The Best Episodes of I'll Fly Away

Lawyer Forrest Bedford struggles to raise a family amid the civil-rights strife of the 1958 South, aided by Lily, a lack housekeeper who comes to work in the opener to find Forrest prosecuting a young white for a bus accident that killed three black; and little John Morgan missing his hospitalized mama.

Director: Joshua Brand

Writer: John Falsey, Joshua Brand

When John Morgan loses his cowboy hat out of the car window, Lilly finds it—but then so does her daughter—-while Forrest faces verbal cross-fire over a beating case arising from the demonstration.

Director: John David Coles

Writer: David Chase

With Forrest away on a weekend hunting trip, womanhood takes aim at Francie, who feels utterly alone; while worries about the fate of an errant arrow dog, John Morgan.

Director: Jack Bender

Writer: Barbara Hall

As Forrest joins the race for attorney general, Lilly considers attending a voting-rights meetings, while Francie elects to overcome her writer's block by committing a betrayal.

Director: Kevin Rodney Sullivan

Writer: Henry Bromell

John Morgan is upset when he doesn't get to go to Lilly's birthday party; the wrestlers aren't celebrating Zollicofer's decision to let a black join the team; Forrest realizes running for office isn't going to be a piece of cake.

Director: Eric Laneuville

Writer: N/A

On Halloween, the specter of the KKK haunts Christina as she's asked to investigate Prevtiss Carver's death. It also haunts John Morgan, who's heard about the ""dragon men"" from Adlaine.

Director: Eugene Corr

Writer: N/A

Slocum wrestles with his conscience—-and with-–Evans as Zollicfer applies pressure over the brick-throwing incident; Lilly balks when Lewis, wanting to relive his time in the Negro Leagues, takes his eyes off the ball at home.

Director: Michael Fresco

Writer: N/A

Thanksgiving brings family—and conflict—home: Gwen's visit from the mental hospital knocks the stuffing out of the Bedfords, especially Nathan; and Lilly's brother makes a pilgrimage home after discovering the New World of the North.

Director: Mark Sobel

Writer: N/A

A game of checkers turns deadly serious for Nathan and Slocum; Lilly helps Francie, who's afraid she'll lay an egg singing in the church benefit.

Director: Ian Sander

Writer: Barbara Hall

Lilly expresses a burning desire to divorce her absent husband; sparks fly between Nathan and a carnival worker; Forrest's arrest of an upstanding citizen in the McDaniel murder adds fuel to the fire against him, which licks at John Morgan.

Director: Aaron Lipstadt

Writer: Henry Bromell, Judi Ann Mason

John Morgan makes up a tall tale about his absent mother joining the rodeo; as the trial approaches, Forrest lassos a witness and then tightens the rope; Slocum's father brands his son a loser and kicks him out of the house.

Director: Jack Bender

Writer: Josef Anderson

On a campaign swing, Forrest lobbies for the affections of a difficult Francie, while Lilly faces a difficult test registering to vote.

Director: N/A

Writer: N/A

As Election Day nears, John Morgan plans a post-victory show, but Forrest isn't sure he can pull a win out of his hat in his race for attorney general. He's facing a blackmail threat from a drunken Tyler. Meanwhile, Lilly's determination to vote remains unabated, even after her faith is tested by the opposition of her minister. But discrimination at the polling place makes that step forward seems more like an illusion.

Director: Eric Laneuville

Writer: David Chase

Forrest faces a test in courage when some of the townsfolk decide to teach him a lesson; Nathan is eager to learn why Forrest and Lake had a falling-out; and Lilly enrolls in night school.

Director: Jack Bender

Writer: Barbara Hall

An impromptu lunch-counter protest leads to a more serious demonstration; Lilly has to chew out John Morgan and an unruly friend; Nathan, stunned by a revelation about his girlfriend, wishes he could eat his words after Slocum repeals them to her.

Director: Joe Napolitano

Writer: Judi Ann Mason

Forrest is shocked when Rev. Henry's latest protest sparks Lilly to action; Nathan and Diane's status as a couple generates charged comments; John Morgan fools with electricity.

Director: N/A

Writer: Henry Bromell

Diane's father tries to put a damper on her and Nathan's passions; racial tensions heat up with the department-store boycott, leaving Lilly's cousin Oscar out in the cold.

Director: Michael Fresco

Writer: Karen Hall

Not realizing how deep town sentiment runs, Lilly and Forrest learn fast after witnessing a police attack on black children; tucker robs the cradle with Forrests' young campaign worker; Francie behaves childishly after being asked to walk John Morgan to school.

Director: N/A

Writer: N/A

Lilly finds herself in time with a visiting sax player; a frustrated Forrest wants someone to face the music about his incompetent opposing counsel in a murder trial; Slocum is jazzed to find Zollicofer in town, trying to get his job back.

Director: Bruce Seth Green

Writer: Barbara Hall, Henry Bromell

John Morgan tries to put to rest his guilt and fear over an elderly neighbor's passing; Forrest asks Christina to step in to save the dying defense of a black man accused of murder.

Director: David Chase

Writer: David Chase

Lilly feels no pain when she's with Clarence, but Lewis isn't as intoxicated by his presence; Christina faces her own demons helping alcoholic tucker dry out; Nathan keeps his anger bottled up after catching Forrest in a compromising position.

Director: Michael Fresco

Writer: Barbara Hall

Forrest ponders an offer for a challenging job; Lilly tries to make peace between her father and Clarence, who asks her to make a life-changing decision; Nathan sees something he shouldn't; and Slocum saves his mother's birthday party.

Director: Ian Sander

Writer: N/A

In the second-season opener, Nathan reacts to Forrest's infidelity by deciding to confront Christina; Lilly struggles to give an answer to Clarence, who's new York bound; and Forrest opts to take the job as U.S. attorney, even though it means an FBI investigation of his life.

Director: Jack Bender

Writer: Barbara Hall

Lilly is questioned by the FBI as part of Forrest's bid for U.S. attorney, and she gives some disturbing answers that may cost him the job; Forrest is surprised to learn Gwen may be coming home soon; and Francie throws a party.

Director: Michael Fresco

Writer: N/A

On his first day at work as a U.S. attorney Forrest must break some bad news to his children about Gwen; the two suspects accused of killing Col. Landers are released—to no one's surprise; Slocum finds out that Parkie might be pregnant.

Director: Ian Sander

Writer: Henry Bromell