Hi Everyone!! After a lovely break with SMK posts by Learjet and KC, it’s time to continue our walk through Sour Grapes!
Everyone back from holidays?
It’s now been 23 days since post 3 of Sour Grapes was published – sheesh!
So if you’d like to go back to the start of Sour Grapes and reread the posts to remind yourself where we are up to, here’s post 1 (I went back and re read them myself! lol!).
Picking up where we left off at the end of Post 3, this next scene is transcribed by Morley, thanks Morley!
It’s a flurry of activity at the McNeil mansion after red balaclava dude flattened Penny and sent Lee into the wheel barrow (lol!).
We catch a glimpse of Amanda saying goodbye to Penny.
Amanda heads over to join Lee who is talking to Agent Lame err Lamberson! Lamberson reassures Lee he is protecting the house.. they shake hands and say their farewells as Amanda joins Lee. Together they head for Lee’s car.. whooo me like the undone top button on Lee! He is looking much more casual after landing in the wheelbarrow a moment ago no? 
Lee: How’s Penny?
[oh!!! how sweet that’s the first thing he asks now? boy, is this man growing!! He is actually caring about the people in the case now, not just about the case!]
Amanda: Well, she’s alright. You know, she’s nervous and she is worried, but she won’t leave.
Lee: Hmm. That’s ok. Lamberson’s gonna screw this place down tighter than Fort Knox.
Amanda: Good.
Lee: Whoever was in that cellar went through McNeil’s wine collection like a tornado.
Amanda: Wow.
Lee: Considering the risk, he must have been after something pretty important.
Amanda: You mean like some very rare French wine?
Lee: Yeah, suddenly the year 1945 has become very interesting.
(As Lee says this, he opens the car door for Amanda 
now that is very interesting!! )
Something else that is very interesting – someone’s been messing with the vette! It’s moved!!
Look where Lee parked it when they arrived.. tee hee… LOL!
Well, back to the agency – we find Billy, Francine, Lee and Amanda walking down the hall, through the bullpen and into Billy’s office as they deliver the dialogue here
– hmm a way to keep boring exposition interesting? well.. it’s an interesting shot and I don’t think we’ve seen one like that before.
Is that gold wall hanging new? Ahh I can see it in ALLA!
The red map is seen in ALLA also.. I haven’t checked the other four season 3 episodes.. anyone?
Well, it’s all confirmed.. the deaths were caused by a heroin overdose from drinking the wine.. they’re guessing McNeil was involved in smuggling..
but Amanda the voice of reason- then chimes in ‘but then why would he drink it?? ‘
Go Amanda!!
Lee has a quiet chuckle when Amanda says this- and responds: I don’t have an answer for that yet.
Amanda’s such a professional now isn’t she.. and I notice the others are no longer just disregarding her arguments (like in Over the Limit or Mr Brand!)
They bring up on Billy’s magic sliding TV a close up from the picture of the three wise men at McNeil’s…
Francine immediately comments ‘ strange outfits’ .. hmm gee we hadn’t noticed! (and isn’t it ironic that it is Francine?? the queen of strange outfits mentioning this fact? ROFL!!)
Now here’s a great pic for a meme- go on!!! Want to have a go with it?!!! 😆
Amanda: What’s the bug?
Love how she asks that..
Lee is gonna ask Plato.. Apparently everyone 
knows who Plato is.. (but Amanda) and no not the dead Greek philosopher.. Amanda and the audience are left in suspense here.. We’re gonna meet Platooooo!
So Lee and Amanda head off to do lunch with Plato..
This scene has been transcribed by Jestress – thanks Jestress!
I always wondered why Lee didn’t go to TP about what the bug is.. he seems to be the history buff.. when I see Plato here I wonder if he was maybe an attempt to replace TP (as up till now we’d only seen him once and he was calling Lee ‘Leezo’ and a bit off!).
Plato: My mother, like myself, was a person of voracious appetite in a time when such hunger was, how shall I say this, decidedly unladylike. I was conceived on the acropolis on a moonlit night. A Russian prince, she told me.
