Following grandpa Jake's appearance, the siblings are divided. Claudia wants him around, Julia doesn't, while Bailey and Charlie are not sure. Claudia accepts going out, but Julia doesn't trust Jake, so Charlie suggests she could go with her. The three go have a walk, and Claudia is very friendly, excited of spending time with grandpa, but Julia is distant. Jake buys a gift for Claudia, and shows her a picture from Diana when she was 10. Then, at Salinger's, Claudia suggests that he could live in the house because he's alone at the hotel, so Charlie and Bailey tell her that they should give him time, to form a bond, to see if he stays in town. So she convinces them by telling that he is old and might not have much time left, and that he wants to be there. But Julia, more aware than anyone of their mom's feelings, refuses to let him into the house. She badly mistreats Claudia for this, telling that their mother told her how hurt she felt by Jake, that she sometimes thought she did something wrong. Julia tells Claudia that by forgiving Jake, only because she wants someone to take her for ice cream, she's spitting on Diana's grave. This makes Claudia cry. That scene was really intense, heartbreaking. Claudia didn't deserve that, she is the one who most needs someone else in the house. She has felt really alone lately, so Jody has been her only company. But in the house, she's alone and sad. So, after crying (I wonder how much), she calls to the hotel, and saddened, sends to tell Jake that he shouldn't call back. Then, Jake visits to leave a letter, and tells Julia that he will leave them for good if she doesn't want him around, if there's no future for them. He also wants to give her a watch, and explains how Diana played with it, and how he thought many tomes of sending it with a letter, but he never could, getting stuck with "Dear Diana". She doesn't want the watch, and asks him to leave, but he convinces her to avoid that, saying that one day she will regret her choice. They are alone and they don't have anyone else. She tells that she's sorry for her mother not for him, so he says that he wants to try with her, because she's the closest he'll ever be to see Diana again. So Julia finally accepts Jake into the house, and he's later seen reading to Owen, and talking to Bailey. Julia apologizes to Claudia, and tells her that she thought well what their mother would have said if Jake appeared again, begging for love, and feeling regretful. Diana probably would have said that it's too late for them, but would want Jake to be with the five kids. Later, Jake unpacks to stay in the house for a few days, but he says he'll leave for some business work he has in Arizona. He gives the girls more gifts, including two wedding rings (he explains he thought he lost the first, so he bought another one), and promises he will return. This story was great but it was sad for Claudia. She suffered so much this season after losing Kirsten and the violin, besides having to deal with Charlie's mistakes, so here she saw a light, a sunshine and Julia almost takes it away from her. She needs Jake, she said it in Homework, and now she needs him even more. It's a hard situation for Julia too, but the solution was pretty simple, they are alone, the family is a mess since 2x09, so if Jake is regretful and wants to be a part of the family they must let him. I like to highlight one of Claudia's line when she talks to her grandfather, that her life is an open book.
On the other hand, Sarah finds out Bailey's plan to leave for college in New Hampshire and gets mad at him, despite his words and promises of comfort. Then, while singing, Robin Merrin appears wanting to see her and Bailey introduces her to Sarah. They spend a few short dates, but Sarah feels upset when Robin says that she will leave temporarily for job issues, a tour. Sarah gets mad at Bailey because he lied to her in 2x13 about not finding her biological mother but Bailey says that he did the right thing and she accepts it. After confiding in Julia about all this, he tells Sarah that he will stay in SF for her. Robin says goodbye promising she will return and leaves a cat to Sarah (sadly, this cat won't be seen again). So finally, Sarah allows Bailey to leave for college, knowing he will be back, because he loves her. This story was good enough, but it's hard to believe that Sarah will be ok with Bailey leaving. As for Robin, was kind of disappointing that she leaves, it could have been a good storyline to follow.
To finish, Charlie keeps hanging out casually with two women, but when Emily finds out about Kathleen, she dumps him. Charlie then sees that Kathleen did the same with him and asks for an explanation. She doesn't feel bad (she was aware of Emily), but Charlie does feel bad for hurting Emily. Finally, she accepts Charlie's point and dumps the other guy. This part wasn't enjoyable, Charlie is still far away the good man he was, the true good man he is meant to be. I can't take this. The only good point is that shows how Charlie wants something casual, not open, so he doesn't want to commit to anyone. He didn't want to be in a relationship with Emily, probably because she talks too much or because she was a smoker, but he didn't want to hurt her. And he probably felt that with Kathleen, things can stay casual, as she doesn't seem someone who commits. Claudia was obviously disappointed because now she will suffer Emily's misery in class, but she should be glad that Charlie doesn't find anyone good (I'm glad, because the only one right for him, is his lost wife).
On the other hand, Sarah finds out Bailey's plan to leave for college in New Hampshire and gets mad at him, despite his words and promises of comfort. Then, while singing, Robin Merrin appears wanting to see her and Bailey introduces her to Sarah. They spend a few short dates, but Sarah feels upset when Robin says that she will leave temporarily for job issues, a tour. Sarah gets mad at Bailey because he lied to her in 2x13 about not finding her biological mother but Bailey says that he did the right thing and she accepts it. After confiding in Julia about all this, he tells Sarah that he will stay in SF for her. Robin says goodbye promising she will return and leaves a cat to Sarah (sadly, this cat won't be seen again). So finally, Sarah allows Bailey to leave for college, knowing he will be back, because he loves her. This story was good enough, but it's hard to believe that Sarah will be ok with Bailey leaving. As for Robin, was kind of disappointing that she leaves, it could have been a good storyline to follow.
To finish, Charlie keeps hanging out casually with two women, but when Emily finds out about Kathleen, she dumps him. Charlie then sees that Kathleen did the same with him and asks for an explanation. She doesn't feel bad (she was aware of Emily), but Charlie does feel bad for hurting Emily. Finally, she accepts Charlie's point and dumps the other guy. This part wasn't enjoyable, Charlie is still far away the good man he was, the true good man he is meant to be. I can't take this. The only good point is that shows how Charlie wants something casual, not open, so he doesn't want to commit to anyone. He didn't want to be in a relationship with Emily, probably because she talks too much or because she was a smoker, but he didn't want to hurt her. And he probably felt that with Kathleen, things can stay casual, as she doesn't seem someone who commits. Claudia was obviously disappointed because now she will suffer Emily's misery in class, but she should be glad that Charlie doesn't find anyone good (I'm glad, because the only one right for him, is his lost wife).