We cut back to Lee and Amanda after Francine’s super sweet and narky goodnight..
Lee seems to be cursing her..
Amanda notes his silent reaction.
She closes the magazine.
Amanda: Well… (Amanda rises to head for the door) … I guess I actually oughtta call Mother. It’s getting late.
(Lee is immediately looking like he kinda wishes she wouldn’t. Hmm seems Lee had hoped for a different kind of evening – probably hanging out and just relaxing and enjoying.. maybe he even had some wine and cheese tucked away he was going to pull out? tee heee.. )
(Amanda starts walking toward the door. Lee starts walking with her.)
Lee: Ah, yeah, yeah, you’ve got an early breakfast and…
(Amanda opens the door to the hallway.) …I’ve got to get Billy started on….
(Amanda opens the door so Lee rushes to finish his sentence before she starts to leave)
…that Bendix thing. Well…
(Lee points out to the hallway)
Amanda: Right.
Lee (calm again): Let me walk you to your room.
(Lee steps closer to Amanda, who points backwards to the hallway.)
Amanda: Across the hall?
Lee: Well, yeah…
(Lee looks down shy? what do you all make of him here?!)
…You ca- can’t be too careful, you know.
Lee looks directly at Amanda here, he has moved a little closer and has all his attention focused on Amanda.
Love how Amanda still has her hand up again ( just like she did when Lee surprised her about not sharing a room as she was showing him the window crack size she could compromise with lol)
I think Amanda looks at Lee’s mouth.. and then.. looks up to his meet his eyes.
She immediately knows the mood has changed here. Lee has changed it! 
Or maybe this was already bubbling away?.. and Francine sensed it and thus her cracks about their cozy room etc. etc. ??
You think Lee was propositioning Amanda here? to stay the night?? or.. maybe to not go to bed just yet?? or.. for whatever she’s happy with?!! Do tell!!
Amanda (tilts her head to the side): It’s good thinking…
[I think Amanda is curious.. she isn’t saying no 
I’m curious! I want to know what Lee had in mind.. just walking her to her door? really? across the hall??!!]
Lee: Mmm… second nature. Field experience.
(Lee licks his lips???!!!!!! 
)
(ROFL one of the caps looks like Lee is sticking his tongue out at her! umm I won’t choose that one haaaa)
Amanda (smiling): What kind of field experience? (fabulous question- enquiring minds want to know )
Now their both smiling!!! tee hee..
Lee (quietly): You know.
(Lee steps very close to Amanda.)
I think Lee keeps moving close and closer.. Until Amanda stops him by quickly saying: Not necessarily.
(As she turns and walks down the hall)
Lee: Hey…
Lee seems to go to say something but stops himself.
He closes his door behind him and walks Amanda to her door (awh.. what a gentleman I think he’s fine with letting Amanda pace things here. After all, it’s part of the game!)
Amanda doesn’t seem to mind. For all the times I think Lee has dragged his feet.. I am now thinking that both Lee and Amanda needed to take things slowly and I’m not minding one bit!
So what do you make of this little move of Lee’s here? and Amanda’s response? do tell!!! and do you think it’s related back to Francine’s remark about how things had changed for scarecrow? Hmmm.. could it be a little: hey the ladies seem to like me.. wink wink.. but.. do you like me??
At first I wondered if Amanda was rejecting that part of his history… but that doesn’t add up for me now.. Not that she is interested in being another one of his flings mind you, but I think she senses that Lee is not viewing her that way ( or heck, they wouldn’t be burger flippin brother and sister!!!!) know what I mean? Maybe Amanda is doing a little teasing of her own.. two can play that game.. don’t tell me about your previous ‘field experience’ buddy!
the ‘not necessarily’ seems to have shades of ‘not exactly’ would you say?
And again..
Amanda says it and
quickly turns to walk away!!!
This time, Lee is left open mouthed again
– but he quickly collects himself and rises to the challenge. yeah! I’m gonna walk you to your door! Try and stop me! tee heee.. or at least.. this is one theory I have of what’s going on here. But I enjoy the comparison of how Lee responds this time – he’s ready to play this game with Amanda!!! Whereas in Utopia Now he was unsure of things.. swoony!!!
As Lee closes his own door to walk Amanda across the hall.. I’m going to pause here for the moment.. hope you don’t mind – trying to keep these short.. so we can have posts regularly, while I am in a particularly busy time with life the next few weeks.. JWWM is a wonderful way to relax.. and I can’t wait to hear what you all make of this scene!!! Bye for now!
