Before picking up where we left off.. guys.. did you see what Amanda’s t-shirt says on the back?!!!
I can’t think why I never noticed that before!! 
Lee picks up his phone call while Amanda waits and lets him take the call… he looks relaxed..
but! suddenly! Lee stands to attention! So serious!!!
Lee: Hello? [It’s kinda endearing, in a lost little boy kinda way!!.. awhhh Lee reverting back to his childhood.. this is going to be an interesting episode!!]
…Yes Sir! 
[Lee silently listens some more to the caller]
…Yes Sir…no Sir I… yes Sir I read it…
[Lee listens some more]
…Ahhhh geee ahhh I…can’t…
… I mean I’d love to but Ahhh…
… you see I’ve got a date that night and ahhhh….
[At this we see Amanda look at the ground briefly, a little uncomfortable to be listening in now! She raises her head back up to look at Lee again and takes a deep breath – awh!!]
…Well ahhh my girlfriend and I…
…are having some troubles…
[Amanda looks up now looking a little more upbeat!]
…and you know she’s really jealous ha haa..
[Lee is looking at Amanda as he says this part about being Jealous..he nervously chuckles.. but then he begins to avoid eye contact! I think it is hilarious that Lee says this line that ‘she’s really jealous’ looking at Amanda, who IMHO is feeling a tad jealous!!! and.. he has no idea!! I think that’s not an smk coincidence! 
]
…of ahhh my… our time together…
[We cut back to Amanda.. again looking at her fascinating shoes down there!]
.. Ahhhh no Sir..
…You’ve never met her…
[At this, Amanda’s head drops even lower.. gosh darn, those shoes are just rivetting!!]
We cut back to Lee..listening again..
Lee: …is she new?
[Lee glances at Amanda, her head still lowered.. ]
… Ahhhh… Well…
Whoo Lee starts with his handwaving! You know what that means? He’s fibbing.. and he’s decided on naming Amanda! (IMHO) Lee suddenly sounds much more confident!
… Actually we have been seeing each other for some time now…
Neither Lee nor Amanda can make eye contact with the other now! Lee briefly glances at Amanda as he says this next word:
… Amanda…
Amanda looks up! eh??!!
… Amanda King Sir…
[Amanda’s eyes widen in shock! ]
We cut back to Lee (who is not looking at Amanda!): …Ahhhhh… 
He listens to ‘Sir’ and licks his lips now he really can’t bring himself to make eye contact with Amanda!
Lee nods: Yes Sir.
Lee is now sounding less stern and more obliging, not as cold.. although I’d also say he sounds resigned! …alright alright. Yes I can bring her…
…Your club 8 o’clock…
…Yes Sir, goodbye.
Lee hangs up.. looking very sheepish!!!
He looks at Amanda!
[Whoo! come on Lee maybe Amanda has plans! I do think this feels different to Lee’s insensitivity he showed at the beginning of service above and beyond- telling Amanda he is sure she can break her plans by 8 or whatever it was.. LOL.. this Lee actually knows he is asking alot.. which is a wonderful thing to see! 
]
Amanda clears her throat and lowers her head again. patiently waiting for Lee to explain himself
( she’s a wise gal!) LOL Lee finally puts the phone down! 
Lee looks Amanda up and down..
she’s again looking down at the floor.. waiting for him..
Lee: errrrrr… Amanda Iiiiiiiii….
…errrrr.. need you to do a little favour for me.
Amanda: so I gather.
[finally she looks up again]
Lee: Ha. that was my uncle.
Lee is too cute here!! The way he chuckles.. do you think there could be a hint of happiness that his uncle ended up calling him after all? [I’m speculating here.. I really don’t know!] We see Amanda smiling at learning who was on the phone.
Amanda: Ohhh the Colonel!
Lee: yeah. and ahhh he’s in town and he wants to have dinner…
I told him I have a date, you know..
thinking I could get out of it that way…
[two dimples!!! Bjo!! you taking note? ]
…and.. umm.. Ha.. I’m stuck! Sooo ahhhh… You think you could?
[Do you think Amanda’s thinking: whooo this is just like the dream I had last night.. only there was no uncle ???]
Amanda: Oh Lee, look I’m I’m really.. I’m flattered 
that you… thought to ask me.
Lee: oh haa..good. [Lee lets out a huge breath- he can relax now!]
…. I was desperate!
Amanda was smiling until this last comment wiped the smile right off her face!
Amanda finds her smile again..but it’s her I’m not happy smile Yep I think Amanda has one!
Amanda: Well thank you so much.
[rofl! this line made me think of Debilyn and our conversation about Southern Ways! what episode was that about? gosh I have no idea! Amanda sounds like Brenda Leigh Johnson here! ]
Lee: Ah!! Noo!!! haaa…
…I didn’t mean it that way! I mean
*arms waving!*
…you know.. if you come along… ahhh it will make things alot easier..
Amanda: sure. Alright.
Lee: you’ll do it?
Amanda: sure! yeah, I’d love to meet your uncle.
Lee again lets out a huge sigh of relief,
I think he really did not assume that she could do this, he only hoped..(I wonder if Lee usually holds his breath like that while waiting to hear if a girl will go out with him? 😉 I think not!)
Lee looks at Amanda here with unguarded relief, gratitude and appreciation – not hiding that it really matters to him that she come and help him do this!
It’s so dreamy it deserves a gif so we can truly appreciate it!
Lee nods quietly: Good.
