Moving on and we are back to IFF, a couple is patrolling the perimeter! 
Lee and Amanda walk along the corridor toward the bullpen. There seems to be a new sign on the bullpen door?
{Lee and Amanda enter the bullpen. The sign on the door reads: “Anti-Domestic Terrorism Action Coalition,” i.e. ATAC.} [‘ATAC’?! rofl.. that’s funny!]
Yusef and his giant cigar welcome them into the bullpen.. [‘Atac’! he cries!!! err no not really… but he should have!]
Lee: Yusef.
Yusef: Ah, Lee. Mrs. King. As God wills it, he is yours.
Lee: Birol?
Yusef : Mm.
Lee: When did it happen?
Yusef: Don’t be impatient.
(Billy and Francine join them)
Billy: You had Birol boxed in so bad, he had to hit back. All we have to do now is pick out the right color ribbon and wrap him up.
[Haa. famous last words.
Maybe it’s just me but the ‘you had Birol’ irritates me.. Billy points at Lee and seems to single out Lee – Scarecrow has a team! but.. okay okay, Lee was in charge.. rah rah… I figure they are trying to play up the situation as Birol vs Lee – as Birol is solely focused on Scarecrow.]
Francine: Delivered this morning from our Cable System News cover desk…
Birol (voiceover): God wills me to raise the sleeping conscience of our American brothers in arms… 
…I will appear for your television within twenty-four hours and give you my ultimatum. Be ready to act. Remember Karbala.
Yusef: Typical arrogant cur. They never introduce themselves. [But God wills him to not introduce himself! haaaa] 
[Is that cigar lit?! me confused. God wills me confused.]
Francine: Voice match is ninety per cent positive. It’s Addi Birol. [or as Christy would say… it’s “Addi the Baddy”! ohhh hoo hooooo that is genius!!!! good one Christy!]
Billy: Well, now is a good time to pass on what the President told the National Security Council in executive session this morning. I quote, “Three months ago I asked the intelligence community to join forces and formulate a plan to put an end to terror at home. It works. I congratulate the ATAC team.” Unquote. I congratulate you also. It’s been your show so far, Lee. Play it out to the end. We’ve got twenty-four hours to push the button on Addi Birol. [They certainly are playing up the idea that it’s all Lee’s show!] 
(Billy leaves)
Lee (to the room): All right, let’s get to it!
[Ohhhh this whole scene is dripping with irony to me! Yusef is saying Birol is arrogant, while they all stand around glowing in their success – err Lee’s success lol- in fighting terrorism while they haven’t even caught “Addi the Baddy” yet! They just assume Birol is arrogant.. so they don’t ask if this is a trap of some kind. Now that is ironically arrogance! At least Lee and Amanda aren’t grinning stupidly!]
(On to the Q Bureau..) [It’s visual aids time
LOL Lee fix your jacket. Just what have you and Amanda been up to?! ahem.]
{Lee walks over to a large corkboard set up in the corner between Lee and Amanda’s desks. It reads KARBALA. Lee adds a surveillance photo of Phyllis from the airport.}
[They only have photos? Birol had video! edited video! haa]
Lee: We saved the lives of those people, but we managed to miss Addi Birol.
Amanda: Well…
Lee: We’ll get him. We’re close. He’s even started changing his own rules. 
{He pins up a picture of Addi Birol sitting inside of the black truck.}
…He was actually there when she planted the bomb–that’s a first, believe me.
Amanda: Max’s nose must be off. He walked right by it.
Lee: No. Max’s nose was right on. According to Night Crawler, Birol was using the new Belgian plastique-C, dogs can’t smell it…
… But from now on, we’re going to have to forget about dogs, x-rays, metal detectors… Intelligence is the only way we’re gonna beat the new terror… 
[Intelligence huh. And.. this operation is led by someone with the code name ‘Scarecrow’ – I don’t know why but this is giving me giggles anew – maybe it’s the break from smk that is making this stand out as funnier than usual to me!]
… Night Crawler says this one’s named Phyllis. 
Amanda: Night Crawler is a very impressive source.
Lee: The best.
[What do you all think of Lee not telling Amanda who is night crawler? I don’t mind it – I think it’s good to see they can keep things professional and that Lee doesn’t have to tell Amanda everything! Probably for Amanda’s protection too I guess as ‘Need to Know’ is a concept for a reason I guess! LOL that in this conversation he identifies it’s not Phyllis though ha. ]
The scene ends there..
Moving on.. 
(Lee walks along a street…..)
