So where are we… Lee (the daily delight) picks up Amanda (the walking pineapple) by the side of the road..
Lee leans toward Amanda.
[at least I hope it is Amanda. With those sunglasses I can’t be sure! 
]
Lee: I’m clean since Kenilworth Gardens.
Amanda: So am I. We lost ‘em.
[Hoorah!!! well done you two!]
Lee: We deserve to be nailed. I’m a jerk to think that we could’ve walked right back in. And I never figured Billy for a double crosser.
[Lee’s mad at Billy. Can I just say – the directing here in this scene? a mistake. why is the camera so far away? What’s with this view we see here???!!!! with the arm like that? it’s weird! It’s like we are eavesdropping on them. but I don’t like it! Anyone like it? for a second I thought this was KJ directing.. I’m getting confused with Unfinished Business – but no! It’s not KJ and I think KJ wouldn’t stuff up such an emotional moment!]
Amanda: I don’t think he is. I think he was just as surprised as we were.
Lee: Yeah, maybe…
[Finally!!! we get a flipping close up!]
… Amanda, someone has changed the rules and we don’t have a copy of the new rule book. A final appeal has always been a truce; it was an agent’s right!
[Hmm I think they are at the point where they can pretty much make up their own rules! Dr Smyth changed the rules – and agents have no rights!!
So surprised to hear this from Mr Rules Breaker himself haaaaa. I guess this final appeal was a sacred rule even Lee wanted to follow..
Interesting point about agent rights. All and any of Lee’s and Amanda’s rights have been tossed away by the agency!]
We cut to Amanda..
[At least I think it’s Amanda.. I’m really not sure.. ahem.. I think Colleen in Flight to Freedom had smaller shades than Amanda here!]
Lee: Rostov is the only one we can count on now because he needs us as much as we need him.
Amanda: We have each other; that’s something.
[Yeah. I’d find that really touching.. if I was sure this was Amanda.. and if I was sure she meant it. haaaaa.. these sunglasses are just beyond bizarre and ruin this scene for me. A scene that should be a very touching connection between these two. Why??!!! Why???!!!!]
Lee: Yeah. It’s more than most people in this business will ever have…
[Awh. how lovely!]
…I didn’t think we’d have to go through anything like this to find out that we’ve got it.
[how interesting.. I thought they already knew they had this.. maybe now they know it more deeply than they thought possible? Can’t wait to hear what you all make of this statement!!]
Here’s Lee with his heart on his sleeve.. and we see this:
Ugh!!
Amanda (at least I think it’s Amanda ) gives a quiet smile. without the eyes? it’s a guess what that smile means to me! 
Lee: Hey.
Uh oh back to that weird wide shot!
Lee leans in to give Amanda a kiss.
(At least I think it’s Amanda. I can’t be sure One thing I am sure of: I wish it was me 😉 )
(Amanda lets out a sigh..)
[hey.. wouldn’t you?!]
(Lee picks up a newspaper and shows it to Amanda..)
Lee: Look at this.
Lee: “Confirmed. R.“ That’s it. Rostov’s set my defection for tomorrow morning. Now, if we can just dodge ‘em until then.
Amanda: Wait a minute, this is from Joe.
Lee: What?
Amanda : “Panda, Debbie Ann can’t come home but we got the message, and we miss her. J.J.”
Lee: W- wait a minute. Now, your mother called you Panda when you were a little girl—who- who’s Debbie Ann and J.J.?
[I love that Lee knows Amanda was called Panda!]
Amanda: Well, J.J.’s Joe—that’s like Jolting Joe. Jolting Joe DiMaggio, you know?
[Not really, but I’m not interested enough to care!]
Lee: Yeah. Right.
Amanda: And- and Debbie Ann is Debbie Ann Macabie—she was my best friend when we were eleven and she ran away from home and I hid her in the attic only she wanted to go home and she was scared of her daddy, so I snuck a note to her mom.
[LOL we get quite the Amanda ramble here. At least I think it’s her – maybe it isn’t because she suddenly sounds quite southern talkin about her daddy!
Okay, I’ll assume it’s Amanda lol.. she’s excited.. but I love how Lee stays with her, and at some point smiles glowingly at her and that she is rambling and he just wants a simple answer!]
Lee: Well, at least the home front’s with us.
[oh my gosh. Lee is so happy for Amanda and so understanding – it’s very swoony!!]
Amanda: Yeah.
Lee: You feel better?
Amanda : Yeah. [I’m not sure.. because with those massive glasses I can’t tell!]
Amanda: Boy… it was the worst trouble I ever got in when I hid Debbie Ann Macabie in my attic.
Lee: No, it isn’t…
… This is.
Amanda: Damn right.
[Not sure why Amanda smiles when saying this.. is this nervous giggles? Bit weird.. and.. Amanda just said ‘damn’?! ]
(Anyway, Lee and Amanda get a move on and the scene ends there.)
[At least.. I think it’s Amanda.. I can’t be sure! I would have preferred that Amanda stay in her cover as a pineapple during this scene.. but.. it is what it is ]
I can’t wait to hear what you all think of this scene!!! Do tell!!
We’ll continue on.. and I’ll publish the next post with a bit of a delay…
Back to IFF later that day..
