Amanda: No! I can't sleep here. How would I explain it? I'd feel like I was lying and sneaking.
Lee: You are lying and sneaking. You're working for the government.
Amanda is paired with the Agency’s top intelligence operative Lee Stetson, codename Scarecrow. Scarecrow is a ladies man, a lone wolf, has been known to take careless risks, and does not work with a partner. . . after losing his last partner to a bullet he believes was meant for him. At first, Lee wants nothing to do with the housewife from Arlington, but later comes to rely on her instincts, her ability to think outside the box, and “her own style" of solving the cases.
Most people often discuss Lee Stetson and how much he changed from season one to season four: however, I feel Amanda’s change although more subtle, was equally just as important. In some ways, she is similar to Lee because she carries her own emotional scars and baggage—the loss of her father, the sting of a painful divorce, pitting her family needs ahead of her own. Most likely, she put off her life ambitions to help Joe through college and then through law school, and raised two young children on her own, because her husband choice to put his career above his family.
Although, I doubt Amanda would have admitted she was a woman looking for love (sure she was dating someone who I feel she thought was ‘safe’—Mr. “I bought you new bookends” boring, weatherman Dean), after she divorced Joe, she was reserved about committing her heart again to another man. In addition, even if her mother was pressuring her into a long-term relationship with Dean, when she had only been divorced for a year, I believe Amanda might have continued her relationship with him, but when (and if) he ever popped the question; I don't know if she would have been able to say yes. I don’t believe she was ever in love with him; she cared for him greatly, but I don't believe she was in love. No, all that changed when she meet Lee at a train station. His daring and charming personality, further developed those seeds of doubts regarding Dean. And despite his faults, she was able to see behind the mask and found a caring, compassionate man, who would lay down his life for her, protect her, and would always be there for her.
She was also a woman looking for a job or rather her place in society. More than just being a housewife and a mother, but making the world a safer place for Jamie and Phillip and helping the country she loved. Amanda had lost her confidence due to her divorce and had put herself and her ambitions ahead for the sake of the boys, her mother and even Joe. The day she met Lee changed everything and her. In addition, although not exactly fitting in with the Agency in the beginning, she proved herself a valuable asset. Moreover, once she got her confidence back and was secure in her role at the Agency, she moved up the ladder from part time civilian aide to full time agent, earning respect from her peers and her partner Lee. while she gained assurance as a woman and as an agent.
Finally, I want to add a big thanks to Kate Jackson for doing such a wonderful job of bringing Amanda King to life. She is truly a gifted actress and I can't image anyone else who could have portrayed her as well as she did. Her chemistry with Bruce Boxleitner is what brought me back week after week.