I’m so happy to have reached this tag!!! 
One of the best and most significant so far! Here we go…. We find Lee and Amanda in Billy’s office sorting out folders together.
Hmm why are they not doing this in the Q bureau?? Once again it seems the Q bureau is a bit in no man’s land in this episode! oh well.. I’ll take this tag however I can get it!
A bit random that they are sorting files.. but.. I will guess this is all thanks to Congresswoman Faber’s very personal audit – now the case is finished, Amanda can help Lee- even if it’s just sorting out the folders 
I hope you don’t mind.. I can’t pretend I don’t know what Lee is up to here.. as I have seen this before and would hardly forget this tag! 😉
Amanda passes Lee a folder, they are busy working on this task together [Amanda has no clue what’s coming ]
Lee: Thank you
Amanda: Uh-huh.
Lee: Uh oh. (Lee stops short when he sees a file)
Amanda: hmm?
Lee: Here’s one case I’m glad I didn’t have to explain to Congresswoman Faber…
(Amanda notices which file it is.. and doesn’t like where Lee is headed here!)
– Alan Chamberlain.
(Lee doesn’t seem to meet Amanda’s eyes here..he only does so very briefly! He’s avoiding looking at her too much.. so he can see this plan of his through! I think he is totally calculated here! LOL!!)
Amanda: Why? You said it went perfectly.
Lee: It worked out pretty well. But the technique – pure improvisation.
[that’s what Amanda is so good at! Improvisation!]
Amanda: Leeee! You said it was a textbook case.
[Amanda did a good job, and is taking exception to Lee’s picking!]
Lee: It was all hinged on an accident, Amanda. 
[Just like how Lee met Amanda Maybe Lee has had enough of leaving the important things in life to chance huh??!!!]
(Amanda lets out a big sigh here.. ugh! and wordlessly starts shaking her head disapproving of Lee as he continues.)
…Now a professional, trained agent plans every detail, every nuance… [Which is exactly what Lee has done here with this conversation and where it’s headed!!!]
…The word “accident” does not enter into his vocabulary. (His??!!)
Amanda: Well, heaven forbid one tiny compliment should escape your lips.
(Lee has a sudden fascination with staking the folders just oh so perfectly.. ahem..)
[whoo hooo! go Amanda! she’s so much more assertive now! too right Amanda! you shouldn’t put up with that! Hey Learjet – this plays into your comment for post 13 about Amanda’s love language being words of affirmation!!! she’s certainly noticing their absence here!]
Lee smiles and tries to cover it I think..
Lee: I was just trying to point out…
…– it takes technique.
Amanda: Ahh.
[I think that’s an ‘I’m not buying it response!]
Lee: Look. For instance,… (Lee moves over to the couch and sits himself down as Amanda stands) …uh I’m sitting right here on this park bench. Now –
[Lee does a great job of keeping this casual – Amanda can’t see where Lee is headed!]
(Amanda nods listening intently.)
… your assignment…
(Amanda starts freaking out here a little-What’s he gonna make me do?! assignment??!!) …is to make…
(we cut back to Lee here.. makin it casual )
…a casual and natural contact, establish a relationship with me…
[Lee acts quite professional here.. and then he begins to become playful!]
… and then get me to ask you to the Kennedy tonight…
…for a Verdi festival.
[Verdi festival. I guess this is la Traviata which Murray!!!! Murray!!! wanted tickets for.. in post 4.]
lol love Amanda’s reaction! well that’s ridiculous!!
Amanda: How am I supposed to do that?
In response, Lee licks his lips
–hooo haaaa- 
he gives her a quick look up and down and responds-
Lee: Look, you sit…
…and I’ll show you.
Lee begins to get up as he responds here – and gives Amanda a wink!!!
[I tell ya what.. this one was a hard one to get a clear pic of- he’s moving!!]
I think he’s trying so hard to not give away himself here!! it’s very cute!!
[Once you’ve shown her Lee can I have my turn?!!]
Amanda slams down the folders, annoyed at Lee’s behaviour here.. and maybe feeling a little bit uncomfortable at what this spy lesson could involve- now she’s realised she has real feelings for Lee and needs to deal with her strong attraction to him- this kind of play acting would be much harder!! and more scary!
Lee just watches her grinning.. and trying to not to laugh.. oh so cute!
[and okay everyone why is Amanda wearing jeans?? when at IFF working??!!! casual Friday?!]
