Category Archives: Season One

Time for another baddies meeting at the park.. only this time all pretence of just sharing a bench and both reading the paper is gone! LOL!! Babak tells Mikhail he had a mission to eliminate the last Valoskai? Man.. that name really is un pronounceable! Valosky Valoska, Valoskia Valoskya Valoskai.. Valwhatever! Everyone says it differently!

Babak is cranky with Mikhail because Antov aimed at the walls… but the blame is shared by everyone.. Mikhail the amateur gets blamed for Antov the pro’s failure? well that is just ridiculous.. if I were Mikhail or Sigrid I’d be really mad!

Babak: You had a mission, to eliminate the last Valoskai. To remove from this earth a single thorn that has plagued our government!
Mikhail: Today! It will be done today! She is to leave the house at two o’clock. She will be intercepted.
Babak: Not intercepted. Killed.
Mikhail: Yes. Killed. I am not a total fool, Comrade. [I beg to differ] I know how much importance is attached to the meeting.
Babak: More than you suspect. If she lives, heads will roll. Muahahahahaahaaa!! Francine sits on a nearby bench trying to listen in.. good job following Babak I guess.. So the princess will be killed on the way to her meeting..

Back to the agency, wow! the lady with the red handbag (‘Ms Walker’) is now wandering in the opposite direction she usually heads in! She must be really lost! 

Amanda arrives in the bullpen- I am sure that is exactly the same outfit she wore in Fearless Dotty! You know the white pants that got torn when she was mugged and that she said were new and consequently ruined? Ok.. she could have bought another pair I suppose.. but still..it makes me wonder about the order of these two episodes! Lee: Amanda!
Amanda: Hello.
Francine: Well, look who remembered the password.
Amanda: No, actually, I didn’t. Someone must have spoken to Mrs Marsden. She just sort of looked disgusted and waved me on through.
Well hurrah! No more Amanda can’t remember the password jokes that were funny the first time but as they continued just made her look dumb! Hmm well since Lee is surprised to see her I am guessing it was Billy or Mrs Marsden who made a new rule for Amanda! Notice too, we don’t see Mrs Marsden at all in Fearless Dotty (maybe it was mean’t to be after this ep?), although Amanda comes to the agency twice.. and.. the actress Shirley Anthony is listed on imdb as appearing in that episode – but we don’t see her.. (She’s listed in the end credits too! She must have had a scene which was cut!!! Hmm.. I might add that little tidbit to the comments on the final post of that ep.. )

Anyway! this is waiting for Godot I am looking at not – huh? oh yes.. waiting for Godorsky! Anyone waiting for Godot is a bit of a fool since he never shows up in the end! LOL!

Lee tries the ancient technique of sensory overload to catch the bad guys today!(with the added help of the lighting department) More stripes! and dots too! argh!!!

Love how Lee ignores Amanda’s hopeless password remembering and goes straight into the schlurper all excited!! to digress again here…. I really like Amanda’s hair here..
Mikhail has been identified as the schlurper after Francine spotted him meeting with Babak the spymaster. (whhooooo) Hey Lee wore that double breasted white jacket in service above and beyond.. I.. don’t… like it!! ( but Lee still looks dreamy!)

Amanda asks if they have told the princess about Mikhail and – Whoooo Lee grabs both of Amanda’s hands as he tells her she must come and help convince the princess she needs protection…. Ok Lee, I’ll do anything Lee.. weohfeogahgoaughaega…

Amanda is having a tough time keeping Dotty and a newspaper apart.. but.. Lee has no control over that – Freedom of the press! but hey, I love that she thinks he might be able to do something about it Check out Lee’s arm behind Amanda? I mean really! this is no different to what he did undercover at the cumberland!

Well, back to the baddies. Sigrid has a bigger gun for attempt number 2.. Uh oh..

Antov: I figure we’re jinxed. Years of training for this gig and we blow it.
Sigrid: Not we, Antov, you. [Agreed! Antov is such a weasel! ] Is anything happening out there?

Antov: Same old stuff. Some Agency teams watching the Valoska house, two cars with our men watching them.
Sigrid: It’s hard to tell them apart. Their men look like ours.
Antov: It’s not that hard. Their suits fit.
[Good line!!! that must be how he knew immediately Lee was an agent.. because his suit fit him ohhhhhh sooooooo well! ]

The phone rings and Antov answers: Yeah? . . . You got it, man.
He hangs up. To Sigrid: The old lady’s leaving the house. Babak takes out their cars, we take her.
Sigrid: I take her. [Ouchsky!!! cue the scary music!] Well baddies.. there is one thing you haven’t allowed for – Dotty!!!! whahahaha!

Whoo Lee and Amanda argue about  this plan of convincing the princess to not go to the meeting.. Man Lee.. keep your eyes on the road.. you want to glare at Amanda pull over! Lee explains if she leaves the house the assassins will make their move but it is too late.. the princess is already heading out ( she decided to stop at dunkin donuts on the way for good luck! Actually no.. I just made that part up.. ) but.. she is leaving earlier than Lee had anticipated.

Is that Rolls the same car in Car Wars? It could be.. but I can’t be sure.. Her car pulls out of the drive, while two agents with well fitting suits curse her stupidity.. and wonder if they should stop her… but apparently they don’t have the authority and so they follow her and try to keep the baddies at a distance.. Oh no.. another one of those car filled finales with 2 cars of baddies and two of goodies and now the princess’ car too.. and! Dotty’s car is coming- look out everyone!!! Babak’s car targets the agents.. and the assassins target the princess.. Oh that’s too funny.. Babak just drives out onto the road and cuts off the agents. but.. the agents then arrest Babak and his driver.. well Babak has immunity- isn’t it obvious now is the moment they will hit the princess? you would think the two agents would just leave Babak and chase down the princess but no.. they make their little arrest to send Babak home-Babak thinks the assassins now have the freedom to take out the princess.. but.. along comes.. Dotty!

Boy, do I feel bad for Dotty’s driving instructor!!! Dotty is going waaay too fast..
Dotty: I wish you’d make up your mind, Howard. You know, I’m doing much better than I did yesterday. Yesterday you told me I was getting too close to those cars on the right. Now I’ve corrected that.
Howard: Yes, but now you’re driving down the middle of the road. [HAA!!] There’s no lane in the middle of the road, Mrs West. There’s a lane on the right and a lane on the left.  I — I think that’s enough for today.
Dotty: Oh, no, no, we just started.  This is a lovely neighbourhood, isn’t it?
Howard: Watch the road.
Dotty: Oh, I’m sorry. I’m sorry. Just deep breaths, Howard, remember.  I just want to show you where Princess Valoskie(??!!) lives. Dotty chats about the princess..  LOL.. actually it looks like Dotty juuuust missed running straight into the rolls at that intersection! Dotty slams on the breaks!! Poor Howard!! No amount of money is worth this!!!
Howard: What are you doing, Mrs West?
Dotty: I think that was the princess. As Howard turns to look, Dotty puts the car in reverse and zooms straight back into the intersection without looking!!! This is soooo wrong!  

The assassins beep their horn at her to stop her and try to go around her – and another car who had been moving into the intersection gets hit by the assassin’s car.. Dotty screeches to a halt in the middle of the intersection..

Dotty looks back at the accident: Why are they driving like that?! [Hilarious!! this woman should never go near a steering wheel ever again!!! ] Suddenly Howard and Dotty see a car coming straight for them in the middle of the intersection! I bet Howard is tempted just to get out of that car and run! Dotty cries: Oh my gosh!
She moves forward again, only this time cutting off a pick up truck and sending him veering into a randomly placed skip by the side of the road! chaos!!!

Dotty: Oh! I am so sorry! I never even saw you there!

Love how off camera, as we see Antov getting out of his car, we can hear Dotty telling these poor drivers ‘ Oh I was doing so much better yesterday! ‘ – LOL! like they care!!! haaaa…

Lee and Amanda come across the scene and wonder what’s going on here – and we see Dotty telling (poor) Howard: just keep breathing!

Amanda recognises Dotty is involved in this accident and ducks! ROFL!  I love the look on Lee’s face when Amanda ducks.. I think he thinks she has finally lost it!!

Amanda whispers ( LOL! because Dotty could hear her from all the way over there??!!! teee hee) that it’s her mother. Lee looks up to see and recognises the shooter getting out of one of the cars –LOL! He recognises the shooter by this:

Oh yes! Lee could recognise that back anywhere!! whahahaahaa!! Lee rushes after Antov who takes off (why? I guess because a guy in a suit that fits was running at him?) cue the action music.. yawn… oh wait.. this action finale is pretty fast! Lee chases Antov, catches him, gives him one punch and Antov sinks to the ground – easy!  

Sigrid rushes past Lee’s car to make her getaway first trying to run down the drivers side but one of the agents from before has arrived and cuts her off. She tries to go down the passenger side instead,  only to get taken out by Amanda’s car door- bam! Sweeeet!  I have to say, Sigrid’s stunt double is wearing an ugly wig having suddenly gone platinum blonde!!!

Lee comes back to the car and tells Sigrid as she struggles at being taken away by the other agent ‘ come on, let’s be a lady now!’ – Lee loves that one.. we hear that one a few times.. I say if a woman is a baddie she can do whatever the heck she likes IMO that joke or statement would not be used today! The moment where he says ‘ phewwwww! ‘ and opens his jacket like that is begging to be included in a fan vid.. I bet it is in a few!  

Lee calls out to Amanda who seems to refuse at first to stick her head up- he yells her name loud enough eventually that she relents and whispers ‘ yes?!!’ still whispering! I love how Lee asks Amanda if she is ok! Did he see Amanda take Sigrid out?
Lee tells Amanda Dotty’s busy.. its ok kind of thing to sit up ..

