1/21 Season Three, Episode 22: All the World’s a Stage–Scarecrow and Mrs King

Hoorah! well here we are at the final episode of season three (in airing order Winking smile ) – I knew we would get here eventually! And yes, even I remember some of this episode [okay the ending!].. and ummm why we would be ummm anticipating it! But.. I will put all that to one side, and approach this episode as freshly as I can, and stay in the moment with the characters, and enjoy the journey we are taken on in this ep!]

Before we start – I’d like to say a huge thank you to Karyn, who transcribed this ep for us and Operation Sandstorm. Karyn: We Salute You!!! Smile 

So.. on with the show..

The episode opens with.. 3.22 ALL THE WORLD'S A STAGE.avi_000079312

Lots of vistas of Russia.. Maybe Moscow? St.Petersburg? Anyone?  3.22 ALL THE WORLD'S A STAGE.avi_000082015
This square above is Red Square Moscow isn’t it? Anyone know what the white structures are in the left foreground?
We see some Russian soldiers march by.. 3.22 ALL THE WORLD'S A STAGE.avi_000089823
This footage is quite dark. 3.22 ALL THE WORLD'S A STAGE.avi_000093126
But… it certainly looks like old footage!3.22 ALL THE WORLD'S A STAGE.avi_000094027
We join an agitated dudevski in a Russian meeting room of some kind.. a big portrait of Lenin tells us it’s Russia..(if we hadn’t already guessed) and the dull furnishings!3.22 ALL THE WORLD'S A STAGE.avi_000108141
The guy says: “ We cannot afford to waste more time, comrades! Every day we fall further behind in space weapons…
[Cue the cigars and bad suits..]
… That must, and will…..change.3.22 ALL THE WORLD'S A STAGE.avi_000117150
…I still believe, Maria Von Clausen is the key to our problem…
[grumpy dude starts his little slide show.. ]
3.22 ALL THE WORLD'S A STAGE.avi_000124958
…She is the sole reason the US is at least 18 months ahead of us in space laser application.
[Is it just me or is this guy’s accent all over the shop?!
Well, we have a woman at the peak of her game on smk- Way to go! but errr.. poor Maria Von Clausen- I suspect being the answer to the Russian’s problem is not something anyone would wish to be!]3.22 ALL THE WORLD'S A STAGE.avi_000135168
…We need Von Clausen, we keep failing to get her!…
[I can almost sense the impending – Muahahahahaahaa!]
…We have got to be RUTHLESS!!!!
3.22 ALL THE WORLD'S A STAGE.avi_000138171
[From a distance we can see grumpy dude wave a ruthless fist around. Man. He’s ruthless!]
…Damn the consequences and simply grab her!!!
[Oh my gosh! this guy is such a walking cliché it’s hilarious!] Seems I’m not alone in my view, one of the men in the audience starts to chuckle to himself!
Grumpy young foolish dude is not impressed.. 3.22 ALL THE WORLD'S A STAGE.avi_000145679
Agitated Man: Perhaps you have a better suggestion, Comrade Krutiov. You do seem to be vastly amused3.22 ALL THE WORLD'S A STAGE.avi_000149582
[I am to! but.. I can’t offer a suggestion Winking smile ] 3.22 ALL THE WORLD'S A STAGE.avi_000151685
This Krutiov seems to be a rather smug, arrogant man. Quite an achievement with this comb over! Smile [I think he secretly resents grumpy dude’s full head of hair- yes ‘ownhair’!]
Krutiov: You…spout your vigorous tactics, but you’re doomed before you begin!..3.22 ALL THE WORLD'S A STAGE.avi_000156189 …Let me get Maria Von Clausen for you…3.22 ALL THE WORLD'S A STAGE.avi_000159793
… I won’t have to flex more than my fingers!
Krusty Krutiov holds up his fingers to make his point.. lol.. and tosses a booklet on the table. 3.22 ALL THE WORLD'S A STAGE.avi_000169402
A script for “Parisian Intrigue…a play by Tony Martinet” , dated April 10, 1986.

