Your score? 100% on every count. ESPECIALLY the part about Henry locking her in. Brilliant. Thank you for saying it for me!

I like your thoughts on the Don and Betty parallels. The difference is Betty doesn't go through with it and Don, being Don, does. So much for trying to change his ways.

I agree with other MM posters that Miss Farrell is going to become a problem for Don. She really is as wishy washy as Betty is. I know it's the 60's but does he have to screw around so much.

If they were honest with each other and communicated once in a while, they may realize they r both trapped in their lives and find a way to be happy. I know it sounds sappy, but I'm a hopeless romantic.

I think Betty will find out Don's latest indiscretion by way of Miss Farrell herself. It really seems to be a fatal attraction thing about to happen

This is DonDraperWantsMe but I couldn't remember my stupid password so I had to create a new name.

Anyway, I totally loved this episode. So many things to think about. One little thing I noticed is that partway through the episode, Don and Betty switched to opposite sides of the bed. Remember in Rome when they slept on different sides and Don commented that he liked the change?

What about when Connie called in the middle of the night and Betty came back to bed with Baby Gene and said the 4 o'clock feedings aren't over just yet. He wants what he wants when he wants it. "Sounds like someone else I know". I immediately thought she was referring to Don and is wayward wanton ways. But she actually meant Connie. Oh dear.

Miss Ferrell reminds me a little of Midge (from season 1). Midge was an independent (brunette, just like Rachel Menken, another opposite of Betty). She's a smart, witty maverick and holds her own with Don. I noticed that when she was in the car with Don and she said she was going to read MLK's I Have a Dream speech to her class on the first day of school and Don asks if the kids wouldn't already know it. She says, yes but they haven't heard it from an adult. Which of course means that the whole civil rights movement and Martin Luther King were not topics at family dinner tables in beautiful downtown Ossining where they've got a chicken in every pot and black maid in every kitchen. Thank god for teachers like Miss Ferrell.

I almost started crying when that passive aggressive Connie dumped on Don in the boardroom. That campaign was brilliant. It's as if Connie couldn't resist finding fault in Don and actually seemed to enjoy picking him apart in front of an audience. Connie said he was disappointed in Don, but in fact, Connie is the disappointment, just like Don's real father. But he's even worse because I doubt Don felt like a son to anyone before that night in Connie's room. No wonder he went running into the arms of Midgey Miss Ferrell. He wants her to make it all better.

Speaking of disappointment, Betty also used that word when Henry sent his substitute Miss Kittridge in his stead to the fundraiser. Betty and Connie - a couple of selfish brats.

Sal, Sal, Sal. Caution, slippery slope straight ahead! Speaking of Sal, when Don shook his head at Sal and said disdainfully "you people", I suppose you could say he meant "you gay people", but what if he meant more than that. Like, you naive people who don't know how to play the game, wake up and smell the Nescafe. Waddya think?

Sigh. Is it next Sunday yet?

wow. great analysis. and spoken very well... i guess i'm not looking into the show as much and i miss some of the points the writers are trying to make. i judge it more on my gut reaction. i felt this episode gave me more surprise.. i found myself laughing aloud a lot more... ie when carla finds henry at the house.. and when betty finds out that he's not coming.. what a brat.. she couldnt even be polite to that lady.. hilarious. i'm glad to see you like the episode so much. everyone else in the main thread is tearing it to shreds. but i'm with you on this one. also.. don sucks. =]

What about Sal? That was the powerful part of this episode. Takes a stand in the projection room, only to be dismissed by Don. In past episodes, one of Don's few redeeming character traits has been that fact that he doesn't judge people that are on the fridges of society, but his "you people" line makes it clear that he can be as close minded and judgemental as Betty.

I agree that the teacher will be bad news for Don, but the comparison to Anna is spot on (at least in Don's mind).

Disappointed in the complete lack of chemistry between Don and the teacher, so forced. Hope this doesn't go on too long, it's boring.

Henry and Betty, on the other hand, seem to have great chemistry...

You guys are getting on the main thread, dan_e_t? I still can't. Oh well. Are they tearing it apart? If so they're nuts.

