Back Lee and Amanda, talking in the Q bureau, and discussing past events.. so we transition into another flashback of Amanda’s class, as Lee in the present is heard in a voice over.
Lee (voice over): I never told you, but I really admire the way you threw yourself into all the agent candidate work. 
(scene in Beaman’s class)
Beaman: (starting underneath Lee’s previous dialog) …surveillance test. She has a knack for it, it seems.
Amanda: Thank you.
Beaman: This week we tackle facilities clearance procedure, hands on. Here we certify an actual defence contractor with a site security officer.
(Amanda puts her hand up)
Beaman: Yes? 
Amanda: I can’t take this one. I’ve already done it. 
[Lol Beaman ooooozes irritation. Amanda should be assessed for recognition of prior learning and get on with it lol.]
Beaman: Then why don’t you just thumb through these files and find one you haven’t done?
Amanda: Why don’t I just take, um, Statik Aerospace? 
Beaman: Fine.
Amanda: Thank you.
(audio shifts to present-time voice-over)
Amanda: It was a typical class assignment.
Lee: And you went after it with typical enthusiasm.
[I love this running theme of Amanda being enthusiastic through this show.. shades of Over the Limit – remember?!
And no this flashback isn’t in this episode. Just in our walk. but it would have been hilarious if it had been!
rofl! Oh and Wrong Number too! Remember?!
Sorry I’m getting distracted. back to Photo Finish!]
(The scene transitions into Amanda visiting Statik Aerospace).
Looks like she’s getting the PR script..
Sam: Of course, we here at Statik Aerospace consider our affiliation with the government a true partnership, everyone working for the good of the country. The semi-annual security check we go through –
Amanda: Hm.
(Amanda smiles politely, listening to his script/marketing)
Sam: — it is rigorous, but we welcome it. Two years ago your people found a tiny little speck under my desk one time, ran it through every test they’ve got until they were convinced –
Amanda: — convinced it was a button. Yes. I know. I read the report. 
[lol is Sam intentionally trying to draw attention to how ridiculous the agency is while saying the right things?! Seems like it. I mean, it sounds like Amanda is not the only agent to make mistakes haaaaa. a button – that’s pretty funny! I mean.. it might have been a microdot right?!
I love that Amanda is right on it though, and knows the history.]
Sam: The latest agency review calls us “a model of defence plant security.”
(He hands her a file.)
[the previous review maybe? It’s like he’s saying you don’t need to do it again. but well that’s kind of the whole point. Wait till Amanda hears about that errr faulty floor waxing machine that zapped the security guard to death two months ago!]
Amanda: Well, nevertheless, it’s my assignment to conduct a complete security review of your facilities just according to normal Agency policy.
Sam: Well, now, that could take several weeks.
[Booo hooo.]
Amanda: I know. That’s why I’d like to get started. [yeah. enough of the jibber jabber Mr I’m secure and diligent!] …I’d like to start with Purchasing.
(Sam lets out a big sigh.) [Yeaaahhh he’s saying the words, but he’s not really feeling it. Seems to want the last report’s result to stand – no need for this semi annual review business! but.. he can’t exactly say that can he.]
Sam: Of course, Mrs. King. I hope you wore comfortable shoes.
[whoa- you up for it woman?! this guy bugs me!]
Some time later, and Amanda has her hands full of folders.
Amanda: Let’s see. Purchasing, Accounting, Grounds, Food Services – 
Sam: And our next stop is Facilities Maintenance. Jake Williamson’s the supervisor. Among his other duties, Jake oversees our outside contractors.
Amanda: Well, I thought Security cleared the outside contractors. 
Sam: Both my department and your Agency, and then Jake sends a list of names to ID.
(Sam talks to Amanda like she is wasting his breath. But Amanda is unmoved. Dealing with Francine has been fantastic practice right?! )
Amanda: Uh-huh.
Sam: It’s fool proof. 
Amanda: I see.
[She sure does. I love it, go Amanda she doesn’t get distracted!! and she’s use to men talking down to her. She’ll show you!]
(Sam opens Williamson’s office door for Amanda- is this a commentary on gender?! There seems to be undertones here..)
Amanda: Thank you.
