Promised Land

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CBS (ended 1999)

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  • Season 3
  • Season 2
  • Season 1
    • Ep 25
      Stealing Home (2)
      5/20/97
      9.8
      The social worker who accused the Greenes of child negligence, faces the same charge when her own son runs away from home with Nathaniel, saying he blames her for the death of his twin brother.
    • Ep 24
      Stealing Home (1)
      5/13/97
      9.6
      A social worker, who's also Nathaniel's Little League coach reports the Greenes for child neglect after Russell rebuffs her advances, leading to a judge's order that the boy be removed from their care.
    • Ep 23
      Civil Wars
      5/6/97
      10
      Russell's job hauling lumber separates him and Dinah from the rest of the family who then fail to arrive at an appointed meeting site.
    • Ep 22
      Cowboy Blues
      4/29/97
      9.5
      The Greenes must convince a grieving rancher to go on with his life following the accidental death of his wife, or else the man risks losing his ranch and the love of his teenage son.
    • Ep 21
      Intolerance
      4/5/97
      8.8
      With the help of Russell and Claire, a woman forces a young boy to face his anti-semitic acts by telling him about her own family's past. Meanwhile, Josh faces a similar situation when he dates a girl who's Jewish.
    • Ep 20
      Outrage
      3/18/97
      9.4
      A conflict has erupted as a mining company is in the process of tearing down Lester Beneally's hogan (ceremonial place). The tribal police (some of whom are Native Americans themselves) try to enforce the relocation papers they claim he signed before his death. Raymond (Lester's son) swears the signature is forged, and is trying to do everything in his power to stop them. When U.S. Marshals arrive to force the confrontation, Jesse Rainbird (Raymond's cousin and a tribal officer caught in the middle, torn between the law he is hired to enforce and his own heritage) tries to mediate a peaceful interventionbut instead is forced to watch his cousin gunned down by government forces. Russell wakes from a dream with a premonition that his old friend Jesse is in trouble. Only a couple hundred miles from the reservation, Russell and Claire decide to forgo their plans for a family trip to the Grand Canyon to visit Jesse and his family. Once they arrive, Jesse's wife, Rena, explains that Jesse is missing and has been on the warpath so to speak ever since the conflict which claimed his cousin's life (intent on avenging his cousin's death). Rena is terribly worried that the clash will only lead to more bloodshed. Russell and Conrad Shorty, a family friend, team up to locate Jesse and bring him in peaceably. Conrad fills Russell in on the history of the conflict which began when Congress initially allowed the mining company onto their land and forced them to relocate to clear the way for further mining. Promises of modern conveniences and modernization shortchanged them of their heritage, customs and their way of life. Arthur Yazzie, a young Native American lawyer who has done good by the system, stops by to pressure the Rainbirds to sign relocation papers. Rena refuses, seeing through his shallow promises. Yazzie informs them they have two days to sign the papers or face forced relocation. That evening, the Greenes sit down for a traditional meal with the Rainbirds while Russell and Conrad continue their search for Jesse. Setting up camp, Russell recounts how he and Jesse originally met. Russell was a veteran just out of the Vietnam War, passing through town, when a bunch of teenagers decided to harass him. Provoked, Russell's ready instincts kicked in, nearly causing him to kill one of the youths. Something prevented him from going over the line and he fled the bar and hitched a ride from a stranger (Jesse). Jesse stopped to pick Russell up, helped him through a rough period and changed his life. The next morning, Russell continues the search for Jesse while Conrad waits at the camp. Russell eventually finds Jesseat the other end of a gun barrel. Russell has to convince Jesse that violence won't solve anything. Jesse explains how the government has left them little option by killing those that dare to protect what is rightfully theirs. Russell appeals to Jesse to consider giving it another try. When Russell, Conrad and Jesse return home the following day, Rod, the tribal cop posted to watch for Jesse, holds them at gunpoint. He then confesses that he panicked when he heard shots ring out and it was he who shot Raymond. Rod offers to hand his gun over to Jesse but Jesse declines. Jesse turns over his badge to Sheriff Lamont Nez. Russell appeals to Sheriff Nez. But Nez remains