Amanda: She’s learning to drive..
Lee: No she isn’t!
We see Howard reassuring Dotty: you were doing much better.. it was that thing at the end with the cars! ( LOL! I think it is dawning on Dotty that this isn’t for her!)
Amanda looks over: no, she isn’t!
and pops her head down again.. Lee rolls his eyes and takes a deep breath.. ahh Lee come on! before Amanda came into your life you weren’t able to have these funny little quips and exchanges.. it was just one bad guy after another. He seems to walk away resigned that Amanda has to do strange things to hide from her mother!

Tag time!! Back to the Princess’ mansion.. oh well look at that! We see this establishing shot of the mansion: Earlier in the episode, when it was time for the Princess’ lunch – all the same cars were there in exactly the same places! It looks like the princess is such a bossy boots, she’s assigned permanent parking spaces to each of her friends!! LOL!!
(From earlier in the episode: )

SMK loves to open scenes ( especially of parties) with a close up of food or drinks- have you noticed that??!!

We see Billy, Francine, Lee and Amanda are at the reception and Francine is sounding very professional (not): I love it, we get to do all the stakeouts and you get to do all the parties ( she says as she is at a party- ??? looks like she does parties to me!! ) Lee shushes her( ) for saying that too loudly..Lee: Shush. the princess doesn’t know that saving her was my job. ( she still hasn’t worked that one out?????!!!!) I’d like to keep it that way. ( he wants a medal!! )

Waiting a minute! Amanda is in another lovely white shiny top.. oh wait.. I think this is the one she wears at the beginning of artful dodger – that means the one she wore earlier is new – nooooo the shiny white tops are multiplying!!!!!! Oh and black trousers??? Check!!! ugh!!!

I like the blue tie on Lee!!!!

Billy updates us on where everyone is at.. the Princess is safe, Godorsky is ‘here’ and lots of news coverage means the princess is really really safe! Plus, they’ve traded Sigrid, Antov and Mikhail for some agents of their own with a guarantee of safety for the princess- so she is really really really really safe  

Francine: oh err what happened to demolition Dotty? Why is francine asking about Dotty? don’t tell me she is making conversation with Amanda here!!! Ohhhh right.. she is paying out on Dotty’s driving.. there had to be another explanation! I actually like Francine’s nickname for Dotty- it fits.. Dotty is a force to be reckoned with- even without a car  Amanda responds: Oh she’s at the hospital visiting Howard…. her instructor.. it’s nothing serious.. just a slight case of… nerves! (love how Lee rolls his eyes at that one – like: I’ll say!! )

Francine and Billy leave Lee and Amanda to it.. and Amanda comments: Sooo… Sigfried and Anton were agents huh? they just looked so normal!    -HUH???!!!
LOL! what is it with this episode and names!! I think everyone must have been looking forward to a break at the end of season 1!! Were Sigfried and Roy around in 1983? LOL!! I don’t know about Sigfried and Anton, but Sigrid and Antov were trained to blend in and look normal  

Lee explains to Amanda the eastern block agents were the best in the world (aiming at the walls???!!!). Amanda, ever the encourager says : No they’re the second best! you caught them!!!
Lee: Well thank you!

Amanda: you’re welcome
Amanda, I love that you encourage Lee, but.. um.. you caught one of them too!!!!!!! UGH!! ( ie they’re third best Amanda!!, Lee is second .. heheheee) ohhh and there goes Lee with his big smile again.. he can’t help himself.
Wait!!!! stopsky!!!!  
Lee: you know err….

you didn’t do too bad yourself

(for a split second after he says this Amanda looks shocked and then covers it well! )

Amanda: ha, thank you. 
Lee: that wasn’t a bad move you made with the car door either… [Oh hurray! Lee did see it! ] It cuts to the wide shot and we see Lee has hold of both of Amanda’s hands!!!! whooo hoooo!!!

Amanda looks down at their hands. Lee is actually stroking Amanda’s wrists with his thumbs!!! I don’t know that he realises what he is doing!!
Lee continues: Although Sigrid did though make quite a dent- Lee is interrupted suddenly by the princess making her entrance on the arm of a man..

The princess laments that young people don’t enjoy ceremony but that it is important to ‘look forward’  she leads ‘Leonid’ to where they need to go and Lee takes Amanda’s hand and follows.. Ohhhhh swoon!! [Amanda seems much more comfortable with Lee now too huh.. ]

They look like they are undercover as a married couple here! and call me crazy but Lee’s hair suddenly looks really long in the back! Look it’s way over his collar (in the pic where Lee and Amanda turn to look at the princess’ arrival)!

Ceremony time.. Leonid Godorsky gets the ceremony started… Ohhh the princess gets another name! tee hee.. ‘the Royal house of Valeski’! tee heeee.. too funny!! 

How adoring is the princess? I think she is in Lurve!!!!  

The princess awards Lee and Amanda their medals.. awh..

I like this ending.. Lee watches Amanda as she looks at her medal – and asks her ‘ what are you thinking about’ – sounds like Lee finds Amanda very interesting these days doesn’t it!!  

Amanda says she will share her medal with her mother –See the warmth Lee looks at Amanda with when she says this? like he is thinking: she is a good person with a good heart! Awh!!  Then when Amanda explains she doesn’t think Dotty will ever get her licence, Lee’s expression changes to- and thank goodness for that!!! ( Agreed!!) The episode ends with Lee and Amanda sharing a laugh at this.. awh!

Hey does Dotty find out about the assassination attempt?? (or how does Amanda explain the medal? and share it??)

Oh dear.. the whole idea of actors returning to smk in multiple roles is sometimes rather unfortunate – Worst idea of all: Amanda’s ex husband ends up being a guy we saw earlier in the show as a murderer!! LOL!! but in this episode: I  think Lee should get out of there quickly.. doesn’t he recognise his old Nemesis Alexi Makarov??[from stemwinder 1 and 2]!!!!! why he is posing as Nobel prize winner Godorsky and fooling everyone!!! Run Lee Run!!!!

Waiting for Godorsky was a lot more fun than I remembered!! This was a nice way to end season 1…  getting medals and smiling at each other.. I wonder if they saw it as a potential ending of the show as well? or if they knew when it was filmed there was a season 2? hmm..

So sad Season One is over!! Well.. sort of.. I will do Charity begins at home next before moving on to Season two, it was filmed to be the finale of season One… but was put off till a few episodes into season two. I suspect (meaning I have a theory but no real proof!) this episode was not originally the final episode of the season.. but when it was decided it would be, they added in the award ceremony as a nice ending.. ( IMO it is great, but it doesn’t have to be there..)

Feedback? thoughts? ideas? Questions??? Comment away!! but must run now..

Princess Valoska’s gate crasher has made a getaway and her mansion is swarming with activity.. whoo cops.. we don’t see those on smk very often Billy rushes over to Lee to find out what happened.. Seems the assassin got away- but Lee doesn’t understand why and is a bit down on himself for letting him..

Antov the assassin has arrived home to cranky Sigrid – She can’t believe he screwed it up.. I’m with you girl! ( err not that I wanted him to succeed!) She  is sure she would have done a better job ( anyone could have! )
Antov responds: If it was you it wouldn’t have made a difference! There was an agent there! Yep!!! and this agent knew how to close a door!!!

[very special agency training for that ]  ROFL!!! nothing stopped Antov from opening it again I guess if he had, he might have hurt someone . And how is it Antov knew Lee was an agent? he could have been a cop?? Maybe Lee’s suit gave him away .
Sigrid counters: The agent should have died!!!! [oops.. glad it wasn’t you there after all Sigrid!]

Back to the Princess’ mansion and Amanda is comforting Ursula that her bullet wound is only superficial..
Hurray for Lee! The princess acknowledges Lee saved them  Love this line of Ursula’s: Political emigres are accustomed to being shot at. It makes us seem important. I — I shall dine out on this for weeks. Love it!!  Amanda asks to have a quiet word with Lee.. Amanda tells Lee the schlurper was in the room.. though it would not be a huge shock because they now know the target is the princess.. still at least it narrows it down to the people in the room!

I love the look on Amanda’s face when she tries and copies the sound the schlurper makes!!! hehehehehee

Lee: are you sure?
Amanda: pretty sure. I’m fairly positive. I’m, I would say it sounded like the sound and yes I’m… pretty sure.
I think Lee should have asked her to make the sound again, just to be sure
Lee is all happy at Amanda- hurray!
Lee: you make a terrific witness Amanda, really.
That.. sounded like a compliment?? oh my!!!!

Lee thinks checking for bridgework will give away what they have on them.. I say.. What do they have? they don’t really have anything! .. just that the schlurper was in the room.. the least you would do is have Amanda hang out with the princess under some kind of cover, so she can keep a listen out for the sound again.. no?
Oh and call me crazy, but hasn’t Amanda heard the Schlurper’s voice? why can’t she identify the man by his voice? rather than by his bridgework? Oi!
Whoo Lee grabs Amanda’s arm on the way in again.. ahhhh.. hey this is a bit weird.. as they go back inside we see that same portrait of the guy with the arrogant expression Dotty was looking at.. only it seems to have changed location in the room – and is now much closer to the door????

LOL.. the table under it is a bit different too.. maybe the princess sold the first one!  

The princess refuses to believe one of her friends has betrayed her, ( staff????!!!!) and so she refuses protection inside her house. Billy suggests they protect her house from the outside.. good thinking..
Lee suggests to Billy that they do a local house by house search for the heck of it- because the shooter got away so quickly.. but Billy says most of the houses have diplomatic immunity.

All of Lee’s options have dried up.. and he’s disappointed the assassin got away.. time for an  Amanda pep talk for Lee-she has a sixth sense for when he needs one!
Amanda: Well, I just want you to know that I know that . . . well, you’ll do everything that you can to protect her and that she’s under the best possible care that she could be.


