BURN OUT

Picture courtesy of Anke Lantin

Nightime in Washington in a back alley. Lee looks the worse for wear as he checks his gun and then Francine pulls up nearby. She gets out and goes over to him and he asks why she's there. Francine tells him that Billy thought he could do with back-up. Lee gets annoyed and asks her if Billy thinks that he can't handle it himself. Francine just says that she's following orders. Lee's not happy but tells her that that the guy he's waiting for is probably not armed because he's merely a low level courier to which Francine replies that the mission should be easy then. Lee explains that the drop should be in the middle of the alley and for her to cover there while he goes round the back to cut him off.

The courier arrives and Lee follows him down the alley only to have a bottle of alcohol slip from his pocket. The smashing of the glass alerts the courier who then runs into a nearby empty warehouse. Lee tells Francine to follow the courier while he cuts him off from the inside. However, as Francine moves through the warehouse, she comes upon Lee who asks her where the courier went. Francine says that she thought Lee had him cut off and Lee doesn't know what to say - he's completely blown the simple assignment.

The next day, Billy is angry to find that Lee has messed up again, saying that's the third time in a row. Francine comments that Lee's in a slump and Billy tells her that two agents have requested not to work with him anymore. He then asks Francine if Lee is losing it. When Francine doesn't reply, Billy asks her if Lee's burned out and Francine replies that she doesn't know but it wouldn't hurt to get Lee in from the field for a while.

Lee arrives looking dishevelled and Billy calls him into his office. Lee shoots Francine a death glare but she ignores him and Lee saunters in. As soon as the door closes, Billy turns on Lee demanding to know what his problem is. Lee is defiant saying that nobody can complete every mission successfully. Billy says that his attitude is bad and if he doesn't shape up then he's going to be behind a desk. Lee loses his temper and grabs Billy by the lapels of his jacket and begins to threaten him before realising what he's doing and stopping. Angry, Billy tells him that he's going to do him a favour and forget it ever happened.

In the bullpen, everyone has witnessed their argument through the window and when Billy opens his office door, he tells Lee to go to his desk. Lee refuses and walks out of the Agency.

Just as Lee storms out, Amanda arrives and winces as Billy goes back into his office, slamming his door behind him. She goes to Francine and asks her what's the matter with Lee. Francine explains that Lee has got a condition called 'burn out'.

The next day, Amanda is at home and Dotty asks her why she's reading medical books. Amanda explains that she has a friend at work who might be sick with 'burn out' which is mental fatigue brought on by stress and work related problems. Dotty suggests that Amanda invite her to dinner and Amanda tells her that it's a he not a she and that he's not very well and also shy. Dotty persists and says something that makes Amanda think that perhaps Lee just needs a friend to talk to and so she goes to Nedlingers.

In Nedlingers, Lee is on his way to getting drunk when he's approached by a man called, Jack Harris. They get chatting and exchange stories on how awful there are/were and Lee comments that Harris seems to be doing okay for himself now, to which Harris replies that there's interesting things out there if you keep an open mind. They have a drink then Amanda enters. She goes over to Lee and tells him that Billy is looking for him. Harris makes his excuses and leaves then Amanda takes his seat next to Lee and asks the agent if there's anything wrong. Lee says no and Amanda suggests that maybe he needs a holiday. Lee snaps and says that he's sick of Francine and Billy telling him what to do and if she's going to play, 'Little Miss Social Worker' then he's had enough of that as well. Amanda looks uncomfortable during his rant then says that she only wants to talk.

Lee looks over at Harris' table and notices that he's gone. He then says that he might as well go and talk to Billy and Amanda does her best to straighten his clothes up before they leave but Lee tells her to stop.

At the Agency, Billy takes Lee into his office and closes the blinds. Outside, Francine states that it's not going to be pretty but little does she know that inside the room, Billy begins to laugh and tells Lee that he's doing a hell of a job. It turns out that Lee's 'burn out' is a complete fake!

Billy asks Lee if he thinks that everyone is buying his act and Lee says, yes, and that the Agency is buzzing with the gossip. Billy then asks if Amanda believes it and Lee says that she’s all over him at the moment trying to help.

In the bullpen, Francine and Amanda talk. Amanda doesn’t believe that Lee’s a burn out but Francine tells her that he has all the classic symptoms including drinking. Amanda asks if the condition is temporary but Francine says that she’d never known any agent make a recovery. Amanda is adamant that Lee will.

In the office, Lee talks about playing washed up for two weeks but he’d do it longer to break the case. Billy agrees and they talk about how three major operations have gone wrong within weeks after a top agent was demoted from field to office work. Billy says that someone is getting to them when they’re vulnerable and recruiting them. Lee asks if there’s any information on the three missing agents and Billy says only one and he’s dead…shot in the back. Lee comments that that’s what happens to them and Billy adds that he wants to nail the person behind it all. Lee assures him that they will and then adds that he thinks he had a tentative contact earlier and that he’ll be approached. Billy asks for more information but Lee says he’ll wait and see how it all pans out.

