Don and Pete are Pathetic!

Watching tonight's episode with Don and Pete was pathetic! Both men are totally beyond disgusting. The fat that they can unabashedly carry on affairs with women in a "wham, bam, thank you mam" sort of way and clean up and move on to the next woman like nothing ever happended is just beyond comprehension to me! Moreover, for Don to tie up a woman to a bedpost because she would not stop talking is about as freakish and disgusting as one can get! I think he wanted to practice some S&M
on her! SAD DISGUSTING FREAK!!!!

Peggy's pantyhose

While pantyhose were invented in 1959, they were not commonly available for retail purchase untile 1965. Since this episode presumably takes place in 1961, how could Peggy be wearing pantyhose?

Peggy, Don, and Herbal cigarettes

YAY for Peggy! I was hoping that she would show up at the club! Too bad she still seems to need Campbell's approvals of her behavior. And Campbell! He really is trying to take Don's job...as an unhappy, sex and control starved jerk. My, my,my. Now to Don: did he really think that with all the sex he has all around town that no one would talk? Why does it bother him? It seems the women are giving him great reviews. Is he afraid of other people finding out that he is really as deceitful of a man as his father? (I am referring to the flashback of Don as a child when the vagabond visited his home.) (And yes, I understand that I am writing as though these are real people rather than characters on a show :))

So, herbal cigarettes. I read on another post on here that the actors are smoking herbal cigarettes. But, those still must have some danger associated with them, right? I mean they smoke a lot! If herbal cigarettes are safe then why are they not available to the general public so that I can take up smoking again!

Episode 5 - Open Thread

Talk about Episode 5, "The New Girl".

mad men

you're really doing your part to destroy the American family with adultery lying stealing and cheating. Just because the public wants this you don't have the wallo in it's swil.

Hurrica,ne

To anyone in the Gulf area still reading this forum: please stay safe, my thoughts and prayers are with you. To any members of the MM forum with family and friends in the Gulf area, I wish the same.

Working Wives

I can't remember any of the executives having wives who work or have a career. But, I wasn't watching for it so might have missed hearing something. I hearing men...both blue collar and white collar, state that 'no wife of mine will work'. It was an ego thing, in many cases, as the husband feared the men at his work would think he couldn't afford to take care of is family. The executive wives probably belong to clubs, junior league, and volunteer, but do any of them get a paycheck?

Episode 6

Hi fellow Maddicts!! Tonight's episode is called "Maidenform". For my female Maddicts: Do we have to put on our bras for this episode. or take them off in protest? Any male Maddicts who need to put on your bros (with apologies to Jerry Seinfeld) get ready!
Does anyone know if Maidenform bras are still being made?

Episode 6 are you ready?

Its been a long week.Cant wait for tonite's episode.When is the marathon set to begin?

La Notte

Has anyone confirmed that La Notte is, finally, the Film Don watches at the matinee? La Notte was translated into French, La Nuit, but are we sure (even though he mentioned La Notte in Episode 5) that this is "the" film we've been dying to ascertain?

Music in Mad Men

Bach in Three Sundays, "Sukiyaki" in Flight 1 - sometimes the use of music and pop songs in MM is historically or culturally accurate...and sometimes not. Anyone here fondly remember Top 40 radio of the early 60s? Find some tuneful clips on my blog: http://cantara.vox.com/library/posts/tags/mad+men

Smoking Behaviors

Growing up in the 1950s and 60s, I remember several behaviors regarding smoking that are not depicted accurately. Here are a few observations:
1)Smoking around Children: This was usually considering bad form except for the most diehard smokers. This was partly because children were considered not to have the constitution of an adult and partly becasue it added to the cool of being an adult. This was one of the reasons why teens wanted to smoke so much.
2) Smoking While Eating: This was usually not done until after the meal was over even in public places.

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What Did Bobbi Mean?

In the scene between Bobbi and Peggy (the day she was wearing the pink shirtwaist), Bobbi began to question Peggy to gain an understanding of the connection between her and Don.

"He's a decent man, isn't he? You wouldn't think he would be."

"I never expect him to be any other way than what he is."

Why do you think Bobbi is surprised that Don is 'decent?' What did he do that surprised Bobbi into re-categorizing him? Did she suddenly realize the image is different than the man she met? Is she in love with him? (She did give him that schoolgirl line, "I didn't think you'd call.")

I wish there wouldn't be an "Open Thread" blog!

I've been gone all week working and now that I get back, there are 347 comments for me to catch up on in order to join in conversation. It's easier to have a topic and if like it join in and comment. It's also fun to see if your topic was chosen as one of the "most popular" or "recommended". Does anyone else feel this way?

Bobbi Barrett-Tragedy in the making or...?

Bobbi Barrett-Tragedy or...?

Seems to me the Bobbi character has finally begun to set in the show. I wondered for a while if she might end up a sort of plot device to allow Don to be "caught" by Betty. That still may be the result, we'll see, but the character seems to be growing as Mad Men characters do and nearing a crossroads-She's falling in love with Don. I really think her defensive wariness with Peggy was a clear indication she has developed a real attachment, even if she maintains the air of this being a fun fling with a gorgeous hunk. For Don, I think he is living out the "cheap affair" Rachel accused him of wanting with her and that could lead to tragedy. For all her pose and poise, Bobbi is in crisis. She was probably already feeling trapped by advancing age when her younger dancer self latched on to Jimmy Barrett and she's getting no younger (though we may get a surprise from Jimmy when things blow up). We saw her harping continuously on Peggy's youth and Peggy sized up the woman's desperation immediately, "I'm not your competition". She has no security except as Jimmy's manager and if she lost that she's likely just a bit too ahead of her time to be able to find a similar position. To have Don reject or dismiss her could be the final straw. And for Don, she is really quite the perfect woman for Betty to learn about...Probably exactly the sort of woman Betty imagines he is taken up with. For him to be caught in or somehow confess to an affair with Bobbi would probably be the least dangerous exposure in his philandering career. Betty would be angry but pleased to find her competition so slight...Stern but forgiving. Just the temptations of Manhattan high life and a trashy seducteress...

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Emmy Nominations -- Season 1

I am waiting the arrival of my copy of the DVD and will soon be able to take a leisurely look at the first season. I already know how I react to the series/stories/characters, so I took time to see look at what Emmy singled out for recognition. Remember, these nominations are for work done in Season 1....
Let's see....

The series was recognized with nominations for:

Outstanding Main Title Design
Outstanding Drama-Series
Outstanding Casting
Outstanding Cinematography

The four episodes separated from Season 1 for recognition are:

"Smoke Gets in Your Eyes"
Outstanding Writing-Drama Series
Art Direction-Single Camera Series
Outstanding Costumes-Series
Outstanding Directing

"Shoot"
Outstanding Hairstyling-Single Camera Series

"The Hobo Code"
Outstanding Makeup (Non-Prosthetic)-Single Camera Series

"The Wheel"
Outstanding Writing-Drama Series

Jon Hamm was nominated for Best Actor-Drama; John Slattery was nominated as Best Supporting Actor-Drama; and Robert Morse was nominated for Outstanding Guest Actor -Drama Series.

None of our ladies were nominated in any category. Was this an oversight? Will the ladies' performances in Season 2 change that statistic? Which of you favorites in Season 1 were overlooked? Next year, what will the list look like? Do you think the total Mad Men nominations will be even higher next year?

Attractive Joan Expanding A Bit Too Much

I always like Joan and thought her very attractive. She at least LOOKS like a woman, and not some stick thin figure with no hips or bust. However, wasn't she a C cup last season and now she must be a Double D. If her dresses get any tighter there is going to be a wardrobe malfunction! Again, she is the most attractive of the lot. Betty is too ice princess cool; Rachel Menken needed an eyebrow waxing; Bobbie is trashy looking; and Peggy (again, don't want to offend Peggy fans, but that woman is just not attractive to me. She has no figure, her clothes are dull and drab, and that ponytail makes her look very unsophisticated, as though she should be running across a college campus, NOT working in a NYC ad agency; Don's new secretary is the only one who could give Joan a run for her money in the looks department. Joan was a knock out last season and still is, but if her hips and derriere - and her bustline - gets any bigger, she is going to be mistaken for the office Xerox Machine!

Off Topic- How can I get a cool picture with my post?

I see these cute photos and images some of you have with your posts- how did you do that?

What did Peggy need to do to leave the hospital?

Don asks Peggy if she knows what "they" (the doctors) at the hospital want, and she says no, she doesn't. Don tells her that she does, and then says to give it to them, so she can get out of there and move on. What does she need to do?

Current social conventions that will die?

One of MM's best features is how it cariactures social conventions that were unconsciously acceptable in the 60's but are viewed as unacceptable now. We, of course, suffer from the same unconscious acceptance of practices that will be rejected in the future. Anyone dare to imagine that we know what 2040 will look like and predict current conventions that we now accept but society will have discarded by then?

Brian Krause (aka Leo in Charmed)

I'm a Brian Krause fan.....it is my understanding that Brian Krause will be guest starring in an upcoming episode of MAD MEN....someone please confirm this for me!!!!!

The Peggy/Don Secret Connection

I haven't seen this discussed before but it's been touched on in other threads this episode.

Remember the first episode when Peggy comes in and gives Don papers and touches his hand? WHY would she do that? Had she had an encounter with him and he got her a job there or something?

Please send your thoughts...

It's Turning into a Soap Opera

I really enjoyed the story lines last season dealing with the advertising business in the sixties. The strategies and corporate interactions were fascinating. However, this season is one big soap opera. "Will Betts sleep with the stable boy? Why can't Don get it up? Why can't the Campbells have children. The office manager get's engaged and Sterling laments. Peggy's sister confesses to the priest in an attempt to undermine Peggy." OMG, put this show on at 1PM with All My Children. I hope the producers turn this around or Mad Men will be an "also ran" at the Golden Globes.

