Picket Fences

Season One

*** Picket Fences is one of my all time favorite shows
and I have watched most of these episodes many, many times.
I tried to remember some of the episodes that involve Kimberly
(Holly Marie Combs' character) and placed this symbol next
 to them so that you'll know. There are probably more (she's in
almost every single episode)... so keep watching.

1992-09-18 9K79 "PILOT" ***

The small town homeyness of Rome, Wis., clashes with big-city-style
intrigue when a murder investigation leads Sheriff Brock to use
privileged information obtained by his doctor wife, Jill..

1992-09-25 9K01 "THE GREEN BAY CHOPPER"

Max's persistence at solving the case of a serial kidnapper-mutilator
leads to a jurisdiction dispute with the FBI and a brush with
heroism.

1992-10-02 9K03 "MR. DREEB COMES TO TOWN" ***

A circus midget (Michael Anderson) rides in on an elephant and
becomes a big man in town, winning the town's sympathy in an
animal-cruelty suit as well as winning Max's heart. Meanwhile,
a gifted teacher learns that he has a brain tumor that could end his career.

1992-10-16 9K02 "THE AUTUMN OF ROME"

With the help of his family's values, Sheriff Brock takes a stand on
ethics and the fate of Rome when the town's mayoral race opens up a
Pandora's box of crime and under-the-table dealings.

1992-10-23 9K04 "FRANK, THE POTATO MAN" ***

Frank the Potato Man (David Proval) has eyes for teenage girls,
including Kimberly, leading to suspicions that he's the "serial
bather."

1992-10-26 9K05 "REMEMBERING ROSEMARY" ***

On the eve of Halloween, questions arise about the death of a woman
in Rome 10 years earlier, and Maxine tries to determine whether it
was murder rather than suicide. ** Special Monday night episode.

1992-10-30 9K06 "THE CONTENDERS"

Kenny boxes with a former middleweight champion who's passing
through town; Jill comes out fighting as a surprise candidate for mayor
and takes a few hits herself.

1992-11-06 9K07 "SACRED HEARTS"

Jill and Zack discover an elderly woman dead in bed and the evidence
points to a mercy killing. A singing nun is arrested for the crime,
but will the court have mercy on her?

1992-11-13 9K08 "THANKSGIVING"

Thanksgiving becomes a time of sharing personal feelings and
opinions when Jill's father(Richard Kiley) brings along a much younger
love interest on his holiday visit. Meanwhile, Wambaugh catches his wife
cheating, and Kenny and Max share dinner as singles.

1992-12-04 9K10 "THE SNAKE LADY"

Sheriff Brock and his team must read the fine print when a young
woman's death could lead to a sizable payoff for either her husband
or her sister.

1992-12-11 9K09 "PAGEANTRY"

Rome's annual Christmas pageant at a public school is ruled a
violation of separation of church and state. This leads to a bigger
controversy when Sheriff Brock must arrest a teacher who refuses to
comply with the court order and uncovers her secret past.

1992-12-18 9K11 "HIGH TIDINGS" ***

Jimmy, Jill and the boys return from a Christmas Eve outing, planning
to surprise Kimberly, but the surprise is on them when they find her
in bed with her boyfriend. ** This was one of two episodes submitted
for Emmy consideration.

1993-01-08 9K12 "FROG MAN"

Unnerved when Kenny is shot as they investigate a jewelry store
break-in, Max botches the arrest of the prime suspect: "The Frog Man."

1993-01-15 9K13 "BAD MOONS RISING"

A 40-year-old woman is charged with killing the husband she is about
to divorce, and Wambaugh attempts to build a temporary-insanity plea
to attribute her recent erratic behavior to menopause.

1993-01-22 9K14 "NUCLEAR MELTDOWNS" ***

When a friend from school becomes pregnant, Kimberly tells her
parents she believes it resulted from incest. Meanwhile, Max goes
after a duck killer, and Kenny has a fateful meeting with an
attractive woman.

1993-02-05 9K15 "THE BODY POLITIC"

A dentist who practiced without disclosing that he was HIV-positive
has the town up in arms, as does the case of a man who wishes to keep
his brain dead pregnant wife on life support until their child is
born. Meanwhile, Kenny takes flak for dating twins.

