The first thing we see inside Amanda’s home is Lee gritting his teeth 
and throwing her laundry.. uh oh.. the Lee volcano is about to erupt: Mt.Stetson!!!!! 
All this stuff had to come out eventually I guess.. Poor Amanda! As if Lee hasn’t criticised Amanda enough, he starts criticising her clothes too!!!
He gives her a sideways glance as soon as he reads the t-shirt..
Then holds it up.. The way he says “you don’t really, actually wear this do you?” with such distaste… and it is none of his business what Amanda wears or doesn’t.. ( ‘what do you care!!!’ remember that- in The First Time?!!) I’m not sure why, but for me I find this particularly offensive! That he is in Amanda’s home, going through her washing and mocking her clothes choices! I love the hot mama t-shirt! but in such a tense and pivotal moment, I can’t see the humour in it!
Amanda: yes, Phillip and Jamie gave it to me.
Lee: Phillip and Jamie gave it to you did they?! Ha! weell! Hot Mama!…
Amanda sticks up for her boys, unapologetically. The way Lee seems to snarl and mock Amanda’s answer to his question is waaaay over the Line.. Time to grow up and get control of that temper of yours! Lee scrunches up the tshirt and throws it into the basket in frustration..
Notice, Amanda is sitting on the other side of the room as far away from Lee as she can get.. her hands clasped between her legs, like she is trying to keep them still.. and she isn’t helping Lee search her laundry.. I think she is gathering the courage to say here what she needs to say- and Lee’s attitude is making it easier for her!
Lee gets up to start pacing around..
Lee: It seems that three of our agents are in a 
great deal of trouble right now because we lost a vital microdot and the only lead we have with this vital microdot is with some damn purse snatcher named Rollo! [He says ‘we’ lost it, but.. he is yelling at Amanda, and it is clear he thinks it is her fault and Lee is intimidating when he is yelling!!!! Lee’s voice is getting louder and louder.. 
]
….and here I am! Sitting in your den! Going through your laundry! and feeling very much like an idiot right now!
….So!!! ….
[ Lee sees Amanda is upset errr finally]
[Lee takes a deep breath.. whoa Lee…] Finally- Lee seems to realise he is not behaving himself! Hurray!! I knew it was in him somewhere! 😉
Lee pauses to get hold of himself.. man.. I can feel Lee’s disappointment in himself here.. he is not happy with having clearly hurt Amanda.. my heart breaks for both of them here!!
Lee continues: Sooooo ahhhh…
[Lee has an embarrased chuckle to himself.. yep Lee you’ve blown it! Not your finest moment..]
oh err I’m very very sorry Amanda I lost my temper again.. I seem to always be saying things that I- [Ah bless him! He’ s not a complete ogre! 
Wow and Lee actually said he was sorry rather than just taking Amanda out to dinner 😉 ] We see Amanda 
here take a deep breath and interrupt him.. Amanda: well sometimes that’s when 
people are most honest. [and heaven knows these two don’t talk much about where they stand huh!]
Lee: yeah, and the dumbest! [Good call Lee!]so…
Amanda’s found her courage, and speaks up…
Amanda: Lee I think we should stop
Lee: yeah there’s no microdot in this laund-
Amanda: No I don’t mean that, I mean we should stop working together,
[Lee looks utterly confused by this..]
I don’t think we should be partners anymore.
[Utterly confused.. until he takes exception to Amanda’s use of the word ‘ partner’ !! but interesting to note Lee’s immediate reaction to Amanda saying they shouldn’t work together anymore is utter confusion: I bet Lee didn’t think he would react like that!! He should be singing yippee she finally got the message and now I don’t have to worry about her – but.. he isn’t.. very very telling!! ]
Lee: whoa whow.. now hold it! We have never been partners [ of all the ways to respond in that moment!! Oh Lee!! He’s kind of proving her point isn’t he! ]
The script has an interesting little insight here.. in the episode Amanda says-
Amanda: Oh yes we have, we’ve been part-
In the script, Amanda say: “What about Operation Sandstorm and when we-” [ Interesting to see another mention of operation sandstorm!! given this is suppose to be the operation where Amanda blew it- makes me wonder if she blew it at all! Or if she just got blamed!]
There goes Amanda- she’s been dogged in her determination to be his partner.. but the point has come for it to be acknowledged or they’re not going to be able to work together anymore. ]
Lee: -I don’t work with partners Amanda! and you know it!!
[Like Amanda said in The first time- she didn’t notice.. because you were too busy working together! such a great line! At the same time, Lee has a point, she can’t force him to take her on as a partner- he has a choice.. and so far he chooses no Why does he resist? I think this comes later in the episode.. She has a choice too – accept this, or leave]
Amanda off camera: you’re losing your temper agai..
