Ep 1. Behind the Picket Fence

Behind the Picket Fence is the first episode of the first season of the true-crime series Scorned: Love Kills. The episode explores the story of a couple, Betty Jeanne Solomon and Michael Reese, who seemed like the perfect match from the outside but behind closed doors, their relationship was tumultuous.

Betty and Michael had been married for 12 years and lived in a quaint suburban neighborhood in Maryland. They had two children together, a son, and a daughter, and Betty was a stay-at-home mom, while Michael worked as a software engineer. However, their seemingly perfect life was about to shatter into pieces.

The episode delves deeper into the events leading up to the tragic murder of Betty Jeanne Solomon by her husband Michael Reese, in their own home. The story is a classic example of what happens when love turns to scorn, and an idyllic life can turn into a nightmare.

Betty and Michael's troubles began when they moved to a new house in the suburbs, which was a significant change from their urban lifestyle. Though it was a beautiful neighborhood, Michael started to feel uneasy as he felt that he didn't quite fit in. He became obsessed with keeping up appearances and maintaining a picture-perfect life in front of their neighbors.

Betty, on the other hand, was struggling with her mental health, which further put a strain on their relationship. She was dealing with depression and anxiety, and Michael didn't seem to understand the complexity of her condition. Instead, he blamed her for their problems, which only added to Betty's sense of despair.

As the episode progresses, we see the relationship between Betty and Michael actively deteriorating. The couple begins to argue constantly, and Michael becomes increasingly controlling. He starts to monitor her every move, even going as far as installing monitoring cameras throughout their house. Betty is feeling suffocated and trapped, and the more control he tries to exert, the more she rebels.

Things escalate when Michael's controlling tendencies take over, and he starts to become physically abusive towards Betty. She tries to reach out to her family and friends, but Michael is always two steps ahead of her. He isolates her from her support system, making Betty feel even more helpless and alone.

Finally, in a fit of rage, Michael murders Betty in their home. The episode depicts the aftermath of the murder, including Michael's capture and eventual trial, where he confessed to killing his wife.

Behind the Picket Fence is a gripping episode that tells the frightening story of how a seemingly idyllic life can quickly turn into a nightmare. It highlights the dangers of domestic abuse and the importance of mental health awareness. It also shows how love can turn into scorn, and how the consequences can be deadly.