Picket Fences: Bye-Bye, Bey-Bey
Bye-Bye, Bey-Bey
Season 1, Episode 17
Air Date
April 24th, 1996
Directed by
Written by
Starring
Kathy Baker
Tom Skerritt
Louise Fletcher
Trivia
Louise Fletcher, Mr. Von Dohlen's friend, also appeared in Blind Vision and Tollbooth. In his interview with Cult Radio A-Go-A-Go, Mr. Von Dohlen stated he and Ms. Fletcher worked on a forth project together. What that project was is unknown.
Lenny and Bill Brochtrup will later appear together in the play Theatre District.
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The town of Rome, Wisconsin, reacts with contempt and shock to the news that their mayor, Laurie Bey (Marlee Matlin) has given birth to a child whose biological father is her brother Gerry's (Lenny Von Dohlen) partner. No one is more outraged than Christine Bey (Louise Fletcher), Laurie and Gerry's mother, who reveals that she plans to sue for custody of her grandson.
Gerry and his partner, Gordy (Bill Brochtrup) cannot believe that the law can allow their child to be taken from them because they are gay. They refuse to walk away, vowing to do anything to keep their son.
Laurie worries the trial will alter their relationship with their mother. Gerry, who has always had difficulty getting along with his mother, tries to convince his sister their mother has never loved them.
Gordy and Gerry are ambushed and injured when they go grocery shopping. While at the ER, Gerry faces more prejudice and judgment when the doctor, Doctor Brock (Kathy Baker) shows concern after being exposed to his blood. Gerry tells her not to worry. He's HIV-negative. Dr. Brock tells him he'll have to be careful now that he's a father and be tested more regularly. Before she leaves, he tells her it's none of her business, but he is not promiscuous. He hasn't been with another man since he met Gordy 13 years ago. She answers, "You may be monogamous, but what about him?" Gerry replies, "You trust your husband, Dr. Brock?"
Laurie begs her mother to drop the suit. Christine refuses, saying that Gerry's lifestyle insults his father's memory. Laurie realizes that Gerry is correct. Christine is selfish; her actions are motivated by her want for a chance with another child.
At the trial, Gerry and Gordy are questioned unfairly and mercilessly. Christine tells the judge that she wants to raise Michael and give him something his fathers could never give him, "a normal home where he can grow up as a normal child." When questioned, she says she hasn't spoken to her son for 12 years because he is a homosexual, and she only speaks to her daughter, who is deaf, once a year. She considers herself a good mother because she gave her children what they needed: a roof over their heads and clothing. The lawyer points out she didn't give them love. She says she feels she did, but they made it hard.
The lawyer asks what will happen if the baby turns out to be anything but a "normal" Christian heterosexual. Will she abandon it like she did her children? She cannot answer.
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Streaming Availability
Picket Fences season four is currently not streaming in the US. The forth season is available on DVD outside of the US.
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