1993-02-12 9K16 "BE MY VALENTINE"

Maxine recognizes the MO of a Valentine's Day serial killer when she
gets an odd response to a personal ad.

1993-04-01 9K17 "FETAL ATTRACTION"

Brock wonders if Jill's interest is purely professional when she
calls on her ex-fiance, a leading neurosurgeon, to perform a
controversial fetal brain tissue transplant that could cure a patient
with Parkinson's disease. ** This was the second of two episodes
submitted for Emmy consideration.

1993-04-08 9K18 "SIGHTINGS"

Matthew and Zack have a close encounter with a corpse; Carter is
alienated when his autopsy of the body reveals radiation scars and
cancer, leading him to believe that the man witnessed a spaceship
crash in the 1950s. 60 minutes

1993-04-15 9K19 "RIGHTS OF PASSAGE"

Sheriff Brock must contend with the takeover of the courthouse by
Native Americans protesting the building of a golf course on their
ancient burial ground. Meanwhile, Jill ponders using a growth
hormone to help a small boy, and Matthew defends his little brother
Zack, who has been tormented by a bigger classmate.

1993-04-29 9K20 "SUGAR AND SPICE" ***
This  is one of the most famous and controversial episodes of Picket Fences.

Imaginations run wild in the Brock household when Matthew discovers
that Kimberly has kissed a girlfriend. Meanwhile, Kenny and Maxine
compete for the post of undersheriff.

1993-05-06 9K21 "THE LULLABY LEAGUE"

Jill is frustrated when an aging blues vocalist visits Rome, takes
ill, and fails to appreciate medicine's ability to keep her alive.
Meanwhile, Maxine delivers a fugitive's baby and decides to adopt
her.

Season Two

1993-10-22 1K01 "TURPITUDE" #60

In the second-season opener, Mayor Pugen is caught between a Brock
and a hard place when the Sheriff arrests him in the murder of a
disarmed carjacker, leaving him to rely on Wambaugh for his defense.
Meanwhile, a new DA must prosecute the case upon his arrival in
town.

1993-10-28 1K02 "DUTY FREE ROME" #68

While appealing Mayor Pugen's murder conviction, Wambaugh uncovers
a technicality that could secure a new trial. Elsewhere, a couple who share
a gene that causes a birth defect look for a loophole in Catholic church law
that will allow them to use birth control.

1993-10-29 1K03 "UNLAWFUL ENTRIES" #63

Things don't add up when a math teacher (Alan Ruck) says he was a
victim of date rape. Meanwhile, Brock locks horns with a new mayor
who threatens to hogtie his department and Max's estranged therapist
tries to rope her in again.

1993-11-05 1K04 "UNDER THE INFLUENCE" #73

Still dizzy over her own intoxicating relationship with Dr. Shreve,
Max errs in judgment and allows a drunken driver to continue on
home. Meanwhile, the DA has his fill of Wambaugh and explodes in
court.

1993-11-12 1K06 "THE DANCING BANDIT" #60

A modern-day Robin Hood (Marlee Matlin) dances into Rome with her
band of merry thieves, robbing the rich and giving to the needy--in
this case, local flood survivors.

1993-11-26 1K05 "DAIRY MAID" #56

While Brock investigates the possibility that a model (Megan
Gallagher) is the victim of spouse abuse, some residents have a cow
over the racy ad she's featured in for a local dairy. Meanwhile,
Kimberly considers breast augmentation.
** Episode is copyrighted with title of "DAIRY QUEEN."

1993-12-03 1K07 "CROSS EXAMINATION" #48

Matthew challenges Zack's belief in Santa Claus. Meanwhile, a woman
(Elizabeth Rainey) is pulled from a submerged vehicle, leading to
several shocks.

1993-12-10 1K08 "STRANGERS" #42

A jury must decide if it's a murder or a mistake after a man (Robert
Desiderio) shoots and kills his own brother when the sibling enters
his house in the middle of the night. Meanwhile, Max uncovers a
secret that Kenny would rather keep to himself.