Amanda lets out a loud huff as she sits on the couch. She’s not happy!
She gives Lee a pointed Look – this is dumb! you’re being dumb!
Lee is trying hard not to laugh now! [nervous and excited maybe?!]
He seems to take a deep breath here as he launches into this part of his plan Go on Lee! You can do it!!
Lee: Hey toots!
(Lee starts approaching the couch)
Amanda immediately screws up her face in response.
haaa she’s not being gentle with Lee here at all! haaaa..
Oh Amanda.. this filing has been traumatic. Let’s have a cappuccino together to collect ourselves?
Amanda: UUUGGGHHH!!!
and yet, he is smiling the whole time.. IMHO confident that in the end she’ll love where he’s headed
Just love the huge smile on Lee’s face as he walks off camera there.. head bowed about to sit on the couch. too swoony by far!
I think Lee knows it’s a terrible pick up line and he’s being awful on purpose maybe he’s thinking that’s the line Alan used! (close!)
Lee: How’re you doing? [So that’s where Joey on Friends stole it from!]
Amanda: Ughhhhh!!!
Lee (still grinning!) sits and puts his arm around Amanda behind her on the sofa..
she crosses her leg away from Lee and angles herself away from him.
Lee: Heard any good opera lately?
Amanda: No, I can’t say that I have.
Lee: Well, what do you say we ahh hit the Kennedy later for a little Verdi?
[Here Lee touches Amanda’s arm.. being a bit of an oaf – again IMHO on purpose.. he is totally teasing her and she has nooo idea!! ]
Amanda: Sorry I’m busy!
[Amanda makes a show of shoving his hand away.. is it just me or is Amanda (or KJ?) trying not to laugh as she does this?? thoughts?]
Lee: Ooh, Gee, that’s…that’s too bad…
(Lee whips out the tickets from his inside pocket. LOL seems BB had some trouble getting them out )
Lee holds the tickets out in front of him so Amanda can see them when she turns to look.
…These were for tonight. Hmmm.
Amanda turns back to Lee to rebuff him but is stopped short when she sees the tickets. 
She seemed to think they were imaginary 
Amanda turns her body around back to Lee, and starts to uncross her legs. She’s no longer closed off from play acting annoying Lee!
Amanda: Are those real?
Suddenly Lee is no longer smiling or stifling a laugh.
Lee’s serious as he asks: About 8?
Amanda doesn’t hesitate and states flatly: Love to.
Lee: See how easy that was?!
The both of them laugh. Amanda laughs very heartily here!!
and then Lee joins in smiling broadly – I think Amanda is delighted by how Lee has gotten her a good one here! Gotcha Amanda!!!
I think when Lee says see how easy that was- it’s partly to himself!
I love that Lee had them in his pocket the whole time, and planned the whole thing!
Does anyone know the music of La Traviata? I’m wondering if we get a few strains of it at the end there- combined with the smk theme..
The question Amanda asks when she sees them is very appropriate ‘are those real’? I think it is a hint at one of the themes of this episode – what’s real.. what’s fantasy.. and I think this episode has revealed to both Lee and Amanda that their relationship is a real friendship, but it’s also got some real heat goin on!!!! And there’s a possibility here of this becoming a romance! is it real?? Is the romance real? Well it’s more real between Lee and Amanda than Amanda’s fantasy with Alan. [Thus Alan and Amanda’s relationship was a ‘lovely little fantasy’ and I think ‘A Lovely little Affair’ refers to the start of Lee and Amanda’s romantic stage ]
Their relationship is also more real than what Lee had with all the names in his black books – and with Leslie (the replacement Amanda).
I think this tag marks a turning point for both of them – I haven’t seen the episodes that are ahead so forgive me if I change my mind.. but I’m thinking this is the point where Lee and Amanda start dating. This La Traviata is a date – it’s flirty.. they are exploring a romantic relationship.. that is now a possibility – so I’d say it’s a date. However! I also tend to think – and have done for years that at this point- neither is calling it a date.. They are from now on dating.. but they are not calling it dating! They both know that is what they are doing.. but neither is ready to name it. At least that’s what I’ve thought for years. Looking forward to seeing if how I see things the same way.
