After leaving Lee and Byron pondering Amanda’s future.. the baddie music kicks in! duh duh duuuhhhhh!!!!
Daytime, in the country somewhere, we hear a man counting down: Four! Three! Two! One! Now!
Lots of murder and bad things seem to happen in the country! 
We see a weird looking cubby house.. no.. not a cubby house.. okay.. bad men with guns being timed and looking a bit ridiculous.. yawn.. oh wait.. isn’t that Amanda’s ex?? oh dear.. some things really do change with time! 
Okay we all know that eventually Joe King comes into the show – I find this soooo difficult to watch because of that. So very wrong!!! I think it is probably one of the reasons I can’t stand this baddie (Tucker)– he comes back as Joe King – tee hee. okay okay.. it’s probably the other way around! I don’t enjoy Joe King at all because he was first in the show as a baddie! And quite a nasty one at that! I mean.. even without the dvds the audience would have remembered this bad guy! there were reruns back in the d
ay – did they never re run this episode?!
The Three men in various positions throughout this training area call out:
Front Hall!
Back Kitchen!
…Exterior Porch!
Tucker: you should be in the upstairs hallway Isley!
Isley: It took too long coming up the outside wall!
Tucker: then you’re dead! (Isley remains silent) …the communist rebels are paying us a lot of money to hold President Nabuti hostage until their terms are met.
Walters: And if they’re not met?
Tucker: We terminate him on live TV.
Colby: what about the security system?
Tucker: I’ll take care of that! My connections are the best you can get. But remember this! Timing will be everything!!
Tucker pulls out a gun and shoots one of the targets taking it’s head off.
Tucker: well, almost everything! 
[Muahahahaha!]
….Hit your starting positions we go again!
They start their practice run all over again.. yawn!
On to Jordan Securities… we hear this little exchange..
Byron Jordan: you shouldn’t act so surprised.
Amanda: It was pretty much a surprise.
[Interesting that Byron is noting Amanda’s modesty as we were discussing this in Burn Out.. this adds to the theme of Amanda understanding her professional skills and value in this episode. IMHO!] I see Amanda is wearing different clothes.. so this is a new day.. Amanda and Byron walk down a hallway towards his office.
Amanda: I mean, I’d barely gotten home when you called and offered me a job and you don’t even know me. [Byron doesn’t wait –he acts fast!!! A complete contrast to Lee huh!]
Byron: Oh, I know you. (they arrive at Byron’s office and he unlocks the door) …Fast learner, hard worker, bright, can think on your feet. See I checked up on you.
[I think this is a wonderful description of Amanda.. we can appreciate the Byron character at least for that! ]
Amanda: I thought agency personnel files were restricted. [Amanda’s having some fun here ]
Byron: They are, but I did one better…
I got your co-workers (not friends huh! )
…to chat about you,…
and that tells me more than any form. [At this Amanda laughs.. Do you think he talked to Lee about Amanda?? If he did, he didn’t let on it’s for a job I think..sorry just raising these questions as I go- we’ll maybe learn later. I love how the script describes Byron’s office ‘comfortable, but not plush – like the man’ 
] …You know, this job has been open for a while. No one has measured up… [As he talks, Amanda looks around and takes in his office]
…And I know the agency is very selective. [pha!!] You’ll make a great executive assistant!
I think Byron Jordan’s office is Lee’s living room!! seriously.. look at the entrance it is exactly the same.. with the step down- I swear this is the same set with a few tweaks!! rofl!! Check it out.. I won’t spend time now hunting down pics..
Amanda sits at a chair in front of Byron’s desk: Well this is really very flattering, but I don’t know anything about security systems. [I think it’s about time an employer saw Amanda’s potential! ]
Byron: I do! Any questions, ask me. You’ll learn fast.
Okaaaay, I think because he isn’t Lee, we are not predisposed to enjoy this Byron character.. he is a little bit of a side annoyance but.. when I stop and think about it – so far Byron is actually a pretty decent character. He seems to be pretty savvy, upstanding and I like that he appreciates Amanda’s professional qualities. Byron immediately sees her value and after overhearing her raise refusal- Byron seizes this opportunity. Objectively speaking, this is not a bad move! 
