20/21 Season Three, Episode 22: All the World’s a Stage–Scarecrow and Mrs King

Whooooo everyone feel that anticipation???!!!! It’s tag time!!!
Brace yourselves… I’ll warn you now: this tag is over two posts.. just too massive to have in one post. Enjoy!
Back to IFF..
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Lee and Amanda enter through a door, into the hallway leading to the Q Bureau. Looks like Lee opens the door for Amanda Smile 3.22-ALL-THE-WORLDS-A-STAGE.avi_0026[66]
As they enter Amanda asks.. 3.22-ALL-THE-WORLDS-A-STAGE.avi_0026[105]
Amanda: Will they give Tony some therapy or something before they try him?
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[Awh Amanda’s worried about Tony’s wellbeing!]3.22-ALL-THE-WORLDS-A-STAGE.avi_0026[29]
Lee answers rather gently I think..
Lee: Yeah they will…3.22-ALL-THE-WORLDS-A-STAGE.avi_0026[107]
… Krutiov really messed up his mind.
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[I get the impression that Lee appreciates that Amanda asked and cares.. Tony may have been a lousy boyfriend who sold his soul for his absurd play, but he wasn’t all bad Winking smile He was certainly left quite broken.. ]3.22-ALL-THE-WORLDS-A-STAGE.avi_0026[39]
Amanda looks pleased at this response.. Lee on the other hand, can’t take his eyes off Amanda!

I think it’s interesting that we find out Tony is going to jail or will at least be tried! phew!! And.. it seems he and Maria do not get the happy ending. Which is sad, but I kind of prefer it – I think Tony couldn’t or shouldn’t end up with the girl after what he pulled!!! Thoughts everyone?

Lee and Amanda don’t exchange any more words.. but Lee just continues to look at her. Something he wants to say? But is having some trouble getting it out? 3.22-ALL-THE-WORLDS-A-STAGE.avi_0026[118]
If Amanda is aware of this, she doesn’t let on – she seems relaxed, looks back at him briefly and then opens the door to head into the Q bureau. 3.22-ALL-THE-WORLDS-A-STAGE.avi_0026[156]
LOL Lee looks almost terrified to follow Amanda in there Winking smile tee hee.. I CANNOT WAIT! to hear what you are all seeing and thinking about this tag! Smile
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Amanda enters the office and Lee follows, looking decidedly uncomfortable.3.22-ALL-THE-WORLDS-A-STAGE.avi_0026[80]
He looks so serious! 3.22-ALL-THE-WORLDS-A-STAGE.avi_0026[64]
Lee: Amanda.3.22-ALL-THE-WORLDS-A-STAGE.avi_0026[143]
(Lee looks down at the floor.. and doesn’t look up as he says her name and closes the door. )
Amanda: Yeah?3.22-ALL-THE-WORLDS-A-STAGE.avi_0026[10]
Lee pauses a moment, and finally looks up as the door closes.
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Amanda lets out a big sigh (hmm maybe she does sense something important in the air!)
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Silence.
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Lee: You know,… 3.22-ALL-THE-WORLDS-A-STAGE.avi_0026[146]
…you and I do have a lot to talk about.3.22-ALL-THE-WORLDS-A-STAGE.avi_0026[150]
[whooo he sounds so quiet and serious! for a second I thought she was in trouble. Then..
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He did this with his hands and I realised this was something else  Winking smile  I think it’s a gesture of vulnerability Smile ]3.22-ALL-THE-WORLDS-A-STAGE.avi_0027
Amanda: Yeah?3.22-ALL-THE-WORLDS-A-STAGE.avi_0027[4]
[I think Amanda looks a little uncertain. Just what is he going to say??!!]
(We cut back to a closer view of Lee)
[IMHO  – there’s warmth in his eyes now.. oh phew.. before there was just sheer terror… okay this is reassuring!]3.22-ALL-THE-WORLDS-A-STAGE.avi_0027[14]
Too many photos? yeah.. I didn’t think so Winking smile
Gee is the tie a clue?!
Lee (very quietly) : Yeah….
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[Oh my.. the quiet tones are very swoony!]3.22 ALL THE WORLD'S A STAGE.avi_002703536
(They exchange smiles.)
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(Lee starts to walk closer- not meeting her eyes again..)3.22 ALL THE WORLD'S A STAGE.avi_002708241
…We have been….getting to know each other…
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…for what ah….3.22 ALL THE WORLD'S A STAGE.avi_002710143
Lee & Amanda together: Three years…3.22 ALL THE WORLD'S A STAGE.avi_002710343
Lee steps much closer to Amanda..3.22 ALL THE WORLD'S A STAGE.avi_002711444 Amanda reacts with a smile – judging by Lee’s cheek here it seems he was smiling too.3.22 ALL THE WORLD'S A STAGE.avi_002712045
Amanda tries to suppress the excitement!
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We cut back to Lee.
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What do you make of him here everyone? [Oh my.. we get a great view of the tie here.. could it be that we will finally get that kiss?! uninterrupted??!!!]
I think he looks excited to be finally having this conversation.
Lee:…now…
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(he moves even closer, and I think he reaches to take her hands or touch her hands – as he looks down as he moves closer to reach for them. I think. anyone?)3.22 ALL THE WORLD'S A STAGE.avi_002716049
…And I think…
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(He glances at her lips before he continues)3.22 ALL THE WORLD'S A STAGE.avi_002717951
…there’s a lot about you that I don’t know…
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(He pauses again. Phew! Intense!)
[We cut to Amanda]
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[For a chatterbox – she’s being VERY quiet! But.. she looks thrilled.. and is non verbally saying plenty I think.]
(We hear Lee continue as we watch Amanda listen)
… I’m sure going to enjoy trying to find out.3.22 ALL THE WORLD'S A STAGE.avi_002721855
(Amanda glances at Lee’s lips.. and gives Lee a big smile)
[I think that means she doesn’t mind his trying to find out 😉 oh and his voice hooo haaa his voice!]3.22 ALL THE WORLD'S A STAGE.avi_002723857
[We cut back to Lee]
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[What do you see in his expressions here everyone?]
They silently smile at each other.. Hooo haaaa the eye speak going on here is fabulous! 3.22 ALL THE WORLD'S A STAGE.avi_002725458
Finally.. Lee looks at Amanda’s lips..
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[Too many pics? Yeah.. I really didn’t think so!! Smile ]
Lee moves in for the big moment. Yes! All signs are go!!
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(We cut to Amanda) 3.22 ALL THE WORLD'S A STAGE.avi_002727360
She’s letting Lee come to her… Ready to accept and welcome this next step in their relationship!
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Lee gets close enough, that Amanda finally also moves in for the kiss. 3.22 ALL THE WORLD'S A STAGE.avi_002729162
Bang! There’s a noise in the hall and Amanda starts.
No no no no no.. this can’t be happening!! 3.22 ALL THE WORLD'S A STAGE.avi_002729662
Amanda pulls back..
Someone is coming toward the Q bureau!!!
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What do you make of Amanda’s expression here everyone?
I think Amanda looks disappointed.. yet again.. ugh.. I think she really doesn’t want a repeat of the earlier, being busted ‘rehearsing’ moment!
(We cut to the hallway.. it’s Billy – Ugh!!!!!)
I am guessing when this first aired that at this point there were a lot of howls throughout the suburbs! Cries of disappointment! They got this close? and the episode is about to end? and the season is about to end??!!!!!  [I’m guessing by the time this aired they had confirmation there would be a season 4] I don’t believe it! They are going to make us wait till the next season to have the big moment??!!!!!!!!!