[oh noooo Lee your hair is getting a bit long in the back there. eek..]
(…He heads into a photo booth)
[Hey that sounds like the start of a really bad joke!]
[why the star over the price?! I wanted to see how much it cost in the 80s!]
Photo Booth: Smile, please.
(It starts taking photos)
Lee: Is it for real?
[Oh good! At least Lee is wondering if it’s a set up! Well done and very non Scarecrow like. tee hee.]
{In the next photo booth, Lee’s source, Night Crawler is revealed to be Mara.} [Hey how can they hear each other?!! I thought it was different poses in ‘complete privacy’! tee hee. apparently not that private! 
Night Crawler/Mara: I think so. He was despondent after the airport, like I’ve never seen. He wants the interview.
[I guess I can’t pretend I don’t know how this all plays out in general, though honestly, I don’t remember the details – but I do wonder based on what I’ve seen at this point if Birol suspects Mara as being the source. Because the video of the airport could have shown Mara signalling to Pilot Lee and Lee reacting no? that video seemed to pick up a lot lol. Oh and ‘despondent’ not a word I would guess someone who speaks English as a second language would use.. but then again, maybe she is very familiar with the word and the concept given her own current situation!!! ]
(more photos of Lee are taken.) [‘You can’t have too many photos of Lee!’ is a motto I live by! ]
[whooo he looks dreamy in this light.. with those eyelashes – and no guyliner!]
Lee: Who’s he told?
Night Crawler: Phyllis. Everyone. I’m safe.
(Lee accepts this response, and exits the photo booth. Mara waits a moment and exits also)
[– lol looking back at him like that is probably not wise! I guess she could put it down to checking him out haaa.]
Back to the Q Bureau. {Amanda is working at her desk. Edna D’Angelo enters the Q Bureau. She’s carrying a manila envelope.}
Edna: Hi, King. Stetson in the neighborhood?
Amanda: Hello, Mrs. D’Angelo. No, he’s not here right now. Can I help you with anything?
Edna: Well, he asked me to put together his, uh, pension totals and his early retirement numbers. 
…Now, I have factored in the two-salary hike, and the dependent breaks… 
[Is it just me or is Amanda reacting to this information and finding it very interesting indeed?!]
…It’s all here, confidential.
[Or at least.. it sorta use to be!]
Amanda: I’ll see that he gets it.
Edna: Stetson’s got a new bird in the cage, I know the pattern. When a bachelor starts thinking about his pension, bring on the rice.
{Just then Lee walks in the door.}
[Lee’s expression says it all: Uh oh. Edna is here.]
Amanda: Hello.
Lee: Hi.
…Hiya, Edna… …Uh…
(Lee walks over to Edna to physically direct her out of the room!) [Because you know.. there is a board there with visual aids for all to see: about the top secret Karbala operation! It’s all here, confidential!]
…Did we say we were coming up to the Q Bureau?
Edna: Well, we didn’t say that we wouldn’t, ha ha… 
[rofl- she sticks a post it note on his tie!]
….Sorry I missed you.
Amanda: See you later, Mrs. D’Angelo.
Edna: Bye-bye, King.
[Cue the romantic chimes. lol.
and the secretive side glances..
and reactions to secretive side glances haaa]
{ She smiles.
Lee smiles at her warmly.}
[So cute, they seem to communicate without words huh.. I know you aren’t ready to tell me.. and I’ll respect your privacy and give you space. and.. you’re cute! lol..and… Bring on the rice!!!!!] The scene ends here.
Soooo what do you all think hmm?? Hey, do you think Edna has identified that it’s Amanda that Lee is getting his financial affairs in order for? I’m thinking not, and that she just generally likes to stir the pot! What do you think?
Can’t wait to hear your thoughts!
"Just walk with me.." 
Interesting that the financial details are specifically about early retirement indicating Lee is thinking about actually getting out of this dangerous business if he takes on family responsibilities.
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Welcome to JWWM Coperfield27!!! glad you could join us.
Yeah good call!!! err no wait it’s okay you can just do a secret marriage instead (ugh!) lol.
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Thank you! I’m just rediscovering the yumminess that is SMK and your blog has been the perfect condiment.
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I kind of like Edna in this scene. For some reason I thought this was kind of cute, especially Lee’s reaction.
This scene made me go back and look at the previous episode, “It’s In The Water”. In the tag Amanda is talking to Sally and makes a comment like “you never know, maybe someday”. Then Lee and Amanda have a discussion about Sally and Carmine getting married and Amanda explained that her comment was because Sally asked her if she’d ever get married again. Lee and Amanda have a moment and he winks at her. I think that the thought of marriage between them was floating in the air then. That little discussion may have led Lee meet with Edna.