Billy: You know, this could be a bullpen full of CPAs or an ad agency….
[Whoa, Billy sounds really low 
]
… Except that these perfectly normal folks come to work…
(Billy walks over to look at the monitors)
… to spy on people, to kill them, to topple their governments.
[Yeah it’s all pretty intense!! Looking out at the bullpen, it looks normal- but this is certainly no normal workplace!! And.. here is that theme we started with back in Emilio’s and being a normal couple.. but there is nothing normal about them. So too with this workplace! What do you all make of this theme? ]
Francine: -Billy, please. Billy. Don’t go getting all moody on me, okay?..
…It’s just a setback. Why don’t you try giving yourself some of your own best advice? I mean, you do it to me all the time.
[Francine isn’t on my favourites list after her behaviour so far in the stems! But.. I’m glad she is able to try and support Billy here. Try. I love that this doesn’t come naturally to her, but she gives it a go..]
Billy: Yeah… Stick to what you know instead of what you think you know. Fine. 
Billy: What do we know?
[You know Lee and Amanda!!! 
]
Billy: That shouldn’t take long.
Francine: Okay, so we don’t know a whole hell of a lot, but let’s add this to our short list. I asked my, uh, snitch at the task bureau to do me a drawing of the man who tipped him.
Billy: The tip we followed to find Lee at the gourmet supermarket?
[lol thanks for the reminder of the events of the last episode! me forgot it all!]
Francine: Right. A lot older, a lot grayer.
(Francine hands over the sketch.. and a photograph)
[whooo he was quite the moody hot model when he was younger this Alexi! A Russian version of Lee! ]
Billy: Alexi Makarov. Right here in DC.
(Francine nods)
[Okay, um good job Francine actually doing a little investigating! are you forgiven? no way!]
Billy: Chalk one up for Lee.
[Billy is back in the saddle!! He’s suddenly more upbeat and back on the case!]
Billy picks up the phone to make a call and the scene ends there. So we shall pause here also! I’ll be back with the next post in 3 or 4 days (sorry real life is keeping me busy- but do chat away and I’ll get back here when I can!)
"Just walk with me.." 
We all complain about the character continuity on SMK so much that I have to point this out. Dotty references Debbie Ann Macaby in S1 on “Magic Bus” (She had accused Amanda of smoking as a teen and Amanda then went and tried smoking at Debbie Ann’s because she was aggravated with the false accusation!)
These scripts aren’t even written by the same writer, making the usage even more impressive! And making me wonder if Debbie Ann is an actual childhood friend of Kate’s. Regardless, very impressive for remembering!
LikeLiked by 1 person
YES! I remember seeing those glasses back when this aired in 1986!! They are awful!
LikeLike
Welcome to the blog Suzanne! Oh yeah.. awful… and just plain headscratching to me!!
LikeLike
I think it’s cute that way back in season 1, Lee gave Amanda that huge stuffed panda – and that was her childhood nickname!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I always wondered if that was deliberate or a happy coincidence by the writers.
LikeLiked by 1 person
🤣 I am in tears right now from all of the sunglasses remarks, Iwsod!!! I tried to just stifle a giggle at the first mention of them, and then with the next comment came an audible chuckle, but by the end of the truck scene, I was belly-laughing with tears. 😂 My 4-year old must think I have the funniest smartphone in the world!
Ok, so onto this, if I can compose myself!
Lee:…I didn’t think we’d have to go through anything like this to find out that we’ve got it.
I’m sure I’m restating what has already been said, but I think he’s implying that this whole situation has positively intensified their connection to each other, personally and professionally. IMO, since Stemwinder began, they have been put to the test in ways they never had before, and it has only created a greater bond and pushed them to the best work, but only together. When they were apart during this mission, they both were a bit off. But together? They can accomplish much more than even they may have realized before. For the first time since they met, every wall is down and every word has been said, and they are free from any hindrance they had together before. They are seriously on their own taking on the entire Agency, the KGB, and Alexi – just the two of them, without support from Lee’s family (his contacts) or Amanda’s. They are on their own, but so not alone. And they are building a masterpiece!!
And random interjection- I love Amanda’s Amandaramble in this scene!! And Lee’s eyes are like a laser beam packed with emotion and warmth. Thus, the sunglasses?????
I also appreciate Francine for her attempt at reaching Billy at this low point (it makes me so sad to see him like this). I think it’s a turning point in Francine’s approach to the situation here, too. I would imagine she views Billy as stable, a constant in her life, and so perhaps her seeing him like this is what it takes to get her attention to stop being an agency machine and start acting more out of loyalty and friendship to Lee and Amanda to find out the truth about the whole mess.
LikeLiked by 3 people
Sorry, when I said Lee & Amanda are without support from her family, I didn’t mean that like it sounded – I meant that she is unable to contact her family, explain to them what is going on, etc.
I would’ve loved to know what that note she sent to them said, btw….