Williamson: (talking on phone) You know, the last time we talked about this, Harry, we were talking in the dozens of them. (to Sam) What do you need, Sam? I’m on a long-distance phone call. 
Sam: Well, we need to take a look at your outside contractor files, OSHA citations, Workmen’s Comp and – oh, you’d better throw in the accident report and insurance settlement on Dutch Adams’s death. [workmen’s comp??!!! aie. this show seems dated. and.. I’m sooo glad it has moved beyond this!]
[How. Rude. Sam doesn’t even introduce her.
Talk about trying to give her the brush off]
Williamson (to Sam): Well, help yourself. It’s right in the top drawer.
(Williamson turns his back on them and continues with his phone call.
Sam opens the top drawer and takes out a pile of folders. He hands them to Amanda.)
Williamson: (talking on phone) Oh, sorry, Harry. Where was I? Oh, yes. And it was right after that, things went haywire. (his phone conversation continues under following dialog)
Sam: Well, these should keep you busy for a while.
Sam: Let me know if you need more, huh?
Amanda: Well, I – I’ll have these back to you in a few days.
(Sam and Amanda exit Williamson’s office.
It cuts back to Williamson finishing up his phone call.)
Williamson: Right, Harry. Next time you’re in town, we’ll get together. Yep. Bye. 
(He hangs up, and we get an intense close up of Mr evilness. 
Whooooooo he’s really evil!!
Yeah that nonchalance was a cover up…)
Amanda is sooo not going to accept the brush off. She’s going to dig just as deep as she always would. You guys don’t stand a chance! haaaaa…
I’m thinking Sam is not in on it, he’s just over confident and a dismissive bozo. What do you think?
No Lee in a post?? this is outrageous!!!!!! but.. yeah.. I’m pressing the publish button anyway!
Maybe this can tide you all over till the next post okay?
tee hee.. we were reminded in comments of the previous post that we love Lee in uniform! Lee will be back in the next post I promise!
Peace!
"Just walk with me.." 
Colorfulangel wrote:
I think Amanda looks very realistic as a new investigating agent. Despite their efforts, there is no knocking her off her track. I really like her role here.
I love this!
And interesting reading everyone’s thoughts on Sam’s behavior. I did get the feeling he was trying to hurry Amanda’s process a little, but I wonder if it was because he was concerned about her probing into the guard’s death and how it would impact his job and/or the company? He started by speaking so highly of how things were run, but never mentioned the death of an employee until they were in Jake’s office – almost to me trying to make it sound like an afterthought when surely he knew it would be a big deal.
And again, I’m in the minority here, but I don’t hate the flashback sequences….a lot because of the amazing Lee and Amanda moments they showed!
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Amanda in Beaman’s class reminds me of one of those irritating kids in class raising his/her hand immediately every time a question is asked 😀 (she’s in Hermione mode 🙂
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Yep, totally.
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So I’ll start by picking up the thread in my last comments by saying this is wher I started to lose patience with the episode as we dived back into yet another flashback where we have to keep track of timelines and the new voiceover thing which they haven’t done before and which I found irritating. I get that this plot needed a lot of set-up with both the original murder Jake committed and then to explain why she’s getitng the letter, but it just bugged me as a conceit, not sure why. Although possibly because the voiceover conversation is too stilted to sound like them having a normal converstion?
Next up on the sighing and eyeroll front for me is the security officer’s attitude to Amanda doing this review. I work for a defence contractor and I can’t even begin to list all the audits and reviews we go through on a regular basis because we’re dealing with actual NATIONAL SECURITY. And you know what we are always told, every single time? Be polite, be helpful, be truthful, and do notannoy the people doing their job because that’s what keeps us all in our jobs. Anyone found being antoganistic or condescending to the auditors would be down in the principal’s office so fast it would make your head spin. However, sidebar, let’s take a moment ot appreciate that Amanda had just been complaining that they were doing another review on her, so sauce for the goose, I guess.
