12/12 Season Two, Episode Eight:Affair at Bromfield Hall-Scarecrow and Mrs King

Tag time!! Finally!
It’s time for the Bromfield’s to farewell their weekend guests! We find Lee, Amanda and Lady Ditherspoon leaving Bromfield Hall. Gwyneth is fulfilling her obligations, but subdued.. Lord B accompanies them to their cars and Lady W is gushing with praise.. at such an unforgettable weekend!

Lady W: Police Inspectors! Scotland Yard! MI-5! Marvellous! (to Amanda) did you try the scones? [Scones, MI-5.. why they are all equally brilliant! Love it!! haaaa]
Amanda: No I-
Lady W: Pity!  they were superb, but to see Geoffrey and that dreadful Pridemore fellow being lead off virtually in chains! Well, that was rather high drama! ( to Lord B) You’ll never equal it!
Lord B: I don’t intend to try.  [Poor Lord B, a nightmare weekend for him.. he is being very gracious all things considered!]

Lady W ( to Amanda): well goodbye dear [ they kiss goodbye] so nice to know you.
Amanda: goodbye Lady Dunbar?? [ I swear Amanda doesn’t call her Lady Witherspoon! I thinks she flubs the name.. and the subtitles don’t even have the sentence.. something Lady Something- ar?? Anyone catch it?!]
Lady W: goodbye Mr Stetson. [they shake hands]
Lee: Goodbye
Lady W: goodbye Ralph dear [ they kiss goodbye]
Lord B: goodbye! [ love how he tries to sound stern with her.. but we all somehow know she is dear to him- awh!]
Lady W to Lord B: goodbye! Be good!
She gets in her car and leaves, Amanda waving affectionately to her as she leaves.. very cute.. Love that it is an old English lady who echoes the words of Dean to Amanda in ‘The First time’ – Be good! rofl!!

Lord B then walks over to Lee and Amanda’s jaguar and opens the door for Amanda! ( how lovely! even in his distress, he is still a gentleman!)

Lord B: I do wish Margery would not prattle on so! This is extremely distressing for Gwyneth ( oh bless him, he is concerned for his wife, and not his own distress!)

Lee: I know I know. Lord Bromfield if there were any other way. Believe me- [Good on Lee.. it’s great he tries to reassure Lord B here]
Lord B: No no no, there wasn’t there wasn’t there wasn’t. [he waves off Lee reassuringly] I’m delighted that the whole wretched business is finally settled.

You are to be commended Mr Stetson. [Lee nods to say thank you silently]

ARGH!!! That red turtleneck?? and that Handkerchief?! Nooooo!!!!!! And yet, Lee is still lookin good!
Lord B continues: You too Mrs King.

Amanda: ohh I didn’t do anything.
Lord B: Well..
Love Amanda’s smile as she adds: Well!!! I did stop that Urn from falling on Mr Stetson’s head. [ I love how Amanda says this! so funny!!! but.. why ‘Mr Stetson’ still?Aie!! I’m confused! Are they still undercover?? after everything that has gone on, Lord B doesn’t know Lee is an agent?? and Amanda is ahem. window dressing?]
Lee: Right. [not quite looking at Amanda.. but bemused! Lee couldn’t argue with that!!]
Amanda: and I did overhear the conversation in the library.
Lee: Yeah. You were good. [ Wha???!! I think he means it.. but  puts it down to luck!so I don’t get too excited over this.. I think this is killing Lee that he can’t argue with this! so.. he turns it into a bit of a joke with ‘ you were good’ ]
Amanda quickly: no well you were better.

You suspected Mr Douglas- Wood and Mr Pridemore, I thought it was-

[ she stops short and looks at Lord B.. oopsie.. Not only has she admittted she suspected his wife – but that they were both checking out suspects.. doesn’t that give away their cover? why would they be suspecting anything? she overheard a conversation in the library and that’s it as far as Lord B knows – if they have maintained their cover.. ]
Amanda tries to cover her mistake:–someone else.