But DDstillwnatsme, wow great point on the bed positions. We all love those little things, great call.

rnpen, I agree with you also about Farrell maybe being a problem. She's made it clear she's interested but she also kind of changes...

Sandy, yesss you see her reaction to the lock? This is why we all love this show, it allows us to use our heads.

What about Sal? That was the powerful part of this episode. Takes a stand in the projection room, only to be dismissed by Don. In past episodes, one of Don's few redeeming character traits has been that fact that he doesn't judge people that are on the fridges of society, but his "you people" line makes it clear that he can be as close minded and judgemental as Betty.

I agree that the teacher will be bad news for Don, but the comparison to Anna is spot on (at least in Don's mind). Disappointed in the complete lack of chemistry between Don and the teacher, so forced.

Henry and Betty, on the other hand, seem to have great chemistry.

What about Sal? That was the powerful part of this episode. Takes a stand in the projection room, only to be dismissed by Don. In past episodes, one of Don's few redeeming character traits has been that fact that he doesn't judge people that are on the fridges of society, but his "you people" line makes it clear that he can be as close minded and judgemental as Betty.

I agree that the teacher will be bad news for Don, but the comparison to Anna is spot on (at least in Don's mind). Disappointed in the complete lack of chemistry between Don and the teacher, so forced.

Henry and Betty, on the other hand, seem to have great chemistry.

Right on about Carla - her reaction to Betty was EXACTLY like how Peggy, Jane, etc. cover for Don in the past. Very interesting how the power has shifted, and now Betty is the one setting up affairs, relying on others to cover her tracks.

Greg.... "you give great analysis" as always - I really enjoy your posts. (I haven't even tried Main yet... bound to be like a hungry lion feed. I too thought it the best ep ever.

I was shocked when Betty threw the steel box at him.... letting her brat side have a bit too much rein, but I shouldn't have been surprised... we see it a lot. And quite right... the temperature drops the minute he locked that door.

Rnpen -- right...Miss Farrell is decidedly not the easygoing Midge... she will be trouble for sure. Its already set up with the line "I don't think you've done this before this way.." I think Don's going there is part of his pattern to visit the wild side when he encounters untoward opposition.

One more thing...When Don let Sal go even though he did (I believe) understand that it was unfair and that Sal had not been at fault... I remembered with a real pang Rogers line in The J Deere debacle.... to the effect of somewhere in the advertising game, this has happened before. (my feeling was in the sense of "for real" not just compelling TV)

Melba:

Great point about Betty tossing the box. It reminded me of, just in general in season 1, when Don at some point just takes his arm and sweeps everything of his desk. Remember when he does that, and the crashing sound and Peggy comes in to fix it?

No I don't think there's any intended corrolation specific but I do think we can talk about how they both in stress in their own version of business meetings... chose to toss things.

Hmmm.

Greg, I was locked out of Episode 7 (and still am), but somebody gave me the link & it worked, so try this:
http://blogs.amctv.com/mad-men/talk/2009/10/episode-9-open-thread.php

I loved, loved, loved this episode!

Question: Is it altogether SO unbelievable that a man would come to a woman’s door in the afternoon, stop in for 3 minutes and leave, without it being a source of scurrilous gossip? Why does everyone here assume that Carla KNEW this was a potential love interest of Betty’s? I remember salesmen coming to our door in the 1960s and my mother inviting a couple in for demonstrations or what not, without being suspected of hanky-panky.

Question #2: Viewers, what do you think the Hilton family thinks of Weiner’s depiction of Conrad Hilton, especially when he does the narrative about his real sons being a disappointment to him. I can’t help but think what a huge disappointment Paris Hilton would be to him. Do you think the Hilton family had to approve of any storyline or scripted line?

Hello Dear Greg!

PURR-FECT: YES: the NY-minute Henry locks the door: Betty wants OUT. Brilliant explan and overall analysis.

And YES: Betty so wants to be looked at and admired. Her position on the Victorian chaise is similar to Manet's scandalous Modern painting "Olympia," from 1865 (Paris). In it, a nude mistress is reclining w/ a saucy black ribbon around her neck, a pink orchid in her hair, and a demonic-looking black cat at her feet. An African maid is offering her a bouquet of flowers, ostensibly from some suitor cooling his heels in the foyer. The odalisque's gaze meets the viewer's own with a defiant ferocity.

