First, it's fascinating that someone else watched and reviewed this same episode today! A couple weeks ago I discovered "Picket Fences" on Hulu and now, after all these years, I'm able to watch the first season that I'd missed the first time around. I've been watching a couple episodes most nights and a few more on weekends.
Second, I'm really enjoying the show and watching the characters and relationships developing as it both builds the world of Rome, Wisconsin and takes on some of the pressing social issues of 1992-93. I'm even a bit surprised by how many of those still are with us today, maybe even more contentious now than they were then. Only 20+ episodes into the series, this is one that really resonated, since a family member is LGBTQ+, as are a number of friends we've had over the years. I know in at least some cases, things are easier for kids wrestling with identity issues these days. But sadly, I also know that's not always the case. It was a little surprising to see how Jill and Jimmy reacted, since normally Jill (along with Judge Bone) kind of provides the voice of moral authority on the show, maybe speaking for Kelley, who didn't seem to mind having morals for his stories. (Is he still that way? I have to confess, I don't even know whether he has a show on the air these days.) Reminds me that some things were very different back then, but also of the progress we've made.
Second, I'm really enjoying the show and watching the characters and relationships developing as it both builds the world of Rome, Wisconsin and takes on some of the pressing social issues of 1992-93. I'm even a bit surprised by how many of those still are with us today, maybe even more contentious now than they were then. Only 20+ episodes into the series, this is one that really resonated, since a family member is LGBTQ+, as are a number of friends we've had over the years. I know in at least some cases, things are easier for kids wrestling with identity issues these days. But sadly, I also know that's not always the case. It was a little surprising to see how Jill and Jimmy reacted, since normally Jill (along with Judge Bone) kind of provides the voice of moral authority on the show, maybe speaking for Kelley, who didn't seem to mind having morals for his stories. (Is he still that way? I have to confess, I don't even know whether he has a show on the air these days.) Reminds me that some things were very different back then, but also of the progress we've made.