What could it all mean? I’m Parisian Russian Intrigued!

The April 10, 1986 date is interesting, 3 Little Spies aired back on April 7, 1986… 

Cue the Washington DC vistas.. and we are back in the land of colour and good 80’s tailoring (is that an oxymoron?!).
On to IFF, we hear Amanda speaking as the view zooms in on a Q bureau window..
3.22 ALL THE WORLD'S A STAGE.avi_000181114
Amanda: This would be a heck of a lot easier if I could see what I was doing, Leatherneck.
[what would be easier?!]
Leatherneck: I know, but 93% of the bad guys out there are going to lock your hands up behind your back… [locked hands?]3.22 ALL THE WORLD'S A STAGE.avi_000185919
…That’s because they want to make it harder, not easier…
3.22 ALL THE WORLD'S A STAGE.avi_000187120
…Please, keep trying.
We see a close up..
[ohhh right! so this is an uncuff yourself exercise! oh yeah I like this!! Great to see Amanda actually undergoing some formal training (and away from Lee. No offense Lee). ]3.22 ALL THE WORLD'S A STAGE.avi_000190423
[Leatherneck is a good and patient teacher.]
Amanda works on the cuffs for a moment and in walks Lee.
Amanda turns and gives him a smile.. he smiles back.
[Boo this is too blurry for me to capture]
Amanda: Hello
Lee: Hi
Hmm.. what is she thinking? what was with that little sideways glance she gave to herself at his arrival? 3.22 ALL THE WORLD'S A STAGE.avi_000194027
Lee keeps quiet and watches.. do you think Amanda minds Lee being there and watching?
I do love how Amanda’s lesson seems to have taken over the Q bureau, which is technically suppose to be Lee’s space.. and Lee doesn’t seem to mind! Maybe this is what Amanda was reacting to?
Leatherneck: Hi Lee, come on in…3.22 ALL THE WORLD'S A STAGE.avi_000199132
Lee enters taking in what’s going on wordlessly..

Aaaand I’m going to pause here before this goes any further! Will Amanda be able to concentrate with Mr distraction Lee Stetson in the room in nice threads?! Smile
At least she has her back to him.. that will help!
Back with more soon – can’t wait to hear from ya!!

65 thoughts on “1/21 Season Three, Episode 22: All the World’s a Stage–Scarecrow and Mrs King”

  1. Oops, I just read part 2 and realize I might have “looked ahead” in my part 1 handcuff comments. But since I can’t see my post, I’m not sure. Anyway, it’s no wonder my posts are being intercepted! 😉

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  2. I was just going to play catch up but already at part 1 I can’t resist commenting! Welcome katjielee and Emily!

    Amanda’s look and Leatherneck’s response makes me suspect that Amanda and Leatherneck have been working on the handcuffs for a couple practice sessions, perhaps in order to surprise Lee with this unexpected new-found skill. She is just on the verge of getting the hang of it as Lee walks in and catches them (NO gutter thoughts implied here), thus her expression as he enters, then her look of confidence and determination, and then her success. I wonder what other skills she has been trying to hone. Good for Amanda! If one wants to climb the ladder, one has to take the steps oneself, not just wait for someone to pull you up, especially for women in the 80’s.

    The skirt makes me cringe but for different reasons. I am soooo glad that the days of expected and “proper” female attire in the work place being a skirt are generally way behind us. How impractical for a field agent to have to wear heels and a skirt/dress on a day to day basis.

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    1. Hi raffie! For some reason this first comment went into the Spam folder in WordPress. I’ve “Un-spammed” it as WordPress calls it – 😀 This was the only comment there that I found, so not sure how many others there were. You referred to comments in plural in a short post on 21/21.

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      1. Thanks, BJo! Maybe the other “comment” that I’d thought I made was just a “like”. The one you found is the one I knew was missing!!

