18/21 Season Three, Episode 22: All the World’s a Stage–Scarecrow and Mrs King

We cut to a view from the side of the stage.
There’s Tony. 3.22 ALL THE WORLD'S A STAGE.avi_002516750_thumb
[Happy you sold your soul for this drivel Tony?!]
Soldier: Can’t a man buy a decent night’s entertainment in this city? I want to see a dance.
(As he speaks we see the same lady get up and turn the picture again – she turns it back upright.)3.22 ALL THE WORLD'S A STAGE.avi_002521955_thumb
[I guess she turned it to face down while Krutiov was sneaking out]
Woman (in the background): Dance? For you?3.22 ALL THE WORLD'S A STAGE.avi_002523757_thumb
Lee and Amanda approach Tony off stage
Amanda (very quietly): There’s Tony.3.22 ALL THE WORLD'S A STAGE.avi_002524758_thumb
Lee: Tony Martinet?…
(Lee approaches and holds up his ID badge. Amanda has nothing to hold up Sad smile ) 3.22 ALL THE WORLD'S A STAGE.avi_002528762_thumb
(In the background we can see Krutiov and Mischa2 lurking- [Aie! You’d think Lee and Amanda would have had some back up or at least kept their eyes open!]3.22 ALL THE WORLD'S A STAGE.avi_002529963_thumb
…We just finished talking to Dr. Von Clausen.
3.22 ALL THE WORLD'S A STAGE.avi_002534367_thumb
Discovering Amanda is a ‘G man’ ( Winking smile ) Tony looks at her and says: Huh, you are a good actor. I can always tell.
(Krutiov lurks closer now behind the clothing rack.)
[LOL he’s creepy!]
Amanda: Tony, you’ve got to help us.3.22 ALL THE WORLD'S A STAGE.avi_002536569_thumb
[I love how Amanda focuses the situation back to what is important.. no apologies or explanations, she’s now comfortable with playing a role in the line of duty – I wonder if this is part of the meaning of the title? Hmm I’ll ponder that one!]
3.22 ALL THE WORLD'S A STAGE.avi_002536970_thumb
Tony lets out a massive sigh.
Tony: I don’t know how I got into this. They said they’d kill her if I didn’t.3.22 ALL THE WORLD'S A STAGE.avi_002540573_thumb
[Oh right. I see. So Tony is completely blameless here is he?! Hmm!]
(We see Krutiov is very close, and listening intently.) [Aie. Lee and Amanda need to go back to some training on being aware of your surroundings! It’s kind of hilarious!] 3.22 ALL THE WORLD'S A STAGE.avi_002541975_thumb
Amanda: Look, we know what you’ve been through, but we really need your help; now you have to tell us who your contact is.
(As Amanda speaks quietly, Krutiov lurks closer and closer! eek!!)3.22 ALL THE WORLD'S A STAGE.avi_002548181_thumb
Tony: Carl Valentine. I’m supposed to give the tape to him after the play is over.3.22 ALL THE WORLD'S A STAGE.avi_002551785_thumb
Lee: After the play? 3.22 ALL THE WORLD'S A STAGE.avi_002552986_thumb
[yeah. so what? what’s so strange about that? lol!]
Tony: I recorded the information, but I wouldn’t give it to him until I knew Maria was safe,…3.22 ALL THE WORLD'S A STAGE.avi_002558391_thumb
(Krusty Krutiov still lurks)
… and the curtain had come down on my opening night.
Amanda: Where is the tape?3.22 ALL THE WORLD'S A STAGE.avi_002561194_thumb
Tony: It’s on stage, in the tobacco tin on the bar.3.22 ALL THE WORLD'S A STAGE.avi_002565799_thumb
[Mon Dieu! uh oh… and Krutiov heard this I guess! eek!! Run for it Lee!]
Chanteuse: A little dance, for your heathen.
Lee: All right, let’s bring the curtain down.3.22 ALL THE WORLD'S A STAGE.avi_002568201_thumb
(The music kicks in for the little dance)
Tony: Not in the middle of the play.3.22 ALL THE WORLD'S A STAGE.avi_002571204_thumb
[rofl. Umm Tony you can bring the curtain down in the middle of the play – it’s called an intermission!! Whahaha! Smile How absurd! ]
Valentine walks on by behind Lee and Amanda not making eye contact with anyone. Hmm shame Tony didn’t see Krutiov too.. 3.22 ALL THE WORLD'S A STAGE.avi_002572639_thumb
Tony: Valentine, damn you!3.22 ALL THE WORLD'S A STAGE.avi_002574841_thumb
Tony rushes off to confront Valentine. 3.22 ALL THE WORLD'S A STAGE.avi_002575842_thumb
Lee hurries to follow pausing a second to tell Amanda: Would you keep an eye on that stage.3.22 ALL THE WORLD'S A STAGE.avi_002577644_thumb
Amanda: Right.
Amanda turns to keep both eyes on the stage..

