Tailgate supposed to lock each time?

I have the same model with remote keyless entry (RKE). 'Believe that it was programmed as you observed for safety reasons. I always make a habit of pressing the remote (or unlock button on front doors) to enable the gate latch before pressing the release button. Odd that you only get one opening before you have to hit the unlock button again but that's the way it seems to work. If you really want it to work another way, check with Saturn service. They may have a means to reprogram it. Oppie

Certainly the 92 wagon does this, very irritating. Also if you are pointed downhill you cannot unlock it enough with the lever, you have to open it with the key.