A huge thank you to BJo for transcribing this episode!!!!
BJo- we salute you!!
Is Reach for the Sky a reference to a movie, play or novel or something? anyone?
The episode opens with a bunch of nice shots of Washington DC’s monuments.. gorgeous..
Love that Jefferson Memorial at night.. Whooooo the Iwo Jima Memorial- I’ve been there!!
Though.. I didn’t see it at night.. but such a great memorial..
Next thing, we see a townhouse..
and inside lots of ticking clocks.. Time is ticking!!!! Time to see lots of clocks..(get it?!)
It looks like it’s 725pm… did smk show at 730pm? would have been cool if it had said 730! those weird things amuse me.. very meta!
Then, next thing we see a hand adjust the desk clock to an hour behind, and his wrist watch too.. but he leaves the others unchanged.. He picks up his fancy schmancy phone (or is that a baddie phone??!!! guess it depends on if he is a baddie!)
The desk lamp and chair look like they could be Billy’s – they must shop at the same store 
Operator: International Federal Film.
Allan: Billy Melrose. This is Allen Aghaney calling.
Billy: Melrose here.
[Hhmm it’s that simple to get through to Billy is it?? Now why didn’t Amanda just do that when she didn’t have a code name or whatever and Lee was in trouble and no one would put her through???!!!]
Allan: We’ve got to talk. Remember to mind your manners, Billy.
Billy: Will do. I’m on my way.
[love how he tells Billy to mind his manners, and then neither says goodbye ]
Next thing we see a pair of hands enter the townhouse, noisily closing the front door behind himself.. then.. we see his shadow approaching Alan’s office.. he opens the door..
and Allan grabs his gun, pointing it at this blonde intruder..
[LOL is it just me or is this funny? Allan seems to be very slow at reacting to the guy’s arrival!! no wonder 
blond guy doesn’t look worried ]
Aghaney: This saves me the trouble of coming after you, Zorbel.
[Okay sci fi experts.. ‘Zorbel’- is there a sci fi reference here?? sounds familiar.. something like Zorb?? anyone?? great name!]
Zorbel: You broke into my place. You stole my copy of the satellite cash transfers. Yes, you did. I have surveillance cameras.
Aghaney: You’ve been moving millions of dollars back and forth…Hong Kong, Zurich, but 
not your millions. Maybe Cyclops?… [Cyclops?? okay- is that another sci fi reference?? anyone??]
…We’ll find out. I’ve got help coming to pick your brain. Sit!
[Uh oh.. don’t warn him!!! Ugh..this is going to end badly!]
Zorbel seems way too smug.. he sits down with his briefcase on his lap..
Whooooooo Zorbel shoots this lasery thingy at Allan’s heart and kills him!!
Now that is seriously sci fi!!! [what’s with all the sci fi like references- anyone??!!]
A very high tech briefcase.. reminds me of Mr Brand’s – didn’t his have ‘nerve gas’ or something? (He wishes) he’d like one of those laser ones.. but no one in their right mind would let him have one That is one nasty briefcase! (It’s not samsonite!) No wonder Zorbel looked so smug! Allan hits the floor and is dead in seconds.. Poor Allan!
We see Billy enter Allan’s front door.. Funny, when Zorbel did, the door opened in the other direction!
see:
In the foyer, Billy immediately senses something isn’t right and calls out: Allan? You here?
[How does he know something is not right from there??? or does Billy have a sixth sense? hmmm.. maybe it’s that big lightbulb that is sticking out the top of his head that has given him this insight.. ]
The time on the clock next to Billy says it’s now 8pm.. hmm.. I don’t remember what the significance is with the clocks! but they can’t all be for nothing surely..
Uh oh.. Billy opens Allan’s office door and finds Allan has met an ‘untimely’ end.. he’s sitting sitting at his desk with a gun in his hand..
Billy finds a typed note in the typewriter: ‘I’ve betrayed my country, the people of New Hebron deserve Better.’
