3/15 Season Three, Episode 8: Reach for the Sky-Scarecrow and Mrs King

Back at IFF, Lee is on the phone and searching around Billy’s desk while Amanda plays lookout! for Francine!!! the beast!!! the beast has been unleashed!!!! Winking smile
Lee:  What’s she doing?
3.08 REACH FOR THE SKY.avi_000647247Amanda:  She telling one of the computer guys to get a haircut or something but she’s getting closer.
[whahahaha!!!! Francine?? giving hair tips??? now that is funny..]
Lee’s on hold on Billy’s phone while he searches Billy’s folders..
Lee:  Huh… (Love Lee’s chuckle here.. he’s not surprised by Francine at all!)
…What’s that they say about power corrupting?
[whooo I don’t have time to look this up now – anyone able to fill us in on this quote?? what is the full quote?? is there a significance to it? lol other than the obvious Francine is being corrupted by a whiff of power?!]
Amanda:  Lee, she’s getting closer!
3.08 REACH FOR THE SKY.avi_000653253Lee:
  I know it, I know it.  The only thing we’ve got is this empty file on Robert Zorbel.
[Let me guess.. that would be it then! Smile ]
3.08 REACH FOR THE SKY.avi_000656256(Seems the caller returns to Lee) : Yeah, hi Jeannie, I’m here….
3.08 REACH FOR THE SKY.avi_000662562
…Yeah.  Now listen, don’t worry, okay.  I’ll talk to you later.  Alright, bye bye.
3.08 REACH FOR THE SKY.avi_000664164We cut back to Amanda and hear Lee add:   3.08 REACH FOR THE SKY.avi_000670270Billy’s wife doesn’t know either.
[the sound is completely wrong! I think they added that line post production so the audience would know Jeannie is Billy’s wife – did we know that already? or is this the first time we learn this? anyone? ]
3.08 REACH FOR THE SKY.avi_000671471Amanda:  Here comes Francine!
Amanda and Lee rush for the chairs..
Lee:  Woah!
Amanda picks up her manual and Lee perches himself on the side of the desk, like they’ve been practicing for ages!
3.08 REACH FOR THE SKY.avi_000674474Amanda: Okay, Interrogation Procedures.
Lee:  Yuh.
The beast arrives..
Francine (abruptly)
:  What are you doing in here?  This is not a lounge.  This is my office now.
3.08 REACH FOR THE SKY.avi_000678078Amanda: Oh, well, we’re studying for my test, Francine.
3.08 REACH FOR THE SKY.avi_000683283Francine:  No test today.
3.08 REACH FOR THE SKY.avi_000683483Amanda:  No test today?
Francine:  Mr. Melrose is out with the flu.
[Interesting to note that Francine is lying here.. what is Francine’s tell for when she is lying?? hmm.. I think she tries to act preoccupied with other things and offhand..]
3.08 REACH FOR THE SKY.avi_000685885Love love love how Lee and Amanda silently look at Francine.
3.08 REACH FOR THE SKY.avi_000686186
Then.. they silently look at each other.. tee hee!!
3.08 REACH FOR THE SKY.avi_000686786
Before Amanda responds:  The fluuuuuuu….
3.08 REACH FOR THE SKY.avi_000687687
…ooohh…[KJ is hilarious here!!!]
3.08 REACH FOR THE SKY.avi_000688588
  ….Eeeew….
3.08 REACH FOR THE SKY.avi_000689189
  …That’s too bad…
3.08 REACH FOR THE SKY.avi_000689489(Lee and Amanda head for the door) …I’m sorry to hear that…
3.08 REACH FOR THE SKY.avi_000692492
(Love all Lee’s noises of agreement in support. ohh ewww!!)
… I’m glad there’s no test though.  I mean, you know,…
3.08 REACH FOR THE SKY.avi_000693293

…everybody hates to take a test.  Well you 3.08 REACH FOR THE SKY.avi_000694294know you know how to drive but you hate to take your driver’s test.  Don’t ya? …3.08 REACH FOR THE SKY.avi_000695495
…I do…
3.08 REACH FOR THE SKY.avi_000696296
  …Bye!
3.08 REACH FOR THE SKY.avi_000697964Lee kind of brushes Amanda’s arm here as they exit.. yeah yeah! come on Amanda!! And lastly Lee gives Francine a convincing – ‘oh boy Amanda can go on look’ as they close the door – 3.08 REACH FOR THE SKY.avi_000699099Francine’s buying it Winking smile haaaa!
3.08 REACH FOR THE SKY.avi_000699165[Amanda and Lee are hilarious here!! Lee is all smiles and wishing Amanda wouldn’t overdo it.. and Amanda is well.. overdoing it! too funny!]
Francine:  Bye.
lol Francine is actually pleasant as she says bye.. probably happy to see Amanda saying bye!

3.08 REACH FOR THE SKY.avi_000705305

The birds are chirping outside IFF nowadays huh.. lol!
Inside Lee rounds a corner of the hallway we don’t see very often.. He has black shoes and socks? with that outfit?!
3.08 REACH FOR THE SKY.avi_000708308Check out the sign.. I never noticed this before ‘soviet block operations’ – and this is right near the bullpen?

