Betty and Rachel

I see that a lot of people on the message board are defending Betty's action. Don had it coming. He didn't respect her. He was a bad father. All of this may be true to some degree. But what I find really horrible about Betty is what a snob she is. She wasn't leaving Don because he cheated on her or didn't respect her. After all of his philandering, she still took him back. Now, we see what Betty considers as ground for leaving Don. After he reveals his past, his mother who is a prostitute, his farmlife, etc. She had determined that he isn't good enough for her based on his past. Don quickly surmises this when he states in their bedroom fight that he gave her everything and all of a sudden he wasn't good enough for her and she yells back "That's right". There are viewers who are simply blinded by Betty's pretty face and can't see the ugly person underneath the Grace Kelly persona. She's leaving the unsuitable Don for someone she feels is "worthy" of her, Henry Frances. I hope he makes her life hell and Don moves on, runs into Rachel while on business and marry his true soulmate. When Don told Rachel his past, she gave him solace and a sweet kiss. Betty just placed a distant hand on his shoulder. She doesn't deserve to have love because she doesn't know how to give it.

Season 3 Episode 13 - Open Thread

Talk about Season 3, Episode 13, "Shut the Door. Have a Seat"

(Somebody had to ask) 3 in the books -- WORST episode ever???

My choice: I don't know the title but it was that silly trip to LA that Pete and Draper took where Don went off with a wealthy, tramp daughter of a millionaire. Very realistic. I still can't decide whether or not that was a joke or a fantasy on Don's part. Anyway, as great as the show has been, there have been clunkers here and there. Please share, or, at the very least, tell us the moment or seen you felt should never have been aired, for whatever reason. Thanks.

Why did Don fight for Peggy and NOT Betty?

I think that the only way Betty would possibly be able to consider forgiving Don and reconciling with him after his MASSIVE betrayal would be if Don were to get down on his knees and issue an enormous "mea culpa." If he were to tell her that he was sorry he hurt her, that he has destroyed the family by his actions, etc. Something along those lines. And he would have to SHOW the remorse and contrition for his actions.

The thing is he never apologized to her for what he did, never showed any remorse, and worse yet after taking her for granted from day one, he also too for granted that she would stay with him because he assumed she was 'stuck' and that she would never find a "lifeboat."

But, of course, now we all know that Betty did find a lifeboat, and Don's lack of remorse made it all the easier for her to jump in Henry Francis's boat.

So, why did Don take all the "fight" he should have given to his marriage, and instead give it to Peggy?

There he sat with tears in his eyes (!) begging her and pleading with her to stay - even admiting he "could not do it without her?"

Why no such fight for the mother of his children?

What say ye, Mad Men fans?

Unresolved storylines

Before season 4 (which I hope takes place in '64 not '66 like some people have speculated) moves forward does anyone recall any good storylines that were abandoned in earlier episodes? How about directions characters were headed that you liked that were suddenly shafted? MY BIGGEST QUESTION would be Pete and Trudy's trouble over having kids. THAT WAS GREAT! Where did it go? Also, I would like to add Peggy and the father from the church. These two NEED to be revisited before The Beatles make their debut on Ed Sullivan. Anyone?

Betty Can't Get A Divorce

I had previously mentioned that the grounds for divorce in NY at that time was only adultery and a couple of other grounds that Henry's lawyer mentioned. NYS did not recognise a Nevada divorce so it will do her no good getting one. Yes, some States like California may have but not NY.The situation is the same with homosexual "marriage" today and btw NY will not perform them or recognise them.Betty is also taking a big chance even going to Nevada with Henry. She can't prove that Don committed adultery but if Don were to hire a private detective he could get enough on Betty to sue HER for divorce and get everything including the children.And the sort of evidence admissible did not require that you have a picture of them in the act back then. Merely spending the night together whether in an apt. or hotel would be prima facie evidence that she's an adultress.Even being in two seperate rooms at a hotel and under the same roof might be enough since they were traveling together and are both married and didn't notify their spouses about it. Divorce is a civil action and it is decided based on the preponderance of the evidence a much lower standard than in a criminal case where's it's beyond a reasonable doubt.