unswayed, driven by his need to keep his job and support his familyeven if that job means going against his own people. The Rainbird family, joined by the Greenes, stand along the road leading through their reservation with others from the reservation ready for the confrontation as the convoy of bulldozers approach. Sheriff Nez and Rod are there to quell the protest when Conrad, Jesse and Russell arrive. When it becomes clear that no amount of reasoning will get through to Lamont and his crew, Russell takes a video camera from Rod and starts filming the proceedingsthreatening to go to the media. The Supervisor and Arthur Yazzie try to stop Russell from filmingbut are unsuccessful. Jesse appeals to the Native American driving the bulldozer, making an impassioned plea to stop the rape of his ancestor's sacred land, culture and heritage. Jesse gets his message across and the driver signals retreat and the others follow. Sheriff Nez says they will be backthat the conflict isn't over. Satisfied that their mission is accomplished, at least for the time being, Jesse and Conrad thank the Greenes for their support. Meanwhile Josh must deal with his loss of vision since the shooting. Jesse's teenage son, Will, tries to help Josh out of his depressed state and helps restore his faith and his interest in music and his guitar. Will applies an Indian eye remedy to a skeptical Josh. In the meantime, he tries to impart to Josh that there are other ways of seeing than with one's eyes. When his mother tells Josh of the Rainbird's struggles to keep their land, Josh begins to come outside of his own self- pity and his interest in music is reawakened. Josh learns to use his other senses - and by the end of the episode, begins to regain his eyesight. Hattie is initially intimidated by Rena's mother, Theresa, until she learns that Theresa was one of the first to be relocated. Gifts are exchanged and a bridge between cultures forged.moreless
    • Ep 19
      Downsized
      3/4/97
      8.8
      The Greenes go to Post Falls, Idaho to place Josh in a special institute for the blind, and visit some old friends from North Carolina, Ned and Eileen Bernhart. Ned sets Russell up with an interview at the company where he works, Post Falls Furniture. Russell seems a shoe-in for a machine room supervisor position. Though Hattie reminds him about his "directive" from the angels, Russell finds a way to rationalize the idea of settling down, perhaps buying a house. Russell is thrown for a loop when he realizes he's been passed over for a younger, less qualified applicant. Then Ned gets the news that he's been "downsized" out of his job despite a stellar record of job performance for nine years. Russell convinces Ned to consult a lawyer about possible age discrimination. Though inexperienced, Joel Corwin, fresh out of law school, is the right man for the price. Eileen is more concerned about losing the four months severance package Ned's been offered. And sure enough, the "suits" threaten dropping Ned's severance package if he follows through with the lawsuit. Despite Russell and Claire's support, the pressure starts to weigh heavily on Ned and Eileenprompting Eileen to take a job at the local dairy. Russell approaches Sarah Garson, the woman he interviewed with in personnel, and appeals to her to supply them with Ned's performance evaluations. Armed with sterling performance evaluations, Joel Corwin pleads Ned's case only to be knocked down by the company lawyer's trumped up charges against Ned. The company makes one final offer (a six-month severance package). Corwin is undaunted, but Ned, fearing a long drawn-out lawsuit, asks him to accept their terms. Russell convinces Ned to persevere. Eileen and Ned patch things up. He's prepared to find another job. Russell visits Josh who lifts Russell's spiritsreminding him what's really important. Russell returns to the rest of the family and apologizes for letting this get to himand reminds them that they're the most important thing to him. Dinah points out the accomplishments of men like Michaelangelo, Benjamin Franklin and Ghandi well into their golden years. Just when Russell figures maybe it's time to move on, Hattie hatches a planwondering what would happen if older people started treating Post Falls Furniture the way they treat older people. She goes "online" and organizes a protest. The protest, complete with local news crews, brings McNeeley and company to their knees. Russell, Corwin and Ned broker a deal to give Ned back his job.moreless
    • Ep 18
      Amazing Grace (2)
      2/25/97
      9.5
      After the shooting, Mary and Dr. Hall scramble to help their friends and loved ones. Meanwhile, Tess returns to Russell and tells him Josh needs his family right now as he has been shot.
