Talk is a public forum where you can ask questions and share your commentary with fellow Mad Men fans.
What would be Roger hitting rock bottom: Losing the young squeeze and being rejected? Mona not taking him back? Or being free and single, indulging all of his dissolute habits until they destroy him? Does anyone think Roger would be capable of digging himself out of this hole or would Don have to help him (if he chose to)?
This has to be a good one to discuss. Who remembers these ad campaigns?
"See the USA in your Chevrolet!"
"I'm Mary. Fly me to Miami!" "I'm Liz! Fly me to LA!" "I'm Sally...fly me to Dallas!" Ugh...how much more sexist did it get?
What things did you do back in the early 1960s that were unique to that time?
Finally saw Jon Hamm - he's seated right behind Sally Field.
Not sure how I feel about this 5-Host thing .... but hopefully Jon, John & the entire show will win !
Despite her incredible beauty - I see Betty starting to experiment with all the new products and lifestyle options soon to explode on the marketplace. As Don's philandering knows no limit, Betty will be testing the waters of life outside Ossining's lovely 'old town'. She's no stranger to the city and is having the crash course of wake-up calls. I see Don pulling the plug on the 'damn stables' and Betty will soon tire of piaffing through the afternoons. When November 1963 comes (and goes) I want to see this girl MOD and go Totally Carnaby Street! Any hope of this for Betty?
What is Dick Whitman's (aka Don Draper) real age? We saw him at the doctor a while back and he was 36 as Don, however the real Dick is younger, I think, no? We know he is back from Korea and selling cars in 1952. He was probably drafted and in the 18-20 year range in 1950. We also know he is a depression era kid from the Hobo Code flash back.
Hi, new poster here. I saw on another thread that there was speculation about Betty rebounding by some kind of 'Belle de Jour' scenario - I've been thinking this since the first episode this season - I can definitely see her, especially in her current state of mind, getting back in touch with her 'party girl' ex-roommate, finding out more about the biz, and after lots of conflict, curiosity, contempt for men and complete despair, she'd ask to be set up with a client....
Besides Roger, Bert, and Bobbie, the other characters on the show seem intellectually immature, and truly lacking in a sense of humor about themselves. That, of course, includes Don, Pete, Peggy, Joan, Betty, Rachel, Harry, Sal, Father Gill, et al. They're so wrapped up in their own little lives that I'm beginning to find the show tedious to watch.
I very much miss some of the colognes I wore in the 1960's and are now discontinued. Are any of you experiencing the same frustration?
...when Don and Roger take Freddy out for his kind of "last supper", it struck me as being akin to the mob guys "taking a guy for a ride"...Matthew Weiner referencing his Sopranos roots?...however, fortunately although Freddie's ride is a taxi and he isn't killed, his soul and career is....(I will miss Bill Murray's brother Joel in this role...he was perfect)
...Don picks up the newspaper and sees the headline about MM"s death...MM? MadMen?...
...maybe I was imagining it, but did anyone else notice that in this episode there were a number of blonde Marilyn Monroe type blondes as background extras?...Maybe it was a coincidence?...
It seems evident that Freddie has a drinking problem. They mentioned that he go out and get "dried out." But there never seemed to be any talk of Freddie trying to recover or overcome his alcoholism.
I kept thinking that Duck would go to him and offer some help (like take him to a meeting or offer to be a sponsor), but I guess it's evident that Duck isn't "in the program," or he would have openly offered help to Freddie. I know that AA was around in the 60s (it has been around since the 30s), but I guess there werent many rehab clinics back then. Betty Ford didn't even start until the 70s, obviously.
It would be interesting to see the how Duck handles his alcoholism as well. Just curious where one would go to dry out in the 60s? I
At the gambling place, Freddie and Roger used funny phoney names, Don used Rachel's husband's name. Later Don mentioned Archibald Whitman, an old drunk he used to know. Where their other mentions like this that meant something if a person was paying attention?
I have been reading through old issues of Advertising Age recently. There's a very good timeline of milestones which mirrors the story arc of MM in regards to Sterling Cooper's client roster and Volkswagen (THINK SMALL) in particular. I can't help but wonder about Don and Company in contrast to someone like Jerry Della Femina. Do any of you who worked in Advtsg in the 60s have a take on this? These characters continually refer to McCann Erickson and Doyle,Dane Bernbach and of course we know Duck is a McCann throw away. Without naming names wouldn't it be great to know who's who?