1993-12-17 1K09 "BLUE CHRISTMAS" #63 ***

The drug war comes to Rome when controlled substances are found
on the high school campus and, to Brock's surprise, a protected Federal
witness turns up in town. Meanwhile, Carter faces an unexpected holiday
reunion with his brother.

1994-01-07 1K10 "PAGING DR. GOD" #43

Jill does her best to uphold the Hippocratic oath when she treats a
Christian Scientist who has refused care and whose husband takes the
fight to court. Meanwhile, Zack makes a surprising religious choice
of his own.

1994-01-14 1K11 "GUNS 'R US" #44

Embarrassed by some high-school boys, Matthew tries to get even.
Meanwhile, the mayor's budget cuts hit the sheriff's department,
lowering deputies' resistance to the blue flu.

1994-01-21 1K12 "REMOTE CONTROL" #47

The debate over crime in Rome reaches a fever pitch: as the Mayor
moves forward with new legislation to curb violence, Sheriff Brock
foresees the violation of civil liberties.

1994-01-28 1K13 "ABOMINABLE SNOWMEN" #44

Depressed over his mental deterioration from Alzheimer's, Howard
Buss (Robert Cornthwaite) wants to sacrifice his life so that his
ailing son can have his healthy heart. Meanwhile, Frank the potato
man (David Proval) returns to Rome. ** This was one of two episodes
submitted for Emmy consideration.

1994-02-04 1K14 "SUPREME COURTING" #61 ***

Valentine's Day brings love and controversy to assorted age groups:
Carter is smitten by a widow, Zach finds his first love and
Kimberly's boyfriend is so conscious of sexual-content rules that
the spontaneity of love is lost for them.

1994-02-11 1K15 "DIVINE RECALL" #39

The mayor scolds a Catholic priest for giving a pep talk colored with
religious ideals to a public-school hockey team. In turn, clergy
members face off with the mayor over a revelation about her past.
 

1994-03-04 1K16 "TERMS OF ESTRANGEMENT" #47 ***

Sheriff Brock tries to remain the consummate professional when
Kimberly is kidnapped, but his onetime partner (Louis Gossett, Jr.)
appears on the scene to settle an old score by unsettling the
sheriff.

1994-03-11 1K17 "SQUATTER'S RIGHTS" #40 ***

When an obese woman confesses to murdering her husband, Max
has some doubts about the woman's motives. Meanwhile, a rabbi's
decision to rescind Wambaugh's temple membership weighs heavily
on the lawyer.

1994-04-01 1K18 "SYSTEM DOWN" #39

Sheriff Brock must arrest his own feelings when he becomes the
unlikely foreman of a jury charged with deciding the fate of a drug
dealer accused of murdering two cops.

1994-04-08 1K19 "BURIED ALIVE" #42

A visit by Jill's father (Richard Kiley) leads to a lively evening of
group therapy in the Brock household. ** This was the second of two
episodes submitted for Emmy consideration. Richard Kiley won best
guest appearance by an actor in a drama series for this appearance.
 

1994-04-29 1K20 "MY LEFT SHOE" #46

Mayor Buss criticizes Father Barrett on public-access cable,
prompting a libel suit. Meanwhile, Kenny and Rachel do some
soul-searching while evaluating their relationship.

1994-05-06 1K21 "FROSTED FLAKES" #57

Questions about death and the afterlife abound in Rome when the
parents of a boy dying from leukemia try to get the court's
permission to use an unorthodox procedure to try to save the child.

1994-05-13 1K22 "HOWARD'S END" #55

Howard Buss's condition worsens as his Alzheimer's disease leads to a
prolonged state of dementia, which pushes his family members to the
breaking point. Meanwhile, Jill faces censure by the hospital board
for her treatment of the ailing man.

Season Three

1994-09-23 2K01 "SURVIVAL OF THE FITTEST" #42

In the third-season opener, Sheriff Brock fears the worst when a
local teenager disappears. Meanwhile, members of the community are
concerned that a public-school teacher (Matt Frewer) may be
advocating creationism.