Don's cash

What is up with Don not having much cash in his wallet? I only notice that because it came up more than once in the last episode. His life is becoming almost schizophrenic as he balances the various compartments, but I wonder if he has another secret we don't know about, and it is taking his cash on hand. For all we know about his past, he might have fathered a child, and is supporting it. How much spending cash would a man of his career and time have carried?

Twitter

Was anyone here using the Twitter feeds before AMC had them shut down?

Second Season - A Disappointment

I like this show. I like it a lot, but Season 2 is a disappointment. Where this show has really shone is when the characters and the era they inhabit come together to tell us about what we were and by comparison illuminate what we've become. I am thinking of Don's introduction of "LSMFT" for the Lucky Strike campaign and the whole aura of cigarette smoking at that time, the shock over rumors of marital infedelity in the Draper's neighborhood, Betty's struggles to maintain sanity in a society that offers her few options, Sal's sad determination to remain safe in the closet, and Don Draper's masterful paean to the family at the Kodak Carousel presentation followed by his return to an empty house on the night before Thanksgiving. Those episodes were powerful.

Thus far, Season 2 has not offered anything comparable. Where are the early 1960s? Other than horseback riding references to Jackie Kennedy, the fact that one of the copywriters has an African-American girlfriend, and the number of scenes with TVs in them has increased, it is little changed from Season 1. Episode 5 ends in the middle of 1962. I am old enough to remember the summer of '62 when tensions between the US and the USSR were ratcheting up dramatically in preparation for the showdown in October. They were scary times compared to the sleepy '50s, but you would not know it from recent episodes of "Mad Men". These characters are still living in the year 1960, the dull part of it at that.

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At the police station and at Peggy

Don is told the fine is $150 yet tells him he'll call for a taxi and have an employee bring out the $500. Then the cop says sarcastically, "or maybe your wife has a friend". Also Don hears the heels clicking and seems almost surprised to see it's Peggy. What's up with Peggy's white gloves so late at night too, were gloves worn all the time like that?

Accidental or Intentional

At first, it seemed Don controlled his life, his decisions. Now, I'm not so sure that he ever did, and maybe most of his life has been accidental. What is Don's current state - intentional or just waiting for something accidental to propel things along?

the real don draper

what was the family of don draper told when he didn't return from korea?

Did you see the TV go out of tune?

Did anyone else notice the attention to detail-when Peggy walked past her TV (about 29-31 minutes in) it went out of tune? Great job by the set designers, directors!

Rachel and Don

Don likes women. He has the blonde Madonna-type Betty at home. She has her place in his heart, and on his arm in public.

He had Midge, who must have seemed as opposite to Betty's dependency as could be. A beautiful free spirit who offered fun but also could talk.

He and Bobbi remind me of old friends who share similar backgrounds, he sees her as a party girl who it is easy to forget with.

Then there is Rachel. She might be the one who the adult Don would have chosen as his bride had he not already have encumbered himself with the perfect blonde housewife. It is what he gets for trying to create a picture perfect life instead of waiting for it to happen in its own good time.

So, Don likes a variety of types of women. If he were married to Rachel, would he be faithful to her?

why do you think Don went looking for Peggy?

Peggy was missing for months and Don was eventually told she had TB but he kept looking until he found her in a mental ward. Why did he do this?? he said he doesn't even look at a secretary until she been there a month and he fired Peggy's first replacement without blinking. Not to mention, he seems to perpetually ignore Joan.

so why hunt down Peggy? usually not showing up for work is grounds to be fired. was he just being nosey? caring? [for once]

Why didn't my entry show up

I submitted a video for the contest, it said that it was successfully submitted, but my video never showed up. Can anyone help

New Talk Forum Functionality

Hi - We noticed a number comments regarding the way the Talk forum works, and we've made some quick improvements to respond to the feedback. Our goal, per your feedback, was to make it easier for you to engage in one large discussion (rather than be segmented into many sub-conversations), as well as to easily find specific Talk topics posted by individual users. Here are the three things we've done. 1.) We've introduced a weekly "open thread" that is featured at the top of the Talk forum, where you can meet up with fellow fans and engage in wide-ranging talk about each week's episode. 2.) We've created a page that lists, minus clutter, every Talk topic. The link to this new page is at the top of the Talk page under the heading "View List of All Talk Topics." 3.) We've also created a link to a page listing all the episode open threads, under the heading "Open Threads for Each Episode." This link is also at the top of the Talk page.

These are just some improvements that we were able to roll out quickly, our goal being to address your feedback immediately. We'll also take a deeper look at the design and functionality of Talk forum for more long-term improvements. Let us know any additional feedback you may have. Thanks.

Pete, Trudy and WASP Marriages

Is Pete and Trudy's marriage supposed to be a representative example of a typical WASP marriage in 1960s America?

They both seem very repressed. He seems at the very least to be apathetic towards her if not downright loath her. She, on the other hand, seems to take and accept his "abuse". Any thoughts?

Is the New Girl Jewish?

Jane Siegel...is she just a flash in the pan, or do we think this might open up a storyline about Jews in the ad biz or anti-semitism?

Read the Official Plot Summaries

Another viewer has pointed out that in the plot summaries it says that in the Three Sundays episode that as Peggy is leaving she sees three children in a room, including a blonde, blue eyed child who is with his cousins. Why are the writers pointing out the cousins plus details of the child's appearance? We all know about genetics but neither Pete nor Peggy have blonde hair and I'm not sure if either has blue eyes.
Also we were tricked about the Ossining location of Don & Betty's house. Isn't there a University in Stoney Brook? Did one of the writers go to school there or something?

Joan's DYNAMITE figure !!!

Joan's figure, is the figure that I remember women having as a child. The only thing missing is I can't smell her Worth, or Channel. I love her character because she can play with the BIG BOYS, and remain ultra feminine. In those days to be feminine was an art form, and this actress has it down pat. Bravo

The Women Behind the Mad Men

EPISODE 5 WAS ALL ABOUT THE WOMEN BEHIND THE MEN: Their various states of marriage, fidelity, motherhood, and fertility.
The women were the focus here. Who was married, single, engaged; which ones had children, were pregnant, or wanted to be pregnant; and lastly, who had cheated who did not. Curiously, every one of these women has a different story and not a single one is in the same boat as another.
Peggy: Single/Cheated with Pete/Recently gave birth/No children
Joan: Engaged/Cheated with Roger/no children
Rachel: Newlywed/Cheated with Don/?
Trudy: Married/No cheating/wants to be pregnant
Betty: Married/No Cheating/2 children
Bobby: Married/Cheated with Don (and others?)/No children
Anita: Married/No cheating/Pregnant/2 children
New Secretary: Single...

To me, this is the subject matter that stood out the most in the show.

Don needs Betty more than she needs him

Don is completely dependent on the contructs of marriage and family life to serve as an anchor for his impulsive and volatile relationships with other women, not to mention the fact it's a safe place to be emotionally checked out, taking advantage of a woman who truly loves him. He'd be a wreck without Betty. He's a little boy without a clue what he's doing with any of them. It's all pounce and circumstance (hahaha). Both Betty and Don remind me of chilldren playing house but she may be the stronger of the two, regardless of what Dr. Wayne told Don. Given the motivation (like actually catching slick Dick in a lie) Betty might kick him to the curb, which isn't far from the gutter, which seems to be where he's headed. Of course, there is that one small fact they have two kids and Don supports them all....

Peggy's life reality or fantasy?

Hello to my fellow Maddicts out there! I am just now getting onto the computer, long day.
I haven't been able to read all of the comments yet, so I apologize if someone has already brought this up.
I had a thought go through my sleepy brain last night after the show.
What if Peggy's psychological problem is causing her to fantasize about her pregnancy, and Don visiting her in the hospital. There is a phenomenon called "hysterical pregnancy". A women will actally gain weight, have cravings, and experience labor type pain. What if she dreamed up the whole thing?
Something to think about...

This never happened.

Greetings, Maddicts. Here is my weekly review of this week's episode.

The theme was "This never happened." His relationship with Rachel? Never happened. Peggy in the hospital? Never happened. His accident? Never happened. Dick Whitman? Never happened. n I'm sure Ted Kennedy wishes he could apply the same to Chappaquiddick! Which, by the way, is what I thought was going to happen when Bobbie asked Don if he liked bridges.

Shocking moments for me: Anita is pregnant! The whole zipper scene with Freddy - ROTFLMAO! Don to Bobbie: "I don't feel a thing." Rachel in the restaurant and she's married to a total dweeb who I'm sure Daddy likes. Don called Peggy to bail him out. Don visiting Peggy in the hospital. Peggy calling him Don (you go, girl!).

I didn't like that Peggy stayed home with Bobbie vs. going to work. That really didn't make sense to me. I expected Bobbie to give her a makeover and I sense one coming soon as Peggy begins to assert herself. Bobbie had some very interesting lines: "Pick a job and then become the person who does it," and Don's response: "That's true." To Peggy: "You have to start living the life of the person you want to be." I think Bobbie and Joan have a lot in common when it comes to using the power of being a woman. I liked how Bobbie negotiates everything and she even said she did it once in a department store - this right after Rachel walked by. The contrast between Bobbie and Peggy was great - Bobbie thinks she's so smart and in charge yet Peggy is even more so. It's very similar to the dynamic between Peggy and Joan. Bobbie and Joan know how to be women - Peggy is trying to learn to be a man, which Bobbie said she can't do.

Why did Don join Bobbie after saying no to her? He mentioned a foreign film to her - "La Notte?" Big question - does Don know Peggy had a baby? Does he know it's Pete's? I'm guessing yes and yes. But, then again, it never happened.

Peggy is growing balls. I loved her line to Don in the car: "I don't want you treating me badly because I remind you of it." I was also very proud of her reminding Don about the $110. His response: "I guess when you try to forget something you forget everything." I'll bet he does.