Billy walks down the hallway toward the Q bureau door.
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He asks someone off camera and down the hall..
Billy: Is Lee in the Q Bureau?
Francine: Yeah I think so
[ahhhh Francine is there to interrupt them again  now that there is no opening night to rehearse for!]3.22-ALL-THE-WORLDS-A-STAGE.avi_0027[199]_thumb

Lee and Amanda.. interrupted yet again..
Sorry to pause here guys, but I want to take time and explore every detail we could  throughout this tag so far..!!! Smile Can’t wait to hear from you all!!!!!!!

79 thoughts on “20/21 Season Three, Episode 22: All the World’s a Stage–Scarecrow and Mrs King”

  1. As we are closing in on the end of the Walk, and people have been posting somewhat more frequently about the scripts versus filmed versions of the episodes, I’ve found myself thinking back to All the World’s A Stage (which, because of the “déjà vu” drug, has some similarities to A Matter of Choice). I wanted to post something about it, in case we aren’t able to go back to add posts to earlier seasons after we finish the first Walk.

    This is a wonderful episode, and of course I do love this scene in the Q-Bureau. Anyone who has compared it to the original script posted on Petra’s site (Rev. Shooting Final, March 20, 1986) knows that in that scripted version of this scene, Amanda took more of an active role in initiating the kiss. They both kind of reached for each other at the same time. I do like the filmed version better. I think of this as Lee finally realizing that it is time to choose happiness, break down those last walls and give himself over to his love for Amanda. I also am impressed that Kate Jackson let Bruce take the lead this way. I think it worked better for the characters and the story arc.

    And yet, I have always found this “first real kiss” scene to be … somewhat unsatisfying. There is something a little too serious about it, even transactional. I don’t know exactly how to describe it. I do know I’m not the only fan who feels this way. I wish there was more passion. We’d been waiting for it for so, so long. I wanted something … more.

    But then… I was listening the MKC podcast for this episode, and was astonished to realize that Taya, one of the hosts, has a different version of the script, one that cannot be found anywhere online (to my knowledge). It is the “Shooting Final Draft” dated March 24, 1986. And it has a VERY different version of the “first real kiss.” Instead of waiting until the final scene in the Q-Bureau, it takes place in the woods, after they escape from the limo. Taya read the whole scene on the podcast, and me being me, I transcribed it. I would love to know what others think! It goes like this:

    Amanda brings a fallen tree limb down across Misha’s head. He crumples, KO’ed. Lee kneels to assure himself that Misha will survive. Then he stands and looks down, feeling vertigo.

    AMANDA: Sorry I let you get so close, but the rifle just fell.

    Lee shakes his head to say, “don’t worry about it,” his arm going around her. They turn to each other.

    LEE: But you came through. You always do. I wasn’t even worried.

    AMANDA (arms close on him): Why are you shaking?

    LEE (arms close on her): I was terrified. That’s a different thing.

    AMANDA: You’ve never been terrified of a thing in your life.

    LEE: Yes I have. I still am.

    AMANDA (face inches from his): And I know what it is. You’re terrified of being shown up. That’s why you don’t like it when I learn to pick locks or study up on the KGB. It’s ego.

    LEE: It’s this.

    They kiss – deeply, and long. Not as part of a cover, but for the first time as themselves.

    Camera pulls back to frame them on the edge of the cliff in their embrace.

    I love this version. LOVE it. I find it much more satisfying than the Q-Bureau version. I think Bruce and Kate could have done an amazing job with it. I love the part about Lee “shaking,” I can see them staring at each other, and even as Amanda said those words about him not “wanting to be shown up,” they would both know that she didn’t really mean them. It would have been so amazing.

