Ready for another episode? Three more episodes after this one, and we will have finished the walk through all episodes!!!!
This wouldn’t have been possible without the transcribers who have supported JWWM and Operation Sandstorm!!! So special thanks again to all who have contributed!
Thanks to Clagjanet for transcribing this episode for Operation Sandstorm, and sharing it with us all. I can’t see any comments from Clagjanet in the transcription, so it will just be my comments in this episodes’ posts.. and Clagjanet hope we hear your thoughts as we walk through the episode together (but no pressure!).
A formatting reminder as we get started:
Clagjanet’s descriptions are in this format- (xxx)
My descriptions are in this format- xxx
My comments are in this format- [xxx]
FYI I’ve decided to change how I approach writing up these final four episodes… I won’t be watching them fresh as I write it up, I’m finding it’s too time consuming and I’m not engaged enough with the full content of these episodes! For the final four, the walks will be briefer, I don’t think there is much to be gained by delving in great detail – other than with Lee and Amanda scenes of course..
Still – if you love this episode, or a particular scene and you would like to discuss it in more detail than what I’ve covered in the walk, go for it and share in comments your thoughts. I recognise I may be missing out on some little gems and it’s a bit of a trade off. But it’s this or I take another year to finish this walk, which is not something I want!
So thanks for your understanding, and who knows maybe one day in the future me or someone else might like to walk through one of the final four episodes in full detail- never say never!
Anyway, let’s get into this!
The episode starts with war in Grenada 1983..
I love how we see this ruined mansion along with the title ‘All That Glitters’. Such irony!
We see a lone soldier with a too big helmet find a safe in the ruins. He seems to have been looking for it and knew where to find it. He blows it open.. and finds the contents:
Some earrings..
and a pouch with the agency logo on it.
Then, he gets out of there!
We move on to a party… seems this is high society..
We hear the blonde, who is centre of attention speaking..
Elisa Danton: Senator you don’t have to hide. It’s a beautiful gift. I take it all back. Your taste isn’t just in your mouth.
[we hear this line before we even see her.. and oh boy look out I seem to be in a mood while walking through this one!!!! Hearing this line I’m thinking- I already can’t stand her! And I haven’t even seen her yet!] The crowd sounds suitably amused by her [attempted] joke.
[I love how straight away they’ve dressed Elisa Danton in a gold gown.. What’s the title of this episode again?!!! Ah yes, All that Glitters (is not gold)- thanks William Shakespeare for that one!]
Ah. Dr Smyth is there next to Elisa, and has presented her with a birthday present..
Clagjanet describes this moment as follows:
(She opens the jewellery case and looks slightly confused and disappointed before holding up a large military medal-style decoration)
Elisa: That is sweet. [Is it really? This seems to be pretty flat, and she’s pretty quick to hand it over to Dr Smyth rather than admire it lol.]
Doctor Smyth (taking the medal from her): I think the inscription might spark a little flyback. (He reads out loud as the camera does a close up on a man we will later meet as General Garrett) “Your fundraising in support of our men in uniform will always be remembered. Best wishes and Happy Birthday, Ron and Nancy”.
(The crowd applauds.)
Elisa: Thank you Austin. And please tell the President that I shall always have a special place in my heart for the military.
Garrett: You should – we gave your daddy his first billion dollar munitions contract.
[Seems Elisa is from old money, and has loads of ties to the USA military thanks to daddy’s business interests. Is this setting up some kind of theme about profiting off the US military?
This scene does have an ‘elites live in their own little world’ kind of vibe to me. but feel free to share how you see it…]
Elisa moves on to the next gift..
One of the earrings from Grenada.. the soldier, Carpenter, watches on with a super adoring stare.
[which is to me pretty creepy!!!!
I think Elisa seems pretty intrigued and to enjoy this mystery. Why only one earring???!!!!whooooooo]
She reads the card with the earring.
Elisa: ‘Some things are destined to be together. Only tomorrow will tell.’ And it’s unsigned – how romantic. I love it. This is absolutely wonderful! (holding up the earring in one hand and a champagne glass in the other): To my little scamp out there: here’s to tomorrow!
[Seems Carpenter’s romantic gesture is a winner. Something tells me this Elisa likes romantic ‘games’!]
