I am surprised Peggy's sister is raising the baby. I though she would have just given him for adoption and not told her family. But i guess she was in the hospital and maybe they made her call someone. We all know Pete and/or his wife will find out about this. That will be interesting! I almost felt sorry for Pete in this episode, his dad really treated him like a second class citizen. And now he finds out that there is no money! Maybe his mom can move into his maid's quarters.

OMG.

We finally saw the baby! Somehow I didn't think it would be that "close".

It was terrible of the agency to throw Mohawk under the bus. And if they don't win the American account, what then? The scene with Don and the Mohawk guy was really something.

Don is a fine actor, indeed -- but Pete was so good tonight that I almost actually liked him. Now I hate Duck more than Pete. Peggy has such aplomb -- so quietly spunky. But what's with the sweeper?

How about Don's look when his wife said she doesn't need a book to know what little boys do?

The toaster on the table....everything's still on track!

I have't watched back-to-backs since "Horatio Hornblower"! This is my favorite show EVER.

As much as I like this show, my opinion is that tonight's episode (the second of the second season) was boring, especially the card game between the Drapers and those secondary characters. It did nothing to further along anyone's character, just some irritating chat about how the Draper boy plagiarized a drawing of George Washington. Who cares! They have one too many characters going now, and should have skipped getting Duck; too many characters always makes for a murky story line; all the banter about the airline (picking up one account while dropping another) was confusing and difficult to follow. And what, did Peggy have THREE illegitimate kids? She opens the door of a bedroom in her sixty-ish mother's (or sister's) home and there are three small children! One is obviously the child Peggy gave birth to in the last episode of season one, but the other two? If they too are Peggy's then she had better learn what causes pregnancy! Or, are the other two her sister's children? It's never really made clear and after awhile that becomes annoying in a plot line. And we really don't KNOW for a FACT that the baby (now nearly toddler) is Pete's; that is just assumed. Also, the music "Sukyiaki" by Kyo Sakamoto is way too low to hear without straining one's ears; was this some reference to Sakamoto dying in an unrelated airplane crash, i.e., the crash of the plane at the beginning of the episode? Good song but too bad the volume was so low. All in all, I found myself not caring when this particular episode came to an end, and I hope subsequent ones are better. I wish they would have had Betty going back to work on a degree, or something, instead of taking riding lessons (as in episode one of this season). Don is getting a tad boring too. His good guy image of not sleeping around is not adding at all to his original charisma!

I was shocked, shocked, S-H-O-C-K-E-D that the baby was being raised by Peggy's sister. YIKES!

Peggy was declared noncompos mentis ( not of sound mind or understanding ) by the state of New York and her doctors, when the baby was born. Ergo, that means that she was probably placed in Bellevue ( a hospital that used to bed mostly for the insane ), by the state and 1) not at a fat farm 2) taking a vacation or 3) resting up at home.

The article I read, before the opening of this season, said that the first episode was slow, but that the second one was jaw dropping/fast and fantastic. How spot on it was and in spades !

Finally, finally......all of ansilliary characters' hairdos and clothes are spot on; except for the Chinese waitress, whose eye makeup ( the very obvious liquid eyeliner just below the bottom lid ) was completely wrong. OTOH, the rest of her makeup, hairdo, and chung sam, were perfect!

And for those here, who were complaining about the accents, Peggy's mother's really came through in this episode.

Hi Madison Ave. I think you're way off. Duck is a very important character because he's going to do everything he can to undermine Don. He plays dirty. You don't just drop a client after you've signed a contract and started the work. You have to be a man (and company) of your word. Don was pissed because he was the one who had to deliver the news.

About Peggy - I think we're going to find out that our Peggy carries a lot of baggage and is not as level-headed as we think.

Don is anything but boring - he's a time bomb and so is Betty.

Pete just comes from a dysfunctional family. Everyone thinks the family is rich, but if you heard the brother, the father sucked the accounts dry.

I thought this episode was GREAT!!

Sorry Nightscope, I CANNOT be way off, as it is MY opinion, so for me, it DIDN'T work. If the next couple of episodes are like this, I am tuning out. Again, it's a matter of taste and none of it has worked for me this season. As for Duck, he is the predictable back-stabber. Yawn. Like I said, my thoughts as it pertains to MY interest in the show (or at least the show so far this season).

It's obvious we have a couple of people here using a couple of different screen names.

Intriguing episode. We hadn't thought about Pete's family since Episode 4, when the old man told him that he wasn't going to give him a down payment for the apartment--and we're reminded once again why Pete is the way he is: he's looking for a father figure. He's trying to find one in Don.

My prediction is that Duck will implode over NOT getting American Airlines; that Pete will be heavily chastised by Sterling & (Robert Morse character--senior moment!) but will finally get it and learn the lesson that Don tried to teach him in Episode 1. (Is it possible that they'll assign Pete to win back the Mohawk account???)