Lee finds Amanda walking the hallway of IFF.
Lee:  Amanda?
3.08 REACH FOR THE SKY.avi_000711311Amanda:  Yeah?
Lee:  I just checked the files.  Allen Aghaney was an intelligence officer for his own country.
[um what country is that? are we suppose to know?]
3.08 REACH FOR THE SKY.avi_000712312
whoa!!! As Lee says this, Amanda –without hesitation- reaches out and straightens Lee’s tie!!!
3.08 REACH FOR THE SKY.avi_000713313[Not the first time she has done it granted.. we saw her do it in Dead Ringer, and we saw her do it to Connie in Mongoose – any other times? but here, Lee seems to stutter slightly as he notices what she is doing – whoo hoo! He  puts his own hand up after Amanda is done to check it himself.. ]
3.08 REACH FOR THE SKY.avi_0007143143.08 REACH FOR THE SKY.avi_000715315(Lee and Amanda start walking down the hallway)
Lee:  Now he and Billy put in a lot of field time together before Aghaney went into banking.
(Amanda opens her folder)
3.08 REACH FOR THE SKY.avi_000722322Amanda: Oh well look at this.  Last night at 7:27 Mr. Melrose got a call from Mr. Aghaney.  It wasn’t much of a conversation.  He just said uh, we’ve got to meet and mind your manners, Billy. haa
(Amanda finds that funny.. sweet!)
Lee:  Mind your manners?
3.08 REACH FOR THE SKY.avi_000728328They share a laugh.. but are laughing for different reasons..
3.08 REACH FOR THE SKY.avi_000729329Amanda:  Yeah, look at that.  Mind your manners.
3.08 REACH FOR THE SKY.avi_000730330Lee:  (laughing to himself)
You know what that is?..
3.08 REACH FOR THE SKY.avi_000731331
  …That’s an old expression from Billy’s 3.08 REACH FOR THE SKY.avi_000733333generation.  It means to uh, follow up on your recognition codes, mail drops and so on to the Teeth.
Amanda:  Oh!
(they arrive at the elevator and Amanda presses the button)
Lee:  What I’ve got to figure out is what Aghaney is using it for now.
3.08 REACH FOR THE SKY.avi_000741341[Lee is saying ‘I’ again..]
Amanda:  Yeah, if we could figure that out-
3.08 REACH FOR THE SKY.avi_0007453453.08 REACH FOR THE SKY.avi_000749349
Lee:  Before you become so enthused, this is not a ‘we’ case.  This is a ‘me’ case.
3.08 REACH FOR THE SKY.avi_0007513513.08 REACH FOR THE SKY.avi_000752352
Amanda:
  I think ‘we’ could use a little enthusiasm about now.

Lee:  Yes ‘we’ can, but Amanda, Billy’s trouble might be very dangerous, and I am supposed to be unofficial.
3.08 REACH FOR THE SKY.avi_000756356[What do you make of Lee trying to keep Amanda out of this everyone? do tell!!
I’m not offended by it like I was much earlier- I don’t think it comes from a place of superiority or of diminishing Amanda’s talents or anything.. I think it’s purely his first instinct to keep Amanda out of harm’s way..]
Amanda:  Look…who could be more unofficial than me?
3.08 REACH FOR THE SKY.avi_000757357[Funny how that was obvious to Lee in The Mole, but not now.. hmm I guess in the Mole he didn’t see as much danger..?]
3.08 REACH FOR THE SKY.avi_000761361Love how Amanda just points at Lee.. she knows she’s right! Lee has no answer for that one! Ohhhhh  yeaaaah!! hey it’s like he forgot she isn’t actually an agent – that distinction for Lee in how he views Amanda is long gone! whoo hoo!!
3.08 REACH FOR THE SKY.avi_000763363Lee gets in the elevator with her.. love how he isn’t backward in admitting:  You’re right.

You know what? Lee doesn’t seem to mind that she is right either! I think he kinda likes it! teee heeee..

3.08 REACH FOR THE SKY.avi_000765365Is it just me or does the wall in the elevator seem to stop suddenly and not reach the roof?!!

3.08 REACH FOR THE SKY.avi_000768368Anyway..Moving on to New Hebron International Bank.. out front – it’s the dual of sports cars!!!


3.08 REACH FOR THE SKY.avi_000772839In the bank’s main entrance we see Lee and Amanda introducing themselves to a security guard. Interesting, Lee has a briefcase.. it’s not often we see him bother with one..
3.08 REACH FOR THE SKY.avi_000778378