1994-09-30 2K02 "SYSTEMATIC ABUSE" #37

DA Littleton prepares for a showdown with Wambaugh as the case
against suspected murderer Brian Latham goes to trial. Hampering
the DA's case: a lack of hard evidence.

1994-10-07 2K03 "THE BUS STOPS HERE" #52

A Federal judge (Paul Winfield) orders that 400 black students be
bused to Rome's schools from Green Bay; Wambaugh gets a surprise
after appealing Brian Latham's murder conviction; and Max is once
again the victim of her own poor judgment.

1994-10-14 2K04 "ENEMY LINES" #40 *

Jill and Judge Nance air their grievances in heated face-to-face
meetings; Kimberly has a run-in with a newly arrived student (Bruklin
Harris); and DA Littleton asks Max out on a date.

1994-10-28 2K05 "COLD SPELL" #57

A social worker takes a young girl from her mother, who practices
witchcraft; Max and Kenny go to Ginny's house, hoping she can shed
some light on the occult; and Jill faces new competition in her run
for mayor.

1994-11-04 2K06 "ELECTIVE CONDUCT" #53 ***

A report by Zachary hurts Jill's mayoral campaign just before a
crucial debate and the election; and Kimberly gives Aisha (Bruklin
Harris) a vote of confidence when the teen is mocked for getting good
grades.

1994-11-11 2K07 "REBELS WITH CAUSES" #44 ***

An ailing Wambaugh travels to Chicago for specialized treatment, and
Jill is sickened by his conceited doctor's lousy bedside manner.
Meanwhile, a surprise announcement by Kimberly and Kenny angers
Brock. ** Tom Skerritt directed this episode.

1994-11-18 2K08 "MAY IT PLEASE THE COURT" #55

Wambaugh and Littleton present their arguments concerning the Latham
case to the Supreme Court; while back in Rome, Carter Pike's quest for
father-hood breeds controversy when he hires a surrogate mother. Attorney
Alan Dershowitz appears as himself.

1994-12-02 2K09 "FOR WHOM THE WIND BLOWS" #60

As sentencing nears for Brian Latham, Wambaugh hopes that his
client's conviction might somehow be overturned. Meanwhile,
as Brock celebrates his 51st birthday, he has cause to question
his resolve as sheriff.

1994-12-16 2K10 "AWAY IN THE MANGER" #45

Brock and his deputies search a farm when Carter suspects that
strange genetic experiments involving cows may be taking place
there. Meanwhile, Kimberly expresses doubt about the existence of
God.

1995-01-06 2K11 "FREEZER BURN" #57

Sheriff Brock and his deputies investigate a strange case: a massage
therapist, who was popular with local housewives, is found dead in a
freezer. ** Michelle Pfeiffer, wife of executive producer David E.
Kelley, has an unannounced cameo.

1995-01-13 2K12 "FROGMAN RETURNS" #58

The Frogman is at the center of controversy once again when his son
tires of his antics and goes to court for emancipation. Meanwhile,
Zachary in involved in a terrible accident.

1995-01-20 2K13 "MR. SEED GOES TO TOWN" #52 ***

A surprise visit by Jimmy's ex-wife rocks the Brock household when
the woman announces her plan to have another child despite a
complicating genetic deficiency.

1995-02-03 2K14 "CLOSE ENCOUNTERS" #52

Cupid gets mixed results on Valentine's Day when DA Littleton is
attracted to Aiesha, his 18-year-old assistant; Max has a proposition
for Kenny; and Carter has a close encounter with a very special woman.

1995-02-24 2K15 "WHEN IN ROME" #71

Jill and Jimmy struggle to reconcile parental concerns with their
professional duties when a convicted child molester chooses to reside
in Rome after serving 26 years in prison.

1995-03-03 2K16 "HEROES AND VILLAINS" #59

The Dancing Bandit returns to Rome to help Zach celebrate his
birthday but finds federal agents waiting for her. ** Richard Masur,
aka the late Mayor Ed Lawson, directed this episode.