Byron continues quietly: …Besides, you’re nice to be around. I like that.
At this Amanda smiles and lowers her head- as she often does when someone pays her a compliment.. and as she did with Lee in Burn Out at Chez Nouvelle when Lee looked at her like she is amazing!! I think it’s her thing..
Okay, now this is where Byron bugs me! I guess it is a general statement of her being good company..but I do wonder how he could know this- when he only spent five seconds with her before. I think the implication is he is attracted to her, and that’s why she’s easy to be with. I prefer that Byron’s personal attraction to her is kept well and truly separate from his noticing of her professional qualities- but I don’t think Amanda has a problem with this statement at all.
I think we come back to this later..
Amanda: Thank you. I think the agency needs people pretty badly right now.
Byron: so do I. [He needs a haircut too! ] This summit meeting is very important. I handle all the top government security contracts. So, you’d still be working in conjunction with the agency on most projects.
Amanda: well, you’ll have to give me a little time to think it over. I would be leaving some pretty good friends.
Amanda is conflicted- A great financial and professional opportunity here for her.. but it means moving on from the relationships she has at the agency.. she wants to have both!!! which will 
she choose? [Yep, rhetorical question] This is a very interesting statement no?? ‘friends’.. not colleagues.. She’s got to come to terms with leaving Lee in order to take up this new job – at least that’s how I interpret this statement. How about you?
Amanda may be conflicted but that is one huge smile she gives Byron here at the end of this sentence.. I think she is excited by this opportunity and she enjoys being with Byron too.
Byron hands Amanda some keys: No pressure.
Amanda takes the keys: What are these?
Byron: those are the keys to your office, if you take the job.
Amanda: my own office? [Oh how fabulous!!]
Byron: Mm hmm. You can take a peek on the way out if you like. Your window overlooks the Potomac.
[yeah Amanda! where baddies like to dump all the bodies!]
Amanda: oh haa.. Well, you know there really is only one thing ah…
… that we haven’t discussed which we should.
Byron: Money…
…I guess it’s gonna include one wizard whopper right?
[they both smile at each other. Wow.. Byron really was listening at the agency! Savvy guy..]
…How about double what you’re making at the agency?
Amanda: Double? [Ahhh KJ.. such a fabulous expression!! 
]
Byron: for a start.
[Fabulous! Note what it feels like Amanda to be paid what you are worth!! A new feeling to her! ]
Tucker enters the office without knocking through a different doorway, interrupting them and saying: Byron, do you have those cost projection sheets?
[he looks at Amanda.] …Oh, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to barge in.
Byron: No, glad you did. This is Amanda King and she’s thinking of joining us. Amanda, this is my partner, Glen Tucker.
Amanda and Tucker shake hands Ohhh noooo the baddie is Byron’s partner?? sooo awful!!!
Hey what are the odds Amanda’s ex would be Byron’s business partner?! tee heee..
Amanda: How do you do.
Tucker: My pleasure. You couldn’t have a nicer boss than Jordan. Unless of course, it was me!
Bryon laughs good naturedly at Tucker’s joke..
oh dear.. Tucker is going to have the last laugh with you 
Byron 
Amanda seems delighted with the fun camaraderie between these two men.. For all appearances, this does look like it will be an easy working environment!
The scene ends here.
I am thinking that Byron was written to be a very likeable and decent man.. Whether or not I find him to be so is something else entirely So far, he seems nice enough.. We’ll see.. I am thinking there will be differing views on Amanda here – So far, to me there doesn’t seem to be a hint of discomfort from Amanda about any of this, if anything she seems excited by the possibilities here.. whatever they may be
Okay, I will stop here for now.. Looking forward to hearing your impressions of Amanda, Byron and this job offer.. Okay byee for now!
"Just walk with me.." 
