Spoilers

“Terms of Estrangement”

What a treat.

Today, the Picket Fences series did indeed leave Hulu, so I had to start watching on Amazon Prime and I am so grateful that I could because this was the best episode of the show so far.

In fact, during the X-Files rewatch I have been doing, I have come across a bunch of the first season episodes that I did not remember. Kind of like a special little surprise. However, I had not come across any Picket Fences episodes that I had not seen… until this morning.

I do not remember ever seeing this episode before and, it was so great, that I cannot imagine that I had ever seen it before. As I said earlier, what a treat.

One of Jimmy’s former partners who had gone too far once in an interrogation, leading to the death of the suspect, kidnapped Kimberly.

Rick, played by Louis Gossett Jr., hid Kimberly away in a bomb shelter that was soundproofed, and then he went to see Jimmy at the police station, to “offer help” but actually to to play mind games.

The portrayal of a shattered man who had lost everything, including his wife and daughter, was done brilliantly by Gossett Jr. and his interactions with jimmy showed another level for Jimmy. Tom Skerritt was unbelievable in this performance. His internal anguish and feeling of helplessness came through as he tried to remain strong for his family.

The ending was tense and suspenseful as Jimmy was forced to attack Rick in order for Rick to give up Kimberly. Jimmy mournfully saying “Don’t make me kill you” was heart-wrenching.

I was not expecting something so amazing and unexpected. I loved Picket Fences and I love this episode so much.

It’s funny, but all three of my top favorite Picket Fences episodes as of this watching, featured FBI Agent Donald Morrell, played by Sam Anderson: this episode, The Green Bay Chopper and Be My Valentine. Sam Anderson who played Bernard on my all-time favorite show LOST.