5/21 Season Three, Episode 22: All the World’s a Stage–Scarecrow and Mrs King

We cut to a fountain in a park, the Krusty comb over, Krutiov himself is sitting there.. [I love how these well known Russian spies seem to enter the country so easily!]3.22-ALL-THE-WORLDS-A-STAGE.avi_0006[57]
Carl Valentine approaches.3.22-ALL-THE-WORLDS-A-STAGE.avi_0006[Whooo is the agency following Valentine? If so, they have their confirmation Krutiov is involved. Hmm that might be too easy Winking smile ]
Krutiov: Do you always put your left hand in your pocket, Mr. Valentine?3.22-ALL-THE-WORLDS-A-STAGE.avi_0006[8] [lol. mind games! what does it mean?! his mother punished him too much? Winking smile ]
Valentine: Yeah, I think so.3.22-ALL-THE-WORLDS-A-STAGE.avi_0006[19]
Krutiov: You’re ten minutes late. Explain please!3.22-ALL-THE-WORLDS-A-STAGE.avi_0006[33]
Valentine: I was cornered by a reporter from a local rag on my way out of the theatre.
Krutiov: Well you keep your eyes opened about this so called reporter and your mouth shut… 3.22-ALL-THE-WORLDS-A-STAGE.avi_0006[41]
…Now, I assume that Mr. Martinet’s response was as I predicted?
Valentine: It was practically verbatim. It was uncanny. It was like he was some kind of actor spouting dialogue.
[Uh oh… so Martinet is being played somehow.]
Krutiov: In a sense he is.
[aha! Maybe this is a reference to the title – all the world’s a stage? and Krutiov is a master playwright?/puppet master!]
Valentine: I don’t understand . He’s a second rate washed up playwright. What do you want with him?
Krutiov (lightly): Do you know about cats, and curiosity Mr. Valentine???? 3.22-ALL-THE-WORLDS-A-STAGE.avi_0006[51]
[This Krutiov is quite droll. He looks intense and dangerous, but he sounds light and airy.. ]
…Hmmm? Well tomorrow we’ll administer the coup de grace to Mr. Martinet. Oh, Mr. Valentine, make sure you wear a blue suit.3.22-ALL-THE-WORLDS-A-STAGE.avi_0006[13]
[I’m getting the vibe these two do not have a long history. Valentine gets the message. don’t ask questions, and do what you are told. ‘You walk with your hand in your left pocket! I know about you!!! Muahahahahaa!!’]

Krutiov isn’t waiting around to check if Valentine is happy to do that. He gives his orders and leaves.

[Poor Tony.. and poor Maria! We know the Russians want to be rrrrrruthless and grab her, but Krutiov is trying a different technique here first- involving Tony somehow. Maybe the Tony/Maria relationship is legit! ]

Back to the theatre and Tony is addressing all the cast as they leave: Tony: Tomorrow rehearsal at 10 sharp everybody. OK? 3.22-ALL-THE-WORLDS-A-STAGE.avi_0007[6]
(they mumble vague acknowledgements.. )
To Amanda: We may not even need you but if we do you’d be wonderful.3.22-ALL-THE-WORLDS-A-STAGE.avi_0007[14]
(Martinet offers his hand to Amanda to shake)
[Squeee! go Amanda! She got in??!!! She’s done well!!!]
Amanda: Thank you very much.
Tony: Good night.
Amanda: Good night.3.22-ALL-THE-WORLDS-A-STAGE.avi_0007[28]
Martinet leaves, and Amanda is seen putting a script into her purse – whooo well done Amanda. she got a complete copy!

Amanda hangs around the stage for a moment stalling and trying to look casual..
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..maybe she is also relishing being up on the stage again after all these years? Toying with the idea of taking on this understudy role? [The music suggests she is IMHO]