Lee then says he’d better get back to work and musses up his hair as he opens the door just as Billy yells at him. They have a public face-off and Billy tells him that he’s on report. Lee makes a sarcastic comment back and then leaves. Amanda tries to call out to him but Francine tells her that she’ll not get through to him. Amanda is determined that she will.

At Nedlingers, Harris is on the phone to his boss letting him know that he’s found a promising candidate called Stetson. Lee walks in and Harris adds that ‘set it up’ and then puts then hangs up. Lee props up the bar pretending to get drunk and Harris goes over. Harris makes his pitch and Lee bites but just when Harris goes to make the call, Amanda enters the bar. Seeing her, Harris tells Lee that they’ll talk later but, realising that he could lose his lead, Lee attempts to make Amanda leave instead.

Lee introduces Amanda to Harris and she talks about a report Lee needs to do as there isn’t much time. But Lee, playing up to Harris, replies that he has nothing but time while tapping her on the cheek getting gradually harder until he actually slaps her on the last word. Lee looks immediately contrite and tries to apologise but a shocked Amanda leaves. Lee follows her to the door then stops her and tells her to leave him alone as he’s getting out of control. Amanda nods and goes then Lee heads back to Harris.

Later, Harris goes to his boss, Brackin, who runs an import/export business. Brackin wants to know why the meeting wasn’t set up and Harris explains about Amanda. Brackin says that he worked for the Agency for nearly ten years and knows the procedure. He reckons that Amanda is a watchdog for Lee. Harris remembers seeing her before and Brackin figures that she’s seeing if Lee’s salvageable. Harris says he’s not and Brackin says that he wants him as he’s the best. If they managed to get Lee they could make all kinds of deals such as making a quick $3 million. Harris says he’ll take care of Amanda and Brackin tells him to do it quick as she probably talks to Billy every hour.

Meanwhile, at the Agency, Amanda goes into Billy’s office and hands in Lee’s report. Billy asks if her did it himself and Amanda just says that it’s done and goes on to add that although Lee’s going through a rough time, he’s still a dedicated, caring and good person. Billy says he’ll keep that in mind and then she tells him that she’s going to a nursery to pick up some flowers then leaves.

She exits the Agency then gets into her car and drives off unaware that Harris has pulled out behind her and begins to follow. When they’re in the middle of nowhere, he pulls out a gun and shoots one of her tyres, forcing her to stop. He also pulls up and gets out saying that he saw the blow out and asks if she needs help. Amanda recognises him and as they talk, she checks her wheel then straightens to find that Harris is now pointing a gun at her. He moves her away from the car and down a slope out of any passer-by’s prying eyes, then tells her turn around. Before he shoots, however, he’s distracted by a twig snapping and Amanda uses the opportunity to crouch down and pick up a branch from the ground then swing it at him, knocking him over the side of a verge.

Harris is out cold and Amanda gingerly picks up the gun and heads back to her car only to have Lee step out of the nearby bushes. She’s pleased to see him and hands him the gun. Lee tells her he’ll change her flat and then says to meet him at a restaurant called Chez Nouvelle, downtown.

Later, at the restaurant, Lee tells Amanda that she did well and Amanda asks how he knew she was there. Lee admits to following Harris since she left Nedlingers earlier – but that he was really surprised when Harris began to tail her. Amanda asks why Harris was following her and why Lee was following him. Lee confesses that Harris was trying to recruit him for something but he doesn’t know why. Amanda suggests that they bring him in to question him but Lee says that Harris is just the hired help and he has to let him run to see who’s behind everything.

Amanda asks how she got involved and Lee says that he’s sure Harris knows he’s Agency and probably thinks Amanda is too. Amanda then asks why Harris tried to kill her and Lee, somewhat embarrassedly says that Amanda displays of affection and helping him through his ‘troubles’ might have made Harris think that she’d get in the way.

Amanda looks at Lee and comments that he seems like his old self. Lee goes to admit everything then Amanda rightly guesses that the whole ‘burn out’ thing is a ruse. Lee tells her that only Billy and he knows – no-one else, not even Francine so Amanda promises not to say anything.

The mood changes then and Lee awkwardly, but sincerely, apologises for the way he acted at Nedlingers but that he was just trying to keep her away. Amanda tells him it’s okay and that she understands.

Back at Brackin’s place, Harris tells him about Amanda getting away. Brackin says that he’s going to contact Lee himself and when Harris mentions Amanda again, Brackin says that she’ll have a very important role in things.