I could say a lot about the Pete/Trudy/infertility story line. I'm an infertility survivor and I know firsthand what that is like. I think the portrayal is real. Men don't get how much of a woman's identity can be tied into wanting a baby. Pete simply doesn't see it. All he knew is that his sperm had superhuman powers and his manhood was secured. End of story. As far as him having to do something very private in a public place, all I can say is that he got to be alone and he got off - nothing about what Trudy will go through will be private nor pleasurable.

Speaking of which, great transition from Pete in the stall with a dirty magazine to Roger and the paddle ball! I loved Roger's line: "the story of relatively young love." I think he loved Joan in his Roger way. I give them credit for acknowledging it and not pretending that it never happened.

Someone needs to check a map of Long Island

Mad Men is my favorite show, but STONY BROOK IS NOT ON THE OCEAN. This was a colossal error for a show that prides itself on accuracy. I accepted that Bobbi was drunk when asking if Don liked the Ocean and stating she had a place out in Stony Brook. But then to go on about the crashing surf. The Long Island Sound has no crashing surf, and it didn't have it in 1962 either. Someone fire the stylist...

Peggy the apt pupil

That Peggy might make mistakes (some of them monumental), but you can see how quick she is to learn and turn things to her advantage. I wouldn't be surprised if by the 1970s she's running SC after all the old guard is dead from booze and ciggys!
Also, did anyone else catch Peggy's comments to Don in the car on the way back from the slammer? She told him, "I don't want you to think you can punish me now after this." Something along those lines...you can see she's got a LOT of insight into how Don, instead of being really grateful to her, might try to cut her out now that she's seen a really seedy incident in his life. I think she's smart enough not to abuse the discretion -- I think she will just be sure that Don is her mentor as she uses her natural talents to move up the advertising ladder. What a GREAT character she is! No wonder Bobbi was so in awe of her -- she probably doesn't see many women who know how to move in the world of men using moxie and innate intelligence (instead of the tried-and-true sex for favors).

Now we know why Don drives a Dodge....

Well at least we dont have to worry about Don's non-dodging Polara, maybe now he can get a "real" car, plenty of great suggestions around here in previous posts !

Elisabeth coming to Broadway!!!

Is anybody going to make the trip to NYC to see her in this show? I bet she'll be great!

http://www.broadwayworld.com/viewcolumn.cfm?colid=30282

Funniest lines

I know there's been threads on "best lines" of Mad Men, but a line in last night's show reminded me just how witty/funny this show can be:

Ken: (to the new girl) Ken Kosgrove
Paul: Paul Kinsey, creative
Harry: Harry Crane... married...

I really laughed out loud at that one! Maybe I just love Harry's character, but in a show filled with serious stuff, its fun to find the humor.

Who else has got a funny line from Mad Men?

Better prepared for Life then than now

I know that todays children have a lot of advantages than I did or maybe our generation, I believe todays generation wants to grow up to fast and yes I acknowledge it is "harder" to survive by one self ,However personally I owned a house when I was 18 got married way to young(One divorce to prove it) However it is an observation that I believe todays generation is not prepared for "life" Children today I feel are way to much protected against anything and everything from watching a "too Violent Show"(Ok I do Agree that Tv is racier than yesterday but please) It appears to me every waking minute of a child's life is micro managed . However my real question is in the end after we have coddled, micro-managed and basically ran these kid lives are they really as prepared as we were ? I don't know I just see a pattern of young adults (21 plus still living at home maybe they are just smarter after all it saves \the rent etc) Or have we become (the older generation) so lax with the rules that the kids just stay(I just remember the suffocating rules that I was living under couldn't wait to leave) Or are the kids today not able to stand on there own 2 feet and still need mommy and Daddy .

Who is Burt (Berf?) Peterson

Pete mentioned that Duck called Burt Peterson a mongoloid. Who is Burt Peterson? Was is a mistake? Was he supposed to say "Cooper?" Was this a client?

Peyton List

So Joan is getting married and we now have a hot new secretary in the office? Wonder how much story line she'll get, especially once Roger gets a bead on her.

Why the title "The New Girl"?

Considering Don's new secretary had about 6 minutes of screen time total, I'm wondering if the title wasn't suppose to be taken literally and had nothing to do with her at all.

Could the title be referring to Don's New girl, Bobbi? His old girlfriend showing up at the restaurant certainly saw it that way.

Or maybe the new girl is Peggy. The reveal through flashback of how she, like Don once did, transformed herself into "the person she wanted to be". Which would make Bobbi's philosophy about picking a job and just becoming that person very interesting. And her advice to Peggy about not trying to act like a man if she wants respect, but to be a woman? Ironic on oh so many levels.

And how she interprets that advice into not allowing Don to forget what she did for him, when he obviously had.

I guess I'll have to watch it again in full context when the season is complete.

Peggy's Baby

I just wanted to give props to leighdear for this comment she made after the season premiere:

"Ya know, I can't help thinking that we're all assuming the little boy is Peggy's....Sure, he probably is....though he seems a little younger than the 15 months her baby would be.....I know, a HUGE stretch.....But what seems to be the "obvious" isn't always fact...."

Very astute. And clearly not that much of a stretch. You rock! Things aren't always as they appear...a theme that Mad Men, and The Sopranos before it, have mastered. Only the best shows make having your assumptions thrown back in your face so rewarding. Well played, Weiner & Co. Again.

Since Peggy's sister was pregnant in the flashback, I think it's clear that the little, blond boy isn't Peggy's. So where's Pete Jr.? Leighdear??

Hitchcock Would Have Been Proud of Mad Men Tonight

that cut from Pete in the doctor's office to Roger in his is another golden moment in montage

The Women on "Mad Men" season two

Has anyone else noticed how much all the characters have abruptly changed in such a hurry this season??

I know what I'm about type is probably not gonna be 'cool' or whatever- but it's just an opinion. WHATS WRONG with the women on "Mad Men"???....Betty's a cold bitch! Peggy's becoming an aloof elitest Man-wannabe and Joan, is getting engaged?? Where's the sexiness! where's the verbal 'cat fighting'....now they all suck. No Rachel or Midge?...where's the sensitivity? I can't root for any of these women as they were originally presented! It's like a 'Bait & Switch'.

Like they made the characters one way (to get the audience and a fanbase) Now, everyone's depressed or scared or in denial...it's like the 6th season of "Buffy the Vampire Slayer"- Everyones miserable or not acting like themselves- It sucks!

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Don sent Peggy the book of Poetry

No doubt in my mind. Read my other post "This One Hit Home"

This One Hit Home

I now have to say that it took me a while to get my wits about me after this epi to it down at the computer and come on this forum. This epi BLEW ME AWAY. I now have to say that I officially now LOVE,LOVE, LOVE Peggy. As soon as Don picked up that phone I knew he was calling her. And their relationship is now at another level. (At least to the viewer now). They are not what I would call friends but depend on each other and see something in the other that is identical.

Maybe this epi hit me so hard because I had that exact relationship with my former boss. I worked PR for a well known sports agent and we all know what a scummy business that is. We had an unspoken bond, a "managing peoples exceptations thing". I got that late night phone call once to help him out of a jam and sure enough some time later I was in a jam and he was there. Guns blazing, telling me to buck up and get myself together. No judgement was passed and our relationship only grew stronger from there. He would always back me up no matter what and EVERYONE (clients/others in the office) knew not to mess with me. We worked this way for 8 years and I gained a rep in that business at being the best at what I did. (2 years ago I was at a sporting event with my husband and kids and met a young prominent athlete and he remembered my name, said he heard about my work), I know that I earned that for myself but he prevented anyone from hindering me. There was never any attraction there and we never crossed any lines in any way. He never showed vulnerability in my presence (even when we were alone) and the only time he did was when I told him I was pregnant and leaving to start a family. We still to this day (11 years later) speak about once a month, he always calls me when something big happens with him, I can still get tickets to ANY sporting event I want and I was the first one he called on 9/11 because he knew my husband had worked at the trade center at one time (it's also my birthday)

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Don Has Become Totally Amoral

Don's behaivor has become totally amoral. He brazenly carries on affairs in front of his co- workers , both male and female, endangers a women's life and keeps vital information like having high blood pressure from his wife!

He is getting more and more pathetic.

Hate to say it but I'm liking Bobbie

Never thought I'd start liking Bobbi, but her kind and decent treatment of Peggy was surprising and makes me think Bobbi will become Peggy's mentor - and I think Peggy's gonna need it. Bobbi also sensed, instantly, that Don and Rachel (introduced as a former client) had an affair. Jimmy Barrett clearly has no idea of the affair - or maybe they have an arrangement that allows her to play around - Jimmy seems like the type who may have trouble in that area - hence his hostility....

Not Enough Hair Spray ...A little too Early for the IBM "Selectric"

I am completely amazed at how accurate everything is. I was fairly young in 1960, but I can tell you one thing: no one, and I mean NO ONE went without tons of hairspray. You just have no idea! The hairstyles most of the women sport look way too natural! Most women teased their hair to ridiculous levels and must have gone through a can of hair spray per week. Also, the IBM Selectric (non-carriage) typewriter that they use in the earlier shows is a faux-pas. They weren't introduced until mid-1961 and probably not in popular usage till 1962. So, even though they are an advertising company and probably would be one of the first to get them, their appearance in the first 2 seasons (1960-1961) is an error ... unless, of course, IBM was their client and they got the prototypes to try them out.

Open Thread Pete and his wife's fertility or anything else, it's early in the show.

Please tell me what Jimmy Barrett wanted and let's discuss!

I'm way over here in California and would have to wait 3 more hours. What went on? Tell, Tell!

Bobbie and Don

Bobbie was trying to act like a man in a "man's world". When Don grabbed her crotch, I think he was setting her sraight that she needed to be reminded that she is indeed a female. She did in fact submit to his demands after that. Any thoughts?

