The show's two main characters were finally wed in the previous episode after three and a half years. It had been one of TV's most unusual courtships, much of it transpiring on the down low while the duo dodged bullets and dealt with international crises. But now Lee (Bruce Boxleitner) and Amanda (Kate Jackson) are married. Although she is referred to as Mrs. King early in the episode after she's shot and taken to a hospital, Amanda is not called Mrs. Stetson until the last scene, when she wakes up from a coma and is visited by Lee.
Some might say this is where the show technically jumps a shark, but I'd say it is more a logical way to bring the series' overarching romantic story to a logical turning point. Of course, the program will still be titled Scarecrow and Mrs. King, even if Amanda is now no longer Mrs. King but Mrs. Stetson. I do wonder why the producers and writers didn't save the nuptials and honeymoon till the very end as a logical two-part conclusion.
Perhaps the creative team was hoping the show could go on for awhile longer, but we are actually in the final stretch with just five more episodes to go. Due to Kate Jackson's real-life cancer, she was required to reduce her workload so her screen time is significantly cut back in these later episodes.
In 'Mission for Gold,' Jackson has an extended voice over at the beginning, then a quick shot in the car after Amanda's been shot. She isn't glimpsed again until there is a scene of her sleeping at the hospital, when her mother Dotty (Beverly Garland) has been notified and shows up. This is followed by the last scene where she is awake and talking a little bit with Lee.
Amanda is basically relegated to the subplot, since the main plot focuses on Lee going after gold smugglers involved with harming his new bride and bringing them to justice with the help of an old family friend (Henry Jones). It's a showcase for Bruce Boxleitner, who does a fine job carrying the load without much assistance from Jackson.
I expected the episode to be less entertaining than ones where Amanda is more directly involved, but I think the writing is still strong here. There is still plenty to keep us interested and invested in the outcomes. Even if there is never any doubt that Amanda will survive, and she will soon be home with Lee starting their new married life together.
Some might say this is where the show technically jumps a shark, but I'd say it is more a logical way to bring the series' overarching romantic story to a logical turning point. Of course, the program will still be titled Scarecrow and Mrs. King, even if Amanda is now no longer Mrs. King but Mrs. Stetson. I do wonder why the producers and writers didn't save the nuptials and honeymoon till the very end as a logical two-part conclusion.
Perhaps the creative team was hoping the show could go on for awhile longer, but we are actually in the final stretch with just five more episodes to go. Due to Kate Jackson's real-life cancer, she was required to reduce her workload so her screen time is significantly cut back in these later episodes.
In 'Mission for Gold,' Jackson has an extended voice over at the beginning, then a quick shot in the car after Amanda's been shot. She isn't glimpsed again until there is a scene of her sleeping at the hospital, when her mother Dotty (Beverly Garland) has been notified and shows up. This is followed by the last scene where she is awake and talking a little bit with Lee.
Amanda is basically relegated to the subplot, since the main plot focuses on Lee going after gold smugglers involved with harming his new bride and bringing them to justice with the help of an old family friend (Henry Jones). It's a showcase for Bruce Boxleitner, who does a fine job carrying the load without much assistance from Jackson.
I expected the episode to be less entertaining than ones where Amanda is more directly involved, but I think the writing is still strong here. There is still plenty to keep us interested and invested in the outcomes. Even if there is never any doubt that Amanda will survive, and she will soon be home with Lee starting their new married life together.