The Revolution of December 13th

Just a thread to discuss odds and ends of the "revolution" of Draper, Sterling, Cooper and Pryce. There was, for example, some marvelous visual choreography in this episode. Like Don comes in and faces a seated Bert, convinces him. They go to Roger, sit down with him--he behind the desk, them facing him, forming a triangle. Then they deal with Pryce. Nice that building up of who's on board.

The second meeting with Pryce where Pryce admits PPL is being sold, too, is marvelous. Because the minute they get Pryce on board, the four of them sit, simultaneously, in four corners. It's a great visual indicating a kind of stability, like the four legs of a chair. It echos that feeling that every one of their brains is working and playing off each other--which hasn't quite been the case in previous meetings between them.

They're equals and together in the revolution, suddenly each of them is at the top of their game and they're a formidable team. Pryce was the last musketeer as it were, or the last member of the band. It all clicks into place.

And then there is that awesome moment when Don and Roger leave SC, together they open the doors and together they quite literally close the doors on SC, on their past.

Other things you saw, noticed or just want to chat about concerning this revolution--which, while not a youth movement or a civil rights movement, is still a blow, of sorts, for freedom and individuality?

podcast review of fabulous finale

6-mins on the revolutionary episode...

VELVEETA! The Cheese Box in Ep 13

I laughed at them packing some their stuff in a cardboard box with VELVEETA prominently printed on it. (product placement at its best) They were the mice stealing the cheese right out of the trap. A huge trap had been set for Don Draper and he found a way to steal the cheese and leave the trap empty.

Symbolic, as was Roger telling Don not to bother to lock the door. There wasn't anything left worth guarding.

"Shut The Door.Have A Seat" or "The Return of the CHIP'N'DIP"

Was that cool or what? Mr. Weiner I tip my 1960's fedora to you!

A Long Life

The best shows teach their audience something about storytelling. Before the season began, I expected 1963 to be entirely skipped over. But I'm so glad it wasn't. We needed to see this year in these character's lives. Unlike most dramas, especially those on cable, Mad Men could easily sustain itself for ten seasons. Given the proper support by AMC & Lion's Gate, the show is poised to become the comprehensive work of art on film about the '60's. The story potential in the years to come is endless. And they can't flash forward too much if for no other reason that we, the audience, need to see Sally Draper grow up. Kiernan Shipka is a fantastic little actress and has earned her place on the show for its life (I'm sure the writers agree).

This season required a little more patience, but I was never bored or disinterested. It was so equisitely-plotted that I didn't notice the pieces being put into place to facilitate the ending until it happened; and it was all the more resonant because it felt earned. It was particularly difficult to have so little interaction between Roger and Joan, but the scarcity just made every moment between them feel more precious. Can't wait to see what happens!

The writers on this show are rockstars to me. You've had such an impressive run that I keep waiting for the inevitable jealous-media backlash. But you've earned the my faith these last three seasons, and I'm ready to follow wherever you take us. Just keep doing what you're doing; being true to the characters.

Probably my favorite moment of a season full of brilliant moments was the last scene between Don and Peggy. Broke. My. Heart. When she said, "If I say no, you'll never talk to me again," and Don answered, "If you say no, I'll spend the rest of my life trying to hire you," I was fighting tears. Their relationship is incredibly important to me, as someone who believes in the power of mentorship. Well done. That moment was worth the wait.

Anyway, I just had to send out my love to the show, the cast, the crew...everyone responsible for giving us such a spectacular work of art. See you next year.

For divorced maddicts only

This episode brought back a lot of painful memories for me. I don't want to clog up the main thread with my personal memories on this subject. When Don got a little rough in the bedroom with Betty I was hoping he would put her head through a wall. This was exactly how I felt the day we(actually me) told our kids the same type of speech. The divorce was my ex-wife's idea, but it was the best thing that ever happened to me. It was a terrible marriage I was willing to endure solely for the sake of the kids. I have been in a long time relationship with a wonderful younger woman since then, and both my children came to live with me although my ex had custody at first. My older son barely acknowledges her existence, not at my behest. Things have gone well for me the past 12 years and I do not have any regrets or anger over the break-up, save one. Having to give that speech to two kids who thought their family life was perfect and would go on forever. Of course I had to be the bad guy who actually told them while my idiot ex just looked on. For at least 6 months I daydreamed of putting her head threw the wall of a room that I had sheetrocked, but had not taped or painted yet. I am just wondering if other divorced Maddicts had similar experiences to the one in the Draper living room in episode 13