Moving on to the agency.. and hoorah. A Lee and Amanda scene!!!! so of course I’m going to include all the dialogue! Brought to you by Clagjanet!
(Amanda enters the Q Bureau carrying two large potted plants.)
Amanda: Good morning!
Lee: Hi! How about a little hug? [Awhhhhhh]
Amanda: How about a little philodendron?
(she places the plants around the room)
[I love how it appears Amanda and her plants are taking over the room. I think this is a big improvement haa]
Lee: What are you doing with these?
Amanda: Well these were looking a little bad so I took them home for a little tender loving care.
Lee: I could use some of that. (He pulls Amanda into his arms)
Amanda: I don’t think you’d like fish emulsion.
[Oh my. deadpan and KJ at her best. I LOVE this line!!!! Okay okay this episode is worth watching for this line alone!!!!!
What do we all think of Lee’s suit/tie combo today? I think he looks good in light gray. No fish emulsion needed here! 😉
And Amanda? what do you make of her? I like her in this red, I mean of course it’s way too 80s massive but the 80s were the 80s so what are we gonna do huh?!]
Lee: Well, I’ll tell you what I would like. [hoooooo haaaaaaaa do tell!]
Amanda: What?
(The door opens and Dr. Smyth walks in. They spring apart as he speaks.)
Smyth: We’re all ears, Scarecrow.
They quickly react..
Pulling apart – nothing suspicious looking in this reaction!
At all! haaaa
Lee: Uh help, a little help on the… uh.. (gestures to his desk)
[I love this.. uhhh help??!!..]
Amanda (talking over him): You need me to help you with… I said I would…
[Their hands and arms start flapping everywhere.. as they scramble… Very unconvincingly!
Uugh these two! If they were in a job that involved lying to save their lives they’d be dead already! haaaaaaa…. oh wait.. no that doesn’t work does it!
I do no like Smyth knowing about their relationship. Do you think he cares?]
Smyth: Boffo. Tune in. I’m already late. (He holds up the file he’s carrying) Visual aids, kids.
(He walks to Lee’s desk and they follow. )
[they share a look between them as Smyth isn’t looking at them. Uh oh!]
Smyth: Up to date on the Hale Collection?
[I love that zebra on Lee’s desk!!]
Lee: The Grenada Hales?
Smyth: Bonus points, Stetson. Go for the big spin.
Lee: Prominent Caribbean family. Lost everything when Grenada fell, including their priceless jewellery collection.
Smyth: Of which this was one piece. (He takes the file from Amanda’s hands and shows them the earring Elisa received last night.) We’d figured the family jewels had disappeared with some sticky-fingered Cubans until this sprinky-dink showed up as a birthday trinket for one of Washington’s top clique dwellers. Loop the circuit on this, King. I want verification of its authenticity muy pronto.
Amanda: Yes sir, I’ll get right on it. (She gathers up all the paperwork Smyth had dropped on the desk.) (to Lee) See you later.
(to Smyth) bye Sir.
(She leaves and Lee and Smyth sit down on opposite sides of the desk.)
Smyth: Need I tell you that that jewel pries the lid off an old and very sensitive can of worms?
[uh oh. we have a spy! the Zebra has turned itself to look at Lee since Dr Smyth arrived! lol Or maybe it’s wanting to put his butt in Dr Smyth’s face to tell him to leave. haaaa.]
Lee: Project ‘Sand Pebbles’. [Iwsod spits out their drink.. say what? Project Sand Pebbles???!!!! ohhhh my gosh that is sooooo flippin hilarious!!!!!
Operation Sandstorm outguns Project Sand Pebbles any day!!!! haaaaaa]
Smyth: What do you know about it?
[Lee knows everything and everyone!]
Lee: I mingled with Hale while he was peeling grapes with the Caribbean mainstream. The next wave of agents groomed him and suggested he start an ‘eyes and ears’ network throughout the basin.
Smyth: Indeedy do. Did a damn good job, too. Sand Pebbles was the cornerstone of our intelligence activities down there until Hale’s file disappeared with the jewels.
To summarise.. Sand Pebbles was a list of contacts in the Carribbean, and Smyth has intelligence that this list is now up for sale with it’s price being negotiated.. Whoever has the other earring probably knows where the list is.