Lee:  I’m Lee Stimpson, auditor for the Federal Board of Bank Examiners.  This is my associate Mrs. Keene.  We’ll need to speak to the Bank Officer in charge immediately.
[Love how Lee sounds so confident and forceful.. I think Amanda is learning that half the time that’s all it takes to get the info you want!!]
The blond guy with the laser briefcase approaches..
Zorbel:  Hello Mr. Stimpson.  I’m Robert Zorbel, Vice President in charge of International Accounts.
3.08 REACH FOR THE SKY.avi_000786386[and with Amazingly good hearing that he heard Lee’s name from all the way back there! Also, why doesn’t he shake Amanda’s hand too???!!! boooooo]
Lee:  Ah.
Zorbel:  I’m acting President since Mr. Aghaney’s death.  (he hands Amanda his business card)
I’m relieved that you’re here.  I’ve been in turmoil all morning long….
3.08 REACH FOR THE SKY.avi_000794394
  …There’s something terribly wrong.
[whahaha!!! I’ll say! there’s something terribly wrong with this dialogue!! someone had great fun writing lame dialogue for the baddies this week.. in turmoil?!!! whwhahahaahah]
We cut to Billy doing his bob the builder impression.. go Billy!!! lol Love the lunch pail!
3.08 REACH FOR THE SKY.avi_000808408He’s watching the happenings in the bank through his binoculars.
Looks like we went to a commercial break here..
We cut back to Zorbel talking to Lee and Amanda, now at his office door..
3.08 REACH FOR THE SKY.avi_000817417
Zorbel:  Let me put it this way.
(Zorbel hands Amanda a folder of something)
Amanda: Oh, thank you.
3.08 REACH FOR THE SKY.avi_000819419Zorbel:  Mr. Allen Aghaney was a true patriot.  He loved his country.  He did everything he could for his countrymen, but I’m not prepared to say that he was without stain.
[without stain?!]
Lee:  Are you charging him with improprieties?
3.08 REACH FOR THE SKY.avi_000832432Zorbel:  From what the police tell me, he took his own life.  And the note he left suggests that it had something to do with the bank.  Now, as you will find out his lending practices were, ah, shall I say less than regular?
3.08 REACH FOR THE SKY.avi_000839439Amanda:  Could you be a little more specific?
3.08 REACH FOR THE SKY.avi_000841441Zorbel:  As specific as you would like.  I’ve
3.08 REACH FOR THE SKY.avi_000845445pulled the entire loan register, the 601’s filed with the Federal Reserve, the electronic 3.08 REACH FOR THE SKY.avi_000847447cash transfer flowcharts.  Where would you like to begin?
3.08 REACH FOR THE SKY.avi_000849449Electronic cash transfer flowcharts?? how can it be cash if it’s electronic? eh?? Anyone??
Lee goes to respond but Amanda cuts him off.
Lee: Ahhh-
3.08 REACH FOR THE SKY.avi_000850450(what do you think of the look he gives her? I don’ t think he minds.. he’s just a little surprised?? come on Lee- Amanda is enthusiastic!!)
3.08 REACH FOR THE SKY.avi_000851451Amanda:
  Oooh, the 601’s I guess.
3.08 REACH FOR THE SKY.avi_000851785[Amanda makes a mistake here.. not a major one.. but it seems a good spy should be as general as possible about things they don’t know anything about!]
3.08 REACH FOR THE SKY.avi_000853119Zorbel:
  The 601’s?  I would have thought the ECTF charts?
3.08 REACH FOR THE SKY.avi_000856056
[is flowcharts two words?? why is it ECTF charts and not ECTF’s?! .]
[Oi! you telling them how to do their jobs?!]
3.08 REACH FOR THE SKY.avi_000856589Amanda:  Those too.
3.08 REACH FOR THE SKY.avi_000857123
[whahahhaa!!! Amanda also does the speak with authority and you’ll get away with it tactic.. love to see how Lee is watching Amanda! ]
3.08 REACH FOR THE SKY.avi_000857657Lee:  We’ll…uh, we’ll examine everything, Mr. Zorbel, believe me…
3.08 REACH FOR THE SKY.avi_000860326
[Nice and general response.. nice and safe!]
…If there are grounds here, we’ll expect your complete cooperation.
3.08 REACH FOR THE SKY.avi_000864330
Zorbel:  Please understand, Mr. Allan Aghaney was a personal friend.  But I am not prepared to perjure myself, not even for him.  If he was dipping into the till, I won’t cover for him…
3.08 REACH FOR THE SKY.avi_000871004
[Love the look Lee and Amanda give him in response here.. oh yeah! so noble sounding – Jerk!!]
3.08 REACH FOR THE SKY.avi_0008752753.08 REACH FOR THE SKY.avi_000875809…  And now if you will excuse me, please.  My secretary will give you all the material that you need.

Zorbel leaves them and heads to his car..

Whooo this is interesting – here comes that theme of ‘friendship’ again – Which Dr Smyth referred to as being the reason Billy wanted to find Aghaney’s killer..
Friendship being something which includes loyalty- even when it’s not convenient..
Zorbel tries to portray himself as a personal friend to Aghaney (okay we know that’s totally not true!) .. but won’t stick his neck out for him.. He won’t risk anything.. Billy is risking everything to help his old friend Aghaney.. and Lee and Amanda are also not giving up on their friend Billy – Francine? She’s very much on the outer in this episode.. What does she know?? Had she known what was going on – would she have responded about Billy  that she wouldn’t ‘cover for him’?

Lee and Amanda watch Zorbel walk off to his sports car..
3.08 REACH FOR THE SKY.avi_000883850
Well.. Lee watches Amanda watching Zorbel walk to the car Winking smile
BTW- The actor playing Zorbel was much younger, but in one of my most fave episodes of Columbo ever- Friend in Deed (not that I want to start a columbo discussion here – head to neds if you want to discuss) –how ironic that it’s a title again focused on friends!

Amanda:  Is there something a little bit suspicious about him?
3.08 REACH FOR THE SKY.avi_000884484[Yeah! His car!! I am sure Amanda is wondering if David Benson sold his car to Zorbel at “Baddies’ second hand vehicles”.. KC I am guessing this is the second appearance of David’s car which you hinted at? I bet I would not have noticed if you hadn’t said!]
3.08 REACH FOR THE SKY.avi_000885919Lee:  Yeah.  Well, Billy took his file for some reason, huh?..
3.08 REACH FOR THE SKY.avi_000888054
3.08 REACH FOR THE SKY.avi_000888321 
[Love the quiet little smile Lee gives Amanda here before continuing – it’s like he’s thinking- I do like doing this job with Amanda!! Smile ]
3.08 REACH FOR THE SKY.avi_000891791
…What do you say we find out?
3.08 REACH FOR THE SKY.avi_000893126Amanda:  Right.
3.08 REACH FOR THE SKY.avi_000895261Lee and Amanda leave the bank.. following Zorbel..