    • Ep 17
      Running Scared
      2/18/97
      9.2
      While in Washington, Dinah and Hattie get lost in a bad part of town on the way home from the market and stumble across a teenage girl named Allison sleeping on the streets. They bring Allison back to the trailer to learn that she is a runaway who has been separated from her brother Tommy through the bureaucracies of the local children's services agency. Russell and Claire contact an overworked social worker named Linda Paxton to help reunite Allison with her brother. Russell pays a visit to Tommy's last foster parent, Barbara Manning, who informs him that Tommy is dead. Russell and Claire break the news to Allison. Allison convinces Josh to take her to Barbara Manning to find out how Tommy died. Barbara tells Allison that her brother took his life. She tries to fill in some of the missing pieces but is finally at a loss to explain what led Tommy to take his life. Allison runs off and hitches a ride to the rail overpass where Tommy committed suicide. Nathaniel manages to distract Allison long enough until his family arrives to intervene.moreless
    • Ep 16
      The Collapse
      2/11/97
      10
      In spite of Hattie's protest, Russell picks up day labor working in a mine. Concerned for her son's safety, Hattie makes it perfectly clear that she doesn't approve. Fighting to stay on top of their orders and meet deadlines and low on manpower, taxed to the limit, it's a crisis waiting to happen. A support beam gives way, causing the mine to collapse, trapping twelve miners, including Russell. Her worst fears confirmed, Hattie is beside herself with worryas are the rest of the family. Meanwhile, Russell struggles to keep the crew in the right frame of mind to weather the crisis. While in the mine, fighting for survival Russell is visited by his deceased father. Somewhere between dream and reality, Russell has a chance to clear away some unfinished business between he and his father. Finally, the rescue teams break through to the other side. The men (and woman) emerge weary survivors singing the inspirational song "Swing Low, Sweet Chariot."moreless
    • Ep 15
      Mirror Image
      1/21/97
      10
      Excited about their upcoming anniversary and having Claire all to himself, Russell embraces her tightly to dance. This causes Claire to wince and later in the shower she discovers a painful lump in her breast. The following day Claire slips away to a local women's hospital alone. There she becomes fast friends with Rachel, a young woman she meets in the waiting room. Rachel becomes really shaken after learning she must face the mastectomy of her left breast. Everything's changed for her now. She's scared. Angry. Rachel decides to break things off with David, her fianc. Claire consoles her on their drive home. Once at the trailer park, Claire gently finds the words to tell Russell of her own ordeal. At the hospital with Russell for the first time, Claire's mastectomy proves inconclusive. She must undergo a biopsy. The entire family is told of what Claire is facing. Josh and Dinah are quietly alarmed. Nathaniel is very vocal about not wanting Claire in the hospital where "people go to die". Hattie pulls them back from the edges, by reminding them that God is the one who holds their family together. Rachel comes out of surgery feeling groggy, yet more resolved to face life on her own as "half-woman" now. During Claire's surgery, Russell shares his wisdom and hope with David. Then Russell ducks into a stairwell to pray. He tells God of his fears of losing Claire. He's full of pleading questions. Tess appears; lighting the stairwell and dispelling the darkness of Russell's doubts. Claire's biopsy is negative. The entire family celebrates as Russell and Claire renew their vows. Rachel and David join in, committed to each other and the life that is still possible for her to lead.moreless
    • Ep 14
      Independence Day
      1/14/97
      8.7
      The Greenes travel to Great Falls, Montana to visit Russell's cousin, Jeff, and his wife, Marie--and meet their six-month-old baby, Hailey. Jeff and Marie's marriage is under increasing strain since Hailey's birth and becoming legal guardian of Jeff's twenty-year old brother, Bob, who has Down's Syndrome. Part of the problem is that Jeff has not been attentive to his wife's needs--who is now overwhelmed. Worse still, Bob has become the scapegoat for all their problems. When Hattie learns that Jeff and Marie haven't had a night to themselves in six months, she insists they spend the night elsewhere while the Greenes watch Hailey and Bob. Claire notices that Bob is actually quite capable of helping with the baby--and has been wanting to have a greater role in his niece's life. Jeff and Marie return the next day, refreshed--and resolved to put Bob in an institution. Bob overhears the conversation and flees. Nathaniel finds him hiding beneath a pile of clothes in the trailer and pleads with Russell to let Bob live with them. Russell listens to Bob's point of view and urges him to tell Jeff. Bob confronts Jeff for the first time--asking to be part of Hailey's life and for greater independence. Jeff begins to see Bob in a new light and agrees to start anew.moreless
    • Ep 13
      The Getaway
      1/7/97
      9.7
      The Greenes are on their way to Cheyenne, Colorado when they stop to help a woman, Ellen Boller whose car has broken down on the road. Hattie becomes concerned when she notices bruises on the woman's young daughter, Sarah. Russell and Claire confront the mother and learn that she's running away from an abusive husband -- who happens to be the town sheriff (Sheriff Boller). While returning the girl's doll, Russell witnesses the abuse through the window, breaks into their house and rescues the woman and her daughter. Sheriff Boller keeps the Greenes under house arrest in their trailer until Russell returns his wife and daughter. Meanwhile, Ellen arranges for her sister-in-law Pauline to get proof of the abuse in the form of a videotape in order to prosecute. Along the way, we learn that Sheriff Boller has a long history of fear and intimidation to his credit. Boller intercepts a note and foils their plans. He takes Russell and Ellen for the proverbial "ride" and nearly executes them until Russell takes advantage of a momentary distraction and disarms Sheriff Boller.moreless
    • Ep 12
      Christmas
      12/17/96
      7.6
      It's an affair to remember for Claire when she goes home for Christmas and discovers that her mother once had a romantic tryst with Claire's favorite grade-school teacher.