Smyth: … I’ve activated an Alpha Seventeen Clearance. Anything and everything you wanted to know about the Grenada operation is waiting for you in a morgue file at the Pentagon. Get to it, then pop over to the Danton Estate. (Off Lee’s look) The clique dweller. Well, I understand you’ve danced cheek-to-cheek with her at more than one Presidential gala.
(Lee nods and gives a wry smile – he suddenly understands where this is going)
[Dr Smyth says something about a gala. I don’t know, I’m too distracted by the magical zebra that can move without these two spies noticing. He’s sideways again! This zebra needs a name… suggestions anyone?
Coming back to does Dr Smyth care about Lee & Amanda? I think the message here is, no he doesn’t care, so long as Lee can continue to use his contacts, sex appeal and errr ‘people skills’ to get the job done!]
Lee: I suppose you could say that.
Smyth: (laughs knowingly) Sprinkle on some cologne, get next to her, but walk the velvet tightrope. [Please, no flirting tips from Dr Smyth. gag] We don’t want anyone thinking she’s mixed up in an Agency investigation. (He stands to leave.)
[ZeesideZeebra is now the butt Zeebra again!]
…Oh, the fewer people who about this, the better chance we have of getting to that list and whole new bunch of chums in Cuba Libre land. Give my best to Elisa – and behave yourself.
Lee (sighs): I’ll give her my very best.
Smyth: Toodles.
[I usually find Dr Smyth’s turn of phrase entertaining and quirky. Today? I’m finding it annoying! it’s overkill! Maybe I like it better in small amounts… but he can’t say something simply, everything is an idiom or figurative..aie. Maybe he speaks in riddles to confuse the Zebra. Yes, that must be it!]
Moving on to Lee and Francine having a really cringe conversation in the bullpen as Lee heads for the elevator.
Francine is way too interested in Lee’s sex life…. sounds like DC cocktail parties are too. She sometimes seems so gleeful at this stuff that I worry for her wellbeing mentally haaaaa.
Lee (looking annoyed): And a job is all it is, Francine. Purely professional, okay?
[Lee don’t bother responding you only encourage her!]
Francine: Oh, how times have changed. I seem to remember lots of stories about you and Elisa that kept many a boring DC cocktail party going!
Lee chuckles though he is clearly not amused.
Francine:Oh my favorite one: you, Elisa and that little French ballerina…
…How did you ever manage all of that in the back of an Italian sportscar?
[Lee and a threesome. errrrrrrr.. is this family friendly smk?! I know we previously had the twins episode but somehow it was funnier when it was a once off for me.]
Lee(pretends to laugh along with her but is obviously aggravated by the topic): Ahhhhhhh, she was a violinist,…
…it was a limo and it wasn’t easy…
[Guess it wasn’t a stretch Limo! I like how this alludes to the fact that all these stories about Lee are ummm maybe somewhat of an exaggeration lol. but the truth was racy enough!]
(Francine is looking disappointed at not getting more of a rise out of him)
[I think Francine is making a mental note for next time she tells the story – ahhh limo! riiight!]
…I was in traction for a week… [Lee looks a little traumatised!]
…But that was then, and this is now, and like you’ve just said, things have changed.
Francine: You know what they say about leopards and their spots.
Lee: I’m not a leopard.
Francine: Well, maybe not, but I hear Elisa has a pretty mean set of claws…
…I’d be careful.
(Francine leaves)
[So what do you make of this exchange all??
I’m thinking Francine’s point was to warn Lee that while he might have changed – Elisa Danton has not… all while having some fun at Lee’s expense and bringing up titillating history she loves to rub in his face, teasing Lee that she loves to amuse people with stories about this at DC parties. I’ve gotta assume she isn’t really and she’s just teasing him, or I don’t see how Lee could even remotely consider her a friend.
I took a look at notes I made back in 2008 about this episode on the old yuku forum, seems one thing hasn’t changed: I don’t like hearing about Lee and other women!!!!!!!!!
A couple of memorable moments in this post – so far this episode has a few surprises!]
Okay, I’m going to pause here- I cannot wait to hear what you all make of this!!!!