Jimmy Barrett is going to Don's Office in tonight's episode. What do you suppose he wants?

1. Is this a confrontation about Bobbie and he wants Betty in return?
2. He wants more money?
3. He wants his t.v. show on a silver platter and now, "Grin and Barrett"?
What can you guess he wants?

What about the Interiors

In Season 1 episode one there is a shot of Betty presumably coming down the steps of the old Savoy Hotel which was where the GM Building in now in NY. Where were those steps? It seemed like an elaborate set to build. At first I thought it was the Vanderbilt side of Grand Central but when I looked again the staircase had gargoyles so not GCS. Anyway the show is filmed in Los Anegeles. I thought the restaurant where the admen met a client with his "not-wife" was a nice facsimile of P.J. Clarke's. The scene at the University Club looked good also. And I loved the jacket on the waiter at Lutece. It looked authentic with the maroon collar.

An epiphany about Don and Pete

I had an AHA moment about Mad Men while sitting in church today. I am bound and determined to have an AHA moment about church tonight while watching Mad Men!

Pete and Trudy are going to raise his "whore child" just as Don/Dick's father and his wife raised him. Here I thought this theme would play out with Don having a love child with Rachel, but now I see it will play out with Pete. Don will hate Pete even more because he will associate Pete with his father. Wow. That's brilliant!

What are Don and Betty doing for birth control? What was available then? They seem to do it rather spontaneously eliminating the possibility of putting in a diaphragm, etc. Could he have had a vasectomy by then? Is she sterile?

A new "doo" for Peggy!

She needs to lose the ponytail What other style would still allow her to look young and fresh while sophisticated and professional.I was thinking a sleek little page boy?

Mac and Cheese Nation

I don't think I've seen the Draper kids eat a piece of meat or a vegetable yet. It's all hot dogs, macaroni, pancakes, grilled cheese and spaghetti. No wonder Sally is "getting stout!" No wonder Bobby has ADD!!

A plurality of people on this board probably grew up eating that same exact diet. I was a "picky eater" and somehow got away with eating only one thing for years - Beanie Weenie and grape Kool-Aid.

Explains a whole lot now.

Baby boomers grew up on carbs, and I would bet the farm that's one big reason for the whole "carbs are evil" craze of the last few years.

Plenty of girls (and maybe boys too) got "stout" just like Sally, and damned if they haven't fought the battle of the bulge every single day thereafter. Our parents raised a nation of carb addicts!!

As to the adults, well, let's just say that a large percentage of them are no longer with us, or are well on their way and not too happy about it.

In defense of Betty's and Don's parenting, if you have ever tried a strict diet of cigarettes and booze (See Betty's Diet by KK - August 22, 2008 6:20pm), let me tell you, it wouldn't be long before you were snapping at your stout, precocious daughter and your ADD son!!!

How we survived as kids on that diet, let alone flourished or got through school, I will never know. These days, if we even dare to dream of a Mallomar or a Moon Pie in between our five small, metabolically-balanced meals, we have to add 15 minutes to our "spinning" time, and break out the insulin.

Seriously, live this way for even a week, and tell me you don't feel like a crazy person.

Episode 4 - Open Thread

What did you think of Episode 4, "Three Sundays"?

The Look - 1962

Casting on this show is genius....

Full of character, lacking in perfect symmetry, "warts and all," these are the faces of the 1960s.

Near as I can tell, there are no "bobbed" noses, or any other surgical alterations, and these are by far the most fascinating, charismatic faces I've seen on any screen in years.

Also incredibly refreshing are Don Draper's lovers, who are routinely women, not girls. Not chippies (well, maybe Bobbie), not ingenues, not his daughter's teenaged girlfriend. These are complex, independent, womanly adults, which makes them all the more interesting.

One actor I can think of in Hollywood who has the intelligence and the look to carry off this era with ease is the lovely and talented Sela Ward. I think she would be stunning and riveting as either a rival business associate, client or Don Draper's next lover. No disrespect to Betty or the institution of marriage, but Sela is hugely magnetic and would be a formidable, and incredibly classy, sparring partner for Draper. If you want a full-blown affair of the heart for Draper, she's your gal.

All the faces I see on Mad Men are uncannily similar to those from my childhood and it's a bit of a jolt to see it recreated so spot on.

Thank you for nailing the look of that time.

Sterling Cooper's Account List

I'm trying to make a list of all of SC's clients/products we've heard of so far. Who (or what) have I forgotten?

• Menken's
• Lucky Strike
• Belle Jolie
• Clearasil
• The Relaxasizer
• Mohawk Airlines
• Bethlehem Steel
• Kodak Carousel
• Gillette Right Guard
• Nixon Campaign
• Liberty Capital
• Israeli Tourism
• Secor Laxatives
• Cartwright Double-sided Aluminum
• Utz Potato Chips
• Maytag
• Playtex
• American Airlines (They don't really count since SC was only courting them, but I'm adding them to the list as they were nearly final.)

The Worst Candy in the World

Here to bring you more frivolous trivia (it was bugging me), I think the candy Draper's father always ate was Choward's Violet Mints.

http://www.chowardcompany.com/mm5/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=OS&Product_Code=03100&Category_Code=MV

Arguably, the worst-tasting candy ever made...... can't find reference to any other violet-flavored candy.

Roger and Mona

A fascinating relationship. How does a woman as obviously intelligent and strong as Mona Sterling put up with Roger? She must be aware of his antics to some extent, Margaret certainly suspects.

Mona: "What can I say. It's the sex."

Roger: "Damned straight."

Mona: "And he's so cute when he cries and begs for forgiveness or Burt humiliates him. Look at that face."

Roger: "Pardon?"

Bobby's Toy Robot?

......about Bobby's toy robot, again I'd have to take another look, but I think it might be the Asukasa Thunder Robot first manufactured in the early 1960s.....

check out this link.....

http://www.robotisland.com/product_info.php/products_id/498

anyone know for sure?

just curious......

Costume socks

I've noticed that the male characters seem to wearing some type of striped, see-through socks. They look pretty cool. Any idea about how the actors feel about wearing them?

Holy Innocents Church

Now, I know this is a real stretch, and some of you will think I need to get a life instead of dissecting MM plots, but...
I noticed that the name of the Catholic church Peggy attends was The Holy Innocents. I know the Christen/Catholic meaning. Does anyone else think that there is another meaning? Who are the Holy Innocents on MM? Peggy? Her baby? Fr. Gill?
I told you this was "out there", I am so glad Sunday night and a new MM episode is almost here!!

Roger and Vicky

Does anyone think that Roger will truely fall for Vicky or does he just think of her as another "piece of ass". She's quite charming really....Loved the coctail dress!

What do you think Don Draper would be if he ever ran away?

Since there seems to be some possible foreshadowing that at some point Don Draper may make a run for it if he feels he needs to carve out a new life, I was just wondering what others thought he may do in another life. I was thinking that because he's already been called a liar by the Beatnicks because of "the lies he spins in advertising" an unlikely spot for him to end up (one where no one would think to find him) would be hangin' with a bunch of hippies on Hate and Ashbury. He would be in his 40's by then. He could grow his hair long and protest the corporate machine that made him such a hollow souless shell of a man. He could hang with Timothy Leary at the Summer of Love, and probably run into Midge at a Dead Show tripping on acid. You have to admit he seemed to like the Mary Jane in the episode with the Beatnicks. It would be a total contradiciton of his current self and lifestyle.

Lunch at The Plaza

It's time to check out the newly remodeled Plaza in Manhattan. Which group would you rather join for 1 o'clock luncheon:
Carmella and Tony (The Sopranos)
Carrie, Miranda, Samantha and Charlotte (Sex and The City)
Betty and Don Draper and the Roger Sterlings (Mad Men)

EMERGENCY ROOMS?

When Bobbie burned his chin, Betty talked about sitting in the Emergency Room with two children, etc. Except that I believe ERs were a lot less common, and less utilized, than today.

As late as the mid-1970s, I can remember my mother driving me to meet our family doctor at his little office for an emergency visit.

HMOs and ERs and Urgent Care Centers came later, in that order.

Does anyone know if this was a gaffe or not?

Stuck in the 60s

For some reason today every time I speak some expression from the 60s comes out. I don't think I have heard these on the show...maybe they were just from my part of the world and didn't make it to NYC.
1. Don't slam the screen door.
2. Close the door, were you raised in a barn?
3. Get in here, PDQ (pretty damn quick)
4. Be quick like a bunny.
5. That's all she wrote.

Betty's diet

I want to be on the Betty and Don diet. They never eat. Just alcohol, cigarettes and coffee, in no particular order. Seems to work though.

Old Commercials

Hello All,
Thought you might enjoy a website that allows you to listen to sound bites from old commercials. Some are newer than others, but these brought back a lot of memories for me...especially the ones listed under smokers.

http://soundboard.com/sb/classic_audio_recording.aspx

Predictions for Ep. 5

I think the theme will be hand-to-hand combat.

Fitzgerald

In "The Benefactor", Arthur asks Betty if she knows the F. Scott Fitzgerald story "The Diamond as Big as the Ritz" and she replies No.

Then in "Three Sundays" when Betty and Don are sitting on the sofa, she's reading a book by Fitzgerald.

Hmm... anyone else think this is foreshadowing for a very interesting encounter with Arthur?

Bobbie Barrett

Where does every one think the writers are going with her and Don? What a baricuda she is!!!!

Michael P. Richards thread

Hi Michael! I tried to join the conversation under your thread about last weeks episode and kept getting a page cannot be found message.
I don't know if any other Maddicts are having the same problem.
I agree with your comments. I said so in another thread. The Don and Betty story is boring me. I am looking forward to this week's episode with great hope!