    But I can also see why they ultimately chose to film it the way they did, at the end of the episode. At least we still got the wonderful hug.

    Still. There are only a few scenes in the original scripts that I would LOVE to have seen filmed, and for me, this one is at the top of the list.

    (When I emailed her about it, Taya did tell me that she plans to post this script on her SMK website, Call Me a Cab, but she hasn’t gotten around to it yet. There are a lot of scripts from Seasons 1 and 2 there, though. She has a large collection of SMK memorabilia.)

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    2. Also, I always thought the Utopia Now kiss should have happened BUT they still get interrupted. It was such an emotion rich scene that I feel gets cheapened a bit because the payoff isn’t there. It’s why I love the tag of that episode so much because we get a bit of that emotion back.

      I feel like they could have really continued to build the tension, dance around each other, and it would have led to deeper scenes throughout the season. Alas, I can only wish!

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      1. I think you are right about the Utopia Now kiss! It was such an intense, important scene, in what I think of as a near-perfect episode — but I can’t help feeling that there was something a little “cheap trick-ish” about the “near miss.” Just a 3-5 second kiss before they got interrupted would have been so rewarding, and I agree that it would have made the underlying tension all the better for the rest of the season. Especially in episodes like Fast Food for Thought and Triumvirate.

        SMK for me has always been first and foremost a romance; I’m not as much there for the comedy, and Season 3 is by far my favorite. So it feels a little treacherous to speculate about how it might have been even better… But also a lot of fun!

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  2. Love everyone’s comments here! I just have one question though. Why does Lee have this conversation at work? Why not invite her over for steak, red wine, and a baked potato? Or take her out to dinner if he’s afraid to do it at his house? And does this happen the next morning at work? I’m guessing Amanda met up with Dottie and the boys after the play and they went to eat and then went home or something. Aren’t opening nights usually on the weekend? Would they really go to work the next day?

    Love all the Lee pics!!

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      1. ok, My response does not make sense, I misread your comment. * facepalm! * He finally got up enough nerve and did not want to wait another moment. If he asked her on a date later than evening, a million things could have (and would have) popped up to keep them apart. A KGB agent could have defected, Amanda could have been kidnapped, Lee could have been kidnapped, Amanda could have amnesia again, etc.

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  3. I am loving all these comments in regards to this awesome scene and yes, I was one of those who screamed at the TV when the interruption occurred.

    As one of those who is a fan of Lee’s hands I rewind this scene a lot to check them out. He is telegraphing so much when he touches the wall and how his fingers seem to be at work.

    This scene is like an ultimate swoon fest. Amanda continues to be an awesome woman because I would have been a quivering puddle of a mess.

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    1. This scene is like an ultimate swoon fest. Amanda continues to be an awesome woman because I would have been a quivering puddle of a mess.

      +1 Valerie!!!
      Amanda is a strong woman.
      I like to think that knowing Lee for over 3 years, she has managed to build up a resistance to him – so she can more than hold her own! 🙂

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  4. Love all of these comments and I cannot believe that I am late to this party, of all parties! But, finally, I can comment. But so many wonderful comments and things that you have all mentioned.

    I think Amanda was picking up on Lee’s nervous vibe even as this scene opens. It seems to be oozing from his pores. He is even gripping the wall as he lets her walk into the Q. And I am so glad that he is that nervous. The man is taking a real solid step and he knows nothing will ever be the same again. I think that is exactly what he wants, but he has got to have some nerves about it. It means he has counted the cost and he is ready and willing to go for it and yet he is so very aware that his whole existence is about to take a major turn. I bet he has never done anything like this before.
    And Amanda must be picking up on it. She looks nervous too, fingering the desk like that. I wonder if she isn’t quite sure which way Lee is going to go with the “we need to talk” beginning. I do believe that she is pretty sure of Lee, but he has flip flopped before. Could she possibly be wondering if he thinks things have gone tto far between them and his nerves are due to needing to put a stop to things. Maybe what happened between Tony and Maria with the high clearance govt job has woken Lee up to the dangers of getting too involved? Maybe, maybe not, maybe there is a small tickle of that for her?

    I, too, like the vagueness of the knowing you comment from Lee, but I also see it liked to all of the need to know references through out the past three seasons, we could even link it to Lee’s lines at the end of Wrong Number about never really knowing her too well. Need to know has always been a boundary, professionally and personally and here Lee is saying he has a desire, a need to know her more ( and I would like to think that he is also suggesting the reciprocal is also true, he wants her to know him more).

    I also love the way she lets him lead and then he does it so sweetly and without any hint of suave ladies man experienced Lee. He is mature and yet, it almost feels like this is his first kiss – her’s too.

    And I wonder how much of her response to the interruption is disappointment at the intrusion, but also an assumption that this is another missed opportunity and after each one I wonder if it didn’t create what might of felt like a bigger and bigger no man’s land between friendship and love relationship? How long would they have to wait? Would they ever pick up where they left off, would Lee scare off from this amazing moment?

    And, Yes! What happened to the ficus?!?

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    1. Wow, Morley. Just wow. It never occurred to me that Amanda might be thinking Lee would be stopping the progression of their relationship. Boy, that raises the angst for sure! I also enjoy your points about “need to know.” I never considered that. Amazing. Thanks so much for this…I greatly enjoyed your take on things.

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    3. Hey Morley! Glad you made it to this party! 🙂

      I think Amanda was picking up on Lee’s nervous vibe even as this scene opens.

      I agree! She’s so empathic she’d notice.. but that doesn’t mean she has to show she notices 😉

      The man is taking a real solid step and he knows nothing will ever be the same again. I think that is exactly what he wants, but he has got to have some nerves about it.