[Such a giveaway…who types suicide notes?! I guess the light thingy didn’t kill him but just stunned him?? and gave Zorbel the chance to pose Allan and then shoot him to make it look like suicide? ohhh whatev!]
Billy picks up Allan’s gun and pockets it (I think).. and then hears one of these clocks start to chime – the only one Allan had set to a 
different time (along with his wristwatch) ah yes.. and Billy sees the time on Alan’s wristwatch is also on the same time as this one clock.. why.. you can 
almost hear Billy’s mind ticking away trying to work out what is going on here..listen! haaaaa… 
you can totally see Billy’s mind- frantically working against the clock here!.. to solve what’s going on in the nick of time!.. haaaaa..
Come on Billy! the clock is ticking!! Yes.. I am intentionally going crazy with the puns!
Billy says to himself: Remember to mind your manners.
Time for Billy to find the secret note behind that one different clock.. About time! Well done Billy! (Right on time Billy!) Time to stop all the clock puns?! All these clocks ticking away are making me a little obsessed.. time to move on! oops 
another one!! haaaa. (it’s quittin time!) gah!! The note is the combination to the wall safe.. Billy opens it (with time to spare!) takes out an envelop and pockets it.. ( I can’t see what’s in it)
and a die – yes.. one dice.. weird huh! The die only has one dot on each side. Billy sees it and says to himself : Cyclops.
Whooooo!!! duh duh duuuuhhhh!!!!!
Hooray.. 6 minutes into this episode and we see 
Lee or Amanda for the first time! Too Long!!! No wonder I went a little nuts with the time/clock puns.. Lee and Amanda’s arrival was delayed.. way over time!!! 🙂
So, the next day and we move on to 
IFF..we hear Amanda asking: An agent may disobey direct orders if? …
(Amanda is reading out of her manual, waiting outside Billy’s office with a pacing Lee)
… Fill in the blanks.
[You guys have a go- fill in the blanks!!!
whooo give me a go too!! I know! I know!!!
ummm.. If the agent is codenamed scarecrow??
Ummm.. If you order Lee to do something and Amanda is in danger?!! anyone??]
Lee: If the agent’s superior is not in command of all the facts.
[Ohh hooo!! This is hilarious! Lee would think his superior is never in command of all the facts , therefore he never has to follow orders!]
Amanda: Right. But the agent must take responsibility if he is?
Lee: Wrong.
Amanda: Right.
Lee: Amanda, stop. Billy is not giving me the test. He’s giving you the test.
Amanda: I know, but I’m just doing it out loud. [I think Amanda wanted to see if Lee knew the answers.. because he breaks the rules so often – rules breaker!! haaaa!! not really just joking! 😉 ]
Lee: Well, relax!…
[funny, Amanda seems relaxed to me – it’s Lee who seems edgy!]
…It’s just a refresher test for Level 1 operatives. You can ace it!
[Amanda is a level 1 operative now??? that sounds pretty good no?? so when does she get rid of that flipping guest pass?! And why is the section boss giving this test if it’s nothing? rofl!!! ]
Oh wait!!! Whooo hoooo!!! Lee just winked at Amanda!!!
The pictures never look as good as actually seeing the action IMHO! It actually looks kinda weird! but.. I’ll include it anyway..
[whooo oh way to go Lee- be careful where you aim that wink- You could wipe a girl’s mind blank with that!! Luckily, Amanda is made of strong stuff, and while encouraged by his belief in her, she still wants to keep revising 
]
Amanda gives a smile in response..
Amanda: Hmm!
She goes back to reading her manual anyway..
[I like that her response is not gushing to Lee’s support here.. she just motions that what he said sounds good and she doesn’t make a fuss.
Oh!!!! I see the heart necklace is back!! and during the day? not going to a party or anything? I wonder if it is there to stay from now on.. we’ll see!]
Love Lee’s little smile, in response to Amanda’s reaction..
it’s like he is smiling at her going back to her manual anyway.. so Amanda!
Lee goes back to wondering where Billy is.
Lee: Where the hell is Billy?
