Picket Fences
Overview
Amid the quirky charm of Rome, Wisconsin, an aging sheriff navigates the complexities of law enforcement while confronting a series of strange and often violent incidents. As he strives to maintain order in his small town, the sheriff encounters an eclectic mix of residents, each contributing to the community's unique character. The show masterfully blends humor and drama, exploring the challenges of justice in a seemingly idyllic setting, where the ordinary often collides with the extraordinary. With its rich storytelling and memorable characters, it captures the essence of small-town life.
Episodes
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1
Picket Fences
During a community theater performance of The Wizard of Oz, a cherished local figure is murdered. The sheriff's investigation leads him to suspect the...
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2
The Green Bay Chopper
When a student presents a severed human hand during show and tell, it prompts a joint investigation by the Sheriff's department and the FBI. They delv...
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3
Mr. Dreeb Comes to Town
Max develops a crush on a dwarf who arrives in town riding an elephant, claiming the animal was mistreated at a circus. Meanwhile, Jill confides in Ki...
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4
The Autumn of Rome
Title: The Fall of Rome Plot: As the mayoral race heats up, the candidates resort to increasingly scandalous attacks against one another, prompting S...
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5
Frank the Potato Man
A series of burglaries sparks the search for a “serial bather.” The investigation initially points to "Frank the Potato Man," a homeless man with ...
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6
Remembering Rosemary
After remaining silent for ten years, a catatonic housemaid suddenly speaks the word "murder," prompting the Sheriff's department to reexamine a case....
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7
The Contenders
Frustrated with the mayor's neglect of women's concerns, town doctor Jill Brock decides to run as a write-in candidate in the upcoming election. Meanw...
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8
Sacred Hearts
An elderly resident is found dead at a nursing home, leading to the arrest of a nun known for her singing who is accused of committing mercy killings....
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9
Thanksgiving
Jill's dad shows up in Rome, accompanied by his 26-year-old girlfriend. Meanwhile, Wambaugh discovers his wife in bed with someone else.
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10
The Snake Lady
Max, Brock, and Kenny delve into the perplexing case of a woman whose death raises questions about whether it was a suicide or something more sinister...
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11
Pageantry
A rabbi attempts to prevent the town from hosting a Christmas pageant with religious themes on public land. The community is taken aback when they dis...
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12
High Tidings
Title: Yuletide Confrontations Plot: On Christmas Eve, the Brock family stumbles upon Kimberly in a compromising situation with her 19-year-old boyfr...
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13
Frog Man
Kenny suffers severe injuries at the hands of the Frog Man, a thief known for leaving live frogs behind at the scenes of his burglaries.
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14
Bad Moons Rising
Alice Freeman finds herself facing murder charges for her husband's death. Wambaugh steps in to defend her, arguing that her actions stem from insanit...
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15
Nuclear Meltdowns
After her friend announces her pregnancy, Kimberly worries that she might be a victim of incest. The man claiming to be her father turns out to be her...
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16
The Body Politic
A desperate doctor on the run petitions the court for permission to keep his brain-dead wife on life support, hoping to let her pregnancy reach full t...
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17
Be My Valentine
Deputy Max takes on an undercover role after a reply to her personal ad raises her suspicions that she may be the next target of a serial killer dubbe...
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18
Fetal Attraction
Jill recruits her ex-fiancé to carry out a fetal transplant on a patient suffering from Parkinson's, despite the town hospital's disapproval. Meanwhi...
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19
Sightings
Title: Unseen Forces Plot: Carter becomes convinced that the sheriff who vanished under enigmatic circumstances nearly four decades ago might have fa...
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20
Rights of Passage
A well-armed faction of Chippewa Indians initiates conflict with Rome by taking control of the courthouse and setting up barricades. Meanwhile, Ginny ...
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21
Sugar and Spice
During a sleepover, Kimberly and her closest girlfriend share a few kisses, sparking rumors about Kimberly's sexuality. Confused by the whispers, she ...
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22
The Lullaby League
Title: The Lullaby League Plot: Max assists in the delivery of a newborn but finds himself navigating the adoption process when the biological mother...
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1
Turpitude
Mayor Pugen finds himself in a deadly confrontation when he shoots a carjacker who inadvertently drops his weapon. This incident puts Sheriff Brock in...
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2
Duty Free Rome
Douglas Wambaugh challenges the murder conviction of Mayor Pugen, but unexpectedly, the mayor bursts into flames. Meanwhile, a Catholic couple struggl...
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3
Unlawful Entries
Kenny and Max investigate a reported rape and discover a confrontation between a man and a woman. Under Kenny's intense questioning, the man claims th...
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4
Under the Influence
Max allows a tipsy driver to make it home, but the woman ends up in an accident that leaves another driver paralyzed. Things get trickier when Wambaug...
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5
The Dancing Bandit
Title: The Dancing Bandit Plot: Jill and Zack find themselves caught in a tense hostage situation orchestrated by a gang of bank robbers, headed by a...
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6
Dairy Queen
The community becomes polarized when Jill and the Mayor support a sultry model to be the town's "Dairy Queen." Meanwhile, Sheriff Brock is concerned a...