Sacrilegious, I know, but I really liked Byron! I think he is the first guy in the show that could actually give Lee a run for his money in Amanda’s mind. He’s well spoken, polite, successful, & attentive. I think she would see him as a refreshing change from Lee. Lee has been improving & becoming more patient & starting to appreciate her, but had Byron lived, it may have been a case of too little, too late. I don’t think Lee was at the point where he would have actively pursued her (and maybe you bring that up later in the episode, I haven’t read the rest yet).
Also, Byron is willing to put words into action. Just last episode, they give her an award & are all complimentary, but when it comes to DOING something more meaningful than a piece of paper, Billy blows her off (and she STILL has a guest badge!). But here is a man that sees HER, sees her potential, and is willing to do something about it. Double salary and an office? She’d be naive about where she’s going with the Agency to turn that down.
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My younger self would have totally disagreed with you, but yes, I see what you are saying. Amanda is practical and wise — and not in love enough with Lee at this point (IMHO) and she would be open to what might happen with Byron.
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Yes- what you say about being not in love enough with Lee is exactly it. She loves him, but since there was not an actual commitment, she would have been able to move on. (But I think Lee would have always been ‘the one that got away’)
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I actually like Byron just fine. I think he’s attractive and charming. And I think he probably did do some checking into Amanda’s qualifications before offering her a job. He’s to shrewd a business man to let sex determine his business decisions but you are not gonna tell me a big part of the reason he wanted to hire Amanda isn’t because he wanted to sleep with her. I think that is why he makes some people feel icky as some of you have put it. It doesn’t bother me, but I said to my husband when we watched this episode I really didn’t think this kind of action would wash is today’s television. And if he hired her and then later on let her know he was interested in her as Byron does, nowadays he’d probably be sued for sexual harassment. I actually don’t think we were supposed to be predisposition to not like him. I think we are suppose to be able to see why Amanda might be flattered by his attention but that was written in context for viewers 30 years ago.
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I see Byron as definitely attracted to Amanda as a woman first, and as a possible co-worker second. I think Amanda knows that, and this is why she responds so nicely. Her response to Mr. Honeycutt was stilted compared to her response to Byron here.
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I don’t know why, but for some reason it really doesn’t bother me at all to see Joe King playing a baddie. I actually think he plays a better baddie than he does Joe King. But I’m a Joe fan so to speak, so I guess I am very forgiving.
Ugh! What is that rug Amanda is wearing?!? Bubblegum pink everywhere!
I do think it’s pretty great that Byron got his info on Amanda from her co-workers. I’m guessing he spoke with the lower level people – not the boss or the, ahem, hotshot agent. There’s no way he talked to Francine. 😆 So it’s very nice to know that the other folks at the Agency can see that Amanda does bring value to the Agency – even if none of the top three think it – or admit that they think it. Although I do think Billy does see value in Amanda, just that’s it’s very limited. And I think Lee is starting to come around to her value, but I think he still views her contributions mostly in terms of her doing what he tells her to do.
Does it bug anyone else that Jordan touches Amanda on the arm as they go into his office? He’s a little over the top if you ask me, especially since I know what’s coming. And the fact that he comes out and says that she is nice to be around? Eeew. Creep alert even though he is very nice and a cutie. I’m with you iwsod, he should have kept this to himself. Reminds me a bit of Mr. You’d Look Delicions in Blue – but much better looking and much less obviously creepy. I wish Amanda had shown a bit of an odd look on her face here instead of looking down. Makes me think she might think he’s pretty good looking and charming with good manners. Her type? Shudder.
I think you might be right on this being Lee’s living room!
Yes, I totally agree that she is really thinking about leaving Lee at the Agency with her remark about leaving ‘friends’. Guess those friends would be Lee and Scarecrow?
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“The Three men in various positions throughout this training area call out: Front Hall! Back Kitchen! …Exterior Porch!”
I don’t know why, but this reminds me of the Top Secret introduction scene…
Du Quois: “This is Chevalier, Montage, Detente, Avant Garde, and Deja Vu.”
Deja Vu: “Haven’t we met before monsieur?”