1995-03-10 2K17 "CHANGING OF THE GUARDS" #64

Unable to locate Ed Lawson, Brock looks outside his department for
help in finding the onetime mayor--who's wanted for murder.
Meanwhile, the town launches an unorthodox search for a new interim
mayor.

1995-03-31 2K18 "WITHOUT MERCY" #55

Sheriff Brock's renewed commitment to thorough police work leads to
an investigation into a cancer patient's death--revealing a morphine
overdose that could not have been self-administered.

1995-04-07 2K19 "FINAL JUDGMENT" #49

In the aftermath of Jill's criminal trial, Judge Bone is asked to
rule on the validity of a law prohibiting physician-assisted
suicide. Meanwhile, Kenny and Carter investigate the killing of
swans from a local pond.

1995-04-28 2K20 "SAINT ZACH" #64

A remorseful Zach, still feeling guilty about the swan incident, has
a religious experience that creates quite a stir in the town.
Meanwhile, Brock makes a startling revelation about his own beliefs.

1995-05-05 2K21 "UPBRINGINGS" #61

Jimmy's attorney father visits unexpectedly and creates tension in
the Brock household when he makes a seemingly generous offer that
angers Jimmy. 1995-05-12 2K22 "THE SONG OF ROME" #51

1995-05-12 2K22 "THE SONG OF ROME" #51
After a youth shoots Father Barrett during an attempted robbery in
church, the mayor's decision to continue with a planned spring
pageant draws fire from somber townsfolk.

Season Four

1995-09-22 3K01 "CHANGE OF SEASONS" #65 ***

"I don't mind change. It's surprise I don't like," admits Sheriff
Brock in the critically acclaimed series' fourth season opener. Like
it or not, Brock could be in for plenty of both, as executive
producer Jeff Melvoin, an MTM alum, takes over the reins from the
show's creator, David E. Kelley. Look for more character-driven
stories this season, rather than the issue-oriented outings that
defined Kelley's approach. Tonight, Kimberly changes her college
plans, while Brock frets about a proposed new uniform; and Max
turns up sporting a whole new look.

1995-09-29 3K02 "REAP THE WHIRLWIND" #70 ***

As a tornado threat looms over Rome...Wambaugh blows a toast to his
wife at their 40th anniversary party; and Kenny's life nearly spins
out of control. Meanwhile, the Brocks worry about Kimberly, who's
away at school; and Carter considers a new hobby--quilting.

1995-10-06 3K03 "PAL JOEY" #56

A doctor--who's also a TV personality--sets her sights on Jill's
practice; Kenny looks to a video dating service for some company;
and an Asian immigrant (Art Chudabala) is arrested while trying to
marry a woman according to his culture's customs.

1995-10-13 3K04 "BLOODBROTHERS" #63

DA Littleton faces a troubled figure from his past when two prison
escapees make their way to Rome. Meanwhile, Matthew pleads with
Zack not to tell their parents about an incident involving cigarettes.

1995-10-20 3K05 "DOG EAT DOG" #70

Max is grilled in court after a tussle with a rather surly man
dressed in a bratwurst costume. Meanwhile, Jill is suspicious when
Kimberly pays Dr. Joey a visit--and tries to cover it up.

1995-10-27 3K06 "HEART OF SATURDAY NIGHT" #77

Saturday night in Rome: Jill and Jimmy have the house to themselves
when Matthew heads out to a party with friends. And Wambaugh and
Judge Bone look for something to do after their poker game is suddenly
interrupted.

1995-11-03 3K07 "DOWN THE TUBES" #78

Cryptic dreams about his brother's death lead Littleton to an epiphany.
Meanwhile, Brock polkas with Mayor Bey; and Jill struggles to stay a
step ahead at work amid office stress and personal turmoil.

1995-12-08 3K09 "WITNESS FOR THE PROSECUTION" #67

The death of a gay man during a papal parade in Rome, Wis., is
thought to be a suicide--until an unlikely witness speaks out.

1995-12-15 3K10 "THIS LITTLE PIGGY" #75 ***

An animal-rights group that courts Kimberly as a member protests a
pig wrestling event at the town fair. Meanwhile, Dr. Joey becomes
emotionally attached to a tough cancer patient (Jeff Corey) as he
struggles to fight the disease.