As for Peggy, I think that her mother was contacted by the hospital because she wanted nothing to do with the baby. Her mother, a devout Catholic, who lives with Peggy's sister, her husband and 2 kids, did, as suggested above, work with the State of NY to have her declared non compos mentis, and coerced the sister to take the child in and even pass it off as her own. The sister is much more conventional that Peggy, who sees the child as some sort of cruel joke. I think that she probably wanted to give the child up for adoption and that her mother intervened.

I fear this is going to turn into nothing more than an average soap opera, 1960s style. Season One was terrific. Season Two is headed in the direction of a run-of-the-mill soaper.

Whoa, whoa, whoa. This show is a slow burn, not a stand-alone "answer everything in 45 minutes" type we've all gotten used to. Clearly the storytelling format is changing and we have to give it time to get used to it. We're going home and seeing the mundane things that lie behind all the polished glamour we had a taste of last season. It's not going to be all cocktails and unzipped dresses anymore—I think the evening with the Hansons was a great moment of exposition.

What I like about this show is that it DOESN'T answer all your questions. Who WERE those other two children in the bedroom with Peggy's baby? (I assumed the sister's...but then did SHE have a husband? Where was HE hiding?) And why WAS Peggy toting around that vacuum that was a dead ringer for my mom's old Electrolux? And what was up with the pink elephant and the choice of Japanese restaurant? And I didn't connect the death of the singer of "Sukiyaki' (in the 1985 KAL crash)
with the 1962 American crash.
So I am left wondering...do these things have meaning and symbolism. Or am I trying to turn Mad Men into a Tennessee Williams play where EVERYTHING is symbolic? Or are the writers just messing with our heads.
I do know one thing...I grew up in this era, and remember it well, and it has done a thorough job in dispelling any nostalgia I might have had for my early childhood. It DOES remind me that the theme of that terribly repressed time could have been "Put on a Happy Face" from BYE BYE BIRDIE (circa 1960).

The best thing about this show is that it respects the intelligence of its audience.

Peggy borrowed the electrolux and was taking it back.

It wasn't clear that Bobby had traced the picture - in fact, it sounded more likely that he drew it from memory, since the book was at home and he did the drawing at school.

I found this episode much more intensely uncomfortable than anything last season. Probably because it was discomfort on an emotional level, rather that just the general skeevies over Roger astride a homely twin. The depth of misery of nearly every major character was almost overwhelming. I can't decide if I loved it or hated it. But it's got me thinking.

Peggy borrowed the electrolux and was taking it back.

It wasn't clear that Bobby had traced the picture - in fact, it sounded more likely that he drew it from memory, since the book was at home and he did the drawing at school.

I found this episode much more intensely uncomfortable than anything last season. Probably because it was discomfort on an emotional level, rather that just the general skeevies over Roger astride a homely twin. The depth of misery of nearly every major character was almost overwhelming. I can't decide if I loved it or hated it. But it's got me thinking.

I was preoccupied with the business side of the episode, and Duck's tactics. Don and Sterling Cooper should run for cover because Duck's going to bring it down.

Sterling Cooper is a small, distinctive, name-reputation agency that isn't quite competing at the business volume and revenue level of a McCann Erickson/JWT in its client roster.

Their reputation for integrity, their "word", probably carries alot of weight with the clientele they do have. I'd bet at least 75% of those clients are mid-level accounts with a small percentage being very, very highend/stratosphere revenue.

Those mid-level accounts are the "bread and butter" of most businesses for their consistency, loyalty, and reliability. So, to be dismissive of "bread & butter" accounts to try and snare the big fish only, is a HUGE mistake. Word gets around to similar sized accounts. The account who's been screwed is never going to have you on their dance card again.

Yep, Duck's wiping out Sterling Cooper's rep and credibility, I think. And Don Draper's business reputation, of course. In business, your reputation counts for everything. Bombs away!

As an aside, Bert Cooper seemed "dottier" than usual, and not quite on his game.

I could relate to the scene when Peggy's in church with her family. The priest is speaking in latin (pre Vatican II) and his back is to the congregration (how did we endure that back then?) Also, everyone but Peggy goes to receive communion (Peggy has committed a "mortal sin" by having a baby out of wedlock--another way of wearing the Scarlet Letter). The oppressiveness of those times makes me want to scream..but that's the way it was. No wonder everyone needed three or four drinks a day!

Peggy's sister raising her baby is another example of how the church influenced its congregation--this would have been the Christian thing to do. Which makes Peggy's sister a martyr--an enviable position in those days.

I had a little chuckle when Peggy's sister mentions that her mother had her hair done at "Mr. Pierre's" There must have been a million hairstylists named "Mr. Pierre" in those days--my mother used to go to one, too.

I'm sorry to read that some (like MadisonAvenue) aren't finding this season interesting. My $.02 ... I am in love. Two years ago I didn't think anything or anyone could get me over my Sopranos loss, but Mad Men has done it, & continues to do it.

