Party of Five s05e18 Episode Script

1 Claudia? (gasps) Griffin.
you scared me to death.
what are you doing here? how come you're not at school? it's 4:00.
you never called to tell me where you were staying, and I know I'm not supposed to visit you at work, but here.
I brought you your mail-- magazines mostly.
you came all the way down here to bring me the "women in thongs" issue of motor mania? I just thought you should know that you were right.
no one bothered to tell you, but right about what? my boss is gonna be back any second.
about Julia.
Maggie told Charlie that ned used to beat her up, too, so Bailey and Charlie went down there to try and bring Julia home, but she kicked them out, and now she's not talking to us.
she's not talking to anyone anymore, Griffin.
except ned.
you know what? I don't wanna know this.
what good is me knowing this, huh? she's not gonna listen to me, either.
because we have to do something.
do what? I've done everything I know how to do, and you know what? it's only made things worse.
sorry.
I gotta get back.
so, that's it? you're just gonna stay here and work on your stupid cars and do nothing? shame on you 'cause who knows what he's doing to her now, Griffin.
right now--every second that I waste even talking to you.
I Claudia, calm down.
don't touch me! and don't tell me to calm down, and don't tell me no one can do anything.
the only person that can help Julia now is Julia.
that's it.
that's the truth.
she's gotta make up her own mind that this is gonna stop or else or else what? he just keeps hitting her? is that what you're saying? Everybody wants to live like they wanna live and everybody wants to love like they wanna love and everybody wants to be closer to free closer to free You want me to ask a judge to take a child from a perfectly good home.
it's a good home, Mr.
Cole.
maybe not the best home.
if Charlie were abusing Owen or endangering him in any way-- no, no, no, no.
it's nothing like that.
like I said, Owen has a learning disability that Charlie really needs to be working on, and he isn't.
if you're looking to have Owen taken away from your brother based solely on that look, I can give Owen what he needs right now.
I'd be the better guardian.
ok.
Well, in that case, the court is gonna want to take a look at you, and maybe in ways you don't wanna be looked at.
you ever have a problem, something that might come up? a problem? extreme case: were you ever arrested? arrested? No.
wait.
let me revise that.
I was I had a d.
U.
I and the charges got reduced.
not that any of that matters now.
it's gonna matter to the court.
I'm sober now.
I'm in recovery.
you're asking a judge to take your little brother out of a sober, hard-working home and place him with an alcoholic single with a record.
single? No.
I have a girlfriend who lives with me-- oh.
Make that an alcoholic shacking up with a young girl.
the court will think you're a terrific role model for a 5-year-old.
talk to him, Bailey.
talk to your brother.
I have talked to him.
I've tried.
well, try harder.
get him to change his mind.
"try harder.
" that's your legal advice? every time.
Believe me, anything's better than dragging your family through the court.
Hey.
hey.
where do you think you're going? to be late obviously.
late for what? I told you about it.
we have that surrealist women's exhibit at s.
F.
Moma.
we? yeah, me and Maggie.
so, what, you two are gonna get together and compare notes on me now? no.
It's for class.
we planned it months ago.
'cause I can just imagine Maggie's twisted take on the whole thing.
ned, whatever happened with you and Maggie, I'm not Maggie, ok? I understand what this is with us and I can handle it.
by spending the day with Maggie? ned, please.
no.
I thought we agreed.
I thought it was just gonna be us now--nobody else.
ned, do you honestly think there's anything that Maggie or anyone could say to me to change the way I feel about you? huh? 'Cause I'll tell you, I've heard it all from everyone.
I've heard the worst, and I'm still here.
I'm not going anywhere.
except to the museum, and I'll be right back.
promise? I promise.
I promise.
I don't want to have to vote.
I'm not asking you to vote, claud, I'm asking you to agree, like as a family, what's best for owe.
Charlie has been a good father for Owen, like he has for me and you.
ok, but-- but Owen needs more.
more than Charlie can give him.
so help Charlie.
don't try to line me up against him.
he won't listen to me, claud.
he's in denial that Owen even has a problem, which is why I need to do something.
like what? well, Charlie's only Owen's guardian.
only his guardian, huh? no, finish your pitch.