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  3. So glad we’re finally here! I first heard this episode before I watched it (I was grounded from the tv, but fortunately CBS aired their shows on FM radio on the very low end of the dial). I will never forget Krutiov’s “You’re doomed before you begin!”

    So glad to see Leatherneck back in the game and Amanda’s desk in the Q. I’m thinking this is its first appearance? I’m sure others have already commented on this.

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    1. Ooh what a bad time to be grounded from the TV! Our local CBS also aired broadcasting on the FM radio. Before we had a VCR, I used to record episodes on cassettes so I could listen to them over and over.

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  4. I am finally caught up with all the episode recaps and am now able to join the party! I have really loved re-watching the show with you guys and am looking forward to participating from here on out. Obviously, this episode holds a special place in my heart and I have very vivid memories of being 13 and melting into a puddle and then getting to school early on Tuesday morning to gush about it with my best friend.

    I love how the opening scene with Amanda and Leatherneck shows how far she has come in her training this season. She has always been capable, but now we can see that given the tools and training (that she was begging for in season one), she is excelling.

    More later. Thank iwsod for starting this up. I’ve had a blast the past few weeks Only wish I would have found it sooner!

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    4. Welcome eer1672! Yep, I remember calling my best friend the second the credits were on to discuss, and often we’d be on the phone until our mom’s told us it was getting late. So much fun, wasn’t it? 🙂

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    5. Hoorah!!! Well done catching up eer1672! Gosh was it hard to not comment earlier? while you were catching up? you were very welcome to!

      Thank iwsod for starting this up. I’ve had a blast the past few weeks Only wish I would have found it sooner!

      You are very welcome eer1672 (can I call you eer?) – I may have started it, but it’s everyone contributing to JWWM through transcribing dialogue, commenting on the walk and just being kind, welcoming and inclusive that keeps this walk going! 🙂
      As for finding it sooner – we may repeat this whole journey all over again if everyone is interested.. though maybe we can brainstorm trying a different format.. once the blog posts of the walk are written it’s not a lot of work for me to republish them or rejig a little.. we’ll see! It’s going to be at least a year before we come close to finishing Season 4 🙂 [put your thinking caps on guys and begin to dream!]

      Obviously, this episode holds a special place in my heart and I have very vivid memories of being 13 and melting into a puddle and then getting to school early on Tuesday morning to gush about it with my best friend.

      Awh!!! Sounds like lovely, happy memories!!
      I hope you will share with us your memories as the story unfolds!! I never had that experience as I didn’t see this episode until I was an adult back in 2007 I think it was.. I love to hear stories of what it must have been like to watch and have no idea what was coming!!! 🙂

      I must get on with my work day here.. Welcome again eer!!!!
      bye everyone!

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      1. It was pretty hard not commenting, but it just motivated me to read faster. Also, feel free to call me Emily (or eer if you prefer). Looking forward to the rest of the walk and discussing options for the future.

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  5. Pingback: SEASON 3 Quick Links | "Just walk with me.."

  6. Love the “comb over” and “Ownhair” envy going on in this opening scene.

    And I do love the way Lee is welcomed into his own office by Leatherneck while Leatherneck is training Amanda. I love it that we see Amanda getting this training and Lee is just the observer.

    So… in viewing order ( and mine as well) this little scene would come right after the sweet tag at the end of Dead Men…. I wonder if there was only a little excited angst about how things would be when they see each other again. I like this little entrance in light of that. What is Lee observing (get your minds our of the deep gutter…. although I bet Lee does like the view – and I will stop there). And Amanda can’t even see Lee or think about the fact that he is there much at all because she has got to finish this training exercise…. and now accomplish it in front of Lee. The stakes are high, huh? Poor Amanada – but she is up for the challenge, I am convinced of it.