As I'm sure many of us agree, this is really not the type of show where you can judge it episode-by-episode, like a Grey's Anatomy or whatever other shows the networks are passing off as Drama these days. This is in another league, and to expect this type of show (like Sopranos) to always deliver payoffs, provide explanations, administer justice, & answer all questions ... well, that's not going to happen. This will annoy some, but will also give many of us a reason to look forward (again) to Sunday nights.

I apologize for so many Sopranos references (these writers are like a drug I didn't know I needed & now can't live without!), but to me, a "bad" episode of Sopranos or Mad Men is still 10x better than anything else on TV. Matthew Weiner, keep bringin' it!

kitkat, thanks for explaining why Peggy didn't take communion or sacrament or whatever it is because I really didn't know why she didn't go up to the alter, too. Poor Peggy, uff da, what a situation to be in with her family.

Now, as for Episode 2 ....

(1) I'm finding the Sterling Cooper dynamics very interesting this year. NOT that I'm looking for any detailed explanations (ahem, Mr Weiner), but Roger's post-heart-attack resurgence & his seeming occasional preference of Duck over Donald makes me wonder what happened in 1961. I loved Burt's chuckle over Don's "Yeah, we have the airline that DIDN'T crash". I'm looking forward to seeing Pete's role in the Duck-vs-Don drama; he came through for Duck tonight, but if Don were to ask him for something later, who knows. Remember Burt's line .... "One never knows how loyalty is born." We need a little more Burt this season, I think.

(2) LOVED the card party at the Drapers (& p.s. to wardrobers, Don's vest was h-o-t).

Clearly a lot happened over the break that kinda "neutered" Don, both at home & at work. We know about the Rachel Mencken thing, but who knows the story about Don & Betty? I love that Betty seems much more assertive, but I do hope that it's not all about making Don pay (like what Carlton is going through).

I just hope Don doesn't have to turn back into a bed-hopping cad to get back on his game ..... although, if it has to be, so be it!

I've lost all respect for Joan...but her attitude about Sheila was educational. Now that Paul is disgusted with her I suspect she'll turn him in for taking the typewriter, too.

Not crazy about Betty, anymore, either. Their son obviously wasn't lying about being frightened, since he had jumped in bed with his sister. Don noticed.

Think Peggy's so removed from her son because she's afraid if she follows her heart she'll lose everything she's worked for? Or slip up at work?Think Joan's little speech drove Peggy toward home.

As for the show's critics -- I respect the writers and producers enough to let the show be whatever they decide it will be. It's their work of art and I'm glad to have the chance to see it.

1.) Betty: Even the most beautiful rose has prickly thorns. She's bitching up a storm in her own quiet, refined way.
2.) Don: He has strong feelings for his children and his clients but is that it? Why not fill Roger, Duck and Coop in on Pete's bad news? Did Pete want that to remain totally private? Later, when the guys were still telling airline crash jokes, Don just ignored their callousness.
3) Peggy: Someone who is so smart and savvy in business ends up with a pregnancy/baby that she didn't even know she was having!! She is a study in contrasts! When will her little secret be discovered? Potentially never, as long as Big Sis keeps quiet, I suppose. I was certain she had given the baby up. These days you can walk into any "safe" hospital, deliver the baby and give it up with no questions asked. Not much patient privacy back then, I guess, so the family was dragged in.
4.) Joan: Did Paul take her red purse out of the locker and expose her true age on the bulletin board? As "revenge" for disparaging his gal pal? I didn't really understand her conversation with Peggy after the discovery. Was she warning Peggy about the other women in the office? Peggy's been there for 2 years now...why the advice? I liked this episode...lots to think about.

This episode was fantastic. I lover the opening as well, but this was brilliant.
I love Pete, but have done that from the start, so my heart was all over him. even in the end. I think Don will habve a difficult time if he get´s both Pete and Duck in his heels. Without knowing it maybe, he turned his back on Pete in a difficult moment and I think Pete will become even more ruthless because of it. When his pain turns into anger, he will not be easy to to deal with.

I am glad we found out about the baby. If it was hers. He didn´t look like Pete at all.

I think it's pretty clear the other two children are Peggy's sister's, though as always, time will tell.

Barb, I disagree about Joan. Her opinions were tasteless, as were a lot of peoples' at that time. But I applaud her for at least being honest and true to herself. I think she's got a point that Paul is dating her to make himself appear interesting -- did you notice he didn't argue with her at all? One of the great things about the show is its ability to make us look ourselves as we were, warts and all.

I'm at a bit of a loss about Bobby Draper -- I see your point that he could have been telling the truth, but who knows.

Season two has been the biggest downer for me since the ending of this year's World Series of Poker, but, that's always a sad day . These are rich, successful people and they hate their lives. If Matt's trying to push morality it sure isn't working for me. While Don and Carleton were whoring around they were happy and enjoyed life. Now Don's morose and Carleton's become an unhappy domesticated fat ass. This is how we push the love and marriage ideal?

Let's get back to whoring and enjoying life, The Chinese chick's got potential.

Joan's small talk/mean-spirited comments with Sheila was strictly a "tit for tat" to Paul.