Good for Peggy and Betty: The Women Are Getting Bold

It was great to see Peggy stand up for herself and put Don in his place. She also told Roger "NO" when she asked him to fetch him some coffee. Betty also showed some backbone by telling Don she was leaving him and there was nothing he could do about it. Yes indeed, the women are getting bold and sassy! I wonder if this is a sign off things to come for next season.

THANK YOU Matt Weiner !

THANK YOU MATT WEINER, & everyone involved in this show. Just when I think it doesn't get any better than this, you roll out an episode like this.

I was cheering on the Sterling Cooper parts, crying during the divorce talk, & smiling ear-to-ear the entire hour. Matt, you & your team hit it out of the park tonight. You should be extremely proud.

And on specific notes ....

BURT - man, the look he gave Harry Crane when he said "... we'll have to lock you in the storeroom ... I'm sure you understand". That look was Emmy-worthy!

ROGER - I would follow you anywhere

PETE & PEGGY -- both know a little something about Don. Keep your friends close, you know ... Plus they are so fabulous to watch. I like Ken too, but Pete & Peggy are sheer joy. Plus with Pete we get Trudy - bless her Charleston & her sweet little sandwiches!

JOAN - love love LOVE that she's back! She is SO the woman who can put this new shop together. And for those late nights at the office, how about a little accordian!

SAL - will he come back, or will Lee Garner Jr have something to say about that? (did you catch Peggy's remark about "no art - there's nobody there"?)

BETTY - who knows is she & Henry will pan out. I like him, I don't blame her for leaving Don, though I do wish they'd get back together - at some point. As Roger put it, does Don value his relationship with his family, I wonder ....

And Don ... Don ... I thought maybe he'd killed his father. He was there, close enough. But there is still SO much more we don't know about him. I am loving these slow revelations. I've never enjoyed being in the dark this much, & somehow I think Matt & Co know that there is no one we'd rather be in the dark with.

And Peggy not getting Roger coffee ... Burt asking if people had washed their hands ... Lane making the leap with them (but what of his UK-loving wife?) ... I LOVE IT ALL. THANK YOU!!

Hated S3 with one exception

Episode 13 was awesome and what I had come to admire about season 1 and 2. To me season 3 was a waste of time except for this last episode which really makes me wish season 4 would start next week. Absolutely loved this episode and look forward to an energetic and hopefully more upbeat season 4. Getting sick of the "Whole world sucks lets all be depressed and miserable" crap that seems to fill every network lately. Not everyones life sucks, SOME people are actually happy and upbeat. (ok maybe not me, but some people)

satisfying, surprising, often exhilarating, superb

review of Season 3 finale

Awesome I love it The Birth of the Sixties

Good Riddance Betty!!! Hello Sterling Cooper Draper and Pryce!!! And thank God the old Roger is back!!

Season 3 Episode 12 - Open Thread

Talk about Season 3, Episode 12, "The Grown Ups."

ADT Recap 12

Have the prime rib AND the filet, and move on up the front of the theatre. Curtain's up. Link in the comments.

Music from Season 3 finale trailer

Hey everyone! I'm not sure if you caught the trailer for the season finale, but it features the song "Aphelion" from Moving Mountains' 2007 album, Pneuma.