(Plato laughs.) But Mother always had a flair for hyperbole. Anyway, she named me Plato after the other famous Greek to commemorate the occasion. [‘other’ famous Greek? is Plato trying to say he is famous?!]
I tell you what- not a fan of Plato – how about you?! Quirky sure.. and trying to deliver boring exposition in a way that entertains? sure.. but the guy is ick! I am thinking we never see Plato again.. but I guess at this stage we weren’t to know this I can see why..he is not an engaging person at all..
Lee (bored and impatient): Plato, the picture.
Plato (looking at picture): Uh-oh. Now this little buggy is called phylloxera. A hundred years ago, he nearly destroyed all the vineyards in France….
…See, he too had an insatiable hunger.
‘he too’?! ick! does this guy ever stop blowing his own trumpet and grossing me out?!!!
He delivers this last line looking at Amanda.. umm.. is he coming on to her? (or just trying to gross her out too?! )
Lee: What about the Halloween costumes?
Plato: Standard costume of the Phylloxera Brotherhood…
…Very hush-hush wine society. And the crème de la crème of Escoffier America.
Amanda: You mean the gourmet society?
Plato: Mm-hm. The Brotherhood keeps a cellar there with some of the rarest wines in the world.
[LOL notice how super fast Plato is putting down the fork and picking up his wine glass as he goes to say this line?!!!]
Lee: And they’d really appreciate a case of ’45 Monet.
Plato: ’45? They’d kill for it. [ha haaa Plato.. what wit! what humour! he’s killin me.. ick!!! 
this guy!!! can’t stand him!]
Amanda: Is there any chance that we could get a membership list for the Brotherhood?
Plato: Hardly. Of course, a well-heeled couple from New York with a proper introduction selling a priceless Bordeaux could undoubtedly get in the door of Escoffier. And once inside, I’m sure you could think of some way to find the membership list for the Brotherhood.
Seems Lee and Amanda have a plan of action!
I may not like Plato.. but I do love his suggestion that Lee and Amanda go undercover as a couple!! whoo hoooo!!!
Okay I shall finish here for the moment..
Thanks again to Morley and Jestress for transcribing sections of the dialogue in this post! whooo can’t wait to see Lee and Amanda undercover! Sooo I’m looking forward to hearing what you think of Plato! Sorry if you love him – eek- I’ve grilled him I know!!! I suspect they tried Plato out as Lee’s go to guy for historical/food information etc.. but he didn’t go down well with the audience and so they reworked TP later and brought him back – (when I honestly can’t remember! lol!! I’ll look forward to finding out when we get there!)
Okay byeee guys! can’t wait to hear from you! I’ve missed our walk through the episodes together!!!
"Just walk with me.." 
I was rewatching this one with my aunt tonight and when Francine said “What’s with the weird outfits?” we both started laughing and I paused the DVD and said “Uh, like she’s one to talk!”
They really couldn’t have had a better choice for who to give that line!
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I just love the look that Amanda gives Lee after Plato mentions them going in as a couple. That look is a look of being totally on board with the plan. Think about how she reacted in TGTN when Lee said they were going to be married. Or how Amanda reacted in weekend or SOS. She was very uncomfortable playing Lee’s wife.
I like season 3 because they were trying to introduce some of these secondary characters. Some worked and some didn’t. But by the end of the season, they knew which characters to keep.
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Yes, Lee is definitely growing. Amanda is such a great influence! 🙂
“Yeah, suddenly the year 1945 has become very interesting.”
1945 wasn’t an interesting year anyway?!?!? That’s OK, Lee–we know what you meant…
“someone’s been messing with the vette! It’s moved!!”