      Love how you say ‘the man is taking a real solid step’ – yes! This is what men do. Boys play the filed.. (playboys!). A man steps up – and treats something so precious with the care and respect it deserves.

      It means he has counted the cost and he is ready and willing to go for it and yet he is so very aware that his whole existence is about to take a major turn. I bet he has never done anything like this before.

      Love this Morley!!! I think lee has been counting the cost since the day he met her – not that he’d admit it!
      So how is that Tupperware looking these days? 😉

      I, too, like the vagueness of the knowing you comment from Lee, but I also see it liked to all of the need to know references through out the past three seasons, we could even link it to Lee’s lines at the end of Wrong Number about never really knowing her too well. Need to know has always been a boundary, professionally and personally and here Lee is saying he has a desire, a need to know her more ( and I would like to think that he is also suggesting the reciprocal is also true, he wants her to know him more).

      I’m agreeing with this totally!
      Soooo agree – Lee wants Amanda to know him too! 🙂
      I also was reminded of that equally vague remark in the tag of Wrong number! I was also thinking of the start of this episode, I’m pretty sure in a post somewhere I thought Lee was fascinated to find that there was so much he didn’t know about Amanda.. and that apparently the agency did 😉 haaaaa.

      I think Lee is saying he wants a relationship with Amanda that is special, he wants to know her in ways others do not – because they haven’t earned that right.. you know? There is part of ourselves we don’t share with many… and Lee wants that privilege… I think Lee would like to know Amanda in a way Joe King never did – to me, from the sounds of it, Joe barely knew Amanda.. and he didn’t value her as he should have. But Lee does 🙂
      It’s about intimacy yes, but it’s also built on a very solid friendship, a successful work partnership, and a history that has demonstrated time and again their commitment to each other – before they even got close to any romantic intimacy. The specialness of this new intimacy between them is so sweetly portrayed. I can’t wait to see what happens next!!

      one other thought bouncing off Morley’s and then I’ll need to say bye…
      Yes the ‘need to know’ history is massive!
      I think for a lifelong loner, and professional spy – to tell someone you want to know them better (and by implication have them know you) is particularly significant.. and ties back to a few milestone episode in terms of Lee’s romantic history: We’re off to see the Wizard – he was dating and using covers.. he was not himself.. he was not known. And, after that he still didn’t tell Leslie who he was either (yes I see it as after wizard!)
      Here – Lee is seeking out a genuine relationship with Amanda which will mean he is known – It’s what he’s simultaneously longed for and been terrified of..
      Dorothy – I don’t know what to do with – I’m not convinced she was a great romance!
      But.. Eva! Eva was a fantasy, and it turned out- Lee didn’t know her at all. So again – knowing Amanda, for a man who has fallen for a Russian spy and been betrayed, is huge 🙂
      I better stop now before I start rambling about something else. lol. sorry for the rambling..
      bye all!

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      2. Dorothy – I don’t know what to do with – I’m not convinced she was a great romance!

        I’m not convinced either, Iwsod.
        I like to think about Dorothy as someone Lee liked a lot to work with and as a good friend, too, but without being physically involved or even faling in love with. Someone like a sister he never had, maybe?
        The other theory I have about Lee and Dorothy is, Lee (and maybe even Dorothy) had some deeper feelings for her (each other) and wanted to get to know her (each other) better afer the Serdejech case. Perhaps he already asked her to have dinner after that case (dinner as in date…?). They never made it that far, because Tinman betrayed them and Dorothy died in Lee’s arms…
        Either way that day Lee lost either a good sisterly friend or a woman he liked a lot and was ready to open up to.

        Eva is a totally different case. Lee’s always been an assignment for her, as Angelo has been, too. She’s been a BIG hurtful disappointing experience in Lee’s love department… 😦

        I guess Lee decided AFTER that incident (with Eva) to close up his heart completely and shut out everyone from his life. That’s – at least for me – the time he decided only to go with some affairs and flings and to become a playboy. Lee became more and more ‘Scarecrow’ and the real Lee started vanishing more and more. Until Amanda entered his life – and his heart. 🙂

        Gosh… – what a ramble… 😉

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        1. Interesting. I am not sure what to make of Dorothy either. I think in any case she became perfect in Lee’s mind (as is human nature to make saints out of people who have died tragically).

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          1. I guess in some way Dorothy had a lot in common with Amanda, although we’ll never know for sure. Unfortunately Dorothy’s character stays mostly unknown to us and Lee never explained their relationship.
            😦

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  5. The LOOKS Lee gives to Amanda. Sigh. The terror. The warmth. The honest affection. The teasing seduction in his voice when he’s telling her he will enjoy finding out more about her could make a girl melt. So many emotions he’s exhibiting, and why not? This may be the first time in his life he has ever put his real self, and real feelings, out there for another person to accept or reject. He is offering himself, half sure of her reaction and half terrified of rejection. This is powerful and profound. Amanda knows this and gives him just what he most needs and desires- acknowledgement of his position and acceptance of his intentions. Now the real dance begins.

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    1. Oh my Katjielee! I love how you describe this! You make this scene even better 🙂
      So true – so many emotions.. it’s a credit to BB this portrayal of this complicated and wonderful moment in the character’s journey!

      Now the real dance begins.