I want to hear you say to my face that, uh, that I've done a bad job as head of this family.
no, that's not exactly-- this is about Owen, Charlie.
this isn't about us.
this isn't about you and me.
no? It is about us, Bailey, because we have to deal with Owen's problem.
so you're admitting that he has a problem? finally! yeah, yeah.
The way you're going about Owen's problem is a problem.
it's reckless.
so you're saying that I'm the problem.
I'm the reason that Owen's acting out.
wait a minute, you guys.
Owen is just acting out sometimes, because that's Owen.
he acts out.
And when you think about it, it wasn't until Diana came along that he-- wait.
Charlie, you know what I mean.
claud, you're right.
you're right.
everybody knows it, Charlie.
Everybody.
listen, I am still the legal guardian, and if you don't believe me, talk to a lawyer.
I have talked to a lawyer.
you what? Bailey what? First a social worker and now a lawyer? you want to start a legal thing to get Owen? are you nuts?! why don't you step outside and get a little oxygen to your brain? what? You want me to leave? you trying to throw me out of my own house? you come in here with plans to break up this house, then, yeah, you can go.
and that's how you keep the family together, huh? Charlie? you see, claud? You see? is this poor car even going to make it to San Francisco? shh.
Come on, the bug's ok.
and she's way better than the beast.
I'm sorry, love bug.
well, I don't like to brag, but what? you're kidding.
In here? it's tiny.
well, you know what they say, it's not the size of the car, it's the fact that the seats go back.
wait.
Where are we going? we're going to be late.
hey, my love bug cannot live on love alone.
mags, you got a full tank of gas.
shh.
That old Gauge isn't what it used to be.
Want anything? surprise me.
Wow! That was fast.
Griffin! surprise.
what are you what are you doing? Griffin, stop! stop the car.
Griffin, I mean it.
stop the car right now.
Griffin.
Griffin, stop! stop the car.
Griffin, I am not kidding.
stop the car and take me back there.
Griffin, this is Maggie's car.
you can't just what the hell do you think you're doing? oh, great.
So--so what? you're not going to talk to me now? you're going to kidnap me and not tell me why? you're not being kidnapped.
exactly.
yes, I am! god, you've obviously been stalking me.
you drive off with me against my will, you won't let me out of the car.
what else would you call it? we're just going someplace to talk, all right? (sighs) you know what? Maggie's gonna call the police.
you're going straight back to jail.
Maggie's not going to call the police.
she's gonna go call a cab, and she's gonna go home.
at least, that's what the plan was.
wait.
Maggie was in on this, too? and Claudia.
god, I can't believe what is wrong with you people? why can't you all just leave me alone? this has nothing to do with any of you.
no, save it, all right? you think I really want to be here? it's just that Claudia and Maggie are so convinced that, if somebody doesn't do something-- then what? You know, you're no different than my sister was, you know that? she never needed any help.
hell, she never had any problems.
she could handle the drugs, she could handle my dad, until she couldn't.
so what's the big plan? I thought maybe I took you some place that you loved, you know, some place you used to be yourself.
oh, maybe it's stupid, but I thought maybe your parents' cabin up in Tahoe.
if I could just get you there and-- yeah, well, you were wrong.
and you know what else? lake Tahoe is that way.
Bailey.
didn't the doorman call up? he said Mr.
salinger, so, you know oh, you thought Charlie.
yeah.
Hi.
hi.
come in.
I'm--actually, I'm kind of glad it's you.
it's like the departure lounge downstairs.
oh, yeah, I know.
so many flight attendants live in this building, they call it the birdcage.
it's kind of different for me, huh? it's a nice place, though.
it's a nice view.
yeah.
I like it.
it'sit's temporary.
it's nice.
so you didn't come here to talk about the view.
no.
I didn't.
actually Kirsten, I came here to talk about Owen.
he's been having some problems.
is he ok? yes, and and not really.
he's been having a lot of trouble with school.
here.
these are learning tests, reading tests, and he's really been struggling.
if you ask Charlie, he would say he just needs to focus, and that everything is going to work itself out.
Bailey, wait, no.
