Thank you for the link.

Is it just me or do writers just have no idea how to succinctly express the contradictory nature of Peggy's character? When has she ever been "calculating" or "ruthless"? "Tabula Rasa" is also an inaccurate term for the character. She has been very resistant to allow anyone to define what she comes across as, even if she reflects on all she comes in contact with.

Wow, a fascinating interview...thank you for the link, Chris.

Portia...I agree with you that the word "ruthless" is too strong in describing what we've seen of Peggy so far....(but who knows what she will ultimately evolve into ?)... but for right now, even the adjective "calculating" seems a bit harsh. (Have to add that had Peggy's words/actions/style and character trajectory in Season 2 been those of a male character, I doubt that that "he" would have been described as anything other than "smart, ambitious, up-and-comer").

However, something has not rung true to me about Peggy...and that is: for a girl who seems to have her wits fully about her and to have excellent judgment, how come she "fell" so instantly and easily for Pete??? I mean the man exhibited a blatently sexist attitude toward her with offensive, (insulting?) remarks about her appearance on her very first day in the office -- and in front of another man, Don. Remember the scene? Among other things, he asked her if she was "Amish?" It was a painful scene to watch, IMO. (And I thought Moss was excellent in portraying the acute, awkward embarrassment that "Peggy" felt).

THEORY: Is it that any attention at all from a "male superior" -- toward a lowely female (new) secretary--no matter how demeaning (we now call it "sexist")--no matter how unflattering --no matter how obviously embarassed it makes her feel--is NONETHELESS taken by the female as a "compliment" just because he's noticing her???

I just don't understand how our smart, "sensible," no-nonsense Peggy, not only did not forever after give Pete the "cold shoulder," --but on the contrary she opened up her door and her bed to him on the very first DAY (not DATE even) that she knew him....No dinner, no flowers, not even a PHONE CALL to ask if he could come over!!! He just knocks on her door, like some "pole cat" out for the evening and SHE LETS HIM IN!....And are we to assume that his prowess in bed that night was so fantastic that it caused her to fall instantly in love with the man? (Because I never saw anything else in the show between the two that gave me even the smallest clue as to what Peggy saw in him to make her so "in love" that she "forgets" that sex leads to pregnancy).

I'm sorry. I just don't get it. I haven't seen anything in Peggy's family of origin that would scream "dysfunctional," that would "warn" us that she doesn't know her head from a hole in the ground when it comes to "men,"...that would show us that here's a girl who will "fall in love" with the first man in a suit who speaks to her...!

I have to say, it does affect my opinion somewhat of Peggy, and makes me feel that if she's that "off base" in her judgment of men and "dating" and sex---(and with an "engaged" man, no less)....then there is some "screwed up wiring" somewhere in our Peggy's personality....and we just may see other ways in which it "outs" itself in upcoming season(s).

The above rant aside, I thought Moss' comments regarding AMC, a new standard for television, etc. were great. (And I do still "like" Peggy, the character...I just don't think she's got a "completely integrated personality" (to borrow an old "psych" term) in terms of the social/sexual side of life.

But she sure has the competent/smart/career advancement thing down.

...And don't forget that Peggy (also on her first day, I think) came on to Don (put her hand on his) and he put her in her place fast...she does seem to have her thinking ~ when it comes to men ~ mixed up badly!

At any rate, loved the article! Thanks, Chris.

Jackie_M, have you never had a crush on someone and then later thought "What was I thinking?" or with someone your friends told you was a loser?

Peggy doesn't "fall" for Pete when he comes to the door. she "goes for it" when an aggressive and decent looking man aggressively shows up at her door to do something about which she is EXTREMELY curious. We know this because she took Joan's advice to go on the pill immediately. It may or may not have been her first time. After that, she fell for him the way many (if not most) girls fall for a guy over the chemistry in the bedroom and the fact that he picked her that night. It made her feel special. Peggy didn't start out as smart and sensible at all. She grew into that, as many of us do, from experience, observations and making mistakes. She also walked into SC with the intent of having sexual relations (as noted: putting her hand on DD's). I figure she may have been laying there fantasizing about Don when Pete showed up! Pete was there, that is what mattered. Then she got lost in the glow. And whether it was her first time (likely) or not, she still would have been inexperienced enough to not really know if he was any good at it or not.

She also didn't forget that sex leads to pregnancy. She went on the pill, but dear doctor didn't bother to tell her that it takes time to work. He didn't tell her anything about it, which is probably a factor in why she wouldn't have known about her own pregnancy. The idea is probably that being on the pill, she would have thought that was a side effect no one told her about, and plenty of people, even young people today, were convinced that it can't possibly happen the first time. Nobody talked about the details of sex and our bodies like we do today, and she grew up in a repressive environment full of guilt, Catholic style. This was rebellion and curiosity and thrill seeking. She seized an opportunity. We've seen that is something not out of character with her later actions.

Portia, I also agree that ruthless and calculating aren't term that describe Peggy's character well. Ruthless means someone will lie or cheat to get their way, and I don't think we'll see that in Peggy (I hope not!). I wouldn't even call Roger ruthless, or even Pete despite his attempt at blackmail with Don and some of his other actions. I think calculating is also way too harsh, and clever or adaptable would probably be better description. Joan, Jane, Pete, perhaps Paul to some degree - calculating? Yes. Peggy? Wha??