    • Ep 11
      King of the Road
      12/3/96
      9.1
      While recovering from the fire that destroyed their trailer, the Greenes have a run-in with some scam artists travelling through Chicory Creek. Meanwhile, Hattie is swept off her feet by a mysterious man, and Josh gets a haircut.
    • Ep 10
      The Homecoming (2)
      11/26/96
      9.3
      The Greenes return to Chicory Creek, Kentucky, to join their good friend, Erasmus Jones for Thanksgiving, but it's anything but festive when Nathaniel's mother arrives with the intention of reclaiming her son, now that her life is in order.
    • Ep 9
      The Secret
      11/19/96
      9.8
      The Greenes arrive in Pennsylvania, where as a teacher, Claire is confided in by a teenage girl that she was pregnant but suffered a miscarriage. Claire and Russell emphasize with the teen as they recall a similar loss of their own years earlier.
    • Ep 8
      Little Girl Lost
      11/12/96
      9.3
      The Greenes camping excursion in the Great Smoky Mountains of North Carolina is interrupted when a young girl becomes lost and Russell sees Dinah in a new light when she uses her mapping & trail skills to locate the child. Meanwhile, Nathaniel and Hattie search for buried treasure.
    • Ep 7
      Leap of Faith
      10/29/96
      9.6
      The Greenes take a detour, courtesy of Dinah's navigation, and wind up in Roswell, New Mexico, at the A-Lee-Inn Cafe, a hangout for UFO-seekers, where they encounter eccentric people who gather every year for an alien-sighting event. Meanwhile, Russell learns the secret of an astronaut's disappearance.
    • Ep 6
      The Magic Gate
      10/15/96
      9.5
      While visiting a small town in West Virginia, Russell intervenes when he discovers Nathaniel's favorite author is a morphine addict and that her fellow townspeople refuse to offer any assistance because of the bad publicity it would generate for the town.
    • Ep 5
      The Hostage
      10/8/96
      9.8
      While the Greene family visits Claire's great Aunt Mooster who's celebrating her 100th birthday in Pueblo, Colorado, Russell encourages a man to step forward and take action against his employer for dumping toxic waste at a local landfill site.
    • Ep 4
      The Motel
      10/1/96
      10
      While passing through Arkansas, the Greene family looks to rebuild the lost faith of an embittered motel owner by repairing her run-down business. Meanwhile, Nathaniel steals a gun from the motel office.
    • Ep 3
      The Prodigy
      9/24/96
      9.9
      In Evanston, Wyoming, Claire encourages a musically-gifted boy to continue playing the guitar, despite the objections of his mother, who doesn't want him to follow the same path that killed his father.
    • Ep 2
      The Expatriate
      9/17/96
      9.4
      While travelling through Colorado, the Greene clan works overtime to persuade a high-school basketball coach to forgo his move to New Zealand when he becomes disillusioned with his faith in America.
    • Ep 1
      Promised Land
      9/15/96
      9.9
      A jobless man takes his family across the country to a small town called Chicory Creek in the state of Kentucky, where he was promised work, only to discover the man who offered employment has died, leaving them in dire straits.

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