Lord B sighs : to betray the security of one’s country for a handful of silver. I find that incomprehensible! [Lord B looks at Gwyneth standing on the front steps]
 and to think that we nursed him in the bosom of the family as it were [ unfortunate choice of words ]

Amanda reassuringly: You didn’t know.

Lord B: No. [Lord B rallys..] What do you think of Majorca?
Amanda: Majorca?
Lord B: Hmm! Yes for a holiday. I think that might be what Gwyneth needs. I think perhaps I’ll ask her.

[ Ohhh bless him, he is going to try and work things out.. maybe even wooooo back his wayward wife.[How do you spell that? I’m drawing a blank! ]. I wish we had revisted Lord B and heard how things went]  Lord B continues: Excuse me.
Lord B leaves to go ask his wife about the holiday.
Lee and Amanda talk by the car..
Amanda: He’s a very understanding man.

[Lee and Amanda’s eyes meet here and Amanda quickly look away.. this talking about Love is a little awkward still huh! ]

Lee pauses a moment then says: he’s in love.

[Lee looks into the distance as he makes this statement.. he too can’t quite make eye contact here!]
Amanda: MMmmm hmmm..

Then Amanda realises Lee noticed and she shows her surprise ( and Lee has a quiet little smile as he watches her realise!)

Amanda: You notice that though huh? [ blind freddy would have noticed it.. but there goes Amanda pointing out Lee’s talents] I didn’t know you noticed things like that. I mean I know you’re trained to notice things but I didn’t know you noticed things like that.
Lee: I noticed.

Bromfield’s contacts were very very important to

Geoffrey [err subject change! What’s that got to do with noticing Lord B’s in love?! I think Lee wants to move on from that subject! and back to betrayal and intrigue! ] ..He was obviously using Gwyneth.
Amanda simply responds: Cold.

[ good response! Actually Amanda has a had a tiny taste of what that’s like.. remember the concubine ring??!!! ]
Lee: but practical.

Amanda: I hope that they throw the book at him. [ maybe a heavy  geneaology book! ]
Lee: they will.

Is it just me or does this little exchange have the lingering wiff of Lee the world weary spy and Amanda still clinging to her belief in justice and a happy ending? Lee’s ‘but practical’  and Amanda’s observation of how cold Geoffrey was – shows they are coming at things from slightly different points of view.. How many times has Lee romanced someone to get the information he needed? Hmm.. though I would hope it isn’t for five years, and not a married woman.. It all depends on what side  you are on.. but  the spy bizz is a messy business – which ever side you are on.. reminds me of Lee in Service above and beyond, warning Amanda about fairytales.. did it have this vibe to anyone else here? or am I imagining it?
Amanda ramble: we won’t have to testify will we? I mean I don’t want to have to stay here for months and then we could have our picture in the paper and then mother and the boy-
Lee: Amanda.
Amanda: mother and Jamie and the b- [ rofl! KJ flubs her line here.. jamie and the boys? tee hee.. ]
Lee: I will take care of this through MI-5 believe me… [Lee won’t want his own private face anywhere near this either.. Why wasn’t he this reassuring from the outset? he should have been.. but at this stage of the show, he is always much nicer and attentive to Amanda once the case is solved! I am looking forward to seeing that little trend improve!! I guess I should give Lee some credit – he is being attentive now.. it’s a start right?!!I like this Lee!!!   It is wonderful to watch Lee’s growth and progress in this area!!! ]
…you don’t have anything to worry about. [ wow.. I could almost believe he is thinking of her feelings here! shocking!! ] …okay?
Amanda: Okay. [ Anyone sense a set up of the final moment approaching? tee hee..]

Lee: this will be a security operation from here on out. No press, [ Lord B makes his way back to Lee and Amanda] no publicity, Haaa I ah…
[ LOL BB seems to flub his line here after ‘ no publicity’ it’s like Lord B just taking too long to walk back to them?! and BB ran out of dialogue!] .