      I love it! I’ve been pondering how this big step is not the final step – as it so often is in tv shows.. Ahhh they’ve admitted they’re in love! well.. not exactly! 😉
      They’ve taken the next step – not the final step. Which I love!
      They haven’t jumped quite that far! Nor have they just jumped straight into bed. This relationship truly is a wonderful slow dance 🙂

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      1. “not exactly…” I saw what you did there and love it! BB is amazing in this scene. Truthfully, Kate played this well also, but in an understated way so we could appreciate the subtlety in BB’s performance. They are both such beautiful people; however, I think Kate is very often relegated to “window dressing” to the viewer- simply incidental to the development of Lee as a man. I cannot imagine this scene between Lee and Amanda during the 2nd season, although I could see it brewing between them; during the 1st season it would have been laughable. Amanda has matured (or become much more sophisticated) as much as has Lee- but her character was so much deeper than his to begin with that it doesn’t resonate as much with the viewer. Can you tell I am a Kate fan?

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        1. I like this. Though if Amanda had remained as sassy as she was the first few episodes of the series, I could see this happening sooner. Not necessary better than what we ultimately got, but sooner.

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        2. Hi Katjielee!
          when I was a child watching a few eps of this show, it was all about Lee! Even as an adult rediscovering the show, it was all about Lee the first time I watched it..
          but, when I started to walk through the show – I began to discover that I loved Amanda’s character and she was just as interesting, and at times even more interesting!
          While I don’t have a problem with someone watching the show and seeing Amanda as window dressing (enjoy the show how you like), I’m enjoying exploring Amanda’s character more and more and I no longer view Amanda as window dressing (nice reference to
          Affair at Bromfield Hall 🙂 ).
          This doesn’t mean I always give her the attention she deserves though and I hope others along for this walk will share Amanda insights with us all!
          For this tag, I think focus is on Lee because I think it’s Lee’s big moment. He is the instigator, and it is a cumulation of a part of Lee’s journey.
          Amanda’s role in the tag is to accept his advances and respond – yes that’s important, but it’s less of a revelation. So it’s not the focus of the scene for me.
          Most of the tag the camera is focusing on Lee also I think.

          I think since the triumvirate Amanda’s been patiently waiting for Lee to take this step, and providing encouragement. I saw that ep as being her big ep for falling head over heels with this man, seeing he is a man who possibly wants the same type of relationship she does – and so Amanda opens herself up to this possibility (where in season 2, IMHO she plain ruled it out). In Triumvirate, I saw her accepting her romantic love for Lee.. and expressing this more openly with him.. maybe giving him some more signals that she is ready for this? thoughts everyone? Katjielee, if you get back to the walk through that ep, I’d love to hear your take on it as a KJ fan!! 🙂

          Amanda has had romantic issues in her history, but do you think this tag is a milestone for her?
          Maybe I’m not connecting with a part of her story here, but for me – Amanda’s growth as a character has been more about her identity as an individual, and as a professional. I’ve not seen her as having intimacy issues, she’s secure in her attachments – and she’s the more experienced person in this couple when it comes to love.. Thus, why for me the story is more focused on Lee at the end in the tag..
          I guess in the tag, we see Amanda’s patience being rewarded (because when you’re talking about love you have to be patient ;).
          Lee was doing the emotional/psychological work to get ready for this.. Amanda – she had some professional/personal integration work to do but she was otherwise ready. At least that’s what I’m thinking at the moment.. any one at anytime could enlighten me here! 🙂

          This is all a very long way of saying Katjielee – I too am a huge Kate fan! [See this comment I wrote on Neds about season 4 and how KJ rocks!]

          Okay enough rambles.. bye!

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          1. iwsod, you raise interesting points.
            If I’m understanding you correctly, you are raising the issue that perhaps it’s less of a revelation for Amanda b/c she is (or has been) more secure in her relationships.
            I agree that for Lee to take this leap is a BIGGIE. I also think that by this time both of them already love one another. But for Lee, I feel that he is taking his first baby step into a real adult relationship- all the others have been pale possibilities. These women were either young and too short-term (I think) to have been serious life-time partner contenders or lying KGB agents. So for him- well, our Lee has grown into a fine man despite being unable to find real love. And I’m not denying that both Dorothy and Eva caused him pain. But not finding love for real is different from finding it then being flattened by it.

            Amanda, on the other hand, wholeheartedly put herself out there and previously found real love- a man she loved and TRUSTED. I think Joe loved Amanda, but he didn’t love her enough. So, she had her heart broken and her life expectations shattered by someone she did know for real, did trust for real, someone she shared children with and someone she had no way to just walk away from (never see again) and heal. What’s more- the person who harmed her was actually a pretty good man who loved her and yet still violated her trust and left her hanging.
            So, with all that said (can you tell I’m divorced and have remarried?) she is starting over with having been burned by a good man. Lee is a good man. She trusted Joe. She trusts Lee. Who is taking the bigger risk?
            His progress is more dramatically obvious because I really believe this is his first REAL love. It is NOT her first real love- so perhaps it is really her who is taking the bigger risk.

            I do see it as a milestone for her too. She is a relatively young, beautiful woman, who by this point has remained single (although lightly dating) for about 4 years by this time. She had options. It’s a big step for her!

            My turn to ramble. 😉

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            1. I agree with you, katjielee. Amanda is also taking a huge step. I think they both have been doing a lot of work emotionally throughout the three seasons and especially during this one. I mentioned earlier ( not sure where) that I thought that Amanda’s hand placement here on Lee’s shoulders was still a bit guarded. She hasn’t totally wrapper them around Lee and embraced him, her arms are still separating them and I think she may still have some work to do in order to really let herself go with Lee. Lee is a risk, lets face it. He has become an amazing man and I think he has counted the cost as far as he can know it in choosing a relationship with Amanda, but he could be killed any moment, he lives secrets and Amanda isn’t a woman unto herself, she has a family. That is a huge risk. She loves him and I think she has decided to take the risk, but I am not sure she is fully capable of embracing it without reservation right here. Don’t get me wrong, she is going for it, after all she was the one to initiate in the last two almost kisses…
              Amanda will be interesting to watch from here on out…

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  6. I wondered if Amanda was reacting to Lee’s expression when he realizes they’ve been interrupted again. We can’t see his immediate response, just hers. Her eyes sort of widen after she looks at him. Can’t tell if that’s more of her own feelings or her responding to what she sees from him.