At Lee’s apartment, he goes in and sees Brackin sitting on his couch. Lee then realises who’s running the show and plays along with him, letting himself be recruited. Brackin offers him a half a million dollars and Lee asks what he’s proposing. Brackin merely tells Lee to meet him at the address on the card he gives him and leaves.

Sometime later at the Agency, Lee tells Billy who in turn has some information on Brackin. His business is a front for recruiting mercenaries. Lee says he can’t believe that Brackin is willing to pay him half a million for recruiting mercenaries and Billy agrees saying that he thinks Brackin something else planned for Lee. Billy then says that Brackin had money put in Swiss accounts about a week after each Agency operation bust. Lee says that he’ll go the next day and get recruited then nail him. Billy wants Lee to wear a wire but Lee refuses saying that Brackin knows them as well as they do. Lee thinks that his secret weapon is that Brackin believes him to be strung out like the previous burn out sufferers but he’s not.

The next day at Amanda’s house, Dotty takes a call and tells Amanda that it was Billy and he wants her at the address she’d written down, before 9.30am. Amanda’s surprised but leaves immediately.

At the same time, lee arrives at Brackin’s store and goes in. Brackin’s already there and checks Lee for weapons. Lee asks if he’s passed the test and Brackin replies that the test is later as there’s a little job he wants him to do first, just to be sure that Lee can be trusted. Lee asks what it is and Brackin tells him that he wants him to kill someone. Lee thinks he’s joking but Brackin says that it’s not like he hasn’t done it before as it was a part of his job, except that this time he’ll get $500,000. Lee asks who the target is and then there’s a knock at the door and Amanda walks in. Brackin tells Lee that she’s his target – he wants Lee to kill Amanda.

They all get into a car and go out to the woods again, by the lake where Amanda knocked out Harris. Brackin hands Lee a gun and Amanda faces him as he takes aim. Then, with Brackin and Harris watching, Lee shoots Amanda and she rolls down the verge apparently dead. Lee gives the gun back to Brackin and walks back to the car while Brackin and Harris talk. Harris asks what they’re going to use Lee for and Brackin tells him that there’s a special fund shipment going to the Agency - $3 million in unmarked bills to cover stings and informants and Lee’s going to help them get the money. As they continue to talk, Amanda lifts her head to listen better and hears them mention Mill Creek Reservoir and that Harris will kill Lee like he did the other agents. They then go back to the car and drive off leaving a dishevelled Amanda with a bullet hole in her jumper and completely alone.

In the car, Brackin fills Lee in with details of the job. Lee used to be in charge of the shipment so he’ll take out the guards and they’ll do the rest. Lee queries that he only has to do that and get half a million and Brackin comments that it’ll be the least that he gets.

Meanwhile, Amanda begins the long walk back to civilisation. A camper van passes her but doesn’t stop.

At the same time, Lee Brackin and Harris steal the shipment.

Amanda is still walking. A car drives by and then, finally, a truck driver called Travis stops and offers her a lift. Amanda tells him that she needs a phone as a friend in trouble but Travis explains that there isn’t any phone on this stretch of the road but she’s welcome to use the CB. She asks if it’ll reach the CIA or FBI and Travis gets angry that someone is undermining the country and tells her to forget the police and hang on as he’s going to get involved instead. Horn blowing, he speeds up and heads for the old cider mill while Amanda holds onto her seat for dear life.

Brackin and Harris reach the cider mill with Lee now their prisoner. Lee unloads the bags of money into their car and then they suddenly see the truck heading towards them. Brackin and Harris are distracted long enough for Lee to start a fight. The truck crashes through an old barn and Travis jumps out ready to join in the fight. Unfortunately, he grabs Lee first but luckily, before he can hit him, Amanda yells that Lee’s a good guy and Travis sets off after Harris while Lee chases Brackin.

Travis soon beats Harris but Lee and Brackin get into a shoot out on the dry reservoir. Amanda then opens the stopcock for the water and as the liquid gushes down the slope, it catches Brackin by surprise and Lee grabs him.

Some days later, at the Agency, Amanda is handed a certificate of valour for all her work. Amanda doesn’t think she deserves it but Lee tells her she does. She accepts his praise and thanks everyone before leaving Billy’s office and going back to the bullpen while Francine stays behind to bemoan the fact that she, a trained agent, was not let in on the case when Amanda was.

Outside, Lee tells Amanda that she should be proud. She says she is but that she’ll have nowhere to hang the certificate as her family can never see it. Lee suggests they put it somewhere at the Agency. He then says that she did a good job, especially faking getting shot. Amanda says that he got very close and Lee explains that he had to otherwise Brackin wouldn’t have bought it. She then asks if the Agency could reimburse her for the sweater and Lee takes her hand then plants a soft kiss on the back of it before winking and saying that he’ll see what he can do about it.