    And the title. I have to consider it. I know there is this Parisian Intrigue play as part of the plot somehow, but there must be many stage references that they could have used for this episode. Ok, so its a poem that is part of As You Like It by Shakespeare.
    “All the world’s a stage,
    And all the men and women merely players;
    They have their exits and their entrances,
    And one man in his time plays many parts,
    His acts being seven ages. At first, the infant,
    Mewling and puking in the nurse’s arms.
    Then the whining schoolboy, with his satchel
    And shining morning face, creeping like snail
    Unwillingly to school. And then the lover,
    Sighing like furnace, with a woeful ballad
    Made to his mistress’ eyebrow. Then a soldier,
    Full of strange oaths and bearded like the pard,
    Jealous in honor, sudden and quick in quarrel,
    Seeking the bubble reputation
    Even in the cannon’s mouth. And then the justice,
    In fair round belly with good capon lined,
    With eyes severe and beard of formal cut,
    Full of wise saws and modern instances;
    And so he plays his part. The sixth age shifts
    Into the lean and slippered pantaloon,
    With spectacles on nose and pouch on side;
    His youthful hose, well saved, a world too wide
    For his shrunk shank, and his big manly voice,
    Turning again toward childish treble, pipes
    And whistles in his sound. Last scene of all,
    That ends this strange eventful history,
    Is second childishness and mere oblivion,
    Sans teeth, sans eyes, sans taste, sans everything.”

    Just putting the entire thing out here so we can have it in our minds as we go through the episode. Of course, I will be trying to make it fit into what we are learning about Lee and Amanda… Because I have fun doing that sort of thing, odd ball that I am 😉

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  7. Hi all. I have been lurking for quite some time just enjoying the walk and, especially, all the insightful (and often hilarious) comments. Thank you, iwsod, for all the time and effort you put into this. I think Amanda is embarrassed that Lee walked in during her lesson. It’s doubtful Amanda or Leatherneck is worried that Lee will have a problem with Amanda using his office for training because by this time, Amanda pretty much can do what she pleases and knows Lee will indulge her. LOVE Leatherneck. I find Amanda’s season 3 clothing the least offensive of all the seasons, even taking into consideration the parachute skirts. Sorry so opinionated in my first post….I’ve been holding it all in! lol

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    3. Good point about Amanda’s potential embarrassment in front of Lee, Katjielee. I can imagine that I’d feel a bit unco-ordinated if Lee walked in the room :D. No, seriously, it must be hard to concentrate on learning a new skill like that with a 3rd party watching you.
      And welcome to JWWM! 🙂

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      2. Good point about Amanda’s potential embarrassment in front of Lee, Katjielee.

        I loved that too!

        No, seriously, it must be hard to concentrate on learning a new skill like that with a 3rd party watching you.

        Well put learjet – I agree! 🙂

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    4. Hiya Katjielee,

      Really glad you’ve found us, been reading and enjoying this fabulous little show and that you’ve delurked and taken the plunge! hoorah!!

      thanks for your lovely compliments to us all here.

      Thanks too for your encouragement, the time and effort is all worth it when I hear others are enjoying this journey!! [and I don’t do it on my own – everyone chips in and helps with transcribing dialogue and conversing about eps – If it were just me I’d have thrown in the towel years ago! 🙂 ]

      It’s doubtful Amanda or Leatherneck is worried that Lee will have a problem with Amanda using his office for training because by this time, Amanda pretty much can do what she pleases and knows Lee will indulge her.

      So true!!! But.. does Leatherneck know this? whoooo now that is an interesting idea!! If others have begun to notice this turn of events.. what must they be thinking???!!

      find Amanda’s season 3 clothing the least offensive of all the seasons, even taking into consideration the parachute skirts. Sorry so opinionated in my first post….I’ve been holding it all in! lol

      LOL hold in no more! 🙂 I can’t vouch for season 4 fashions yet.. (eek!) but I’d agree that of what I’ve seen so far this season I agree, season 3 is the least offensive! well put!
      Feel free to express your opinions Katjielee – we all share what we think here – we are free to see things differently and disagree – it’s part of the fun (that and laughing at the fashions!)
      Welcome Welcome Katjielee!