We cut to Krutiov, Mischa2 and Valentine walking down a hallway behind the stage.3.22 ALL THE WORLD'S A STAGE.avi_002580046
Tony grabs Valentine from behind.
Tony: Carl!
A struggle starts with Tony, Valentine and Mischa2.3.22 ALL THE WORLD'S A STAGE.avi_002580714
We cut to Lee warning a random onlooker..
3.22 ALL THE WORLD'S A STAGE.avi_002581514
[Hey I wonder if this is really an smk wardrobe lady?! Smile ]
Lee: Get out of here.
[Lee doesn’t need to growl at her twice! she takes off.]
(As Lee approaches the fray, Mischa2 throws Tony up against a wall and punches him in the stomach.
Mischa2 sees Lee approach and pulls a gun on Lee, Lee beats him to it though and shoots him.)
3.22 ALL THE WORLD'S A STAGE.avi_002585819
[Whoooo some nice determined Lee shots here of the shot Smile]
3.22 ALL THE WORLD'S A STAGE.avi_002586019
[Nice shot of a nice shot!]
3.22 ALL THE WORLD'S A STAGE.avi_002586720
(Valentine looks stunned.) [Whoooo bet he’s never gotten his hands dirty in his life!]
(We see Dotty, Phillip and Jamie jump at the gunshot.) [that woke them up!]3.22 ALL THE WORLD'S A STAGE.avi_002588021
(The cast look around all confused on stage…. but the show must continue!) 3.22 ALL THE WORLD'S A STAGE.avi_002588521
Soldier: And my little chanteuse takes my lead…
(Soldier and chanteuse start to dance.
Backstage, Lee approaches Valentine.)
Lee: Don’t do it.
(Valentine was going to reach for the gun.)
(Tony is gripping his stomach. And Krutiov is suddenly nowhere to be seen.)3.22 ALL THE WORLD'S A STAGE.avi_002593026
[Heck, how did Lee let him just get away?! he was right there!!]
(Lee takes the gun off Valentine) – wimp!
(Back to Amanda.. she has two eyes on the stage.) [Uh oh. Where’s Krutiov?!]3.22 ALL THE WORLD'S A STAGE.avi_002597530
(We hear the actors continuing the performance, along with the French accordion.)
Soldier: See, my love? We glide across the floor like courting swans. Ha ha3.22 ALL THE WORLD'S A STAGE.avi_002600033
[Uh oh. there he is lurking on the other side of the stage.. the side closest to the bar!! gah!!!! Heck this whole sequence is like a where’s Krutiov game!]
Chanteuse: You are like stiff-legged German dog.
(Krutiov walks on, gun drawn.)3.22 ALL THE WORLD'S A STAGE.avi_002603536
Uh oh! 3.22 ALL THE WORLD'S A STAGE.avi_002604537
Krutiov: Give me that tobacco tin!
(As he says this, Amanda rushes on the stage pointing at Krutiov)3.22 ALL THE WORLD'S A STAGE.avi_002607040
Amanda: Stop that man! He is Gestapo!3.22 ALL THE WORLD'S A STAGE.avi_002609142
(We cut to Dotty and the boys.) [LOL! Such excitement! Gunshots- and Mum’s on stage!!  Dotty looks thrilled to see Amanda on stage!]
Phillip: I don’t remember this part!
Dotty: She’s wonderful!
3.22 ALL THE WORLD'S A STAGE.avi_002611244
[Rofl!!!! Dotty is too funny!]
(Back to Lee, who gives the gun to Tony)
Lee : If you have to, use it.3.22 ALL THE WORLD'S A STAGE.avi_002612045
[I guess this is a- ‘guard Valentine’. Maybe it’s just me but I think this is a tad irresponsible! LOL I mean this could be Castille!! Winking smile tee hee..  I mean how does Lee know Tony isn’t a killer? and he was pretty mad at Valentine and wanting to throttle him. Haaaa..
Tony seems a bit broken by this all… I guess it’s unclear if his career as a playwright is ruined..
Don’t worry Tony! I hear there will be a fabulous job going as a Butler for Maxwell Sheffield in a few years Winking smile ]3.22 ALL THE WORLD'S A STAGE.avi_002614047
(Lee gives Valentine one last glare and then heads to toward the stage.)3.22 ALL THE WORLD'S A STAGE.avi_002615548
Amanda: Stop him!
[The soldier grabs the dancer.. why I don’t know. Maybe that was in the script and they are all confused and don’t know what to do with the guy pointing a gun at them so they just continued with the script?! lol]
Barkeep: Quit mauling her.3.22 ALL THE WORLD'S A STAGE.avi_002615548
[rofl the bold and beautiful/ guard in 3 faces of Emily gets a line of dialogue – hoorah!]
Soldier: I paid. [Ugh.. ]