Lee: Come on, I’ll take you home.
Amanda: Yeah.
I love Lee’s hair in this ep! even if it is a side part.. it moves! (Amanda didn’t drive herself there?? But Dotty knew she was going to the Princess’ for lunch! )

Could Lee smile any bigger???(love how he has a big smile and then looks down a bit bashful to get a hold of himself!!)   He is enjoying that he has her around now… his own little cheering squad who is a great witness.. yes yes, I am sure that is all it is right? Nooo he couldn’t possibly be attracted to a housewife..right???!!!!
Later that night… Amanda is helping the boys with their homework, and Dotty is wanting to hear all about the lunch – bite by bite! Seems Amanda has been dodging Dotty’s questions and Dotty is beginning to get suspicious! Dotty knows herself well doesn’t she!!! Dotty: If I had had lunch with the princess, you wouldn’t be able to get me to shut up! Call me crazy, but Amanda’s hair looks much longer here than it did at the Princess’ lunch.. I guess it was hair- raising stuff after all ???

LOL- this has got to be the biggest under-exaggeration of the episode: Amanda on the lunch “Well, it wasn’t exactly dull! ”

Amanda changes the subject by asking how Dotty’s driving lesson went… Oh wait, I take it back.. Dotty does not know herself!
Dotty: Howard says my problem is that I am nervous, which is very strange because I am the least nervous person around. 
Uh huh…. good one Dotty.. poor Howard, if I was in a car with Dotty I would be clenching my fists too!!!  No I’ll change that.. I wouldn’t be in the car when Dotty is driving! Not even if you paid me!!

Oops.. Dotty is wondering where the newspaper is.. Amanda has hidden it because it must mention the princess’ assassination attempt.. Dotty wants to watch the news.. but Amanda tries to convince her not to..
Amanda: I mean, why watch the news? It’s always so depressing. Let’s just go upstairs to Phillip and Jamie’s room and I’ll tell you all about the princess and I’ll tell you all about who was there and what they wore and what the room looked like . . . before lunch. 
Love how Amanda grits her teeth as she says ‘ before lunch! ‘ LOL!! clever!

Ok, I shall leave it there for now! Feedback? Thoughts? ideas? or questions?? Please share!!! byeee for now..

Ok, back to the agency.. LOL only on Scarecrow and Mrs King would you get this kind of dialogue:
Billy: Okay, we have a tall health freak with a gun and a schlurper. Let’s say . . . the health freak is a member of an East Bloc hit squad. Let’s say. . . .
They don’t have much! but hey, why not hypothesise a bit!
Lee: It shouldn’t be too hard to figure out. The East Bloc enemy list only includes most of the D.C. phone book.
Amanda: From what the princess said this afternoon, I guess she’s on that list, isn’t she?
Billy: Well, that’s old news, Amanda. She’s been a voice for every immigrant and dissident that has hit this country. She’s been taking pot shots at her government for years, why would they go after her now?
Amanda: Maybe it has something to do with the big announcement she’s going to make at lunch today.
Thank goodness Amanda’s brainsky is working!
Billy: What announcement?
Amanda: I don’t know, she didn’t say, but she said it was important.
Lee: Yeah, she did. And she also mentioned Leonid Godorsky.
Billy: Godorsky?
Lee: Billy, if she could get Godorsky out –
Billy: No, no. Nobody can get him out. When the new regime took power, that curtain slammed shut with a bang!
Lee: Yeah, but what if she’s working on it, huh? She has a lot of heavyweight friends. You know that.
Billy: Yes, she has.

Finally Lee’s brainsky kicks in too.. Leonid Godorsky!  How do we crash the big announcement lunch? Amanda: “We don’t have to crash it! we’re invited!” –I understand why Billy is pleasantly surprised by this little fortunate coincidence.. but err Lee.. why are you?! He looks like he had forgotten about it! Poppy seed cake will sink all the baddies in the end one way or another.. just think, if Amanda hadn’t wanted her meatloaf ruined, and Billy hadn’t prized her meatloaf above assassination attempts- they never would have gotten the all important invite.. Oh you’ve got to laugh at the way the world works in smk land.. love it!!

Back to Amanda’s and Dotty is excited about Amanda’s lunch with a princess.
Amanda yells from the other room: she’s(the princess) very nice mother.
Dotty: of course she’s nice! they’re paid to be  nice! [ LOL she is grumpy about Princess Valoska and her brooding portrait huh! ]
Dotty continues with her suspiciousness: Just promise me that you won’t be taken in by any of those unattached men they have floating around at those parties.
Amanda: Mother, I fully intend to meet a prince and marry him.
Dotty: don’t joke with me Amanda! Washington is a mecca of dispossessed men with titles ( Are you imagining that at some point Dotty was taken in by one of those such men??????!!!! Me too!!) Never be too impressed with a title. You can buy them through the mail. I mean look what happened to that princess..?? whatever her name is.. Amanda: Valoskia ( LOL.. that’s how she says it.. I am assuming this is princess Valoska but she prounced it wrong..Ironic given Dotty’s next line!!)

Dotty: you see.. ha! an absolutely unpronounceable last name and she’s dazzled by it. Of Royal bearing and where is she now? ( ohhhh my.. she makes a lot of assumptions about something she really doesn’t know anything about! ) though I love how in the same breath Dotty tells Amanda she wants to hear all about the food she is served! Maybe Dotty is cranky with the princess for not being invited.. trust me Dotty you will be glad you are not there! LOL!
Is  anyone else tired of Amanda wearing white sparkly tops and black trousers to special events??!!! She wore this top at the beginning of artful dodger.. ugh..

Love how this scene ends! Dotty listing the possible foods on offer at the Princess’ lunch.. and

Amanda adding: meatloaf !
Dotty repeats it agreeing.. Amanda leaves and then we see Dotty stop ironing and realise – meatloaf…???? tee hee.. I love it when Dotty does that! Hey here is yet another scene where larger than life Dotty is talking and doing something else at the same time!
Let’s do lunch!!! …. of course, Lee and Amanda – the unpronounceable princess’ new best friends – are seated up next to the princess.. yes all those friends she has known for years can step back line!

I thought the blue lady with the grey blue hair was going to start singing when she asked how long they have to wait for their announcement!! hehee..  She reminds me of Ursula!!! (except she’s good!)

Amanda fumbling over when to speak or not speak.. a bit cliched.. but Lee smiling at her from across the table at her? I don’t mind one bit!!  awh….

I like the princess’ response to Amanda’s worrying about protocol! I wish we got to see her again in other episodes!
Princess Valoska: I have very little regard for protocol. I believe one should speak when one has something to say, [Love it!] as I have now.
To all her guests the princess continues:  A toast, please. To a man whose leadership will enable us to help the oppressed people within our beloved country, Leonid Godorsky.

As they all drink from their glasses. Amanda hears the schlurper is in the room! uh oh!!! The princess continues: Tomorrow I meet with the Senate committee to plead his case.
Lee: oh well, that’s wonderful.
Valoska: it is a plea I believe will be listened to, and acted upon ( ohhhh dear.. I think she’s right!! but acted on in not quite the way the princess had imagined!!! Nice double meaning smk writers!) Then.. we hear the bell toll… LOL… the doorbell rings, and the princess tells Mikhail she does not wish to be disturbed. Ohhh dear… you are about to be very disturbed!!

Lee didn’t know about the princess speaking before the senate committee? why wouldn’t he have known.. she was on the list of potentials wasn’t she..

Uh oh… the shooter has brought flowers.. this can’t be good!  Lee sees the shooter at the door (how cute does Lee look here! ) and suddenly he yells for everyone to get down.. and does his hero dive across the dining room table- at what appears to be the people who had been sitting next to Amanda.. errr why didn’t he make sure the princess was taking cover? after all she is obviously the target? I guess  the object of the dive was to get the door closed… I love how the assassin very politely shoots at the wine in the middle of the table – and once Lee has closed the door- he aims much much higher- at the walls! whwhaahah!! I mean, if he hadn’t been careful, he might have hurt someone!!! ouchsky!!! [Also, it looks like everyone moved all their meals and wine glasses closer to the red wine so there would be a more impressive looking boom! ] Err the goal was to kill the princess wasn’t it?? or was it just to scare her a bit? LOL.. with that guy’s shooting I’m not sure!

I shall leave it there for now.. Feedback? thoughts? questions? Comment away!!! I’d love to hear from you!! Byeee for now…

Before I get on with this episode I had to ask.. Is it my imagination or was the female assassin in the beginning wearing Leg warmers?! Ahhh the 80s!

On with the episode.. Amanda and Lee in the car on the way to deliver meatloaf are very cute! Meatloaf security guard Lee, seems more than willing to hear Amanda’s explanations for why she included certain information in her transcripts. Hmm maybe Amanda should include her reasoning for her interpretations in the transcripts in future! ( hey it’s a bit like writing a recap! haaa) .. This nice Lee is a lovely surprise! Love how Lee even includes a little teasing of Amanda!
Lee: It makes sense.
Amanda: Well, I have a pretty logical mind.
Lee: Yeah, you do.
Amanda: Yeah.

Lee: At one time or another.

 Love the look Amanda gives him! I think she knows Lee is teasing here.. and so she doesn’t respond! I love how one moment, the road they are driving on is virtually deserted and the next second it is swarming with cars LOL and in the next second- they are gone again! whoooo! And then they are back again!! tee heee…Amanda has worked out they have a guy with bridgework,and an exercise freak: two people and one gun so far!
Lee answers her questions patiently explaining the wave scanner, Lee even tells Amanda about ‘Babak the spymaster’! (the way Lee says it it sounds like Babick.. weird..whatever!) whoooo.. apparently they used the wave scanner to eavesdrop on his conversations after receiving a tip Babak had imported some home grown assassins to do a job.. and Lee even tells Amanda she ‘may as well know what you is working on’!! (Even if it is National Security??!!! ) Oh my gosh!!! who is this Lee? I’m loving this Lee!! Such an improvement on Artful Dodger Lee.. Lee and Amanda seem closer in this ep would you say? Closer than in Charity Begins at home? Hmm.. I will keep that thought in the back of my mind while looking at these two episodes.