LikeLiked by 1 person
I must take a stand for Lee’s supportive family of trusted contacts. One contact provided help by getting and delivering Lee’s private stash (firearms and cash) to him inside bags of Chinese food. T. Percival Aquinas was always Lee’s most trusted informant and they had a longstanding friendship. He helped Lee and Amanda connect with a critical telephone call and it was T.P., who stopped by the Food Truck to keep Lee apprised of what’s going on inside The Agency. He also did the research that answered the question Lee asked about Sonja. Lee and Amanda were not in this alone!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, sorry, I agree, I didn’t mean to imply they weren’t supportive of him, but that the agency had somehow gotten to them, as Lee says in the first scene of this episode, finding out who they were. I’m sure they’d have continued to have his back if they weren’t compromised. Sometimes my thoughts are clear in my head, and then I start typing…😉
LikeLike
hey Amandarambler with all the swoony Lee on display and all the bingeing you’ve done lately – I think you do really well! haaa!! 🙂
Get those smelling salts into you!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Awhhhhhh good call Nancy! 🙂
LikeLike
Ohhhhhhhhh!!! You’ve cracked it!!!! haaaaa. I love it!
And hey- Amandarambler, you would love this Amandaramble – your handle demands it no?!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, I definitely speak Amandaramble. 😁 As I’m sure everyone has had to find out by all of my binge commenting!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Amandarambler, your quote “And Lee’s eyes are like a laser beam packed with emotion and warmth” is one of my favorite descriptions I’ve ever read! You summed him up so perfectly!
LikeLike
I have to agree about the absolutely horrible sunglasses— this part is almost too painful to watch: the sunglasses and the Sunny and Cher “I got you babe” line — it sounded contrived, not like the characters at all. UGH
The one part that saved it was the message from her family: it was more in character with the rambling Amanda; even the “damn right” was on point. I agree that it was her way of acknowledging the severity of the situation: no baby talk “darn right” — this is serious “damn right”.
LikeLike
I commented earlier on this post, but now that I’ve been binging I have a little more to add about this really nice scene with Billy and Francine. I think Billy is really bummed about the blown meeting with Lee because of Dr. Smyth’s treachery. Billy knows he messed up by underestimating Smyth and probably figures Lee now has no reason to trust him. I’m guessing he feels like he’s let down his best agent and a friend. I think right now Billy is having a hard time separating the two. His thinking of Lee as a friend makes this all the more painful.
And here we now see Francine in a supportive role – which I think she does great. After all, that is her job – to support Billy. Earlier I think her support role involved playing devil’s advocate with Billy – to represent the Lee is guilty side since Billy probably wanted to believe he was innocent. But now that Billy is all “moody” and Francine actually has some news he will like, she looks like she is jumping in to save the day. I think this drawing of an aged Alexi is the first real piece of evidence they actually have that could lead them to prove Lee’s innocence. It is something they desperately need and may be just the ticket to allow both of them to focus solely on proving Lee’s innocence rather than viewing it from both sides.
LikeLiked by 2 people
My two cents on the topic of when Amanda knew Lee loved her. I think that her first inkling of what’s possible between them happened in “Sudden Death” during the kiss at the window. Powerful sparks flew, catching Lee completely by surprise. Like a moth to a flame, Lee later showed up at Amanda’s kitchen window with a souvenir football for her and a bottle of bubbly (with champagne flutes!).
Later during “Brunettes Are In,” Lee was in off-the-charts denial about his intense feelings for Amanda and he sparked that hurtful fight. By the end of that episode, Lee realized he was deceiving himself because the scare of her capture to be auctioned off to the highest bidder exposed his true feelings.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I like your point about the sparks between Lee and Amanda during that awesome kiss at the window scene. That’s one of my favorites and any opportunity to think about it again is appreciated. I had never before considered that moment as her “wake up” as to potential between she and Lee. I had always chalked it up to her understanding he was a player and that she was not immune (and neither was he) to their chemistry. But your idea is interesting and moves up my perceived date line a lot.
You mention he shows up afterwards at her home window with champagne, etc. Lee often follows up stupid stunts (or when he is really REALLY rude) with nice gestures in the early days. But thinking he showed up there because he was a little smitten is way more interesting. He would do that later in SAAB and other shows as well.
I agree with you that Lee had strong feelings for Amanda by the time “Brunettes Are In” comes along. Do you think the fight it was just his denial of those loving emotions? I kind of wonder if he was also reacting to the threat he felt when thinking she might be gaining autonomy at the Agency and possible be working alone more often, or worse in his eyes, with someone other than him? One major importance of BAI is that Amanda puts down her foot and shows Lee that she demands respect. This was a big shift for their relationship and I’ve always thought that with his respect she gained a fair portion of his heart as well.
LikeLike
katjielee: “… I had always chalked it up to her understanding he was a player and that she was not immune (and neither was he) to their chemistry.”
Nancy: Lee was indeed a player, but predominantly with much younger women and it was about an evening out and a satisfying romp, with no chemistry or longevity involved. Lee has kissed many women and this one began as a cover kiss, so the stunned look on his face at the football dormitory window told us this kiss was unique. At the “SOS” marriage ceremony, it was intended to just be a single cover kiss; however, Lee doubled down then gave her a look because sparks flew — again!
katjielee: “… Do you think the fight it was just his denial of those loving emotions? I kind of wonder if he was also reacting to the threat he felt when thinking she might be gaining autonomy at the Agency and possible be working alone more often, or worse in his eyes, with someone other than him?”