And Amanda beams from ear to ear.. ahhh these two!!
This is screaming to me that this is after SOS!!!
So what do you all think of this scene? do tell!!!
Isn’t it wonderful?? I didn’t think you’d mind lots of pics..plus this scene is so rich with smk goodness, I felt it needed lots of love and attention I’m pretty sure I won’t cover the rest of this episode with so many pics! Then again…
Ok – did you see how Amanda kinda looked down and didn’t like when Lee said he had a date?? hmmmm very interesting!! and.. she perks up a bit when Lee says they’re having troubles.. 😆 but then looks down again when Lee is telling ‘ Sir’ that she is really jealous of their time together!! 🙂 Do you think Amanda is a little jealous of this ‘girlfriend’? I’m thinking she is a little.. though she hides it pretty well from Lee we the audience can see little hints! I think she is uncomfortable listening to Lee talk about his girl troubles..she would rather not know – which hints that she is now beginning to have feelings for him.. [No I don’t think Amanda is in love with Lee at this point- just for clarity] but there are little clues of each of their growing feelings for each other Soooo what are your thoughts on Amanda in this scene?
It is certainly interesting that Lee feels comfortable presenting Amanda as his girlfriend to his uncle.. and that Lee knows she will do him proud and help him deal with his uncle! (ie. she “will make things a lot easier”.. awh..) I think Lee doesn’t stop and think about the significance of this.. but I think it is significant! what do you think? I wonder if at this point Lee has thought- if I were the marrying kind, Amanda would be great! but.. I don’t think Lee has come to terms with the realisation or should I say hint (?) in SOS, that maybe marriage and a real relationship is something he wants? I’m speculating here.. what do you think?
Also, I think Amanda is flattered that he asked her, but doesn’t see anything in it or the significance because she thinks he won’t settle down into a real relationship (because that is not what she thinks he wants- and she accepts that about him and doesn’t try and change him. LOL but that doesn’t mean she enjoys hearing about the women in his life!!!) Thoughts??
Another thing I found interesting was, not only had Lee’s uncle not contacted him yet when Lee spoke to Billy and Francine, but Lee sounded a little defensive about it…. and then, when his uncle did call him – Lee’s immediate reaction (other than standing to attention ) was to try and avoid seeing his uncle, (we can get to the reasons why as we learn more about the relationship) but I find this reflex of Lee’s very interesting!!! By the end of the conversation, Lee was almost sounding like he was glad he would see his uncle… part of that could have been Amanda being there sure! But I think Lee has very mixed, contradictory feelings about his uncle.. It’s going to be interesting to explore it!
Lee’s reflex to avoid his uncle reminded me of Lee’s behaviour in Santa’s Got a New Bag – he is very afraid of being with Amanda’s family, and his first reaction is to run away.. but Amanda helps him, and once he is inside he is very happy to be there and so glad he didn’t avoid it. I think by the end of this episode, Lee is happy to have reconnected with his uncle!
Lastly, I didn’t mention this earlier, lest I distract you from this wonderful exchange- but Lee appears to be so distressed at his uncle calling that his ID badge is jumping all over the place!! I guess Lee is rather novel in expressing his emotions no?
It jumps from this…
to this…
– at least six times! scroll up and you’ll see what I mean
Loving this episode! Hope you are toooooooo!!!!
Back with more as soon as I can! I’d really really love to hear from ya! byeeee
"Just walk with me.." 
#2019 rewatch
It’s interesting that we never find out why his uncle finally called him. They really do seem to rub each other the wrong way over everything. Perhaps Lee’s instinctive reaction to not see him is because he sees it is just his uncle doing his duty by calling him, but it’s clear from even hearing just the one side of the conversation that the Colonel is well aware of all his tricks.
I really enjoy that except for a few excellent reaction shots from Amanda, they keep the camera on Lee and we really just get to watch him squirm nonstop – and watch Bruce’s excellent comic chops at work.
Nancy, I suspect you are right that he would have called Amanda anyway – and thus some of his discomfort is knowing that he’s going to have to pitch this to his uncle in front of her without warning her. There is a lot of silent eye pleading going on at the end there.
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#2019rewatch
Iwsod wrote:
Another thing I found interesting was, not only had Lee’s uncle not contacted him yet when Lee spoke to Billy and Francine, but Lee sounded a little defensive about it…. and then, when his uncle did call him – Lee’s immediate reaction (other than standing to attention) was to try and avoid seeing his uncle, (we can get to the reasons why as we learn more about the relationship) but I find this reflex of Lee’s very interesting!!!
Iwsod, I’m so with you throughout that entire paragraph (I didn’t copy it all, but loved the whole thing) and I think it ties in with my comment on post 1 of this episode. I love this episode (this whole part of the series, actually), and usually concentrate more on Lee & Amanda’s relational developments, but find myself today pondering a bit more about Lee and the Colonel. (Perhaps it’s Father’s Day in the air and thale fact that my dad and I have an estranged relationship?)
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#2019rewatch
So glad you’ve joined in, Amandarambler, it’s been too quiet around here!
Family relationships can be the absolute best and the downright worst. My parents and I did not speak for 7 years. Finally acknowledging they would never apologize, I forgave them for never seeking my forgiveness for what they did. Our relationship was not restored, but it was no longer a void and 12 years later when Dad died, instead of regrets I had peace. I pray you also find that peace for yourself.