Mean of Joan to use the girlfriend to strike at Paul's soft center (because she hurt two people doing it), but he sneered at her boyfriend first, so.......

Or do you think Joan was jealous? After the posted DL, watch out Paul! Though I was surprised that Joan was hurt, Miss Tough Shell, herself (and yes, I like Joan alot - I still wish she was with Roger because that's who I think she's in love with).

@Clayton, as an aside, the site may at some point want to publish an advertising terminology thing for people who are unfamiliar with them, so they can keep up on the office scenes. I bet alot of people didn't know what Don meant when he said pull all "ROP" ads (Run of Paper). I certainly wouldn't know anything about the other advertising medias (television, radio), if there is specific industry lingo for their type of advertising.

Slight correction about the state of Peggy's immortal soul: her sins would have been fornication and adultery (premarital sex; sex with a married man), not giving birth to a baby (even if she had not gotten pregnant, the sex acts would be sins). She could be absolved by a priest if she went to confession and made an act of contrition, penance, etc. Then she would be eligible to take communion. Apparently she has not gone to confession. Also, wasn't it more typical for the baby to be given up for adoption, rather than for the family to raise it, so the unmarried birth mother could act as if nothing had happened?

Maybe Pete will start to realize that his dad had no money to give him for the apartment - and the refusal based on disapproval of Pete's profession was a convenient smokescreen for the fact that this family was broke - the father had even gone through most of the wife's family money! The father was a financial and professional failure!
Pete was trying to reach out to Don when Duck came asking for Pete's help with American Airlines - but Don blew it.

Yet, I don't think Pete showed up at the meeting with Duck at the club to spite Don - Pete sees it as a real opportunity. Duck was on the verge of going home with just his d*ck in his hands, shot down by the AA exec, until Pete showed up!

Thanks, bocaratonfan (nice to see you!). Sounds extremely complicated. So does that mean Peggy is showing the sin of pride and omission by not acknowledging or "confessing" her mistakes to "God" (ie the church)? Is that why it's such a big deal to her mother? She's being unrepentant? Is that even worse than the sins she did commit?

Good eye, bocaraton. I didn't get the feeling Pete being at that meeting was about Don, either. I don't think Don was even a factor for Pete there.

That was a mindblowing revelation about Pete's father, the arrogant snob. A wastral and failure who basically shredded his son's character, when he had none himself! Man......well, opportunity for Pete to change his whole viewpoint about himself, his family. Look at who judged him!

Dennis, you're a hoot and you have a one-track mind!

I'm really surprised that Roger backed Duck on the American Airlines thing. That was really bad business sense and would get around the advertising community like wildfire and Sterling Cooper would be blackballed. It would get around that any prospective client wouldn't know if they would be dropped in the middle of a campaign. I don't know why they were so quick to drop Mohawk. It meeting was much too soon after the crash and the meeting with American was just that - a preliminary meeting. There was nothing to sign, nothing to be presented. It was very presumptuous of Duck who keeps badmouthing Don. I think Roger cut off his nose to spite his face.

jamm54, Tell me if I'm wrong. At the rate of depression these guys are going they'll be lucky to complete 13 episodes without having the entire cast hang themselves. Bring back the fun. Midge, come back, your man needs you!

No, Dennis, you're not wrong - it's depressing the hell out of me too.

Sorry folks, I enjoyed the sexcapades and fun as much as Dennis does, too (I just enjoy your total honesty, Dennis!) Sure, the lying, cheating, whoring was contemptible, but at least you knew everyone had a pulse. Right now, they all look like they took a huge hit of Prozac.

Adoption really was the "norm", back then, for illegitimate babies; however, Bobby Darin's mother handed him over, to her mother to raise and I think that the same thing is true for
Jack Nicholson, so it did happen.

Peggy was declared noncompos mentis, by the state of N.Y. and her doctors, so I assume that it was her family, who made the decision to keep the baby.

@Nightscope, I wonder why Roger doesn't cut Duck off or shut him up when he's stabbing Don all the time, myself.

When Pete reached out to Don I think Don was rather sympathetic.When people were talking about it around the office I think Don didn't say anything out of respect for how Pete might be feeling. These guys have never been good friends but Don knows loss. Duck, on the, otherhand,went after Pete.Big alterior motive.Don't remember which blog I was on , but yes it was a mans hand getting into Joans purse. Document said she's 5 foot 8 inches and 140 lbs. Ha. I feel so sorry for Don having to betray a company to which he gave his word.And what's this? Pete shows up at the most opportune time to help Duck.

So I'm watching the episode, and they're talking about the plane crash, and I'm hearing that Kyu Sakamoto song, and I'm thinking "wait, he died in 1985 and the series takes place in 1962". Why wouldn't they have used period music? Didn't Buddy Holly, the Big Bopper & Ritchie Valens die in a plane crash in 1959? Lots of music there, and it's...let me think now...three years BEFORE the time period of this 2nd season. OK, I get it, too obvious, and the guys who run the show are subtle, SUBTLE. They were probably thinking "heh heh, I bet not one in a thousand viewers will pick up on the fact that Kyu Sakamoto died in a plane crash, heh heh". Well, I still would have used something by Buddy Holly, something not so well known, like "Blue Monday" or "Fade Away". Oh...... wait for it.......... "That'll be the day (when I die)". Wow, I'm sending chills up my own spine. C'mon show runner guys, it's supposed to be 1962, not 23 years in the future.