So Lee explains the current dilemma – they don’t know who the assassination target is!! Oh nooo!!! Now wait Lee! Why don’t you find out who Amanda is delivering her meatloaf to hmm?? Amanda is usually connected one way or another in smk land! Nah that would be too easy.. better Lee stay clueless about this huge ongoing coincidence!
Amanda: Well, I hope my clues can be some help. I know they’re not really much.

Lee: No! No, no, no. They’re pretty good. (WOW!!)
Amanda: Thank you.
Lee: They are. And they’re all we’ve got.
Lee and Amanda arrive at the mansion.. and Lee is shocked at where Amanda’s ‘friend in need’ lives.. he seems more than happy to come along as meatloaf sherpa- I can’t get over how nice this Lee is!! hehe- Oh I love that Amanda has also made a poppyseed cake- fab continuity!!
Amanda explains she can’t introduce Lee to this lady they are visiting as she doesn’t know her name.
Too funny! the butler answers the door and asks who they are.. then closes it to ask after them, and Amanda turns to Lee and says ‘Isn’t it nice she has a boarder, I was afraid she lived all alone. “..[What does that say about Lee? he lives all alone! but then I guess he is not 'in need'.... much!] I think Lee is humouring her there with his “yeah..”

Just think, if the two assassins had turned up with a poppyseed cake and meatloaf? they would have had no trouble getting in touch with their target She’s so accessible, it’s a little ridiculous that they have to rely on their inside man!

Can I just say.. What a cute couple these two make??!!! hehehee.. Amanda is being her usual lovely self, and Lee seems to be enjoying Amanda’s company .. sorry I can’t get use to this!!! well, not yet!

Valoska: How nice to see you again, my dear.
Lee seems to recognise her with shock – he just knows everybody doesn’ t he!!
Amanda: Hello.
Valoska: And you’ve brought a friend.
Lee: Your Highness.
Amanda: Your Highness? Why should it be awkward if you didn’t know she is a princess? who cares I say.. it’ s not like they are attending an official function, and Amanda did pay her $10 bucks for a cameo tee hee.. Love the look the princess gives her – like – yep! It’s true! Love the regal little tune we hear  -Ahh smk loves to add these little extra touches!! So charming and cheesy. HA! but I wouldn’t have it any other way!

[What's going on with the princess' necklace here? it's down her back here suddenly?! HA!] OhWait.. they are taking teasky with Princess Valoska? I thought only baddies drank tea in smksky! Uh oh.. there’s the bad guy Mikhail.. So arggghhhh that means that .. the princess is the assassination target?? but noooooo!!!! what are the odds huh?  

The princess compliments Amanda on the aroma of her poppyseed cake.. and I swear, Lee looks at Amanda as she says ‘you’re welcome’  and he looks proud of her!!! AWH!!
Why would Amanda recognise her, she’s not princess Diana! but the princess is very gracious towards Amanda..
Valoska: Is something wrong?
Amanda: Well, I should have recognized you. I feel a little foolish bringing poppyseed cake and meat loaf to your house.
Valoska: An act of kindness is never foolish, Amanda. [too right!] I may call you Amanda, right?
Amanda: Oh, yes, please do.
Valoska: And why should you recognize me? [Awesome!! I like this woman!! I love how both Lee and Amanda seem a little afraid of this question! I guess they figured they couldn’t turn around and say – yeah true! you are a nobody! ]
Amanda: Um. . . .
Lee: Well, your Highness, you do have a rather high profile in Washington. [yes, Lee recognises Everyone!!  Hey if she is so high profile, why didn’t Dotty recognise her? I would have thought she would be up on all the local royalty ]
Valoska: You mean I talk too much? ha..  You are wrong, young man. No. One can not talk too much when the subject is tyranny. The tyrants have taken my family, they have taken my home. They have not taken my voice. Never. They will never take my voice until I die. But who . . . who will fight after I’m gone? [considering what has happened to her, I think she’s quite restrained..]
Amanda: You have no other family?
Valoska: No. You know, I was never political until they were killed. Until I was the last Valoska. Leonid Godorsky has a voice.
Lee: Yes, I understand he’s under house arrest.
Ok.. call me crazy but Lee is letting the princess know that he knows alot.. umm isn’t he kind of outing himself as being in the spy bizz by ‘knowing’ so much?
Valoska: He is too brave to silence and too well-liked by the people to impress. Can you imagine what he could do here? Here in this country with freedom! With the help of my friends, he would be a force to reckon with!
Lee: Yes, but what chance would he have of getting to the United States? [Lee borders on rude here IMO- couldn’t he have played dumb?! sometimes the ‘cool spy’ persona is a bit heavy handed..] He was the Nobel laureate for literature. His own government wouldn’t grant him a visa to accept the award.
Valoska: Money speaks all languages. It unlocks doors, it opens borders.
Amanda: So that’s the reason for the garage sale, to raise money for Mr Godorsky.
Valoska: Yes.
Amanda: Yeah.
Valoska: Oh, by the way, you were right, Amanda. The entry table was under priced. It went for four thousand.
Amanda: Good. [whahahaahaa!]
The Princess tells Lee and Amanda she will see them at 1pm for a special lunch.. the lady doesn’t ask! and.. she leaves a stunned Amanda, and what seems to be an amused Lee behind.. Lee and Amanda exchange a look- Lee seems to give a ‘why not? let’s go!’ kind of look – and then touches her arm to encourage her to leave.. I love it when he touches her!!! They’re very comfortable and friendly with each other this episode….
Amanda: She didn’t even wait for an answer. That was more like a royal command than an invitation. What should we do?
Lee: Show up for lunch. I want to know what that important announcement is all about. I’ve got the feeling it’s trouble.
Ahh Lee and those ‘feelings’.. So they will be showing up for lunch.. lol.. I loved how the princess commanded them to be there and then just walked off- didn’t even see them to the door! Mind you, I thought she was pretty restrained considering Lee’s scepticism about something which clearly was something the was very passionate about.. then again, without challenging her- she may not have invited them I guess..but still a bit weird when she can see Lee is in the business, but has no idea who he is..  Not that it was wrong of Lee to enquire..but it could have been done with more finesse!

I’ll stop there.. more to come soon byeeeeeeeee! Feel free to share with us any feedback thoughts or insights!  

Well finally we are waiting for Godot.. oh wait, we are waiting for Godorsky! The final episode of Season One has arrived.. boy season one went fast! I will be sad to move on from season one!

Can I just saysky – I am looking forward to the end of Lee’s sidepartsky!!..not long now..

Baddies love to meet in parks in smk don’t they! The episode opens with some baddies meeting up. Seems these baddies have an inside man. Mikhail. whoa.. 4 baddies already! the two jogging baddies, newspaper baddie and Mikhail.. Though newspaper baddies’ dialogue is a hoot: You were also trained to do as instructed. Your American impudence is a believable affectation. Don’t carry it too far. Remember why you are here and where you came from.
Whooo isn’t that male assassin with the supposedly paunchy tummy the guy who Madonna wanted to marry in ‘Papa don’t preach’??? don’t ask me how I remember that.. but.. I think that is where I have seen him..

Yep! that’s Antov the Assassin!!! (was Madonna his next target???!!! but her father got in the way???!!!!)

Soo..  someone is going to get assassinated..

Dotty and Amanda are off to an Estate sale.. As usual, Amanda manages to charm her way into the estate sale ladies’ heart with her caring and non-exploitative ways.. Love how Dotty has a little snoop in the next room as Amanda talks to the lady! Love the mix up over the hall table for 35.. Love how when both Amanda and Dotty hear that the table was 3500 they nod knowingly saying oh yes! 3500 will be ok! like they knew it was that the whole time!! heheee.. a $10- cameo though? whoo hooo lucky Amanda.. I wonder if she wears it later in the episode, will have to watch and see.

Uh oh! We see the two assassins watching nearby from their home as Amanda and Dotty leave the estate.. don’t tell me Amanda’s going to get caught up in this assassination business? Nooo!! The female baddie has a point. the estate is open to the public, why not just go in there and do the job now? err not that I want them to! Ok.. so Mikhail is the butler.. got it.. the butler really did do it..

Later that night and Amanda and Dotty are doing the dishes. Ahh Amanda has on that lovely pink and white stripe top- she looks very pretty in that! Dotty it seems has already concocted a story for what happened to the estate lady.. she can tell so much from a portrait on a wall! LOL! Dotty has such an imagination! She’s pretty judgemental here of this guy whoever he is..
Amanda: I wonder what happened.
Dotty: Well, I have a pretty good guess. I mean, did you see that portrait on the wall? Those eyes and that arrogant expression. A man like that would not stick around if there was any kind of difficulty.
Amanda: Mother, I don’t know why you think her husband left her. He’s probably dead or something.
Dotty: Well, if that’s the case, he should have spent less money on portraits of himself and more money on life insurance premiums. I mean, there is no reason for a lovely lady like that to be left destitute.
Ouch!! Amanda wonders if the lady is eating ok.. and Dotty suggests probably not.

Hmm Amanda has an idea..

On to IFF and once again, Amanda is struggling with the password and Mrs Marsden is looking at Amanda knowingly..  I can’t help but think of the Mad magazine spoof Macgypsy posted way back on yuku when Amanda struggles with the passwords now! [It makes it bearable!]

Francine suggests to Lee that Amanda could be delayed because she forgot the password again- Lee immediately sees this is the obvious reason ( Why didn’t I think of that? he asks without annoyance!) and calls Mrs Marsden and asks if Mrs King is there – love how Amanda doesn’t have to ask Lee what is the password. she just says hello and listens.. and.. gives the password to Mrs Marsden.. What is Straplash? what kind of a password is that.. not bad I guess.. it would be hard to guess! (I don’t suppose that is a reference to Godot? we need a Waiting for Godot expert!!! anyone??)

Lee accompanies Amanda into the bullpen while Amanda apologises..
Amanda: I’m sorry, Lee, I just couldn’t remember. I think it’s Mrs Marsden. She’s a very nice lady, but I think she must intimidate me.
Lee: She intimidates everybody, it’s her job.
Good point!

