grace with his desire to take things slow, Julia questions going to Stanford. When Sam suggests doing whatever she wants, Julia decides to turn down her college admission to pursue a job, though Charlie thinks she only wants to take the summer off before starting school in the fall. Meanwhile, when confronted about exposing Paul, Claudia suggests Ross think twice about dating someone who's still in the closet. And as he's trying his best to finish his paper, Bailey follows Callie's example by trying to do it while drunk. To help diffuse the sexual tension, Charlie brings Owen along to the community center where he's helping Grace. But when her grandmother takes the youngster out for something to eat, Grace and Charlie are left alone to explore their passion. Overhearing her and Sarah, Charlie is stunned to learn Julia has no intention of starting at Stanford and blames Sam for the decision. Finally, when his efforts to produce a good paper end in disaster, Bailey takes an incomplete to avoid probation, while Grace gives Charlie time to get comfortable with their new relationship.
Misery Loves Company
Season 3, Episode 17 TV-14
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When summoned to speak with her counselor about not attending college, Julia discovers she's been ambushed when Charlie arrives, too. And when he insists that she enroll or request a deferment, Julia moves in with Sam. Upset after breaking up with his college girlfriend, Will returns home to regroup. However, after Bailey talks him into forgetting his troubles by getting drunk, Will isn't so sure it's the right choice. Meanwhile, just when they decide to finally spend the night together, Grace and Charlie find her apartment has been destroyed by a fire. When Charlie insists that she come home with him, after only one night on the couch, he asks Grace to start sleeping with him, too. With things at home degenerating fast, Claudia warns Julia against completely abandoning her responsibilities to the family. But instead of coming home to care for Owen, Julia brings him to Sam's. And when Charlie and Claudia arrive to take them home, Julia won't budge. Meanwhile, an encounter with Sarah leads Will to conclude that Bailey is drinking way too much. Yet, after Sarah refuses to help, Will decides to speak with Bailey himself. Refusing Claudia's plea to return home and patch things up between their feuding brother and sister, Bailey then turns on Will, too. After making peace with his friend, Bailey heads back to his apartment to study, only to be seduced by Callie. As Claudia seeks comfort in caring for her baby brother, Sam decides that Julia must first work out her own problems at home before moving in with him. But when Julia returns home, she finds Claudia is cold and distant. Finally, after realizing that she lost almost everything in the fire, Grace is persuaded by Charlie's sincerity to move in on a permanent basis.
M.Y.O.B.
Season 3, Episode 18 TV-14
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Although Grace has moved in, no one but Charlie has gone out of their way to make her feel welcome. So when Claudia arrives at her office to volunteer, Grace is just a little suspicious. And her discomfort over staying at the Salinger's is heightened when she's mistaken for Owen's nanny. Meanwhile, as Bailey's drinking causes him to fall behind on his rent, Julia arranges a surprise date between him and Sarah. However, his drunken behavior infuriates Sarah, who leaves him at the club. When Sam complains about being swamped with work, Julia recommends hiring Bailey. But, after listening to Sarah complain about the disastrous date, Julia is taken aback when Sam suggests her brother may have stolen some liquor from a client's house. Meanwhile, Grace offends Claudia by joining an old friend for coffee after claiming she was too busy to do anything but work. And while Charlie begins to learn how unhappy Grace is at his house, Bailey takes offense at the suggestion that he's a thief, but refuses to deny any responsibility. After Claudia makes an expensive mistake at work, Grace asks that she not to volunteer any more. And when she tries explaining the decision, it only makes matters worse. Agreeing Bailey has a drinking problem, Julia and Sarah decide to do something about it. But when their efforts are not appreciated, Sarah approaches Callie and persuades her to take some small steps to stem Bailey's drinking. Finally, after refusing to discuss their brother's problem with Julia, Charlie uses Owen's growing attachment to persuade Grace to stay for now.
Point of No Return
Season 3, Episode 19 TV-14
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As the family prepares for Owen's birthday party, Sam offers to join Julia for a summer vacation in Europe. And when Claudia discovers that Avery's reclusive son has come to live with him, she offers to show Marcus the town. Meanwhile, Grace isn't excited about the prospect of her own parent's upcoming visit, but Charlie wants to make them feel welcome. However, after inviting them to the restaurant, Charlie must bring Owen along after Bailey doesn't show to baby-sit. Then, as Julia suspects Sam of making a racist comment, Bailey buys drinks with the money he was given to hire a clown for party. While sure they'll disapprove, Grace doesn't know how to react when her mom and dad like the house and Charlie. But when Rose and Martin offer to help with the birthday party, and Charlie is more than willing to accept their generosity, she thinks it's just another attempt to meddle in her life. Meanwhile, after getting both sympathy and cash from Julia, Bailey's trip to buy a gift for Owen ends at a liquor store. And after Sam tries to dismiss his racist remarks as a misunderstanding, Julia decides their relationship must end. Arriving drunk, Bailey attempts to fill in for the clown himself. But after scaring Owen's guests, he barely avoids a fight with Charlie before being put to bed. And when Rose and Martin suggest Bailey has a problem with alcohol, Charlie now agrees that they are meddling, only to find that, this time, Grace agrees with her parents. Finally, when Sarah drops off a gift for Owen, she and Julia are surprised to find that Bailey has disappeared, while Claudia heads off to spend some time with Marcus on her own.