Okay everyone, I’m going to pause here for a moment – this is quite a different action finale huh! Can anyone make some sense out of this play?!
Will be back with more very soon Smile 

50 thoughts on “18/21 Season Three, Episode 22: All the World’s a Stage–Scarecrow and Mrs King”

  1. Tony’s excuse about not knowing how he got into this is not really acceptable to me. He wanted that play on stage, that’s how he got into it. The death threat didn’t come until much later. However, it’s like he snaps back to himself when he sees Valentine. Part of it is a little too late for me. I’m still not giving him much of a pass on this. Funny, before this walk through I think I was more sympathetic to Tony. Not so much anymore. Not sure I would trust Tony with a gun.

    I like how the boys recognize that the dialogue and action in the play is different from what the rehearsed with Amanda. It shows they were at least paying a little attention. Dotty is such a mom.

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    2. Yep, any mom would react the same way!! Maybe not quite so OTT as Dotty, but it’s all there in us somewhere 🙂 I love this whole scene. I think it fits in very nicely with the whole absurdist thing and is a great and fun way for SMK to do what it does best, which is finding the humor in people and life!

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  2. I’m pretty much waiting for Lee and Amanda moments in this episode. However, I am a lurker by nature. I would rather keep on going. I think season 4 is going to be a challenge. However, I have discovered that this blog and the comments made by everyone has me re watching episodes with new eyes which I enjoy.

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    1. Welcome, Heather! It is amazing how other people can watch the same episode and see something completely different than you or take it to a deeper level of meaning. I think that is my favorite thing about the blog. Well, that and getting to see Lee in a tux 😉

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    2. Hiya Heather! this is not your first comment here right? did you want your first name to be visible? Let me know if you’d me to delete it.

      Wonderful to hear from you! I’d love to hear your thoughts on how to approach season 4 – if you’d like to head over to Nedlindger’s sometime and share your thoughts 🙂

      However, I have discovered that this blog and the comments made by everyone has me re watching episodes with new eyes which I enjoy.

      I so agree, it’s this way for me too!
      If you are interested in sharing, I’d love to hear of those times you see something new as you watch an ep 🙂

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  3. The actors in the play must have gotten used to some pretty bizarre and unexpected changes in that script for them to just sit there passively while some unknown person rushes the stage with a gun drawn. Not sure that would happen in today’s world.

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    1. So true! In this neoabsurd world, the actors probably think it’s possible tony could send in a random actor with a gun to shake things up!

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    2. Well, as Tony paraphrases, “The show must go on!” Clearly the actors have a lot of dedication to their profession’s credo. It reminds me of “Sudden Death” where (as I recall), Amanda asks why the kicker Bela doesn’t just leave camp his life is in danger, and the response is “And break training?!?!” Funny to see people’s priorities, and funny to see SMK poking fun at them. I for one would not work or take evening classes on Monday nights in the early-mid 80’s — what, and miss SMK!?!?