"Just walk with me.." 
I love LOVE this scene!! I love the sheepish way he looks down with “well yeah” like he’s been caught in a ruse. Then the slight lick of lips, and the way his voice gets lower and he steps closer confidently with a swoon worthy “you know”.
OMG The heat that man gives off takes your breath away! ❤️😊
I used to wonder how Amanda could walk away from that but as someone pointed Francine had just pointed out that Lee has a history of being a player; and it sounded like a line. I think Amanda is very careful with her heart and wants him to know that if he want her then he better be serious. ❤️
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I think I get more butterflies when I watch this scene by scene than via the DVD. You can almost feel the sexual tension crackle between them like electricity.
I think Amanda decided to scuttle off after Francines visit…possibly not wanting to give her more ammunition.
I definitely get the sense that Lee isn’t ready for the evening to end. I don’t however get the vibe he planned to make a move if Francine hadn’t turned up. They seemed a bit awkward in his hotel room, there was not much relaxing or camaraderie IYSWIM. The fact that Amanda was flicking through a magazine for a start doesn’t give me the vibe of them enjoying some personal time together.
It’s sooooo exciting to see him stick his neck out and be open in his flirting. If only he hadn’t resorted to trademark Scarecrow lines. I love how Amanda is initially caught off guard but recovers (strong lady) enough to join in the flirting dance a little before keeping her head.
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I get the impression that Lee was pretty mined about Francine’s interruption and especially about her comments. When you wrote that it seemed like Lee was cursing Francine I think I agree. I think Lee has been working pretty hard to do things very differently with Amanda and Francine just waltzed in and threw his past behavior all over the nice job he had been doing.
I think Francine’s little appearance and comments did a job n Amanda too. I kind of read her abrupt departure as a bit of a test for Lee. What were you up to Pal? What happens if I withdraw myself from this cozy, partner time? I a, not sure what she wants him to do, but I do think she is watching and wondering what Lee will do.
And I think Lee panicked and stepped forward on the wrong foot. He pulled out the old suave Scarecrow and I get the impression that Amanda said “no” to that. I love the “not necessarily”. Yes it is very much like the “not exactly” and she said that to rebuff some Scarecrowisms then too.
But I love it that Lee seems shy. I love the way Amanda looks at his mouth and almost gets drawn in, I love the way Lee can’t quite figure out how to approach her and so he goes with “second nature” and “field experience” and I love the way Amanda kind of laughs at him and walks away leaving him with his mouth wide open and a smile on his face. I kind of think he is glad she did it, she keeps drawing his true self towards her and I think he is happy that she is. I don’t think it would have gone very well if he had used his field experience and made a move on Amanda right there, it would have caused confusion and regrets because he was using lines and making moves. When these two finally take that step towards each other it has to be in all honesty and with both of them ready to stand in that relationship together otherwise it will complicate and cloud their friendship and partnership. And I don’t think either of them wants that even though they are both very drawn to each other romantically.
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So- if Amanda had not turned away would he have kissed her? I say yes. Therefore, I think he was planning for the first kiss tonight. He got her a room because he was planning that. They could enjoy their first kisses and Amanda could leave or kick lee out when she wanted. It kind of feels more like a date because of the two rooms. That there would be an end to it. I know lee was still in case mode but it feels like he was concluding what they knew and then go into Stetson mode. :). I also don’t think either would have relaxed with Francine next door- so if lee is responsible for the room change it would have been another good reason for two rooms. This first two almost kisses were interrupted by other people. This one was interrupted by Amanda. Why? Is it that she feels their first kiss should not be in the doorway of a motel? He is rushing on the way to the door and trying to set up the moment he had envisioned. Maybe she senese that quick change as trying too hard to make it happen?
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I agree with others that Amanda’s words “not necessarily” were designed to remind Lee that she wants to be courted by Lee, not Scarecrow. However, I think there was also a practical reason for actions in that instance, which is it wouldn’t be good for “brother and sister” Lee and Amanda to risk being seen kissing in the hotel hallway. 😯
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OMG! I was swept up in this scene I forgot about their lame-o cover as siblings. That would have been AWKWARD indeed. I guess we know where Lee’s priorities are at this moment.
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I wanted to say welcome Amy earlier, but I didn’t have access to the blog. So I will say “welcome!” now. The more the merrier I always say, glad to have you on the walk.
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Oh boy…love Lee here and his line, “You ca- can’t be too careful, you know.” If that isn’t sending a loud and clear message to Amanda, her radar is faulty. Then again, maybe his line sent her radar spinning out of control and it isn’t computing in her brain here. Where’s that helmet? Guess I should have put it on before I read this post…my head hurts! Lol.