I love to watch Lee and Amanda do their new thing.. It’s funny- I get the vibe that the characters appreciate this new element to their growing work relationship – and quite enjoy watching the other do their thing Smile

Okay! that’s it for me!! A few cute little Lee and Amanda scenes.. I guess not every scene between them can be a campfire scene right?! Winking smile
Looking forward to hearing your take on this part of the episode and/or the episode so far! byee!!!

53 thoughts on “3/15 Season Three, Episode 8: Reach for the Sky-Scarecrow and Mrs King

  1. I took Lee’s comments about Amanda as staying out of it as only concern for her safety. We know he loves working with her at this point — it was his idea to have her pose as his wife on the cruise ship, he wanted to be in Amanda’s neighborhood on Vigilante Mothers, etc. I don’t think he trusts Smyth and if this goes south, she could end up being the scapegoat as a beginning operative. And if Lee faces disciplinary action, it would reflect on Amanda as well. He’d probably be able to salvage his job but it might be harder to protect hers. And I think he really wants to keep her off Smyth’s radar altogether just because that guy is so creepy and twisted and just plain untrustable.

    I’d love to know how much he told her about the meeting with Smyth afterwards. And if she asked, “Who IS that guy?” What do you say — he’s the psychopath that we have to report to?

    Liked by 1 person

  2. I just love their ease with each other and how they can anticipate what the other is going to say, and glide right in to the conversation without any hesitation….GREAT TEAM WORK!

    Like

  3. I am enjoying all these comments so far. I find this bit with Francine interesting. One minute she annoys me and then the next I’m trying to understand her and figure her out, because she can’t be that way for no reason. She knows something is up with Billy, but what she knows exactly is questionable. Her reactions and responses are pretty much typical Francine. She has always shown a lot of self-importance and Billy’s absence seems to have brought that out even more.

    This is an opportunity for Francine to show what she can do and prove just how good she is. She seemingly keeps getting side-lined while Amanda continues to move onward and upward, all the while garnering the favor of Lee and Billy. Francine has to feel left out. So I think that is motivating her to behave as she does. She’s going to do this on her own without anyone’s help.

    The friendship theme is also pretty interesting as well. While Francine may view Lee and even Billy as friends or even refer to them as such, she holds them at arms length. As long as things are going well that friendship is there, but if there’s trouble she wants no part of it. Francine didn’t support or stand by Lee in Burn Out and here she doesn’t even say that it’s her office temporarily. Billy supposedly only has the flu, but she comes in as if this is a permanent thing. She says that it’s her office now, not that she’ll be using it until Billy gets better and returns. She’s all business and just wants to get to it.

    Amanda and Lee are just awesome in this. I have to check for sure, but I think that Lee sort of nods towards the door while looking at Amanda as the cue to leave. It’s great that while Lee is supposed to be doing this on his own he has chosen Amanda to help him and he has confided in her as to what is going on. No more of that “need to know” nonsense. Amanda is in the know and ready, willing, and able to help.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Oh yeahhhh good call.. Francine was pretty quick to give up on Lee in Burn Out..
      Or was that because she had seen Burn out many times and knew there wasn’t much she could do?? maybe it was because she was a jaded agent – and once those signs are seen – she knew there was no hope??
      She did give up on Lee, but I am not sure that was because the friendship wasn’t that strong. I think there might have been more at play with Francine plus she is lousy at real emotions and relationships in general I think..

      But it certainly highlighted why Amanda is such a great friend to Lee 🙂 anyway sorry I didn’t mean to go off on a Burn Out (rofl I keep going to type Burn Notice!) – looking forward to seeing what happens with Francine in this episode!!

      Like

      1. That is a perfect illustration of how Amanda applies her empathy and Francine goes to the Agency manual. Those are their two different kinds of responses to a fellow agent going through Burn Out.
        I was also noticing that all of these choices really highlight what Lee told Amanda about how much he has learned from her as well in UN. Francine hasn’t learned that stuff from Amanda yet.

        Like

        1. Indeed Morley.. the by the book or by the heart dualism is definitely part of the overall theme of smk. I agree! and this ep seems to be heading in that direction too.

          I find it interesting that it is a choice – book or heart? there is no in between? Can someone sometimes use their head?? and sometimes their heart?? Can someone use both??
          I think in storytelling writers tend to pick the extremes because it makes for better stories. but I’m going to keep an eye on this.. At this point, while I agree there are heart or book choices, I think the story can explore grey areas too – sometimes it’s better to use your head or the book.. sometimes it’s not.. and how do we choose?? And then – sometimes the head and the book are not in the same place![whoooo which is actually covered by that ‘rule’ Amanda tested Lee on – there are circumstances where you can use your head and you can break the rules – if you know something and your superior doesn’t… now this is getting interesting!!]
          I think this is something that has been simmering away in the story telling throughout but now that Lee is showing more heart and Amanda is showing more head – I think it’s going to get very interesting!

          Like

    2. Do you see what I see? A “Like” button on WordPress???!!

      After watching Francine carefully in these last couple of scenes, I’ve come to the conclusion that she is quite nervous, and that is at least partly the reason for her behavior to Amanda. She is feeling a lot of pressure here to get things right. No wonder, if Dr. Smyth is involved, right?