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      1. rofl. a great parallel you’ve identified there raffie!
        I think for me, the play and final sequence is best enjoyed as a whole – if I slow it down or try to analyse it, it seems to ruin the comedy. And I do enjoy the creative idea of inserting a Russian plot into an ‘absurd’ play with Amanda in the centre of it all! 🙂

        Funny to see people’s priorities, and funny to see SMK poking fun at them.

        I love this too! great point!

        I for one would not work or take evening classes on Monday nights in the early-mid 80’s — what, and miss SMK!?!?

        Hmm.. nothing wrong with your Monday night priorities in my eyes! 🙂

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  4. Hi Everyone! How are you all?

    Is it just me or is it very quiet around JWWM lately? Is everyone busy with holidays? Would it be a good time for the blog to take a short break maybe? I miss hearing from you all! But.. I do understand that RL can’t be put on hold for SMK 🙂 and no pressure – SMK is for fun!!! I just want you to know I miss hearing from you if you haven’t stopped here for a while 🙂

    I may as well go ahead here and share: I have a confession to make!
    I’m nervous that season 4 is approaching and season 3 is ending! I don’t remember details of season 4, but I remember looking at season 4 on yuku and hearing opinions that it was hard to watch at times.. and a bit of a downer. I’m nervous about writing the walk for season 4!! Is anyone else feeling this way?
    Byeee!

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    1. Mon Dieu, Mon Dieu…. Actually I was pondering a comment or two about what the Absurd Play may really mean in regards to Amanda&Lee? But, then I remembered something I learned in my film studies from another century when we used books. The Absurd Play is basically a plot device for the story to happen. If anyone has ever seen ‘Casablanca’ the Exit Visas are also a plot device to get the story to happen.
      I also got a kick out of Dotty and the Boys reaction to what was happening on Stage. Amanda’s impromptu dialog was a bit over the top with the accent, but it fit with the absurd play.
      I can understand very well your concerns about season 4. When season 4 played on German TV I did not see every episode. What I did see had me wondering what was going on? At my weekly Happy Hour(Stammtisch for our German Fans) we discussed what was going on in Season 4 with a lot of Questions? I have season 4 on DVD, but I am waiting to watch it in English. When you start on Season 4, I will watch my DVD. This way I will have a place to go for my comments and maybe some consolation when things do not go the way we want them? What I am trying to say Write The Walk for season 4.

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      1. I enjoyed your comments Gilby!

        I like the absurd play as a plot device, at least it’s a bit silly and we can have a laugh at it.. lol.. or if you are connected to it’s message you can relish the deeper meaning! whatever works for us! 🙂

        Amanda’s impromptu dialog was a bit over the top with the accent, but it fit with the absurd play.

        Yeah!!! I think it’s pure farce! And when I step back from it, I can see it is indeed funny! [step back from it meaning I’m not writing blog posts about it].

        I think what I struggle with here is bringing all this together. On the one hand there’s the farcical humour of the play – but on the other hand, we’ve got evil menacing Krutiov about to get his hands on states secrets and dangerously waving a gun around. The scene is trying to be funny and suspenseful – for me it doesn’t gel when it comes together.

        However! We are yet to see this through completely.. so maybe it will come together 🙂

        I can understand very well your concerns about season 4. When season 4 played on German TV I did not see every episode. What I did see had me wondering what was going on? At my weekly Happy Hour(Stammtisch for our German Fans) we discussed what was going on in Season 4 with a lot of Questions?

        Gilby thanks for sharing this!
        I’ve gone ahead and created a thread at Nedlindger’s for discussing the walk through season 4 and how to go about it – if you’d like to share your thoughts – I’d love some input! 🙂
        You have a weekly happy hour for smk fans? tell me more!! 🙂 this sounds interesting! 🙂

        I have season 4 on DVD, but I am waiting to watch it in English. When you start on Season 4, I will watch my DVD. This way I will have a place to go for my comments and maybe some consolation when things do not go the way we want them? What I am trying to say Write The Walk for season 4.