The Intervention
Season 3, Episode 20 TV-14
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Under the guise of a family dinner, Bailey's siblings invite him to the restaurant to confront him about his alcoholism. When he doesn't show, Claudia is recruited to lure her brother home by claiming Owen has been seriously hurt. However, what Bailey finds are Charlie, Julia, Claudia, Sarah and Grace all waiting for him. When Callie leaves him there without a ride, he's forced to confront the accusations head on. So he strikes back, reminding Julia about her own pregnancy and her decision not to attend college and Sarah about their failed attempts at sex before turning on Charlie, telling Grace about his history of infidelity. As Bailey ignores their protests, Charlie turns to Grace to explain his younger brother's charges. And while she doesn't think it's a good time to discuss them, Grace is clearly troubled by Charlie's past. Then, as Julia tries to get Sarah to stay, Bailey calls Callie for a ride, but is surprised when their father's former business partner, Joe, shows up instead. And when things turn ugly between Bailey and his older brother, Joe stuns the Salingers with news that their father was also an alcoholic, one who struggled with drinking for the last 18 years of his life. While the Salingers find some common ground in denying their dad had a problem, Joe reminds them of what life was like at home and they begin to see he could be right. Then, despite Sarah's efforts to help, Bailey claims that news of his dad's alcoholism has clarified things for him. And as Charlie and the others come to grips with the devastating truth, Bailey embraces his own drinking problem and decides to live his life as a drunk.
Hitting Bottom
Season 3, Episode 21 TV-14
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Even as he preaches maintaining a hard line, Charlie can't help but wonder what his younger brother is up to. And when Bailey makes matters worse by failing to show up for a big wrestling match, he turns to Callie for support. But even she admits that his drinking has gotten out of hand. Meanwhile, as Claudia's search for information about their father leads to Avery, Griffin suddenly returns after an injury cost him his seaman's job. However, when Julia encourages him to sue, they are divided over the shady lawyer he's chosen to argue his case. As he's picking up Owen from school, Charlie finds that Bailey got there first. While his siblings wait and worry, Bailey treats his little brother to an afternoon of fun. And once they return, Charlie attacks him for drinking while with their little brother. As Julia seeks comfort in Griffin's arms, Charlie complains about the unflattering portrait Avery painted of their dad. But Avery makes perfectly clear that the version he told Claudia was far from the whole truth. As Claudia blames their dad for all that's happening, Sarah's refusal to leave Bailey alone ends in a car accident that puts her in the hospital. As Charlie struggles to get word of Sarah's condition, Bailey turns to drinking to cope. Meanwhile, Julia spends the night with Griffin, convincing him that all she really wants is to stay together, no matter what. And while Charlie blames Bailey for all that's gone wrong, Claudia continues to insists that the fault is really their father's. Finally, as Charlie struggles to change Claudia's mind, Bailey arrives at the hospital to ask Sarah for help.
Leap of Faith
Season 3, Episode 22 TV-14
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As his accident with Sarah shocks Bailey into doing something about his alcoholism, Grace decides that working on a housing project would be just the thing for her and Charlie to spend more time together. But once a chance to run for city council comes up, she decides that Charlie's work on the project wouldn't look good for her candidacy. Then, after his lawyer gets him a $100,000 settlement for his injury, Griffin's dad is suddenly interested in him again. And while Julia encourages re-establishing contact, she begins to suspect that all Major Holbrook really wants is money for a new business. Meanwhile, at his first Alcoholics Anonymous meeting, Bailey is surprised to see Walter Alcott, the drunk driver who killed his parents. As Grace decides to run her campaign out of the Salinger home, Charlie begins to see that their relationship is going to take a back seat to her political ambitions. And it doesn't take long for Claudia to see how much it's going to disrupt everyone else's lives, too. Meanwhile, after following her advice by patching things up with his dad, Griffin is stunned when Julia questions Major Holbrook's motives. And when Bailey decides that Walter's presence is too much for him, he shocks everyone by announcing that he's quitting A.A. When Charlie fields a call from a newspaper reporter, he suddenly finds himself caught up in the excitement of Grace's campaign. Impressed with his interest, Grace decides to start seeking Charlie's advice. After seeing just what Julia saw in her dad, Griffin decides that going into business wouldn't be the right thing to do. Finally, after heading back home for some companionship, Bailey realizes he's going to need a lot of help if he's going to beat his alcoholism.
