PICKET FENCES: THE SONG OF ROME {THIRD SEASON FINALE} (TV)
Summary
The third season finale in this series of off-beat dramas that often focuses on social issues as it chronicles the lives of Rome, Wisconsin, residents, including town Sheriff Jimmy Brock; his wife Dr. Jill Brock; their three children, Kimberly, Matthew, and Zachary; and his two deputies, Kenny Lacos and Maxine Stewart.
Rome is preparing for their annual spring pageant when tragedy strikes: 17-year old Michael Hines, a delinquent with a gambling addiction and massive debt, attempts to rob Father Barrett at gunpoint in the confessional booth. When Father Barrett refuses to hand over his money and attempts to calm Michael down, Michael shoots him with an uzi. Police and paramedics respond. Barrett is rushed to the hospital by Jill while Jimmy and his police force chase down Michael. He takes refuge in his home as the police surround it. Kenny wants to kill Michael but Jimmy convinces him to shoot to wound, hitting Michael in the shoulder. He is apprehended by the police as Barrett undergoes surgery.
Jill reports to Janine, Barrett’s sister, that despite their efforts Barrett’s chances for survival are low. Furthermore, one of the bullets entered his brain, which would leave him brain-dead even if he survived. Despite the horrific circumstances, Mayor Bey insists on going ahead with the spring pageant in order to raise spirits. Janine asks for Barrett’s respirator to be turned off, noting that they discussed this and it’s what he would have wanted. Jill complies and the respirator is switched off.
Michael is taken to court, with Wambaugh representing him. It soon becomes clear that Judge Bone has taken Michael’s actions personally, getting off the bench to berate him to his face. Wambaugh and D. A. Littleton look on in shock. He calms down and D. A. Littleton motions that the case be transferred to a different court. Judge Bone refuses to do so, leading Littleton to threaten him with going to the higher-ups and getting Judge Bone taken off the bench.
Father Barrett still lives, apparently able to breath on his own but still technically brain-dead. Mayor Bey calls a town meeting, including a marching band which fails at raising anyone’s spirits. To test whether or not the town has a “soul,” Mayor Bey repeals all property crime laws in the city for 24 hours. Jimmy has a chance encounter with Judge Bone and they discuss the idyllic image of Rome, symbolized by the town’s white picket fences. Zack practices for the pageant with Kimberly but doesn’t see the point of doing so. She notes that perhaps the adults need cheering up, especially their father. She reminds him of his promise to take care of him after the stigmata incident.
Judge Bone finally relents and agrees to transfer the case. He voices his opinion that society is partially to blame for what happened to Father Barrett in that it encourages gambling. He also says that in spite of all this time as a judge, he feels as though he’s ultimately useless. That night the spring pageant is held and it appears to succeed in lifting spirits. Judge Bone visits Father Barrett’s bedside, pleading with God to “take him” and telling Father Barrett how much he meant to him personally. Suddenly Father Barrett stops breathing; Judge Bone closes his eyes and leaves. He arrives at the spring pageant just in time to hear Wambaugh sing a song about how the people of Rome “give a little more than they take.” The episode ends as Wambaugh’s song seems to resonate with the audience. Commercials deleted.
Details
- NETWORK: CBS
- DATE: May 12, 1995 10:00 PM
- RUNNING TIME: 0:46:35
- COLOR/B&W: Color
- CATALOG ID: B:37730
- GENRE: Drama, police
- SUBJECT HEADING: Drama, police
- SERIES RUN: CBS - TV series, 1992-1996
- COMMERCIALS: N/A
CREDITS
- David E. Kelley … Executive Producer, Created by, Writer
- Michael Pressman … Co-Executive Producer, Director
- Geoffrey Neigher … Producer
- Jonathan Pontell … Producer
- Robert Breech … Producer
- Michael Nankin … Supervising Producer
- Ann Donahue … Supervising Producer
- Alice West … Supervising Producer
- Stewart Levin … Music by
- Tom Skerritt … Cast, Sheriff Jimmy Brock
- Kathy Baker … Cast, Dr. Jill Brock
- Costas Mandylor … Cast, Officer Kenny Lacos
- Lauren Holly … Cast, Officer Maxine Stewart
- Holly Marie Combs … Cast, Kimberly Brock
- Justin Shenkarow … Cast, Matthew Brock
- Adam Wylie … Cast, Zack Brock
- Fyvush Finkel … Cast, Douglas Wambaugh
- Kelly Connell … Cast, Carter Pike
- Don Cheadle … Cast, D. A. Littleton
- Ray Walston … Cast, Judge Henry Bone
- Marlee Matlin … Cast, Laurie Bey
- Christopher Pettiet … Cast, Michael Hines
- Dabbs Greer … Cast, Rev. Henry Novotny
- Laurie O'Brien … Cast, Sara Hynes
- Wendy Phillips … Cast, Janine Barrett
- Christina Carlisi … Cast, Interpreter
- Roy Dotrice … Cast, Father Barrett
- Grace Zandarski … Cast, Paramedic #1
- Frank Maldonatti … Cast, Paramedic #2