      Like

      1. Yep!!! I just discovered it.. last time I pottered around with blog settings and the behind the scenes stuff this wasn’t offered.. but now? hooray!! hopefully we’ll enjoy it.. but I do hope people will still actually comment too! 🙂

        Nervous – I thinks Francine does have very high standards for herself and others.. so that makes sense 🙂

        Like

        1. I agree about Francine being nervous and this being the opportunity to prove herself. But I do think she is aware that something is going on with Billy. I would think that would up her anxiety level.
          Again though here is another illustration of the choices the agents are making to the same situation. Lee is aware that something is up because he is seeing an irregularity in Billy’s character and he is wondering if something happened to him. He is sure that Billy has a good reason for what he is doing because of his personal knowledge of the man.
          Francine is moving on following the Agency protocol. She appears to be moving along the flowchart in the manual and not listening to what her small inner voice is telling her (instincts?). I think she knows something is up. Maybe it is just the difference in their roles, Lee has been asked to investigate and Francine has been asked to keep the office running smoothly?
          I think I am just rambling now… 🙂

          Like

          1. I think there are things further into the episode about this which would add to this.. so I’ll hold off commenting anymore on these interesting ideas for now..
            Ramble away 😉

            Like

  4. I love this scene in Billy’s office, er Francine’s temporary office…. Presumably Lee told Amanda to keep a lookout for Francine, and that they’d pretend to be studying if she came in, but it’s lovely to see Lee just trusting Amanda and working with her like a real partner. I don’t care for their exit from Billy’s office, I wish they hadn’t had Amanda sound like her dingbat season 2 self – at least that’s what I see and hear. It makes Francine’s little smirk to Lee as he shuts the door more plausible – it’s more evidence to support her belief that Amanda is beneath her and not a professional agent.

    I think Francine is definitely lying here. She may not know the truth about where Billy is, but I think she knows he isn’t home with the flu. Her tell? I think she is just going about her business, not really looking them in the eye for long and rushing through it all like she’s talking about the weather or some other mundane thing.

    Love, the tie scene…how sweet! ❤ (look, learjet! it worked!! 🙂 )So close and comfortable with one another…aww! And even Francine would agree with you, Amanda – you’re unofficial! Right down to our guest pass!! LOL! See iwsod, maybe it’s a good thing she still has that flippin’ thing!

    Love Billy as the telephone guy! He looks good in the outdoors too, wearing blue! But ugh, not Zorbel – he is one baddie I do not find attractive. And his choice in cars is a bit, meh…couldn’t he do better than David Benson’s castoff?

    Hmmm…interesting question about Francine, Billy, and the friend thing. I wonder what Francine knows and doesn’t know. I think she knows Billy is not sick. I’m not sure if it was Dr. Smyth who enacted her temporary takeover of the office, but I guess it would be him. So maybe he used the same rogue elephant phrase with her? Even if he did, I think Francine would put loyalty to herself and the Agency/job (maybe not in that order, I do like Francine) before she would put Billy. I think she would expect Billy to do the same. I think it’s a superior/subordinate thing. The boss has different status and expectations.

    Like

    1. BJo I loved yoru comments! hilarious as always!! 🙂

      I hadn’t really realised it until I read your comments – but I was thinking Amanda being silly was hilarious here because I didn’t see it as being part of who Amanda is anymore. But Francine doesn’t know that – and would be completely rattled if she realised.
      I think this little scene is Amanda playing her old behaviour for sake of fooling Francine – because she knows Francine is most comfortable when Amanda is being so silly. And Lee reacts by Giving Francine a ‘look’ as he closes the door.
      Things have changed between Lee and Amanda, and for Amanda in her professional behaviour- but Amanda knows not to reveal this to Francine and the best way to slip under the radar is to act like she has a spy fantasy and is superfluous. this is just my take.. and it mean’t I felt Lee and Amanda were pulling one over on Francine – and therefore I thought it was really funny!

      The little digs from Francine earlier told Amanda to play the game – let Francine overlook you and think you are a bit silly.. that way you’ll get away with being in Billy’s office for no good reason!

      I agree with you BJo – I think Francine was lying.. but doesn’t know what’s really going on. Maybe we’ll find out more about what Francine may or may not know as the episode continues on..
      byeeeeeeeee!

      Like

      1. So you think Amanda was faking the dingy-ness? I had never thought of that before – interesting take! It is possible, but I guess I still see her having just a little bit of dingbat in her. I think she rambles when she gets nervous and I think she might be nervous lying to Francine like that. I know she’s with Lee, but this is really a blatant pull the wool over the boss’ eyes, albeit a temporary boss. I don’t see her doing something like this if it were Billy. So while she and Lee are working together to fake out Francine, I think she goes too over the top because she’s nervous and her inner dingbat comes out. Did I just repeat myself?

        Like

        1. dingbat.. hilarious!!
          I’d say Amanda was exaggerating.. to seem extra silly – and make Francine seem perfectly content with the world.. Amanda’s acting a dingbat? well that’s normal! 😉
          Yeah I think Lee and Amanda fooled Francine here.. but.. let’s see if there is more about this in future posts 🙂 I may reconsider my current view- always possible 🙂

          Like

      2. Since the script has L&A making a quick professional exit, which I guess would have aroused Francine’s suspicions, I’ll go with Amanda faking being a dingbat.
        I do like the script version though – it would have shown L&A in sync on a higher professional level than has been the case so far. The script has much more dialog in these scenes and much more depth, but I guess they had to make cuts to fit the episode into the 46 minutes.