Nick Rivers: “I don’t think so.”
Du Quois: “Over there, Croissant, Souffle, Escargot, and Chocolate Mousse.”
Is that Billy’s jar of jelly beans on the desk? You know… the one from The First Time? Nah–never mind… Billy’s was taller.
Yes, the head duck is a signature Amanda thing… and not just when compliments are paid.
The only mitigating factor about seeing Sam Melville as both Glen Tucker and Joe King is that as Glen Tucker he’s mostly shouting and his distinctive voice sounds different… :p
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Hi Everyone!!!
Hey KC – that’s it!! I gotta see Top Secret!!! I just went and bought it online.. LOL!! ohh my goodness it looks so good. Don’t know why I didn’t order it earlier.. but apparently it will be here in five days 🙂 Can’t wait!! I love that Deja vu asks if they’ve met before tee hee!!
It’s been a busy day today.. hope you are all well!
I’ve been loving everyone’s comments on this poignant scene! You’ve all raised really great points!
Thanks for the lovely compliments Cindy and Morley – their expressions are very touching huh.. I swear BB is amazing here. And yeah! It’s all in their eyes or on their faces – that’s talent! 🙂
I’ll try and respond to specific comments tomorrow if I can-byeeee!
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The first time I saw this, I thought Byron was going to turn out to be the bad guy. And I thought his job interview with Amanda decidedly creepy, not too much better than the typewriter guy . . . As the episode progressed, I saw that he is supposed to be likeable, but I couldn’t get too enthusiastic.
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We are on the same wavelength happycamper0!
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And if Byron 1) calling her the same day they met to offer her the job, 2) doubling her salary and 3) handing her the key to her own office is his definition of ‘no pressure’ I’d hate to see him all intense-like,
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Lmao Cindy very true!
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Seriously, no pressure at all! Lol!
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Yeah, that line “YOUR window overlooks the Potomac” comes of exactly like a skilled sales pitch to me.
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Lots of good stuff in the comments from everyone. Amanda is such an enigma. Byron comes across as a pretty decent guy and he must have some sort of security clearance to be working with the Agency. There must be some trust there if they are allowing him to secure the mansion for this visiting president, especially if they know there is some sort of threat involved. So he is at least trustworthy. Quite a different interview than the one with the Honeycutt Typewriter guy.
Byron at least did some sort of homework to find out about Amanda and what type of employee she was. I wonder who specifically Byron spoke to. I agree that Amanda ultimately knew she needed to be practical. She has indicated several times how much she needs money so this is a great opportunity to get what she needs. Byron is making it hard to say no. She gets her own office with a view and has a nice title to go with it, along with a boss that is pretty easy on the eyes.
Seeing Sam Melville as the baddie was a bit jarring. I watched “The Rookies” when it first aired and loved his and KJ’s characters. They were a great married couple. It was hard watching him in this.
Checked out the guy who plays Byron in this. He was in a lot of 80s shows and ended up on “Little House on the Prairie” with the future wife of BB. Even read a LHOP reunion article in which BB was in attendance.
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Uggh, I’m a knitter but that big blousy cardigan has to go. Someone call the Fashion Police! And off on another tangent, am I the only person who is bugged that Amanda’s wears those shapeless circus tent skirts so often? Okay, I had a couple in my wardrobe in the 80’s but I would’ve thought that for her day to day agency work, slacks (trousers) would be so much more practical. KJ has a lovely willowy figure and can look good in pretty much anything but those skirts really test the limits.
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Well as a fan of “What not to Wear,” I think Amanda is often a what-not-to-wear victim, i.e. sweaters that swallow her, or wearing the same thing over and over and over. Yep even on a budget you can be more fashionable than that. And in the 80s pencil skirts were in style, and KJ has a fabulous figure (said with envy). I thought she looked her best in the style at the end of Our Man inT, belted jacket and slacks. Okay, I never said I wasn’t completely shallow. 8)
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I wore mostly pencil style skirts and tailored trousers in the 80’s so maybe that is influencing my take on her wardrobe choices. On the few occasions I wore the style of skirt Amanda is wearing here, I always felt a bit frumpy, and you definitely did not wear this sort of skirt on a windy day! If I found myself in as many “action” situations as Amanda does so regularly, the tailored trousers, top and tailored jacket would definitely be my go-to wardrobe. We know that Amanda is an accomplished sewer (although where she get the time to, I don’t know) and being on a budget she must make some of her own clothes. Maybe skirts are quicker and easier to make.