Nancy: IMO, these two aspects are intertwined because he’s way past smitten and falling in love with Amanda. In our episode order, “Sudden Death” comes first and the very next episode was “Service Above & Beyond” where Lee almost lost her. He’s in her backyard — again — making sure she’s ok and admits, to a thrilled Amanda, that he carried her to the ambulance. [Of note: BB revealed in an interview that SAAB is when his character Lee Stetson falls for her. Of course, it takes him years to say that to Amanda!] Love makes a person vulnerable because you lose control over your emotions and that scares Lee. So by the time of “Brunettes Are In,” he’s been fighting his feelings for awhile, is extremely frustrated and, since he’s not willing to take a step forward, he lashes out (hence the lack of respect) when he senses her taking a step away. Lee is really angrier with himself than with Amanda, but he was very young when his folks died. So he has no role model for how to achieve the loving relationship he wants. Of all the women he dated, she is the key; the only one he envisions knowing how to build and share that loving relationship with him. In the comments for “Unfinished Business,” I posted my thought that Lee has been drawn to Amanda’s backyard, where he overhears the loving interactions within her family, because they were vaguely familiar from his long-lost family home. Now, in Stemwinder he is finally ready to tell her, in words, of his love for her.
LikeLiked by 1 person
PS: If you’re interested in reading that posted comment back in UB, it’s in the 11/16 blog near the bottom of the comments (dated 7/3/2017).
LikeLiked by 1 person
rofl – good one katjielee! 😉
I agree with this! It’s a ‘there’s something there!’ moment!
Love this katjielee!!!!
it was super important for Amanda to stand up for herself!! 🙂 A big character development moment, which was also an important moment for their love story!
BTW- there is this blog post: Discussion of Lee and Amanda’s Love Story
I wrote ages ago.. and it’s a place to discuss the love story across the show.. [Hmm the title is 1/2 but i have no idea where 2/2 is.. or maybe it was something that was going to be written one day and then life took over! sorry guys..]
LikeLike
If I publish a post asap to continue this discussion of Lee and Amanda’s love story now we are finished season 3 – would you be interested in discussion this progression further there? [maybe I should do that 2/2 post now?!]
LikeLiked by 1 person
I always felt like the fight on Brunettes Are In was something they were setting us up for to finally deal with Lee’s issues regarding his fears about losing another partner. They started right off the bat with The First Time by telling us why he always works alone. Then we had eps like Saved By The Bells, Service Above And Beyond, & the amnesia ep where Amanda is in danger and you see how hard it is on him and how he blames himself. And then there was that telling quote on Filming Raul about feeling guilty about giving a friend a job and putting them in danger. You know he wasn’t just thinking about Raul — he’s the reason Amanda is at the Agency. He needed to deal with that and accept the risk before he could actually accept calling her his partner, which made that tag all the better.
LikeLike
Ah when Amanda knew Lee loved her is a different question to answer Nancy 🙂 a super interesting one too 🙂
I agree in Sudden Death I think there was enough flirting and response to that kiss for Amanda to notice that Lee ummm noticed her- and there was an attraction there.
I don’t know if I’d call that Love but it’s an important element for sure.
Oh yes! I know people seem to love or hate BAI – I’m in the love BAI camp!!
Loved your thoughts on this Nancy – I so agree.. there were some very intense emotions involved.. a signal that there is more developing here between them 🙂
For me, BAI was about Lee accepting/chosing/welcoming Amanda in his life – as a partner.. but I think it was his turning point where he stopped fighting having Amanda in his life- in any capacity.
I think before the walk, I thought it was true deep love very early on.. but after walking through the show I put that love much later.. and thanks to walking with you all I was able to see more nuance and explore all the various aspects of Lee and Amanda’s love journey in more depth..
Would anyone like to write a blog post about it? I’d be happy to publish it..
LikeLiked by 1 person
I like to read the posts, the comments, and then go back to the post again. For some reason I miss things at times. Not much to add about the sunglasses other than agreeing that it would have been nice to see Amanda’s eyes during this exchange between the two.
So much reality setting in for Lee and Amanda because of all of this. Lee the rule breaker having to deal with the rules no longer applying. Lee has been a supporter of some of his fellow agents in earlier episodes. Too bad we don’t get to see any of that support in return, especially from Francine.
When Francine mentions her snitch it sounded to me like she said “Tass Bureau”. I connected it with the Russian news agency. Maybe I heard wrong.
Poor Billy. I feel for him. Things are not going the way he planned and he seems to be questioning what the Agency does and its effect on those who work there. Seems that everyone’s got some questions or are feeling troubled about their work at the Agency. Everyone except maybe Francine.
LikeLike
Hi iwsod! Hi everyone! I’ve needed to be away from the blog for a while…I don’t even want to think how many posts I am behind. But I’m hoping to get caught up over the next few weeks. I’ve missed SMK, although I can’t say I’ve missed the Stemwinders. Okay, maybe a little, but these are not my among my favorite episodes.
I agree with all the sunglasses comments on Amanda. They are hideous. Reminds me of the guy at Lee’s funeral in ROTP. It’s hard to jump right back in and comment, when I’ve missed all that’s led up to this point. I just know these two are as up the creek as the Stewed-Tomato-Two were in S1’s Magic Bus. Well, maybe even more up the creek than they were, but I just love the name Stewed-Tomato-Two.