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  8. Hold the presses! Let’s take a moment to notice that Amanda’s desk has also just appeared. It wasn’t there in DMLNT and they were never in the Q during 3LS but Leatherneck has all his stuff piled all over it now. Hurray! Now, death to that &^%* guest pass and my life will be complete.

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    1. whooooo I’ve said something about this as this scene continues in post 2 – I wasn’t sure what to make of it.
      Not knowing what’s ahead, we’d be thinking that leatherneck has found a table to rest all his kit on – maybe? Maybe we see Amanda sitting at it later in this ep. No idea! And sorry I guess you can’t really answer me about this! lol!!

      Hurray! Now, death to that &^%* guest pass and my life will be complete.

      Love your sentiments regardless of my desk confusion clagjanet. I’m with you!!! Let’s start the ‘fans for a guest pass free environment’ activism group!
      No more guest pass!
      And.. don’t tell us to go home and bake a cake!
      [Vigilante Mothers has been on my mind.. Hmm I can’t think why! 😉 ]

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    2. I thought it was a desk at first too, but it looks so small. I’m going to wait until part 2 of this scene to see what Iwsod is going to comment, but I agree that that pass needs to be burned and quickly.

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  9. This episode is another favorite of mine in the series so I’m really looking forward to walking through this one with everyone. I like Amanda in that color, so I’m sort of overlooking the float-ability of her outfit. 😉

    I think her smile when Lee walks in says a lot of different things. She’s obviously happy to see him. She might be a little nervous, wanting to get the handcuffs off quickly to prove she can do this. I could also take a swan dive into the gutter like Kiwismh and consider other things having to do with handcuffs that Amanda might be thinking…and I’ll stop there. 😉 😉 😉

    Iwsod… lol about the “ownhair”

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    1. hear hear Sara!

      I’m sort of overlooking the float-ability of her outfit

      Haaaa!

      I think her smile when Lee walks in says a lot of different things. She’s obviously happy to see him. She might be a little nervous, wanting to get the handcuffs off quickly to prove she can do this. I could also take a swan dive into the gutter like Kiwismh and consider other things having to do with handcuffs that Amanda might be thinking…and I’ll stop there.

      I love this! I’m going with this too Sara! 🙂

      >
      Iwsod… lol about the “ownhair”

      Awh- why thank you!

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  10. I think Amanda will get out of their handcuffs quite easily. Looking at the pic with the hands behind her back and noticed her belt – she’s obviously had plenty of practice doing up and undoing this belt behind her back. 🙂
    Kiwismh is less adept (and lazy) and would do such a belt up at the front and then schooch it around to the back.

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    2. LOL great idea!

      I always figured Amanda would buckle that belt in front, and then turn it around – but your way is better as she gets in some extra practice 😉

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    3. Kiwismh is less adept (and lazy)…

      Well, Kiwismh, I don’t know how adept (an lazy) you are, but I’d call it the more intelligent way doing it. 🙂

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  11. This square above is Red Square Moscow isn’t it? Anyone know what the white structures are in the left foreground?

    Yup, Iwsod, you’re right. It’s the red square in Moscow.
    Those white structures belong to the ‘Kremlin Wall Necropolis’ – kind of a national cemetery. More to the left and out of the picture is the Kremlin Wall.
    According to Wikipedia ‘The practice of burying dignitaries at Red Square ended with the funeral of Konstantin Chernenko in March 1985.’

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  12. Note the “baddie” signs everywhere: cigarette smoke, a decanter and posh (if somewhat tasteless IMHO) glassware and silverwear

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    1. Learjet this had me laughing away out in public (lesson for iwsod, don’t read these comments on my phone in public – I couldn’t help it!)