So here was Lee’s way of taking that next step, without really having to completely put himself out there – he thought ahead and bought the tickets (probably when getting the tickets for Murray – though I’m guessing he made sure they weren’t seated together ) he approached it in a fun, light way..full of irony!! As he taught Amanda the ‘technique’ he really was trying to establish a relationship Clever man!! and I think Amanda enjoys that!!
They can take things very slow, they don’t have to call it a date and admit they are dating yet –it’s unspoken! I think they both have a need to take this slow and see how things go!!!
I could go on for ages about where they are both at and everything that has led up to this moment… but I might finish up and leave it to you fine people to explore.. and I’ll reply in comments..
Do you think they are in love now? I’m thinking Lee is more so than Amanda, as I’ve said in the past – but I hesitate to say Amanda is completely in love when she can’t yet know for sure that Lee is ready for the kind of relationship she needs.. Hmm.. not sure! Does it make sense to say all the ingredients are now there?? for Love to fully blossom?? Now they just need some sunlight, water and time? tee hee..
Can I say they are both in love but neither is fully madly in love?? Does that make sense? Certainly, it is too early for either to acknowledge their feelings to the other (and maybe a little bit to themselves)?
Thoughts? Hoping someone can put my thoughts into words.. I’m not sure how to express it!
Soooo we have another reference to La Traviata! And in Wizard we had the flowers labelled from ‘Verdi’ – someone in the writing staff has given up Bob Dylan and discovered Verdi!
I had a look around to explore the plot of La Traviata.. I wondered if it was relevant to the plot here.. while I could find some connections- it didn’t really strike me as a deliberate statement. Though, I did find it interesting to discover that the movie Amanda mentions in Over the Limit- ‘Camille’ – is the film version of La Traviata.. where yep.. in the end.. she dies of Tuberculosis.. So I found it interesting that in all 3 episodes there was this connection. Culminating here in Lee asking Amanda to that Opera!
Well.. what a wonderful journey! I hope you’ve all enjoyed it!!! [Even if you do like the chin!! -hope I wasn’t too hard on him! ]
I can’t wait to hear what you all think!!
Next up I’ll do up a post next where we can discuss the order of the first five episodes of season 3 if we want to – now that we’ve covered them all. (so please hold off on ep order comments until the next post! thanks! )
Whooo hoooo!!! We are now about to walk into some very romantic, interesting times in this story!!!
"Just walk with me.." 
“Well well well, looks like the little lady didn’t feel like cooking again tonight”…too funny.
I could probably watch the beginning of this ep, fast forward through the rest of it then settle in for the tag….the tags are what I wait for after each ep and this one is one of the best. I love the playful interchange between Lee and Amanda….he has that playful cocky attitude and she pretends to be insulted by it all…..and all the while the affection they have for each other is oozing through, as they continue on with the play acting.
LOVE..LOVE..LOVE THIS TAG
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Yep–I love this tag, too! (But, really, does anyone not?!?)
Lee is so sweet with his flirting and setup here… he engineers a situation/premise that shouldn’t be uncomfortable or pressuring–just a really caring way to go about something that had the potential to be awkward when neither of them is ready to admit to it being a romantic date…
It’s obviously Lee asking, not Scarecrow; Scarecrow simply melts away now when it’s just L & A and they’re not “on the job” and it’s not an uncomfortable situation. squee
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I want to just add my thoughts about it being Lee not Scarecrow in the tag (which I agree with). I see Lee as 3 people:
1. Scarecrow
2. Outer Lee
3. Inner Lee
I think we are still seeing the “Outer Lee” in this tag – he’s shown the “inner Lee” at times e.g. in Burnout in places and in the cafe scene in Wizard – but here, he’s still the flirtatious Lee, rather than the overtly vulnerable version. And he’s cute, endearing and fun, but not as wonderful as the “Inner Lee”
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Oh gosh, yes. The “inner Lee”, as you put it learjet, is the one we have all fallen in love with, IMO. “Outer Lee” is charming and attentive, but he is no match for “inner Lee”. I think that is why S4 is my favorite. I won’t say more because we aren’t there yet, but you might be able to read my mind a little.