Things that don’t irritate me include, and I guess I’m in the minority here, Beaman’s attitude. He has just complimented her on being top in the class on surveillance and he doesn’t seem surprised that she’s already done the file he gave her. I keep looking for the irritattion everyone else sees here and all I can see is a kind of humourous resignation that he needs to tell her to find one she hasn’t done. personally I’m just left with the feeling that this has happened more than once before…
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Beaman didn’t bother me here either. I did sense a tiny hint of frustration, but he may be used to approaching the class in ‘generally’ the same way. As in, most have a similar level of expertise when entering the class. It’s possible that Amanda’s drive and some of her exposure to the work (i.e., with Lee) makes her a little more advanced as a student and he’s wondering how to really challenge her. Clearly she’s doing well.
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Same!!! I wonder if why it bugged you is what I noticed in the next post.. maybe we can talk about it over there.
National Security eh. enjoyed your insights clagjanet! You’d tell us more but then you’d have to kill us right?! Say no more. haaaa
Hey I missed that! I like it! haaaa it’s true.. I think Amanda doesn’t like it but she submits herself to the process without the antagonism no?
Whereas Sam Tanner the insecurity guy is full of it. just my take.
fair enough! I think for me, he says the words, but the irritation oozes out of him. It pretty much seems to always be there – especially when Amanda is involved.
yeah Okay, I can see some humourous resignation mixed in there – sure!
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How did Beaman suddenly become an instructor when he was making ID’s on Dancing Weasel? And didn’t they say he had only been there two years at that point?
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ClagJanet, I know I’m far behind, but I did want to say that I really enjoyed reading your thoughts. Thanks so much.
I didn’t mind the flashback, actually thought it was kind of cool, but wouldn’t want to see it often.
I agree about the audits. My husband, as well.
I did not find Beaman condescending, either. More perplexed and challenged. He adores her and nothing could dissuade that. He’s too simple a man. Be A Man—-snicker—–eye roll.
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I think Amanda looks very realistic as a new investigating agent. Despite their efforts, there is no knocking her off her track. I really like her role here.
My amateur nit picking is that (1) she would not be allowed to take secure documents out of a particular room, much less leave the building with them and (2) each of those folders looks to have 10 pages at most in them. I don’t think the gov’t had that much less paperwork in the ’80s.
Thanks for the pic of Lee. Shucks, we have to wait a whole week for the next post. It’s going to be a long week.
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I agree. It’s a rare opportunity for her to go solo … and soar!
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sooooo true! I think if I had not had the break from writing the walk, I’d probably be focusing much more on Amanda’s solo work here – so thanks for this reminder.
I too look forward to seeing Amanda spread her wings (‘soar’ is a great word!)
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whooo I love a bit of amateur nitpicking! haaaa.
removing documents? yeah that’s true! I give them a pass for this though in the interests of keeping the plot moving.
So true – Amanda is such a trooper!!
lol. yeah sorry! I promise there is some serious Lee goodness coming right up first thing in the next post! Hmm maybe I will publish a bit earlier.
I’ll see how I go.
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“(He hangs up, and we get an intense close up of Mr evilness.
Whooooooo he’s really evil!!
Yeah that nonchalance was a cover up…)”
I’m so glad you said this, Iwsod, it’s something like what I wanted to put in the transcript description because it’s spot on but Learjet would only allow “Williamson…looks after Amanda and Sam.” He has truly mastered the baddie evil glare.
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The evil eye. (snicker snicker; wink wink)
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Ohh hoooo that’s funny!
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yeahhh I hear ya!
Some people transcribing for JWWM have added their own comments in, but kept them separate to the basic descriptions. which is fun and I’m glad people do it if it helps them to enjoy the transcribing!
Yes, transcripts describe what is seen, but without interpretation, which can be kind of tough to do.
I hope by walking through this ep you can share those interpretations you had as we go 🙂
FYI for anyone transcribing for JWWM – you don’t have to transcribe anything more than the dialogue if you don’t want to. Anything you can do here is very much appreciated and helpful!
Exactly!!! And.. he only needed one eye to do it. whoooo that’s good!!! haaaaaa!
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She’s wearing 2 or 3 inch heels, but we know that won’t slow her down!
In the southern states, such as Virginia, politeness overall and courtesy toward women was (and in places still is) prevalent longer than the northern and western states. We’ve seen Lee open car doors and building doors for Amanda plenty of times. Plus, it appears that Security Sam is required to escort her throughout the building. Must admit I was frustrated when he piles even more folders onto what she already has, but decided to give him a pass thinking he may be required to keep a hand free while on duty.