1996-01-05 3K12 "DEM BONES" #70

When the bones of a Nazi sympathizer murdered in 1943 are found,
suspicions fall on Jacob Levine, the son of a persecuted Jewish butcher,
who vowed revenge on the man. Up for the defense is Wambaugh--and
slated to prosecute Levine is Wambaugh's estranged son, David.

1996-01-12 3K11 "BLOODLINES" #79

Matthew is traumatized by a classmate's suicide, causing Jimmy to spend
some extra time with him (by taking him along to hunt for a runaway bear),
and Wambaugh to try to convince a reluctant Judge Bone to counsel the
teen's grieving mother.

1996-01-19 3K13 "SNOW EXIT" #75

A blizzard hits Rome, stranding together...the feuding Bone and
Wambaugh, as Bone is treated for a heart attack; the pregnant Laurie
with Jimmy and Skeeter--but without Lamaze coach Kenny; Jill with
Jimmy's irritating ex-wife; and Max with a man she once shot.

1996-01-26 3K08 "MY ROMANCE" #55

Judge Bone is reunited with an old friend (Teresa Wright) when a bus
load of elderly tourists stop in Rome; Carter gets a shock from a live
wire; and Zach's heartstrings go zing over a young cellist(Eun Chu Chong).

1996-02-09 3K14 "THE Z FILES" #83

Misadventures in cyberspace: Zack creates a computerized pornographic
picture of his teacher (Dey Young) that accidentally finds its way onto the
World Wide Web; while Max finally meets the man she's been "chatting"
with--only to discover he's not what she expected.

1996-02-16 3K15 "BOTTLED" #85 ***

Feelings long bottled up surface at Zack's birthday party, which finds
Jill--along with Jimmy and the kids--putting up with her mid-life crisis;
Kenny and Max confronting their feelings toward each other; and
Wambaugh bristling over Bone's lack of respect for him.

1996-04-22 3K17 "DANTE'S INFERNO" #70

When Maxine is appointed interim mayor, her newfound power
goes to her head--and makes her a target for a radio shock jock
(Charles Rocket), who's putting some ugly, misogynistic thoughts
into the minds of his listeners, one of whom takes his advice too
seriously.

1996-06-05 3K16 "WINNER TAKES ALL"

Jill's shot at coaching Zack's basketball team turns into a full-time
obsession until Zack and his teammates hire Wambaugh to take their
parents to court to keep the adults from interfering; and Matthew gets
involved in a gambling ring. Sports announcer Pat O'Brien has a cameo.

1996-06-12 3K18 "FORGET SELMA"

Myriam's new relationship with a charming stockbroker
(Efrem Zimbalist, Jr.) devastates Wambaugh, especially after he
discovers he's the last to know. Then, when he suspects her new
love is up to no good, his friends chalk it up to paranoia.

1996-06-19 3K19 "TO FORGIVE IS DIVINE"

An Amish woman (Kelli Williams) raped by a Rome resident
(Matt Skerritt) refuses to testify on religious grounds, and
Jimmy can't find a way to make her identify her attacker.
But then the alleged rapist strikes again--prompting a lawsuit
against the Amish community by the second victim's parents.

1996-06-26 3K21 "LIVER LET DIE"

Jimmy investigates a transient's murder, which may be linked to a
teenager and his mentally disabled brother (Kevin Patrick Walls,
Kristoffer Ryan Winters). In the meantime, he anxiously waits
to learn whether a tumor on his liver is cancerous.

1996-04-24 3K20 "BYE BYE BEY-BEY" #66

3K22 "THREE WEDDINGS AND A MELTDOWN" #49

Back to back episodes of the Emmy-winning drama.
Since its 1992 debut, the series has gained a loyal following and a
reputation for mixing offbeat humor with socially relevant storylines.
 Tonight's double feature wraps up a number of storylines.

In hour one, Laurie (Marlee Matlin) reveals the identity of her son's
father.

In the second, three couples find romance, while an "ideal"
marriage comes apart. 60 minutes ** Wednesday night series finale.