She sneaks out to the back of the stage and hears a clang. 3.22-ALL-THE-WORLDS-A-STAGE.avi_0007[8]
She hides down low on the staircase and watches.
A man in a suit enters with a load of boxes. Not dressed like a delivery man but delivering something! Suspicious? You think? 3.22-ALL-THE-WORLDS-A-STAGE.avi_0007[11]
He is seen unlocking a cage.
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he puts the boxes in the cage,
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He locks the cage again and leaves. All observed by Amanda.
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Amanda sneaks over to the cage and tests it, yep it’s locked.
Good job she’s had that training!!
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She grabs something handy out of the conveniently located tool box and sets to work unpicking the lock.
Clunk! 3.22-ALL-THE-WORLDS-A-STAGE.avi_0007[30]
Success!!  [Love this shot of Amanda!]3.22-ALL-THE-WORLDS-A-STAGE.avi_0007[31]
She enters the cage, opens a box and takes out one of the books. It seems to have a red cover.
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she tucks it under her arm, and closes the cage door. 3.22-ALL-THE-WORLDS-A-STAGE.avi_0008[14]
She’s putting the lock back on when Lee sneaks in quietly and observes her.
3.22-ALL-THE-WORLDS-A-STAGE.avi_0008[43]
He’s a bit surprised by what he sees I think. [Hey, get use to seeing Amanda pick locks 🙂 ]
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Lee: Amanda? 3.22-ALL-THE-WORLDS-A-STAGE.avi_0008[11]
Surprised, Amanda starts. Phew. good thing she didn’t scream or something. 3.22-ALL-THE-WORLDS-A-STAGE.avi_0008[47]
The look on her face is priceless! 3.22-ALL-THE-WORLDS-A-STAGE.avi_0008[12]
Lee approaches.
…How’d you do with Martinet?
Amanda : Oh I did very well; he made me the understudy for the female lead.3.22-ALL-THE-WORLDS-A-STAGE.avi_0008[62]
[I just love how they have these conversations still in the theatre. too risky! They should play the cover till they are out of there!!! no?]
Lee:  Understudy! Great!3.22-ALL-THE-WORLDS-A-STAGE.avi_0008[65]
(Amanda is holding a script- Ah I see!)
… that’s a good cover… 3.22-ALL-THE-WORLDS-A-STAGE.avi_0008[40]
[I like that Lee acknowledges the good work but isn’t too gushing.]
..Is this the script?3.22-ALL-THE-WORLDS-A-STAGE.avi_0008[23]
Amanda: Well, actually this is a revised script see it’s dated tomorrow. 3.22-ALL-THE-WORLDS-A-STAGE.avi_0008[26]
…How’d you do with Valentine?
[Um can we have this conversation outside?! I’m probably worrying about nothing..]
Lee: Meh, the standard stuff about production values.
(As they walk Amanda flicks through the revised script)
Amanda:Well you know this is actually kinda funny.3.22-ALL-THE-WORLDS-A-STAGE.avi_0008[66]
Lee: What?
Amanda: Well there are an awful lot of changes in here, but Tony didn’t say anything about a rewrite.3.22-ALL-THE-WORLDS-A-STAGE.avi_0008[31]
Lee: Well, let’s look at it from the beginning.
(Lee takes the script)3.22-ALL-THE-WORLDS-A-STAGE.avi_0008[48]
…Lets see,
[they both see it at the same time] 3.22-ALL-THE-WORLDS-A-STAGE.avi_0008[16]
…right here on page one. “Crystal dewdrops of dashed dreams”… 3.22-ALL-THE-WORLDS-A-STAGE.avi_0008[53]
[rofl. on page 1. How easy for Lee to find whahahaaha..]
3.22-ALL-THE-WORLDS-A-STAGE.avi_0008[17]
…Krutiov wrote that in the margin of the script we got from the Soviet Embassy…3.22-ALL-THE-WORLDS-A-STAGE.avi_0008[61]
… Let’s get this to Billy.
3.22-ALL-THE-WORLDS-A-STAGE.avi_0008[15]
…Come on.
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Finally, they leave the theatre! 3.22-ALL-THE-WORLDS-A-STAGE.avi_0008[35]
Ugh!!!!! Just when I think they’ve been dumb but gotten away with it, Mr delivery man steps out from the curtains.
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Uh oh… I can only guess he heard everything and is off to updated krusty Krutiov!

My goodness.. it’s all so absurd! and I’m intrigued!
Clever Krutiov is changing the dialogue in the play, and this is going to somehow get him Maria Van Clausen, Martinet’s girlfriend?! How does all this fit together? and.. how are Lee and Amanda going to figure it out?  I really do not remember how this plays out at all!!!! Don’t tell me!!! Anyone else not remember?

Byeee!

35 thoughts on “5/21 Season Three, Episode 22: All the World’s a Stage–Scarecrow and Mrs King”

  2. I’m so far behind…time to binge again. I really like that close up of Amanda. To me it says a lot about where she is in her life now. The word ‘ethereal’ came to mind when I saw the pic, but the word only describes her beauty or possibly how she’s feeling. It’s like her life is finally starting to settle down and is less frantic or chaotic. She’s at a place where she knows what she wants to do with the rest of her life. She’s made peace with her ex and where he stands in her life. She’s coming into her own as an agent and she is basking in the glow of this newfound connection with Lee. There seems to be a calmness in her spirit. The opposite of ethereal is worldly or grounded and I think those settled aspects of her life have led to this glowing beauty that she is seeming to radiate in this episode thus far.