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#2019rewatch
It has been quiet! Yoohoo to those of you who are along for the rewalk- would love to hear your thoughts and comments!! 🤗 I know vacations may be amongst many of us, so just drop in as you can!
Your words are so kind, Nancy, and very appreciated. ❤ Our family’s is a very long story I won’t spend time on JWWM going over. 😘 I guess, though, that many of us can relate to Lee in some capacity, in that many of us have probably found ourselves dealing with varying degrees of a strained, challenging familial relationship at some point throughout life, and this episode can certainly draw out aspects of our own story that way. I love seeing Amanda as the cheerleader as she attempts to humbly encourage Lee into a potential different mindset throughout the episode. Good reminders/mindset she can give!….Wise is that one. 😁
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#2019rewatch
How many times, over the years, has Lee spun a tale to avoid spending time with his uncle? Seems to me Amanda fell for it, but Colonel Clayton is familiar with Lee’s tactics and wouldn’t accept “I’ve got a prior engagement” from his nephew!
Lee was indeed desperate to come with a date, who would be acceptable to his uncle. Even if Amanda wasn’t standing right in front of him, I suspect Lee would have phoned her immediately after hanging up with his uncle. Amanda was Lee’s clear choice because she is respectful and a good go-between. Lee couldn’t bring Francine, who’s prone to making snide, derogatory remarks; and Lee wouldn’t dare bring one of the ditzy girls he’s dated because his uncle would get on his case.
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I must have missed the “Love Coach” because I don’t see it anywhere. Lol. I sure wish I had joined the party sooner.!! 😁
(I also missed BB showing up when I google “what is plaid?”) Oh, well. I am still enjoying the walk. I think I may be a little obsessed at this point.
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rofl. yeah there was much humour to be had with clueless Lee in need of a love coach 😉 tee hee!
Soooo glad you are enjoying the walk – ‘a little obsessed’?! well come on Audra, you can do better than that – full-on obsessed is what to aim for!!!!! 🙂 Muahahaaha!!
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I just had a funny idea pop in my head about this scene and I was wondering what others thought. I wonder if there is any chance, even the slightest one that Amanda might have thought that Lee might have been actually asking her out, as if he was informing her in a backwards way that he wanted her to be “the girlfriend”? I know that we all think she knows he wants her to pretend just to make it easier with his Uncle. And I know that isn’t what he was doing. Do you think it was crystal clear to her at every point in this scene?
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Hahaha! Interesting thought, Morley. I guess there is always a chance! I’m not sure that I see it, but for me if she did think this, I think it would have been at the very beginning when he says her name. The surprised look on her face is too funny and perhaps she is running through all the possibilities of why Lee would say she is his girlfriend with the thought that he might really want her to be being one of them. Sort of like in TTFOE at the beginning when I think initially she thinks he might be asking her out on a date for real before she realizes it’s just business and gets a little disappointed.
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You know there is another moment like that in the last episode of season 2 as well. I guess I wonder if somewhere in Amanda’s head she hasn’t dismissed it as a complete impossibility. Of course as the show goes on she should probably agree with me 😉
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Hahaha! Yes she should! If the moment you’re thinking of is the same one that comes to my mind, I find it very cringeworthy!!! Guess we’ll have see when get to that point in our walk – won’t be long though!
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This episode was an eye-opener to be sure! They never get to the crux of the relationship between Lee & his uncle, but somehow, you can tell he had respect & albeit,admiration for the man who raised him-even though there was at times contempt in his voice while talking about him to Amanda! I gather that was him working out his feelings about his parent’s deaths(abandonment, guilt-not wanting to disrespect the man who took responsibility for him),& I think it was the start of Lee really opening up to Amanda,letting her in a little bit at a time, which made their coming together even more special! I hope I didn’t “Amandaramble” too much here-did any of you get the same feeling while watching this episode?! Let me know!
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Sitting at work yesterday I kept getting email after email about posts to this blog — I felt like I was missing a party! Wonderful comments from everyone. I will only add that I lost valuable moments of my life seeing “Love Coach”, thinking that the kids on the team must have had that done for Amanda, speculating that the word “King” (as in “(we) Love Coach King”) was cut out of the frame (no, it didn’t hit me as weird because I was entirely reading “love” as a verb rather than an adjective), then jumping down to the next pic and noticing “love” was missing, wondering why the props people would have two such shirts, one with “love” and one without, and then finally (I think it’s 3 Faces of Emily where Amanda points to her head with a well, duh, expression?) it occurred to me that the “Love” might have been photoshopped in by a devious blogger who preys on gullible blogees, at which point I went back to the first pic and noticed the crispness of the letters LOVE. So perhaps this explains why I don’t mind Amanda’s ditziness as much as some!!
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Muahahahahahahahaaaa Raffie! 😉
Your comment had me in tears! 🙂 thanks for the laughs! I promise in future I will clearly state it’s me being a devious blogger preying on gullible blogees! 😉 I thought it looked obvious tee heee.. too funny!
If you were to photoshop Amanda’s t-shirt everyone – what would you have it say????
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I think dismay is a very apt description for Amanda with a hint of jealousy thrown in for good measure. I just imagine her squirming inside, mentally rolling her eyes at the thought of another bimbo floating in and out of his life. Love how Lee manages to wipe the smile off her face in an instant. Dear me Lee engage brain before speaking. To his credit I don’t think he did mean it the way it sounded, desperate to avoid his uncle is clear through the telephone conversation. Amanda’s generous spirit side steps his faux pas and agrees to go. Gives her the opportunity not only to have dinner with Lee but see a little chink more through the scarecrow mask but meeting his family, his link to his past.