Lord B joins them Lee asks Lord B: well?
Both Lee and Amanda look expectantly at Lord B – how did the holiday suggestion go?? Lord B waves his hand like – so so.. maybe! and smiles..

he is hopeful- awhhh!!
Lee and Amanda smile in encouragement.
Amanda: well it’s better than nothing.

Lord B holds out his hand to Amanda: goodbye Mrs King.
Amanda: goodbye.

Looks like Amanda was expecting a handshake.. ??

but no!  Lord B kisses Amanda’s hand..

and ta daaaaa all the press come out of hiding from behind the car to snap away with their cameras!

Tee heee.. there goes smk not taking itself too seriously! Sooo how did Lee and MI-5 get out of this one eh??!! Love how Amanda snatches her hand out of Lord B’s before he has even realised what’s what! tee hee…. he is left kissing the air! haaaa!

and love Lee’s and Amanda’s reaction!!

and how they each cover the other’s face with their hands!!! now that I like!!The End!!

Lee watches Lord B take Amanda’s hand very closely!! Reminds me of when Von Snob kissed Amanda’s hand.. but then Lee was furious because he hated him! Here, Lee knows Lord B is a good guy!

The episode ends with a cute little gag about the press busting Amanda and Lord B in a compromising situation yet again.. [ though not so compromising IMHO – Lord B is a gentleman.. and he probably kisses lots of hands! ] It leaves many questions hanging.. about what happens after.. but it is all in service of ending on a light note.

You know what’s ironic? all the press is on the scent of a scandal between Amanda and Lord B- when there really was a scandal – Lord B’s wife and Geoffrey.. the spy! IMO that’s a much bigger scandal! and it would have been easier to get a photo of them because- they really were getting up to some nookie! I like to think the part about Gwyneth cheating was kept out of the papers ( thanks to the distraction of Amanda and Lord B) because Lord B is such a lovely man.. I wouldn’t want him to have to go through that!!

I have never counted Bromfield Hall a favourite episode.. but having walked through it with you all – I find I like it a little better! .. but.. I still find Lee’s attitude in this episode grating.. and look forward to Post Brunettes Are In Lee!! I think I have always enjoyed this part of season 2 less than other phases in the show.. but I think this is probably a matter of personal preference.. I struggled with Lee not respecting Amanda yet-  I am over it, and the dumbing down of Amanda in A Class Act! but.. there is still lots of good moments which point the way to a more enjoyable future! And because of this, I am looking forward to getting into A Class Act next!!

Soo what do you think of the Red Turtleneck? ugh!! I think the only thing worse is a white one..The Black one in Filming Raul? hoooo haaaa.. and the one he wore in I am not now, nor have I ever been a spy? Loved it! but.. I guess in this episode, the white and red turtlenecks, the burberry trench coat we see him holding in the tag  ( and was it a burberry jacket he was wearing down at the thames? ) were not my fave look on him.. [though of course, the man is still gorgeous!!!]  Glad others enjoyed it though! Thank goodness they didn’t try and put Lee in a bowtie like they did Lord B! tee hee..

The Thames scene makes this episode.. I love it!!  😀

I think it is interesting how at the end, when Lord B commends Amanda – Amanda’s reflex is to say she didn’t do anything – and in the past, we have seen her say this.. but! Suddenly, Amanda decides to speak up – and own her participation in the outcome of events! I find this to be very interesting! Amanda’s desire for ownership of her work with the agency is beginning to be revealed!! and I love it!! At the same time, she is not yet comfortable owning it- and she finishes by reminding them Lee’s better! Very interesting and I think it is a nice precursor for what is ahead in Brunettes.. Go Amanda!!  Also, I felt the episode showed Amanda’s frustration with not being free to participate was increasing!!! 🙂

What do you all think of how Amanda revisits the idea of knowing when someone is in love in the tag here? do tell! I like that they hinted at it.. but do we learn anymore from it?? what do you think? any thoughts? questions? insights about this episode you’d like to share??  byeeee!