Promises, Promises
Season 3, Episode 23 TV-14
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While Claudia is tired of the disruption Grace's city council campaign has caused at home, Julia is intrigued by Griffin's offer to share his insurance settlement. And as Bailey turns to Sarah for help in dealing with his alcoholism, Callie offers to help, too. And while doing his best to accept his roommate's generosity, Bailey discovers that Sarah has started seeing someone else. After abandoning her date with Drew, Sarah makes it clear that Bailey has to start taking responsibility for himself. Challenged by Callie about relationship with Sarah, Bailey announces that he's moving out. Angry over being shut out, Callie then approaches Sarah, who admits she has no interest in a romantic relationship with Bailey. Meanwhile, as Julia's lax classroom attendance worries Griffin, Claudia is upset when Grace uses Owen to burnish her image for the campaign. As Griffin warns Julia about giving up on school, Claudia tells Grace that a newspaper reporter wants to see her with Owen at a museum. And once Grace gets upset after it turns out to be a hoax, Claudia offers it as proof that she doesn't care about anything but the campaign. While Charlie offers to prove Claudia wrong with a family vacation after the election, he's forced to reconsider when Grace won't make any promises. Then, as Griffin convinces Julia that he liked her better when she was serious about school, Bailey enlists Sarah to help him move, only to find that going home has done nothing to dissuade her from dating Drew.
A Little Faith
Season 3, Episode 24 TV-14
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As Julia and Griffin head off on a road trip together, the hectic campaign schedule takes its toll, forcing Charlie to step in when Grace takes sick during a live television appearance. So, when Claudia needs a chaperone for a music competition and Charlie cannot go, Bailey offers to take her to Los Angeles and a planned meeting with their grandfather, Jake. Finding himself with too much time on his hands back at the hotel, Bailey gets drunk and is forced to explain to Jake when he forgets to pick up Claudia at her rehearsal. Meanwhile, Grace's plans for her campaign are thrown into question when she suspects she's pregnant. Despite his apologies, Claudia cannot overlook Bailey's slide back into alcohol. Following her performance, Claudia and Bailey then learn that their grandfather has cancer. And while Jake claims that his religious faith is seeing him through his fatal illness, Bailey will have none of it for himself. Meanwhile, after being forced back home by mechanical problems, Julia is anxious to get on with their trip, while Griffin decides to buy the motorcycle shop where his bike is being repaired. As Charlie offers to marry Grace if that's what she wants, despite questions about his ability to run a business, Julia decides to help Griffin realize his dream of buying the motorcycle shop. And while Grace is relieved when she's not really pregnant, Charlie is disappointed to learn that she never wants any children. Finally, as Charlie questions his future with Grace, Bailey decides to give AA another chance.
You Win Some, You Lose Some
Season 3, Episode 25 TV-14
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As Bailey finds a sponsor at AA, Justin celebrates being accepted at Yale by planning to spend the summer in Europe. And Julia stuns Griffin by telling him she's going along, too. Then, as Sarah announces that she's breaking up with her new boyfriend, Bailey takes it as a sign that she wants to get back together. But he suffers a setback when Mrs. Reeves announces that her daughter will be going east for college come fall. Meanwhile, as Charlie is hurt when she doesn't want any kids at her election night party, Grace learns he was ready to marry Kirsten even though she couldn't have children. And as Griffin worries about losing Julia, Grace wants to know why she's being held to a different standard. As Bailey struggles with giving up alcohol and Sarah at the same time, Charlie sees more evidence of Grace's unease with children. While admitting he could live without ever having kids of their own, he's ready to call off their relationship because she doesn't even want the ones he already has. Meanwhile, as Julia decides not to risk their relationship over the trip, Griffin proposes getting married now. And while Bailey is upset over her going away, Sarah reveals her plans to attend college just a few minutes away. When Julia and Griffin announce their marriage, Bailey finds the gesture inspiring. But Sarah sees it as a mistake she would never make and insists that she and Bailey can only ever be friends. Knowing there's little he can do to change Julia's mind, Charlie realizes that he and Grace are breaking up just as she is elected to city council. So, with Julia leaving home for good, Charlie gives her their mother's wedding ring.
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