Since I can't think of a single Chinese restaurant in NYC ( okay, so I haven't eaten in every single Chinese restaurant in NYC, in the 1960s, but I did eat in quite a number of them ), that played played music and certainly NOT a one, in any decade I've been alive in, would have played a Japanese song, perhaps the characters aren't hearing the music and the song is just an overlay for the audience.

The last episode of the first season, which takes place in 1960, has an overlay of "DON'T THINK TWICE, IT'S ALL RIGHT", which wasn't then written.

I think they just pick the songs to fit the scenes the best. But, dlavezzi, I do agree that a Buddy Holly song would have been great. Or even Jim Croce, but that, of course, is waaaaay too far in the future for the 1962 time frame of the show.

SO disappointed so far - Episode 1 fell flat. It was slow, draggy, boring and embarrassed me for recommending it to friends who called to ask what in the world I found so appealing. Episode 2 was somewhat better, but still not up to par. PLEASE Writers, get back to what you did best last season. You are off track here.
The most interesting thing was the juxtaposition of two characters - Don and Pete - as they almost (I said almost) seemed to reverse characteristics for a time. Don, being visibly upset and completely annoyed at having to throw Mohawk under the bus (I understand that totally), but he was supposed to be so hard nosed. And Pete, actually becoming a sympathetic creature for a minute - vulnerable, sad - that is until he uses his father's death to assist Duck in securing AA. That was a clever temporary role reversal. Shows multi dimensionality.
The second juxtaposition was a piece of perfection in the distinction of the two mothers we met. Pete's mom, the old money, upper crust, society lady with stiff upper lip and Peggy's mom - (the actress was just great) the working class, blue collar Irish?/Catholic, just trying to do the right thing. Still, there were many unexplained and confusing elements which detracted from my usual enjoyment of show. The pink elephant, the Electrolux (I thought Peggy was testing it out to write copy) and the three kids in a room. Two called her "Aunt Peggy", so yes her mom and sis must be raising the illegitimate one!
And all that drivel about Bobby and his elementary issues - are these dots going to be connected?
madmanfan

Dennis, Jamm54: This will get you laughing. Check it out. A hilarious recap of MadMen episodes. This chick is funny.

http://www.unboundedition.com/content/view/7298/50/

Laurie B:

Check out the profile we did of Unbound Edition here:

http://blogs.amctv.com/mad-men/2008/02/site-of-the-wee-3.php

The business with Pete in this episode was simply brilliant. First, he played (and his part was written) in utterly true-to-life terms with respect to the initial shock of hearing the news of his father's death and trying to figure out what to do. It surprised me actually -- from what we've seen of the relationship between the two and his character, in general, it seemed the news could have washed over him without ever really sinking in - or come as a relief or cause for further anger. I was also quite surprised by his initial refusal to go along with Duck's plans to exploit his connection to the crash -- it showed more potential integrity than I realized his character had in him -- of course it was just a set up for us to feel the pain more acutely when Don wasn't in his office to offer support and there was no one else to turn to as the darker side of his nature eventually re-asserted itself.

As for Betty and the card game and the son's "cheating" at school... First, it's not yet clear what accommodations were made by Don once he realized through reports from her therapist that she knew all along about his infidelities -- he's got blood pressure and impotency issues (was there time for the medication his doctor talked about - Phenobarbitol, was it? - to have led to the latter?) -- and clearly they don't discuss things between themselves. Now Betty is suspecting her son of cheating (when evidently the case isn't so clear cut) and disregarding his emotional needs (what's more basic than fear of ghosts at bedtime for a kid?) -- arguably as an expression of her on-going anger at her husband's betrayals (where else does she "know little boys" from?). Oh yeah, there's also her father who seemed to show no respect for the sacrifices her mother made to accommodate him throughout their lives together, by instantly starting up a relationship with someone else shortly after her death -- yet more stuff that poor kid is going to pay for.

So far this season, some great scenes -- but tough to appreciate over-all. The story arcs appear to all exceed a couple of episodes -- one is either going to have to be patient and trusting -- or wait 'til it's all out on DVD! Season One bought a little trust, on my part, for the writers. Wow, on watching Don live through his betrayal of the client -- and juxtaposing it to the scene where he watched his father cheat the hobo out of his pay from last season. How must it feel to become the man he must have sworn in his gut he never would become? All of this after he stayed with the smaller firm so that he *wouldn't* have to sell his soul to his job... *Is* there any way out for this guy? (Yeah, I'm still holding out some hope for some kind of tough-love *progression* on the part of Don as the series continues -- surely we're not in for just an endless repetition of the kind of missed-connections scene we saw with Pete & Don in this last episode. Though I suspect sometimes that that *is* the style -- how did the Sopranos "end", again? )

Guys, guys, guys...

like Greek tragedy, Mad Men begins in medias res--in the middle of the action. It's not linear, like an episode of, say, "Bones" or "Law and Order."

