Midnight Sun

The whole episode is centered by the midnight sun. Fleischman becomes obsessed with the continual sunlight, never stopping, never sleeping. We find out there is an annual basketball game between Cicely and a nearby town. Fleischman has great knowledge of the game and is asked to coach the locals. The problem is that at some point the tilt of the earth changes everything. Also, Joel should know what lack of sleep eventually does to a human body Nevertheless he becomes a tyrant, pushing the troops (a lot of them older men). Two subplot involve Shelly in her cheerleading outfit being ogled by Holling. And Ruth Anne has some time with a traveling clothing salesman. There are a few good moments.

I am not sure why the writers of this show always look for a way to include some sort of smut in every episode, however, this one went over the top. I have been watching this show since it first aired in 1990 and this has always been my issue with the stories, the needless filth. In this episode, my main complaint was the disgusting support of pedophilia. Holling obviously has some MAJOR issues with young girls, as is evident with his fixation on Shelly wearing her cheerleader uniform. Gross! This was such an inappropriate storyline and this shouldn't have been included in this episode. I never cared for Holling or Shelly and I felt that their relationship was one of convenience, Holling wanted a legal little girl and I guess Shelly was in need of a grandfather, gag.