(Lee tries to open Billy’s office door but it’s locked)
Amanda: Well you know he’s probably stuck in traffic.
Lee: Ahh, Amanda this is Billy Melrose we’re talking about. The man who uses his stopwatch to steep his tea.
[whooo another reference to time!!! what does it all mean??!!! we’ll see I guess!!!]
Amanda: Hmm.
[I tell you what.. forgive me if the pics are not crystal clear or as many as usual.. this ep seems to go blurry every time someone moves! ugh!!!]
Lee: No, he knows your test was for 9…
…Besides he has never been 20 minutes late without calling since I came to work here. This is trouble.
[Ah I see, so Lee’s anxiety wasn’t about Amanda’s test he’s worried about Billy]
The word ’trouble’ is still ringing in my ears when across the bullpen we see a man turn in his chair and stare at Lee.
A very serious man.. this is trouble!
Lee scowls a little..
The serious man gives Lee a vague nod..
I guess it’s a ‘we need to talk now’ kinda thing..
I think Amanda notices..
Lee snaps around to Amanda.. and immediately begins trying to get her to leave. ah Lee.. he’s so obvious!!!
Lee: Amanda?
Amanda: Hmm?
Lee: Listen, why don’t you go on up to operations.
Amanda: Okay.
Lee walks Amanda out of the bullpen.. and away from the serious man! (A bit of touching going on here )
Lee: You know, maybe they got word from Billy and they just didn’t send it down or something.
Amanda: Um, Jill could I leave these here with you for a minute.
(Amanda hands a lady her manuals- love how as she does this, Lee gives a scared glance across the room.. eek! Yep, there’s trouble!!)
[whooo hooo!!! is that THE Jill??!!! the ever present Jill who pops up everywhere and use to volunteer for save the bay??!! ]
Lee: Okay.
Amanda: ahh ahh..
Lee: I’ll wait here for you.
Amanda points to the left: operations?! okay!
Amanda leaves.. do you think she knew Lee wanted her to go?? I think she totally knew.. but she also knows to trust him and he wouldn’t do this for no reason..
Lee turns to find the serious man is seriously missing..
He looks around for him..seriously!
and finally sees he has found his way into Billy’s office and is waiting for him there.
[He unlocked Billy’s office door? this guy is very serious business!]
So, what’s this all about?? Well from the way Lee reacted and how he rushed Amanda out of there – this is very serious trouble.. We’ll see!
I’ll stop here for now.. hey what do you think of Lee’s jacket? I love the white shirt and the tie.. but the jacket? Meh!!! I love the lighter coloured Jacket too.. I want to like this jacket but.. just can’t bring myself to like that weird pattern.. but.. how sweet are Lee and Amanda together here as they wait for Billy? awh!!!
Looking forward to hearing your take on the sci-fi stuff.. the time has come for me to say bye.. yep time for one last clock pun
I am not terribly enthused about this ep.. I may need you guys who love it to help me find the silver lining (Lee is otherwise occupied!)
Okay bye for now everyone!!!
"Just walk with me.." 
I really liked the nod to continuity from If Thoughts Could Kill, where Lee comments about how Billy is never late for anything. That was why Walter came unglued when he came up to kill Billy — because it was exactly 9:15. Nice of them to remember that.
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I really don’t care for this episode with the exception of a couple of scenes (I’ll not jump ahead)….it’s kind of boring to me it’s starts off slow and never gains momentum ….just my opinion
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Just a couple of bits from the script I have. Someone commented on how Aghaney was dispatched. In the script Zorbel tasers him with a taser hidden up his sleeve. As Billy finds him apparently with a self-inflicted gun-shot wound I guess we are left to assume that Zorbel did this to Aghaney after he paralyzed him with the Taser. (Guess the elaborate bit with the taser was too difficult to film so they simplified it.)
One bit I’m so glad they changed is Lee’s response to Amanda re the test :
LEE
“Relax…it’s a basic refresher test they give Level 1 operatives. Even you can ace it.”