Definitely think Lee has a love/hate relationship with his uncle. Am sure he would love a more relaxed and less formal relationship but struggles to get past the military persona. Ironically it’s the same tactic Lee has been known to use himself.
Love Coach? Hilarious, how did I miss it? 😉
I am away, off house hunting as off tomorrow so no Internet for a week *flatlines*
I will catch up when I get back, have fun everyone 🙂
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I’m loving all your comments so far. I agree part of Amanda’s reaction to hearing Lee on the phone is jealousy (which she is trying to hide) and I think part of it is dismay that she didn’t know Lee was seeing someone who was close enough to him for Lee to be protective of of the time they spent together. Amanda certainly knew about the Margos in his life and this must have felt like a punch in the gut that she didn’t know him well enough to figure out he was involved with someone and had been for some time.
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Hi Domi! Welcome to Just Walk with me!!! 🙂
This is a wonderful episode isn’t it! We are getting to Lee’s introduction in the next post- stay tuned!! 🙂 and let us know what you think! Haa good one Cindy! Yes indeed: the more smk fans the better!!! 🙂
I wish wordpress comments had ‘likes’ – I’d be handing them out left, right and centre!! 🙂
Hiya Bjo! tee hee! glad you enjoyed the love coach 😉
I was thinking we could turn it into a meme.. if people are interested??!!! There is a bunch of different expressions from Lee there that we could have fun with 😉 but not sure how to do that in an easy way..?? anyone?? I think that t-shirt was ripe for it! 🙂 I suspect I’ll be using that image again to describe other ways Amanda is a ‘coach’ 😉
Bjo your ideas on Amanda sound good to me! True, Amanda may have a hope.. but she probably assumes that is all it will be 😦 and Amanda is accepting of Lee and doesn’t try to change him. There are a few ‘women and Lee’ moments where Amanda is involved coming up in ALSALS and LOTP (there may be more but they come to mind) which will possibly shine more of a light on where Amanda is at… can’t wait to get there! 🙂
I don’t know if Amanda’s hope is gone.. maybe.. Hmm maybe we can come back to this idea when we come to ALSALS and LOTP!!
Bjo loved your thoughts on Lee and his relationships! Sounds great! yeah I think Lee has very conflicting, maybe contradictory feelings about his uncle.. He is important to him, whether he wants him to be or not! I am looking forward to watching this story unfold!
Awh thanks for the compliment on the gif! 🙂
Julia!!!! I’ve missed you!! Great to hear from you!! Hope life is treating you well! tee hee… glad you enjoyed the love coach! 🙂 I am glad you made it back for this episode too! 🙂
Hiya Morley! tee hee! I agree.. it is jam packed with smk goodness isn’t it?!!! As you have all shown with your fantastic insights – there is lots to take from this scene!! I loved your thoughts on Lee and his uncle Morley- I agree with you!! Yeah while Lee might have had five years with his folks, (yes there is that weird continuity boo boo that’s coming up but we’ll get to that) his uncle has had a huge impact on Lee – he is like a father figure- I think this is one reason why Amanda is so keen to meet him! It’s going to be interesting to watch all this unfold.. Yeah great insight Morley, Lee’s tendency to hesitate – very much plays out with his relationship with Amanda doesn’t it ( Season three anyone??!!)
Lee’s journey is redemptive.. I agree Morley, it’s one of the best things about this show – and Amanda’s acceptance of Lee is central to his overcoming his fears – and growing up into a real relationship awhhh..
Hi Cindy! I’m loving the comments too!
whoooo good thinking!!! yeah that’s true – dismay that she didn’t know about this girlfriend is a great idea! I think it fits in really well with the other ideas offered. Amanda thought she knew the type Lee dates – women who are not serious!!! so this was a bit of a shock! good one!!
Sooo the general view is Amanda in this scene is that she is jealous.. I think all your explanations for what’s going on with Amanda make sense, and fit together well! Man.. maybe we could construct a ‘journey of Amanda’ post like this!! because I find Amanda to be more difficult than Lee! 😉 – Any volunteers? I’m all ears! 😉
Lastly- Morley!!! I love your idea about why Amanda’s hair gets cut short!!! whooooooo!!!! It’s like a defense mechanism!!!! Whooooo I love it!! I think we need to give this a name!!! Ummm…. Morley’s dissociation theory of makeunders (or hair-don’ts!)? 😉 anyone got a better idea?? Morley??
I have heard a ‘gum in hair fan fic’ is an explanation..but I like your theory much better!
Here’s a link if you’re interested about Dissociation.. you know.. they mention altering your identity.. and.. they mention Amnesia!!! Which brings to mind DOA- and all the repressed thoughts and feelings of Amanda’s which are revealed to the audience!!!! whoooooo!!! [aie! sorry to get all Freudian! I’m just speculating]
So glad you are all enjoying this episode too!!!
what a relief after my overall disappointment with Car Wars [I’m so picky I know!but I do love this show!!]
Byeee!
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And I wish there was a like button. I would use for “the dissociation theory of hair don’ts”! Perfect! But I hope the credit for that could be given to Kate Jackson or the producers. Would it be asking too much? if we didn’t have to come up with some excuse and we could just acknowledge the creative genius of the producers and actors of such a sensitively brilliant show?
