Picket Fences - S1E21

Sugar and Spice
First Aired: Thursday April 29, 1993

After an experimental kiss, Kim questions her sexuality and whether she is attracted to her friend Lisa Fenn. Also, Jim decides he has to find an under-sheriff. The result of his decision will take him to court.

The episode begins while Kim and her friend Lisa Fenn are going to sleep after a study session. Her friend talks about kissing and broaches the subject of kissing another female. He and Kim decide to do so with each other. This leads Kim to question her feeling about sexuality. The problem becomes compounded when Matthew, being curious about his sisters weird behavior, overhears her and Lisa's conversation the next day about the kiss. He then goes to tell Jill, who tells Jimmy, and they both try to "steer" her back to heterosexuality. Shortly, the whole town gets wind of the possibility of Kim and her friend, leading to Billy breaking up with Kim. Lydia also shows up after Kim reveals to her father that Lydia had a lesbian experience in college. As the three parental figures try to figure out how to handle the situation, Kim and Lisa try to come to terms with their feelings. In the end, Kim figures that she is heterosexual while her friend seems to be leaning towards homosexuality.

The other storyline involves the Rome police department needing a new under-sheriff. Mayor Pugen and Jimmy pick Kenny over Maxine, which angers her. Jimmy tries to reason with her that because she is a gung-ho female deputy, there might be the possibility of revolt by the machismo station. She then takes Jimmy and the county to court, leading to Judge Bone ruling in her favor and in turning revoking Kenny's promotion. This storyline ends as Jimmy tells Maxine and Kenny that he will re-evaluate them in a few months. He scolds Maxine, but she scolds him back by saying she has lost faith in him.

Another very forward thinking episode, this maybe one of the first prime time shows to really deal objectively with the question of homosexuality and a family trying to deal with it. The main story was good, especially because of the acting of Holly Marie Combs. It seems like the stories that usually deal with her deal with sexuality in someway (ie the Christmas episode). As for the other storyline, I think Jimmy was right with his decision, though he probably decided it through the wrong filter. I really had a dislike for Maxine in the way she handled herself, but it made sense for her character to fight it like she did. Of particular merit was the Judge's chambers conversation between Pugen and Bone. Strong, powerful acting. Another well written and acted episode.

Score: 8.8 / 10