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    1. Maybe Sara!
      My first instinct was that it was surprise because she assumed ‘it’ wasn’t going to happen – just like all the other times!
      This determined Lee is a surprise! [A rather pleasant one 😉 ]

      But sure! I can totally see what you are saying could work! 🙂 A little fearful of the sudden intensity perhaps? as she was unprepared for it?

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  7. HI Everyone!
    Forgive me but I’m not going to get to publish the final post of this ep till the weekend. I’ve had a busy week.. promise I’ll be ready to publish it this weekend!!!
    Hope you are all well! bye

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  9. Just love all the photos and your comments iwsod , because they show Lee and Amanda’s facial expressions in detail…..so emotional 😘.
    In my opinion Lee and Amanda’s friendship is very close and they know each other very well.
    So everything Lee do not know about Amanda is one the next level- the more intimate side physically as well as psychological.

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    1. big welcome back to Vinnie Jelle too! Great to hear from you again Vinnie!

      Thanks- glad you enjoyed all the pics.. their faces are so expressive here huh. All they are communicating is there!

      great to hear your thoughts on what Lee’s getting to know Amanda meant! I’ll be back to pick up this thought when I can 🙂

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  10. Hi Cindy, try posting this comment again as a response to clagjanet (fingers crossed it will work) then I’ll just delete the duplicate.
    Thanks!
    I’ll be back to read and chat when I can – bye!

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    1. Hey Marylin,

      If you were to write this scene, what would you have written?
      Maybe don’t share your full fan fiction here (Nedlindger’s would be a better place for that – can we tempt you to share your version with us over there?? ) but.. can you give a brief summary of what you would have done?

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  12. Re: the tie.

    I think it is lipstick marks which is not only a huge testament to the sense of humour in the costume department, but also a really great throwback to “The Boy Who Could be King” and Lee’s arrival back at the Agency after that meet-gone-wrong. I could totally see this as a gag gift from Francine after that little incident.

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    1. I think it is lipstick marks which is not only a huge testament to the sense of humour in the costume department

      Yeah I was thinking they were lipstick mark lips too clagjanet.

      The mystery of why Lee waited so long has been solved! He had to wait till he was wearing the right tie!!!!! 🙂

      Love the idea that it’s a gag gift from Francine haaaaa!

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  13. he moves even closer, and I think he reaches to take her hands or touch her hands – as he looks down as he moves closer to reach for them. I think. anyone?

    Well, others may disagree but I am 100% certain that he is reaching out with those beautiful hands to the belt of her skirt to undo… THAT FRAKKING GUEST PASS! And toss it away forever!!

    There are so many gutter jokes to be made about the truly awful placement of that pass in this scene…

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    1. snicker! I think Amanda, after that near kiss when they were ‘rehearsing’ decided she was not going to risk an awkward jab by a hard laminated pass ruining a moment that had BETTER BE COMING AND SOON DAMMIT! A good spy prepares for every contingency.

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  14. First Off, More Pictures of Lee! Great photos and your comments on each one were great. I noticed the Tie and thought somebody in Wardrobe or Production of SMK has a sense of humour.
    And Lee’s Line …there’s a lot about you that I don’t know… Well, being the old fashioned romantic that I am I knew exactly what Lee meant. The look on Lee’s face is that ‘Look’ and Amanda is enjoying it!
    I watched the episode with a Gin&Tonic in order to be prepared for a ‘Cute Interruption’ ending……….

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  15. I never really understood the line “there’s a lot I don’t know about you. ” Really? I thought they’ve been getting pretty close. Is that just Lee speak for I want to get to know you in a more deeper, intimate way? I’ve always guessed that because of the next line “I’m sure going to enjoy trying to find out” but I’m curious as to your thoughts about what the line means. Was it just sort of an easier way of saying “I want to date you ?” Would it have even mattered to Amanda WHAT he said because of HOW he said it pretty much said it all, IMHO.

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    1. [I’ve just approved this comment – it went to moderation as I believe this is natsned’s first time commenting on JWWM.]

      Big welcome natsned!!!

      I’ll be back later to respond more fully – great to hear from you and hope you’ll have fun joining in 🙂

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    2. Hi natsned! I admit to also finding this line rather mysterious. I suppose I think that he means that he knows about the work Amanda and the public face of Amanda (as mom, daughter, community member) but maybe he doesn’t know the inner woman (maybe the woman she is in a romantic relationship, the side of herself she doesn’t show to anyone else). I don’t think he means this in a physical sense, but an emotional sense.

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      1. I agree with learjet1 about how we all have so many parts to us. There are just a few people in our lives who get to see all of them and this is what Lee wants with Amanda. Also as far as we can tell, before now Lee has probably never said something like this to anyone so maybe in his nervousness his thoughts didn’t come out the way he planned.

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        1. Hear hear Joey!
          smk is brilliant at portraying Lee and Amanda as multifaceted characters!

          Seems to me characters on tv today are much more simplistic.. they are lacking in layers (gotta watch Shrek for that these days! Onion Boy!)