I think Lee is not wanting the night to end and possibly get a good night kiss or two 😉 I don’t think he is asking to spend the night; that doesn’t fit with this “new” old-fashioned approach-taking Lee. This is more old-fashioned behavior in my mind. And then he ruins it with his field experience/you know lines! He is definitely looking for a kiss here…oh my! I remember thinking gah!!!! and wanting to throw something at the tv here when I first watched this! Another blown opportunity for them to share their first kiss!!! Thirty years later, I’m glad Amanda didn’t cave and said “not necessarily”. It’s a bit of a dig at Lee and one he deserved IMO.
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I was feeling alone in the boat til I read your post, BJo, but yep, I think Lee, all flirty and curous about how disappointed Amanda was with the brother/sister arrangements, blew it with his reversion and reference to old ways. (Although no, I don’t think he really had backgammon in mind.) Amanda had a great comeback — in effect, she said “Don’t use those lines on me (not to mention that very overt body language!) I’m not one of your previous conquests, I’m not going to become part of your “field experience, sorry sucker, you’re going to have to play it my way.” And she said it all so sweetly in 2 words 🙂 In Lee’s defense, I think this was just a misguided test of the waters on his part, but he is more than happy to let Amanda set the pace (so long as that pace is moving forward somehow). This is brand new territory for Lee and clearly he is not quite sure what lines to use (or not to use!) on a lady!
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Misguided test of the waters – I like it! Yup, clearly out of his element with this one. I am glad Amanda rebuffs him and lets him know that those lines aren’t going to work on her, but I am also glad that she isn’t completely turned off and still invites him in for a cup of coffee.
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I think Amanda is beginning to get a very clear picture of what Lee is wanting with her, she is just helping him to paint it. I like it, they are learning each other. Good relationship skills. and she does it while keeping up some mystery.
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I’m back!!! And just in time for a scene that I love, love, love. I’m wondering about the title again and the ‘food for thought’ portion. Maybe Lee is sort of testing the waters here in regards to where Amanda is. I’m thinking that after TWWH he did a lot of thinking about Joe and Amanda and the fact that he hasn’t made any declaration to Amanda as to how he is feeling. He saw quite a bit in Amanda’s interactions with Joe and it had to weigh on him a bit as to where things were headed for them both. I’m now seeing that tag as the beginnings of him either noticing or realizing that Amanda is truly who he wants and also that she just may want him. He does seem a bit shy and hesitant here.
From the start of this episode Lee seems to be trying to do things differently. He chose Amanda as his partner, consciously and specifically. When he went to ask Amanda about being a business partner he threw out that “does it matter” question when Amanda asked what business. He changed their typical cover status from being a couple to being brother and sister and now he seems to be testing Amanda’s reactions to his flirting. In each of these instances he seems to be waiting to see what Amanda’s reactions are to all of it.
All of this is so new for Lee and I think he is seeking or wanting some sort of clue or validation from Amanda that she is accepting of the possibility of more than friendship. He seems to be seeking some reassurances that he’s not alone in what he’s feeling. I’m also thinking that as Lee is realizing this, that Francine is realizing or seeing some sort of change as well, which is part of why she has probably inserted herself into this case.
These two are just so wonderful together, but I have to say that Amanda is quite a woman. How can you resist that smile, that dimple, that charm, that man that is Lee Stetson? She is definitely making him work for her. She certainly has nerves of steel.
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Amanda is indeed a strong woman to remain coherent – she even manages a quick comeback!
I’m reminded of the (many!) earlier examples of Lee’s flirting – although he is still flirting – it is as “outer” Lee, not Scarecrow who we saw with Celeste, Randi, ****i etc etc. It feels like he’s being ‘real’, not using a line on Amanda. But we’re not yet seeing ‘inner’ Lee showing his deeper feelings (although I’d argue that the expression on his face in the gym in TWWH was a glimpse of him).
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Really love the idea that Lee is seeking validation or clue from Amanda here! And yes, Amanda is a very strong woman here! I think Lee’s lines about field experience made it a little easier for her to be strong – ugh! – but still – she’s got to be feeling all fluttery on the inside!
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It looks now like Lee was hoping for more from his evening with Amanda. I don’t think he has any intention to romance her into bed but I get the feeling from this scene that he was wanting to see if the evening might lead to a little romance. His focus on the case in the last scene might have been “a cover”, using up some time if you will until he could figure out how to go about moving the conversation onto more personal territory. From there he probably figured he would judge from Amanda’s response whether they could take things further.