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Yep. Agree with you. 🙂 But any time it’s Lee, not Scarecrow, is great… “Outer Lee” is just not quite as great as “Inner Lee”. 😉
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KC wrote: “Outer Lee” is just not quite as great as “Inner Lee”. 😉
hey!! Outer Lee is mighty fine!!! 😉 I think it’s right up there with inner Lee 😉 tee hee.. a handsome man – both inside and out 😉
LOL I know that wasn’t what you guys were meaning by “outer Lee” but I couldn’t resist!! 🙂
At this point in the story – Lee is the whole package!!! 🙂 hoo haa
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😛 😀
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Love this tag soooooo much. Adore how Lee had a game plan all along which was of course the point he was making. It’s so lovely to see them comfortable in going to the opera for a non-date date although if it weren’t for the presence of Lee I think I would rather stick pins in my eyes. Uncultured? moi? 😉
Loving all your comments, haven’t got many to add. Time poor at the moment, add to which we are off on our jollies (aka jolly holidays ;)) tomorrow. Catch up with you all when I get back 🙂
[fixed typo- sorry it took a few days to get to it Jenbo!]
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Like everyone else, I love this TAG. I kind of see Amanda flirting a bit with Lee in the beginning when he stops by her place, and now Lee is flirting with her. He asks her out in a kidding way to take the pressure off. He wouldn’t be able to take rejection from Amanda at this point. They are both nervous because neither one knows where the other one is at, so Lee doesn’t want to seem too serious, in case Amanda doesn’t feel the same way, but he does want to move things along in their relationship. Lee knows that this is different and he’s got to take his time with Amanda and not push, but he also doesn’t want to mess things up either. It’s interesting to see the confident agent not so confident. I agree that this is a date. It’s not just having dinner.
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I don’t really have any opinion on what makes something a date or not a date — so everybody’s rationale sounds good to me — but this has something a bit more to it than getting together for dinner. A few episodes ago I think I uncovered a bit of Agency office culture, where dinner is appropriate between co-workers as a thank-you, a payback, an apology, and maybe a way to decompress with someone else who understands the life you live. But this is different, probably not something they would do just as co-workers, and I think they both know that.
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Hmmm, I think I agree with you, happycamper, except I’m not sure that they realize this is different until they are getting ready and realizing what the night ahead will or will not entail. They’ve gone out to fancy functions all glammed up before, but not ever completely outside the context of work. I can imagine them both being excited about the night ahead until they are thinking about what to wear and how they look and then there might be a few small knots forming in their little tummies….
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So sweet! I think they are in love (butterflys and everything….) teasing each other and feel comfortable together. Something they can feel but nothing that had to be named yet.
Like it!
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Like what you say here Claudia!
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I love this tag too. This is one of the reasons that I believe that the dinner after OTL isn’t the only dinner they’ve had together since then and that that dinner wasn’t just two colleagues sharing meat. I think Lee knows it’s a big step. It’s the opera – that’s a pretty ‘date-like’ thing to attend which is part of why he did it in a fun and jovial way – to take the pressure off both of them and so it wouldn’t seem to serious. But on the other hand I think he had to have at least some feeling that she’d say yes and it would be ok for their relationship or he wouldn’t have asked her in the first place… which is why I think there have been additional dinners.
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I agree – going to the opera together is very “date”-like – quite a grand gesture really. I’m thinking of the movie Moonstruck which was out in 1987 and what that trip to the opera meant.
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Moonstruck is an awesome movie!
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Yes, it’s high on my bad-day-and-need-a-comfort-movie list. And Cher’s hair makes Amanda’s look small
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Oh Moonstruck – One of my all time favorit movies. And Cher and Nicolas Cage also went to see Verdi’s La Traviata. Very romantic!
Oh you fanfic writers, I would love to read a story about this evening !!!
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Good catch MarA! Now you mention it, I remember the long tuberculosis death on stage when Cher starts crying silently – so romantic! Thank goodness SMK went with the more upbeat overture. I bet Amanda would have looked great in a red dress like that. I second the call to those fanfic writers…
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Yes, I remember that scene! And then Nicolas Cage is reaching out for her hand, because he sees, that she starts crying …..
There should definitely be a fanfic !!! 🙂
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Didn’t they go see La Bohe’me by Puccini?
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Valerie, you are right! Shame on me, but there are just too many tuberculosis cases in all These operas, so they can be mixed up easily 🙂
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But in Pretty Woman they did see La Traviata…there was an emotional reaction in there too by Julia Roberts character. Emotional…romantic…filled with angst…maybe these guys (and Lee) know what they’re doing by going to the opera.