Can I also say I’m not crazy about the hat on Lee either? I get that they’re meant to be in disguise, but did they have to make them look so weird?
I agree, iwsod. If this is Lee’s reaction to Amanda’s, “We have each other, that’s something,” then I’m confused. I must be missing something. That’s kinda sorta been what they’ve been proving to each other since S1….
The whole newspaper message to Panda, err Amanda, is cute as is Lee’s reaction, but what a helluva coincidence that it’s published right near Rostov’s message! 😀 😀 😀
About Amanda’s “Damn right.” I think this is the one line of hers that I actually really like. It doesn’t feel cheesy or contrived. It’s her way of acknowledging that’s she’s in a whole heap of trouble but that she just doesn’t care because she’s with her man and she knows they’re in the right. The eternal optimist in Amanda believes that they will somehow find a way out of this jam just they have all the others before it.
I think Francine looks really good in these screen caps. I really like her hair and make-up. I’m so glad she’s not wearing any noticeable ear buttons! Oh geez! Head slap! I just didn’t see the hideous purple donuts she was wearing in her ears….As I scrolled down I saw them. Okay, well that just ruins my positive Francine moment 😦
LikeLike
Bjo!!!!!! How wonderful to see you could stop by!!! 🙂 I missed ya!
Don’t worry about missing posts.. just worry about having fun with smk 🙂 do what works for you! 🙂
I’ve been a bit disconnected from smk lately too… too many work pressures.. and I have to confess – The last Jedi has been taking up free ol fun time lately eek!
Yeah it’s great that they incorporated Panda back into things! Great continuity!
Yeah maybe there is only one page of ads?!
Here’s hoping Lee and Amanda see that earlier add about Job Stress so they can get some support! 😉
Love this!!! I guess Lee is not the only optimist here – as Lee said in this business you’ve got to find the silver lining (I paraphrase).
rofl! purple donuts! 🙂
What does everyone think of Alexi as a young man? Interesting that he was a moody good looker no?
LikeLike
Agree strongly about the sunglasses, but on the good stuff…
“It’s more than most people in this business will ever have…I didn’t think we’d have to go through anything like this to find out we’ve got it.” Lee and Amanda obviously have cared for one another for quite a while but now they have finally declared, out loud, their love for each other. They’ve always known (almost from the get-go) that they could count on one another to do their utmost to keep the other safe. Perhaps this is the first time they are both knowingly on the same page professionally AND personally and that’s why it is really resonating with Lee how very special their relationship truly is to him. This is a man who trusts very few people, with good reason. He has now trusted Amanda with both his body (watching his tail) and his heart and knows she feels the same; they are secure with one another. That emotional security contrasts strongly with their lack of physical security making that emotional connection between the two that much more profound.
Lee’s eyes are normally pretty but the warmth in them makes them somehow…amazing. Now if we could just see Amanda’s beautifully expressive eyes during this it would have been perfect.
LikeLiked by 6 people
Well said throughout and your particularly striking thought that, in the midst of physical insecurity, Lee and Amanda’s emotional security shines bright and warm. Could those dark sunglasses signify their future’s so bright, she has to wear shades? 😉
LikeLiked by 2 people
Nancy has cracked it! 🙂 it’s that.. or the pink eye Cindy suggested 😉 tee hee
LikeLike
oooh, I really like what you say here, katjielee, about this being the first time they are both professionally and personally aware of how each other truly feels. I think Lee didn’t expect Amanda to go with him and leave her family behind while they tried to clear his name. He now truly knows she is there for him no matter what. And I think Lee’s “I love you” to her was the last piece of the puzzle she needed to hear at the time for her to know.
LikeLiked by 2 people
BJo, I believe Amanda “knew” Lee loved her before he ever said it out loud; in fact, I think she “knew” he loved her before he knew he loved her. I agree with you that it was the piece she needed to feel totally secure, but I rather think she would have followed him anyway. and I also believe that it was her declaration of love to Lee that changed everything. Although she had a point that if she stayed she’d be in a holding cell and unable to help anyone, her profession of love to Lee made it acceptable to him that she should join him in this endeavor. He would NEVER leave her alone if the tables were turned, because he loves her, and now he can accept the same steely support from her because it’s not done just because of partnership, friendship, and loyalty, but from the ultimate pristine motivation of love. So intensely romantic!
LikeLiked by 3 people
Whooooo wonderful topic of conversation! 🙂
Katjielee, when do you think Amanda knew Lee loved her? If not a particular moment, maybe an episode? or a part of a season?
And.. when you say Lee loved her are you thinking love as in – He is head over heels committed to me and umm firmly hooked?
or more of a – he has real genuine feelings for her alone?
I find when we discuss the love topic at different times we can be thinking of ‘love’ slightly differently.. it’s a pretty nuanced concept – but then, for some I think they would define Love as not being nuanced it is or it isn’t.. I just know we all see it differently.. so I’m curious to hear your take Katjielee 🙂 If you like..