So, looks like Billy has called Amanda in so she can go over her transcripts of phone conversations with a schlurper..(is that the typing she was suppose to do in weekend ?) meanwhile at the same time,  someone is on stakeout trying to figure out who is going to be assassinated… Gee here is Billy asking Amanda what a schlurper is- and they are trying to track down assassins? Aha smk.. could the two be connected????!!! Man.. we are in stripe city here! that password should have been stripe-lash! Love Amanda’s face when she makes the schlurping noise!! Billy should tell Francine to stop interrupting him with stupid information on assassins! The agent reporting in was named Fielding.. hmmm fielder and fielding.. bet there is an agent fields somewhere too!  Seems they don’t know who the assassination target is..

Love how Lee with a little smile says “pretend you didn’t hear that ok?”..

Amanda responds: “I didn’t hear that.“and Lee gives a satisfied smile.. he has come a way lately!! The old Lee would have been in a huff at Amanda knowing!

Billy wants Amanda to go through the whole transcript with Lee ( who clearly is now Amanda’s official interpreter, and not the top agent in the agency – wait!! he is the interpreter of the top agent who isn’t an agent!!).. love how Amanda mentions the meatloaf and Francine can barely contain her groan.. ( she’s just jealous because she can’t make one!! hehee) I would be groaning at Francine’s outfit!! I can’t believe she left the house in that more than once!! ( we saw this pink fluffy number in fearless dotty) – Billy says Lee can go with her to drop off the meatloaf and then they can get on with the transcribing….

Is the meatloaf a matter of national security? Amanda can’t drop off the meatloaf by herself? hmm.. guess not! Billy values a meatloaf as a work of art- clearly!! (or could it simply be a ploy to get both Amanda and Lee at the princess’ door so they both get an invite? hmmmm..) I guess Billy wants them to multitask..
Amanda: Oh, no, sir, no problem, I was just thinking about my meat loaf. It’s in the car.
The car’s in the sun.
But that’s all right, I was going to make a delivery to a friend of mine.
Lee: Well, Amanda, those tapes are very important!
Amanda: Yes, I know, I can make another meat loaf.
Billy: That won’t be necessary. Scarecrow, you go with her, let her make her delivery, and then get right back here and finish up on the transcript.
Amanda: Oh, well, thank you, sir.
Billy: You’re welcome.
Billy to Lee:  You’re welcome, too.
Lee: Thanks.
Ha!! Love the little exchange between Lee and Billy.. Who does Billy think he is bossing you around! Your boss or something?! Ohhhh waitsky! Billy is the boss!! [I exaggerate! Actually Lee takes it pretty well considering he has just become a meatloaf delivery boy!]

Time for another (Yawn!) baddie meeting.. newspaper baddie is paying off Mikhail for the job of getting in the assassins, while explaining his motivations! ( LOL! why does he need to know? he’s doing it because he’s getting paid!)
Seems

Newspaper baddie: Sit down and shut up and look at your paper like I do. I’ll do the talking. The money is in the newspaper. It is the amount we agreed on.  If you take it, understand the conditions. She speaks before the Senate committee within two days. The results of that meeting will have an affect on the standing of one Leonid Godorsky.

 LOL! Such a subtle baddie!!! “Schlurrrrp!!!! I will get the assassination team inside with time to spare! ” Gee.. could this be the schlurper that Amanda was transcribing?? what are the odds? !!! Haa.. maybe with all that money he could get some better dental work done! oh ok.. newspaper guy is General Babak! Whatev! Mikhail says: ‘ I will not fail. I am a man of honour’ oh dear.. no you are a man who is seriously deluded!!
LOL.. General Babak seems to agree: you are a greedy coward. It disgusts me to have to work with you. and he just leaves without saying another word.. Hmm gee well you could have just sent the assassins in to go estate sale shopping! but.. too easy.. Is it just me or did anyone else think when the general gets up to leave- that Mikhail’s side of the table would tip over?you know like a see saw? that would have been fun!!  

Ok, byeee for now! I would love to hear your thoughts – on my post, and on the episode or anything else smk you’d like to share!

Back to the Cumberland and Armin is discussing what to do next with the balding baddie.. Armin is updated: due to the roadblock, Tucker was brought back to the resort and is now being guarded down in the pump room by Tony- ahh that would be Tony the lifeguard.. got it..

On to the beauty treatment room! And two women are being massaged.. Valerie is not happy with her massage!!
Valerie: Careful! I’m not strudel dough.
[Great line!!]
Masseuse: Sorry. [not really I’m guessing! ]
Valerie: That’s enough. If there’s even the slightest bruise, I’ll notify the management.
Valerie gets up and leaves and her masseuse heads over to the other table to gossip and complain about Valerie – ouch.. that’s pretty dumb considering another guest is right there! These ladies are possibly as nasty as Valerie is  
Masseuse: I hope they’re all out of peroxide in Hairdressing.

Other Masseuse: Sometimes hostility comes out before you know it.
Masseuse: It’s the way she talked to Marie on the phone. “I want my dress by five. If I miss my flight, it’s your job.” Hm!
Other Masseuse: Thank you, Mrs Stetson.
Amanda: Thank you.
Aha! so Amanda was the second customer.. Go Amanda! Ahh yes, I am sure Amanda is all relaxed now thanks to that massage and backstabbing thrown in at no extra charge! Amanda off to hairdressing..

Soo did you guys recognise Amanda’s masseuse? She’s Edna in Nightcrawler! the one who does all of Lee’s figures for him because he has a new bird in his nest or whatever it is she says.. LOL! this is quite the episode for sourcing roles in future episodes!

Lee heads out to the road block to chat with Billy.. Billy? Billy is conducting the sobriety tests? LOL! the boss of the section? tee hee.. that’s too funny!
Love the bio Billy gives Lee on Tuc Tucker.. if you slow it down you can read down the bottom that his marriage to Valerie is ‘ o.k’ LOL!

Lee: So, Tucker was in Senate hearings on think tank federal grants. They have to know every project we’ve got in the oven, everything in pre-planning.
Billy: Everything in the defence department. Close your eyes and touch your nose. It would take an army to search the Cumberland if we could get a warrant. Find him, Lee. I don’t know how long I can keep these safety sobriety checkpoints in operation.
Why can’t they get a search warrant? Amanda SAW the kidnapping!!! – Lee tells Billy Amanda saw it and he didn’t and Billy is disappointed by this- would they have gotten a search warrant if Lee had seen it? Hmm! Love how Lee goes through all the sobriety testing as he chats with Billy so things don’t look suspicious, only- he is staying at the resort- he drives out to the road block, does the test and turns around and drives back? nooooo that’s not suspicious! BTW- what is Lee wearing around his neck? ugh!! get it off!!!

Amanda is out of hairdressing and in to mischief! Amanda gets a call put through to Mrs Tucker’s room to check if she is there..

Armin calls Anatol to advise there’s a delay thanks to the sobriety tests.. but if they are still there in a few hours- they’ll deliver by going ‘over’ the road blocks.. duh duh duuuuuhhhh!!!
Call me crazy, but Anatol’s office looks like they shoved another desk in Billy’s office and stuck a plant in the corner! LOL! ( sharing an office space with Billy? hmm that could get complicated!! )

Why we need to see Anatol and hear all this is anyone’s guess.. we’ve understood they can go over the road block.. but hey, this line of Anatol’s is a hoot: I am quite certain I am not overreacting. . . . In this case I would say what you are doing is important, very important to my well-being. Particularly my geographical location and my personal comfort!! [Oh yeah! that dialogue is Gold!!! ] whahahaahaha! this geographical location is LOL’ing at how lame that sounds!

Amanda passes herself off as Mrs Tucker’s assistant to get into her room.. only to find she has already packed and left. uh oh.. but balding baddie has busted Amanda!

The baddies take Amanda down to Tony and Tuc Tucker in the tump err pump room!

Good one.. lead her straight to where they are hiding their asset! Dumb baddies.. Tony is ordered to shake down Amanda’s room.. Love how the baddies leave Amanda and Tucker down there.. tied up but free to move around as much as they like.. LOL! Amanda immediately sets about reassuring Tucker..

Amanda: I’m sorry things turned out so badly, sir. It was actually a very good plan. We knew that someone was going to be kidnapped, but we didn’t know it was you. Until I saw it happen, but then it was too late and – [Actually, it doesn’t really sound like they had a plan at all! ]
Tucker: Please don’t explain, my dear. Whatever happens, I suppose I’ll never see Valerie again.
Amanda: Well, you’re taking it very well. She’s your wife and I know you must love her very much.
Tucker: Do you think she might have been blackmailed into doing what she did to me?
Amanda: No, sir, I really don’t think so.
Tucker: They must have offered her something that dazzled her, distorted her sense of loyalty.
For a genius this guy is pretty clueless! I don’t think he married Valerie for her good heart! Amanda changes the subject. She’s being very sensitive and kind to Tucker here about his wife huh! 

They stand up and both have a go (back to back) at trying to undo their knots. LOL!
Amanda: Oh, please, watch your hands sir.
Tucker: Oh, I’m sorry.
I love that they revisited this gag from Magic Bus!!!  Love how Amanda looks at her hand infront of her for a moment like – I did it! I can’t believe it!! and she declares ‘ I’m out!’ very cute! So funny how Tucker watches Amanda get to work at trying to resolve this situation- she even tries to brace the door from opening but Tucker very encouragingly points out:  Actually, the door opens out. But it was an imaginative thought. LOL! He is looking forward to seeing what this spy who is here to rescue him will do! tee hee.. Amanda starts pulling switches – to Tucker it looks like she is putting her plan into action! LOL.. there is no plan!!
Amanda:  I think I have another idea, sir.
Tucker: Wonderful!! What do they control?