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    1. Whoa great eagle eyes LAAL!!!
      Keep your eyes open everyone – the Eyes have it 🙂

      Does he have the same outfit on? I don’t have time to look right now I’ll be back after a full days work and I’ll publish the next blog post then. Hope you are all well byee!!

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      1. Looks like the same outfit for me (just looking at your pictures, not re-watching ‘The Eyes Have It’).

        Now they not only re-use supporting/background actors but also their wardrobe… Short on money?

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  4. I also find myself worrying about Lee and Amanda being discovered while examining the script. Firstly, Amanda may have being able to get into the cage to get the script but she didn’t notice coming up behind her. Then Lee didn’t seem too bothered by that, and they hung around while I kept thinking “leave, leave, a baddie may arrive and catch you!!”

    I like Rachelinplaid’s idea of Krutiov being the puppet master. The rest of them do seem to have puppet-like brains (can’t think for themselves!). But he isn’t a menacing SMK baddie – he’s more a tongue-in-cheek SMK baddie. Only scary is you’re one of his puppet-brained contacts….

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  5. The Russian spies probably slip through the Mexican/US boarder. It is amazing to me though how they hang around in broad daylight! And I have also thought for a super spy Lee sure does gives things away fregrently, but I guess it helps move the plot along 😉

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  6. This may be a very dull and boring comment and I hope I am not foreshadowing the episode as this is one of my favorites and I do remember it entirely. I have been trying not to comment for fear I may something wrong. If so, please just delete the comment and accept my apologies. However, I wanted to respond to your comment that “Maybe this is a reference to the title – all the world’s a stage? and Krutiov is a master playwright?/puppet master!” I always thought the title “All the World’s a Stage” was a reference to Shakespeare’s play “As You Like It” from which the quote comes from. The play is all about falling in love specifically focusing on main characters of Rosalind and Orlando who fall head over heals in love but it is disguised until the very end of the play. This is probably a bad summary, but it always seemed to me to fit the episode.

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    1. I always thought it was a reference to Shakespeare as well, Rachelinplaid. Having said that I like the idea of it including Krutiov as being a puppet master. Mind you, since it has been pointed out that he has a comb over, I don’t feel much menace from him. (Strange, I have watched this episode many times and never noticed the comb over. I am obviously very unobservant- now, it seems to dominate the screen shots!)

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    2. hi Rachelinplaid!
      Wonderful as always to hear from you! 🙂

      This may be a very dull and boring comment and I hope I am not foreshadowing the episode as this is one of my favorites and I do remember it entirely. I have been trying not to comment for fear I may something wrong. If so, please just delete the comment and accept my apologies.

      You are amongst friends – when discussing smk with all of us who also love this show – a dull or boring comment is just not possible 🙂 If you make efforts to not jump ahead, and respect all voices here – there is no risk of saying something wrong 🙂 it’s all good!

      I guess foreshadowing is a natural part of the journey isn’t it? But.. yes if you point something out as foreshadowing something ahead then it does reveal what’s ahead that’s true! I guess the way around this is to hold that thought – take note of it somewhere, and when the reveal takes place – you can then refer back to what you saw as foreshadowing? hopefully? does that help?

      I am lucky- I don’t grapple with this too much because I’ve intentionally not watched these episodes for years, and because of that, I stay with the story as it unfolds. Still no one can do this perfectly.. I can’t completely forget some things ahead.. no matter how much I stare at that darn tuxedo 😉

      OH and one last thing.. if you do happen to just accidentally jump ahead it’s no drama. Someone will kindly point it out, I’ll block my ears (eyes!) and we’ll just move on 🙂
      Okay, iwsod’s rambling attempts to reassure are over! 🙂

      So.. moving on..

      I wanted to respond to your comment that “Maybe this is a reference to the title – all the world’s a stage? and Krutiov is a master playwright?/puppet master!” I always thought the title “All the World’s a Stage” was a reference to Shakespeare’s play “As You Like It” from which the quote comes from. The play is all about falling in love specifically focusing on main characters of Rosalind and Orlando who fall head over heals in love but it is disguised until the very end of the play. This is probably a bad summary, but it always seemed to me to fit the episode.

      I’m glad you did respond 🙂
      I think in the comments of post 1 you’ll find that Morley shared the Shakespearean passage where this famous and well known quote came from. yeah definitely related to the Shakespeare text.
      I hadn’t really stopped to think yet about the specifics of what characters in what situation say it.
      It’s great to learn this now so we can keep an eye out for any insights.. Thanks for sharing this!
      sounds like the title is hinting at a certain couple falling in love… Just like the eps have been hinting at for ages! 🙂 If the title refers to the context of the quote- I look forward to watching this play out!