Of course, the cardigan and flowing skirt look is the perfect cover – she definitely doesn’t look like she’s in the spy business when she’s dressed like that. “Ha, ha – fooled you again baddies!” 😉
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whoooo Jule I love what not to wear! 😉
Go on kiwismh! Arrest Amanda if you must! 😉
I give the skirts and cardy’s a handwave because some other outfits are so much worse.. I don’t have high expectations of Amanda haaa…
I think if anyone can get away with these parachute skirts then it would be Amanda – because she is so tiny. they look better once she is actually allowed to show her waist in season 3 🙂
I think Morley will have something to say about this haaa right Morley? but.. the wardrobe could be seen as a demonstration of Amanda’s growth.. as her big cardy’s get put away and she shows a bit more of her lovely figure.. it’s like Amanda’s starting to sing that song ‘you make me feel.. like a natural woman!!!! hoo hoaaaaaaa!!’ teehee.. Oh lol pencil skirts in the spy bizz? could be deadly! tee heeee
I agree with Jule, the belted Jacket was lovely – probably because it showed her waist.. which we do start to see in season 3.
rofl true Shona.. dressing as a housewife has it’s advantages 😉 a great cover!!
I am just so happy the ugly clothes of ALSALS are not hanging around – give me the boring Amanda look anyday!
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Yes! I am so glad that the old Amanda wardrobe is back, pencil skirts and all. I actually like it when she wears skirts because it is a soft feminine and I think that is remarkable in her line of work, somehow Francine can’t pull that off.
I like the “you make me feel like a natural woman,” Amanda blossoms beautifully doesn’t she?
I do love that purple top she wears in Our Man, I think I will include that in a theory I have about some of Amanda’s clothes in the European episodes and add it to my story. If she came to Germany to do a quick drop she must not have many clothes with her huh? I wonder where that purple jacket came from? Someone has a nice idea of what looks good on Amanda…
Any way, not sure if making your own clothes is always more affordable. And I am intrigued by the way she does let her clothing accentuate her figure more, I think that begins even in VM doesn’t it? It is interesting to watch there styles change.
This purple sweater is just too big though isn’t it?
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I do remember clearly from the 1980’s that I thought Amanda King dressed a bit frumpy. I was at that highly impressionable age where I tended to take fashion clues from my favorite TV characters, but SMK seemed a bit old, maybe even outdated, to me.
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oh that’s good to know Paula. I was wondering how this all seems from an 80s perspective! I wasn’t old enough to be thinking of professional clothes in the 80s. I bet Amanda dresses very differently to Laura Holt! Do you think it is also related to Amanda being a mother??
I have an impression of Amanda that a date for her is really not a big deal. It doesn’t mean a whole lot to her – like with Bryce Topping- maybe it’s something, maybe it isn’t, you never know what will happen. I think when she is dating she just goes with the flow. But.. when it comes to a serious relationship and giving her heart I think she is super cautious.
Yeah Morley I was thinking of the Artful Dodger and his impeccable manners haaaa.. I figured one thing Amanda learned in that episode was appearances are deceiving and not to just go along with any random guy that asks her out that no one knows! Someone at the time (forgive me) mentioned Amanda has fabulous self-esteem when it comes to men wanting to date her. I thought that was a fabulous observation. Amanda is modest and demure, but she takes men finding her attractive in her stride. She seems to not read too much into a date you know? but this is just my impression and maybe I’m wrong. ??