Thanks to the DVR, I get to watch each episode at LEAST twice, because they're so packed with information and symbolism. How else could you find out the contents of Joan's driver's license?

This is some of the best TV ever!

jamm, good to see you too. to answer your question about peggy's sin and her mother's attitude, yes - the lack of repentance would be most troubling to the mother because the roman catholic teaching is that if one commits a mortal sin that is unconfessed, unrepented and unabsolved by a priest, especially if one refuses to admit the sin and is defiantly resisting reconcilation with God - one is not in a state of grace and upon death could go to hell. so a devout catholic mom would be upset - hence the comment that she's praying for peggy.

jamm, dennis and all who find the show depressing so far - i agree - but don;t give up the ship. are the writers trying to preachily debunk any possible idea of the pre-kennedy assassination being 'the good old days' of camelot, trying to show that beneath the smooth, controlled exterior of everything and everyone, there was seething tension, resentment, jealousy, bigotry, hatred, disappointment, hypocrisy, despair, loneliness......yada yada yada. because, if so - isn;t that the story of every era? humans are flawed. so on the one hand the flaws give rise to good dramatic tension and suspense, and on the other, they can be a downer! i still enjoy this show more than anything else on tv.

bocaraton, that's got to be a heavy burden on Peggy then (besides for her mother). Whew! I can see Peggy being too proud to bend on something like that - don't think she'd do it for others or herself at this point in time.

In relation to herself, because she's so young, I don't know if Peggy could admit that she did "wrong" or failed in her life (i.e. the pregnancy, sleeping with a married man).

Remember when she made the radio commercial actress cry? Ken Cosgrove basically said something to the effect that Peggy had "balls" (but not that language). In other words, a coldness or unapologetic manner towards others. And Peggy wasn't apologetic in the slightest. I don't think that was the only instance where Peggy could be like that - with herself or with others. Peggy doesn't seem intent on hurting people or is cruel by design, just focused on that quest to achieve (shades of Don and Pete!).

Peggy would have to be able to "forgive herself" before she could admit her "wrongs". She's not ready yet, or maybe it's just not in her make-up (she is only 22 after all).

I'm getting back into the swing of it this season. Last season was "Welcome to the Party". This season it's "Let's Get Down to Business". Miss the hijinks, but I'm sure Matt et al will slip a few in for balance.

I do have to say this is the most multi-layered, subtle tv series I've watched in years. It does take several viewings to capture all the nuances, inferences, etc. of the characters to see the unspoken subtext of the scenes.

Laurie B: THANK YOU for the "unbound edition" link. I laughed so hard (I needed it!).

Whoever wrote that - wow, s/he needs to go directly to "Mad Magazine". (I'm still hoping that one of these days they show one of the copywriters reading Mad Magazine at their desk - adults bought it too). In fact, I think I have a copy with someone famous in a "Letters to the Editor", like a Steven Speilberg or George Lucas - from the 60s.

Their satirical spoofs of popular tv shows and movies were the best!

This writer was right up there with them. Parody is the sincerest form of flattery! Fantastically funny!

jamm54, bocarotanfan and TomA:

Love what you guys are saying. Yes, this is a human story for all ages--I think we always wax nostalgic about the good ole' days because we can't admit how difficult Life can be in the here and now. Somehow the problems are still the same. Again, I think that's why Mad Men appeals to so many of us--besides being a beautifully acted and written series.

dlavezzi: interesting tidbit--I didn't know that Sakomoto died in a plane crash--very tricky, those MM writers! I do remember hearing that song in the 60's, though.

That's what is so great about drama, generally, and this one specifically. The stories of the characters can resonate with viewers of any age because their problems are universal (love, happiness, fulfillment, loss, change, obstacles).

You don't need to have lived in that era or experienced it firsthand to appreciate and enjoy it. Heck, you don't have to have ever been to New York. People still have the same problems, I think, with new twists because the details change (conventions, mores, technology).

Which philosopher said "Most men live lives of quiet desperation"? There's truth in that. And it cuts across all lines - social, racial, economic, educational, religious. People have problems and they always have had problems. They also cause problems for themselves and for others. If not, we would not have drama. But a few more light moments, even smart-aleck quips and barbs, would be welcome.

Speaking of technology, anyone remember "National Secretary Day"? Do they still have that?

Years ago (late 80's, early '90s?), there was an article in the paper about how this office in some Alaskan city (Anchorage?) was going to observe National Secretary Day.

The company was replacing their old office equipment, and decided to let the workers demolish their old typewriters, 10-keys, etc, with sledgehammers. The workers got pretty worked up and emotional (laughing, crying, screaming) while they were obliterating this stuff. One secretary said she'd spent more time with this equipment than she had her own family, and that it was cathartic to be destroying the "instruments of their torture".