      I think it’s been a while since we’ve had an smk title that’s been of interest – we had a little discussion in 3 Little spies but it didn’t interest as much as some previous smk titles we’ve tried to figure out.
      Sometimes they are alluding to more than one thing, a general underlying theme, or multiple versions of a concept. [no please don’t ask me examples.. the brain can’t do it tonight!]
      But what I’m trying to say (poorly) is – I think it can be that as an episode unfolds, the wider or many and varied meanings of a title can be revealed.
      I think there are a number of actors on various stages in this episode and it’s a genius title! Then, we have the actual real stage as the backdrop! 🙂 Really clever!
      Valentine’s line about Martinet sounding like he was reading from Krutiov’s script got me thinking if this could be another stage- Krutiov’s stage – where he has all his players.. and he moves them around as he pleases.

      I also forgot to mention that it’s interesting that straight off Lee and Amanda are playing covers! As spies acting out a cover they are on another stage! Amanda and Lee- reporters from Washington after five or whatever it was haaaa

      I bet we’ll find more ‘actors’ as we continue 🙂 whoooooo

      Ramble ramble.. okay enough from me – bye all! 🙂 Hope you are all well!

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      1. The Shakespeare lines also refer to stages of life, and I think that is important when thinking about the overall journey of Lee and Amanda’s through out the series. Maybe it also has something to do with all the different aspects of life, work, love, family etc.. being integrated. “All the world’s a stage and all the men and women merely players;” Merely players? As much as we love to focus on Lee and Amanda ( of course, they are the stars of our favorite 80’s show) I wonder if it is important that we begin to see them as just two our of billions in the world, maybe its important for themselves to see that as well? I don’t know, I think I am just rambling now…

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        1. I don’t think your rambling at all, morley! I didn’t realize until your part1 post that “all the world’s a stage” was a reference to stages of life rather than the acting stage (or might it be both — I think Shakespeare was enjoying the double entendre). In particular it highlighted the very real differences between life stages. First of course I had to pinpoint which stage I was in (sigh) but then had a lot of fun thinking about the stages we have seen Lee and Amanda in … and finally pondering whether SMK, in Shakespearean fashion, might be planning to similarly play off the double entendre.

          I agree with earlier thoughts that it would be good to have a title that we could really sink our teeth into again!

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        2. I am stealing moments to go back and get caught up and re engage this morning. And I realize that even though I wrote this almost 3 years ago, I still am thinking the same thoughts. I made a quick comment on the last post about integration concerning Lee and Amanda and I see here that I had been thinking the same thing. This is encouraging to me!! 🙂

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    4. I bet this time he wouldn’t have questioned the request for one moment but rather would have smoothly removed his belt and handed it over. She wouldn’t have had to threaten, Don’t make me ask you again.” And he would do so knowing full well he had a half rake or double diamond on his person just because the belt removal is more suggestive and much more fun. lol. Your point is well made, Cindy!

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      1. half rake or double diamond? What’s this?

        Doesn’t Lee usually carry his rather large manicure set to pick locks? 😉

        I bet this time he wouldn’t have questioned the request for one moment but rather would have smoothly removed his belt and handed it over.

        Hoooooo haaaaaa!! we is sliding into that gutter with glee!! Why do I now have visions of Amanda pleading with Lee to take off his belt (not a tool box in sight!).. Lee approaches her silently.. then reaches out with two hands.. reaches around her tiny waist to the small of her back…. and undoes her belt! 🙂 tee hee.. 😉 PG keep it PG.. belts are PG… haa!!!!

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        1. Or her “Don’t make me ask you again” would be said with a smug grin. Lee’s face would be redder. Still PG, but plenty implied. 😉

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    5. rofl Cindy!
      I love that so far this comment has five likes! we know what we like here haaaaaa 😉

      Dare I point out that these days Amanda has a belt of her own?! Heck. I need to go back and read that fabulous take off your belt post again!
      [HERE’s the link if anyone else wants to read the take off your belt post 😉 ]

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    6. Now there’s a fanfiction story for ya! Just how differently would a scene play out now if Amanda needed to use Lee’s belt? Especially if she had to remove it from his pants again. 😀

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      1. By the way – this advice wasn’t aimed at Cindy, it was for all.. lol..

        I’ve gone and updated the link in the Season 3 quick links menu – so you can always find the first post of this episode via that menu also.

        [ Hey Cindy, sneaking is more fun! ]
        Okay gotta get back to my work here. Bye guys

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So what do you think??? :)

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