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good call regarding the heels! Women have some unique challenges in participating in the workplace, and one of them is…. heels!!
And Amanda tackles it like a champ.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts about opening doors and politeness toward women Nancy.
It’s funny, I mean we’ve seen Lee opening car doors for Amanda etc. and it has been viewed by me as politeness and courtesy in the past..
But.. with this scene? It’s curious.. Ordinarily I wouldn’t think anything of someone holding a door open for someone – but it’s the context here that could change the meaning and that had me wondering.From time to time, I find myself wondering whether smk is aiming at some kind of wider commentary on gender politics.. A bit subtle maybe. SMK and subtlety? lol. SMK is often not subtle at all.
Some fans take smk at all times at face value, some of us from time to time get to wondering and see deeper stories being told..Either approach is cool.
This section of the episode had me wondering (and maybe it’s just me). With Amanda stepping out on her own with her work, and the treatment of both Beaman and Insecurity Sam (misspelling intentional!), there seems to be an ongoing theme here about the unique challenges a woman like Amanda faces to do her job, and how very determined and accomplished she is to do her job so well in the context in which she operates.
It’s a bunch of little things – but yes piling up all the folders for Amanda and not offering to help her carry them was another – it was like Sam was piling on the difficulty for Amanda so she would hurry up and go away. While he said the right words, all his actions were saying the opposite.
My take (and others are welcome to see it differently), is that this is setting up the context in which Amanda is going to have to work in this episode, the challenges she is going to face – and this dismissive attitude and lack of respect is a part of it.
Yes I assumed he had to escort her, I didn’t read anything into that..
haaa yes I think you are being generous!
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I compare these demeaning situations with what was the worst of the worst for Amanda and that, for me, was Warren Davenport in “There Goes the Neighborhood.”
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oh yeah! Shocker!!!!
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Goodness, those scenes seemed a bit tedious, and yes, Beaman and Sam both came across as chauvinistic jerks imo. Amanda is so classy and full of grace. I could learn a lot from her about how to deal with rude people. She never sinks to their level.
Good on you for saving the post at the end with that lovely picture. That would have been an unforgivable travesty to have an entire post with no Lee! Inconceivable! 🙂
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Far from tedious, mommynificent, I thought this was hilarious! “Be A Man” Beaman is used to acting large and in charge toward the Agent candidates … until Amanda. He’d trade places with Amanda in a heartbeat to work with Scarecrow.
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Nancy Be-a-man is so genius I hadn’t even noticed that.. and smk loves to do funny thing with name choices.
I soooo agree Beaman is one frustrated puppy!
I think he wants to BE Lee Stetson! But.. working with Scarecrow would be almost as good. I think he is cranky to feel that way too so he takes it out on Amanda.
I was thinking it would have been funny to have Amanda go through the pile of folders, and put down the folders one at a time saying- can’t do it, can’t do it, can’t do it, can’t do it… oh here’s one I can do!
And Beaman’s irritation would just grow and grow. haaaa.
I found this part of the episode kind of frustrating, but not tedious. I think tediousness is maybe down to my comments about it tee hee.
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I’m curious, do people watch the episode and then read the walk?
I wonder if it seemed tedious because my comments have the ugh jerks kinda vibe happening here. lol.
Sorry about that.. it might be my comments that made it tedious. lol.
Same, I too could learn from Amanda- she doesn’t let other people deter her from her path.. one of the things I love about her character!
Phew. am I glad I added that pic of security guard Lee.
We could say the post isn’t completely devoid of Lee – as we do have his dialogue at the start. but… not seeing Lee is just… wrong! ‘unforgiveable travesty’ is spot on! lol. 🙂
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I do, but mostly because it helps me get the flow of the story. When I forget parts, I’ll go back and watch some of the scenes that go with the post.
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Hi Sara, thanks for your response.
I think I would be looking too.. I don’t think my memory is that great!
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Dear Daughter and I watched the series 3 times through, finally ending in January, so all eps are pretty fresh in my mind. I’m not rewatching them as we walk. Probably will when we start over. Hmmm, to watch and read or read and watch?? Might depend on time to sit and watch the ep. I do think it’s fun to have some new perspectives as I watch.
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