Beth Milgram, a college student bound to study abroad in Italy, is found dead from being hit with a pipe. There are two people of interest: her father, the beneficiary of an insurance policy on her daughter; and her boyfriend Tommy Beltran, who claims her father disapproved of his daughter dating a Latin guy. When more information comes out (like Beth breaking up with Beltran the same day she was set to travel to Italy, he went to confession), he is arrested. His attorney (Laurence Luckinbill) claims that he was only following the rules of the American dream.
Tropes present in this episode
- Bludgeoned to Death: How Beth Milgram is killed.
- If I Can't Have You…: Tommy's response to being rejected.
- Jerkass Has a Point: Is Milgram Sr. an elitist bigot, a white supremacist and an overprotective father? Sure. Is he right when he says that Beltran will "Snow you too"? Also yes. Right up to the bitter end, Beltran is extremely convincing as a victim.
- Promotion to Opening Titles: Carolyn McCormick as Dr. Olivet (though unlike the rest of the main cast, her picture isn't shown in the opening credits).
- Ripped from the Headlines: The Bonnie Garland
case. - Uptown Girl: Beth and Tommy's relationship. Ultimately averted (by quite some way) when Beth dumps Tommy, and Tommy beats Beth to death with a lead pipe.