The trailer is on YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xylyhOLId60) and you can listen to the full song on the band's MySpace (www.myspace.com/movingmountainsmusic)

Stolen Glances - Betty and Henry

Betty and Henry? What is the attraction? As sneaky and whoremongering as Don is ( one referred to lovingly as a Ladies Man) it truly angered me when Henry told Betty he would marry her. (I assume that he was assuring her in 1963 speak of a safety net for a sexual affair) . What does she see in this guy? He's smooth and has a degree of power and position but he is twice her age and has a daughter that appears to be Betty's age. It's obvious she has had it with Don Draper. I would like to think there is something still there. I don't think it has as much to do with the affairs that Betty suspects. Perhaps it has more to do with the small lies (not that hiding your true identity is a small lie) that made Don's kiss meaningless. It was Betty's generic moment. In Italy she felt sexy and modern and I truly thought the fire was back for them but in the morning it was back to good old Bets -Here Bets it's a charm for your charm bracelet, Mother of my kids- instead of here is string of pearls and while we're here I want to kiss you at the coliseum. Betty has married well and lives in West Chester and wants for nothing but spends her days watching TV while Don unpredictably comes and goes. There is seemingly no interest at all in what is meaningful to Betty or a complete lack of comprehension on Don's part that his wife could require anything more than the home he has provided for her. She is a trophy and he (although I think he truly will be destroyed when she leaves) he won't get it until it is too late. It could be that Henry asks her about her and truly seems interested. I think she so craves being a considered human being that any man that gives her that becomes attractive (as women don't think, in terms of what attracts them, as men do). As an aside there are like 20 posts on here about trolls and bickering and alternative posting sites and blah blah blah. It's tedious to scroll through to get to posts about the show.

Things to notice in Ep. 12

1. Peter's Rifle: Some obvious foreshadowing, right in the first scene -- the rifle is shown prominently in the background while Pete whines about cocoa.

2. Peewee Herman?? Duck phones Peggy for a "nooner" under the name "Mr. Herman." Then he calls her "Peewee" (his nickname for her?) It's an obvious joke...but why?

3. Aqua Net: Everyone saw the assassination foreshadowing during Paul Kinsey Theater -- now we know for sure they'll have to change that ad. Don looks at Peggy's story board - two couples in an open top convertible...yeah, gonna have to nix that idea.

4. Don's Dressed Like Oswald: Who noticed that Don is wearing the exact same outfit Oswald was wearing when he was shot? Dark sweater over white collared-shirt. Ummm...so does that mean Betty 's Jack Ruby?

5. Black and White: Henry's white Ford(?) pulls up next to Betty's black Lincoln in the parking lot -- a nod to Civil Rights?

6. Betty and Carla: Distraught Carla joins sobbing Betty on the sofa and lights up a cig. Sally consoles Betty. Betty and Carla do NOT console each other.

7. Natalie Wood: At the reception, Henry Francis's daughter tells Margaret Sterling that she "looks like Natalie Wood or something..." The actress playing MS once played Natalie in a TV movie.

8. Pete is Fab: At the end, Pete is channeling "Meet the Beatles" as his face is partially covered in shadow and he wears that black turtleneck.

Seeking Comfort

One of the (many) subtexts raised in this episode was the theme of "Where were you when JFK was shot"? The characters sought comfort with who was either familiar or most convenient, to try and make sense of the horror and shock of the assassination. Peter and Trudy clung to each other in their grief for the death of the President, as well as the loss of his position. They seemed more like a couple than ever before this season. Roger called Joan. Duck hooked up with Peggy. Harry stayed in his office. And, Betty, having realized her marriage is over, ran to Henry. And then, there's Don, left with noone, pretending that everything's going to be OK, when nothing will ever be the same again. The end of national and personal innocence for everyone.

What would Don Do???

Seems like a good number of people think that Don would try to leave Betty penniless and prehaps even take the kids if she asks for a divorce. I don't. I am no Don fan, but he does take pride in providing for his family and I think that even with his twisted morals, if she insists on a divorce, he will keep providing for her and would not want to take the kids from her. Underneath it all, he has a very low opioion of himself and there is no way that he'd think he could do a better job with them than she could . The $ in the drawer - lots of people assume it's the 500,000 dollars. I am sure most of that is in the bank. Don keeps some out as an escape fund for himself and proabably also becasue he is a child of the depression and doesn't trust banks. Remember, Betty said he dioesn't understand money. When he ran away to CA, he seemed willing to consider going back to selling cars. It's not all about the money with him, its the status family/wife.

podcast on The End of the World and Mad Men

7-mins of what was close to The End of the World for Don, and what may be the best fiction on the screen about the impact of Nov 22, 1963 on a slice of influential Americans...