[This makes Lee lose his temper again! He is very emotional isn’t he.. for Mr Patience and Control.. almost like is he emotionally involved here or something! ]
Lee: I am not!!!! losing my temper!!!
[ohhh dear!! ]
Amanda (off camera- Interrupting Lee and talking over the top of him- now she’s raising her voice!) : I know that you think that I really messed up this time… [Thanks so much for correcting this important dialogue Paula! 🙂 ] Amanda starts to speak up – just a little! 
Lee mumbles: Ohhh Amanda..you make me crazy [We know Lee! 😉 ]
Amanda: And I know 
that you think that I’m not right for the agency…
Bewildered Lee: why are we having this discussion?!!!!
[because it needs to be had Lee! ugh..no more avoiding it.. now she has started Amanda is not stopping!!]
Amanda: I want you to remember that I didn’t ask to join the agency, I mean you got me into it in the first plac-
Indignant Lee: -Well I’m not holding you there am I? (silence….)
Whoa!! Now that gets Lee angry!
Lee is right here – While it is good Amanda sticks up for herself, she needs to take responsibility for her own choices!
Lee wants it both ways though – he wants to make all the decisions for Amanda( don’t do the courier job) – but it her decision that she worked at the agency, not his!! 😉
Lee and Amanda silently look at each other..
What is holding you there Amanda? Amanda has a few lessons of her own to learn before the end of this fabulous episode!
Amanda: no
Lee’s right!
In fact, you could argue that many times Lee had pushed Amanda away – and yet.. she has stayed.. He has not encouraged her to stay- Though, he couldn’t quite bring himself to tell her to leave.. hmmm! I wonder why?! [I think we get a better insight into Lee’s true motivations later in the episode.. so I won’t go into that yet!]
Deep Breath Lee!!..
Confused Lee: Why are we talking… what are we talking about here?
Amanda: my resignation…
Wha??
Amanda continues:…… I think I should probably give it to Mr Melrose.
[Amanda puts it out there – wanting Lee to say no- don’t go- remind you of the Mole?? ‘ All you had to do was say nooo don’t go’.. and he didn’t..and he still isn’t ready to.. At the same time, it is actually not Lee’s decision to make!!! It is Amanda’s decision!! She needs to make a choice- she hasn’t grasped that yet.. she is still seeking Lee’s approval -while it’s nice to have- it’s her choice!]
Anger, confusion, shock, and then a mask.. it’s all there flashing across Lee’s face as he takes in what Amanda is suggesting.. he could not see this coming in a million years.. Oh boy! (Fab job BB!!)
Lee: Well you do what you think is best for you, that’s all.
Amanda: well, I will then I guess.. I’ll turn in my resignation.
[Fine! Great! It’s the Mole all over again! ugh!! these two!! Amanda is not without her 
pride!]
Did you notice- Amanda still seems to have let Lee make the decision! Lee didn’ t tell her to stay – so fine- she will hand in her resignation! Nooo Amanda needs to make this decision for herself!! 
Lee: fine
Amanda: yeah [I’m going on a date with David Benson! Great!! – 
oh wait.. err wrong episode! ] …..Silence…
See Amanda’s ‘ Ohhhh Crap what have I done!’ look as Lee heads for the door???!!!!
Lee leaves and when outside he mutters to himself “I don’t believe this.“..
I can understand why you wouldn’t believe it Lee!! Looks like Lee isn’t picking up on the Amanda’s subtle nuances ha! Lee is taken by surprise at Amanda’s move here.. but he shouldn’t be.. he had been treating her like she was a burden most of the time, and he wished she wasn’t there- [err except when she was saving his life and he wasn’t thanking her for it or when her life was in danger and he was trying to keep her safe..] He yelled at her, bullied her, undermined her here and then he wonders why she quit? pha!!! or… Lee can’t believe what an idiot he has been.. and that he actually doesn’t want Amanda to leave?! Scary stuff huh Lee! 😉
To top it all off, Lee angrily refused to acknowledge her as his partner -there is a wound that hasn’t healed for Lee.. and this only adds to his conflicting emotions when it comes to Amanda. Lee is such a contradiction at this point. He is very very confused- which I think is not something he is used to. He is very uncomfortable with his very strong, conflicting feelings here- he doesn’t want Amanda around, but he doesn’t want her to leave… so he lashes out in anger at Amanda. [Such a strong emotional reaction – very telling!!!]