Byron is different to the artless dodger because many of the people she knows and trusts know Byron – and vouch for him, that he is a good guy- we keep hearing this over and over! LOL!! So she has that reassurance at least.[and I think it is suppose to be true that he is a good guy]
Hey tell me what you all think of this! – but I’m thinking in the 80s this type of work behaviour from Byron wasn’t so scandalous.. Mr Honeycutt typewriters though was at a whole different level.. at least I think he was.
I’m thinking Amanda has no issue with Byron her boss ‘liking’ her – it doesn’t have to go anywhere.. maybe it will maybe it won’t..
I wondered if this was an 80s cultural difference -Raffie where are you?? I would love to hear your 80s perspective!!! Or anyone else? I’m thinking mixing work and dating was much more common and accepted in the 80s.. but I could be completely mistaken so please let me know your thoughts.
I know I am sure not okay with Byron-I don’t like him! 😉 But Amanda seems fine with him. She seems to me to feel like she can handle Byron being attracted to her no problem. Amanda is use to men finding her attractive IMHO ( Lee of course is a whole different story )
Is what I am saying making any sense at all? LOL!
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Yep, you make alotta sense Iwsod! As I remember it, back in the 80s there were not as clear lines, not much in the way of legislation re:sexual harassment, and it was not uncommon for a working woman to be hit on by a male employer. Culturally it was common, but beginning to be a lot less acceptable. Personally I would have found Byron’s interest too familiar, even from a seemingly nice man. I used to wonder if I was just too jumpy about my personal space per se, but never had the nerve to say anything. (Since this is PG, I won’t tell you what wished I might have said, but having learned to swear vociferously from my kids, you can guess. grins evilly ) I think if this wasn’t portrayed as happening so fast, I wouldn’t feel so icky about it. Byron just feels intrusive from the time he listens in on Lee and Amanda’s conversation.
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It might have been me that mentioned Amanda had fabulous self esteem when it came to male attention. And if it wasn’t, it should have been 🙂
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Phew!! glad I remembered to reply to this- Cindy: We Salute you!!!! 🙂 tee heee..
I did love that insight of yours! apologies for not realising you were it’s author! 🙂 I am busting to hear what you think of Byron!
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LIKE!!!!
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I like Byron. However I am not convinced his motives for hiring Amanda aren’t in some way being driven by his attraction for her. He knows she’s struggling financially and he gets to be the white knight coming along to save her by offering her a job. I am not suggesting he’s not sincere but offering her a job without so much as an interview, having only briefly met her at the agency…..it’s all a little too fast for my liking.
I do cringe a little at the comment about she’s nice to be around…..please Mr Jordan attempt to keep it professional!
I think Amanda is practical and the double in salary would mean the financial pressures would be eased. Friends at the agency? Personally I think she’s mainly referring to Lee 😉 I think at this point she’s seriously tempted. Here is a very charming man, who’s noticed her capabilities, offering her a well paid job with her own office. Contrast that to her speaking to Billy who walked off mid sentence, Francine who puts her down…..well on paper it seems like a no brainer.
I am curious as to what Tucker’s position is within the company. He is Bryons partner but isn’t mentioned in the company name, nor does he seem to have any say in the hiring of Amanda. Doesn’t suggest an equal partner to me at any rate. Maybe that’s why he resorting to a life of crime lmao
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Jenbo, when I read what you wrote in the first paragraph it made me think about the effects of a comparison between Byron and Lee. If Byron is the opposite of Lee in terms of how readily the one compliments and acknowledges Amanda’s positive qualities and how unreadily Lee does, it may actually show Amanda that when Lee does say something nice it is that much more meaningful, and as much as she may like having someone willingly and easily compliment her it may not be as significant as coming from one who does not do it so easily. I think Amanda knows this already. But I think she may learn to know it at a deeper level. Of course she never gets the time to really think about the comparison though.
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Good point!
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Ah yes Lee’s compliments are rarer than hens teeth and therefore all the more valuable for having 😉 Byron could be seen a being a little too glib maybe?