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So what does Amanda know and think??? Is she suspecting that Lee may be thinking about proposing? Or is she still just happy that they are together. I mean marriage for Lee is a huge step. Marriage to a woman with two kids, a mortgage and a mother in law?even though she has become an amazing agent. She knows that he loves her, respect her etc… but marriage? I am not sure its a giver=n for her that Lee would be thinking marriage… like now… like seriously. And I think she is okay with that. I think being OK with that was part of her journey towards a real relationship with Lee. But then Lee had to have his own journey towards her and for him , that meant embracing marriage. The great part is that each were willing to come towards each other but not requiring this of each other… and perhaps they will get to experience the gift of this… without dying?
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Yes, Morely, I agree with you. I think the timing, longing, and patiently waiting for marriage is a beautiful theme that makes this show so special. Is Amanda waiting for Lee to propose? Of course, in the sense that women of all ages dream of a life-long companion. But, even as she thinks about marriage to Lee, there is an unspoken theme of both of their fears and hesitations that must be overcome. It is subtle, yet anchors the whole relationship play between them. Do you think so?
Lee’s past and journey is pretty obvious, yet, he has the added considerations of sons, mother, mortgage, etc. Clearly he had decided that he was ready.
Amanda has been single for about five years and has had a lot of time to consider the future and heal from the past. Joe is the perfect ex-husband, which is sweet for SMK, but still, there had to be a good deal of healing from a divorce and the fear of the possibility of marriage again. Would it work or fail? She could be very happy with her mother and boys, so why take the risk? While these things are never brought up, I think the years give her time to be sure of what she would say IF he did ask. I do think she became ready for marriage, but would have been okay for a friendship/working relationship accepting that Lee may never be ready for marriage.
Was she really expecting him to propose now? No, I don’t think so. IMHO no matter how much she prepared herself, or even hoped, it would still have been a surprise. Many couples talk about marriage openly and agree that it will happen long before the proposal, but Lee’s intentions were never made clear, except for the tag: “Well, maybe someday.” Wink.
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“But, even as she thinks about marriage to Lee, there is an unspoken theme of both of their fears and hesitations that must be overcome. It is subtle, yet anchors the whole relationship play between them. Do you think so?”
Oh, yes! I think so. I really like the theme of both of them overcoming their fears. And I like it that this theme happens even as they are spies and do all of this brave stuff 😉
Perfect love casts out all fear… and all that good stuff 😉
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I love you, Morely. 🙂 Yes, all this WHILE they are brave heroes. People are so complex. Indeed, perfect love casts out all fear. Beautiful. Perfectly sums up their relationship.
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That sign is so funny…The coalition involves the Agency, the FBI, the CIA, AND the State Department??? I’m finding it hard to believe they can all agree on a plan to execute and get the baddie!
But oh…Lee and Amanda are looking pretty good here in this scene. Minus the “rug jacket” Lee was forced to wear by wardrode.
As far as Edna goes, her little glance at Amanda when she sees Lee’s reaction to her being in the Q! Bureau and then his quick look at Amanda makes me think she’s wondering if Stetson’s “bird in the cage” is possible Amanda.
I really don’t remember what I thought about this scene when I saw it for the first time, but I can’t imagine I didn’t have the same butterfies in my stomach that I imagine Amanda must have had. Lee’s thinking about finances and the future? Wow!
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I thought the sign was funny too. Hadn’t really paid it much attention before. But they want you to know that the Agency ranks right up there with the FBI, CIA, etc.
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Intelligence via an agent codenamed Scarecrow!!!!!
Bwahahaha!!!!!! Can’t. Stop. Laughing. Someone pick me up off the floor.
“We now present to Iwsod the SMK Award for THE Most Ironic Insight of the entire series. Please accept this photo of Lee Stetson that says, “He’s the best agent we’ve got”.
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Edna used Stetson and King instead of Lee or Amanda. That’s typical in the law enforcement community. I think Edna intentionally went up to the Q Bureau when Lee was absent to see if she could get the gossip from Amanda about who the “bird” was in Lee’s life (or to figure out if the bird was Amanda.) She broke confidentiality a little to see if she could get Amanda to follow suit and spill the beans. Amanda is very formal with Edna; however, Lee calls her by her first name and that indicates familiarity and perhaps that is the reason Edna feels comfortable stepping on his toes a little. Still, no excuse for the breach. Given Lee’s response at seeing Edna there when he arrived probably told Edna what she wanted to know- Amanda is the bird.