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Maybe Lee inspired Nicolas Cage and Richard Gere 🙂
Alan’s poetry line would not work on me, but an invitation to the opera would totally sell me on a man
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One thing that occurred to me…. how did Lee know Amanda liked opera? Did I miss them mentioning that somewhere in the past? Does she like opera? I am sure she would say yes even if she thought opera was torture but I’m curious if this is something she mentioned at some point and he filed away for later. sigh
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I think it goes without saying that whether you like opera or not you don’t pass up the opportunity to spend the evening with Lee Stetson and Pavarotti. 😉
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I’ll stick with not passing up the opportunity to spend the evening with Lee Stetson. Had he taken me to see Pava-who, I’m sure I’d have only been thinking about Lee and not paying attention to anything else!
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Err, umm, I’ll pass on both the poetry and the opera…think I’d rather roll in poison ivy…give me the sad, gut-wrenching struggle of Sarah Connor along with some Ahnold in a Terminator movie or the heart-pounding, exhilirating thrill of a last minute win in almost any sporting event and I’m sold. But I’m not completely without an appreciation for culture…an offer of a tour of an old city’s buildings and unique architecture or museums and I’d really be sold….
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I’ll email Alan and ask him to take you on an “Architectural gems of Rome” tour , BJo
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Yep, I would prefer a Leslie Nielsen movie but would suffer through an opera if I got to sit next to Lee Stetson.
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I could sit and watch grass grow if I got to sit next to Lee Stetson.. too bad he isn’t real.. and for me BB just doesn’t cut it! (no offense BB love the character you’ve created 😉 )
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Sounds like we need to bring out KC’s pic of the little penguins swimming in icy water for you this morning, Iwsod 🙂
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Yup! first thing in the morning? and I’m currently not drinking coffee?! that’s about as deep as I get! 😛
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“A professional, trained agent plans every . . . “
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Don’t shoo me, I have worked hard and am taking a break….
When does everyone think Lee decided to get those tickets? I kind of think he did it after they wrapped up the case. Not because he was reacting to Amanda’s goodbye kiss with Alan, but because he couldn’t deny any longer what exists between them after that late night bedroom rendezvous, and he had no opportunity to get them any sooner. Maybe he had the plan tumbling around inside of his brain that morning and that was why he was so gracious about letting Alan and Amanda have that moment. Maybe the opera idea was front and center because of the tickets mention by Murray Murray?
I think what happened that night between them was enough to motivate him to ask her,. His uncertainty about how she would respond and whether or not he could be the man was enough for him to present the invite in the context of their work relationship.
Ok, I have to get my fill in before I leave civilization… 😉
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I think Murray’s request spurred the idea of getting the tickets and actually that makes it even more of a ‘date-like’ evening. You can go to the Kennedy Center and see something that is pretty casual. You can even go to the opera and have it be casual… but seeing Pavarotti at the Kennedy???? That’s big time romantic date – and black tie (or at least very formal). You can’t just write that off as a co-worker outing or even something you do with just a friend. I think they both know it – but they aren’t admitting it or naming it yet.
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I’m with everyone else in loving this tag. I had to spend some time just scrolling up and down to see the wonderfulness that is Lee. He is just so adorable and cute here. I did have one little quibble. I don’t know if it was a Lee issue or a writer issue or Lee just being Lee. It’s the bit about how a trained agent doesn’t have accident in his vocabulary. That’s pretty interesting since Lee used it with Mitch Larner in Spiderweb to indicate how Amanda came to be at the Agency.
Amanda eased Lee’s brief foray into jealousy earlier in the episode when she indicated that Alan was as dull as a stick. She now doesn’t hem and haw when she finds out the tickets are real. She immediately accepts which would go a long way into helping Lee feel comfortable about asking her out again. I do think this is a real first for them. It’s seems to be more of an official thing. Going to the opera is a pretty big deal. It’s interesting to think of all the plotting and planning he must have done to get this to work out this way. This is a big step.
I don’t see them as having been dating since OTL. I think they have been out as friends and that friendship has deepened. I do see this as a beginning, but I have a reason that I still don’t think they are dating as yet, but I still have to hold off on why.
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Yes to all your comments, Valerie! And Amanda doesn’t just accept, she says she would LOVE to! That is enthusiasm!
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Shoo, Morley, shoo!! Don’t want your family to attack you!