Betty and Francis...WTF?????

Ok..I am a Betty sympathizer. I have backed my home girl since day 1. I have understood her character and identified with her more than any other on a TV show. It almost makes me feel silly.

My issue this week is how can she just flip the switch "I don't love you, Don" so quickly? As soon as Francis says he intends to marry her, she jumps the fence and all of a sudden wants to ditch DD.

I will give further comments in the posts....

Roger and Joan

Will Roger tire of his child bride and realize that Joan is a real woman?

The End of the World

review of 3.12

The End of Camelot Episode 12

This episode concerned the assassination of JFK and the end of Camelot, as Jackie christened it.
"Don't let it be forgot
That once there was a spot
For one brief shining moment
That was known as Camelot! "
For one brief moment in time, there was a president who seemed to be a knight in armor, a young King Arthur to the American. But death could not contain the soiled garments beneath the armor. The tales of sordid affairs and election corruption came to view.

For one brief moment, Dick Whitman costumed himself as a knight, found himself a princess and created his own Camelot complete with a suburban castle.

Tonight Don Draper was shot down by the bullet of Betty's words. Tonight was about the end of Camelot for Don.

Whimsical too that, the son of Richard Harris, a previous star of Camelot on Broadway should be a prominent member of the cast this season and that his words ended a lesser Camelot for Pete Campbell.

I give up, EP 12 Open Thd alternate posts here:

If you can't get on the 12 Open Thread, post here and let's chat. Remember your comments aren't beholden to any one thread, and we all want to hear what everyone has to say. Talk here if you can't get on, and don't be afraid to re-post them on the open thread if you get on it later in the week. But for now, since most of us can't get on, talk here. I'll start it:

Outside of the emotive aspects, it still was a great episode in it's own otherwise as well.

What terrific writing. The dialogue between characters in every corner was so perfectly funny, smart, deep and poignant. Give them credit. Regarding the crafting of this episode I think it's a shame the dialogue writing may be overlooked, this was great.

I'll spare the repeating of lines but Peggy going for the nooner with Duck, saying she'll be, "at the printers" was terrific. Gotta love Peggy being one of the guys pulling Don's favorite excuse.

Speaking of Peggy and Duck, last week we had a parallel with 2 men dealing in their own way with younger women, at the same time. And we have it here again.

Even further speaking of young women, you have 2 young women fighting over the same older man, Jane and Margaret competing over Roger. Different ways obviously, but still competing.

Competition as a theme this episode:
Pete vs Ken, Pete lost.
Don vs Henry, looks like a loss in this round for Don.
Jane vs Margaret

Pete: Pete was told by Pryce that the clients' needs are feeling met with Pete. Pete hates that, however, this is the best we've seen him meet his wife's need for comfort and attention and togetherness; i.e., ironically meeting his client's needs if you will.
And if you notice, at the end Pete and Trudy are dressed a little more like Smitty as they're both talking rebellious about "the man" i.e. Sterling Cooper. I think that could end up being a big visual and foreshadowing for next year. Hmmm. We'll see.

Ok here's a thing for the women here:

I know nowadays we basically have almost no rules when it comes to appearance unfortunately, but I was under the impression that a woman is to never, ever, wear black to a wedding, at least back then if not now. Jane wore black. It fits the profile of Jane to be accidentally rude like that, and I'm almost positive that's the way it used to be. So, you tell me....?

I think Betty will get caught in her Henry business. In prior episodes we've seen her take on, in her own way, some parallels with Don. Know what else I think she's parallel with Don? Her sloppiness regarding her extracurricular activities. Taking a drive to go see someone who is not the spouse? What had Don been doing in the early mornings? Taking a drive to see someone who is not the spouse. Also, being shady in the meeting, wether it's him sneaking up to Farrell's place, or Betty meeting Henry in a parking lot. Both shady and sloppy. They deserve each other.

But back to a structural thing, Betty feeling grief over the events of the day is pretty much in conjunction with Betty feeling grief over her marriage and situation. And those two things colliding make for a bad marriage, pun intended.