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    3. I always interpreted the “a lot of things I don’t know about you” as Lee is still constantly surprised about things he is finding out about Amanda – here it is her acting ability (and in the script, they have an earlier convo about her seriously considering pursuing acting but she decided to get married instead), in a previous episode it was the circumstances around her divorce and in another, it is why she is staying with the agency. There are a lot of things he doesn’t know about her – she talks a lot but actually says very little about what is going on inside. I think Lee is finally starting to really see her.
      The line may seem a little odd, but what we see here is much better (IMO) what was in the script and I will post after the next installment of the TAG.

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      1. When Lee tells Amanda “You know, we have a lot to talk about…” it takes me back to “The First Time” when they meet at the Halloween party. He says the same thing to her then. It gave me the idea that it was a kind of pick up line for him, or at least one he used to give the impression he seriously wanted to move a new relationship along (i.e. new conquest) or get what he wanted (maybe a package) from her. Now, he truly means it from an emotional standpoint, so of course it terrifies him. He probably already knows Amanda better than he has ever known any woman; what he is seeking to do (IMHO) is to essentially do an in-depth background check and to confirm in his own mind what his heart is telling him- he loves her.

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        1. When Lee tells Amanda “You know, we have a lot to talk about…” it takes me back to “The First Time” when they meet at the Halloween party. He says the same thing to her then.

          Whoa! that’s fabulous! I love that Katjielee!!!

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    4. Much as I love it, I have always found this scene has a feeling of having been tacked on to get the romance going that the viewers/ CBS wanted. I wonder if there was a scene in the original script that made more sense of this conversation, maybe a talk between L&A about Maria & Tony and their levels of knowledge/trust in each other? There isn’t in the shooting final on Petra’s site but who knows what got cut along the way!

      I’ve been chatting with someone who has plans to deal with this in a future fanfic, (not me, LOL) so perhaps someday we’ll know. 🙂

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    5. Well, in the German dubbed version Lee tells Amanda that there are still some sides of her he doesn’t know about, yet; and that he is quite curious to discover them.
      And he doesn’t mean it in a more physical way, I think.
      I guess he really means those things, Amanda is not that open about. Like being interested in theater more deeply than he knows about (even if it’s Neo-Absurd…) or why her marriage didn’t work…
      Amanda talks a lot during the time of a day, but she manages not to say a lot – at least not about herself. She is a very private person – as Lee is, too.

      BTW – we still don’t know a lot about Lee either!

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      2. Yes well(Doch) the German version of this scene does make it more clear what Lee means, and Amanda’s reaction. One of the fun things of watching US or British TV shows is seeing how things are translated. Sometimes like this SMK scene it is right on the money, other times the whole meaning of a scene is lost.

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        2. This is very interesting!
          I think when things get dubbed, it can lead to a reinterpretation of what was intended sometimes.

          I’ve found this myself when I lived in France and discovered this whole dubbing phenomenon!

          The nature of dubbing, trying to match the lip movements etc. means sometimes that a meaning is given to something- whereas in the original it was not communicated so directly.

          Having pondered this tag over the last week or so, and enjoyed everyone’s takes on it, I’ve come to the conclusion that the dialogue is a little vague – and I think they’ve done it on purpose. Don’t ask me when but I think smk has done this other times – and it so good at doing this when it comes to the Lee/Amanda relationship. [Okay just thought of one – the show hasn’t spelled it out how much social time Lee and Amanda have bee spending together in late season 3 – but they drop in a few random comments here and there that hint at it, and leave open the possibility they are socialising a lot.. or maybe.. just starting to socialise – why spell it out and spoil the fun? 🙂

          They keep things vague, and allow the audience to fill in the blanks. While the main story of their relationship is pretty clearly communicated, there are times when things are not as clearly communicated as they could be – and I think the makers choose to leave a number of meanings open to the viewer, for them to pull out the intended message they will most enjoy.

          I’ve heard ideas on what it meant when Lee said he was looking forward to trying to know her better – and gosh, maybe it’s non committal of me, but I think they all work! all the different meanings ascribed to this ambiguous line work!
          That he wants to move things forward is communicated, but exactly what he meant is open to interpretation. I think it’s genius!

          If you watch this tag and see definite meanings and no ambiguity in dialogue etc. Good for you. Happy for ya! My point is – whether we see ambiguity or no, either way we are very happy with the result 🙂

          Oh dear. I do worry I’ve made no sense at all.. but then, hopefully if my comments are ambiguous enough, you’ll find something of meaning in there somewhere! 😉 tee hee..

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          1. Ohh, what a Iwsod-ramble… 😉 Don´t worry, you made perfectly sense. 🙂

            The nature of dubbing, trying to match the lip movements etc. means sometimes that a meaning is given to something- whereas in the original it was not communicated so directly.

            Sometimes (as in the scene in the Q bureau) it really does. In other scenes (as the interview scene with Tony Martinet and Amanda) it doesn´t fit at all and they just create some nonsense… As long as it doesn´t compromise the whole story I don´t mind. Sometimes there are even some phrases (in English) you just can´t transfer into German. Call me a cab. - You are a cab. just wouldn´t work in German.

            Problems like that might even have been ONE reason (I can imagine at least a second one) why we didn´t get the episode The Times they are a Changing in German TV back in the 80´s. There is no way to translate the Knight/Night pun into German.

            Knight = Ritter
            Night = Nacht

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    6. Not sure if you were asking me, but this scene was discussed at my last Happy Hour so here goes. As Amanda and Lee are entering the office it is clear that Lee is nervous about something? Of course Lee is in love with Amanda, and the feeling is mutual I am sure(I would put a Smiley thing here but I have not figured that technology out yet – my technical skills are still in the 80’s ala SMK). Now up until this point Amanda and Lee have hugged and a kiss on the cheek when they solved a case or whatever. Now that kind of moment is passed, but Lee has to say something so he can finally ‘really’ kiss Amanda to start the Dating and Romance stuff. Also, you have to take into thought and analysing that this was 1986 US Network Television so the kind of scenes we see today(Castle for example) were not that common back then. Then again, the way Lee looked he could have said ‘Ba Ba Goo Goo’ and Amanda would have kissed him anyway.