        Like

  5. I guess I always thought that Francine really thought that Billy was out with the flu, but that L & A knew the truth. It always seemed to me that they seemed a little surprised by Francine thinking he was sick, but then a little relieved that she didn’t know the real reason.

    Like

  6. Overall, I’m liking this episode so far. I don’t see the relationship as going backwards or losing any momentum. It’s pleasing to see L&A working together so well professionally and personally, Amanda being more sure of herself and Lee being more supportive and sensitive to her.

    Like

    1. Yeah I’m pleasantly surprised – I guess there’s an advantage to having low expectations huh!

      Not as many swoons over the tie adjustment as I thought there’d be!! 😉

      Like

      1. Ha, Amanda has been adjusting his tie since S1, but then it was more like a mother straightening a child’s attire. I like this scene as somehow the same action has a more adult and intimate feeling about it now. BB and KJ really know how to make these subtleties work between them.

        Like

        1. How many tie adjustments have we had? I think only the two you mentioned. The first one in DR, Lee let her do it, but he seemed shocked (because she was doing it or because of how he received it, I don’t know. Maybe a bit of both). In Mongoose he was jealous that she straightened Connie’s tie. Here, I like the way you mention that Lee stutters at her action, but then he reaches for the tie himself. Is he checking the tie as well or is he putting his hand where her hand has just been? I like the scene because once again it is the melding of their work and personal relationship. Their whole identities are integrated in their blossoming relationship.

          Liked by 1 person

          1. I thought of another tie adjustment after I published this post – and though nahh someone will mention it.. and I forgot about it!

            But Amanda fixes Lee’s tie in Burn Out – remember in Nedlindger’s?? I know it’s a little more elaborate.. but I think it still counts! 🙂

            Like

            1. How could we forget that one! That was a significant one, He just altogether took the tie off and handed it to her! This one also reminds me of the tag in UN whee she reaches to touch him but doesn’t. And now here she does and then he follows her movement. I love these progressions. hey get this continuity right!

              Liked by 1 person

  7. The script dialog re the “mind your manners” quote is :
    LEE – That’s an old expression from Billy’s It means to uh, follow up on your recognition codes, mail drops and so on to the Tee.
    “T” or “tee” meaning exactly or precisely.

    Like

  8. The script version of this scene is worth reading.
    There is a lot more dialog, which is much better and makes more sense than what was filmed. Dialog between L&A about the case is professional and focussed, which really helps to demonstrate how far Amanda has come and how Lee now accepts her as a serious partner and contributor in their professional relationship.
    And there’s this little exchange that I really wish they had filmed :
    LEE (on the phone to Jeanie) : “Yeah, Jeanie I’m still here…uh huh. I was afraid of that. Okay, if you hear, call me. I’ll do likewise. Don’t worry. Bye.”
    Amanda wants a report on the phone call.
    AMANDA : I’ll bet he took off in a hurry and didn’t tell his wife much of anything…
    LEE : Yeah…how’d you know?
    AMANDA (significantly at Lee) : Just a lucky guess.

    Also, Amanda doesn’t put on the ditsy routine when she and Lee leave Francine/Billy’s office.
    When Amanda says “Who’s more unofficial than me?” Lee replies that she is “semi-official”, which again shows that he now sees her work at the agency as professional and legitimate.
    I won’t reproduce it all here but again the script version is well worth reading to get a better idea of perhaps what was not so well portrayed/communicated in the filmed version.

    Like

    1. Thanks for this, kiwismh! I agree, I like the scripted version this time. “Just a lucky guess” and “semi-professional” — woulda loved to have heard Amanda and Lee say those lines! (Actually, I’m pictuing the great looks that would have gone along with the lines!)

      Like

  9. Hiiiiii Iwsod! I’m still here! The other Julia! 😀 (Seriously I read just about every wonderful post… if I miss one I go back and read until I catch up… but am never dutiful enough to comment!)

    I actually REALLY enjoy this episode – Utopia Now is one of my favorites ever because of the campfire scene (AAAGH SO CLOSE) but Reach For The Sky is so much fun because it is SO over the top, especially …
    * Iwsod has deleted these comments 😦 Save those comments for when we get here Julia *

    And actually I really like both Lee and Amanda’s outfits. KJ looks so great in pink and that color of BB’s jacket is one of my favorite neutrals.

    Anywho, just wanted to let you know that your blog is awesome and please don’t stop…

    OH YES, I have a question! I’m writing the sequel to the novel I just published (with, I might add, some characters similar in some ways to some in SMK) and my baddie is an Australian. So I’m researching all these Australian things – do they have barbie dolls over there? Just curious! If not, is there something else I could compare his very beautiful and very fake “trophy wife” to?

    Like

    1. I’m thrilled to see you stop by again Julia!!! I’ve missed you!! Hope it won’t be too long before you comment again!!

      Yep- I’ve had to delete some of your comments – JWWM doesn’t jump ahead – you were correct in thinking it was not the time to post those comments – Blatant spoilers?? You are a rogue elephant! whwhhaahahaha..
      Just try not to jump ahead in future 🙂 I do really want to hear what you think.. and hope you can share those comments when we get to those scenes – just one line if you like..no minimum comment length 🙂

      An Aussie baddie? lol don’t encourage kiwismh.. she is already relishing Canaan sounding remotely Australian!
      Yes Australia has barbie dolls (sadly!) we’d have all the same ones as anywhere else.. she is international.. there might be a few released that are special to Australia, but I wouldn’t know. sorry

      you could say Barbie for sure.. just don’t use that aussie cliché of calling her a ‘Sheila’.. ugh!!! no one in Australia talks like that!!