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Funny, I was reading the wiki article on disassociation that you posted and I had to keep reminding myself that we were referring to Amanda and not Lee. But that is the wonder isn’t it? It was a healing thing for both of them equally. I wonder how much of Amanda even choosing to do this work with Lee was like this. I am a mother and I could not fathom taking on this kind of work and yet it has never occurred to me to question Amanda. Joe left her to save starving people in Africa, it is still an abandonment. Amanda’s story is just as compelling as Lee’s maybe just a bit more out of the ordinary, or harder to identify with. But I wonder… I would love to hear thoughts on this. Maybe we will work more with this later (during Wrong Way Home? maybe DOA actually) my brain is too psychological sometimes I think…
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Amanda’s story is really hard (because she has gone through a ‘ditzy’ stage,) but I am willing to give it a try. Of course, when I started doing this last year, I had several computers blow up on me, so I am hesitant. :-). Maybe if I do it in small chunks and ignore several episodes, it will be easier.
I am off to our nation’s capital for a few days so will probably have limited internet access til Tuesday.
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Oh, hope you have (had) fun, CIndy! I’m jealous 🙂
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Cindy I hope you have a wonderful time!!!! Lots of smk moments!!! I look forward to hearing how it went 🙂
I guess most of you will be travelling on and off the next few months huh? It’s coming into your summer?? and here I am heading into winter 😦 oh well..
Hopefully you won’t all go on holidays at the same time and I’ll have someone around to chat smk with 😉 still, I do hope when you guys get back that you’ll share your thoughts on the posts you’ve missed!!
Safe travels!!
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*headsmack* I guess I should clarify – Ottawa, not Washington DC (though that it definitely on the list of where I want to go. My friend says they actually have a spy museum there.)
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sorry Morley I skipped your question! But great to see Bjo getting back to you 🙂
hiya Bjo!
Ahhh you guys are discussing Vigilante Mothers!
I had completely changed my opinion on that scene- I found it cringe-worthing.. and then years later when I forced myself to watch it- I loved it!!! Why?? well.. I’ll tell when we get to it! 🙂 Soooooo looking forward to getting to it!! 🙂
As to your question Morley.. I was thinking Amanda knew it wasn’t for real- because Lee was creating this story about his long time girlfriend etc that Amanda could hear and she knew it wasn’t true. And.. Lee’s first words are that he needs a favour and Amanda responds so she gathers or something- to me that implies she knows its not for real… but.. when you take into consideration Vigilante Mothers and T3FOE I think you can make an argument for Amanda thinking he was really asking her out – she does tend to jump to that conclusion sometimes! 😉 She has such great self esteem 😉
But.. for me.. I see their relationship by VM as being very different – so I tend to see this moment as Amanda being flattered that Lee chose Amanda to come meet his uncle – she knows he is very private about his family and this is a big deal.. so there ya go! that’s my thinking – feel free to disagree if you like – or anyone else got thoughts about it they’d like to share? I love that you raised this Morley and got me thinking! 🙂
haaa Cindy that could be my fault..Oopsie! You probably said your nation’s capital and being primed with SMK I immediately assumed Washington DC! 😉 and I know you are Canadian!! -Sorry!
I’ve been to Ottawa in December.. I froze my flippin butt off.. but I loved it!!!! You have a gorgeous capital!!! [I don’t suppose anyone here has been to Canberra??!! 😉 ]
bye everyone!
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Yes, I like this thought too. And it must have struck a chord, maybe with both of them, that a real worthwhile relationship would be one that quantity and quality of time mattered. Amanda would be intrigued that Lee would recognize this. And the fact that Lee also knew that this was a significant quality in a long term relationship is important to understand how aware he is as to the kind of relationships he pursued.
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Cindy, I like your thought too. And Morley, I like what you said in your comment above that ‘Amanda would be intrigued that Lee would recognize this.’ Perhaps there is more to Lee than she thought when it comes to women.
If you’ll allow me to play devil’s advocate for a minute – and this does not mean that I disagree with anything said so far – I have always thought (prior to finding this blog) that Lee was just making up his end of the conversation on the spot and used Amanda because she was there. How many times does he have to save himself and Amanda with the only tools available to him (i.e. corkscrew in ATWAS)? Call me crazy, but I think if Amanda wasn’t there and Francine was, he might have used her – he did say he was desperate to have someone go with him. And Francine already knows the backstory with Lee’s uncle. Plus, the quantity of time spent in a relationship would be relative (pun intended!) to both Lee and Amanda. With Lee, seeing someone for quite some time might mean a month or so where Amanda might only say that for someone she’d been seeing for 6 months or more. Having said all that, I like the deeper explanations – it’s way more fun trying to figure these two out that way! And the thought of Lee using Francine for dinner with his uncle just makes me shudder!
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I think season 1 Lee would have definitely done that. I think even earlier in season 2 Lee would have. But now? I don’t know. If Francine were right there instead of Amanda, I don’t think he would have asked her necessarily, not positive though. He did go out of his way to take Amanda on the SOS cruise even when Francine was the one in Billy’s office (isn’t that how it went?) I think if Lee had a line up of women to take to dinner with his Uncle he would pick Amanda for sure and I think at this point if no one was around during the call and he still felt the need to find someone to accompany him he would have called Amanda.
I agree that “quantity” would be a relative term for sure. For Lee the quantity that Amanda would consider significant would be almost unfathomable, I say “almost” because I think he may be gearing up to begin to think about fathoms 😉
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LOL, too funny – unfathomable! Too true!