Is there anything to Don, when he's chatting with Peggy at the end, looking at the Aquanet sketches but he flips them upside down back upon her desk?

Near the very end, Don coming downstairs to the disgruntled Betty doing the morning thing, looking right at Betty and you hear that cold wind, allegedly, from outside. No accident of audio.....

The obvious will get all the attention but this really was a great episode, give them credit.

Brilliant and Poetically Sad Episode

Hats off to the writers and actors of this beautifully somber and compelling episode. . Aptly titled "The Grown Ups" we see adults acting as children and children acting as grown ups and a country in various degrees of shock and mourning. There was a great deal of stock news footage (maybe too much) in the episode but the manner by which differing characters "heard the news" was indeed interesting. (After a Nooner - at work - etc) The lack of people at the wedding reception ( and the surplus at the church) was also a very subtle yet powerful statement. I should have guessed that the Aquanet add would be foreshadowing - they won't be using that storyboard. Why is Betty interested in that old man? Is it because she just lost her Daddy and she can't trust Don? I know Don is a lying cheater cheater pumkin eater but I feel bad for him. He can't lose Betty. Would the world shut down like this should something so tragic happen today? I wonder.

This episode was filled with gut-wrenching drama!

This was one of the most tense episodes of the entire series. Everyone was so emotional. Betty is distraught. Pete is having a nervous breakdown. Don is losing more and more power at Sterling Cooper. Carla is deeply sad. Roger's daughter almost lost it before her wedding and on and on. This was an epsiode of gut-wrenching drama.

Season 3 Episode 11 - Open Thread

Talk about Season 3, Episode 11, "The Hobo and the Gypsy"

in episode 11 doesn't anyone

find it funny that Don would tell Betty "you have about $200 in your bank account so you should be good"

ADT Recap 11

Grab your horse kabobs and a clean pair of underpants. ADT Recap 11 is up. Link in comments.

what is your favorite MM scene from each season?

ok - saw this question posted on fb and thought i would put it out on the boards as well. I'll get the conversation started and post my three fav scenes.

Since MW and his crew of all star writers still have two epis left to wow us, i have to say that as of today, the maypole scene is one of the most beautiful and provocative pieces of television i have ever watched. Sally in her white dress with blue sash and don the image of male perfection in his aviators, and of course, the sensual stroke of grass that had so many of us talking!

season 2 would be the infamous dinner when don showed bobby who was calling the shots. so shocking i asked my husband if AMC was cable television! later in the epi, betty endearingly tells don they made a great team, and for the first time i felt truly sad for betty.

season 1 betty getting to "know" her washing machine - the irony of don being an "adonis" in the bedroom yet so out of touch with his wife's needs. i'm sure don would never expect his wife to find her own version of the "relaxacisor" .

Betty bitchslapped Don!

Wow! What riveting television this past episode. Betty took no prisoners when she took Don to task for his long tenure of deception! That scene was powerful.

WHAT I WOULD LIKE TO SEE

Don stops cheating on his wife and he concentrates on his family and career. Roger can pick up where he left off with Joan but only a more serious romance that leads to marriage. The child Roger married goes back to Trenton. We see more of Roger's mother. We see more of Bert. The limeys go away and Duck drowns along with Peggy.

"Are you having anything"

Is this the first time Don seemed to respect Betty? The look on Sally D's face was priceless. Is there hope for Don...Has coming clean to Betty exorcised the demons???? In the end as the neighbor said "And who are you supposed to be!!!!!"

A DISHONEST MAN LIVES HERE

When that teacher got up with her suitcase and left her hiding place (the car), it reminded me of the hobo leaving Don'ts father's house. Only he wasn't a sneaky person. The only thing that sneaky woman didn't do was leave a mark outside Don's house. Unless you can consider her the mark outside the Draper household because their neighbors might have seen her ducking down in the car like the predator she is.

A Most Telling Line....

I agree with so many posters that this was one of the best episodes yet. It was so dense with story and character and was a lot to absorb. There is so much to comment on, but one line in particular really resonated with me. When Greg tells Joan he's joined the Army, he says that he will be sent somewhere, maybe Viet Nam, "if that's still going on"....A very pointed piece of dialogue, that says without saying, what was to come; a 14 year, never-declared, senseless war.