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Oh I agree Jenbo.. totally Byron is being ummm ‘strategic’ in his hiring of Amanda!!!
gah.. I’ll hold off saying more on this or I’ll just be repeating myself when we get to the ‘business’ dinner 😉
We get a line from Byron later telling Tucker that just because he bank rolls the company doesn’t mean he can be told the codes.. ahem.. well Byron’s line gets cut off.. eek.. but basically Tucker is the $$ behind the company- they are business partners, Byron runs the show, and Tucker provided the start up $$ – at least that is my understanding. hope that helps.
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Ah that explains Tucker thanks IWSOD.
I admit I have held back commenting about Byron in that regard as I know what’s coming LOL no point repeating myself like you say 😉
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I agree with what you say here, Jenbo, especially the part about Byron’s motives for hiring Amanda. Maybe Amanda’s creep radar isn’t up because of what Valerie said about him being trustworthy because he works with the Agency.
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I think they wrote Byron’s character to be kind of the opposite of Lee’s at ;east in how they relate to Amanda. Here is a man who is attentive, complimentary, gracious and openly appreciative of Amanda’s qualities. Amanda hasn’t experienced that in a while, I think. She is reluctant to take this job offer and she says why. It is because of her friendships at the Agency. Who are those “friends” Billy? maybe, Francine, um not yet. Lee? I think that is what she is talking about. But then he Byron gives her what she needs money wise and I think it becomes a no brainer because she is first and foremost practical. Plus she will still be working with the Agency at times.
I wonder, too, if in Amanda’s practical mind she knows this would be the true test of her friendship with Lee. Does it exist now simply because they work together regularly, or can it be continued outside of the work arena? I am not sure she knows the answer to that, but I think in her practicality she is ok with finding out. She will be ok either way, and maybe it will be a good thing to just know and adjust. Working for Byron wouldn’t be so bad, maybe getting to know another man wouldn’t be so bad either. Widen your horizons a bit? I think she is keeping herself open to possibilities. She has gotten stronger in her perception of herself, so spreading her wings probably feels pretty good. The only thing that would create a question for her is what Lee will do with their relationship if she isn’t still at the Agency, and I think she even voices that here in her conversation with Byron.
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Yes, I think your comments are spot on here Morley. Amanda is being practical and she doesn’t see this move as the end of her association with Lee.
She appears flattered by Byron’s comments and attention but I think her big smiles and politeness are just Amanda’s natural outward reaction to anyone who is being kind and polite to her. Once again we see Amanda doing a good job of concealing much of what she must be thinking. Everything is happening very quickly, internally she must be reeling, and she knows she needs time to go away and properly consider all the implications of Byron’s sudden and unexpected job offer.
She knows Byron’s appreciation of her professional skills is genuine, but she also recognises that he already likes her on a personal level. Your comments Morley about her being open to widening her horizons and keeping herself open to the possibilities ring true, especially at this point when she believes her deeper feelings for Lee will never be reciprocated. But right now I see her sole priority and motivation is surviving (financially). Maybe she’s even a little discomforted by his other motivations expressed so early in their association, but in true Amanda style she covers it well.
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Hi Shona! I enjoyed hearing your thoughts! Glad you computer is behaving again!!
We see Amanda differently here Shona- I think 🙂 I don’t see Amanda as smiling and being polite. Other times (say with Francine) she smiles and you just know she is seething or in her head knocking Francine’s nose job 😉 but here? Well there is no right or wrong answer – but I’ll just say for me I don’t see any indication that she is doing anything other than enjoying Byron’s offer and his company.
Maybe a little overwhelmed/surprised at how amazing this opportunity is -but not in a suspicious way, in a full of opportunity and amazement way..
I’m not seeing any discomfort with Byron’s motivations here in Amanda – though I myself would be totally suspicious! LOL!
What does everyone else think?
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Amanda does trust people to a fault at times (Artful Dodger)….maybe she would be safer with someone like, um, Lee at her side? She just doesn’t always see through other’s motives and she just takes them at face value. Maybe she also is a bit naïve about the ways of the single, dating world. She was married right out of college… I don’t know, she kind of reminds me of myself sometimes.