      Like

      1. I promise I’ll comment more often! 🙂 Sorry, didn’t mean to spoil it! This is a reeeeally great episode though, it’s hard not to get excited. 😉 I won’t jump ahead anymore!

        Thanks so much – Oh no, definitely not going to call her a “sheila”! Avoiding cliches is one of a novel writer’s biggest goals. If I need any more authentic Aussie info, I’ll be sure to ask you. 🙂

        Like

        1. It would be great to hear from you more often.. but there is no obligation either 🙂

          No more spoilers? Good..just keep chanting ‘patience and control.. patience and control’ who knew that not doing spoilers would be good spy training? 😉

          Oh sure ask away about Australia.. though if there are going to be more questions JWWM is not the place for them – let’s keep JWWM about the walk – feel free to email me or to post a thread on Nedlindger’s to ask about Australian questions 🙂

          Like

  10. I didn’t think that Francine was necessarily lying. I thought that may have been what she was told, so I think she is out of the loop as to why Billy is out of the office. Francine was in charge before in playing possum when Billy was kidnapped.
    I agree that this episode is a bit of a let down after UN, but that seems to be their pattern. They’ll take a big step forward and then maybe a small step back as far as their relationship goes. I love how Amanda won’t let Lee do this himself. She’s Lee’s partner no matter what.

    Like

    1. That’s interesting LAAL! I always figured Francine was telling a lie here. maybe because it’s a bit of a cliché? not sure..

      but then I also wasn’t thinking Francine knew any detail of what was going on with Billy.. does that make sense?

      Oh good call – Francine was in charge in Playing possum.. I forgot about billy being missing out on Safari throughout that ep.. haaaa

      Like

    2. I love the blank look Lee gives Amanda when she points out that no one can be more unofficial than she is. He absolutely can’t think of an answer for that, no way to put her off. I also love the thing his thumbs do right there — kind of looks like shrugging shoulders or something.

      So Amanda’s had some training, is having tests consistent with a Level One operative, yet she’s still “unofficial”. And yes, she still has a guest pass. I think, then, that the position she currently occupies is absolutely unique — she created it (with maybe a little help from Lee and Billy). She’s pretty much fully integrated into the Agency, without having to go through most of the usual hoops. She’s still a civilian (remember how often Lee used to say that? It’s been a while) but she has access, either on her own or through Lee, to all kinds of classified information, and she’s been given the position as his partner — all unofficially, of course. Francine’s digs about “spy fantasy” and “superfluous bodies” only serve to underscore by their very ridiculousness how much Amanda really is an insider, now. It’s obvious that she is something special.

      Like

  11. The quote about power corrupting was by a Lord Acton and goes like this: “Power tends to corrupt, and absolute power corrupts absolutely” and then something about great men almost always being bad men.

    LOL at Zorbol: “I’ve been in turmoil all morning”. Sounds kind of like he’s experiencing indigestion. Somehow I don’t think the dialogue writers were quite looking for that usage of the word; THINGS are in turmoil much more often than people.

    Like

  12. I’m going to make a quick comment as I need to finish report cards for conferences tomorrow. My reward for doing my work will be to come back later and further comment.

    I did a quick search on the ‘power corrupting’ comment of Lee’s. I knew the quote, but looked it up anyway. The quote is this, “Power tends to corrupt, and absolute power corrupts absolutely”. The quote is attributed to a John Dalberg-Acton, 1st Baron Acton. There’s more, but what brought me up short was when I saw where Acton’s place of death was….it was Tegernsee, Germany!! And didn’t we have a bit of corruption from Our Man In Tegernsee. Interesting connection. I have to be good now and do some work, but in the words of another quote, “I shall return!” or even “I’ll be back!”

    Like

  13. “whooo I don’t have time to look this up now – anyone able to fill us in on this quote?? what is the full quote??”
    The power quote is:
    “Power corrupts, and absolute power corrupts absolutely.” (Or variants thereof.) By Lord Acton.

    “The only thing we’ve got is this empty file on Robert Zorbel.”
    Literally, an empty file folder… but it does have a blue sticky note on the cover! Maybe that’s important…???…

    “KJ is hilarious here!!!”
    Yeah–KJ is absolutely awesome!!!!! Too bad she didn’t do more comedy (or more anything). 🙂

    “um what country is that? are we suppose to know?”
    Is it a reference to Hebron (West Bank) re: the Bank of New Hebron? (Although New Hebron is actually in Mississippi… Maybe Lee thinks MS should secede from the US?)

    Loooooooooooove the tie straightening! swoon And yeah–Lee is knocked off his stride by it! No playboy here!

    “Benson sold his car to Zorbel at “Baddies’ second hand vehicles”
    Yep–this is indeed the second appearance of the car that David Benson drove–the Special Edition #39 Lotus Turbo Esprit.

    Like

    1. About New Hebron/Hebron – I see that ‘Hebron’ is derived from the Hebrew word meaning “friend” (the Arabic name for the West Bank city is ‘Al-Khalil’ which means ‘the friend’. Interesting, since there’ve been a couple of references to friendship already in this episode.
      Also Canaan was the name for part of the Middle East which included Israel/Palestine, and certainly included Hebron.

      Don’t like “the Special Edition #39 Lotus Turbo Esprit” – too red, too flashy, doesn’t have the class of the Corvette. Screams “baddie”

      Like

      1. “Hebron” derived from “friend” — great discovery, Learjet! I like to believe that was totally intentional on the writers’ part, and totally awesome of JWWM folks to pick up on. So does this imply then that Allen A’s country was Israel?

