Last season, Charlie and Kirsten's wedding fell apart at the alter. Now, the senior Salinger son and his former fiance (Matthew Fox, Paula Devicq) are together again -minus marriage plans. Cupid's arrow is also aimed elsewhere. Julia's brooding ex-flame Griffin (Jeremy London) is back in town; and Claudia (Lacey Chabert) returns from camp with big news: "I met a boy and I fell in love." Meanwhile, Bailey and best friend Will (Scott Wolf, Scott Grimes) have a disastrous road trip to Mexico.
#2 "Going, Going, Gone"
Aired Wednesday, August 28, 1996..
As Julia promotes personal responsibility, Griffin's life plans seem to focus only on being with her; Kirsten's academic plans leave little time for Charlie; Claudia's beau (Rider Strong) only has eyes for Julia; and Bailey feels betrayed by Will's friendship with a new college roomate..
#3 "Short Cuts"
Aired Wednesday, September 4, 1996.
A secret revealed blows Kirsten off course just as she embarks on a new job in academia; an accommodating new pal helps Bailey practically breeze through his first days at college; and Justin's frank and revealing school essay takes the wind out of Julia's sails.
#4 "Deal With It"
Aired Wednesday, September 11, 1996.
Aired in Australia Tuesday, July 1 1997
Charlie tries to restore Kirsten's lust for life but her depression continues to intensify, as does Charlie's fear. Meanwhile, things click between Cooper and Julia; Bailey hunts for an apartment, feeling in the way at Cooper's dorm room; and Claudia gets saddled with home repair tasks.
#5 "Mixed Signals"
Aired Wednesday, September 18, 1996.
Bailey has his hands full with a "never-a-dull-moment" roomate, who's juggling a handful of boyfriends; Charlie intervenes in the personal problems of Claudia's pal Jody, but he may be unable to handle problems closer to home; and Cooper needs a break from both Julia and Baile
#6 "Going Home"
Aired Wednesday, September 25, 1996.
Charlie fears he may lose Kirsten after a confrontation with her parents, who arrive with plans to take their daughter home to Chicago. Elsewhere, Bailey and Callie feel like kindred spirits, each with thoughts of cutting family ties; and Julia and Sarah can't seem to forget home while out of town on college interviews.
#7 "Personal Demons"
Aired Wednesday, October 30, 1996.
The Salingers' recent streak of bad luck prompts Claudia to hire an exorcist, which she may later come to regret; Charlie is visited by a handyman who claims to be an old friend of his dad's; Bailey does more than think about the unthinkable with seductive roommate Callie; and Julia doesn't approve of Justin's new romantic interest.
#8 "Not So Fast"
Aired Wednesday, November 6, 1996.
Julia feels encouraged about a future in creative-writing upon a first meeting with a popular Stanford instructor; and Claudia finds renewed enthusiasm for the violin after meeting her mother's talented former colleague. Meanwhile, Sarah kills Bailey with kindness as he struggles to be brutally honest with her.
#9 "Gimme Shelter"
Aired Wednesday, November 13, 1996.
The press paints Charlie as the bad guy, when he mishandles an incident with the homeless- and so does Grace; a hired roofer and his brother complicate life around the house for Julia; and Bailey opts for Plan C after he's rejected by the hockey team.
#10 "Close to You"
Aired Wednesday, November 20, 1996.
Callie becomes increasingly dependent on Bailey after he saves her from a date- rape attempt; Grace and Charlie are repeatedly mistaken for a couple; Julia goes gaga over Sam the contractor; and Claudia's insights become an advice column in the school paper.
#11 "I Do"
Aired Wednesday, November 27, 1996.
On what would have been his first anniversary with Kirsten, Charlie reluctantly finds himself the best man in family friend Joe's wedding at the restaurant. Meanwhile, romance is the last thing on Bailey's mind as he tries to accommodate Sarah's wishes; Sam loses interest in Julia; and Grace feels awkward as Charlie's date.
#12 "Desparate Measures"
Aired Wednesday, December 11, 1996.
It seems like old times when Charlie surprises Kirsten with a visit to Chicago. But in his absence things go haywire back home, as Claudia is admitted to the hospital.
#13 "Christmas"
Aired Wednesday, December 18, 1996.
Claudia and Julia are pleased when Grandpa Jake arrives unexpectedly for Christmas but recent developments in the romance department knock the holiday spirit right out of Charlie and Bailey.
#14 "Life's Too Short"
Aired Wednesday, January 8, 1997.
A tradegy involving a fellow classmate gives Julia and Justin pause as they apply for admission to various colleges; an old secret surfaces during Charlie's high-school reunion; and nothing Bailey does seems good enough for Sarah, who can't forgive - or forget - his infidelity
Final Episode!
#25 You Win Some, You Lose Some
The series' third season ends on a positive note: the show has been renewed and its ratings are climbing, thanks to a fiercely loyal, young audience. What's more, the storyline takes a decidedly upbeat turn. According to executive producer Amy Lippman, the finale is much lighter than most of this year's episodes, and unlike the 1996 season-ender, "there's a wedding." The outing also finds Charlie and Grace wishing things were different between them; Bailey feeling alone when Sarah leaves for vacation; and Griffin stinging from news that Julia may go to Europe with Justin.