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I agree about Edna, but I can’t tell what Lee suspects. I thought Lee called everyone except bad guys by their first name, but there could be some I’m forgetting. He knows Amanda’s not about to pry, because that’s not her nature. Putting aside what Edna does, does he think Edna came up to find out about the bird in the cage, or does he just think she came up to leave the file? He looks a tad suspicious here when Edna leaves, but I can’t tell if that’s nerves or that he knows Edna came up to gossip.
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Sara, I’m not positive how often he calls people by their first names vs. their last names. I’m going to pay more attention the next time I watch the show because that’s a good point. Lee’s manners are very good. I think if he wasn’t familiar with an older woman he would be more formal. But that’s just my take on the matter. Amanda does pry a little now- she’s not afraid to peek at stuff that is “eyes only” for Lee (Unfinished Business.) You’re right, Lee does look suspicious when Edna leaves and I imagine it’s because of both reasons you mentioned, nerves and fear of being the topic of gossip. Gossip might cost him his partner because if Dr. Smyth was to think that they were together, who knows what the old man might do? And planning on marriage? Nerves, indeed.
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Sara and katjielee, I am loving these thoughts!!!!
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Oops…Can’t believe I forgot about Unfinished Business and it was quite recent. I wasn’t even thinking about Dr. Smyth finding out…good call! Heck, that’s almost a fanfic waiting to happen (if it hasn’t already)! Francine finding out would be probably be enough excitement for poor Lee.
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Lee’s exchange with Edna is utterly hilarious yet his facial expressions toward Amanda are both shy and sweet. Of course Edna hand delivered Lee’s paperwork! She’s clearly known Lee for a long time and heard the office gossip about his previous dating exploits. His sudden request about finances and dependent breaks (plural as in Phillip and Jamie) are a big clue. She suspects Amanda is the “new bird” and is just being protective of Lee.
It’s also possible Edna already likes Amanda and approves of Lee settling down with a family. So … she came up to the Q to give them a nudge!
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His sport jacket, crisp white shirt, no gaudy guy-liner, tan face and perfect hair … Lee is STYLIN’ !! The way that slate blue tie enhances his eyes … whew! The only visual aid for me? Sizzling hot Lee Stetson !!
Fess up, Amanda. Given the chance, I would have grabbed the hem of his jacket, too!!
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It took me quite a few watches (poor put-upon me) to realize that Lee has a photo of Mara from the airport and carefully doesn’t put it up in the board when he’s putting up the ones of Addi and Phyllis, so I guess we are to assume Amanda really really has no idea who Nightcrawler is.
Sidebar: Phyllis is just such… not a terrorist name? But I have a theory! It is the same Phyllis Lee blew off at the party at the beginning of “Dead Ringer”, and she was so incensed he forgot to send her flowers that she joined a terrorist cell to get even with him. That’s why the wig looks so terrible – because she’s really a blonde!
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Wow! How did you spot that? Amazing! I’m going to have to go and watch again and see if I can see it! Well spotted!
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I wish I could take credit for spotting the photo bit I was alerted to it by the original script which outright says Amanda asks about that photo and he says “They’re just tourists” and puts it back in the envelope.
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Hmmm. I sense a fan fic story in the works.
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Clagjanet, I spotted that, too, the first time I watched this episode on DVD. Actually, there were a lot more details of the Karbala story line that seemed to jump out and/or make sense upon watching with DVDs vs watching when I was younger – that opening sneeze from Mara, who Phyllis was, the entire conversation in the bullpen about ATAC/Addi, this part with Mara’s pic, the fact that Amanda referenced Max the dog (have we heard of them using a K9 before?)…
Let’s face it. All I really paid attention to when I was younger was Lee Stetson and the story between him and Amanda. 😁
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Edna is the goods!
There is one point when she gives the eyes to both Lee and Amanda. Me thinks she is placing our super couple together.
With all of the spies around and it’s the Human Resources person that catches on first. Lol!
Loving following this in real time! Thanks for doing this!
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So true – Edna the HR lady may be on to them before Francine (but not Billy?) I do love this scene with Edna and Lee’s squirming. And love that we are seeing a mature, adult Lee instead of the arrogant man-child of S1 (although he was very entertaining). Very romantic….{sigh…}
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Agree to the mature, adult Lee comment. Very nice to see. I have to re-open the SMK vault to think about Billy and if/what he knew at this point in Lee/Amanda’s relationship. I can’t believe he’s completely naive, but maybe not aware of the depth of their relationship. I think after the Stemwinders that he must have some real clue.