Gotta love SMK continuity gremlins. 😀 Continuity, schmontinuity! (Just adds to the blooper count. ding)
I haven’t checked on the gold wall hanging or the red map, but I’m intrigued by Billy’s crazy file folder rack/holder… pretty mod for Billy! Oh, and yes–love the “magic sliding TV”… Billy got all the fun toys. 🙄
I love the way they give Plato a photo with a teeny-tiny bug badge–when they had the honking big close-up available on the TV screen. Whatevs… I guess he had to show off his monocle(?). :p
“ick! does this guy ever stop blowing his own trumpet and grossing me out?!!!”
Well, something about Plato reminds me of Bluto in Animal House — so just picture John Belushi chanting “Toga! Toga!” (and Francine in her unmentionables–LOL!) while Plato’s blathering… you’re welcome (Then again, maybe he didn’t remind me of Bluto so much as my mind wanted to be rid of Plato… hmmm… you’re still welcome)
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“1945 wasn’t an interesting year anyway?!?!?” You read my mind! 🙂
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Indeed! very true!!! how they managed to bottle wine during that year I don’t know! 😉 dedication!! Did vineyards continue to produce wines throughout WWII?
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Maybe that was one of the lesser-known exploits of the French Resistance? shrug
Interesting: http://www.intowine.com/shop/0448-6.html
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I love the great variety of information I get to learn about on JWWM! Thanks for sharing KC.
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I kinda wonder what the writers were thinking with that…
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Lee certainly has matured and seems to focus more on the person and their feelings and not just the case. Nice to see his concern. Amanda has had that positive affect on him. He knows how she would react in these situations and what she would say and do. He is becoming more self-aware and less egocentric. She has certainly rubbed off on him and I would think that Amanda sees this or notices it and is probably filing this away. Love that he opens the car door for Amanda.
Definitely ironic that Francine is commenting on someone else’s strange outfits. At least they didn’t wear theirs out in public like Francine. I like how Amanda is actively engaged in the discussion about the case. She enters Billy’s office as part of the group, not showing up later, knocking and having to be brought up to speed and told only a need to know amount. She’s not asking inane questions or having to have everything explained to her as if she is a child. She is a part of this little core group and her logic is accepted and appreciated.
Francine seems to have let go of her little triade about Amanda being used in this case. She’s not grousing or seeking to be in on the lunch. I wonder how Lee introduced Amanda to Plato seeing as he (Plato) puts them together as an undercover couple. Plato seems to be treating Amanda as if she is an equal to Lee. Still don’t like the Plato character. Glad they didn’t keep going down that road.
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Loved your whole comment Valerie! You’ve described beautifully how things are changing! Amanda really has rubbed off on Lee 🙂
I especially loved your observations about how Amanda is now part of the core group!!
whooo you’re right. Plato does treat Amanda like an equal. man.. how did Lee introduce Amanda?! Now I want to know!! Anything in the script? I haven’t had a chance to look at it..
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Very glad Plato is a one-shot-wonder. ICK, indeed.
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love it Cindy! spot on! 🙂
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Whenever I see this scene, I keep thinking, “TMI, Plato, TMI.”
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Yep! probably why Plato is so icky.. really don’t want to hear about what your mum got up to on the acropolis.. in the moonlight… ick!
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Putting the voracious appetite and the moonlit conception in almost the same breath seems unSMKish – a bit tasteless IMO. And whose mum talks to them about that??
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Yup.. sooooo agree! Not my mum!! 😉
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For me, it’s not just the character, it’s his outfit that oozes sleaze. The ring and the strange cravat-thing. At least we’re spared overflowing chest hair and a thick gold chain (shiver).
(And 23 days in that horrid stripey blouse is long enough, Amanda. Please change!)
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Welcome back! I’ve so been looking forward to seeing Season 3 play out.
Plato is definitely a bit off. But I like that we’re starting to see the sheer variety and breadth of Lee’s “family” as Amanda becomes more and more involved in the work. It seems like he has the ideal informant for any situation – even an obscure oenophilist brotherhood.
And really, do they get any more “ick” and “off” than Augie Swann?
I also love how seriously everyone is now taking Amanda’s input in the office. I think WTAMB went a long way to demonstrating the extent of her professional development at this point, and I really like seeing how that plays out with people other than Lee – including Plato’s assumption that Amanda will be joining Lee in whatever undercover op he takes on.