Amanda: I don’t have any idea, sir, but whatever they control, it’s bound to get us a little attention and it will get somebody down here. Ah ha!
Tucker: Unfortunately, the man behind all this owns the hotel and we’re liable to signal somebody we don’t wish to see.
Amanda: Yes, sir, but it’s either that or wait for them to come back.
Tucker: Good thinking. We’re fighting back, I may get away in time to save Valerie! [He’s like a little kid.. so excited! and without a clue.. he reminds me a little of Scotty (Filming Raul) – I wonder if he loves Mushrooms!!!] Love the random guy watering the garden whose hose suddenly runs dry! Who would hold a hose up like this??!!! ROFL!! Cute!!
Armin’s getting upset now at how all this is not going according to plan.. balding baddie points out Tony is on the case. LOL! Armin yells: Tony? my future is in the hands of the poolboy Tony? 
I know- isn’t it great? Couldn’t happen to a nicer bloke!

A helicopter is on the way.. uh oh..
and Armin.. is Armed! tee heeee

Basically, Lee realises there’s trouble when he hears the helicopter! Any bloopers in this whole helicopter sequence? I wouldn’t know.. I don’t pay enough attention. it goes on waaay too long for me!

Determined Lee is on the case.. Does he see Amanda is on the helicopter? I’m not sure.. He manages to jump on to hang on to the landing skids..they try and shake him loose, drag him through the trees.. Lee will be alright don’t worry.. He’s use to hanging onto the landing skids of this helicopter – he’s done it before!!! LOL! this is exactly the same helicopter they used at the end of Dead Ringer! My goodness, how did Armin get hold of an agency helicopter? Why- there must be a traitor in the ranks Lee! That or.. a props department who thinks we won’t notice because we have a life- LOL! I showed him!! tee heee.. ahh these small things amuse me!
Here’s dead ringer:
 

and here is – it’s a dead ringer!! ( ie Weekend!)

Lee does a wonderfully heroic job hanging on for over 3 minutes of the same helicopter stunt.. over and over and over.. and most embarrassing of all – he has been totally busted as wearing black socks with his pale shoes and pants! tee heee.. See how my mind wanders in these action finale’s!

Anyway, Love how Amanda fights for Lee here- giving Armin an arm shove so he’s no longer armined Armin! His gun falling to the ground ( get it?  as bad a joke as Lee’s? Yep!).
Lee manages to tame the helicopter! but loose control over his hair!  yee haaa! Lee: All right, take this chopper down! Okay, Armin, it’s all over. All right, shut it off!

Isn’t this a hilarious pic of Lee? I love it!! It’s funny.. and I love seeing Lee’s wedding ring! The pilot knows when to quit..and lands the helicopter on the road-  yeah buddy the agency wants it’s helicopter back!

Agents and cops arrive collecting all the baddies. Amanda jumps out and immediately runs around to Lee – who wastes no time getting her hands untied.. awh!!
Amanda: Hello. Uh, Mr Melrose, sir, you’ll probably want to pick up Mrs Tucker, too, she helped arrange the kidnaping. [Wouldn’t it have been a hoot if Amanda had also mentioned her typing??!!]
Billy: I’ll send a car back to the hotel.
Amanda: Oh, no, sir, she’ll be at the airport. Five o’clock flight.
Billy: Thank you, Amanda.
Amanda: Yes, sir.
Lee: Hey, Billy? How’d you move so fast? I didn’t have time to call you. [Yes because Billy can’t possibly think for himself Lee- you have to call him to tell him what to do?? ROFL! that is so funny!]
Billy: Well, I looked up and there’s this guy hanging from a helicopter. It had to be you.
On that… Billy leaves, without Lee even telling him he needs to! whoo hoo! clever Billy!!
Lee: Well, we got our man, huh?
You know,

I like the sound of that.
Amanda: What?
Lee: We got Armin — our man. [Love how Lee starts rubbing Amanda’s wrists so Amanda just holds out both her arms letting him! ]Amanda: Oh. Lee: Oh.  Amanda: Yeah.
Lee: It was pretty bad.
Amanda: That’s pretty terrible.
Lee: Yeah.
Awh!! Lee and Amanda are a team and friends again! Any awkwardness has been brushed away- for now! -it’s lovely that they revisit the rubbing of the hands/wrists thing.. but this time, Amanda is not overcome by it I think for her the context of the situation before made it so much ‘worse’ for her!

So, tag time! We see Amanda in the hallway with her luggage ( yep now I see she has A LOT of luggage!! LOL!!) looks like she has made it home just before the boys and Dotty – she hears them arrive and quickly shoves the suitcases in the closet! These guys are so sweet..

Dotty: And we sure did miss you. Did you get all your typing done?
Amanda: No.
Dotty: Oh, you see? Work, work, work. Darling, you’ve got to take some time for yourself. You need something exciting to happen in your weekend. [Hmm yes excitement!]
Amanda: I know, I need some excitement. I want to hear all about the trip, so I’ll make some sandwiches –
Dotty: Oh, that sounds marvellous. It’s the first time in two days that I haven’t skewered something to a stick and hung it over a campfire. I’ll be down in five minutes.
Amanda: Okay.

Dotty heads upstairs and Amanda moves into the kitchen.
Lee: Amanda? Coast clear? [Lee pops his head in through the back door]
Amanda: No, the coast isn’t clear! Mother and the boys are upstairs!
Lee: Ah.
Amanda: I thought you left.
Lee: Well, I did. But I came back. [Whoa!! Lee just looked Amanda up and down!! I guess now all the excitement is over Lee is remembering what went on eh!]

Amanda: Oh.  Lee: Yeah.
After a moment.. Lee produces Amanda’s toothbrush and continues: You forgot your toothbrush.

Lee and Amanda share a little laugh..

Ok.. so what do you think of this ending? what’s going on here?
Firstly, I love how the episode started with Amanda yelling for the boy’s toothbrushes – and ends with Lee returning her toothbrush  

I have always found this tag to be a bit random! Like there was another scene about toothbrushes at the cumberland that got cut or something.

Maybe while Lee was paying extra special attention to cleaning his armpits there he used Amanda’s toothbrush to be extra thorough – and some revenge for sleeping in the closet! Nahhh just kidding.. but it does seem really random to me! This tag has always fallen flat for me.. and it still does! but in such a fab episode I really don’t care  Lee’s whole manner just seems bizarrely out of context for the episode and for his character in general!

I read a little quote from BB the other day on the ultimate kate jackson site – where he said that first season Lee was all over the place and they didn’t know what to do with his character. That rings true to me! And must have made BB’s job harder!! but it took time to get into a groove and find how this was all going to develop- without all the extreme changes in Lee’s attitude towards Amanda! – At least we as fans can brush it off in the great big scheme of things as Lee struggling with his feelings for Amanda right?!  

Here is what the script says of this final moment:
Lee: you forgot your toothbrush.
He holds it up, a reminder of what they’ve shared – and almost shared. There is a moment, then Amanda takes it… smiling.
Amanda: Thanks.
As Lee returns her smile –freeze frame and the end.

Does that clarify things?? for me it does a bit.. they did share a lot..(although it would have made more sense as an ending if they had kissed earlier, like it was written in the script) and even though I don’t think Lee intended the weekend as anything more than work – they did end up getting to know each other a lot better!

I think Lee’s understanding of Amanda is much much better.. and his respect and admiration for her has grown. She is a puzzle, and he has over this weekend seen another piece of that puzzle – and Lee likes to solve puzzles!! She is probably nothing like any other woman he has ever known.. We see from what Lee does in ship of spies that he has listened, and learned Amanda  

It’s early days between these two, and yet it seems they are both already so far gone! This episode gives us a glimpse into Amanda’s strong attraction to Lee – and how much she has been hiding!!!

Would you say Amanda is in love with Lee here? I don’t know. I always struggle with that one..  I think it depends on how we are defining love – I tend to agree with those that feel Amanda had a crush on Lee early on, and knew there would never be anything that came of it.. but her trust in him, and his finer qualities helped her to develop a deep respect for him, which translated into a deeper and deeper friendship –and then, into love – where does this change occur? Maybe I will be able to figure that out as I work my way through but I wouldn’t define her crush on him, or her respect and friendship with him as being ‘love.’. yet. I’m not sure I know the answer.. but it is fun to try and work it out! thoughts???

I find Lee a little easier to work out! Service Above and Beyond, their cover kiss(sudden death) and saved by the bells is when Lee fell for Amanda in a huge way.. but Love? Hmm.. I’m not sure! Again I think it comes down to how it is defined, and it might come down to to varying degrees..  If love is where you know the person really well, and love all that you have learned about them, their faults and everything – I don’t know if Lee was in love so early.. but he definitely had a major soft spot for Amanda, a real physical attraction..and a very strong emotional reaction to Amanda! I would love to hear your thoughts guys.

One last thought on this episode.. what do you think of the timeline?

If Dotty and the boys went away for the weekend – and it was late afternoon at the beginning of the episode ( Lee is worried about getting to the cumberland by 5 so it is the afternoon)- it would need to be a Friday afternoon no? why would Dotty and the boys leave to go camping on Saturday afternoon?? and.. wouldn’t they be back on Sunday afternoon if it is for a weekend??

What happens on the extra day???!!! We only see Lee and Amanda stay one night?! Which would have been the Friday night.  Did they stay another night? We see what looks like Amanda arriving home right before Dotty and the boys- Sunday afternoon!  Also, in the tag- Amanda is wearing a different cardigan! It is the same colour though, and the rest of her outfit is the same.. but why the different cardigan? Hmm.. maybe a mistake!  It’s fun to ponder, although I don’t think there is anything in it- drat! I don’t see them having a little fling and then going back to the way things were.. Hmmm maybe Amanda stayed another night and treated herself on the agency’s dime! but then.. why would Lee still have her toothbrush?? and he is wearing the same outfit!  Hmmm.. It doesn’t fit! but.. it leaves open a very fun range of possibilities!  

Love to hear your thoughts as always guys! Does anyone else wish that we had seen the moment where Amanda returned her wedding ring to Lee?? Like we saw it in there goes the neighbourhood and ship of spies?! Byee for now..