They needed to have this argument! Lee needs to decide once and for all to look at his feelings, and decide if Amanda is an important part of his life, or if she isn’t. If he is going to accept her as his partner-and acknowledge the fabulous contribution she makes to the agency- it needs to be now, or she is going to walk away! Poor Lee! He does care about her safety and he is shocked and visibly hurt that she would suggest handing in her resignation! (Though he tried to cover this up) BB and KJ do a fantastic job in this scene don’t they.. in this episode!!
As for Amanda? I think she’s made a few mistakes of her own.. It’s time for Amanda to decide for herself why she is in the spy business, and if she should stay.. I think deep down, she probably was partly in it for Lee – she admires him and wants his approval ( that crush is well and truly put away now!!) it does seem like she hasn’t decided for herself to be at the agency yet- she’s still telling Lee he got her into it.. an interesting insight into Amanda’s thinking..
So.. for now we leave them both in denial. Lee acting all haughty and pretending not to care.. and Amanda being defiant!!! Well, it looks like a storm is brewing outside too! I’ll be back with the second part to this night’s dramas soon! This is a huge post I know..but there was no way I could split this argument between posts!!
I am busting to hear what you all think of this pivotal scene!!!! Back with more as soon as I can byeeee!
"Just walk with me.." 
it wasnt a childlike thing, that she did here (the expecting him to stop her, and expecting him to read btw the lines that she didnt WANT to leave, and she wanted him to say that HE didnt want her to, either) that unfortunately is a very ‘woman’ thing to do (and I say that as a woman!) lol … we do that all the time, and it is a bit of a low blow, because it sets up the poor man to fail, especially a man like Lee, who at this point, can’t even understand his own feelings, let alone guess hers haha 😉
That being said, Lee is a giant jerk in this episode (and he has been most of the time previously, sure there have been moments btw them, but all in all, he has been a straight up nasty ned!).
I almost can’t watch this episode, because of this exchange, because Amanda is such an awesome person, sure she is naive about the spy business, but that doesnt mean she deserves to be made fun of, ridiculed and dismissed as “just a housewife” as Francine, and Lee in the early eps often did.
I will also admit that I actually didnt like Lee as a character at all for half the show LOL … I really watched the show for Amanda, the action and the good dialogue and the exchanges btw her and Lee, and how Amanda manages to remain sweet, kind, and diplomatic, but at the same time not taking any crap off Lee.
The only thing I wish about this scene is that KJ wouldnt have portrayed Amanda as quite so stoic when she is arguing with Lee, I wish she had had inserted some emotion into it (and that’s not to say she isnt a wonderful actress because she is, and she plays the character of amanda PERFECT in every other way, it’s just that one thing about this one scene that bothered me), not full on crying, but a tear slipping down her cheek or something would have added some extra jerks on the ole feels. That being said, the scene WAS still quite effective, though.
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I always thought that the ‘Hot Mama’ scene was interesting, because the one thing that Lee has been trying to avoid (been in denial about) is that despite the fact that Amanda is a parent, she’s still a sexual being and it’s something that Lee can’t handle, or can’t get to grips with yet. Part of the reason he can’t see why these other men are attracted to her, he can’t (as yet) get beyond the housewife image.
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Of course, if Amanda wasn’t a sexual being, she wouldn’t have been a wife and mother. Just saying. Facts of life, Lee, facts of life. 😉
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But of course no-one wants to see their work colleagues (or parents!) as sexual beings 🙂
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whahahahahaa!!!
[Disclaimer: As I write this comment – the walk is currently up to The boy who could be king 🙂 ]
I’m reminded of this little moment:
Amanda: Lee. I think you should get some sleep. That’s one of the reasons you’re here, you know, to, to get some sleep.
Lee: It’s the sleep that is wearing me out. I’m still having these weird . . . dreams. I wake up more wasted than before I slept.
Amanda: What kind of dreams?
Lee: Maybe . . . not exactly dreams, more of feeling. A sinking feeling.
Amanda: A sinking feeling?
Lee: Uh-huh. And noises. Uh, squeaks, thumps. . . . Maybe it’s a jungle. It’s hot, steamy.
Amanda: Probably sexual….
[Lee’s reaction is priceless!!]
…Freud would say.
Lee is horrified!
It’s like Lee’s got enough on his plate already here without having to actually deal with Amanda being a sexual being. No he’s got her neatly tucked away in his ‘housewife’ compartment for his own sake 😉 that way he doesn’t need to deal with those pesky desires she provokes in him and.. Shouldn’t! 😉 teee heee..