The ONLY comment which acknowledged the genuine grief of Joltin' Joe DiMaggio was delivered by the elevator operator. Joe truly loved Marilyn and for many years had red roses (a dozen or so I think) delivered to her grave as a sign of his unending love. Although she'd since left him and married Arthur Miller, and despite her dangerous affiliations with JFK/Giancana and Judith it was only Joe who'd truly loved Marilyn for herself. When you look at the photo of their wedding day you can see it all over Joe's face. His huge smile says it all. I think it was a poignant comment made by one who, given the nature of his race in 1962, was also 'hiding in plain sight'. But things were changing for the MMs industry as well since Roger informed Don at the illegal casino that "McCann Erickson hired a black man." Don, showing his typical wit and wisdom 'wouldno't want to be that guy'. I wonder, historically, who that first black guy wearing grey flannel was? Anyone????
I was hoping to post a jpeg I made...
When Peggy meets Don on first day of her new job, and places her hand over his at his desk, this now seems very out of character for her. What ever caused her to do that? Their relationship now is clearly defined as mutually resp
Talk about Episode 8, "A Night to Remember".
You are alive because of that woman's largess!! Beg forgiveness, claim extreme drunkeness, and crawl if necessary.
Otherwise...Die as alone as you deserve. Geesh, how big a fool can a man be?
It is maddening(pun intended!!!)
Did ANYONE see the title of the book that Betty was reading on her couch? My eyesight (even while sitting too close to the TV) did not permit me to see the title. Was there some relevance to the book which any of you can share? Thanks in advance MM bloggers!
O.K., this is starting to really bug me. Why hasn't Betty gotten that desk drawer open? As angry as she apparently still is, and having found nothing in his closet, I would think she would be down there in that study with a hammer and screwdriver banging away at that lock - forget that lame kitchen knife business. Also, is it likely Don would leave the box of memories there for her to find? Could he possibly have forgotten it is there? Could Betty be afraid of what she might find and can't quite bring herself to really attack the drawer for fear she might find something that will force her to take the final step and end her marriage?
I cannot remember if there has been any mention previously about Pete's father having a drinking problem. I know he died in the plane crash and was actually living off his wife's trust fund, but was he an alcoholic? Pete's disgust with Freddie and the whole urinating and passing out business seemed way out of proportion. Sure, it was shocking, but Pete seemed to take it personally. Peggy just wanted to cover up her friend's problem, and Sal very clearly thought it hilarious and would make a great story. Why did Pete react so strongly?
What is the significance of the Blood Drive? I'm not sure if blood donations were tested for diseases in the 60's. What if Don tests positive for example (syphillis) and he has to tell Betty? P.S. I'm new to the Talk Forum. I've followed all of your posts for a while now and wanted to join the conversation. I love the show. My best friend and I compare notes about it each week.
The title of this episode is "Six Month Leave", which we learn during the course of the show is the proposed drying out period for Freddy Rumsen. Watching this episode the first time, I wondered why it focused so heavily on Rumsen and the events surrounding his dismissal from SC. At the end, however, one can see that Rumsen's departure opens up new opportunities and responsibilities for Peggy and also that Pete's motives in exposing Rumsen were opportunistic and self-serving. Plus we gain insight into the other characters through their responses, such as Don's loyalty, Peggy's gratitude, and even Roger's admiration. Finally, losing his job at SC creates a loss of identity for Rumsen that is also experienced by Don and Betty because of their separation; this is especially true of Betty, who seems completely lost without her marriage. What aspects of this episode were most meaningful to you and why?
There were three different scenes where a character was caught napping on the couch. Joan was laying down in Roger's office, Pete was on his couch when Peggy stormed in and Don was doing the same when Mona barged in.
Thought is was funny when Hildy asked Pete if it was true that he ratted out Freddy.
Betty has been standing her ground against Don's continued lying and stonewalling. Don has been trying to make her think she is in the wrong, despite the fact that she is clearly the injured partner. When Betty tells him that she doesn't "want things to be this way" Don seems very sincere that he doesn't want it, either. Yet he tells Roger that he is "relieved'" not upset about the split. Does he have any conscience about his cheating? Do they have any love left for each other? It's not looking very good.
Epi 9 should have been called "Hypocrisy".
Right after deciding to fire Freddy for his alcohol problem, both Don and Roger have a big drink. Then they take Freddy out on a drunken night on the town.
Don punches Jimmy - it should have been the other way around, as Jimmy is the aggrieved cuckholded husband.
Any 'I, Claudius' fans among the Maddicts? BBC show from the 1970s that observes the decline of Rome into decadence and corrution through the eyes of Claudius, a stutterer taken for a fool who ultimately rises to become emperor of Rome.
I love the bag Bets was carring at the horse barn....been looking for one just like for a long time. Does anyone know who makes it? I'd love to have one.....Thanks for any input.