Don's Silence

Anyone out there think that Jon Hamm's outstanding acting comes from him NOT saying anything? Does a few words and a look raise the hairs on your neck? How many scenes can you remember where his actions and few words sent the message home?

Contest

I'm not sure who is monitoring the Mad Men contest on this site. I have voted for contestants that I feel did a good job and deserve the right to be on the show. Now I understand that some contestants are using other web sites to obtain votes. This doesn't seem right, and not fair to the people who have followed the rules to enter the contest.
Do our votes count? PLEASE, whoever is monitoring the contest look at this.
Any fellow Maddicts who voted and are upset by this please respond! Thanks!!

The Jerry Maguire Effect

I'm sure this is not in the cards, but just suppose that Don, being disillusioned about the Mohawk/AA strategy shambles, goes out onto the floor and says, "I'm going on my own" or says he has a new affiliation.

Who would stand up?

Peggy, of course. And..........Joan.

Maddicts, anybody else?

WHAT CAMERA AND FORMAT DID YOU USE TO UPLOAD YOUR VIDEO

I was told that my first video was not playable sent in another with higher res.and my unplayable one was put on the site after all that, kinda disappointing,how about you?

Tow Truck Man

Just wondering what your take was on this scent where Betty's car breaks down and she is "bartering" with the tow truck man. After seeing her friend, who Don tells her is a "party girl". What was that all about?? Thoughts??

MadMen viewership down 45%, Hollywood Reporter, 8/21/08

The Hollywood Reporter today reported on the success of cable TV shows this summer, but not for our MadMen, with viewership off 45%. To me, the show this far is a bit slow, dull, repetitious with Don's usual meanderings and Betty becoming more sullen by the moment. So, I open this blog to the audience for feedback.

mad men characters on twitter

www.twitter.com you may not have heard of it, but, twitter is becoming the social media network of choice! i use twitter all the time. today i saw that someone has started tweeting as different characters of mad men! it's so fun! they are tweeting(posting) as the characters and what goes on in the show.
to get started on twitter, go to the site, register and follow people, put characters names in search and hit follow. it's like a little mad men world all it's own!
once you follow you can talk to whoever like this:
@don_draper who did you send the meditation book to? then he will answer back...or not don is kinda mysterious.
anyway, wanted to pass this along to anyone interested.
you can follow me too! search moto62 and hit follow!

Mad Men cast and their favorite ads

Some of the guys talk to the Playboy blog...
http://www.playboy.com/blog/2008/07/countdown-to-mad-men-2.html
http://www.playboy.com/blog/2008/07/countdown-to-mad-men-1.html
http://www.playboy.com/blog/2008/07/countdown-to-mad-men-3.html

Losing audience

Could this be partly because of the Olympics?

http://www.nypost.com/seven/08202008/tv/starr_report_125206.htm

A Question about the "Contest". It's drawing to a close the 25th. Why are men running away with the votes?

As a full fledged Maddict, this is the only web site I have ever blogged on. You see, not only do I love this show so much, but I am also out of work. I am usually trying to keep busy as an actress even doing background work, but the studios have stopped production in anticipation of a SAG strike or not. No deal has been struck by the producers and the actors yet. (Imagine a work stoppage by actors and Mad Men not being produced for any length of time?). After the writers' strike this year, we have really had some hardships in this city and talk about being hungry, I can tell you a lot about that. Anyway, it puts me behind the Mad Men site reading and studying everything about it. One thing that comes to mind is the contest. I have contributed to three entries with the characters of Joan, Peggy and Don! While it has kept my creative juices doing these, I find that being a trained actress and singer with a creative family background and with total devotion to my craft is not getting it! While there are some fabulous entries in the contest and I have seen some great actors and have enjoyed the videos immensely, I'm wondering what it takes to get the viewers attention? Is it a gimmick? "you gotta have a gimmick" ("Gypsy"). Is it production, editing or just being a male? Most of the big votes have gone to males. Why Ty Mahane will probably win with over 1400 votes! And other males garnering huge votes.
If you dare venture into the "contest" section and see the big numbered votes and let me know what it is that it takes and help me figure this experience with you as I delved a little further into the characters of this great show with my little ol' renditions of them and let me know what it takes to get the viewers attention? Shat is it that makes or breaks the viewers attention these days, controversy (as we find on Mad Men), surprise (as we find on Mad Men), pure old fashioned entertainment (as we find on Mad Men), empathy (as we find on Mad Men), what?????

Who can Don open up to?

With Rachel and Midge being gone, who will Don open up to? He doesn't have that social time with Roger anymore. Don gave his son Bobby a little bit of information about Bobby's grandfather (Don's Dad). Then he finally told Betty about him being beaten by his father. Will he regret opening up to Betty? Or will it be the thing to save their marriage?Will Don open up to anyone else?

The "Real" Don Draper -- any family?

Was the background of the "real" Don Draper ever discussed in an episode. If the US Army officially confirms Don Draper as "alive and honorably discharged", wouldn't the family of the real Don Draper expect to have contact with him after he returned from the Korean War? Was this ever explained or addressed in an episode?

The Nuclear Family

This episode seemed to really showcase what was to become the archetypal nuclear family that began to take shape in the early 60's...the shift away from the immediate family setting, like Peggy's, to a single family unit like Don, Betty and their kids. As people became more successful and affluent, their desire to have their own single homes, etc. became more pervasive. What's percolating here is that all is not perfect in paradise. As this family paradigm shifted, the problems became more acute and focused; there were no other family members to diffuse situations, or act as babysitters or buffers. The Modern Family was definitely experiencing growing pains and dysfunction, despite all the outer trappings of progress.

Just went back to Season 1

This Season we're contending with Duck who's trying to undermine Don, who initially hired him. We have Bobbie, who's cutting down Don to the Bone. We have the new priest and now it's all about him. We have the new girl next week. We have Lois,Don's secretary who gets fired, Harry,Tarah,and on and on. Can't seem to pinpoint any direction they are going in. I'm terribly frustrated that there is no connection with the story line of Season 1. It was so nice and cozy then with the main characters we love so much. They are being slaughtered this Season. I love Mad Men all of you know quite well! But, I'm having trouble with all these storylines. I want to know what happened from Season 1 to now. It's being ignored! Try watching Season 1 and see what I mean. Please explain why all these new open story lines and the fact that our main characters are being made to look so foolish. I want to see the development from Season 1 to now. What happened in the year and a half in between! Help me figure this out!

Season One Question: How did Pete know where Peggy lives?

After his bachelor party he went straight to her apartment and asked to see her. I thought they'd never met outside of work.

Disappointing 2nd Season

The first season of Mad Men was FANTASTIC... What happened? Sadly, it looks like this will be a one season wonder. Last season each episode was like watching a movie. This season you can barely sit through an episode without falling asleep. Again I ask, what happened??

arthur case

does anyone know the name of the actor who plays him?

Oh those prices!

Did anyone else notice the menu prices on the show this week -- and how absurdly low they seemed compared to today? And there was Roger, scoffing at the idea of a "ten dollar lunch". We should be so lucky today!

Joan and her roommate bringing home those men

I was a bit astonished that Joan and her roommate behave like prostitutes and bring home just any men. Those men weren't handsome like Joan and her friend, I know Joan wanted to show (Carol?) she's into men and not women, but she could have caught the attention of someone more her own age and better looking!

Don's Womanizing

Is Don not satisfied with one woman, or is he not satisfied with Betty? He is not like Roger in that he revels in the conquest because women melt for him so there really is no conquest.

Is he so used to a duplicitous life that he needs one in Manhattan and one in the suburbs?

latest episode

As a Catholic, I was offended by this weeks episode. The storyline had the agency holding an emergency meeting late on Palm Sunday, and then working on Good Friday. The meeting? Maybe. But working on Good Friday in the sixties? No way. This is just another example of jewish writers and producers spewing their anti- Christian predudices. What do you think?

Joan Holloway

I don't know if it was the clothes she was wearing, but did anyone else think that Joan looked a little thick from the side in the scene when Don introduces Sally to her when they arrive at the office? I thought, OMG - if she saw that, she'd ask them to cut out that scene and film it at another angle.

What do you think?

multiple postings

the reason why we keep seeing multple postings is ... the SUBMIT button downloads very s l o w l y so please just hit submit only ONE time and be patient and w a i t ... your message will show after a few seconds

Don Draper's New Locking Office Door

Remember how that anonymous maintenance man installed a lock Episode 1 on Don's door? He no doubt ordered that when that US Mail package (from his suicidal half-brother) was stolen/borrowed by Pete. Its contents revealed Don's former identity which Pete then attempted to use against him for his own career advancement. A lock on the door was the very least Don could have done to preserve his privacy. That lock now comes in handy for "sexy time" !

What is the name of the actress who plays "the new girl" next week?

I recognize the woman who plays the new secretary next week and I can't place her...it is driving me crazy.

Thank you!

Hi Maddicts! Is this our official name now? What about the hat we're going to wear?

Well, the excersicer was mentioned, also the carousel, fedoras, I'm with scfan and like the Alka Seltzer Tablet for a hat. Plop, Plop, Fizz Fizz Oh what a relief sex is! Plop, Plop, Fizz, Fizz Oh What a Releif Sex Is! Well I just want to get the whole outfit together! See me as Joan Holloway in the Contest And Vote! Yeah!

Disappointed with Season 2

Season ! was great but so far Season 2 is flat- nothing is happening. Did they get different writers?

What did Anita Mean?

I didn't see all of last year's episodes. When Peggy leaves and does not go to church she tells Anita something like I can make my own decisions. And Anita responds "well the State of New York and the doctors didn't think so". This must refer to her baby, no?

Grin and Bear It

Hi Maddicts. Time for my weekly analysis. Just pretend you're Dr. Wayne and I'm lying on your couch.

The theme this week was "grin and bear it." In the opening sermon on "Passion Sunday" the priest made reference to each of us having our own cross to bear, and then of course Bobbie (not to be confused with Bobby) dropped that little gem of a TV show idea, "Grin and Barrett." Cute.