Ahhh So funny to go back to early Lee fighting his view of Amanda – especially when we are at the point in the walk where Lee has IMHO completely embraced Amanda as a whole.. and welcomes her being a sexual being.. he’s ummm just got to take that one last final step!
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It is so much fun to revisit this!!!
I love this picture of Lee. Poor man. He did struggle so. Makes me think of the Tupperware analogy. It would have been so much easier for him if Amanda had just stayed in that Housewife plastic container. But, Lee, you must grow. Let the woman out. Actually you will find keeping her in that little tiny container is rather impossible. And it is so much fun to watch it all unfold. Sigh…
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OMG I love it!!! I love BB’s ability to capture everything Lee is (or might be) thinking, or feeling, it’s so awesome! KJ, too! They just dont make TV like this anymore!
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Amen anchoret! Love this!!! 🙂
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Lee is a real jerk in that scene, but if he was always a great guy his growth over time would have been less meaningful. That’s what I remind myself when I watch a scene like that so that I don’t lose all respect for his character! 🙂
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I love BB’s / Lee’s wordless expressions throughout the series, they always make me laugh!
I think this is where his “jerk” behavior really came to a head, I think this is the episode where he really learns just how much of a jerk he’s been, not only to Amanda, but to others in his life, too!
Now the whole “Oh amanda … you make me crazy… !” what context do you guys think this was in? Was it meant like … “you make me so crazy mad!!!” or do you think he meant it in a different way? (even if he didnt know it)
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I guess my thought process on the “Hot Momma” comment is way out in left field. I took the comment to be Lee’s typical sarcastic, superior than most attitude….because he was so mad at her, he had no friendly feelings toward her right then, and the best he could do was sarcastic…, so he through out the “Hot Momma” title so she would have no doubt how displeased he was……I dunno, that is how I took it.
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LOVE this scene! There’s so much going on here. After Lee’s patronizing “father knows best” scene back at the agency, suddenly the roles are reversed; Lee is now the petulant child, having a tantrum because things aren’t going his way. His words hurt Amanda deeply (much like any parent is hurt when their angry child issues the inevitable, “I hate you!” line), but she remains calm. She responds in a very parental way, letting Lee see that actions and decisions have consequences: he is no longer going to be allowed to take out his frustrations on her as he has done in the past. She will remove herself from his line of fire by resigning.
There is a *bit* of the child still in Amanda, too. She issues this threat (“I’m going to run away from home!”), expecting/hoping to force his hand and make him admit he needs and wants her as his partner. When he doesn’t, she is wounded – but she knows that she has to follow through on what she says, just as she does when she has to warn and discipline her boys.
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Someone on Yuku made a comment about the “Hot Mama” shirt that I thought was great, I think it was Petralit. The shirt touched on two difficult ideas for Lee. One that Amanda was “hot” an idea that he had been trying to deny since early on in season 1, and that she was a mother. I liked that idea, it just compounded an already emotionally complicated situation for our dear Lee. He has studiously avoided emotionally complicated for a while now and here he finds himself swimming in it.
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I really hate it when Lee mocks the Hot Mama t shirt. I know he didn’t know the boys bought it but it smacks of a sneer that Amanda could consider herself as a hot mama. Besides given some of his wardrobe choices he’s hardly one to comment. People in glass houses and all that 😉
I love Lee’s total confusion. Given he’s been pushing her away for some time you think he would be a little more relieved, nay overjoyed at hearing her statement. Or is he feeling the weight of responsibility for having pushed her towards this decision. I am glad that he finally recognised his boorish behaviour but I do wish Amanda was a little more gutsy and less “rabbit in the headlights” here. Suspect that’s probably because I am probably more like Lee in terms of temperament and I want her to really put Lee in his place 😮
I find his comment about not keeping her there quite defensive. Like holding his hands up and saying its nothing to do with my guv LOL and like IWSOD rightly pointed out its Amanda’s choice, nothing to do with him.
Great scene, great acting all round 🙂
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Just couldn’t respond without watching the whole thing over again. 🙂 Oh, the sacrifice!
First, just a minor correction. Maybe I’m wrong, but I think in that argument Amanda says, “I know you think I really messed up this time,” not, “I don’t think I really messed up this time.” I don’t hear her defending herself just yet. So far, she’s just building her case for holding Lee responsible for her working in the spy biz. I love your thought, iwsod, about Amanda’s being in the wrong over that and not taking responsibility for her own decision-making as far as her involvement with the Agency. I hadn’t considered that idea, but it makes sense and I like pondering it. Usually I’m preoccupied cringing at Lee’s line: “Well I’m not holding you there, am I?” Ouuuuuch!! Wrong thing to say right at that moment, even if your point does carry some merit. Amanda needs him to tell her to stay because he is a large part of why she does. Her silence, followed by the clipped, low, “no,” just screams “You’re lying!” I’m going to save further thoughts on that matter for later, because I reference later parts of the episode to draw conclusions.