From "Time Life's World of Manet:1832-1883": I quote:
"In presenting this bold girl in a situation that leaves much to the imagination, and in destroying the traditional boxlike space behind the window of the frame, Manet forces the viewer to work at the picture-to fill out the emotional context and to create in his mind's eye the whole three-dimensional setting. It is this that stunned the audience, and this that makes it a Modern picture."

MW makes our MINDS work. That for me is far more potent and intoxicating than any cocktail. My hubby was complaining about last night's epi and was saying s'thing like "It's just not 'fun' anymore." BECAUSE we are so engaged and have to WORK at observing and understanding the show, it is richer and more complex than most (if not all) TV shows and many films!!! Mad Men is Fine Art!

CHEERS!
(My new/old fav Stones' tune is "Under My Thumb." "She's the sweetest cat in the world. . .")

Hello Dear Greg!

PURR-FECT: YES: the NY-minute Henry locks the door: Betty wants OUT. Brilliant explan and overall analysis.

And YES: Betty so wants to be looked at and admired. Her position on the Victorian chaise is similar to Manet's scandalous Modern painting "Olympia," from 1865 (Paris). In it, a nude mistress is reclining w/ a saucy black ribbon around her neck, a pink orchid in her hair, and a demonic-looking black cat at her feet. An African maid is offering her a bouquet of flowers, ostensibly from some suitor cooling his heels in the foyer. The odalisque's gaze meets the viewer's own with a defiant ferocity.

From "Time Life's World of Manet:1832-1883": I quote:
"In presenting this bold girl in a situation that leaves much to the imagination, and in destroying the traditional boxlike space behind the window of the frame, Manet forces the viewer to work at the picture-to fill out the emotional context and to create in his mind's eye the whole three-dimensional setting. It is this that stunned the audience, and this that makes it a Modern picture."

MW makes our MINDS work. That for me is far more potent and intoxicating than any cocktail. My hubby was complaining about last night's epi and was saying s'thing like "It's just not 'fun' anymore." BECAUSE we are so engaged and have to WORK at observing and understanding the show, it is richer and more complex than most (if not all) TV shows and many films!!! Mad Men is Fine Art!

CHEERS!
(My new/old fav Stones' tune is "Under My Thumb." "She's the sweetest cat in the world. . .")

Greg, The open thread didn't show up in the usual spot for me either but I got on by clicking on it under the box labeled Most Popular. I always enjoy your insights.

Missy: I just tried that but still won't go. But I do thank you much for the suggestion. :) Peaches of 8 started a new Open Thread for Ep 9 for those who can't get the original and it works just fine. I copied my post to there to try to get it started, and there's not a lot of posts right now but what is there is pretty good. We're hoping some people slide over there figuring the original is probably around 400 anyway. Check it out.

Greg, interesting comments!

The scene of Don and Conrad alone in the board room after the failed pitch made me think of Don in the motel room hallucinating about his father. In both scenes, a father figure belittles Don's profession, and Don feels the sting. We're really seeing Don's vulnerability this season and the self-destructive ways he deals with it.

Gwen: Wow, great call. I posted up on Peaches of 8's Ep 9 Open Thread about Conrad/Don/the Moon etc. But I didn't hit the belittle angle. Conrad does slap him down doesn't he, just like dear Dad. And actually dear old Mom if you think about it. See I just thought about the idea of rejection, not the actual verbal smackdown.

I thought Conrad rejected Don because Conrad didn't want to actually look into colonizing the Moon with hotels, but the Moon was a metaphor; "Shoot for the Moon". Don is supposed to be the King, and failed in that regard in Conrad's eyes to come up with the greatest ad campaign ever, not just a good one. Remember how Conrad is always challenging him to shoot for the top immediately, and Don tells him the snake story about choking from gorging too fast? These two don't see out of the same eyes.

But you're absolutely right, he does belittle Don, an alpha-male. And said alpha-male has been slapped around a lot so far this year. I saw it from the rejection aspect but yeah you could've put Connie in a rocking chair with a jug full o shine while he dressed Don down and make it a great correlation. Great call.