AMANDA
“Thanks for your vote of confidence.”
Lee misses the sarcasm, checking his watch again.
I like to think that BB took the word “Even” out of the line – I don’t think Lee would be so insulting towards Amanda at this point in their relationship.
The way Lee shuffles Amanda out of the bull pen when he sees Smyth is also a bit shonky. I won’t include that here as it is a bit lengthy and the way it was filmed is so much more satisfying.
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So nice to be back!
First of all I want to say “Hi” to the new posters. I have read all of your comments and have loved each one. Welcome!!! Sorry that I have been away and I am going to look forward to my catching up time as my moments of relaxation and enjoyment while I get my home life back on track after a month of life altering interruption.
Next- Reach for the Sky.
I think of Woody from Toy Story. Isn’t that a line that is used when somebody should surrender because they have no way out? I also think it can also be used as a term for going for your best when trying a new venture. And, of course, I think that both of these ideas could be used for Lee and Amanda right now in terms of their relationship.
The clocks. My in-laws have that many clocks in their house. My MIL was able to notice if even one wasn’t ticking. The lack of its chime would wake her. Of course I do better if none of them are going off every 15 minutes.
I do love the interaction between Lee and Amanda. It is a nice blend of Amanda going forward in her training and Lee encouraging her and acknowledging how good she is and his taking care of her and caring for her.
She reads him well here as he notices the serious man. And It is interesting how the presence of the new character redefines the lines between Lee and Amanda as far as their role and position in the Agency, especially after UN.
I like the softness in Lee here. He seems very attuned to Amanda and she to him. I like it. I like this episode, it isn’t a brilliant one like UN, but it has subtle importance, I think.
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Nice to have you back, Morley!
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Thanks 🙂
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Hi Morley – my grandfather collected grandfather clocks and all sorts of other smaller clocks, so i associate the sounds of clocks ticking with their house. Like your MIL, my grandmother could tell if one had stopped. They were always a bit off, though, so the chimes would go off pretty much all the time! As an adult, it would have driven me crazy. As a kid, I thought it was cool.
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Haha! You’re welcome for the transcription. But it will be my one and only! It was more tedious and time consuming than I thought! Don’t know about a movie or book reference for the title, but it sounds like something a policeman would say to a criminal instead of “Put your hands up”. Not sure how that fits with the episode though.
SMK aired at 8pm. At least in the eastern fourth of the U.S. Not sure how that time zone thing works for shows in other timezones. But I just want to know why this guy has soooo many clocks in his office? I mean, wouldn’t all that ticking drive him bonkers? And how often does he have to wind them up? I won’t even ask about the chimes….
Zorbel…have to laugh…I did a quick Bing search and all I came up with is leather conditioner! Hahahahaha! And Cyclops are one-eyed giants from Greek mythology who gave Poseidon his trident (guess Ariel got the shaft?) and Hades the helmet of darkness and were killed by Apollo. Amazing what you can find on the internet, huh?
ROFL!!! I do love that Billy is getting out on his own! And with a gun no less – and without Lee!!! Makes you wonder what Billy’s been up to all these years…. Ahhh, one dot, one eye – no wonder it’s related to Cyclops!
Well, it’s about time!!! 😉 Finally some Lee and Amanda action! And lookey here – Amanda is studying for a test! And Lee tells her she can ace it! Hot damn! Amanda has come far! Iwsod, I think that guest pass should soon be history! At least I hope so! Love Amanda’s look on her face after Lee’s comment. She totally knows she can ace the test – she’s looking pretty smug to me!
Doesn’t Lee look pretty good here? Despite the large windowpane pattern on his jacket…that seems a bit un-Lee-like to me. Anyone else agree? And why does it look like Amanda’s outfit was made to coordinate with his? They are both looking very good in this scene. So far the S3 hair and make-up people get my vote for best of the series.
Billy uses a stopwatch to steep his tea! Love it! I just use my oven timer. 5 minutes of Yorkshire’s finest…I like a strong cuppa.