Anyway, if I find watching the episode delightfully angsty, viewing it clip by clip here is positively excruciating! Poor Lee. Let’s look play-by-play at his awfulness, freeze frame, shake our heads in wonder. Can you imagine a group of people doing that over one of our less than shining moments? Good thing he’s just a fictional character. BB and KJ do portray this part just splendidly.
Hey, where’s RedGold? Usually she does a better job expressing my thoughts on any given scene better than I can. It’s work trying to complete thoughts right now. I’ve got pregnant-brain gong on.
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Thanks Paula for pointing out the correction I need to make with Amanda’s dialogue. You are right she says: “I know that you think that I really messed up this time.” I’ll update the post – thanks alot!
You know that is even worse!! You’re right, she’s not directly defending herself.ugh!!. she’s putting it all back on Lee and what he thinks – Ohhh dear!!
You’re pregnant Paula? Ohhh how wonderful!! congratulations!
Yeah I hear ya with the starting and stoping. I have to do that to take the pics.. it helps you see things more clearly..but in a heavy moment like this – it means you can’t laugh at the fabulous hot mama tshirt! 😉 Everyone is different, but I find overall it helps me get more out of it. (yeah I am very glad my worst moments can’t be replayed and freeze framed!) So many emotions cross their faces so quickly. I was literally stunned when I took the pic of Lee at the moment he realised how badly he had hurt Amanda, and he looked soooo disappointed with himself! and it was so fleeting.. but so meaningful!
Yeah ‘Well I’m not holding you there am I’ is maybe the angriest he gets – I think its because if there is anything Lee doesn’t want to be accused of, it’s of wanting Amanda to be in danger.. you know? so that cuts deep for him.. I can’t wait to hear what you think of the rest of this episode!!! 🙂
Yes! Miss you Redgold! and Miss you Cindy!! where are you? 🙂
‘Delightfully angsty’ ?? Paula- I love it!!!! 🙂
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Incidentally, I mean “positively excruciating” in a “delightfully angsty and then some” kind of way. So the blog post is more correctly defined as “positively excruciating FUN.” There is no way on earth my husband would ever be able to comprehend what I’m saying right now. 😉
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Hiya! I’m in the middle of doing another post at the moment.. it’s funny Paula – that is exactly how I thought you mean’t it! 🙂 I guess because I feel the same way!! 🙂
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I’m not excusing Lee’s behavior here, but he is under a lot of pressure. There are three agents to save, time is running out, and there’s a key piece missing. He didn’t want Amanda to take this assignment, and now she’s the key to finding out what happened. Except they have no idea what happened and what more is involved. In addition, Lee finds himself increasingly attracted to this housewife and doesn’t even know why. I think a lot of things are coming to a head for him at this moment. He feels a responsibility for her since he brought her into the agency. He feels this same responsibility for others he has brought in. (We see this is a S3 episode.) He’s been the “great Scarecrow” for so long and made the agency his life. Yes, he dates, but that’s still not life outside the agency. Not many of his “ladies” know the real Lee. Most likely, even the ones he dates from the agency are dating Scarecrow, the hotshot agent, not Lee, the man. And here comes Amanda, who responds to the man, not the agent. Everything comes to a head for him in this episode.
Amanda has also reached a turning point. She’s been attracted by the “danger, excitement, intrigue.” More and more, though, she’s beginning to see the harsh reality of work at the agency. Up to this point, the excitement of working with Lee has carried her most of the way. The “honeymoon” stage of the job has worn off, and she has to decide whether she wants to continue at the agency. Lee has been a part of what has kept her there, but that has to change or she can’t be a good agent. Neither one realizes they are both forcing this confrontation, nor do they realize why. The air needs to be cleared professionally so that their friendship/relationship can grow personally. She’s hurt and confused by all this from Lee. She’s dealt with a lot from him, but nothing like this. This confrontation has been a long time in coming, but in the end, they both come out stronger and the relationship truly begins to deepen.
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Oh, and the “Hot Mama” tshirt reaction just makes me laugh because it symbolizes his struggle. He doesn’t want anyone else thinking Amanda’s a “hot mama,” but he doesn’t want to admit he thinks she is, either. Can’t help it, it’s so reminiscent of the argument in “Mole” for me. Yes, it’s over the top. Again, not excusing Lee – I just think this is a symptom of what’s really going on.
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