Review of Party of Five

I just started getting into this series, and am pleasantly surprised. For the most part, this is a '90's nostalgia trip for someone who missed it in original broadcast. Unlike other teen dramas, like Dawson's Creek and others, the scripting and the dialogue aren't distracting or overdone. It proceeds from a perspective of normal people, living their lives, attempting to piece together their lives. Two criticisms are the cinematography and the audio, which are dark and gloomy, and low and whispery at times. Another is that, in the first few episodes, the plot points are simple, episodic, and disposable at the end of the credits. You have several main characters, all different in their own ways: * Scott Wolf (Bailey) - easily the stand-out star performer; hormonal * (Charlie) - Oldest son, and moral center. Not quite a great performance here. * (Julia) Neve Campbell - oldest daughter; pouty, homewrecking, whiny in the first few episodes I've seen * (Claudia) Lacey Chabert - youngest daughter; annoying at times, precocious * (Jill) Megan Ward - love interest of Bailey. Basically trouble.

The first few episodes that I've seen deal with issues such as: drug use, relationships, more young-adult themes. These kids live in what looks like San Francisco. Among teenage dramas, this would be the most balanced as a whole that I have seen.