I'm not getting in between you and Charlie.
ok, well, forget about me and Charlie.
this is about Owen.
what about Owen? no.
No.
It still it's getting involved like that? I'm sorry.
it feels like a step backward for me.
I didn't come to San Francisco to get in the middle of your lives again.
I came back to figure out my own.
ok, well, I hear all that.
so don't get involved.
don't get between us.
where Owen winds up is between Charlie and I, but, Kirsten-- wait a minute.
you are someone who knows a lot about child development, and I'm telling you, if you look at these tests look at them.
Bailey, are you trying to take Owen away from Charlie? ok, you want to know what I think? I don't need to look at your tests.
I'll tell you right now if--if you think that taking Owen away is the solution, you're wrong.
and if you plan on fighting over this, it's going to do more damage to Owen than anything that you see on these tests.
and that's what I think.
I'm going to leave these with you, ok? you look at them if you want.
no, wait, Bailey, I told you I didn't want-- justlook at them.
you'll agree.
Sorry if I scared you.
did I scare you, blinky? yeah, you did.
what's going on? Julia doesn't live here anymore.
well, I, uh I thought you might know where she is.
she's at the museum.
didn't she tell you that? I thought you guys went together.
I finished early.
you know Julia-- doesn't know when to quit.
yeah.
sodid you just come from there? uh-huh.
then how come I just saw you at the cafeteria, Maggie? You want to tell me that? you know what, ned? maybe you still have the key, but that does not give you the right-- want to tell me what's going on? where is she? who's she with? she's at the museum, ned.
just cut the crap.
ok? don't lie to me.
what's the matter, ned? you seem upset.
you know, whatever you're up to, it's a waste of time.
'cause Julia and me, we're doing great.
it's not like what everyone thinks.
then why you so worried? I'm not.
I'm just I'd like to know where she is.
you scared she's with someone she'll listen to? where is she, Maggie? you scared they'll start to make sense? just tell me where she is.
she's where she belongs, ok? away from you.
(straining) it is not the engine.
we're out of gas.
unh! The Gauge says it's full.
the Gauge is lying.
Maggie told me when we stopped for gas.
I thought she said she was going to fill it up last night.
oh we better get going before it gets too dark.
ok, we are not going anywhere.
there's no way I'm walking 10 miles to the nearest rest stop in these shoes which are new and incredibly uncomfortable just because you're too male to sit here and wait for help.
um you know what, Griffin? Don't, ok? just go.
leave me alone.
you're not staying here.
you know what, Griffin? this whole pathetic little kidnapping fantasy of yours is over, so you don't get to tell me what to do anymore! since when have I ever told you what to do? huh? You've been marching me around since the day we first met.
that is not true.
you wanted us to move into the shed you wanted me to sell my shop, you wanted to go back to school, and every time I said whatever you want, jule, like an idiot thinking maybe, maybe but, uh, looks like all you really ever wanted was for somebody just to beat the selfishness right out of you.
Thanks for coming right over.
well, when I heard that he got in a fight, i-- children fight.
even best friends.
hewly was teasing Owen after read-aloud.
you couldn't separate them? oh.
This was on the playground during break.
Mr.
salinger, is Owen getting the extra hours at night with his reading? he's getting what he needs.
3 extra hours a night? do you know the message we're sending him telling him that he has to work like that, that he has to take 3 hours to do something that his friend hewly can do in 20 minutes? we're telling him that he's stupid, miss lowe.
learning disabilities have nothing to do with being stupid-- I'm talking about how he feels, about how we're making him feel, because we're labeling him, miss lowe.
that's exactly what we're doing.
labeling him is what his friends do, Mr.
salinger.
it's exactly what they did on the playground.
then teacher to teacher, it's your job to keep your kids in line.
we'll see you tomorrow, Owen.
hi, Charlie.
hey.
he started it.
I told him to stop, but he wouldn't.
and then everyone else started it, and then started what, owe? calling me names.
they're calling me names after read-aloud, 'cause because what you were reading out loud was hard? it was hard, Charlie, and I was trying, but but they were calling me "slowen" 'cause it takes me so long to read.
"slowen"? I hate them, Charlie.