(I can’t believe I’m the first to comment!)
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I agree that the more we see of Lee’s contacts it feels like the more Amanda sees of the more up close Lee. She is allowed to enter into closer circles. I like this because it is both professional and personal.
I love the way he opens the door for her. He has always treated her with a gentlmanly style, but here is seems more intimate. Maybe that is the wrong word, here they just anticipate the gesture, like a couple that has been married for eons and don’t even think about what they are doing. Only, I do think they are both noticing their new behaviors. Lee is opening that car door in a very practiced comfortable manner and Amanda is taking notice, and Lee is noticing that she is noticing but they are both pretending that it is the most natural thing in the world, which of course it is. 😉
So glad to be walking again!!!! Yay!!!
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Hi Morley! Love your observations!
I agree.. the new behaviours are being noted and filed away.. but no one has to actually talk about it yet haaaaaa 🙂
I’m really glad to be walking again too!
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I like Augie Swann. I don’t find him icky. He’s definitely misguided, but I think he’s funny. Lee doesn’t seem bored when dealing with him and he keeps Lee riled up and on his toes. He is quite a character. Not liking this Plato. Lee and Amanda probably felt like they needed a shower when they left him. Too creepy. Glad he was only around for one episode and that TP stayed.
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I like Augie too! He’s like a big kid… but probably best appreciated in smallish doses…???… 😀
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Me three for liking Augie. He’s very loveable in his haplessness and quite harmless really.
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lol Valerie, KC and Kiwismh – I agree with you – I don’t find Augie icky at all. I find it curious! because the first time we see him he is sexually harassing one of the women who works for him. The guy is a bit of a sleeze toward women – I’m not suppose to like him! rofl!! So I completely get why Danii would write that Plato and Augie are similar. They are! but for some reason I like Augie, but don’t like Plato at all!
Maybe I put the first meeting out of my mind.. and see him as harmless enough – and not nearly as sleezy as he could seem – like he is trying to be a sexist pig, but deep down he can’t do it maybe? lol.. I don’t know!
Lee’s reaction to the two men are very different. maybe that’s part of it too. but lest I rave on and write a post about Augie and Plato here – I best throw this one out there to others to ponder why Augie is just plain likeable, but Plato is really not likeable at all! (IMHO!)
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Hiya Danii! Yes!! you never can tell when I will publish a post.. this time you are first! Lucky first! 🙂
Great to hear from you! I like the idea that Amanda is seeing more and more of Lee’s life – both personally and professionally.. even if it means meeting with icky Plato..
Also – I agree I too love how Amanda’s a part of the team now.. and not subordinate so much now.. yeah I agree I think WTAMB gave her lots of kudos – and maybe with TOTDWeasel too? I mean she got to tick of approval from THE man with the middle initial!! whoooooo!
Ahhh yes Augie.. I’ll respond to this in response to your thoughts Danii but others thoughts also as I see a few have taken this thought up for discussion!
Great to hear from ya!
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I think part of Augie’s “charm” is that he seems more like a little-boy playing at being an adult, while Plato is just an icky adult. Iswod mentioned that Lee responds differently to the to men. I agree. Lee seems more responsive to Augie than Plato. He keeps Plato “on topic” while he allowed Augie to ramble a bit. I do think that’s a part of why some folks accept Augie more than others.
There’s something about this Plato that reminds me of “the cosmic love guru” in ALLA. Ic-ky!
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I like it debilyn! Augie is a kid!! lol.. even when he is trying to sell female boxing and is totally inappropriate to President Nabuti he’s somehow likeable! Because he’s so ignorant??
Where as with Plato you suspect he knows how he behaves. he just believes himself to be the greatest or something!! lol.. I imagine his mother constantly told him he was 😉
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That is kind of how I viewed it. Augie is likable because he doesn’t think so highly of himself. Plato thinks he is the next best thing since sliced bread and that is annoying.
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