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        1. At least there IS something you could/would tell BB. LOL 😉
          I’m afraid I’d be as mute as a fish if I’ll ever meet him… guess that’s never gonna happen anyway. Not as long as he won’t come somewhere near my place in the Rhein-Main area. 😥

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      4. Glad you shared your happy hour smk thoughts 🙂
        This sounds like a series of blog posts – what Gilby’s happy hour had to say! All interpreted by a gin and tonic! whahahahaa!! 🙂 Haaa this would be fun!

        Now that kind of moment is passed, but Lee has to say something so he can finally ‘really’ kiss Amanda to start the Dating and Romance stuff.

        I see them as having been dating for a while, but not owning up to the fact that this is what they were doing. I think at a certain point the friendship became unofficially romantic.. and was romance masquerading as friendship 😉 There was always an out clause – until this tag- when it’s very clear a line has been crossed (physical, emotional & psychological) – finally! 🙂

        Then again, the way Lee looked he could have said ‘Ba Ba Goo Goo’ and Amanda would have kissed him anyway.

        Too true! Lee certainly has that effect on me! 🙂

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    7. I think Lee’s comment of “there’s a lot I don’t know about you” goes back to the beginning of the episode when he finds out about her theater background. He looks a little in awe of Amanda as they head to Billy’s office. It’s like he filed that tidbit away so that he could bring it up later.

      Throughout the series Amanda has done these things that make Lee look at her in surprise and awe. I think his comment is a culmination of those moments.

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  16. OMG, iwsod, I never noticed the tie before! They could not have chosen a pattern that looks more like lips from a distance without actually being lips! That’s hysterical!!

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    1. I totally agree. In the last blog post, I was screaming at my computer screen, “Get rid of the stripes. I want the plaid back.” But this is even better. I have never noticed the tie before either because I was always so focused on their wonderfully expressive faces throughout this whole scene. Very little needed to be communicated verbally to tell what was going through their minds. Although his first line about “you and I do have a lot to talk about” always seemed to come out of left field for me but after reading your blog posts I realized I think he is referring to the interrupted kiss from the rehearsal. IWSOD, I love all your posts as they always make me laugh and get me thinking and seeing things I never have before.

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      1. thanks for sharing your experience Rachel!

        I never got to experience that 😦 I knew before I even saw the episode what happened.. I was spoiled by fandom.. but.. can’t say anymore about how this ends! 🙂

        yes it’s hard to notice a tie when there’s so much sweetness going on between these two 🙂

        Although his first line about “you and I do have a lot to talk about” always seemed to come out of left field for me but after reading your blog posts I realized I think he is referring to the interrupted kiss from the rehearsal.

        I’m not sure of this line of dialogue.. and I am hoping we can discuss this some more!! I’m still pondering this one!

        IWSOD, I love all your posts as they always make me laugh and get me thinking and seeing things I never have before.

        Awh thanks for the encouragement Rachel! [btw – thanks so much for liking all the posts 🙂 ]

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    2. How wonderful! 🙂
      I confess I didn’t notice the lips tie till someone in smk fandom pointed it out years ago. Sorry I can’t remember who it was 😦

      But they are actually lips aren’t they? I’m thinking they are. and LOL what must Amanda have thought when Lee showed up with that! What must Mrs Marsden have thought? She’d have noticed! 😉

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  17. It’s fascinating to watch Lee’s face. He is genuinely terrified. But also joyful. And he has that look when you really know you have to do something, you really want to do it but you’re just so scared of doing it. He also looks so much more mature (and I don’t mean in a grandpa-shoes kind of way). Also interesting how Amanda is just stepping back and letting him doing it, after asserting herself in so many ways in the rest of this season.

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    1. Learjet, I so totally agree with your word “mature”. I’ve spent the last several minutes focusing on iwsod’s fabulous screencap of Lee just before “Finally…Lee looks at Amanda’s lips…”. His eyes, oh, his eyes belong to a man who knows and has finally accepted that he is looking into the face of his future, and is embracing all of the joys and sorrows he sees there.

      And, once again, KJ and BB say so much with so few words. I love this scene! Mon Dieu!

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    2. I really enjoyed the way you described Lee here – so true!

      Yeah! Mature is spot on! He’s stepping up and leading 🙂

      I think Amanda needed Lee to step up – she wanted this to be Lee’s choice, done of his own free will. This is along similar lines to comments I’ve made where I’ve said I didn’t want the next step to be an accident, or forced on them – I wanted it to be an active free choice.
      So far, it looks like Lee has started to communicate that choice to Amanda.. Only.. Billy and Francine are spoiling the party! booo!!!

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  18. But what I really want to know is “What happened to the ficus in the hallway?” Just Kidding! (Is it the same one that appears in the Q bureau? Now how I am supposed to watch this scene for the ficus without focusing on Lee and Amanda?).
    Oh man, oh man – I am surprised my TV screen didn’t melt back then (or now) with THOSE LOOKS he is giving her.
    And yes, I did yell loudly when Billy came into the hallway. I was hoping to get at least a little more than a peck like with did DMLNT.

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    1. I learned long ago that I cannot predict what responses a post will get.

      Ficus?! rofl!!!!! Cindy that’s hilarious 🙂 I always enjoy being surprised by what everyone comes up with! ha!

      BB knocks it out of the park with the way he looks at Amanda here huh!

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So what do you think??? :)

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