I'm hoping (with fingers crossed) that now that Tim is away, things will calm down. I'm actually hoping that Walter doesn't immediately pounce - that he gives Paige a little space and just allows their friendship to reassert itself naturally, because that friendship is the true foundation of their love for each other. I think if he allows that to happen without putting pressure on Paige - or aggravating her - then her feelings for him will also reassert itself.

Of course, my practical side is bracing for more gratuitous and ludicrous drama.

The end of 3.11 is not something I like to think about. But I think you are probably right. I think if the writers wanted things to be smooth sailing, they would have broken up Tim and Paige - or left them with a much looser plan to keep the relationship going. It's become obvious that they want to keep up the tension and continue to draw this out. The only thing that I'm holding on to right now is the fact that there's no apparent plan to bring Tim back. And even that is slim.

Eight months has him returning in August/September, depending on exactly when he left (we know he'll be in L.A. at the start of 2017). So yay for that lining right up with the S4 premiere. I'm not saying they'll do that, but...that's where the timeline could be. And the fact that as of now the plan is to put him in L.A. after that...he could be around a damn long time unless plans change somehow.

I really prefer that they have the breakup happen while Tim is still away. I want Waige to dance at the Quintis wedding - and I want that to happen before the summer hiatus.

Watch the writers do the lazy way out and have them break up during the hiatus.

What hiatus?

We have a short one coming up

True. If the schedule follows the pattern of the last two years, we won't have any breaks longer than one episode until the end of the season.

Still, all they need to do is have Paige come in to the garage one day and make an announcement. Or better - have a nice Paige/Ralph scene where she talks to him about it. And poor Ralph would be trying his best not to jump for joy.

Given that they've made a point to have the relationship in Walter's face, I won't be surprised if Paige mentions something about Tim in nearly every episode - or Skype's with him in the garage - something to keep the specter of Tim in the picture. If they do that, and it then stops - it might be a signal.