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Yay! Part 2 is up! I’m glad you were able to giggle at the irony of their arrogance here, Iwsod. For me, it’s a little uncomfortable how on the nose and scarily prophetic this particular episode proved to be about the next few decades regarding terrorism. This is one of very few episodes of SMK that I can actually forget it was the 80s while I’m watching it.
The scene with Edna also makes me uncomfortable but in a hilarious way. Lee and Amanda are so cute at the end of this scene! Great screencaps!
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For me, it’s a little uncomfortable how on the nose and scarily prophetic this particular episode proved to be about the next few decades regarding terrorism. This is one of very few episodes of SMK that I can actually forget it was the 80s while I’m watching it.
Mommynificent, you articulated my feelings about this aspect of this episode also. I think part of how realistic it was is part of what is such a draw into this storyline, and combined with the dynamic and events between Lee and Amanda are a large part of why this episode
is so compelling to me.
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Yes – I think this was why I found Addie to be such a scary bad guy. It seemed more real than the tea-sipping baddies of earlier seasons.
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Addie needs some Chamomile tea. 😉
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The photo booth silhouette of Mara is one of those images of Night Crawler that I remember from watching this episode when I was younger. The whole meeting there now seems totally bizarre, though. I would think if Addi were having her followed that the fact that she and Lee were both spotted around a photo booth at the exact same time would be a dead giveaway. And do people usually go in there alone anyway? The star must have been because they were trying to be as obvious as possible. 😂
Iwsod, you got me cracking up about ATAC sounding like “attack”. I never caught that one before! 😂
Also, Edna with the tie sticky note is awesome. I love that whole scene from Amanda’s little silent giddiness, Edna’s totally unconfidential conversation, and Lee and Amanda’s sweet glances at the end.
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Yeah an update! I’ll be back to read and investigate Lee (yes he does look good) further. 😉
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The star over the price on the photo booth… Hmm… It’s sort of odd that it would be there to show Lee where Nightcrawler was, but…maybe? That seems so random.
Interesting that Edna assumes it’s okay to talk about the ‘confidential’ envelope in front of Amanda. Maybe not down to the actual numbers, but even just the contents of what’s inside. That all should technically be ‘confidential.’ If Lee wants to tell this ‘bird in the cage’ 😉 it’s his choice. Clearly Amanda figures it out, but I do wonder what she could be thinking here.
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I laughed at Edna and even though it was supposed to be confidential (Okay, I do have a big problem with the breach) – but on the other hand – GOOD ON HER! I mean, don’t you think it better that Lee might, um, I don’t know? talk to Amanda about where the relationship is heading before crunching the numbers? What if the numbers weren’t favourable? Does it mean he would give her the heave ho?
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I didn’t consider that Edna may have done that for Amanda’s sake, but that is a good point. Just now, I’m picturing a whole conversation between Edna and Lee, where Edna is doing most of the talking about how Lee should go about everything and Lee’s just nodding and shrugging. lol
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Maybe Lee is so nervous about proposing that he thought he’d need to convince her by running the financial numbers? His proposal will probably involve a large white board with a flow chart of why it’s a good idea and an org chart of how their relatives will fit tgether.
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What a picture that makes, clagjanet! I can just imagine him proposing with a white board and being so nervous about it! So cute!
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Bwa ha ha ha ha!
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Visual aids!!!! 🙂
rofl. you guys are hilarious!
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I think a lot of men crunch numbers, or used to, before proposing. They want to make sure they can provide. And, yes, some men hold off on proposing if their bank accounts don’t match their expectations. That’s one reason men will say, “I’m not ready”, but they might not explain why.
I think it is really sweet—-mature and responsible—for Lee to check on his finances. It show me that he is not just a careless playboy, but that there is a real man in there emerging for love of the only woman who could bring this out in him. Others surely tried!!!
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Like this Colorfulangel. Our playboy has morphed into a real man
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I like this too, colorfulangel. I have a love/hate relationship with S4, but I think S4 is actually my favorite season. It’s because we finally get to see so much that we had hoped to see, as impossible as they may have seemed in S1 and S2. What Lee has done here shows tremendous growth and love.
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I agree colorfulangel, that it’s really sweet that he’s checking his finances. I thought it was especially interesting that he planned it with dependents in mind – Amanda’s boys, of course, or maybe their future children
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