That always stuck with me as being hysterically funny, but pitiful, too. I could relate. Wish I'd had an opportunity to do the same thing. What a release!

Jamm54: If you go back to the Unbound Edition link, click on Kristen Ament's name (it's really tiny under the title) you can view all her reviews of last year's episodes. Hysterical!!

In my opinion, I think Roger's abdicating alot of responsibility to Duck because he's afraid of his next heart attack. Rest assured, as soon as the American Airlines deal blows up in their faces (and it will...) , Bert Cooper will wrestle back the reins and hand them over to Don.

Thanks, Laurie B! I started reading some more of them last nite. Kristen Ament is hysterical. Again, thank you for steering me to a much needed laugh (is it the full moon recently, or what?)!

@Laurie B: you know, I just don't think Roger really has what it takes to run the agency like Bert does (foresight, wisdom).

Don't know what's going to happen, but Roger seems to be placing himself in the position of authoring some very dumb business decisions (with Duck Phillips).

What, and Don's supposed to be in the "clean-up" position of the batting order while HIS reputation gets demolished because of Roger's decisions? Don is going to have take complete control or be given complete authority of Sterling Cooper (even over Roger) before it crashes and burns.

I agree with you. I think Bert's waiting for the American Airlines account to blow up in their faces, then he'll hand the reins over to Don for good. Roger's making stupid-ass decisions because he's afraid of his next heart attack, ergo, is letting Duck do whatever he wants. What do you think?

hi jamm54 - I think something must happen in episode 3 because we see Roger saying, "Don will fix it." Duck wants Don out, plain and simple and we're seeing cutthroat tactics actually being played out instead of just being thought about, that we didn't see in season 1 because of Duck. Don is loyal in business - and trying to be in marriage.....

I hope Duck get roasted somehow. Duck sucks. Even his ugly face annoys me (sorry, the actor is not a handsome man). Although Bert seeked a little shakey and dithery for a moment, he still seems in his right mind and I do hope he cans Duck (or makes Roger do it), turns Roger into a mere figurehead, and lets Don take over.

Laurie B, NightScope & bocaraton: I think Bert is doing some of his chess strategy/business moves, even though he seemed out of it last episode.

I really can't see how Duck could "oust" a partner (Don). But, is Don still a partner? Remember he would only take a one year contract. Maybe once Roger actually returned to work fulltime, Bert didn't offer the partnership up to Don at the end of a year. Would that be possible? Otherwise, Sterling Cooper is not obligated to renew Don's partnership, since there is no contract.

Sometimes I'm confused about Don's current position. Is he a partner and the Creative Director, too? Or in 1962 is he back to just being the Creative Director?

bocaraton, did you mean "Roast Duck" as an entree? Dumbass Duck would be more like it.

Actually, from a business standpoint, to toss off a $1 million account (just a guess for Mohawk) before you have a verbal agreement/confirmation with the new client (AA) is just plain stupid. Even though there's a non-compete clause with Mohawk, Duck didn't have anything close to a binding agreement with AA to greenlight a go-ahead.

For one, you can believe that Mohawk will NEVER come back to Sterling Cooper again. So if you're SC, you better be sure the trade-off is a sure thing, otherwise you're out two clients, and one is going to smear you to anyone and everyone who will listen.

Not exactly the kind of public relations/reputation you want preceding you before each sales pitch/presentation to new clients/advertisers.

That's why I can't believe Roger and Bert went along with this harebrained maneuver. I guess Duck is that persuasive, but I think we're getting a pretty good preview of why this fool was fired in the UK.

He's working without a net, and he just hasn't bothered to tell the flock of sheep following him over the cliff.

@jamm54 - As I remember, Don was made a 10% partner, so he would still have to have some actual position in the company. BTW, what is Duck's actual title or job? Seems he's a senior account manager while Don, obviously, manages the creative end while prospecting and existing accounts.

Sterling and Cooper just seem to hang out and drink.

I originally wanted to correct an error stated by BocaRatonFan and say that Peggy did not commit adultery because neither she nor Pete was married at the time. But as I thought about it, I remembered that they had sex twice, once before Pete's marriage and once after. I thought it strange that she had sex (the first time at her apartment) so quickly after going on the pill. I guess the doctor didn't tell her it takes a month to become fully effective. I assumed that she continued to take the pill and that conception occurred at the first trist. So the child, in my mind, was not the product of adultery but simply fornication.
My thoughts on why the state declared her unfit was simply due to her unwillingness to care for the child. Remember she turned away when the nurse tried to hand the baby to her in the finale.
I love MM but feel that they are introducing too many characters and not developing the main ones (Don, Peggy, Pete) enough. The weaving of real life and fiction is incredibly entertaining. I only lived less that 3 months of the 60's but the era is fascinating to me.
I wish that they hadn't skipped all of '61. The characters did not grow/change enough to be 13-14 months in the future.

"The characters did not grow/change enough to be 13-14 months in the future."