Interesting chemistry between Peggy and young Fr. Gill, who bears a striking resemblance to Pete. He always seemed concerned that Peggy was leaving. Perhaps he recognizes her as a sheep who has strayed and that it will be his role to bring her back. He did it by reaching her where she lives - in her work - and engaging her help. At the end, he basically told her he knew her whole story by simply giving her an Easter Egg for the little one. Eggs are good symbols of things yet to come. At first I thought maybe the priest was conflicted about being Catholic and celibate but his compassion to sister Anita in the confessional was fantastic and I think he is a gifted priest who is learning to embrace his destiny.

Thought it was neat that on "Passion Sunday" Dan seduced Betty -- he said he had an "interesting dream" - about Rachel maybe?

Continue »

Waiting for Sal's episode....

I found this interview with Jon Hamm in the Advocate. I love that Sal is so obvious to all of us, but, unbelievably, at that time, not at all. The good old days weren't that good for everyone.

http://www.advocate.com/issue_story_ektid59212.asp

Who was the actress playing the prostitute in episode 4?

I know I've seen her somewhere before and I can't place her. She's not listed in the credits online.

Mad Men website

I haven't had time to check this out very much but it looks like a good site. http://community.livejournal.com/madmen_tv/

And now for the question of the week: Does Ken = Ludacris

Forget about Betty the bitch and Peggy the hoes dysfunctional family. It's time to explore Ken's inflated pay grade. Could it be that Kenny, in the immortal words of Ludacris, be "Pimpin' All Over the World"

"The fancy cars, the women and the caviar, you know who we are, cause we pimpin all over the world."

How did Roger get in contact with the hooker. Didn't Kenny tell him he's got her number, that he's got lots of numbers. The way to get ahead in business is to keep the boss happy and Ken's doing exactly that thus the salary. This is the story of the week. The hell with the egg.

Loved the exploration with life at home with the characters! Please keep it coming!

Loved how Matthew Weiner is dealing with the home front of the characters, Peggy's home life, Don's and his son, man that really tugged at my heartstrings. Please don't stop, we may find even more skeletons in the closet which are to important to the characters and the development of the plot. I'm no writer, but, I know what makes me feel and we all need a little if not a lot more of this. What do you think am I way off or right on?

Don's Timeline

Does any one have any idea of the timeline of Don Draper's life? How long have he and Betty been married? Did he go to college after leaving the Army? At his physical, the doc said Don was 36. How old is Sally? I don't know what year he left the Army, but it must have been between 1950 and 1953...probably closer to the latter year.

Mad Men GCT poster anachronism?

I've been seeing the Mad Men advertisement with Don backlit in Grand Central Terminal. Is this historically correct. I live in NYC and as far as I know, those giant arched windows were blacked out with WW2 era paint until very recently. They certainly would have been opague in 1961/62. Am I wrong about this?

Interesting choice of "ham"

Does anyone else think that the choice of Don's father's favorite food as being ham revives the "Don is a Jew" theme we saw in Babylon, Season 1? Why, of all the foods in the world, did the writers choose ham?

Everything on screen serves a narrative purpose, and I thought this was a "tell". It tells me that Don's father was definitely not Jewish, but apparently jewishness is passed through the mother's line.

Will Peggy fall in love with The Priest?

Did anyone else notice the electricity between the handsome Colin Hanks as the Priest, and Peggy from their drive in the car? Or, is this too dark to consider, in the irony that Peggy can't love a new born, but may be attracted to the child's Priest?? Thoughts?

"Mayakovsky" montage of MM scenes

Found this little thing on youtube and I totally dug it!!
The words over the scenes gave it like a real motion picture feel to it. ( IMHO, what do i know?)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PNXGu_9CKoU

Betty's and Don's Little Girl

I find it hard to comprehend the "role" of cocktail waitress. It sends the message that it is glamourous and fun to drink. I was shocked after seeing Don and Betty enjoying themselves sitting on the sofa drinking. When they fall in bed with the kids around them, their daughter tells them she is hungrey because they didn't have any dinner. Betty than offers to make a grilled cheese sandwich. The most disturbing part of the episode for me came at the end when the child fell asleep and Don picks her up to leave and an empty glass falls from under her. We see her drinking from it before. That really worried me.

I dont Like Peggy!!

Am I the only one who does not see this woman as a sweet ingenue who should be pitied and rooted for? Yes she had her heart broken.I can even buy that she didnt know that she was pregnant(kind of) But when she turned her face away from her new born and refuses to even acknowledge him? Thats a cold hearted woman who has chosen her career over EVERYTHING.I dont feel any pity for her what so ever.Do you remember the comments she made about "ordinary people"( or something like that) when she was on the blind date with the trucker? She sees herself above her family and thier boring ,mundane little lives.Shes got better things to do she lives in Manhattan after all.She needs to lose that goofy ponytail also(ok that was a little snarky but I cannot stand her character!)Am I alone?

Mad Men's Best Lines

THAT WAS WITHOUT A DOUBT THE BEST LINE I HAVE EVER HEARD UTTERED BY A CHARACTER ON TV - EMMY WORTHY WRITING INDEED.

I WORKED PR FOR A HIGH PROFILE/POWERFUL SPORTS AGENT AND I WAS ALWAYS COVERING FOR HIM (BE IT PROFESSIONAL/PERSONAL) AND PART OF MY JOB WAS TO MAKE HIM LOOK GOOD - PERIOD. END OF STORY. I WAS GOOD AT IT AND THAT IS EXACTLY WHAT I DID EVERY DAY. I MANAGED PEOPLE'S EXPECTATIONS OF HIM. IT WAS AN UNSPOKEN AGREEMENT BETWEEN US - AND WE STILL TO THIS DAY (AFTER ME LEAVING TO RAISE MY CHILDREN) HAVE A VERY STRONG FRIENDSHIP/BOND. I ALMOST FELL OFF MY COUCH WHEN I HEARD DON SAY THAT TO LOIS. I WAS MY LIFE IN A NUTSHELL. NAIL ON THE HEAD MOMENT

Anyone else want to put in their favorite lines?

Where do the characters live???

Where do Don & Betty live? I'd say Darien for an up and coming executive. What about Peggy? Probably one of the outer boroughs. I need to look at episode 4 again to see if she mentioned what train she was going to catch on her way to the office. Of course in real life many of the characters would have accents and we could tell where they came from and their social class, even the many transplants to New York City.

Do you like this chat format?

This is the most cumbersome chat feature I have tried to use. What do you think?

too much speculation

after reading some of the comments i have come to the conclusion that we should determine what we can and let matt and co. do their work!!!
betty is definetley becoming unnerved, and i think she is on to don--
but to say tha tht eblue eg means this or the date on the blackboard means that is abusrd!!!
how could you hope to determine all that this means
but why??? the drill bit around joan's neck- symbolic for what????

Rachael

Where is she???? Any word that she left the show? What about Midge?Bobbi is lacivious and cunning.. I hate her!!!!!

Three Sundays Theme

This was another great epi but this time filled with lots of tantalizing reveals. I was grappling over the theme. Was it revolving around apologies and forgiveness? Peggy's sister stated how Peggy gets away with her bad behavior with no apologies-- like it didn't happen. Draper mentioned the importance of AA moving forward in the ads with no apologies-- like it didn't happen. And that poor little boy, Draper's son, unable to apologize to Betty out of sheer terror, but easily offers one to his loving Dad.

Catholic miscue

I am addicted to the show and read in the NY TIMES MAGAZINE how Matthew has to have eveything accurate for the time in which is it set [as all great writers do]. I am a playwright/screenwriter myself and agree that it is so viatal to the work. Last night's episode in the confessional, Peggy's sister blessed herself by saying "In the Name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit". Catholics did not start using "Spirit" until 1965 after the Second Vatican Council. Before that ist was always "Holy Ghost". Don't get me wrong..I love this show, it is one of the best things on television EVER and now cancel all plans on Sunday night but when something is spotted like that in my work I would love to have it pointed out. If I am wrong, please correct me. Great work as always!

Blue Egg

What does it mean? Is there some significance about the father giving it to Peggy?

What do you want to hear?

I love this Darper line, and it seems to be becoming persistent. The first time I can remember him sayng this was when Roger asked him if he believed in "an energy", "a soul", in the hospital. Draper used it in last night's episode in the bed with Betty after their fight, and I think he used it before when he was supposed to tell her how awful Carleton had been, and how happy he seemed in his new domestic role with Francine. I just think the comment personifies Draper's reluctant participation in the ad world. He's willing to tell people what they want to hear, but he hates doing it.

I'm also reminded of Draper waiting the poetry act with the hippies in season 1, and he says something like, "People are so desperate to be told what to believe, they'll do anything." I think that was when he said that, but I'm not positive.

Draper is fundamentally a no holds-barred, Ayn Rand brutally honest man, but of course he has all of these contradictions, and the secretive life that can only be seen as a lie.

bobbie- oh no, she's back?!?

second time around, bobbie barrett is still like fingernails on a chalkboard--cringeworthy. partly it's the delivery/voice of the character, partly its the lack of class...seems like she's gonna be with don for awhile, and in outtakes from next weeks ep, seems writers are trying to give us more background on her, perhaps in an attempt to "humanize" her....believe me, i usually am the one who roots for spunky characters, but bobbie barrett goes beyond spunk to utterly tasteless, and seems almost like a characature---don't know if its the actress, tho more likely bobbie herself, but i find her wholly unlikable and when she and don are together in a scene, can't wait for the scene to end...if it me, or does she seem so much older than don?

Betty's Fitzgerald read

Was anyone able to see which title by F. Scott she was reading in bed?

Through a child's eyes.