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😀 I can’t help it
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Me too. So hard not to jump ahead. 🙂
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One of my favorite tags!!! I love that Lee has this all planned out, is a tease, and is a little nervous too. IMHO his line, “see how easy that was,” is himself referring to asking her on a date.
I think in the script Dotty and Amanda’s watching a movie, “An Affair to Remember”, and Dotty says something about needing more men like that. And Amanda replies that there are a few and they go back forth and Amanda mentions a guy who can fix the garbage disposal and has his own hair. Dotty replies, “Honey if it is the right man it won’t matter if it is his hair or someone else’s. Then when Lee delivers the pizza she asks him if he can fix garbage disposals. Then in the tag he tells her that he can fix garbage disposals.
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I do like flirty Lee, almost as much as bashful Lee. 😉 I gotta admit that I do enjoy that smile. It just makes you feel like smiling back at the TV.
I do think KJ is having a hard time not laughing in this scene. Wonder how many takes this whole scene took? I bet it was more than one or two.
I am one of those who feels Amanda and Lee have had a couple of casual dates to this point. Lee now is ready to take that a step further. I don’t think either of them are calling them dates, but I do think Lee has admitted to himself that he is interested in a deeper, special relationship with Amanda and is now actively pursuing that. Amanda is intrigued and excited, but still holding back a bit. She’s noticed the changes, though, and is approaching this “new Lee” with caution.
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Yes, I agree, Iwsod, this is the beginning of something for real. But what I notice is that it is still in the context of their work relationship. Lee uses the cover of mentor agent to trainee agent to ask her out. And the irony is great. Everything hinged on an accident, on an emergency. Didn’t he use that word to describe Amanda once? But here, that professional, trained agent has planned every detail, every nuance…and is taking his emergency to the opera. Wasn’t that easy, Lee?
I do love the wqay Amanda gives him a hard time, but I love the way she is also so comfortable in their friendship and working relationship that she can call him on the carpet about his inability to compliment her, except that she is still operating in what she thinks is the context of their relationship and Lee has turned the corner. She will figure it all out soon.
And, yes, I do think they are both in love. I do not think, however, that either of them would admit that to themselves yet. I think that Lee is further along in being able to confess it to himself than Amanda is. The way I picture it in my mind right now is like a silo or feed container, the kind that you fill the storage part up and the openings are on the bottom. The contents of the container will only flow when the doors at the bottom are open, then everything that has been stored will just pour out. I think Lee and Amanda have been building and storing a great supply of love for each other since the first met and now Lee is getting ready to open those doors. I think he is going to need a bit more before he can do it fully, but I think he is becoming aware of how much is in there, maybe even that awareness is scary enough to hold him back a bit?
I think Amanda on the other hand has always been aware of the potential of her feelings,or she has been for a while. But that very awareness has kept those doors locked tight. She is going to need some more real concrete information before she is ready.
I also think that Lee may be further along dealing with his demons than Amanda. He has dealt with the betrayal from Eva, his broken relationship with the Colonel and now even Dorothy’s death and his past relationship history with women. Amanda still has some of her painful history to work through, I think, before she can let herself fall into a serious permanent relationship. We shall see what happens, huh? But we are definitely at the beginning of a very wonderful romantic place in the story. Bring it on!
Unfortunately, I won’t be around for the episode order discussion. I will be in the wilderness for a week. But I guess I made enough noise about my opinion while we were walking, so I guess my thoughts have already been well represented. I also put them all down in the Ned’s thread if anyone wants to remember why I chose the order I did. Have fun with that discussion, I’ll weigh in when I get back. So glad I get to leave Lee and Amanda here in this lovely place.
I wonder what dress Amanda wore to the opera? Do you think it was the black one with the spaghetti straps and the pearl buttons? Or would that be too much of an in your face response to Lee. If she did, I bet he would have known exactly what he thought about her choice… Fun to think about. 😀
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Like what you have written here Morley, and Debilyn’s comments too. I think Amanda does realise how she feels about Lee but is keeping a lid on it because she’s a little scared of those feelings (having had one failed serious relationship and also her recent disappointing flirtation with Alan, I think she is wary of letting her feelings lead her thoughts and actions) and because she is not sure that Lee has the same feelings, although she knows they share a particularly special friendship.
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Have fun, morley — where are you going?
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Hey happycamper, I’m going camping!