What are you talking about, Paul has a beard.

Nokomis, why would they do that? I didn't know they could offer percentages of partnerships, but I suppose this keeps Don in a position to have his decisions overridden by Bert or Roger.

I think Duck is the Account Services Director or Account Management Director?

It's a little confusing to me about Don and Duck. Obviously Don must have some partnership weight for Duck to have to get approval from Don to continue moving forward on something or Don giving him orders.

And yet, quite often, it seems like Don's authority is not only challenged by Duck, but undercut by Roger and Bert, when he's trying to control Duck. So.....don't quite get all the relationships or who has power over whom in the 4-way of Bert-Roger-Don-Duck.

Don and Duck are pretty much on equal footing at SC. As Account Services Director or Account Management Director (interchangeable titles, usually), Duck would have the primary responsibility to bring in new business. Obviously Don shares this onus, but as Creative Director, Don would not be expected to carry quite as much weight in the business development area. It's obvious Duck is in a power-grab situation, trying desperately to score a big win. I can easily envision that the American Airlines account pitch will, uh, crash.

Thanks, cathychick, so I guess this means that Don's "partnership" percentage really doesn't give him much of an edge of Duck.

Bear with me on this...regarding the japanese song and the asian waitress. i don't think that the issue is Chinese/Japanese but the juxtaposition of the sad song with the appearance of --and then rejection of the beautiful asian woman. Don is sitting alone for a long time, thinking and tells her "not tonight". The lyrics of the song "Sayonara" which means "goodbye" might shed some light on his story.

I look up when I walk
So the tears won't fall
Remembering those happy spring days
But tonight I'm all alone
I look up when I walk
Counting the stars with tearful eyes
Remembering those happy summer days
But tonight I'm all alone
Happiness lies beyond the clouds
Happiness lies above the sky
and on...

Don says that there is work and there is life. Betty and familly are part of his work (successful corporate man must have a beautiful family) and his real life, and love are out of reach because of that. Once he took another's identify and became successful in his work, how does he extricate himself? He says that "the only way for me is forward."

I was curious about the actual 1962 plane crash. A quick search turned up this story from the 8/4/08 edition of the NYT: http://cityroom.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/08/04/reliving-a-1962-crash-on-mad-men/

rumtum, very keen observation. Thanks for posting the lyrics.

That's what is so great about this show and having the forum - there are so many subtleties (and there seems to be many), that what you've missed someone else on the board will have picked up.

Also, I like reading about other people's experiences, feelings, and impressions about the era, characters, and series.

I feel like I missed important information in the 15 months between seasons. I thought that Don brough Duck into the firm to work for him, but Duc seems to have greater access and influence with the partners than Don. I know that happens in business, but it shouldn't just "happen" with no explanation to the viewers. It throws off the perspective of the show - sort of like the scene with several children sleeping in a bedroom at the mother's house. I was an adult in the 60's and I know that if a woman wanted to give her child up for adoption she could do it without the approval of either her mother or the state.

I do love this show--the costumes, the actors, the story. It's so rich, so interesting. I, too, watch an episode many times afterward, just to catch everything! I love the music.

Also, to add to bocaratonfan's comments on Peggy not taking Communion, she also had not been to Mass, which is also a mortal sin. I'm surprised the show's writers remembered that since few people nowadays seem to... I was really surprised to see Peggy stay in her seat.

In case anyone is wondering, if a Catholic has a "mortal sin" on his conscience, he can't take Communion until he makes a good confession (is truly repentant and confesses to a priest). Mortal sins (as opposed to venial sins) are considered grave, cutting off the person's relationship with God. With that on your conscience, taking Communion would be sacrilege and equally sinful.

I saw photos of the next show, and it seems Peggy is going back to Mass. Can't wait to see what happens.

Did anyone bother to make the connection that the writer and performer of Sukiaki (the song playing in the background in the Japanese restaurant) died in a plane crash in 1985?

I'm floored from week to week by how carefully crafted, researched and nuanced this series is. Yet there's no artificial razzle or dazzle to it, none of the familiar trickery to manipulate the pace and poke the viewer in the eye with obvious and unnecessary.

It's not like anything else on television.

For accuracy's sake

Sukiaki: Lyrics by Rokusuke Ei, music by Hachidai Nakamura.

It was performed by Kyu Sakamoto, a very popular Japanese vocalist who died in a plane crash (08/12/85)

Hello, I am new to this blogging. I watched the entire last season online, as I don't actually have access to a cable system on TV. I saw the season 2 premier online but thought that the next show wasn't going to be on until October sometime, and they have never had another show on their website as a 'full episode' - what's up with that?
Anyway, now I find out the second season is well underway, and now they no longer have it available online...anywhere that I can locate. Does anyone know where I can watch from 202 onwards? I'm so bummed out about this. This is my favorite show.
HELP!!!!!

crissy:
The Season 1 DVD set is on sale at Target and most electronic stores.. I have the one boxed in the Zippo lighter. Watch the commentaries to really get a handle on Season l. Enjoy!