        Like

      2. I have noticed the “biblical” names in this episode. They are here as well as the Greek mythology. here is Hebron, but Canaan too. I have always thought of Canaan as the promised land. I did a quick search of the meaning and what I came up with was something about the name denoting “the blissful sate of humanity that everyone dreams of”. Hmm…? reach for the sky, go for it.
        I can’t help continuing to see something being portrayed here about friendship, about whether it should take precedence over Agency protocol . I keep wondering if Billy isn’t being juxtaposed against Smyth and Lee with Francine. It is as if here in this episode is where the road divides and we can see the result of each direction. Lee is letting his relationship with Amanda change him, affect him, just like it affects him when she straightens his tie. He knows what to do with her “unofficialness”.
        I love that little scene by the elevator! I love that little look and head shake he makes, and then he happily follows her into the elevator. Lee, don’t you know. there are no more “me cases” only “we cases”. I think that may go for his personal identity too. Lee and Amanda are an “us” now as well whether they realize how far reaching it is or not.

        Liked by 1 person

        1. Like so much of this, Morley! The juxtaposition of the four characters with regard to friendship and policy and the idea of the road dividing. I think the first division we saw may have been in PP with the shared joke at Francine’s expense at the end and again in the MBF tag. There are probably others, but those two stick out. It’ll be interesting to watch for this in the future. I also really like the idea of Lee and Amanda being an “us” versus a “we”. They are very much becoming an us inside and outside work, the tie adjustment proves it. I also think neither has an idea of just how far reaching it is at this moment because they don’t know what each other is thinking or have really even been honest with themselves.

          Like

        2. I am noticing lots of references to friendship too.. but what exactly the episode wants to do with it and how this plays out -at this point I don’t know.. though I do find it interesting that Francine is on the outer and looking forward to seeing how this plays out.

          Francine did make allowances for Amanda in Playing possum – when she let her go home and come back remember? so I think underneath it all Francine might not be as ruthless as Dr Smyth – but being corrupted by power like we are seeing? I think it does raise some interesting questions about what she is capable of.. hmm I’m interesting to see how this pans out!! 🙂

          Like

          1. I won’t draw any conclusions yet, but what I am noticing is a kind of comparisons between two choice that an agent makes when push comes to shove. Do they choose Agency protocol and rules (the book) or do they choose their relationships and friendships. Kind of are they a machine or human?

            Like

              1. this comment made me think Morley.. and I have something else tossing around in my head about Lee but I think I’ll explore it more fully later in the ep -but! – I think Lee has always been empathetic. It’s very unlikely to learn this skill when it is not learned in childhood.. (aka psychopaths)
                -This may sound a little crazy (like a lot I say ) but I tend to see Lee as being extremely empathetic.
                There is evidence of it very early on in the show. I think Lee showed empathy with Amanda and her family from the start, and I look at how Lee protected Walt and his wife and tried to help them – he was extremely empathetic in the first and second episode.
                – I think what happened with Lee’s character was that he went through some traumatic life experiences and found the emotions overwhelming.
                Caring for others and empathising in life and on the job – I think he found it difficult to cope because he was so empathetic – so he tried to shut it down or deny it even more.

                It’s like what people with anxiety can experience – you have a strong emotion and you don’t like it or it scares you so you try to suppress it, but this can make you feel the emotion even more strongly and like it even less and it scares you even more – it’s a vicious cycle..

                With Lee – Amanda coming into his life, and Lee opening himself up to learn from Amanda has not (for me!) taught Lee empathy. He already had it – what it has done is teach Lee how to be comfortable with it, how to deal with his emotions and how to be empathetic and healthy.
                sorry I ramble.. this sorta stuff is what I study 😉

                Like

                1. Yes! I think you are right about Lee. About him being empathetic and trying to protect himself from it.
                  I guess I was thinking about the word empathetic because it seems to me that agents also try to steer clear of empathy because it may gum up their ability to do their job.

                  Like

                  1. Hiya! whooo this is interesting huh!
                    I agree.. I think early in the show much was made of Lee’s being detached and in control – because he was good at what he does but I always laughed at this because he wasn’t really that cool and calculated! But.. he had his spy mask on when David Benson pulled the gun on him and he remarked that Lee was a fine example of what an agent should be – or words to that effect.
                    Maybe when it comes down to survival Lee’s agency training kicks in and he becomes more calculated.. lol

                    I think you are right and the agency values the head over the heart – but without a heart there are lots of dangers the agents can fall into..
                    And if you are all heart and no head – again, you will be vulnerable.. early on it seems Lee was head oriented (codename scarecrow? that’s ironic!) and Amanda was heart oriented – as the show progresses the two traits become more balanced in either individual, while they still complement each other and work as a team well.

                    Anyone who is all head or all heart is a bit of a caricature – a real well rounded character would have aspects of both (unless they are Spock!) watching how these two aspects of decision making are prioritised and used during the show is IMHO a big part of the character’s and the show’s development.
                    For all four of the main characters.
                    – I might try and come back to this later.. Eek! I’m procrastinating at getting my final assignment for the year done.. ugh..

                    SMK is much more fun!!

                    Like

  14. “We’re just studying for my test” – awww – studying together for her test ❤ (for BJo 🙂 )

    I love the shots of Lee looking at Amanda at the bank, especially when she's looking at Zorbel. I know KJ's facial expressions are remarkable but BB's aren't too shabby.

    Like

So what do you think??? :)

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.