While many things took place in last night's episode, much of what happened to Don and Betty was seen by their children, Sally and Bobby. Their involvement in the plot line was so integral that it was hard not to see things through their eyes.

By the end of the episode, Sally realized that Daddy acts differently in the office than at home. At home, Daddy is passive, going along with whatever a yelling or tense Betty says. At the office, Sally sees a side of her father that she had not seen before. Sally arrives with her father, and is turned over to Joan, as Don heads into a meeting. Sally next sees her father after he has left the meeting and is headed for his office. Don doesn't walk across the floor, he strides. Confident, in charge, even bad-ass. Sally sees this and then sees a retinue of underlings follow at a respectful distance. She observes Pete, Harry and Ken talk indirectly about her father. The next time she sees Daddy, he has just emerged from his office, strided to the center of the room, everything has stopped and everyone focused on him. Don made a statement that Sally didn't understand- heck half the office didn't understand either- and then EVERYONE jumped to follow the new direction pointed to by her father. From a child's perspective- Wow !

Continue »

Don needs his own agency!

...and give SC the boot! Wouldn't Don be the greatest with his own company? He could sever ties with these dirtbags at SC and kick their a$$es...beating them out of one account after another. Why not?Roger is mealy-mouthed slime, Coop is losing his ever-lovin' mind, Ken is a pimp, Pete is Pete, and the list goes on. Let's pretend that Don gets out. Who will follow him? I say Sal, Ken will try, Joan for sure and Peggy. Any guesses? Who is worthy enough to join Don?

How many times do you watch each episode?

Takes two or three times. It's not that I don't get it. I just want more!

Social Stratification at The Office Buffet

Note how the secretarial staff had to wait until the professional staff (almost all men, but Peggy, too) had helped themselves to the food before they were allowed to partake, and they even had to wait until their supervisor (Joan) told them it was okay to get some food (which, by then, meant the leftovers.) Does this still go on, and, if not, when did it end? I never witnessed the exact same situation but something similar, in the 90's: I was working for a large law firm that regularly ordered food in for people who were working late: pasta one night, Mexican the next, etc. They tried to impose a rule that the secretaries who were working late were not allowed to eat any of the food. The justification was that the attorneys and paralegals were billling time to clients for the extra hours, but the secretaries were not, so they should not be allowed to eat anything, even though they were expected to stay and work alongside the attorneys. The secretaries protested, and the rule was changed.

Duck's Goose is Almost Cooked

What a screw up by Duck with American Airlines! A good Million Dollar client (Mohawk Air) jettisoned just to have a possibility of a chance with American; Don's personal reputation and the firm's demeaned by having to fire Mohawk; time and talent wasted on a fruitless presentation; a lame excuse or quasi apology to Don and Roger as he leaves the room. What's gonna happen next?

Peggy's Baby

I like the way Peggy's character is not the usual TV character. She is only predictible in her being her own person. I read somewhere that she is 'hiding the baby'. I am not sure that is true, at least in the usual sense. I don't know how the mother and sister have explained the baby to their Brooklyn friends, but it doesn't seem like the sister is pretending to be the mother. The baby exists and is well cared for physically. Peggy floats around him, neither searching him out or ignoring him. How would you explain the relationship?

The big push

I think teh interesting and positive thing about Betty and Don pushing each otehr is that it stopped there - it could have escalated.

what is the end credit music for season 2 episode 1?

little Aaron Hart deserves an Emmy for tonight's show

his scene with Don was one of the best in the entire series, and indeed on television ... my full review

Who is the actress that played Vicky?

She reminded me of a cross between Ellen Page and Parker Posey-- neither IMDB nor AMC is mentioning her name.... anybody have a clue?

Can we start a new thread...PLEASE??

damn the post for the menu was posted like 20 times...let get started on something else...like why Betty's son is about to push her over the edge...or why her daughter drinks?

Either this board is being sabotaged or something is not working!

Excuse me Cleveandrocks, but what is going on with your postings? I mean, all other posting disappeared and your posting (the same one) is appearing and knocking all others off, even ones poster AFTER yours concerning the date of April 16, 1962. That was merely the date in 1963 that Easter Week began. No other significance in this context.

Betty's Frustation with her son

Did anyone else notice how many "accidents" occurred tonight..that upset
Betty? We have seen precursors to this...what does this all mean? And her daughter getting drunk at Don's office? Hmmm wondering what this all means?

Monday April 16 on restaurant's outdoor chalkboard menu

My mother died on Monday, April 126, 2007--so when I saw that day and date on the chalkboard, it gave me a jolt

Notice the Forums are NOT NEARLY as lively as last season?

I can't say as I care for this forum (the way it's set up) as I did last season. I am also noticing the forum is not NEARLY as lively or interesting. I think this makes a statement on the show itself, or perhaps everyone is blogging about MM elsewhere.

Let us kneel !

I continue to worship at the altar that is Mad Men. This episode just brought in the formal religion. It threw me a little to see Tom Hanks' son .... but quickly realized he was a younger version of the Carmela Sopranos' priest (w/the fawning females & non-stop food). So similar, being flirty with women although he of course can't act on it. Peggy's sister is a piece of work.

Meanwhile, did anyone else get the prevalence of *kneeling* in this episode? First it's Bobbi's coat on the floor (for the obvious reason) .... then Sal's ad to woo stewardesses .... & the underlying thread of church throughout.

Interesting that Roger now has to pay for it .... let's hope there's some left to pay for his daughter's non-wedding. Sterling Cooper will continue to be interesting, as Duck's "connections" come & go. Loved Don's "stillborn baby" comment, & the look on his face when he slid Shel's book over to Duck. Also loved Joan's comment about Sally "making more than any of them" on a Sunday. But my Line of the Night was Don's "Mommy says you broke the Hi-Fi ... I believe her ... don't do that again"!

But the main theme, as the title "Three Sundays", I thought was well done. I'm loving the peeling back of layers on the Draper household. I loved their do-nothing Sunday with the heavy-handed coctails (is it any wonder Sally went for the glass?) & skipped dinner. Who knows if Don will reveal more about his father to Betty, but in the meantime, his comments about being smacked around will hopefully get her off of poor Bobby's back for a while. More to come, of course .... I'll be drinking it up. More please!

Did anyone catch who played the priest? His father is VERY well known!

Only when the credits rolled did I realize the priest was played by the son of Tom Hanks! Colin Hanks. I thought he was going to seduce Peggy at one point!

The ad game -- they get it right

I love it when they talk advertising! All of it is so right on: sacrificing Mohawk, the lead up to the American Airlines pitch, the strategy pow wow in the conference room, how Don gets the "unique selling proposition" right each time, the primping and preening for the client, then the no-show, Duck's blunder and Don's frustration, Roger's love of the chase (any chase); Bert's periods of clarity and confusion (the one whose name is on the door is usually the least competent). The good/bad family stufff wasn't quite as compelling tonight. I'm thinking Peggy is too clueless to be an ace copywriter. Is it realistic that she would totally deny her child and yet have enough insight and savvy to be accomplished in the business world? Doesn't ring true. Of course, she didn't know she was pregnant. either, did she? Peggy is the weak link in this show for me.

Disjointed episode?

Tonight's episode seemed like it was written by a different writer, or something. Don seemed to LIKE Bobbi instead of detest her. Betty seemed angry instead of fearful and subserviant. Roger seemed back to his old ways when last time he seemed like he might get back to his marriage. All of a sudden, the kids are a big issue in the Draper marriage, causing a big blowup. I think the writing tonight was different, and not as good. Does anyone else agree?

A Little Blue Egg

Perhaps I'm just wishing for Peggy to find a little happiness and harkening back to The Thornbirds, but tonight's most loaded symbol had to be the little blue egg. Now that Father Gill knows Peggy's secret he's quietly shown her forgiveness and perhaps even formerly compared her to the Virgin Mary with the blue egg, blue being Mary's color in the Catholic religion. Easter of course is a day of rebirth and maybe, from this point forward, Peggy's been handed a new beginning "for the little one."

What else does a little blue egg mean to you?

supporting cast

Does anybody know the name of the actress that played Vicki on tonight's episode? Or at least some other movies she has been in? I can't pinpoint her name! Thanks!!!!!

Saturday's clothes

Loved the fun wardrobe had with the Saturday meeting. Pete's made me laugh and him look like even more of a little boy. Any favorite outfits?

wine at the draper house

Just a quick thought on the wine.Could go back to Don's wish for the life in France.

Joan & Roger??

I'm confused. What's going on with these two? With Roger's heart attack, I thought he was trying to be good by breaking things off with her. If he's going to have his dalliances, why not with Joan? Judging from the previews, it looks like they're not over just yet...I think they make the hottest couple and really enjoy watching them together.

Secretaries vs. Peggy

Throughout the season we've seen glimpses of the secretaries' disdain for Peggy. Do you think this is just plain jealous or something much more?

WIne at the Draper House

I was born in 1962 so I can't speak from experience, but it seems to me the Drapers are drinking wine quite a lot now in a way that would not be the norm in 1962. Last season I only remember wine being shown once and Betty explained to a friend that she was tasting some for a party, which seemed plausible. Wine with spaghetti as seen tonight was also sort of plausible, but last week Betty had some out when Don came home for what was, I believe, a standard American meal. What's more the stuff all seems pretty high class stuff. My parents were academics but when they drank wine back in the 60s it was Gallo. For tonight's meal one of those old chiantis wrapped in wicker would strike me as more appropriate. A pro pros, wine Roger's brief conversation with the call girl he fancies seemed much closer to reality. He told her about wine at the fancy French restaurant that was featured last week (sorry the name is escaping me). He then asked her what kind she like and she said, Red." He then said you'll have to be more specific than that. So what to others think?

Peggy!

