11/13 Season Two, Episode 13: Spiderweb-Scarecrow and Mrs King

The last scene ended with Lee  stating he didn’t know who would want to set Amanda up but: Whoever they are, they’re our double agent.

We don’t have to wait a second longer to find out – It’s bland Margaret.. [Who else could it be?? Bryce Topping??   other than Larner, she’s the only other person we’ve seen who it could be! and I knew it wasn’t Larner because Macgyver wouldn’t be best buds with a baddie! ]

Love her cheesy reveal turning around to show who is under the hat! [Hmm Lee does the same move soon!] She’s at the Nursery meeting with Julian.. She’s talking all tough now.. I bet this actress had a ball! She fills in Julian that the  plan is to fake Melrose being taken off spiderweb, but they’re still the primary team.
Julian: and the king woman?

Margaret: Their only candidate for double agent. The coded transmission from her neighbourhood was a great help in solidifying suspicion against her, but even that and the adjustments I’ve made in her records won’t hold up under a deep probe (Margaret doesn’t underestimate her opponents.. and the strength of the evidence.. but.. she does underestimate Lee and Amanda’s friendship )
Julian: she could disappear, it would seem as if she were trying to avoid capture.

Margaret: she could disappear, or commit suicide I don’t much care, the point is: As soon as we eliminate Kuragin, we eliminate Amanda King!

Well.. that errr adds to the stakes involved her a little doesn’t it!! Knowing how it turns out it seems redundant.. but I guess on first viewing we are hoping Kuragin arrives safely so they don’t kill Amanda whooo Margaret is bad.. she’s really really bad  

Next thing, we find Lee and Amanda walking along the street with Billy and Francine.. It’s not often we have scene of the four of them together like this- photo op time!!! I think the last time was times they are a changin..

I only hope Amanda didn’t leave Dotty at the market with no money and no purse!! [She must have gone to meet her then met Lee after- LOL!] No one can shop that slowly

Anyway, we immediately hear Billy reassuring Amanda that he believes her . Francine?.. is a little less forthcoming!  Lee has to prompt her to respond.. But I love that Lee does prompt her! good for Lee!  haaa.. Lee is still sticking up for Amanda.. love this side to Lee!

I know this street!!

I do believe that building on the left was the ‘Calvin Elementary school’ in Always look a gift horse in the mouth!

I remember Lee and Amanda waiting there for Penny to arrive…
and Lee teasing Amanda about knowing how to hit, the fire hydrant on the street is still there and everything.
Wow.. just think how different Lee and Amanda are now compared to that moment?? I mean here is Lee now sticking up for Amanda with Francine!! Night and Day!!  

Thanks to Bjo’s mentioning that episode I had only gone back to have another read of that thread just a day ago.. wow.. what else are we missing if not for forgetting earlier episodes???!!! Keep your eyes peeled everyone!!!! and feel free to share if you suspect anything! Even if you are not sure.. we can figure it out together!
Francine: we do however have a couple of biggies hanging out there without an explanation.
Billy: yes, what about that $50’000 deposit?
Amanda: $50’000 deposit sir?
Lee is beginning to get the hang of how these set up deals actually work lol! Lee: It’s the classic set up move.

Amanda: excuse me but I have to ask you a question. are you telling me that there was $50’000 deposited? in my bank account?

Billy nods.. Lee responds: All they need is the cash,  a computer clearance and two or three uninterrupted moments at the console (console? whooo what is it an atari?? playstation??)

Francine: That’s true. Give me a minute and I could book you on a flight to Moscow! [Something tells me that was not a new thought of Francine’s to do that to Amanda  tee hee! You wish Francine!]

Lee: that’s my guess, someone is dirtying up Amanda’s records.
Amanda: but why would anybody want to try to dirty up my records?!
Ohhh hello??!!! seems she’s still trying to get her head around that one! you tell her Francine!!!
Francine: because you’re perfect Amanda! [for a second we think she means she is impeccably clean.. but nooo that would be a compliment!]

Francine continues: The textbook tells us in situations like this, it’s always someone obscure.

Amanda is stunned silent a moment..then slowly repeats : someone obscure.

Billy smirks a little.. ahh here we go- Francine!!!
To Francine she is simply stating the facts, but when it comes to Amanda.. Francine is completely lacking in social skills : Yes Amanda. And that’s you.

I love how she smiles as she says this.. like hey, it’s the truth and I’m doing you a favour by being honest with you- even if you are obscure!   Rofl..
Billy immediately turns away from Francine with an inward groan as if to say ohhh here she goes..

Billy gives Amanda a little sideways look –

– just like they shared when Francine grabbed Amanda and made an example of her at Station one ( in A Class Act! )  In that scene, Francine was making the point: expect the unexpected! Seems Francine can’t do that when it comes to double agents! Ahhh.. .. love to hate ya Francine – Can’t wait for Life of the party!!!

Francine continues on a little ramble of her own! :  Dealing with unimportant information. Always there…

but not doing much….
[Lee looks over Francine’s shoulder at Billy and Amanda as if to say – ohhh Francine enough!!]

…Pleasant, unassuming. Easy to overlook! Loyal, faithful-

Amanda with a smile, though not happy!: Like your dog-

We see Lee turn here, giving Amanda a surprised and stern to look at her comment about the dog…

then in the wide shot.. Lee is pensive but not looking at Amanda or reacting to what she said…seemingly absorbed in the case..