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7
Cross Examination
After a car accident leaves a young woman in a coma, doctors discover she is four months pregnant, despite her being a virgin. Her father pushes for a...
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8
Strangers
Title: Strangers Plot: Jill takes the stand to support a man with an unusual neurological condition that affects his sight, following his arrest for ...
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9
Blue Christmas
During a locker search for drugs at the high school, Kimberly's close friend, Lisa Fenn, gets arrested. At the same time, a Federal witness in protect...
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10
Paging Doctor God
Jill finds herself in trouble with the law after conducting surgery on a woman who adheres to Christian Science principles, which reject medical treat...
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11
Guns 'R' Us
In a quest for vengeance against the high school bullies who humiliated him, Matthew's plan takes a dangerous twist when he threatens them with a gun,...
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12
Remote Control
Littleton and Wambaugh find themselves clashing once more in court, with Wambaugh defending his new client, Timmy Hendricks, by claiming that his viol...
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13
Abominable Snowman
Title: The Heart of a Father Plot: Howard Buss's son, Kevin, faces a dire situation, needing a heart transplant to survive. Meanwhile, Howard, who is...
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14
Supreme Courting
On Valentine's Day, love blossoms for several residents in town. Maxine steps in to assist Carter in his efforts to win over Stacy Halford, a widow fr...
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15
Divine Recall
A 25-year-old adult film featuring Mayor Rachel Harris comes to light, causing a stir in the community. In response, the local clergy spearhead a camp...
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16
Terms of Estrangement
Kimberly is taken captive by a man (Louis Gossett, Jr.) seeking vengeance against her father, Sheriff Brock. As she endures her ordeal, the tension ri...
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17
Squatter's Rights
Title: Claiming Justice Plot: A woman weighing 500 pounds admits to killing her spouse by smothering him with her weight. Meanwhile, Douglas Wambaugh...
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18
System Down
A sensational murder trial involving a defendant charged with killing two police officers is moved to Rome. Sheriff Brock finds himself appointed as t...
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19
Buried Alive
Title: Buried Alive Plot: Max takes Jill's father into custody, prompting the Brocks to extend an invitation for dinner, aiming to mend fences. Howev...
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20
My Left Shoe
Title: My Left Shoe Plot: After a fire at the church rectory, the community discovers Father Gary Barrett's unusual obsession with women's footwear. ...
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21
Frosted Flakes
The mother and father of a young boy suffering from leukemia turn to the courts, requesting permission to have their son undergo cryonic suspension as...
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22
Howard's End
Title: The Final Decision Plot: As Howard Buss battles the escalating effects of Alzheimer's, his son Kevin, overwhelmed by despair, takes the tragic...
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1
Survival of the Fittest
When a girl from the area goes missing, Sheriff Brock begins to suspect her boyfriend, Brian Latham, may have a role in her disappearance. In a separa...
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2
Systematic Abuse
District Attorney Littleton and defense attorney Douglas Wambaugh gear up for the impending murder trial of Brian Latham. Littleton worries that the l...
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3
The Bus Stops Here (1)
A federal judge in Wisconsin mandates the busing of 400 Black students from the Green Bay ghetto to schools in Rome, sparking fear among Sheriff Brock...
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4
Enemy Lines (2)
Jill confronts Judge Nance in a fiery discussion following her arrest for admitting she conducted surgery on a Christian Science patient. At the same ...
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5
Cold Spell
When a young girl daubs a pentacle on a school wall, Sheriff Brock steps in and takes her from her Wiccan mother, leading to a fierce custody dispute ...
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6
Elective Conduct
Jill's bid for mayor takes a hit when Zach submits a school report rife with racist material, which he plagiarized from an old textbook. Meanwhile, Ki...
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7
Rebels with Causes
Wambaugh travels to Chicago with Jill Brock, where he learns he has multiple sclerosis at Chicago Hope Hospital in this crossover episode. Tensions ar...
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8
May It Please the Court
Wambaugh achieves a lifelong ambition as he stands before the Supreme Court to deliver oral arguments.
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9
For Whom the Wind Blows
As Brian Latham maintains his innocence, Kenny and Max dive into the case evidence, gradually starting to think he might actually be truthful. Meanwhi...
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10
Away in the Manger
Carter Pike has a hunch that strange genetic experiments are taking place on cows at a secluded farm. This storyline was initially intended to serve a...
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11
Freezer Burn
Title: Chilling Revelations Plot: When the town's well-known masseur, infamous for his sensual massages with the local women, is discovered lifeless ...
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12
Frog Man Returns
The Frog Man's son grows weary of his father's influence and seeks emancipation through the courts. In another development, Zach suffers a serious inj...
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13
Mr. Seed Goes to Town
Title: Mr. Seed Takes a Trip Plot: Jimmy Brock is taken by surprise when his former wife, Lydia, shows up out of the blue with a shocking proposal....
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14
Close Encounters
After a woman collapses mid-performance, Carter declares her dead, only for her to unexpectedly regain consciousness in the morgue, where she perceive...