In SOS it did go the way you remember except Lee and Billy argued about Lee going because of the cost. The only reason Billy let Lee go was because Lee said he would pay for the mission with his own money. So I see Amanda going as a very inexpensive partner with no office time loss to Billy. I agree with what you said about picking Amanda from a line up of women, but I still think he would consider taking Francine if Amanda weren’t there. Lee and Francine have had a working/friendship relationship for a number of years. And as we see in future episodes, Lee really does think of Francine as a friend. She is obviously not what he’s looking for in a woman, but he doesn’t think of her in the way that we or Amanda think of her. At least I don’t think he does – not by the way he defends her to Amanda occasionally. I think I would tend to agree more with him not taking Francine if this episode was after Burn Out or Murder Between Friends. So much SMK fun to think about!
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You know, I realize that haven’t paid too much attention to Francine…maybe I need to re watch again… Now I need to research on clothing choices and Francine (I guess the two could work together). There are some interesting exchanges between Lee and Francine coming up in some of the next few episodes, that I wonder how people will respond too…
I don’t know if I viewed his choice of partner in SOS as a financial one. I think if Lee had a choice to spend a few days on a ship pretending to be engaged he would rather do that with Amanda than Francine. And not necessarily because he may have feelings for her, because I don’t think that totally registered with him yet there. I think Amanda would just be an easier person to be with for him (probably for a numerous obvious and not so obvious reason) and I guess I feel the same would go for this episode too. But who knows? SMK and fate and coincidence? Where would the story have been with out them? Amanda was standing right in front of him and we are so glad she was…huh? 🙂
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Yes, we are glad! And it never occurred to me that Lee would pick Amanda to go on a 3 day cruise with him and that there might possibly be some fun. Whatever the reason the thought of that makes me smile with delight! teehee!! I guess after spending the weekend with her in Weekend, the thought of doing it again was a little appealing instead of all just business. 😉 You’ve got me thinking again, Morley!
I need to go back and read your comments on clothes and hair again – I’m very intrigued by your theories. (And no, I never get tired of reading your comments. They are thought-provoking and entertaining!) I would really really love to know the real reason for that hair don’t. And some of those wardrobe choices. Aye!
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Hi Everyone!
Firstly, I love that you are kindly welcoming Domi- thank you!!! you guys are such a lovely community!! 🙂
Secondly, I am loving this discussion!!! You all have wonderful insights truly!
I have to brief as I’m short on time 😦 ..and want to try and get the next post out asap! But I just wanted to say I pretty much see things along the same line as Morley! I think Francine reading the paper outloud like that at the start of the episode only highlights that Francine may be a friend, but she is not on the same level as Amanda in terms of trustworthiness, sensitivity and kindness 😉 As I said in SOS (somewhere!) Amanda is easy company- plain and simple!
Bjo I’m glad you raised the question of how Lee chose Amanda.. for me, I saw him waving his arms, thinking on his feet – and there- bing!-In front of him is Amanda!!! and she is the perfect solution – I didn’t expand on why it’s so significant, even if it wasn’t premediated but hopefully I can revisit that as I continue to blog the episode.. hope that’s okay? 🙂
Morley I love that you enjoy the psychology!! keep it coming!! me too!!! I think there is something in smk for everyone- and all moods! – sometimes a surface enjoyment of Lee’s dimples is just the trick.. and sometimes a deeper exploration of the character’s motivations or neuroses ( 😉 ) can be fun to speculate on too!!!
Sorry I can’t find who asked this now – but someone raised the point of now Amanda knows this ‘girlfriend’ is not real- where is her thinking now?? great question!!!!! We’ll have to keep looking at that one as we work through this ep!!! 🙂
I also just wanted to tell you all – the amount I respond to comments is not based on what I think of the comments -I truly love them all and hearing all your views 🙂 It comes down to time for me! 😦 Drat!!!!! and at the moment I don’t have much – but do want to keep getting blog posts out regularly so I’ll get on with that – just know that I am really enjoying hearing from you all and feel free to discuss away amongst yourselves! This is truly a wonderful episode isn’t it???!!!
Oh and enjoy your break Jenbo!!! Please get in touch when you get back!!! 🙂
Byeeee!
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So, I re watched this part of the episode (and I had SO much to do last night, it was a “real” sacrifice:). You know I think we could discuss for days these 2 minutes of the show…
But, I feel convinced that he would not have made up a “girlfriend” to take along, he would have just cancelled his “date” or something. He went this way because Amanda was standing in front of him. And I thought as I heard him describe his relationship with said “girlfriend” to his uncle that Lee really was describing his friendship with Amanda. They had been with each other for a while now and there was jealousy over their time together (just not so much on Amanda’s part, I think) reference Spiderweb. He just embellished it into a romance thing to get out from the dinner with the Colonel. I am sure that Lee would deny what I just wrote as being accurate though, it was a sub conscience thing for him.
The other thought I had about this particular meeting with his uncle was that it was even more fraught with difficulty because his uncle was up for a court marshal and we could then add to the mix of already present emotions the protective and defensive ones as well as worry. All this would make the choice of dinner companion very specific, I think.