I hate hewly and the others.
and Mrs.
lowe.
I hate them all! you can't hate them all.
and you sure can't start fighting with all of them.
that's only going to make it worse.
why not, Charlie? you and Bailey fight all the time.
Somebody, come on Thank you.
Hi.
get in.
um, actually, I was just wondering if you had a phone or something.
get--get in.
well, I would, but it's not my car.
see, it's my friend's, and she can't leave get in! that would be great.
umthere's room for my husband, right? Griffin? Griffin! Griffin, wait up! How's it going down there? fine.
I don't see a lot of pencil moving.
thinking.
do as much as you can, and I'll slide down there and help you finish up, ok? You done, big guy? Those letters are not really (softly) Jeez I can't, Charlie.
I can't do it! Owenit's ok.
it's all right.
it's hard sometimes.
and there's lots of letters and lots of words, and we're going to spend lots of time until we get them right.
ok? hey it's going to be ok.
What? nothing.
you just everybody has this idea that ned is, like, this monster, you know? like I'm his prisoner, living in fear, and that is so not true.
I mean, you were right.
when have I ever done anything I didn't want to do? that's not what I meant.
still.
so ned and my relationship isn't perfect.
he hits you.
he loves me.
oh, he loves you.
well, does he hit you because he loves you, or is it the other way around, then? Griffin, that's not it's not like that, ok? we're like any other couple.
we hang out, we see movies, wehave fun.
we're like everybody else.
until he hits you.
because he will.
he will hit you again.
I just I wh-why do you stay with him? I mean, wh-what is it that he does for you? everything.
he takes care of me.
hmm.
so you don't have to worry about taking care of yourself, because he takes care of you.
that is so not what I meant.
That-- god, look at you.
you're so smart.
and so beautiful.
you can have anybody.
you can do anything.
but instead you hang out with him.
god! this is so perfect, coming from you.
I'm hiding out? Griffin, you're the one who's been living in my family's garage.
I mean, look at you.
we broke up almost a year ago, and you're still here.
why are you still here, Griffin? I have no idea.
because you're right.
I don't have a life.
I had a life.
with you.
but I gave that up so that you could have what you want.
So how do you think that makes me feel, jule? to find out that you wanted this? to know that you'd rather be with some guy that hits you than to be with me? Finally.
there's a buddy of mine at the shop who can probably give us a tow.
yeah, thanks, but oh, yeah, you're right.
you should probably go call ned before he gets pissed.
I mean it.
I mean, he expects you to, so it's your life, jule.
I'm I'm not going to tell you what to do.
you need 35 cents? you know what? no, forget it.
no.
You know what, Griffin? you think you know me.
you think you know everything that goes on in my head, but you don't.
and this whole stunt today, it just proves to me that you never did.
And yeah, I'm calling ned.
but not because he expects me to, because I choose to.
because I love him.
you got that? I need 35 cents.
Kirsten.
hi.
hey.
hi.
god.
oh, um sit back down.
finish your supper.
I'm not going to stay.
wow.
what a surprise.
when your note said you were, uh giving me some space, I didn't realize how much space that would be.
I didn't want to be here in a way that isn't good for me.
that's all it was, Charlie.
doesn't mean you have to stay away completely.
um I think it does.
butyou know, that's--that's not why I'm here.
um I'm here because well, it's it's about Owen.
Owen.
What about him? how's he been, Charlie? he's been Kirsten, come on.
what is this, out of the blue you're asking about Owen? I read his test results.
Bailey gave them to me, and I'm--I'm really worried, Charlie.
I think Owen has a serious problem.
Bailey.
Bailey's been by to see you.
look, I know I know that there's stuff between you two.
him coming by, he was just-- he was just trying to help.
yeah.
ToGet the kid away from me.
I told you, I am staying out of that.
could you just tell me what's going on with Owen? ok.
I talked to a couple of experts.
this woman at, uh, at Berkeley who's written a couple of books on this.
she hasn't seen Owen yet, but she did say a couple of things that made sense.