LikeLike
iwsod, my opinion as to when Amanda knew Lee loved her is subject to change. Frequently. But right now, I’m going to go with the kiss on Ship of Spies being her wake up call (and possibly his too.) I believe there are many kinds and levels of love (definitely nuanced) and Lee went through every one of them trying desperately to put on the brakes. At the time of SOS, I think this might have been the first time he could see her in “that way.” By “that way” I mean merely as possible dating material. And I really think she could tell by his kiss, and his look of utter shock, that he was greatly affected. He sought HER out to go on a honeymoon cruise, and regardless of cost, he could have chosen someone else and she knows that. Looking backward, do I think he would have bedded her in TGTN? Yes! He’s a naughty boy, and I think he was always aware of her physical beauty, but there would obviously have been no emotion at that point in time. Why is that relevant? I do not think he would have taken her to bed by SOS because there were deeper things going on he was avoiding with specific intent. Virtually every show after SOS shows Lee’s increasing affection and respect for his partner. If he didn’t love her by SOS, then definitely by Burn Out. At that point, it was probably like “If I were the serious kind, I’d want you…” kind of love, not a madly-in-love-I’ve-got-to-have-you love. I’m not sure how Lee would have handled it had Amanda not chosen to forgive him, and regardless of her accommodating nature, it was definitely a CHOICE she made. Lee, then, made the choice to put himself out there for real and truly apologize and let her see how very much she mattered to him. I think he cares greatly for Francine as a friend, but he would NEVER have done this with her, imo.
I think great love is always anchored in friendship so this question of yours is very difficult to answer simply because of the nuances. What do YOU think, iwsod?
LikeLiked by 1 person
Whoo hooo!!! Love this topic 🙂
Sorry katjielee I don’t have time to respond as I would like right now but will get here to reply soon.
I’m just getting into the start of my work week on a Monday morning (my time)…. Thanks for sharing!!! 🙂
Anyone else feel like sharing their take on this?
[I see Nancy has too- cool! again: I’ll try and get back here to respond soon]
byee for now!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I am not sure when Lee love loved Amanda but I think he finally realized it in Wrong Way Home when Jumping Joe came back in the picture. Before, he was carefully testing the waters to pursue a relationship with her but hadn’t admitted to himself that he was in Love with her. It took his brain awhile to catch up to his heart.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I agree that the Joe in the restaurant moment (and actually seeing Joe with Amanda) was Lee’s wake-up call. But it wasn’t until the Triumvirate that we see Lee at peace with himself about how he feels about her.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Love this Learjet!
i think after WWH Lee is set on a path of pursuing a relationship with Amanda.. though slowly!
I agree Lee is pretty open in Triumvirate.. peace is a great word!
For me that ep is Amanda’s big turning point – where she really gives herself permission to let go and let Lee into her romantic heart 🙂
LikeLike
In Wrong Way Home, seeing Joe with Amanda definitely gave Lee the wake-up call that Amanda might not be there waiting forever and he might want to do something about those feelings he’d been experiencing. When he told her “okay isn’t good enough for you” I melted. I would be surprised if, by this time, either Amanda or Lee could claim ignorance as to the fact that they each loved the other. Cindy, here is a question: Do you think that Joe, when he asked Amanda if she wanted to go back…was asking her to start up a relationship with him again or was he merely being rhetorical? Because if he was being serious, I’ve wondered if Amanda would have considered it for the sake of her boys or if she was too far gone on Lee? If serious, do you think Lee would have simply stepped aside or do you think he would have fought for her?
LikeLike
Hmmm, Great questions! IMO Joe was being somewhat rhetorical. He definitely was intrigued by the woman he thought he knew so well but obviously didn’t. He would have been open to getting to know her better if she was receptive, but wasn’t going to push. I think (again, MHO) he realizes that he needs to do major repair work with the boys. Would she have considered getting back together for the sake of the boys? No. (and I never, ever believed she would have married Dean to provide a father figure for P & J or companionship for herself). Now if Lee wasn’t in her life, or Joe returned much earlier, than she might have taken Joe back, but not just for the sake of the boys. I think Joe would have to prove he had changed and she and the boys were now his priority and she would have to get past the hurt to fall back in love with him if that makes sense. “If serious, do you think Lee would have simply stepped aside or do you think he would have fought for her?” Oh the Angst would have been unbearable for me! I believe Lee would have done the honourable thing and stepped aside if that is what he thought Amanda wanted or needed. He is at the point where Amanda’s happiness is more important than his own (I think the whole brother-sister cover in Fast Food For Thought was him trying to do the right thing and step aside so Amanda could be together with Joe and reunite their family if that is what she decided. .
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you, Cindy. I love your thoughts on this!
LikeLike
Whoooo wrong way home is fabulous – and another milestone episode!
I was surprised when I walked through it how significant that ep was. I’d never really connected with it until the walk with you guys!
Yes!!! Poor sod 🙂 tee hee..
I agree early season 3 – he was definitely testing the waters, in OTL he was showing signs he wanted a real relationship.. and there were big hints that he was trying to find this with an Amanda type.. but he realised it was really Amanda that he was interested in.. soooo he was going to have to start getting his head around that relationship maybe changing – which is a risk…
so he upped the flirting [ Opera? Love to!] and she gave indications she was not anti. [Flight to Freedom and sailing off in the sunset anyone? 🙂 ] that’s a good start.. lol. But IMHO Amanda was still holding back her heart and soul romantically early season 3.