IMHO they don’t match.. so I find Lee’s conduct here a little confusing.. I think it’s a boo boo..
Amanda continues with her punchline: -If you had one.
I think Francine doesn’t get Amanda’s comment about the dog at all! Billy seems to see it is not a compliment though from the cheeky glance he gives Amanda.. as she smiles away and insults Francine’s caring nature..or lack of.. ahem..

I think Francine is hilarious here and all.. but I swear .. someone needs to remind Francine of how much ‘unimportant information’ Amanda has dealt with while ‘not really doing very much’ – that has saved Washington DC from being gassed, saved Lee’s gorgeous butt many times, saved the dam from destroying DC or whatever that was about in Magic Bus ( LOL!) ..  or heck.. Amanda (blue wire!) saved the world from world war three and rescued Billy from the funeral home (Svetlana svetlana!) – and that’s without me even really thinking about it. Anymore?? feel free to list them for us! already there have been too many for me to list!  Yep.. Francine you are way off track..  but funny!!!
Sorry – As a defender of Amanda’s dignity (a DOAD) I simply must point out that  the ‘obscure’ rant is completely inaccurate!!! ..Breath Iwsod (I know I know, I get worked up defending Amanda my little under rated heroine!)

Lee reassures Amanda that Francine didn’t mean it the way it sounded…

[why is Lee wearing such baggy pants?!]
… so again Francine has a little go at reminding Amanda is one of those ‘ little people that one hardly ever notices you know like a waiter or a servant’ [I relish her turn as a waitress in Life of the party!!]..

This repetition of Francine’s is a little overkill, but I don’t mind because it leads to two fabulous things:
1- Billy’s next line: Francine! If you’re through making her into a piece of office furniture, May we please get back to the business at hand?!

And 2- it leads to Amanda’s cracking the case! Yep,  leave it to the obscure little nobody Amanda to solve the mystery in 2 seconds when these three highly trained agents couldn’t accomplish it in days..

Love how Amanda actually has to explain to them how a secretary could have done it! LOL.. all sounds so obvious it’s ridiculous! Do you think Mr Larner would have typed those notes himself? Oh noooo!! [ Not if his typing is half as bad as Lee’s ]
haaa – no one mentions how clever Amanda is..but they know she’s right! Billy does give Amanda an admiring little smile though-

– Billy!!!! how could you have doubted her!!!!
whoooo determined Lee!!!!

He’s in work mode.. They can arrange a set up! Yeah!!!!!  It’s time for a little intrigue!! I know I said Amanda needs to learn it’s not personal that she was set up… but at the same time, I think because it was Amanda who was set up: this has become personal for Lee!!! Squeeeeeeeee!!! It probably shouldn’t but he can’t help it it’s Amanda! [there’s something in car wars about that isn’t there?? gah! we’ll get to it!!] And they’re gonna ‘do the same thing that’s been done to Amanda!’ yeeeehaaaa!

Love the smile he gives Amanda here at the end of this scene  

Back to IFF, and we see Lee, Billy and Francine leaving Larner’s office.. Larner hands Margaret some notes and tells her to type them up and they are eyes only ( LOL sounds like a contradiction, but I figure that means she types them up and then no one can copy them?)

Anyway, Larner asks Billy in front of Margaret if he is sure he wants to meet Kuragin alone without backup.. and Larner tells Margaret she’ll need to work back tonight as ‘ there’ll be lots of mopping up to do after we get the general in safely.’ whooo cool double meaning!!! again!!! well done smk writers!!!

Interesting.. Larner looks down at his phone messages as he says this to Margaret.. he doesn’t look at her very much.. I think he may be struggling with what he has to do here..
Margaret gives a smug smile: of Course sir!

Ohhh she is so awful!!! they all leave Margaret to her double dealing..
Larner walks the three down the hall, away from his office,
Larner: Are you sure you feel absolutely comfortable using Mrs King on this?
Billy responds: she’ll do fine. [When Billy says this- watch Lee’s feet!!! LOL Lee is wearing white sneakers with his grey suit! !!! and Francine’s wearing white socks lol! ]

Larner: Well, if what you’ve said is true  it’s asking a lot of her.
Lee volunteers that it was Amanda’s idea (oh hooray!! Lee is really sticking up for Amanda here and giving her credit!!! I love that he says this!)
Lee: It was her (Amanda’s) idea, by using her there’s no further exposure of our plans.
Larner: be careful today.
Francine: we’ll keep our heads down.

whooo hoooo! love that Absolutely no admittance sign – such overkill.. I find it hilarious! btw- Lee isn’t wearing a belt.. very unusual! This little scene in the hallway seems to be a rush job!

They leave Larner and head off to carry out their plans..

You know what this reminds me of? .. the episode I keep talking about!!! Brunettes are In!!! In it, Lee doubts Amanda.. and towards the end he gives the precious micro-dot to Amanda for safe keeping: with his actions he demonstrates to Amanda that he has complete trust in her to do the job! Here? This time, we have Lee, Billy and Francine giving Amanda the task of meeting Kuragin – their last remaining, precious defector! All alone!! Again, I think this speaks volumes.. only this time.. Billy and Francine earlier doubted her – and are now they are showing Amanda they believe her.. Lee? well… he never doubted her!! and he is backing that up with his actions!!! I love that aspect of this plan!

Okay well I will finish up there for the moment.. before we get into the mission.. brace yourselves.. it’s a doozie.. As always I’d love to hear any of your thoughts, comments, questions etc that you’d like to share!
thanks for stopping by and joining in the fun!!