I don't get it.
this is for Owen? a gift? yeah.
he's going to need a reward for all the extra work we're about to do, something that improves hand-eye coordination is best.
it could help his confidence.
what do you think? it all sounds great.
listen, I know it's no coincidence that Owen started to make a mess of his schoolwork when Diana first came.
Charlie, that's-- this is going to work, Kirsten.
there's nothing that me spending more time with Owen can't fix, and everyone will see it.
Bailey'll see it, and he'll fall in line with me on this and the fighting will stop.
(vehicle approaching) I won't say anything, ok? Hi.
you ok? mm-hmm.
you sure? why don't you go sit in the car? ned, don't.
Please.
Julia? you come anywhere near her ned, let's go home.
It's cold.
Here.
no, I'm ok.
what, you want to freeze to death? ok.
Ok.
now I'm all yours.
no, I know you're busy and all.
wait.
For you to come down here, it must be important.
So? you know what this is about.
you can imagine what it's like at the house right now.
Charlie? no.
Charlie and you.
both of you.
the fact that you're not even supposed to come there anymore, I mean I don't even know how that happened.
I know how it happened.
because Charlie-- stop! You're just going to say 'cause Charlie did this or that, or 'cause he's in the wrong, but you know what, Bailey? I can't take both of you fighting like this anymore.
Claudia, believe me.
if I didn't have to be doing this, if I felt like there was any other way but I really believe that Owen would be better off with me, that he needs to be with me.
you don't have to agree with that.
all I know is I don't know what's going to happen with Julia, and all you two do is tear each other apart.
it feels like the house is falling down, Bailey.
I can't help it.
You want to tell me what happened? nothing.
jule he just wanted to talk.
really? what he say? nothing.
he was worried about me.
jule, I think we got to call the police on this guy.
ned.
look, I'm not going to tell you what to do but this guy totally went off on me and basically kidnapped you.
we went for a drive.
that's all.
you won't even have to make the call.
I'll go down there, and I'll take care of everything.
no, ned.
thanks, but I've got it under control, ok? Soclaudia's pretty upset.
can you blame her? and you're feeling like it's your fault.
well, how can I not? it's like when you're trying to fix something, and you just totally wreck it.
what if Kirsten's right? what, about Owen? Bailey, she didn't even read the tests-- about us fighting.
me and Charlie.
because look what it's doing.
I made Charlie so mad that he doesn't want me at the house, so nowWhen Owen needs help, I can't even go over there to give it to him.
This isn't working, Sarah.
there's got to be a better way to do this.
Let's go, Charlie! give me the push! ok.
One more and then we go home and hit the books, right? you remember our deal.
now, we're on the bike.
I know, I know.
3 hours on the reading.
ok.
You ready? (Diana whimpering) all right, pedal.
pedal! all right, you got it.
keep it going.
steer! look, Charlie, I'm doing it! all right, good! now, nowTry to-- hit the brakes! put your leg out! one more time, Charlie, please.
no.
Come on, buddy.
remember what we said.
look, I'm going to take Diana over to the picnic table, ok? And give her a pit stop.
bring your bike over here and then we'll head home.
ok.
(Diana crying) hey sweetie, huh? I can do this.
huh? Shh go on I got you.
Aww I got you.
here we go.
Charlie, help! Owen! hit the brakes! Owen turn! I can't stop! come on.
Charlie! Owen, are you all right? Charlie, my arm your arm? Charlie, it hurts really bad.
ok.
So I thought we could go see a movie tonight.
Shakespeare in love is still here.
tonight? yeah.
I know how you wanted to see it.
mmmi do.
it's just I have this study group for my history midterm tonight, so right.
They called.
your t.
A.
, Becky something? Rebecca bloom.
Yeah.
what did she say? nothing.
just confirming.
oh.
but I told her you weren't feeling well, so you're off the hook.
wait.
You--you told her I wouldn't be there? no.
I just-- you seemed so out of it last night, I thought well, hey, I can call her back if you want.
I mean, you've got the number, right? no.
Um no.
I mean, that's-- that's all right.
I'll call her later.
no.
call her now, if that's what you want.
no.