And I gave Francine some thought. Someone wrote somewhere that Francine and Lee were similar at the beginning of the show. Very hard and professional, unable to trust others, competitive. Then Lee began to grow and change during the show because of Amanda. Even Francine remarks here that something has changed even if it is a dig about perfume. But it is just that sort of thing that shows me that Lee wouldn’t just pick anyone in front of him for expediency anymore. Lee has begun to experience a friendship with someone who can have empathy and he is learning this trait and trusting it in the person of Amanda. Francine doesn’t have it, yet. She doesn’t trust it or maybe she doesn’t even believe in it (ie Fast Food for Thought). There is a perceivable bond now between Lee and Amanda (not a romantic one even) that has never been able to grow between Lee and Francine or Lee and anyone else (well except for Emily, Billy, and TP and that was because of the maturity of the others). I wonder if these thoughts would help me to appreciate that season 4 ep that focuses on Francine more?
Does this make any sense? I can’t believe how long I could go on about this stuff! I had a friend in high school that I used to discuss things like this with, we could go one for hours… I guess that was a long time ago and I have gone through withdrawal. That and my training as a counselor. Real people do not always progress as beautifully through a process as Lee and Amanda did. May have something to do with being professional actors or script writers…hmmm 😉
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Hey Molly! if you want to ramble about smk this is a great place to do it!! 🙂 Keep em coming!! 🙂 It makes lots of sense..
Hiya Morley!! I don’t remember food for thought in detail- just generally – so I look forward to getting to it –
You know, you could write a post about Francine if you like.. Just sayin- whatever interests you about smk- you can go to town with it and not restrict yourselves just to comments!!! The offer is always open! 🙂 Yeah I agree with you about the evolution of Lee and Francine’s relationship – it’s wonderful writing.. that a secondary relationship can say so much about the primary relationship (Lee and Amanda) it shines a light brilliantly on how things are changing!! I’m sensing a post from Morely is coming.. I can do the pics for you if you give me directions – no dramas! 😉
I hope by the time we get there (to FFFT) you’ll fill us in again on your Francine insights! 🙂
Thanks for the sacrifice Morley! 😉 The agency appreciates it 😉
You are convinced Lee would not have taken anyone else? me too.. but there is room for others to see this differently – we are speculating after all.. I have mentioned this in the third post – which I am just about to publish..
Whoooo I’ve responded to your comment about the particularly tense context of Lee and his uncle’s reunion in post 3- without realising it! so check it out 🙂
Must run.. I’ve had so much fun procrastinating on what I am suppose to be doing today that I even managed to put lots of emoticons in the third post – LOL! I’m being naughty today!! well must run and actually attend to my real life now..
Is there anyone out there reading this blog who lives in the Southern Hemisphere too -like me??? I’d love to hear from you!! Don’t be shy Newbies drop in and say hi!!!!
Hope all you northerners are enjoying the warmer weather!
Byeee guys! Off to publish post three now! Lovin this ep!!
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Lol, yes, we were talking about Southern phrases in the “Three Faces of Emily” thread, one of the last couple of posts, I believe.
I think Lee is beginning to find Amanda’s presence comforting. He’s accepted her as a friend – a good friend (Car Wars) – and a partner (Brunettes). She’s no longer annoying, but special to him. She allows him to be the real Lee and not just Scarecrow. She would be the first person he would ask for help now – their relationship has grown that much. She wants the best for him, as a man, and I don’t think she feels its her at this time. However, I think a part of her would like it to be, and that’s why listening to him talking about other women would be uncomfortable. It’s kind of a morbid fascination – she doesn’t want to know, but can’t bring herself to leave (just in case he needs her). 🙂
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Ahhh three faces of Emily! that was it!! thanks Debilyn!
you make a lovely point.. Amanda is an asset to his life.. and he is beginning to realise this 🙂 It’s a positive time in smk now isn’t it??
Now that we are over Lee’s crankypants episodes, Amanda’s ditzy super bumbling episodes.. and no more devaluing Amanda and what she contributes.. happy days!!
I like your thoughts about Amanda Debilyn, Amanda is at an interesting cross-roads during this phase of the show huh!!
Morbid fascination? haaaa too funny! He sure does need her!! 🙂
I think Cindy’s idea of Amanda being shocked for a moment that it was a real relationship Lee was describing fits in well too – Amanda I think assumes Lee is dating, but his dates are not serious, they don’t hang around for long (ALSALS) or Lee isn’t that into them anyway (LOTP) but.. when a real woman and relationship comes up- Amanda gets MAD!!! (OTL)
This is, at the moment, where I vaguely see things headed but is subject to change;) and I look forward to seeing if this is really how it is as we walk through the eps together! byeee I should probably actually go do some work.. ahem..
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Yes, it is a kind of morbid fascination and I agree with what everyone says about how Amanda must feel and view herself. But here is the fact… there was no girlfriend like this… he asked Amanda to play the role, ha. Now what? All that you all described makes so much sense, her feelings about what he needs and might be aware of… and then he names her… and takes her.. what are they both going to do with that? I think I would go home and take 2 Tylenol and a glass of red wine…and try not to think to much… (I hope you are not getting sick of all my posts. This is so much fun!)
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It IS fun exploring these characters, Morley. And fun seeing what views others have.
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It is probably a good thing that you are going to take us through this episode slowly, Iwsod, I bet we need to, there is so much packed into each scene.
Lee’s reaction to his uncle mirrors his reaction to anyone emotionally significant in his life (Amanda). The more he want closeness the more he will pull away, the more he values it the more he will show that he devalues it. I think he does this to protect himself from disappointment and hurt. I think that his relationship with his uncle is more significant than the one with Eva because it was a foundational one, one that would have been a part of the development of his basic trust and self perception ( especially after trauma at a young age). And in my understanding this type of relationship and one’s response to it would affect his subsequent relationships and may have even contributed to his choice of Eva or even his repose to marriage and permanence of commitment. Which makes the healing and growth that happens over the course of the show so special and redemptive, and another reason why I love it so much!