Regarding Peggy: first, she was hungover at Mass at the beginning of season 5. Second, when she misses mass on Palm Sunday, her mother says she is sick instead of admitting that she is at work. Third, it seems to me that Peggy's sister is raising the baby. Peggy's mom seems to be very proud of her, and when the sister confronts the mom about being too easy on Peggy, the mom ignores the question. Ideas on Peggy and her family dynamic?

Joan as office manager

I noticed that in the meeting with American Airlines, Joan was included in the staff that was ready to receive the American Airlines group. Since she was just the office manager, would she have been in on such an important meeting? I thought it was simply her job to supervise the secretaries.

Don's Cover up Line

I just got a chance to watch last week "The Benefactor" was away but I absolutely LOVED the line Don fed Lois when he was firing her. Don't know if it was touch on this but he said "You do not cover up for me you manage exceptations" Touche! now that Emmy writing! I will def be using that quote as the need arises

The whole enchilada

The only thing I don't like about this show is when each episode is over. I do have to wonder how many current agency people watch this show groping for new ideas.....hehehe.

Sally Drunk, the Priest Smokes

Loved it

Could That Have Sucked Worse?

Imagine my embarrassment -- I finally convince my best friend to watch the show and THIS is the episode? New topic -- how could it have been worse? Bobby, I saw you do it! I love this song -- excuse my while I watch again ...

Don's Violent Behavior Continues.

Don's thuggish streak continues. I was taken aback as he violently threw that object across the kitchen, stormed upstairs yelling at his wife and then violently pushes her. I relaized tht she pushed him first, but the way he repsonded was troubling. I hate to say this, but Don has had a pattern of blowing up on people (particularly women) with a ferocious rage.

I hope thaat Betty does not have to beegin to fear for her physical safety.

Joan's Necklace

What is that thing Joan wears around her neck? Is it a key, or a lipstick brush? Or just a big, long necklace?

Don's Manner

At the dinner with with the Schillings and Jimmy, did anyone notice Don's manners? When Bobbie got up to go to the ladies room, both Jimmy and Mr. Schilling stood up and Don did not. It was a form of respect for the men to stand up when a woman got up to leave the table. Bobbie noticed that Don refused to stand up for her and II wonder if that was the motivation for her to blackmail Don for the apology from Jimmy? After Don asserted his power over Bobbie in the lobby, Don stood up when Bobbie returned to the table. Thoughts on Don's lapse in manners anyone?

Hi Maddicts! Only 2:59 to go...

I spend my Sundays counting down the minutes. Admit it - you do, too! Amazing - and I mean AMAZING discussions this week? Can't wait until tonight's episode and a whole new round of questions, clues, theories and interpretations!

Betty Draper Gets Nailed! When-Where-How-By Whom?

Will it be tonight's episode? Scenario: Betty finds out about the finger with Bobbie, Betty in spite goes to Jimmy. She really likes it. It's wild. Don finds out about it. Blows his lid. He has to buy an air conditioner to cool down. The a/c salesman comes back. Betty fulfills another fantasy. Her fan belt has broken (as wryter1 would say) She orders a new fan belt from the mechanic. He gives her a deal, Bang again. She goes to her psychiatrist and wears her Valentine corset and stockings. Her psychiatrist says, " Now Mrs. Draper, you know that's innapropriate, then, on the couch again!...and the Nordic girls goes bad...bad...bad

So You Drive a Truck .....

Is it a coincidence that Peggy's dinner date from season 1 had an Utz Chips truck route? Will we see more of him this season?

Is Your Halloween Costume Mad Menized Yet ?

What are Your Plans ? Character? Attitude? etc.

anachronisms

where did it go? i can't find it anymore on the talk site.

Betty's Anger

Betty's doctor said she was immature and I took that to explain most of what ails her. But, he also said she was angry. I am just now realizing the impact that has on her. Pretty dim of me, since her anger plays a big role in her plot line. I think, as the doctor mentioned, it is her mother, probably even more than the men in her life, who cause the anger. I don't know the why of that. As far as the audience knows, she has nothing except guesswork about whether Don is faithful or not. Or has there been a scene about that? She is angry about her dad 'replacing' her mother and that leads her to feel she can be replaced by Don as easily. The divorced woman, Helen, also has an impact by showing that marriage can be dissolved. Those events create fear and anger in her and then Francine tells her about checking the husband's phone bills and finding he is cheating. Betty transfers those thoughts to Don and tries it and finds not a woman's number, but her own doctor's. That has to add some anger, although she seemed to try to turn it to her favor. Now, we see, after the bridge game that she is royally mad at our prime Mad Man. He might feel guilty about many things he has done, but I don't think he knows why she is angry at him....does she know why?

What Scenes in Season 1&2 were most Shocking to You and Why?

For Instance when Boy Glen asked Betty for a Lock of Her Hair,kinda Shook Me up...How about You?

A thought about Glenn

I think I have the bathroom scene figured out. Glenn was doing whatever he had to do to get Betty's attention. Betty, in true fashion, was very detattached from him and he really wanted to connect with her. Glenn, like most kids, had probably figured out a long time ago that the only place you can catch mom sitting is on the toilet and had gotten in the habit of following her in there (my kids did...). He knew that she'd HAVE to interact with him then. Any attention is good attention. And it worked!

Ad Bore

Who wrote this tripe? It's bad Mickey Spillane pulp fiction. Aren't we past portraying the sexual revolution
of the '60s with the mysticism of Madison Avenue?
The real story of advertising is how the ad agency Doyle Dane Bernbach put Volkswagen on the marketing map in the '60s. Let's take testosterone out one TV drama and put in some real acting and story telling closer to truth. Especially to a new generation which believes perception to be truth. I hate cliches
advertised as truth. And MADMEN perpetuates the
worst: screw everyone you can.

Joan, Why no ring?

Joan is smart . She seems capable of making anything work and smoothing over any calamity and looking spectacular while doing it. With her many talents, her not being married seems to be intensional on her part. I would guess she started in the secretarial pool and worked her way up to office manager. Does that mean she is a 'career gal", she just never met "Mr. Right", or she met Mr. (Roger )Right, fell in love and and stopped looking for marriage? What do you think?

Mad Men fans

What can we call ourselves? We are beyond fans, not really groupies...any ideas?
I'll through out another crazy idea, the Green Bay Packer fans are cheese heads, complete with cheese hats...what would we wear for hats?

From the Legendary Secret Files of Burt Cooper

1957. Our new junior creative director Don Draper's real name is Dick Whitman. Deserted in Korea and assumed an identity but brilliant and came cheap, so who cares.

1957 Saw "My Fair Lady" on Broadway with Sterling and family. Managed to conclude hushing up of earlier incident with Sterling and Ms. Andrews for $50,000. Sterling made usual apology.

1956 Hungarian rising crushed but Russian oil deal survives. Nice to know we can do business.

Same day met rising young film starlet, Marilyn Something. Managed to hushup incident with starlet and Sterling for $35,000. Sterling made usual apology.

1955 Surgeon General's report will declare cigarettes linked to lung cancer. Sterling's plan to send a girl to 'deflect' Surgeon General abandoned.

1953 Stalin near death. Got him this time.

1952 Asked to consider assisting campaign for Douglas Mac Arthur as President. The Pope would have a better chance.

1945 Japanese war over. MacArthur confirmed to go over as Occupation Commander. Traveling as consultant for occupation. Japanese factories selling cheap, low labor costs. (memo-retrieve file "Mac Arthur-personal") Lovely prints and screens also selling for a song.

1945 Hitler dead. (See dental records in "Top Secret" file with teeth in box-note as souvenir for the grandkids)

1944 FDR has been seeing his old girlfriend Mrs Rutherford at Bernie Baruch's place. FDR diagnosed with congestive heart failure, probably only a year left.

December 1941. Japanese attacked as expected. No one listens.

Young Sterling wants to join the Navy?

1941 Hitler plans to invade Soviet Union, assured it will collapse in a few weeks. Well done, boys.

1940 Charles Lindbergh has German mistress and secret second family. FDR thinks he's a traitor.

Good ole Trudy

While on seduction duty for aspiring writer-pimp-husband Peter, Trudy suggests to dear ex-lover Charlie they might perhaps consider an affair someday when they're "old".

You know, say thirty, thirty-five...And Peter is bitter, fat, and balding.

I suspect she'll find out about Peggy and the baby somehow, maybe after finding out she and Peter can't hope to conceive? After a brief fit of screaming at him, she'll turn practical and they'll persuade unnurturing Peg to hand him over or being two who get what they want, plot to take him. Either way, perhaps the best thing for the little guy unless Peggy finally accepts him.

The French Film

I found the fololowing information online, and cannot take any credit for it... It remains, however, the most credible explanation of its importance or relevance to date.
"...While I couldn't identify the film itself, the narration, word for word, is from a lyric poem entitled Ballade Des Dames Du Temps Jadis," which translates as The Ballad Of The Ladies Of Yore and concerns a Frankish queen known as Bertha Broadfoot. The last ten lines on this page are what you hear the narrator speak, and as the page notes, one of them, "Mais où sont les neiges d'antan!," is the derivation of the line "Where are the Snowdens of yesteryear?" which you might recognize from Joseph Heller's Catch-22. However, the words I find most relevant come right before the ones we heard spoken, to wit: "La royne Blanche comme ung lys, Qui chantoit à voix de sereine?" This translates as, "What befell the lily-white queen/Who sang with her voice like a bird?" Given Betty's alabaster skin and her nickname of "Birdy," I think you'll agree that the research was worth it. ..."

Fascinating....

Funny, My Technical difficulties on the Web Have Cleared Up

My web site has been fixed thanks to the great advise of "the fans". Though it didn't help my fractured rib from laughing so much. I know I can count on the very intelligent, talented Mad Men Website fans.

Last Week's Show

Does anybody else think that perhaps Jimmy's "wife" is a transvestite? I only ask because after Don had the encounter with "her" he came home and washed his mouth and hands before kissing Betty. I have not seen him do this before