I said it was all right.
but it's not.
it's obviously not.
so what's the number? I'll dial it.
ned, I don't wanna-- then take the phone.
take the damn phone! I'll call her later, all right? god, you're mad at me, aren't you? Julia tell me.
ned, I'm not mad.
it's ok.
stop saying that.
you made me drive all the way out there last night-- to god knows where-- to get you away from him.
what? let me finish! and I don't even say anything, and now you're the one who's acting cold and weird.
what's goin' on with you, Julia? what time is the movie? tell me.
what time? 7:00.
I'll work until then.
Salinger? Mr.
salinger? yeah.
That's me.
I'm Bailey salinger.
um, we call it a green stick fracture.
it's like trying to break a green stick.
it's pretty common in kids.
so, it's not really broken? well, it's a fracture, all right.
we're putting a soft cast on it now.
the nurse will show you how to take care of it.
ok.
what? Is that all you really know, Charlie, "it's not really broken"? look, even a doctor can't convince you.
Bailey, not now.
no.
Maybe this isn't the time or the place, but I just don't get it, Charlie.
I just wanted to know how bad it is.
why can't you see this stuff? why can't you see that he is not some grown-up kid who can ride an adult bike and do everything for himself? this is not my fault, ok? he took off on his own.
I couldn't leave Diana to chase him.
right.
Exactly.
you couldn't leave Diana.
that's my point.
I can't be every place at once, Bailey.
no parent can.
Oh, hey! Charlie, listen.
Owen.
Charlie, wait.
Owen needs more than you can give him right now.
all of us can see that.
why can't you? Jule you about ready? Now, that's what I call a perfect table.
perfect meal on the way.
perfect.
everything.
(knock on door) I had to say it out loud.
just a sec! oh, damn.
(knocking) ok.
hey.
Maggie.
ned you suckin' your thumb now? I hurt myself.
hmm.
That's a switch.
what are you doin' here, Maggie? I called her, ned.
are you ready, jule? wait a minute.
what's goin' on? what are you doing? I'm leaving.
I'm leaving, ned.
what? you can't.
I won't let you.
you have to.
wait.
I mean why? I mean, you have to tell me why.
no, I don't.
I don't think I do.
we love each other, Julia.
you don't want to do this.
Griffin and Maggie are telling you what to feel.
really? that's really what you think is happening? come on, jule.
ned, don't, please.
let go.
Just let go of the-- shut up, Maggie! you don't do this.
you don't just leave me.
what are you gonna do, ned, huh? huh? Please, Julia.
good-bye.
Hey.
You think that, um that Owen should go live with Bailey, don't you? Charlie, when mom and dad raised us, they had each other and they had you, and, don't take this wrong, but now there's just you.
what are you saying, that i-- that I can't do this, I can't take care of Owen? look, ever since you've gotten better, you've had this feeling of--i don't know-- like you could take on anything all by yourself, and it's good, Charlie.
it's good that you're feeling that strong.
is this about his broken arm? because that is-- that is so unfair to blame that on-- Charlie, it's not the broken arm.
then what? I've been doin' this alone for 5 years, claud.
but that's not true, Charlie.
It's not.
the truth is, all of us, we all raised each other.
I mean, I'm not saying you didn't do a lot.
you did an incredible job, but-- you've raised Owen and me and Bailey and jule-- and we took care of you, and we pitched in with Owen.
we all pitched in together, Charlie.
and you never had 2 small kids on your own.
till now.
I am so sorry, jule.
I just keep thinking if only I'd warned you, you know? if only I'd had the guts to tell you about him.
I wouldn't have listened.
what do you mean? you left him.
you're here now.
whatever Griffin said to you-- he didn't.
that's not what happened.
it wasn't what he said.
no no.
no.
It was, um what? I thought it was love.
you know? this thing with him.
I thought it was him and me against everything else, everything that ever hurt me.
my last year at home, my breakup with Griffin, and even my mom and dad I thought, uh I thought if I chose him and I pushed away everyone else and I lost myself in us, that I would be safe from all the bad stuff.
and that I'd be making this really great and safe thing with him.
But all I really did was lose myself.
Mr.
salinger.
did you get that matter worked out with your family? no, I didn't.
and, now, things have gotten worse.
that's my brother's arm.
I want to move forward.