Hiya! Well my previous post on this episode was so long, I didn’t even mention what the script said about the ‘accommodations scene!
BTW- A  Huge thankyou to Redgold for the generous decision to share the script of this episode with the rest of us fans!!! Also, thanks to smk-land for hosting it! Apologies for neglecting to thank you earlier RedGold.. I read the alternate dinner scene.. and my responsibilities went right out the window! So before moving on I’ll briefly just mention that the script is very different- Amanda is still uncomfortable and nervous – but from the script it is never suggested that Lee ever thought he was going to sleep in the bed with Amanda  – Amanda brings up the subject again as soon as they have finished congratulating themselves on fooling Mrs Craddock – and Lee with no ambiguity says he is going to sleep on the couch! Biiiig difference! The scene is cut much shorter, and while the little exchange where Lee reassures Amanda it is not an assignation is in the script, it is very brief.. Check out the script sometime if you are interested!

Anyway, getting back to where we are up to.. It is the next morning and we see Amanda asleep  – fully clothed! and she isn’t even in the bed- but on top of it with the quilt around her! Interesting.. Amanda didn’t sleep on the left, or the right side.. or right down the middle.. – she slept across the bed! Almost like she didn’t want to give Lee the chance to sneak in and find a side of the bed to sleep on!!! Did anyone else have this thought? sleeping diagonally like that to me screams MY BED!!! No one else’s!!  

We heard this same music before- in the morning when Lee and Amanda woke up together (if I finish this sentence there it sounds kinda nice huh! ) -in straight jackets in Sudden Death! [Peer Gynt – Suite No 1, Op 46 : morning !!] So bit of a joke there from smk I think!! [I learned that from Karen Rudolph- thanks Karen!! ] So appropriate too given this episode is set in spring… Anyway, Amanda wakes to hear Lee in the shower.

I always wonder what Lee’s reaction was like when he came back to find Amanda asleep like that..did he watched her for a while?.. we’ll never know- though we did get to see Lee watch Amanda for just a moment in Sudden Death before waking her  I love how Amanda tippy toes over to the bathroom door to listen! yup… it’s him! [we glimpse Lee scrubbing his armpits in silhouette!] Amanda wanders over to the couch and sees that Lee has laid his jacket on the side of the couch.. She folds it for him carefully and glances out the window- to find she is looking at a kidnapping in progress!!!! Amanda sees a guy wave to a blonde, and he is then grabbed by two men and lead away as the blonde just watches..

Amanda: Leeeeeee! [We see a shot of Lee in the shower- washing his back!]

Lee! Lee!!! would you get out of the shower?
[not now Amanda, Lee’s having another go at his armpits! LOL!!] Get out of the shower!

We see Lee poke his head out of the shower – he hears something.. but doesn’t seem to realise it’s time for action Lee! Instead.. he gives us curious playful Lee so it seems!

Lee, get out! [Love here how Amanda goes to open the door – she’s about to grab the handle and she stops herself- LOL!
KJ is so brilliant here!! ] Lee, there’s a man being kidnapped!!! [Again, we see Lee still poking his head out of the shower to see what Amanda wants.. but from the looks of his expression he is completely unaware of Amanda’s urgency!]

Love his cheeky little grin as he recedes back into the shower, ignoring Amanda’s mumbled yelling and banging on the door!

[It’s official.. I hate frosted glass!!! ]
Leeeee!!!
Amanda bangs some more but he is no longer paying any attention to her.. Whoa! desperate times call for desperate measures! Amanda

squeezes her eyes tightly shut- and opens the bathroom door to yell : Lee, get out of the shower! There’s a man being kidnapped!

Don’t you just love how her tightly closed eyes aren’t enough- she has to turn her head away too? rofl!! KJ is so funny here.. funny, panicked and embarrassed all at once- Kudos to KJ!
We see Lee’s silhouette turn towards the door in the shower, interrupting his furious dedication to the cleanliness of his armpits ( yet again!) but he seems to be in no hurry at all.. Interesting.. he doesn’t seem to care that Amanda opened the door! haaaa..

Amanda runs back to the window yelling: Hurry!
Amanda gets back to the window in time to see the two baddies putting the kidnappee into the back of a limo.. I love the look on Amanda’s face as she sees the limo drive away – Oh noo! We haven’t been able to stop it! In that one moment, we see Amanda really wanted to help, and this job means something to her.. her whole body kind of slumps in sadness.. awh!! poor Amanda!

What do you think Lee was thinking when he poked his head out of the shower like that guys?? do tell! I have had a think about it.. I’ve actually always struggled with that moment. Now that I have had the chance to take a close look at this episode, I’ve settled on an interpretation- yours may differ- and if so- please share!!

I think given the context of everything that went on before, and what I think has been going on with Lee, that is he thinking Amanda is cranky because he snuck back into the room, and he beat her into the bathroom – and she wants him out now! I don’t think there is anything more to it than that.. Lee looks playful.. like he is thinking ha haaa! beat ya!! Bet you don’t want me sharing your bathroom either but it’s too late! haaaa!!! He looks about 10 yrs old to me, and I can’t see there is anything frisky going on here. – What do you think? Of course Lee completely doesn’t hear what Amanda is saying and so he doesn’t respond properly.. but we can rest assured- his armpits are very clean!

Well! Here comes Mr clean pits now! Finally!! I can’t believe Lee brought his own robe! that’s a bit weird isn’t it??!! ha! Love how he comes out drying his wet hair with a towel and just dumps the wet towel on top of a dressser!
Lee: Amanda?
Amanda: Never mind.[She doesn’t even turn to look at him, she’s fixated on the view.. I think any concerns about modesty are completely forgotten by her – she’s far more concerned about what’s just happened.]
Lee: What?
Amanda: Too late.
Lee: Too late what? [Lee chuckles I think he is thinking-now what have I done!]
Amanda: You’re too late. They’re gone. [Amanda’s care of Lee’s jacket is also completely gone..in her distress she sits on it!] Lee looks out the window and sees no-one..
Lee: Who’s gone?
Amanda: Look. There was a man walking toward a lady who was playing tennis. Now, he waved at her, two men jumped out, one of them had a gun, they forced him into a limousine, I tried to get you out of the shower, but you took too long.
Lee: No. I don’t believe it. I don’t believe it. I sat and watched Bosca’s room all night and they got him in the morning? six o’clock in the morning? [I love that Lee isn’t mad at Amanda.. just mad that he wasn’t able to stop the kidnapping!]
Amanda: Lee, it wasn’t Mr Bosca.
Lee: It wasn’t?
Amanda: No!
Lee: Then who was it? Ballantine?
Amanda: I don’t know! I never saw him before in my life!

Lee buries his face in his hands, he can’t believe it, and Amanda looks around as if to say ‘oops’.. duh duh duhhhhh and the episode must have cut to a break here – love KJ’s funny expression here looking around.. good thing she isn’t looking at Lee too as err Lee’s sitting there in his robe, with his legs ummm… NNNNot Closed!! Oh my..

So what does the script add to this scene? well.. in terms of what Lee is thinking when Amanda is banging on the bathroom door? not much it just says he is puzzled.. but.. he does cut his shower short and rush out – WITH A TOWEL AROUND HIS WAIST!!.. Amanda isn’t scripted to respond to it. hooo haaaa.. they decided to pull back on the moments in this ep didn’t they!

I may be in the minority here, but if they had gone with it, I would have probably rolled my eyes at the obvious playing up of Lee’s errrr assets! I like that they went with the subtle version in the end. Sad as it is..

Next thing we see the kidnapee being driven around in the back of the limo by the balding guy who had been watching Lee do his ‘my pills! my pills!’ The limo comes to a stop on the road, as there’s a roadblock.. they head back to the Cumberland for Armin to decide what to do next.. 

Later that morning, we see Lee and Amanda are heading out to the tennis court, Amanda is explaining to Lee exactly what she saw and where.. Amanda: See, she was standing right about there when the two men came and took the other man away.
Lee: All right. Give me her description again.
Amanda: She was very tall, very pretty, very blond, very sort of everything.
Lee: Oh, Amanda, that’s a terrible description.
Amanda: I’m sorry.
Lee: She was right here, huh?
Amanda: Yeah. Right about there.

Ahhh and who should make an appearance at that moment? Jessica Rabbi eerrr I mean Valerie! man.. this spy bizz is easy – they just come right up to you!  Valerie: Hi!
Love how Lee whispers to Amanda as Valerie approaches: I think I know who it is. Then in a normal voice he continues: Valerie! Valerie Tucker, this is my wife Amanda.
Amanda: Hello.
Lee: Maybe we could get a foursome in later, huh? Unless your husband’s too tired from the drive.
Valerie: Tuck’s not here yet. Besides, I’m strictly a singles player.
Lee: Well, maybe some dinner later, the four of

us. That is, if he arrives.
Valerie: Well, one thing you learn about geniuses: [At this Valerie turns away to pick up her things, while she is looking away – Lee and Amanda look at each other, and Amanda silently confirms this is the blonde she saw at the kidnapping!] don’t make plans. Besides, I’m going to have a sauna and a massage and I’m not making any plans after that.
Lee: Hmm.
Valerie: Unless something . . .
special comes up.
Valerie leaves.. what a classy lady.. not! Making a play for Lee in front of his wife! Lee watches Valerie walk away.. I think Amanda notices and thinks he watches Valerie a tad too long a hint of jealousy me thinks! Amanda: That’s her, I’m certain of it.
Lee watches Valerie for so long, because she meets up with some others and he is watching who she is meeting with.. but because Amanda’s back is to her, Amanda doesn’t see this and thinks Lee is just checking her out! More misunderstanding Lee! His mind is on the job- not women!
Lee: Okay. All right. Follow her, and try not to be -
Amanda: Conspicuous.
Lee (he gives her a smile here): Yes. I’ll search for Tucker.

Amanda: Are you sure you don’t want to follow her?