Three times in this episode (3 times I remember at least) we saw characters lying down on the sofa in a closed office. Pete, Joan and Don Why?
How did you like Don's scolding the guys outside the blood drive room making fun of Freddie pissing his pants. Don scolds them for feeding on the drama like a bunch of high school girls.
That could also be taken as a backhanded slap at the viewers, no?
I don't think of him ending up with her, because she's not his usual caliber of knockout. He's also preferred older women up until now. Clearly, Peggy too sees Don as a father figure, the father she lost. That idea has been given to us in a rather heavy-handed way. But clearly, Don and Peggy also have a connection. Both worked their way up; both aren't we're they're supposed to be. Both are extremely vulnerable, and thus respect the vulnerabilities of others, as was shown by their reactions to Freddy's alcoholism.
Well, the "skirts" are really speaking up now.
Joan: Reminds Roger how hurtful it is lose someone. Will Roger get it??
Peggy: "You just couldn't keep your big mouth shut!" to Tattletale Pete.
Mona: Storms into the Donald's sanctuary and rips him a new one.
Betty: Takes the phone off the hook. Classic!
Joan told Roger that one day he'd lose someone very dear to him, then he'd understand. Could Joan have uttered anything more fitting and prophetic for Roger? Think Roger has stepped out on the ledge by leaving Mona, and is going to take the tumble of his life? Roger doesn't have the experience that Don does in dealing in very complex personal situations. How do you think Roger's going to fare in the future?
Betty, having emerged from her doldrums, impulsively makes a lunch date with Arthur...and Sarah Beth....and then doesn't show.....leaving Sarah Beth alone with her "crush'. What?? Does Betty figure that Sarah Beth needs to discover wild love? What is going on here?
Will it be? When Roger said that to Don in his "orders" to fire Freddie Rumsen (farewell sweet Freddie), my first thought was maybe Roger's right. Then I began to wonder if Don's loyalty to Roger or Peggy or Sterling Cooper is going to end up being a liability for Don. I don't know, but I can see Don's sense of loyalty turning on him.
the ending was just incredible! i sat there staring at the television in disbelief. great story writing that happened off the screen, away from our eyes, dropped like a bomb right in our laps! gimme more!
i do believe roger is in love with jane and she with him. when he was talking to don at the bar, he asked hi, did you fall in love? don said no and he said something to the affect that makes it easier. he loves her. poor mona.
jane is in love with roger or she wouldn't have cried when he came to touch her arm. it's all very tragic.
Our Emmy-winning writers make us fall more & more in love wth this show every week. What were your favorites from Six-Month Leave?
It is very interesting to hear Don say he is "relieved" over the situation of his marriage. I never felt Don was truly comfortable as a husband and father. Sure, he loves Betty and is proud to have such a beautiful and "classy" women for his wife. He is an affectionate and loving father to his children. The fact that he has never shared his past with Betty and in reality is living a lie makes them both feel a void in their relationship. Obviously he thinks she would judge him poorly and now it is probably too late to reveal the truth. I wonder if their marriage can be saved.
I don't know if anyone else noticed Peggy had two pivotal moments last night. The first was when she told Don that it was a good thing that Playtex didn't go with the blonde/ brunette (or something to that effect)Playtex ad because they would have had to pull them all after Marilyn's suicide. Don gave a look of how impressed he was with her insight on that. The second was after she blew into Pete's office and yelled at him for not keeping his mouth shut. She wanted to be so mad at him for telling Roger about Freddie but when Pete informed her that they would all get a raise, lots of accounts and that she would probably get her own office, a flicker of recognition that this was going to be a big opportunity for her crossed her face. Freddie's misfortune was going to open up a lot of doors for her.
Jimmy Barrett once again has the most significant line of the episode, following from his "You're garbage" reality-check a few weeks back.
This week, he calls Don "the man in the gray flannel suit", an analogy to Don as the main character (Tom) from the book of the same name:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Man_in_the_Gray_Flannel_Suit
review of 2.9 ... one of the best Don and Roger episodes so far...
Addiction seemed to be a running theme throughout tonight's episode; its apparent in the death of Marilyn Monroe splashed on the newspaper headline and in the streaming mascara of the secretaries. However, addiction seemed to be weaved through the various stories of the characters, for instance: Frank's addiction to drink, or Betty's addiction to finding evidence on Don's affairs (rifling through his desk drawers). Addiction wreaks havoc on those who succumbed; Frank lost his job and suffered an embarrassment to his name/reputation. Betty lost her vitality, due to her constant (and understandable) attention on Don's indiscretions.
Although this show has many intertwined stories and nuances, the episode's thrust on addiction was riveting and poignant.
