Remote Patrol, Keeping a Watch on TV

As powerful as the alcoholism arc was, Party tackled an even bigger taboo when it dealt with Kirsten's clinical depression. Charlie and Kirsten's tumultuous affair — he cheated on her, dumped her for the manipulative Kathleen (steely Brenda Strong), then asked Kirsten to marry him, only to stand her up at the altar — finally took its toll. Devicq deserved an Emmy nomination for her nuanced portrayal of Kirsten's breakdown.

While Kirsten moved back in with her parents to recuperate, Charlie took up with an African-American political activist, Grace (Tamara Taylor, who made a semi-sympathetic character totally unappealing). Their romance was doomed, not because of interracial tension, but because of Grace's lack of interest in Charlie's younger siblings. That doesn't appear to be a problem for Charlie's newest gal pal, Nina (Jessica Lundy, who's less annoying now that she's dropped her grating Noo Yawk accent from Hope & Gloria), an ornithologist who's already bonded with Owen.

Bailey seems more prone to getting burned by his latest flame, fellow recovering alcoholic Annie (Paige Turco, NYPD Blue's lovable lesbian cop, Abby). She's stirred up jealousy in Sarah, who now "platonically" shares a pad with Bailey. Of course, Charlie and Nina's relationship could get complicated when Kirsten returns with a big surprise on the Oct. 29 episode. What's the secret? I'll never tell — I'm no Party pooper.