        So am I! I never watched the dvds when I bought them – except for Santa’s got a brand new bag because I went hunting for smk Christmas memes lol.
        I’m very excited to hear I’m not alone in being new(ish) to season 4! 🙂

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    2. RL is crazy right now, I am splitting my time between helping two of my brothers-in-law move (both from and to separate locations — oh the stories I could tell), organizing my home for some renovations coming up and working on taxes and the Golden Tea Cup Awards. Oh, and I’ve spent countless hours watching April the Giraffe who will ‘give birth at any time now’ for over a month. SIGH.
      I am also nervous about season 4 (and for similar reasons). I actually haven’t watched it since it first aired — except for It’s In the Water, which I know like the back of my hand;-), I am waiting to go through the walk with fresh eyes.
      Slightly off topic question – it looks like network mucked up the airing order of season 4 (surprise, surprise!). Are you going to go with a revised order when we get to that part of the walk?

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      1. Interesting point about episode order, Cindy. I don’t know what the episode order was intended to be, but it seems like the way they were broadcast (assuming that’s the same way they are on the DVDs) contribute to the unsettled feeling of S4. Iwsod, I think your policy has always been to stick with broadcast order, but maybe S4’s walk might benefit from a different order? Just a thought.

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      2. Hi Cindy! great to hear from ya!

        Hope things settle down soon! ha yes I had a Canadian friend who was telling me about the Giraffe – lol!

        Hey I’m really looking forward to the golden tea cup awards! But.. no hurry, whenever they are done we’ll enjoy them 🙂

        Thanks for responding regarding season 4 – As I just wrote to Gilby:
        I’ve gone ahead and created a thread at Nedlindger’s for discussing the walk through season 4 and how to go about it – if you’d like to share your thoughts – I’d love some input! 🙂

        Great question re ep order. I’ve mentioned this in the Neds post.
        I figured this all might benefit from having a space provided for more substantial discussion (when you have time for it no hurry! 🙂 )

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      3. I forgot to add…

        I actually haven’t watched it since it first aired — except for It’s In the Water, which I know like the back of my hand;-), I am waiting to go through the walk with fresh eyes.

        How exciting! So there’s now at least 3 of us who will be watching with fresh eyes! 🙂

        ah yes, thanks for transcribing the dialogue from it’s in the water Cindy 🙂

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    3. Perhaps, iwsod, we’re all just waiting for the next Lee and Amanda moment? Let’s face it, Tony and Carl are pretty unsympathetic characters, Maria and Krutiov aren’t developed enough to be really interesting, Tony’s “play” seems like a bunch of inane random dialogue, and the plot of a Russian agent trying to get classified information from an American scientist is not particularly riveting. The scenes with Lee and Amanda, Francine’s opening night comment and the scenes with Dotty and the boys have been the highlights so far. The primary plot of this episode has been pretty much filler for those other things. And Amanda taught us about filler. 😉

      Regarding Season 4, yes I think the walk will become a little more difficult for several reasons. Without going into any details I have a rather bittersweet view of S4. But I’m confident that there are still a lot of good times ahead for us on the walk and many S4 moments that will generate LOTS of comments!

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      1. Wonderful to hear your thoughts 2Goldens..
        Yes we need people who are engaged with the plot to help us out from time to time!
        This does make me nervous about what’s ahead in season 4 though.. (‘bittersweet’ is a good word!)

        But I’m confident that there are still a lot of good times ahead for us on the walk and many S4 moments that will generate LOTS of comments!

        I hope so! 🙂

        I’ve replied further to season 4 thoughts over at Neds. I’d be really interested to hear your thoughts on season 4 (when you have time ) on Nedlindger’s..
        Season 4 SMK and JWWM chatter 🙂

        bye!

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    4. Hey iwsod! Life is very busy at the moment for me. I know I am behind on the blog, but I don’t want to be 😦 It is Spring Break time in the US for schools, so I bet people are getting ready for or are away on vacation perhaps? We leave on a trip tomorrow for the week. Alas, I may not get back to JWWM before this ep ends.

      And I know I’m one of the few who loves S4, I think it may be my favorite because the highs are so high for me I can ignore the awful lows. I just hope my personal life affords me time to keep up with the blog consistently rather than here and there like it’s been for a while now.

      Having said that, I’m not in a rush for S4 to start. If a break is what’s needed, that is fine by me!

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      1. Hiya BJo!

        Ahhh spring break! that explains much! gosh.. maybe I should wait to finish this ep – it’s a shame to get to the end when everyone is so busy? what date are people back from holidays?

        And I know I’m one of the few who loves S4, I think it may be my favourite because the highs are so high for me I can ignore the awful lows.