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15
When in Rome
The arrival of a convicted child molester in Rome, after serving 16 years in prison, creates significant turmoil among the community. Jill and Jimmy f...
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16
Heroes and Villains
Title: Heroes and Villains Plot: On Zach's birthday, the hearing-impaired Dancing Bandit finds herself in handcuffs during a surprise visit. Federal ...
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17
Changing of the Guard
Jimmy steps out of his department to seek assistance in tracking down Ed Lawson, the murder suspect. At the same time, the town begins its quest to el...
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18
Without Mercy
Title: Without Mercy Plot: When a patient battling terminal cancer passes away from a morphine overdose, Jimmy turns to Jill for guidance. As they de...
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19
Final Judgement
Title: Last Ruling Plot: After Jill is convicted for aiding in a patient's death, Wambaugh urges Judge Bone to bring the topic of euthanasia to the f...
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20
Saint Zach
Title: Saint Zach Plot: Zach begins to experience mysterious wounds on his hands resembling stigmata, leading his friends to speculate that he posses...
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21
Upbringings
Title: Upbringings Plot: When Walter Brock, Jimmy's father, unexpectedly arrives, he extends an offer for Jimmy to take the reins of his law firm. Th...
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22
The Song of Rome
In the wake of Father Gary Barrett's tragic shooting during a church robbery, Mayor Bey suggests organizing a spring musical pageant to lift the spiri...
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1
A Change of Season
Kimberly shocks her parents by announcing her decision to go to medical school in another state. Meanwhile, Carter Pike’s home goes up in flames fol...
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2
Reap the Whirlwind
On their 50th anniversary, the Wambaughs find themselves in a heated disagreement just as a tornado looms over the town. Jimmy and Jill are anxious ab...
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3
Pal Joey
Dr. Joanna "Joey" Diamond, a previous talk show host played by Amy Aquino, becomes a part of Jill's medical team. Meanwhile, Kenny decides to explore ...
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4
Bloodbrothers
District Attorney John Littleton's brother, who is serving time in prison, manages to break free and heads straight for Rome.
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5
Dog Eat Dog
Maxine finds herself in a precarious situation after accidentally shooting a man dressed in a bratwurst costume. At the same time, Jill jumps to concl...
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6
Heart of Saturday Night
Title: Heart of Saturday Night Plot: On a lively Saturday evening in Rome, the locals explore different ways to enjoy their night. Matthew takes a dr...
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7
Down the Tubes
Jill contemplates getting a tubal ligation. Meanwhile, Brock faces the challenge of performing the polka with the Mayor to raise money for charity. As...
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8
This Little Piggy
Kimberly gets taken into custody during her demonstration against pig-wrestling at the local fair.
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9
Witness for the Prosecution
Title: Testimony of the Holy See Plot: As the town gathers to celebrate the Pope's visit, chaos erupts when gunfire rings out, resulting in a man's d...
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10
Dem Bones
When the remains of a Nazi supporter are discovered, all eyes turn to Jacob Levine, the son of a Jewish butcher who suffered at the hands of the decea...
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11
Bloodlines
Struggling with profound sadness after the suicide of a close friend, Matthew finds himself in a dark place. In an effort to lift his spirits, Jimmy d...
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12
Snow Exit
A fierce blizzard sweeps through the town, leaving Jill and Kimberly trapped in a bar where Lydia is taking the stage for her first performance. Meanw...
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13
My Romance
Title: My Romance Plot: Following an incident with a downed power line, Carter finds himself clinically dead for three minutes, during which he encou...
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14
The Z Files
Zack puts his teacher's image into an inappropriate video, and his friend shares it online. Meanwhile, Maxine decides to meet one of her online friend...
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15
Bottled
Title: Bottled Plot: As the family gathers to commemorate Zack's 13th birthday, Jill finds herself overwhelmed by her feelings. The joyous occasion...
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16
Winner Takes All
When the school's basketball coach collapses mid-game, Jill steps up as the temporary coach. Faced with intense pressure from the parents to secure vi...
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17
Dante's Inferno
Maxine Stuart faces backlash while stepping in as mayor and implementing a series of contentious policies and reforms. Chuck Dante, a shock jock known...
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18
Forget Selma
Title: Forget Selma Plot: Upon discovering that Miriam is seeing someone new, Wambaugh becomes suspicious of the man’s intentions. Believing he mig...
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19
To Forgive is Divine
After an Amish girl is sexually assaulted, she chooses not to speak out against her attacker, adhering to her religious convictions. As a result, the ...
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20
Liver Let Die
Jimmy discovers that he may have a cancerous tumor on his liver while simultaneously looking into the murder of a homeless man found behind Reverend N...
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21
Bye-Bye, Bey-Bey
At the christening of Mayor Bey's son, Michael, the townspeople are shocked when Laurie reveals that she carried the baby for her brother Jerry and hi...
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22
Three Weddings and a Meltdown
In the series finale, Carter accidentally proposes to Sue after a misunderstanding on her part. True to his word, they share their engagement news wit...