Lee: Sweetheart, we’re newlyweds.
[Interesting… Sweetheart is usually Amanda’s endearment of choice!]

Amanda (quietly): I know.
Amanda turns to leave and Lee is still smiling.. A lovely little bit of teasing fun between the two of them – breaking IMO the tension that has existed between them since last night- for me this little moment of banter signals they are ok and back to being friends! (There’s no mention of this little exchange between Lee and Amanda in the script!! So happy with how they did this!!)

I think it’s great that Lee’s smile stays after Amanda turns to leave, he can’t help himself- he’s happy things are improved between them again- and no doubt- he is happy they are on the trail of the baddies! All is not lost!

I only wish Amanda had mentioned that she wasn’t going to be looking for evidence.. she was suppose to just be having fun but Amanda is much more charitable than I!!  

I’ll leave it there for now! As always I would love to hear your thoughts! Thanks for reading!!

Lee calls Billy to find out what he can about the three kidnapping candidates.. on the foyer payphone? LOL.. not very secret.. wouldn’t it have been better for him to make the call from his room? Oh well.. Next thing we join Amanda and Lee at dinner.. seems everyone is having a candlelit dinner!
Lee: Mmm. They weren’t exaggerating about the food in this place. I’d heard that it was good. It’s great.
Amanda just smiles quietly in response..
Lee: What’s the matter? Aren’t you hungry? [How sweet- he notices she isn’t really eating!!]
Amanda: Oh, it’s just that there were no prices on the menu that sort of affects my appetite.. Very good.

Do you think Amanda is being honest here? Let  us know your thoughts! Me? I think she makes it up to hide the real reason she has lost her appetite- Amanda isn’t paying so what does she care about the prices? and it didn’t stop her from enjoying the expensive sorry dinner at La Trianon (The Artful Dodger Tag- where Ironically Amanda is out to dinner with Lee and wearing exactly the same outfit!!!) –  I think she isn’t eating because she is nervous – she doesn’t know what ‘the accommodations’ are for that night and what will be happening.. all that is still up in the air, so she is not able to relax and enjoy..just a theory I have!

Amanda looks up and sees Mrs Craddock walking by: Hello, Mrs. Craddock. Hello.
Mrs. Craddock: Oh, Mrs Stetson. Mr Stetson. The newlyweds. Oh, isn’t that sweet?

Mrs Craddock leaves them, and Lee echoes her departing words with a chuckle: ah ha! Sweet.
Too funny! Lee reaches for Amanda’s hand saying ‘Ahhhhhh’… he starts kissing her hand again while again saying:  Mmm mmmm! ROFL! 

Man those annoying candles are in the way- I wish the light was better in that restaurant.. still.. it is obvious Amanda’s nerves are really frayed and she really is not coping well with this newlyweds thing-as this progresses she is getting worse and worse!! She actually turns away when she realises what he is about to do to her hand!! She can’t watch!!

Amanda: Leeeee.
I swear all Lee’s Mmm mmmm cracks me up!!  I never thought I would say this about Lee.. but he reminds me of Pepe Le pew here! LOL!!! He is so over the top I couldn’t help but think of Pepe! Ahhh L’amour!
‘You are my peanut! I am your brittle!! kissy……  

[I think Amanda has visions of this kind of scenario too!! LOL!!] Still not looking at Lee, Amanda asks: Is that absolutely necessary?
Lee interrupts his kissing to look indignant and respond: Of course it is.(finally Amanda meets his eyes!) It’s our cover.
Amanda: Right.[Uh oh.. since she made eye contact with him- she is back under Pepe’s err I mean Lee’s spell! ] ..It’s… part of our cover.
Lee keeps kissing her hand but his attention is drawn to the other guests, and his mind is focused on his little potential kidnappee list.- Good thing too because Amanda is unable to hide how affected she is by Lee here!! Ohhh my.. Lee closes his eyes and kissy kissys some more.. Poor Amanda! I would have fainted by now- Amanda’s resolve is amazing!

Lee’s happy with the appearance of a kidnapping contestant! Lee: There’s one of them now.
Amanda: One of who?

Oh dear!! Amanda’s brain has turned to mush!!! Lee of course is oblivious again.. Lee explains the new arrivals are one of the six o’clock check ins.. This guy is a pro golfer with bad habits.. Whoo hooo maybe Amanda’s brain is making a brief reappearance here: What would the Eastern Bloc want with a pro-golfer?
Lee: Nothing. I’ve already scratched him.
Amanda: Wow.Who were some of the other possible victims? Lee points them out giving their backgrounds.. not very interesting when we know what happens Still I am sure Amanda is happy to hear all about it, and get Lee back to business.. rather than kissing her hand!

Lee explains Dr Tucker was his prime candidate, but because he didn’t show he’s off the list  where’s the logic in that- genius’ are so unpredictable remember Lee?!.
Amanda: Who’s Dr Tucker?
Lee: He’s a major brain at a California think tank. Nobody knows what they’re working on, but a lot of people would love to find out.
Amanda: Lee, this might sound like a silly question, but how do you know that he didn’t show up if you’re not sure that he was supposed to be here? [such a great Amanda question! ]
Lee: Well, I talked to his wife this afternoon. She was working on her suntan, or lifeguard, it was a toss up. [Seems to me Lee saw right through her- noticing her working on the lifeguard.. me thinks he was not interested in her at all- good! Also love Amanda’s reaction to Lee noticing this.. oh ho hooo!!]
Amanda: Oh. Well, you know, we can’t really watch all of them.
Lee: No, we can’t watch them all.
Notice the ‘we’???!!! Amanda says it and Lee doesn’t notice!! and- Lee repeats it!! HA! He can’t help himself!!

Lee sees Jay Armin approach David Bosca and his family.. so his money is now on him..

Lee continues: I just wonder what Jay Armin’s doing with him. Look, we’re going to stick with David Bosca.

I love the way Lee delivers this last line here.. he is way too confident in his decision to follow Bosca, looking at Amanda with confidence – but I find it really funny because as cocky as he is… he said ‘ WE’ again!!!

I have been so distracted by Lee kissing Amanda’s hand, and Amanda’s rising anxiety ( and response!), I almost forgot to include what the script did here.. and it did things VERY differently! The difference in this scene, goes as follows: (I’ll transcribe the relevant section here) Mrs Craddock comments: the newlyweds!
Lee ‘quickly throws his arm around Amanda’s shoulders, leaning in to her… smiling. Mrs Craddock walks away and says to her husband:  isn’t that sweet! 

Lee places his chair near to Amanda, sits, throws an arm around her shoulder. He leans close smiling.
Amanda: Lee…
Lee: (quietly still smiling) We’re newlyweds. They’re watching us.
Amanda smiles back at him, then off to the Craddocks….
The script continues: Through the remainder of the scene Amanda, and Lee will play the newlyweds – deep looks into each other’s eyes, hand-holding, little caresses,etc… smiling the whole time.

Amanda asks if this is completely necessary- and the first candidate for the kidnapping shows up.. all that is the same. ( Here comes the good stuff):
A waiter approaches with a bottle of champagne and two glasses.
Waiter: Compliments of Mr and Mrs Craddock.
The waiter proceeds to open the champagne and pour two glasses for them… then exits.
Amanda: Oh. Isn’t that sweet of them?
Lee: (nodding) sweet.
Amanda looks off toward the Craddock table, smiles…mouths ‘thank you’. Lee and Amanda raise their glasss in a toast to the Craddocks, then to themselves, drink.
Amanda: that’s really a lovely gesture.
Lee leans forward and kisses her. After a moment, he leans back. Amanda stares at him, her face blank… stunned by the unexpected gesture. (!!)
Amanda: why did you do that?
Lee: nothing personal. It’s all part of the gig. You might try to look like you enjoyed it.
Amanda: of course. Right. Part of the gig.
Lee: with newlyweds, you expect a public display of affection. Newlyweds don’t have any taste. They’re all emotion.
Amanda nods, uneasy.

(then they go back to checking out the kidnapping candidates)…

So there you go!! The script had a huge difference!! What do you think? would you have preferred they kept the kiss? I am sure we all have a different preferences here or ideas- please share your thoughts!

For me, I love what they did in the end.. and in all honesty, when I read the script and read that Lee kissed Amanda- my jaw was on the floor!!! I actually like that they didn’t go there again.. there is more than enough tension without it, all the endearments and hand kisses and stroking is enough– and it gives the next kiss ( in ship of spies!- or have I missed one??!!) all the more meaning and intensity!

Is it just me or does it read like the sudden death kiss? I wondered if they wrote this script, then decided to move the kiss to that episode.. just a theory-  Amanda is more shocked/ stunned.. rather than affected by the kiss.. ( then again the script says nothing about how Lee responds to the kiss so who knows.. ) just speculating.. and what about Lee’s line about ‘newlyweds having no taste’ and being ‘ all emotion’? ouch!! More evidence of Lee having stilted emotions- but I am glad they didn’t include it.. It was a bit clunky IMO!

It is interesting the script doesn’t seem to have Amanda’s nervousness increasing so obviously as it does in what finally made it into the episode.. and I am enjoying watching her deal with it all! (Looking forward to deciphering the next scene!) Often, I find Amanda inscrutable.. but in this episode, we get a glimpse of how much Lee and her physical response to him rattles her and where Amanda is now at.. That makes this a very important episode ( not just for the romantic stuff!)

So far in the episode, Lee seems to be so absorbed in the case – at the critical moments when Amanda’s self composure slips- that he doesn’t notice her reactions.. and he seems to have no idea she may be wondering if she has a Pepe Le Pew on her hands – Or worrying that she may just take him up on it!!! tee hee.. I’ll go into more detail in my next post, after the bedroom scene, with my theories on what is going on for Lee and Amanda

I will leave it there for now.. More goodness to come!

The more I work through this episode the more I love it- it is so much more than a ‘Lee and Amanda undercover as a couple’ episode!!!

Will post with more soon byeeeee