And, yes, I think at some level Lee has recognized Amanda as a good candidate for marriage (the tag of There Goes the Neighborhood indicates that to me) but because of everything I mentioned above he will put it very far away and devalue it…but it slowly percolates to the surface doesn’t it?
I do think Amanda is jealous and I think it bothers her that she is. She wants so badly to keep herself platonic, I think. Kind of funny really how much she works to keep herself platonic and how hard Lee fights to keep from letting his feelings grow.( And I am really watching Amanda here because I want to know if any of this makes her want to change; even if she can’t change her character might she try to change her looks? not sure what I think of this but its rumbling around in my head. Don’t we all have moments where we want to try something drastic, and then realize we really are who we are and actually like it that way, regardless? Do you know what I mean?)
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Love Coach,
oh wow, love it!
I am so happy to be back for this episode. In one of the picts Lee’s look reminds me a lot of the look on this face in Burn Out. Gratitude, not as pronounced of course, but it is there.
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OMG, iwsod! You totally had me with the ‘Love Coach’! I must still be waking up…. Actually, that’s a lie, I’ve been up for 1.5 hours already, I’m just embarrassed to admit I fell for it!
My impression of Amanda in this scene was that she was a little disappointed to hear Lee talk about a date with a girlfriend. I think this episode definitely came after SOS, which is why Amanda shows disappointment here. I think Amanda is hoping that someday Lee will change his playboy ways, not necessarily for her but because of the lonely, destructive type of lifestyle she thinks it is, and hearing about a new girlfriend so soon after SOS is a bummer for her. As discussed in the SOS posts, I think Amanda saw that Lee was affected by their ‘kiss’ and cover and just maybe had a tiny window of hope that something was starting to change in Lee. Her disappointment here says to me that what little hope she had for him, is now gone.
I love the next exchange between Lee and Amanda. It really shows the growth that Lee’s character has made with regard to how he views her. His relationship with his uncle is not a close one. It was borne out of tragic necessity and carried out because of duty (or so Lee thinks). Lee and his uncle go years without seeing each other and Lee believes his uncle still sees him as a stubborn kid who just wants his own way. I do think Lee is disappointed his uncle hadn’t called him sooner, but I don’t think he is surprised either. I think when he does call, Lee is taken aback and tries to get out of seeing him because on the surface it makes Lee feel very uncomfortable to have to spend an evening with him. It’s all very strange because I think Lee does want his uncle’s love and respect but doesn’t think the colonel would ever give it to him. So he keeps his uncle at arms’ length and never has to deal with his feelings toward him. Anyway, I digress. Enter Amanda, the Love Coach 😉 I don’t think Lee necessarily intended to have Amanda meet his uncle, but the more he thought about it, the more he realized it could work if she did have to meet him. Who better to help buffer the colonel than her? Lee may still not think very much of her ‘spy skills’ but he does recognize her ability to talk with people and to be able to handle just about any situation. I think Lee already has some level of trust in Amanda and realizes that she is not the type to be an office gossip and therefore he can trust her with meeting his uncle and learning a bit more about Lee’s personal life. I don’t think this is a huge deal because the relationship between the two men is not a close one. What Lee shared with Amanda in Lost and Found is much more personal than with the colonel. I love the GIF, iwsod, and that to me is where we actually see Lee’s growth with our own two eyes. He is truly grateful and relieved to have Amanda there for him! Awww! What are friends for? Lee has a true friend! Perhaps his first true blue friend as an adult? I love how he sheepishly asks her if she’ll do it vs. in SAAB because he is actually asking her and not just expecting it. In SAAB he assumes she’ll do it because he’s so freakin’ handsome and a super sexy playboy spy and what housewife wouldn’t be waiting at home for their phone to ring so they can break their plans for an evening with someone like that? He is not 100% sure she’ll say yes this time! But oh, thank the good Lord she does!!!! I think this is the most we’ve ever seen him actually physically show relief for having Amanda be there to save him – even more so than when they are in a real life or death situation! That is much easier to deal with! And Lee’s recovery after saying he was desperate is so good! He really made up for saying that! Good job, Lee! And did he actually say that having Amanda there would make things EASIER???? What? Who are you and what did you do with the real Lee? Or is this the real Lee we are seeing? That may be the only time in the whole of SMKdom where he actually says Amada and easier in the same sentence! LOL! (Ok, totally off the subject here, but doesn’t Captain Von Trapp say the same thing to Maria in the gazebo right before he professes his love for her? Maybe not those exact words, but definitely along those lines? Hmmmm….now I’ll have to go watch that DVD to see the conversation.) So yes, iwsod, I agree this is very significant – more so for Lee than Amanda.
I’ll stop there – am loving this episode! And yes, all those dimples are nice to see! Especially since I’m working on the damned duck episode right now and there aren’t many to be found!
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I love this Homepage.Congratulations.More of them. I Am a big fan of Scarecrow and Mrs.King.
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Welcome Domi! I am glad you found this site – the more the merrier!
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Yes, Domi – welcome!
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And my welcome, too, Domi!
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Welcome to the blog, Domi. Another fan is always welcome.
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I love this episode. Lee introduces Amanda to his uncle as a friend.
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