SCENE'S TO WATCH OUT FOR

Billy confronting Lee about his 'problem' before we, the viewers, find out it's all a deception. 

Amanda playing 'Little Miss Social Worker' in Nedlingers.

Lee slapping Amanda.

Lee and Amanda in Chez Nouvelle.

Travis doing his ‘Apocalypse Now’ bit while Amanda hangs on for dear life because there’s no seatbelt. J

Travis almost hitting Lee by mistake.

Tag.

ROMANCE

Nice lot of angsty emotion between Amanda and Lee throughout the episode. Amanda's concern for Lee is obvious from the start…and it comes across as more than just worry for a friend. Not only does she read up on his 'condition,' but she also tries repeatedly to talk to him about his 'problems'. Not once does she believe that Lee won't get over his 'illness', unlike Francine who basically thinks it's the end of Lee's career. It's a very touching thing to see Amanda's unwavering faith in Lee - something I don't think he quite realised until now.

Even when he pushes her away, she still refuses to go…apart from that horrifying moment when he slaps her. Poor Lee looks almost as shocked as Amanda and nearly blows his cover just to make sure she's okay. And, after all that, Amanda still goes to Billy and hands over a report she's done for Lee and she champion's the supposedly burned out agent's cause once more - her caring attitude is wonderful to see as well as the fact that she's willing to overlook his manhandling which she, in her mind at the time, believes is a result of his 'illness'.

One of the most wonderful moments between the two is when Lee apologises to Amanda about everything he did and said and Amanda tries to make him stop. She understands then that it's all part of his cover and is happy not to talk about it but Lee is insistent. He seems to be amazed that she's so understanding and shakes his head as if he almost can't believe it. I think he knows then, just what a special person Amanda is and how lucky he is to have her on his side. It's a touching scene with just the right amount of awkwardness from both of them that it makes you realise just how important it is to them both that they deal with it and move on…friendship intact.

And, of course, the sweet tag scene where he can’t seem to stop telling her how wonderful she did before he takes hold of her hand and kisses it as he winks at her. The playful, flirty side of Lee is one that's rarely shown itself to Amanda and she appears to be as charmed by it as I did J

It really looks as if their relationship has just taken another step forward…

QUOTES

BILLY: What's bugging you? I mean is it personal problems? What?!

LEE: You wanna know what's bugging me? You really wanna know? Everybody in this office keeps telling me that I don't know how to do my job…including you!

BILLY: Now, I think you'd better get out there to your desk.

LEE: Don't do this to me, Billy.

BILLY: Your desk, Scarecrow, NOW!

LEE: Like hell I will.

HARRIS: A couple of months back I had to tell my boss what to do with my job.

LEE: Oh yeah? Did he do it?

HARRIS: Anatomically impossible.

BILLY: In my office, Scarecrow.

LEE: Oh, you sure I'm not supposed to report to detention or do I…uh…write an essay on the blackboard?

AMANDA: You know Lee's just a social drinker.

FRANCINE: Well then, let's just say that he's been socialising an awful lot lately.

LEE: I got a nibble today. I think I'm gonna be approached.

BILLY: You wanna talk about it?

LEE: Well, I think we ought to, you know, wait and see if it pans out. Besides, I've got to get back to losing my self-respect and screwing up my career.

AMANDA: Lee's report Sir.

BILLY: Thank you Amanda. Did Lee do this himself? I mean it seems pretty complete for a man who considers 12 to 12.05 a full working day.

AMANDA: Sir, I'd just like to say one thing. Even though Lee's going through a pretty rough time, I think we all should remember that he's really a very, well a dedicated, a caring and well, a good person.

BILLY: I'll keep that in mind Amanda.

AMANDA: Why did he try to kill me?

LEE: Well, you have been awfully protective of me lately. You know, a lot of public shows of helping me through my troubles and all and uh, well maybe he thought you were going to get in the way.

LEE: Back there at Nedlingers, what I did and you know, what I said. It was just to keep you away from me that's all.

AMANDA: It's alright I understand.

LEE: No it's not. Amanda; I really am sorry.

AMANDA: It's OK. I really do understand.

BRACKIN: There's your victim Lee. I want you to kill Amanda King.

TRAVIS: Fasten your seatbelt little honey, Travis is fixin' to take you for a ride.

AMANDA: I can't find me seatbelt.

TRAVIS: Just grab onto anything.

TRAVIS: Hang on little darling. We're coming in low out of the rising sun.

AMANDA: Oh no.

TRAVIS: I love the smell of diesel in the morning.

AMANDA: You know, you really came awfully close with that bullet.

LEE: Well I uh, I had to you know, otherwise they would never have bought it.

AMANDA: Yeah I know. Think maybe the Agency could re-imburse me for this sweater?

LEE (smiling): I'll see what I can do about it. (Kisses her hand and winks)

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