Spin City: Season 5
Season 5 Lore Primer
Key plot threads, lore context, and character stakes you need to remember before diving into this season.
- Directly follows the overarching narrative developments of Spin City Season 4.
- Faction dynamics and core character alliances shift under escalating external stakes.
- Crucial mysteries introduced previously reach key turning points and narrative reckonings.
- Sets up serialized story arcs that build directly toward the climactic season finale.
Episode Guide
Season 5 Progress Shield
Hello Charlie
Oct 18, 2000
Charlie Crawford is late for his first press conference as the new deputy mayor. He later runs into trouble trying to settle a tollbooth workers strike when their lawyer is an ex-f
Smile
Oct 25, 2000
Charlie tries to get the mayor to a dentist before an important photo shoot. Caitlin hires a new male assistant only because he's attractive. Carter and Stuart deal with someone wh
The Spanish Prisoner
Nov 1, 2000
Caitlin causes a misunderstanding when she believes that Charlie is taking a Spanish class to improve relations with the Latin American community. Paul and the mayor struggle to cr
The Bone Collectors
Nov 8, 2000
Caitlin auditions for the job of co-host on ""Live with Regis."" Stuart and Paul work together supervising after bones are discovered under the Westside Highway. The mayor has an a
Blind Faith
Nov 15, 2000
Caitlin goes out of her way to prove that she's fun after a blind man won't date her because she's not. Charlie accidentally talks Claudia into becoming a nun; she leaves Paul. The
Balloons over Broadway
Nov 22, 2000
Paul convinces his mother that he is dating Caitlin, so she won't be upset that Claudia left him. Charlie tries to prove to Caitlin that his girlfriend isn't dumb. A quickly made b
Lost and Found
Nov 29, 2000
Caitlin and Charlie fight the attention of Caitlin's new friend. Carter, Stuart and Paul compete for a trip to New Orleans with the mayor.
All the Wrong Moves
Dec 6, 2000
An overworked Charlie causes problems after beating the mayor at racquetball. Paul's annual request for a raise is approved by the mayor after his loss of self esteem. Stuart hires
The Burgers of Wrath
Dec 13, 2000
Mike has been in Zimbabwe for three weeks, so Paul teaches Caitlin about celibacy. Stuart convinces Angie that he's a biker guy. War on unemployment forces the mayor to work at a b
Toy Story
Dec 20, 2000
Paul struggles to find the best joke for the mayor's Christmas card. Carter convinces Caitlin to volunteer with him at a retirement community. The mayor's attempt to be more involv
The Perfect Dorm
Jan 10, 2001
In an attempt to get over Claudia, Paul decides to move into a college dorm. Caitlin tries dating, after ending her relationship with Mike--but doesn't have much luck. The Mayor
Hey Judith
Jan 17, 2001
Caitlin sets the mayor up with her neighbor, Judith, who becomes way too much of an influence on the mayor. Carter helps Stuart prepare for a million dollar shot at a Rangers' game
The Gambler
Jan 24, 2001
Paul, Stuart and Carter rope reformed gambler Charlie into their poker night, and are responsible for his subsequent gambling bender. Caitlin tries to teach the mayor to be more se
In the Company of Dudes
Feb 7, 2001
When a supermodel sues the mayor, Charlie hires his old college friend to defend him. Charlie finds himself torn between two friends after Scott hits on Caitlin. Meanwhile, Paul an
The Image Maker
Feb 14, 2001
Carter discovers an old love letter written by Stuart. He decides to set Stuart up with the addressee of the letter, a woman who turns out to be Stuart's ex-wife. The woman quickly
Trainstopping
Feb 21, 2001
Julia's having a hard time dealing with her kiss with Charlie, so he asks her out. Their first date is a nightmare. Meanwhile, the mayor and his staff take the subway to prove that
Rain on My Charades
Feb 28, 2001
The mayor's daughter Meg returns and inspires Caitlin to be more spontaneous and free. Paul, Stuart and Carter give Charlie advice about compromising with Julia. This leads to Char
You've Got Male
Apr 25, 2001
Stuart is hired to write a porno movie. Charlie and Caitlin compete for a donation from a wealthy male chauvinist. After Paul poses as the Mayor's son for a golf tournament, he b
Minor League
May 2, 2001
Charlie tries out for a minor league baseball team, trying to relive his high school glory days. Caitlin encourages the pitcher to go easy on him. The mayor receives a death thre
Science Friction
May 9, 2001
Caitlin falls hard for a rich, young, sexy philanthropist. The Mayor is threatened when Charlie temporarily takes over as acting Mayor, and Paul becomes addicted to Carter's nicoti
Brotherly Love
May 16, 2001
Charlie attempts to interfere with Caitlin and Tim's burgeoning relationship. Meanwhile, Carter hires his sister to work at City Hall and will go to any length to avoid people dis
A Shot in the Dark (1)
May 23, 2001
Charlie and Caitlin fight as she plans to go to the Caribbean for a week with Tim on the night of a police ride-along. On the ride-along, Charlie is shot...by Paul. Charlie fakes
A Shot in the Dark (2)
May 23, 2001
The Mayor hires Chad, an old prep school buddy who is now a bum. Charlie and Caitlin double date with Tim and Charlie's crazy ex. However, Tim dumps Caitlin, who calls Charlie to