).
The brother/sister cover is a bit of handicap if he thought some alone time during this case might be an opportunity to try some romance. Why not check in as just friends wanting to get into a business venture together, or even 2nd or 3rd cousins if he thought the “family” connection might be more believable (sorry guys, but for me first cousins would be as icky as brother and sister
So maybe the thought of this case and the opportunity of some real alone time to grow their relationship only came to Lee once they had checked in.
I think at the beginning of this scene Amanda has probably reached the end of her patience for the evening, and maybe she’s a little tired too. After all, Lee seems to be focused on the case, Francine has been her usual narky self – I’d be looking for some alone time and shut eye too if I were her. I keep thinking about the way Amanda was distractedly reading the magazine in the last post, like she wasn’t sure what she was there for – where’s the tea, coffee, glass of wine, something, anything that people usually busy themselves with in such situations. I guess the magazine was close at hand and presented the best option for someone who might be a little excited, a little nervous – someone who is very aware of the feelings and tension that exist between her and the other person in the room. Otherwise all there is, is a table, chair and… gulp…bed.
Having said that, maybe Amanda noticed Lee’s annoyance at Francine and decided to see just how he would react to her leaving. I think Amanda is wise enough to know that if Lee did want anything else for the evening, the prospect of her retiring would jolt him into action. And did it ever!
Here we see Lee Stetson forced into action – his script is not good, he’s almost shy and uncertain – he’s very aware that the scripts he might have used for his previous encounters are not what he wants to use to woo Amanda – this is all new territory to him and he doesn’t want to mess up. It’s clear that he definitely doesn’t want his evening alone with Amanda to end.
Up until now Amanda may have been just wiling away the evening, talking about the case but I think wondering what could happen in a situation where she and Lee are alone and very unlikely to be interrupted … until Francine interrupted, of course. Maybe Francine’s interruption was the catalyst Amanda needed to take some control of the evening. Her announcement that she was going back to her room was I think a challenge to Lee – well, if you want to make something more of this evening, you’d better take some action right now, buster! Her ploy worked – Lee is like a puppy on a leash by the end of this post. 😀
Sorry for the long ramble. I am trying to be more succinct but this is an important moment in their relationship… not to mention a welcome oasis in the middle of a gross fast food desert 😉
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It’s a good point that Lee didn’t have to pick a brother/sister cover, that he could have just said that they were friends/business partners. I wonder if he picked brother/sister after he found out that Francine was coming, using it as part of his attempt to throw off her suspicions about the two of them and maybe as an excuse for why he needed to steal Francine’s room reservation. Although friends/business partners could have filled pretty much the same role. It might have been because she wanted throw off any suggestion of romantic involvement because he was feeling self-conscious about his feelings for Amanda and wanted to make it seem like he wasn’t even considering the possibility. It could also be that he just thought that a brother/sister team might be less suspicious to the Marvin’s people.
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Absolutely cannot form coherent thoughts with all the swoon thudding that’s happening. Holy heck! The electricity between these two is crackling.
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🙂 me to
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Lee’s definitely flirting here. I think he was planning to do this from the beginning, a plan that got slightly derailed with Francine’s appearance. Amanda’s being a little flirty, too, but I think that she’s also being a little cautious and a little teasing because she’s still waiting to see where Lee is heading with this. He seems to be making an overture, but I think Amanda is trying to tease something a little more definite out of Lee. 😉
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I absolutely love, love, LOVE this part of the episode. 🙂
(And Lee flirting and stepping so close always brings to mind the phrase: He’s crushing on her. 😀
squee AND swoon-thud!!!
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It’s a testament to how great this scene is that you still enjoy this scene, KC, despite being rather too familiar with in (dt the transcription process)!!
Crushing?? 😆
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This is one of my favourite season three scenes. I don’t see Lee as suggesting a night together – but I think this is the first time that he is overtly flirting with her and she is flirting back. Not work-related (despite the in-jokes about field experience), not on one-sided: he is showing very very clearly that he is interested in her as a woman and she is showing that she is interested in him as a man. It is not just business or friendship.
While the tag of UN contained a suggestion of flirting on Amanda’s part, it was not this open. Very swoony.
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Agreed! hooooo haaaa!
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Yep, one of the best scenes ever! To me this is the first time where he is showing Amanda (and us 🙂 )that he is interested in her and wants to kiss her for himself – not because “Penny made him promise” – whatever!
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