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Picket Fences

Nuclear Meltdowns

Season 1, Episode 15, Aired Jan 22, 1993

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8.5

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When a school friend gets pregnant, Kimberly tells her parents she thinks it resulted from incest. Kenny's girlfriend meets her long-lost twin and Cynthia Parks' pet duck is sacrificed.

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Cast & Crew

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GUEST STAR
Bess Meyer

Jodie Elyse
GUEST STAR
Jean Sagal

Elena Shannon
GUEST STAR
Liz Sagal

Ellen Shannon

Holly Marie Combs

Kimberly Brock
Lauren Holly

Officer Maxine Stewart
Adam Wylie

Zachary Brock
Kathy Baker

Dr. Jill Brock
Tom Skerritt

Sheriff Jimmy Brock
Costas Mandylor

Officer Kenny Lacos

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Fan Episode Reviews (2)

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Kimberly's friend becomes pregnant, but her family life is not what it seems after this revelation. Also, Maxine investigates the strange occurrence of a mans death tied to "cult" and Kenny goes out with a mysterious woman looking for answers.moreless

8.3

"Great"

By Atreyu75, Jul 19, 2007

A very fine episode here, with, as the norm with Picket Fences, equal parts drama and humor. The show continues to question my thoughts on many different aspects of what is considered normal, without the show becoming too comical for its own good.

The main storyline revolves are Kimberly's friend Jodie Elyse becoming pregnant. Kim becomes suspicious because her friend hasn't ever had a boyfriend as far as she knows. The subject is compounded further when Kim witnesses her friend and her friend's father sharing a rather intamite kiss. The speculation and secret reach Jimmy, who arrests the fathers on charges of incest. However, before the court case can even start, it is revealed that the family are of the Mormon religion, that the father practices polygamy, and that Kimberly's friend is actually his wife, not his daughter. Judge Bone dismisses the charge of incest and tells counsel to make them dissolve one marriage to allow them to all live together. This was another interesting and controversial topic for the time. Having read the book "Under the Banner of Heaven", which dealt heavily with fundamental Mormons, I think this episode was very well handled and again shows the two sides of the coin. It tries to show one side is not exclusively good or bad and that, as Judge Bone says, the normal American family/home is becoming incredibly skewed.

One of the side story's involved Maxine wondering about the death of an old man and whether his son had done something. A family pet duck had gone missing the previous day and in the nose of the deceased Maxine found a duck feather. Her and Ginny go undercover to the funeral of the man and witness what appears to be occult ceremonies, such as the sacrifice of a goat. When the case goes to court, Judge Bone dismisses the case due to religious freedom within the bounds of the law. I thought this was a good side story and I agree with the judge that people should be allowed to practice their religions within the law. The judge's acting was the best it's been so far in the episode, especially when he chides the courtroom about how they raised hell about the Christmas pageant but are readying the torches for this religion.

The other side story revolved around a woman Kenny pulls over. She says she felt something compelling her to come to Rome and believed that to be Kenny. The two have a date that evening and have sex, but the next day, it turns out that the real reason she felt like coming to Rome was because of her long-lost twin sister. The two had never met, but they both felt compelled to come to Rome, leading them to literally crash into each other. After the revelation, it turns out that they both want to date Kenny. This was another good side story like the other one, because it very humorous for Kenny's character. This was a very good episode with both the main storyline and the side story's all being above average. The acting in the episode was also great, especially that done by the judge.moreless
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Another great episode of the quirky, peculiar and thought-provoking show.

10

"Perfect"

By scifiguyuk, Jan 24, 2006

I only just started watching Picket Fences on the episode before this, but already I find myself drawn into the lives of the characters, and excited to see each new episode.
This episode was very well written, with all the individual plot threads coming together nicely and getting exactly the amount of attention needed to tell each story effectively. The incest story-line was very well handled and respectfully done, whilst creating an intriguing dilemma for the character of Kimberly. Alongside this heavy premise, the story of Kenny and his twin girlfriends excellently lightens the mood and acts as some welcome relief from the emotion-heavy scenes of the main plot-line. Added to this we have the amusing and thought-provoking case of the religious goat sacrifice as Max investigates a neighbour's missing duck.
All in all, a very amusing episode which gives each character a moment to shine. Definitely an excellent show and will be continuing to watch.moreless
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TRIVIA (0)
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QUOTES (4)
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- Judge Henry Bone: I got two dogs and a cat. If I even see you look at them funny, you will end up knowing the true meaning of sacrifice. And it will be from the other side of the fence. You got it? Mr. Lendehas: Yes sir. Douglas Wambaugh: And may I say ... Judge Henry Bone: No you may not say. Shut up! This case is dismissed.
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- Ginny: Maybe they worship ducks and inhale feathers. Maxine: No religion snorts duck feathers. Ginny: Oh how would you know, you never go to church. Maxine: Nevermind.
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- Jill: You're trying to save a friendship. I am asking you to save your friend.
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- Maxine: (talking to herself) I'm not a 'gung-ho deputy'. Everybody thinks I'm a gung-ho deputy. I'm just a deputy that follows the law. I'm not 'gung-ho deputy'. What is gung? I'm good.
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NOTES (1)
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- Although featured in the opening titles, Adam Wylie and Justin Shenkarow do not appear in the episode.
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