Ep 4. Deal With It

The Party of Five season 3 episode 4 titled "Deal With It" revolves around the Salinger siblings' challenges as they navigate through different issues that come their way. The episode begins with Charlie (Matthew Fox) dealing with financial problems for the restaurant, Salingers. Bailey (Scott Wolf), on the other hand, has to go through an assessment by the dean at his college due to his lack of academic progress. As for Julia (Neve Campbell), she's feeling incomplete now that school started without her. Finally, Claudia (Lacey Chabert) struggles to seek her siblings' approval as she tries to take up the violin.

The series revolves around the lives of the five siblings who are left orphaned after their parents' sudden death. They lost both their parents in a car accident, and they must learn how to cope with the new changes and responsibilities that come with being orphaned. They are part of a large and tight-knit family, with the eldest brother Charlie taking the responsibility of being the guardian and taking care of his siblings.

In this episode, the Salinger siblings face various obstacles as each one navigates through their individual struggles. Charlie had to come up with a new source of funding for his restaurant, Salingers, after learning that their current loan doesn't cut it. While looking for a way to get the money, he realizes that some of his restaurant staff may be stealing from him. Meanwhile, Bailey had to go through the humiliation of attending an academic assessment with the dean after failing to make significant improvements in school. He struggles to come to terms with his academic difficulties while trying to balance work responsibilities with his schoolwork.

Julia, who declined attending college with her siblings, is feeling inadequate as she is forced to hang around while her siblings attend school. She feels like she doesn't fit in and loses her sense of purpose since she is no longer a student. As for Claudia, she wants to begin playing Violin after looking through her father's old violin. Still, she faces the challenge of her siblings not being supportive of her pursuit.

As the episode progresses, the siblings come together and try to solve their individual problems. Bailey reluctantly takes advice from his peers and finds a mentor who can help him overcome his academic struggles. Charlie takes decisive action and confronts his employees, thus putting an end to potential theft. Julia begins volunteering at a local food bank and realizes that she can still make an impact through her choices even if she doesn't attend college. Finally, Claudia gets the support she needed from her older siblings and begins taking violin lessons, thus fulfilling one of her dreams.

The episode culminates with each character finding their path despite their struggles. The Salingers have a newfound understanding and appreciation for one another as they realize that they can rely on each other during difficult times. They learn that it's okay to be vulnerable in front of one another and that they don't have to go through their problems alone. The characters in Party of Five season 3 episode 4 are relatable and touching, making the show a must-watch for anyone looking for emotional depth in a dramatized TV show.