      Well spotted learjet! 🙂

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  13. Nice of Leatherneck to welcome Lee into his own office! That’s some fine southern hospitality there. 🙂

    So great to finally be here in the walk – hope we aren’t going to be “russian” through it!

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    1. Love any scene with Leatherneck in it. He may think he owns the Agency (car pool, supplies, photography equipment, the Q) but he’s so easy-going and friendly that I enjoy it all. He’s kind of perky without being annoying like Lance, Skylar etc. It’s a fun way of seeing how Amanda’s real agent training is progressing…

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    2. Another Leatherneck fan here. They don’t show him enough. I wonder if some of these ‘exercises’ might require her to not be distracted and maybe that’s why Leatherneck said it’s okay for Lee to come in? Or maybe he already knows how much a ‘distraction’ Lee is for Amanda. 😉 😉

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    3. Clagjanet – I promise no ‘russian’ through this episode! So far I’ve written 16 blog posts and I’m not finished!!
      okay I’m trying to keep the post length shortish but it’s still I think going to be a leisurely stroll through this one! I look forward to strolling with you all!
      [Oh phew! I remembered to get back to this comment. Sorry, I’ve been ‘russian’ 😉 ]

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  14. I can only think that the budgets in 1980’s TV must’ve been quite thin – in SMK-land they often seem to rely on really dated stock footage. Or perhaps audiences back then were just a lot less discerning about that kind of detail. I don’t seem to remember being overly concerned at the time, although I think I would probably have realised it was dated footage.
    A confident baddie is always more scary than a menacing baddie – comb-over guy I think is going to be problematic. Everyone else at the table seems to be out of ideas and not really overly enthusiastic about whatever it is they are trying to achieve by “getting van Clausen”. Getting their claws-into van Clausen! 😀 That was bad, I know, but I crack me up. With lines like that I could’ve written for SMK! 😉
    Lee’s looking good here, but, oh, Amanda, still with the big blousey blouse and parachute skirts. When will she ever learn that this is not suitable action attire? :-/

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        2. Ouchie! L&A, careful! watch your thumbs while you are rolling around on the floor – their up! 🙂 tee hee..
          Oh no.. tears? was I too late?! Hope your thumbs survived and can live to give a thumbs up another day! 🙂

          Uh oh. See Kiwismh cracking yourself up is contagious – now I’m doing it! 🙂

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          1. LOL and right away the next ‘thumbs up’.

            Don’t worry, my thumbs survived and are doing fine and those tears came from laughing so hard.
            So, everything is fine here. 🙂

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      2. glad you persisted Cindy! Boooo to wordpress! 😉

        Yeah! the parachute skirt is the perfect skirt for the female spy (along with the scent ‘intrigue’ 😉 )

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    2. really dated stock footage.

      Yeah I remember fleetingly seeing this type of thing on tv but not being able to pause or rewind I quickly moved on 😉

      comb-over guy I think is going to be problematic.

      rofl. as Lee would say – you have a real talent for understatement 🙂

      Getting their claws-into van Clausen! That was bad, I know, but I crack me up. With lines like that I could’ve written for SMK!

      Go for it Kiwismh! cracking up is contagious! 🙂 haaa yeah heck I bet a few of us could write for smk 😉

      Lee’s looking good here, but, oh, Amanda, still with the big blousey blouse and parachute skirts. When will she ever learn that this is not suitable action attire?

      rofl. I can’t drum up enough outrage at the parachute skirts, because there have been outfits that are so much worse I guess!

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    3. Agree on having to take the era and the budgets and also just how people viewed TV into account. We didn’t have VCRs yet as a norm. Our neighbors were early-adopters and had a Betamax LOL so no one was taping, freeze-framing or going back over footage that was simply stock. It didn’t matter so much and you never saw more than one episode a week so even Mrs Walker may have been less noticeable, you know. They didn’t need to be nearly to attuned to that kind of thing then.

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So what do you think??? :)

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