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Hmmm! As usual Morley – interesting!!! Cindy mentioned earlier a comparison between Lee and Byron.. there seems to be something in it! 🙂
I have finished writing the posts for this episode, so I can say there is a point where I have compared some difference between Byron and Lee.. so I’ll be interested to hear what you think when we get there!
yeah.. ‘friends’ I took as being Lee Lee Leee and.. Billy! 😉 Amanda would be thinking of Billy- I am reminded of her saying in A Class Act that she hoped to do well at Dodge City because she didn’t want to let Mr Melrose down – she’s always been grateful to have had Billy’s support.
This whole situation does create a test doesn’t it? though I don’t see Amanda as acting to test her relationship with Lee- it just winds up doing that anyway 🙂 Funny you should raise this Morley – as this relates to my observation about a major difference between Byron and Lee. eek.. Must.. not.. jump.. ahead! 🙂 so hard!
I am totally on board with Amanda wanting to widen her horizons – for herself and for her family 🙂
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I don’t think she created the test, or proceeded with the job as a test, but I do think she is aware that it will be a test, especially in a scene yet to come…
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I like what you say here, Morley. Amanda is a very practical person and she obviously needs the money based on the opening scene of this episode. Doubling her salary, being able to work with someone who truly appreciates her and still being able to see the Agency friends are all pros. The only real cons are leaving her close working relationship with Lee and leaving her job as the civilian partner to one of the top agents – a pretty glamorous job even if no one else can know about it.
At this point Amanda truly cares for Lee and loves him as a friend but the practicalities of her life right now take over in terms of importance. I think she hopes her friendship with Lee will continue through her Agency projects, but I see her putting herself and her career ahead of her relationship with Lee at this point. “She has gotten stronger in her perception of herself, so spreading her wings probably feels pretty good.” Well put! And I think she doesn’t see Lee as a potential future husband/step-father at this point, so she has to do what she needs to do to provide for herself and her family.
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Yes, I think Byron is supposed to come across as a really nice guy, someone it would be easy for Amanda to work with, someone who would not hesitate to acknowledge her contribution. It isn’t so much that the Agency doesn’t appreciate her contribution, it’s just that it is an organisation that doesn’t run on the “warm fuzzies” – you have to be disciplined enough just to do the job and do it well without needing a pat on the back or team hug every 5 minutes.
However, Byron is also a bit of a smooth businessman. I have no doubt he genuinely likes Amanda (that is kind’ve obvious), but he is also in business mode here. He has picked up enough to know that the work she does at the agency is important to her, and of course the people she works with there too (and Amanda confirms this again in this dialog). He knows he will take a lot to convince her to leave even though times are tough for her financially.
I don’t think she seriously considers his offer until he offers her double the pay, then reality and common-sense kick in for Amanda. She can’t make ends meet at the agency, no matter how much she loves the work and the people there (and one in particular), the reality is it just doesn’t make sense to constantly live on the edge financially and not be able to provide for her family, when there is an opportunity to do so much better. There are just too many advantages to turn it down – the money, the chance to have more responsibility and to work for someone who is in many ways a lot more user friendly than her agency bosses. She would still be working alongside the agency on a regular basis and no doubt would still have the opportunity to continue her association with Lee both professionally and as a friend (although much more limited as they wouldn’t be working together every day).But even with all those advantages, it is still not going to be an easy decision for her. These is where I think we miss out a bit on seeing the difficulty Amanda would have made making the decision as the action quickly rushes on after this.
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All sounds good to me!
I think Amanda was already beginning to ponder her job from the start of her money issues – it’s probably been bubbling away in the background for a while..the possibility she may need to leave has always been an option, one she doesn’t want, but she may have been aware that it was always an option.
Also, regarding Shona’s comment:
Let’s see how this pans out for you kiwismh- there is more to play out here for Amanda in the coming scenes that will speak to how Amanda has found this difficult. If you feel the same way-I’ll respond to you then 🙂
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