Ep 1. Pilot

Picket Fences season 1 episode 1, titled Pilot, sets the tone for the series with its quirky mix of humor, drama, and social commentary. The show takes place in the fictional town of Rome, Wisconsin, where Sheriff Jimmy Brock (Tom Skerritt) and his team of officers navigate a variety of crimes and controversies while also dealing with their personal lives.

The episode opens with a bang as a local farmer is caught in bed with a dead deer, setting off a chain of events that will test the limits of the town's tolerance. The case quickly becomes a media sensation and brings national attention to Rome, where everyone from talk show hosts to animal rights activists to presidential candidates weigh in on the controversy.

Meanwhile, Sheriff Brock is dealing with his own family drama as his wife Jill (Kathy Baker), a doctor, is called to a scene where a teenage girl has been found dead in a wheat field. Brock's daughter Kimberly (Holly Marie Combs) is also struggling with her own issues, including a crush on her teacher and resentments toward her younger sister and stepmother.

As the episode progresses, we see various characters struggle with their own moral and ethical dilemmas, from a lawyer who must decide whether to defend the farmer in court to a teenager who helps uncover a conspiracy involving a local drug dealer. Through it all, the show manages to balance the serious and the absurd, highlighting the complexities of small-town life while also poking fun at its quirks and idiosyncrasies.

At its heart, Picket Fences is a show about human nature and the ways in which people interact with one another. It's about the gray areas of morality and the difficult choices we all must make in our lives. It's also a show that's ahead of its time, addressing issues like LGBTQ rights, mental illness, and police brutality long before they became mainstream talking points.

Overall, Picket Fences season 1 episode 1 is an excellent introduction to the series, offering a window into the world of Rome, Wisconsin and its colorful cast of characters. It's a show that will make you laugh, make you think, and keep you hooked from start to finish.