Okay, iwsod, so far we get to see Billy out and about with a gun…go Billy! Gorgeous looking Lee telling Amanda she can ace her level one operative test (wha??) and a some office intrigue with a new Agency stranger…and did I mention gorgeous looking Lee? What’s not to like?
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Loved your reply BJo- and the time pun 😉 haaaaa..
I’ve missed ya!
Yeah! they really do look like they are dressed in a team uniform.. with his/her versions haaa
There’s no pressure for you to sing the praises of Reach for the Sky though – I am sure there are others amongst us who enjoy this episode and can make sure we see the postives in it 🙂
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Wooohooo…some continuity…isn’t it in Lester the Duck (sorry I can’t remember the name of the ep.) that Lee says something about Billy being predictable with what time he eats his donut and gets his coffee every morning, that they could set the clocks by him?
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Yup! That’s why Walt had his breakdown…Billy was supposed to be getting his coffee at 11:15 (or whatever the time was) but got held up somewhere else! Good catch!
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Whoooo Good Call!!! A rare continuity sighting!! 😛
clocks?? did someone say clocks??
iwsod has gone into a trance
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Yep, really impressed by the continuity in Billy’s character 🙂
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Not a fan of Lee’s jacket. However, we already watched Amanda with headbands and the pink outfit in Welcome to America, Mr. Brand. Fashion in the 80’s.
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Dr. Smyth…ugh! I’ll need you guys to help me learn to appreciate this character. Over the years, I’ve come to think of him as a weird AU-version of Cigarette Smoking Man from The X-Files.
Lee’s jacket? The Windowpane Check pattern is not my favorite, but as long as it’s not Desoto Plaid, I can live with it.
So noted, iwsod. I’ll be good; I promise! 🙂
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good??? I”m sure you’ll be Fabulous!!!! 🙂
ah yes hopefully my enthusiasm for Dr Smyth will wear off on you! I find other’s enthusiasm for Francine has done that for me!! Now I appreciate her and what she brings to the show whereas at first- I just loathed her!
windowpane check pattern?! whahahaa.. it’s positively medieval! 🙂
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On the cyclops theme, I tried to look up a bit about Greek and Roman mythology. I wondered whether all the clocks were related to a god of time. The god of time is “Chronus” . Cronus (who is sometimes considered to be the same as Chronus), who was a Titan,shared the same parents as the Cyclops or Cyclopes. I’m confused….
“Zorbel” appears to be made up. The best I can come up with is “Zorba the Greek”.
Conclusion: Greece or Greeks may be of some significance in this episode.
Another “Allan” so soon after Chamberlain?
And a Dr Smyth sighting – a man I love to hate…
I enjoy the Lee/Amanda interaction here. To me it shows how comfortable they are together – he’s helping her study – sweet ❤
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Hey learjet, how’d you do that red heart?? That’s cool! Is there a post on Ned’s about that sort of stuff?
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I looked in wordpress help for emoticons (‘less than’ symbol, then number three). I think iwsod has the link under “blog info/tech” on the right side of the blog. Although wordpress’s help is usually clear as mud (IMHO), the emoticons are pretty easy.
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Thanks! Head slap – totally forgot about that link that iwsod provided. Guess I need to revisit it!
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Thanks Learjet for helping BJo out 🙂 don’t worry BJo there’s a lot on this once tiny blog now 🙂
Here is the direct link to the instructions on smilies..
I agree with learjet.. some of the instructions I find as clear as mud – but then I’m not especially tech savvy.. but the emoticons are easy
whooo I’ll give the love heart a go too.. ❤
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Love to see the night time shots of DC. Most of them are pretty cool.
Not too sure about all the sci-fi references, but I do know that the cyclops was in Greek mythology as a one-eyed creature. Reach for the sky could mean several things. There was a movie made in 1956 based on a novel about a hot headed pilot who lost both of his legs in some fool hardy flight. He fought his way back to becoming a pilot again. Reach for the sky can also refer to pushing yourself to reach or attain your goals. I remember a poster once that said reach for the sky and you will land among the stars. In a western reach for the sky means to put your hands up, usually it’s said by a robber during a hold-up. Maybe the meaning will become more apparent as we got through the episode.