        Oh great! 🙂

        I just hope my personal life affords me time to keep up with the blog consistently rather than here and there like it’s been for a while now.

        Yeah I hear ya! no pressure 🙂

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      2. No spring break in my part of the world (winter is coming….) but life continues to be busy. I love the first 3/4 of S4 so I’m looking forward to it. Like BJo, my favourite episodes are coming up, and I think there are some fun, quirky plots in other episodes. As for the latter part of S4 – I suggest we play it by ear. I’ll hop on over to Neds with more thoughts

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    5. It has been quiet but as others have said before me, I think it’s more the lack of connectivity to the plot with this one. I wish I could give a darn about the sub characters the way we have in other eps (I’m looking at you, Agnes!) but we see so little of Maria that it’s hard to care about her – and Tony is pretty lacklustre. I wish we had seen more Krutiov, twirling his mustache and perhaps tying someone to a railroad track just to keep the interest up – he seems like a fun guy.

      As for getting going on S4, I certainly have firm opinions about the episode order for the first three, but if people want to have a pause and maybe do a season rehash, continue the tux contest, etc for a change of pace, I’m always just happy to play here!

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      1. Hey clagjanet – great to hear from you!

        lol – so true, it doesn’t have that connection like we had with Agnes!

        I was just replying to Gilby and I wrote about this final sequence here:

        Yeah!!! I think it’s pure farce! And when I step back from it, I can see it is indeed funny! [step back from it meaning I’m not writing blog posts about it].
        I think what I struggle with here is bringing all this together. On the one hand there’s the farcical humour of the play – but on the other hand, we’ve got evil menacing Krutiov about to get his hands on states secrets and dangerously waving a gun around. The scene is trying to be funny and suspenseful – for me it doesn’t gel when it comes together.
        However! We are yet to see this through completely.. so maybe it will come together.

        What do you think? or are you not really a fan of farce?
        I remember when I first watched DOA:Delirious on Arrival, I was too worried about Amanda and her decline to find what she did funny.. but when I got to walking through it, I was suddenly able to laugh at it. I’ve been hoping this would kick in here too with this play! And.. it has improved on me, but I don’t find it as funny as I usually do. LOL maybe it’s because the play is confusing, in addition to the farcical antics taking place around it, and the suspense of lurking sneaking Krusty Krutiov? And DOA was a much simpler set up..
        What do you think?
        Anyone else grappling with this?

        bye!

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    6. I’ve been kind of here and kind of not throughout this episode because of things that I’ve been doing lately. I kind of said why over at Nedlindger’s (see the pictures of cute doggy over there!). But, I had to check in with you guys because we’ve arrived at one of my favorite parts of the episode. Amanda’s outbursts greatly improve the quality of this (neo-)absurd play!

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        1. Yeah I can see you signed in this time with the same wordpress account, email and IP address.
          I’ll keep an eye on things best as I can..

          but if you go into moderation wrongly – I’ll approve your comment for you as soon as I can.

          Always great to see you stop by Jestress!

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    7. Hey Iwsod and everyone, I know that I haven’t been very present of late. It’s mostly because of my new duties as a principal and my total lack of time and energy for anything other than school stuff. Hoping to restructure my schedule to make time for myself more.

      I guess I’m looking forward to season 4 mostly because I’m anxious to see and hear from everyone else as to how they see things. I love reading all the comments and finding new insights to this show. Some parts may be hard to watch, but I look forward to walking through it with everyone.

      You’ve have done such a great job with the blog by bringing so many fans together to discuss this beloved show and these wonderful characters. I’m sure that you will do great justice to season 4. Never forget that we are right there with you on this walk.

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  5. They’ll kill Maria if Tony doesn’t hand over the tape but he won’t do it until the first night performance is over? My brief moment of sympathy with Tony and his predictament evaporated when he wouldn’t stop the show for Maria…Yuck….I’m not sure that Tony will be seeing the slinky black number again. This relationship is about over.

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    1. I’m not sure that Tony will be seeing the slinky black number again. This relationship is about over.

      I’m thinking the same as you Learjet! when I was watching this I was thinking- if this ep ends with Maria taking Tony back or any kind of hint of it I’m gonna be yelling at the TV 🙂

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        2. Plus excuse the appalling puns but – the scales have (hopefully) fallen from Maria’s eyes. I don’t think Tony is an effective “Charmer” any more….