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The way I picture it in my mind right now is like a silo or feed container, the kind that you fill the storage part up and the openings are on the bottom. The contents of the container will only flow when the doors at the bottom are open, then everything that has been stored will just pour out. I think Lee and Amanda have been building and storing a great supply of love for each other since the first met and now Lee is getting ready to open those doors.
Morley, I love the way you articulate things between Lee and Amanda, and am totally with you in this synopsis.
Also, on this last watch of this episode, I too found the comment of Lee’s hilarious when he comments: It was all hinged on an accident, Amanda. Now a professional, trained agent plans every detail, every nuance. The word “accident” does not enter into his vocabulary.
No kidding, Lee? Like handing a housewife who’s wearing a nightgown in the middle of a train station a box to give to a man in a red hat on a train? Good thinking. 🤣😁😉
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Bad wordpress just ate my comment 😦 I’ll try again!
I forgot to add something..
Amanda’s gotcha moment at the start of the episode
(You paid too much!)
is bookended beautifully here at the end with Lee’s gotcha moment in the tag
(See how easy that was?)
Nice touch smk!
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With the aid of my opera-guru mum, I’ve established that the bit of music entwined with the SMK theme is part of the overture from La Traviata
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Hey Learjet that’s awesome!! thanks for finding that out! SMK has some lovely touches with it’s music that for years went over my head until smk fan Karen Rudolph joined the fandom and opened my eyes to some amazing little touches…now I know how much effort the music team put into it – I half suspect they’ve gone and done something wonderful like this- sooo glad to know that this is confirmed!!! Kudos smk music people!! [miss you Karen Rudolph if you are reading!!!]
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I have bravely re-watched the tag few times to ensure an informed comment on my part 🙂 Thanks Iwsod for providing those detailed Lee-caps. Love this tag.
One thing that struck me was Amanda’s comment: “Well, heaven forbid one tiny compliment should escape your lips.” To go with the words of affirmation theme, she is essentially asking about what she needs to feel loved (and isn’t getting). I think it’s interesting that she does this – personally, I don’t know if I have any friends I would say that too – I would just grit my teeth and feel put out, I would only bring it up with close family. I think the fact that she feels free to say this shows how close she feels to him.
If Lee had called me “Toots” , I would have been tempted to damage his beautiful face. Good thing he said it to Amanda, not me!
I think this the most extended bit of flirting we have seen on Lee’s part – the kissing the hand through the cardigan tag comes to mind, but that was momentary. Wizard’s roses felt more like an affirmation of care and friendship than flirting or a hint of something to come. This is pretty full on flirting. But at this stage, Lee only feels safe expressing his romantic interest in Amanda by flirting, which in a sense is a bit of an act; a cute act but not the true deep-down Lee. I see Lee as in the process of falling in love here; Amanda is definitely interested – a revival of the attraction of season one but deeper and more mature – but she is holding herself back from feeling too much.
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Yeah!!! your comments on words of affirmation was perfect for that moment 🙂
I agree this is the most extended bit of flirting we’ve seen on Lee – I agree with all your thoughts Learjet!
Lee’s gotta play it light.. this is a scary step! 🙂
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“Now a professional, trained agent plans every detail, every nuance…” I love the irony of this statement considering how he and Amanda met. Tee Hee!
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yeah!!! ha haaaa.. everything about Amanda has been different for Lee from the start 😉
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No kidding! I guess Amanda was just too kind to remind him of that! Of course Lee probably would have given her some excuse about it being an emergency….
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Adore this scene!! Just too wonderful, must watch repeatedly. Helmet time swoon thud
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I did wonder about the origin of the opera tickets. Did Lee somehow appropriate the tickets meant for Murray or did he just take the opportunity to get a couple of tickets for himself and Amanda?
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Good God, that man is good looking!! Nice screen caps, iwsod!! Great post! I’ll stop by another time to share more thoughts…right now all I can do is to keep repeating just how good-looking one Lee Stetson is!
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Hear, hear!
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Hear hear hear! Get your drool buckets out ladies 😀
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I love this tag. So adorable. The way Lee teases her and the way she plays along and is ‘turned off’ by him while being completely turned on by him and falling for him for real. But she doesn’t want to make it easy for him and him to be right. Then she falls for the tickets and realizes, he is for real. Love, love, love it!!!
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Hey Sab – yeah!! While Amanda is not seeing what Lee is up to at first.. she’s attracted to him!! (inspite of her trying to reject him in their play acting!).
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