‘Wrong way home’ brought home (see what I did there with that pun haaa) the seriousness of love and pursuing that relationship between Lee and Amanda..
My memory of that ep is that final look of Lee’s across the gym – which screamed at me: self-sacrifical love.
In that ep, Lee’s love for Amanda was shown to be selfless… another step in the right direction – that’s the sort of love that Amanda could commit her heart and soul to! 🙂
Amen to that.. the two are a different journey – sometimes one is ahead of the other – and they IMHO over take each other at times.. lol… the path to love is not smooth.. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Okay.. I finally have a moment to come back to this.. my brain has been all fuzzy with a headcold.. what better cure than some Lee and Amanda goodness?!
Whooooo katjielee, I love that you went straight to ship of spies!!! It is a big turning point isn’t it!
Indeed! this is where this discussion can be super interesting and nuanced! And.. I think it’s a credit to the smk writers and performers that we connect with this – many shows don’t give this kind of story such nuance. Instead, the whack us over the heads with he is in denial! or.. uh oh she’s trying to bury her feelings by dating someone else! the development doesn’t feel as organic – it feels contrived. With smk I don’t get that vibe, which is probably one reason why I’m blogging about it 35 years later!
I agree Lee was shocked by that SOS kiss!!
Now this is interesting! I can see your point and all.. but what about Lee’s view of the American housewife? I think Lee was pushing Amanda away at the beginning, and I’m not sure he would have bedded her. I think he preferred to play the field with other women who played the field. that way it was not complicated.. I’m guessing Lee would not have bedded for fun the same woman who was inviting him to her family’s thanks giving because he was lonely.. it all emotionally hit too close to home, and he was pushing her away very early on..
Ah! Well I’d agree with this 🙂 I just put this avoiding even earlier than you katjielee. Love all your thoughts on his affection and respect for Amanda.. Which was probably an additional reason he put her in the ‘don’t touch’ category – in addition to what I saw happening very early on for Lee..
I’m thinking the if I were the serious kind I’d want you is where he was at a bit earlier.. around SOS and A relative situation (which I put a little earlier in season 2).
Burnout was where Lee discovered Amanda’s unconditional acceptance and support of him as a person and as an agent – a very attractive quality 🙂
She even forgave his slap – a moment for Lee which he (I think) found his own behaviour apalling and he was heartily ashamed of himself and what he had done. And Amanda forgave and didn’t reject him.
It’s definitely a phase where Lee sees Amanda is very special, and that this type of friendship is extremely rare and special. He can see how lucky he is to know her and have her as his friend.
I love how you described Amanda’s choice katjielee! I think Lee was touched by her choices in relation to him 🙂 just another aspect of Amanda that totally won him over in the end 🙂
I don’t know if I’d say it was love at that point.. but then I also think in some ways they loved each other from the start… love has many dimensions, levels etc..
katjielee I think you are spot on!!! it is not a simple answer to the question ‘When did Lee and Amanda fall in love?’ 🙂 thank goodness for that.. it’s what makes the show so good!!!
I hope I’ve made some kind of sense here my brain is very fuzzy. eek!
LikeLiked by 1 person
iwsod, LOVE your take on things! The wonderful thing about your blog is how we get to roll around different scenarios on our tongue and pick out what tastes best. 😉 I think the best thing about the SMK love affair is that no matter when it started, it goes on forever. And we will never get tired of debating the issue.
LikeLiked by 3 people
iswod, mention Lee’s view on the American housewife? I know that he sees the housewife as tedious and boring and not someone with whom he’d have any kind of relationship. Then again, at the time,he wasn’t looking for any kind of relationship except the fleeting, one-night kind. Given that he was determined to avoid working with Amanda, I don’t think her housewife status would have stopped the purely physical from happening; in fact, he might have done it for the additional benefit of “running her off.” Maybe the fact that he longed for something she could offer would be the reason to keep it physical thinking the after effect of that would be to end this so-called working relationship quickly… Our Lee was a bit self-destructive back then. But I do defer to your knowledge in this mental-motivation arena! You made perfect sense! Hope your cold is getting better. Our whole household has the same thing.
LikeLike
Hiya katjielee!
I’ll reply to this comment of yours over on the new blog post I just published 2/2 Discussion of Lee and Amanda’s Love Story – where I’ve copied this discussion over there into comments..
Hopefully others who are interested in having a chat about the love story overall will join in there..
LikeLike
Ahhh Katjielee – I love this, sunglasses aside this is a very special moment and I’ve really enjoyed hearing your take on it.
It’s wonderful to not gloss over moments like these (where iwsod wants to scream at who was responsible for those sunglasses).
Whooooo really love this! I agree the combination of professional and personal is unique in this ep and it’s events – I would add that not only are they on the same page together professionally and personally – they are together alone on that same page..
Wow! Such a wonderful insight katjielee!
indeed! Kudos to BB for the amazing acting here! 🙂
I feel like splicing Amanda from the tag of stemwinder I into this scene with Lee in the food truck.
LikeLiked by 2 people
“I feel like splicing Amanda from the tag of stemwinder I into this scene with Lee in the food truck.”