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          1. lol no such thing as an appalling pun 😉 I think they’re fabulous!

            haaa yes I think Tony is a charmer, but he’s not that much of a charmer! And no self respecting woman (IMHO) should be charmed to overlook being drugged and injected and potentially having your career which you highly value be put at risk! Much less, getting your heart broken 😦

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          2. “… I don’t think Tony is an effective “Charmer” any more….”

            Food for thought: Maria von Clausen is first and foremost a scientist. She is extraordinarily intelligent and highly educated, with a prestigious, but top secret career. Not your average woman; in fact, she intimidates most men. Maria’s focus centers around facts and figures; posing then proving or disproving hypotheses. She deals in absolutes, so I find it impossible to believe she would be attracted to Tony Martinet’s “charm.”

            Oh no, this is a case of two people dedicated to a life’s work, that very few understand and they each find it very isolating. That’s the attraction for both of them and, when they are together, they are their true self which takes them completely out of that day to day lonely existence. Being accepted for who you are (flaws, included) is a powerful aphrodisiac — perhaps more powerful than Tony’s betrayal. Why? Because they are each dedicated first and foremost to their own life’s work and what are the odds of finding another, who would understand and accept that?

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            1. Interesting thoughts, Nancy. I’m not sure I’d agree that Maria deals in ‘absolutes’. I’d say she deals in ‘uncertainty’. After all you can never definitively prove anything in science, which possibly affects the way she sees the world .I think that being isolated and so focused on her career may have made Maria naive compared to other women her age, and possibly quite trusting in relationships (although she may be cautious and suspicious in her work). But I like the theory that they are both a bit unusual and isolated being so focused on their work, and that they are drawn together because of having this in common.

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              1. I apologize for failing to note that Maria von Klausen is a practical (vs purely theoretical) scientist in charge of research development of a laser component for the U.S. Department of Defense’s Strategic Defense Initiative (aka Star Wars) introduced in 1983. She and her team’s component is part of a missile defense weapon designed to protect against an airborne nuclear strike. All such components would be repeatedly tested for reliable, accurate performance before being approved for use by the U.S. Military.

                That is my premise for saying she deals in absolutes. If “… you can never definitively prove anything in science, …” then people would never have mass-produced accurate and reliable: machinery, medical devices, combustion or steam engines, electrical products, telecommunications equipment, ships, airplanes, appliances, the list goes on and on. True, most of us refer to this definitively proven science as quality control, but the manufacture of much of what we use in our daily lives is developed and determined to be reliable by definitive scientifically proven results.

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                1. Good point, Nancy 🙂
                  Interesting that Maria was involved what (even now) is probably a small and male-dominated field. Making her even more isolated (and I’d say vulnerable) and more likely to connect with Tony, a man very different to the men she works with.

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                  1. I spent a decade being the only woman working at the same level as the men in a business where all the other women were secretaries. It was challenging and stimulating, yet isolating as well. That’s why it was easy to empathize with Maria. You really see her vulnerability in her lack of response when Amanda reached out to her. That told me she probably has no close women friends — just Tony and that’s sad.

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                    1. I hope you didn’t meet Tony (or similar!) during that decade 😉 Yes, Maria reminds of Agnes – both likable women who are very competent at their jobs but seem to not quite fit in. And Amanda is wonderful at empathising with both women.

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  6. We see Krutiov is very close, and listening intently.) [Aie. Lee and Amanda need to go back to some training on being aware of your surroundings! It’s kind of hilarious! No – Krutiov is just THAT good. “I am invisible. Nothing to see here, nothing to see here” Hey if he could make his comb-over unnoticeable, it isn’t much of a stretch to make his whole self fade into the background!
    I absolutely love Dotty and the boys here. So proud and so oblivious.

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    1. rofl! I love it Cindy! 😉 I am invisible.. because I said so!!!!!!

      Yeah I miss seeing more often these little moments where the family is involved but have no idea what’s really going on – it makes for great comedy 🙂

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    2. Dotty is fab here! Also love the horrified expressions from the boys. Jamie actually looks genuinely (appropriately!) concerned for his mum, but Dotty is so hilarious that I forgive her cluelessness.

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So what do you think??? :)

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