Amanda is wearing another Neapolitan ice cream outfit. I do like the color of Lee’s jacket, but not the pattern. But I think this is another one of those episodes where Lee and Amanda seem to be wearing complementary colors.
For some reason I remember when I first saw this that I liked this little opening with Lee and Amanda. I never got the impression that he was upset with or impatient with Amanda. He’s pacing and seems a bit distracted as if something else is on his mind. But even with that he still is focused on what Amanda is saying to him and responding to her. They seem relaxed with one another and it says a lot that Lee is there for Amanda while she’s waiting for the test. He could be off doing other things or working on a case, but he is there with her and waiting with her for this test. Kind of cute…
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Reach for the Sky was a movie about Douglas Bader, who was in the RAF prior to and during WWII. Later to become Sir Douglas Bader. We were all taught to have the greatest respect for this man who lost his legs in a flying accident pre-war, then went on to fly Hurricanes during WWII. (Maybe it’s a generational thing – now I’m feeling really old). He was by all accounts a very good pilot, if a bit reckless in his younger days (which seems to be a trait of fighter pilots). Anyway, he was shot down, captured by the Germans (apparently he was very popular with the German fighter pilots and they respected him greatly), and made such a jolly nuisance of himself trying to escape from captivity that the Germans threatened to take away his false legs to immobilise him but they finally decided to confine him in Colditz Castle where he remained for the rest of the war.
I am not a fan of Lee’s jacket – looks like a test pattern! He and Amanda are wearing similar hues though – was this deliberate? Are they getting matchy-matchy now? 😉
I like the colours Amanda is wearing. Lee needs to go home and find a more styley jacket in his wardrobe. 😀
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That was it, kiwismh! I couldn’t remember the whole story. I knew there was a novel, but haven’t read it. Only heard about the movie. Haven’t seen it either. No disrespect intended. I remembered something about recklessness, but wasn’t sure of all the details.
Like I said I like the color of the jacket, but not the design. There were some definite fashion miscalculations in the 80s. Every once in a while Amanda and Lee seemed to be color coordinated. I’m wondering if there was something in a particular episode that led to that. In I AM NOT NOW…Lee and Amanda were very matchy just before she ended up with amnesia. I have to think of some other instances.
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I don’t like Lee’s jacket – colour or pattern. A man that looks that good in blue, black and charcoal jackets should never wear beige or sandy-coloured jackets. I don’t like neopolitan icecream so maybe that explains my prejudice against Amanda’s blouse but I do like her trousers
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Thanks Kiwismh for telling us about that movie..
When it comes to Reach for the sky – i’m very much a blank slate.. lol.. no idea what it all means.. what’s the themes.. what’s the title referring to (other than what’s in the episode)
I’m throwing ideas out there as I find them but they may be red herrings!!!
My sci fi idea was because of the flash laser thingy.. but maybe there is not sci fi relationship between these things at all! Yes.. it is a greek connection- you may be right Valerie and Learjet! I have nooo idea!
whoo there’s a horrible histories skit on Chronus.. i’ll try and find it and add it to the Horrible histories thread at Nedlindgers
(I don’t want to start a topic of discussion here that will be a tangent.. Nedlinder’s loves tangents)
A friendly little bit of encouragement: don’t forget – if you want to get to know each other.. *and who wouldn’t because this blog is frequented by fabulous people! * and your not directly discussing the episode please head over to Nedlindger’s forum to continue your discussions.. and feel free to say here that’s what you’re doing.. we want to keep the comments on JWWM as related to smk as possible so when people come back here in a year, they don’t find 10 comments they have to sift through to find something about the episode.. blogs are not really very well designed for tangents I’m afraid.. boooooo But.. I think we do really well considering the limitations of this blog – you guys rock!! Did I say that Lately? 😉
byeeeee
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