Since you brought up splicing, iwsod, the backgrounds behind Lee and Amanda are quite different during the close-ups in the food truck. The view out the front windshield with them in profile conforms better (though not perfectly) with Lee’s close-up background, but it doesn’t conform with Amanda’s close-up background at all. It looks to my eyes like she’s indoors, not outside in a warehouse parking area.
It was no trouble at all checking and re-checking those backgrounds. Lee looks so young, athletic, relaxed and sexy wearing that rugby shirt and the flat top cap that sure highlights his beautiful eyes. Nope, no trouble at all!
LikeLike
“They are together alone on that some page.” LOVE THIS.
LikeLike
Thanks! 🙂
LikeLike
Those sunglasses are a travesty. I remember the first time I watched this when the DVDs came out & I was just disgusted that the scene was ruined by them. On the rewatches I just try not to look at them, but its so hard!
LikeLiked by 2 people
They remind me of something you’d wear post-surgery to protect your eyes excessively (The eyes have it 😀 )
I think the biggest problem is that KJ has such delicate bone structure, and only someone big and chunky could get away with them (like a huge, muscley baddie 🙂 )
LikeLike
hey learjet great pun!!!
Ahhh it seems IMHO the best way to deal with these sunglasses is to acknowledge, vent.. mock.. and then move on! 🙂
Yeah! KJ probably stole them off Don Johnson at the end of Unfinished business 😉
LikeLike
xiolaperry this is a perfect description! 🙂
LikeLike
“LOL we get quite the Amanda ramble here. At least I think it’s her – maybe it isn’t because she suddenly sounds quite southern talkin about her daddy! …”
Kate Jackson was born and raised in Birmingham, Alabama. That’s the Deep South and it’s not surprising her Southern drawl peeks out while Amanda’s reminiscing about her friend Debbie Ann’s daddy. Kate’s own Dad died mid-December 1985 — less than a year before this episode was filmed. So, if it wasn’t the pineapple leaves poking her in the eye, perhaps she got a bit weepy while filming this scene. That could prompt the sudden change to those ill-suited shield style sunglasses. It was quite the rage to wear dark sunglasses in the 1980’s because of “The Blues Brothers” film and Michael Jackson. Can’t read the writing on AK/KJ’s upper lens, but my best brand name guess for her sunglasses is Persol (of Italy, since 1917).
LikeLike
PS: Virginia is a southern state, too, so Amanda having a soft Southern drawl is in character.
LikeLike
Yeah I knew KJ has a southern background, I just enjoyed the accent popping up – I think it’s lovely!
LikeLike
Ugh – these glasses ruin this for me every time I watch – one of their most touching and emotional moments and we can’t even see her face!
Barring an accident that left her with a black eye, what I think probably happened was lousy thinking on continuity. Scenes like this are filmed in long shot to set the scene, then again in cowboy shot (waist up) and then again in close up. I think they probably did the whole scene-setting long shot, broke it down, relit, re-set, and only then realized that Kate had never taken the glasses off and now she would have to keep them on throughout. It would have been too time-consuming to redo the whole long shot, I’m betting – especially on a show know to overrun schedule – but arrrggghhhh!
As for Francine starting to thaw, about damn time! (Yes, I said damn too!) I wonder if Amanda taking off with Lee has been the splash of cold water for her that Lee really wasn’t fooling around with Sonja, and that what her natural pessimism told her was dead wrong. She’s certainly been far more on-board this episode then when we left her the last one at the grocery store chasing Lee. Seeing Lee willing to come in for a meet with Billy would probably be another slap upside the head to her that all is not as it appears; after all, if Lee had truly handed off those frequencies, he would already be sipping champagne and wolfing caviar in his dacha by now – or at least hiding out in the Russian Embassy. One can only hope we see a lot of groveling later, but then again, this is Francine so I doubt it.
LikeLiked by 4 people
How awesome would it have been if Amanda had just decided to take the sunglasses off? Maybe Kate was suffering from wicked pink eye, or had gone bungee jumping and had bungee eye (in that case, much better to look at the inky void).
LikeLiked by 1 person
rofl. Bungee jumping eye?!
haaaa yes that must be it! 😉
LikeLike
My sister had bungee eye, it was stomach turning for the rest of us.
LikeLike
Yes a technical/budget reason is likely the cause – it certainly is unlikely to be a story telling reason!!! Because it stinks!
Loved your thoughts on Francine Clagjanet – none of it made sense from the get go – but she may be starting to see that it really really really doesn’t make sense that Lee has turned traitor…
LikeLike
grrrr Clagjanet you are probably spot on. It is less likely it was a performance/narrative reason that we had the massive sunglasses and much more likely that it was a $$$$ scheduling issue that forced it.
That said, they could have shifted some of the amazing dialogue to another scene if they had really wanted to. Meh. Booo to you Burt Brinkerhoff!! [director]
Okay moving on!
rofl Clagjanet! damn funny! 😉
I agree this is inconsistent with her view that Lee had turned traitor..
lol. true no groveling, but she may have to put up with a few gags at her expense to make up for it (pink fluffy dusters for example 😉 )
LikeLike
Those sunglasses are the worst fashion violation in the series. Seriously! Maybe they were some sort of weird polarized lenses and the inky void of nothingness only showed up on tape and the person supposed to be on post production called in sick that day and no one noticed until air time. BAD SMK intern,Bad!
LikeLiked by 5 people