AWARD WINNING EPISODE OF THE SEASON ON SO MANY LEVELS

Oct 25th ep was the best of the season. Don Hamm deserves an award. I 've always liked the teacher. I felt sorry for her waiting in the car. I just knew that when Don was upstairs and he said "I'm in here Betts" and the camera zoomed to the doorway there was an anticipiation, i wanted it to be Suzanne walking up the stairs, but it turned out to be Betty. Talk about climatic. She had no idea Betty and the kids would be back so soon, I thought she would have gone in to see what was taking him so long.
I think at some point Don and Betty will end up divorced. I want them divorced by SERIES end, which i hope is not for a long time. I dont' see them being that "perfect" couple together at home, maybe as a facad like now.. I don't think she is the love of his life. She fits the role he lives.
I believe when Roger told Annabelle she wasnt the one, he wasnt thinking of his new wife but of Joan. Hopefully they will end up together.
I think that Greg will soon end up or missing in Vietnam. The closing scene will be Joan reading a telegram of his ...end scene. OR either a shot of two Army personnel walking up to her door , she opens the door and just the look on her face ends the scene. End of story line for Greg. Joanie goes back to SC and finds love once again with Roger. I think they both love each other.

Please slow down: a humble request to the show's creators

Hello. First off, I would like to say that Mad Men is my favorite show on television; in fact, it is the only television show that I watch regularly. I came in about mid-way through last season and since then I have not missed an episode. You have achieved remarkable success on two fronts: you have achieved a very high standard of period detail and you have created excellent dramatic interaction amongst the characters. Most importantly, each element succeeds without relying on the other for secondary effect.

So many present day productions set in the 1950s or 1960s have struggled to create intelligent drama and nearly all of them have failed because they were either inattentive to detail or they allowed the period to dictate the drama rather than let the characters create it.

What concerns me is the speed at which the show is approaching the latter half of the 1960s, a period in time when this country almost shook itself apart due to its many divisions. I was too young to remember it clearly. Perhaps that is for the best, because by many accounts it was a very unpleasant time for America. And that story has been told and retold against the backdrop of a number of dramatic pretenses, mostly because it makes for easy drama. By now though, it is also very tired. We all know the story. It's been done.

Stylistically, the period detail of the late 1960s is still very prevalent and familiar in today's culture. That's what makes your emphasis on the details of the early 1960s so striking. It's almost totally unfamiliar. Having the characters interact in such unfamiliar territory allows us to relate to them without the familiar baggage of the late 1960s weighing the whole thing down and dictating the drama. So far, with only a few exceptions, you have avoided this trap. However, history appears poised to challenge you.

The show is currently moving into November 1963, and the events of that month and year are well known to many people. Some of them believe that it was those events that triggered much of the history that followed. With regard to the show's characters, I can't help but wonder what is going to happen to them as they get entangled in that history. Maybe it is better that their fates are left to our imagination.

I ask that you please consider slowing the show's time clock down and allow us to savor the unfamiliar and relish in the genuine drama a little longer.

Thanks.

Confessions of Mad Men

Don's confession to Betty is getting all the attention--with good reason. But isn't it interesting to note the contrast between that confession and the one Greg made to Joan?

Don's confession was big, dramatic, and forced by Betty. Greg, on the other hand, casually volunteered the information to Joan that his father had a nervous breakdown. He then flippantly said something like, "I can't believe I never told you that before."

The wives' reactions differed, too. Betty couldn't help but to comfort Don about his brother. The next day, Betty and Don acted much more considerately toward each other, almost as one would with an acquaintance.

Greg and Joan, on the other hand, were operating on different planes. Greg whined, and Joan snapped and hit him over the head with a vase.

And let's not forget that a few episodes back, Pete "confessed" his most recent infidelity to Trudy without saying a word, and this seemed to bring them closer.

What do you think all of these confessions mean for the characters' relationships?

...and how long did she sit in the car??????

How long did she wait in teh car before realizing that Don wasn't available for comment????

The Hobo and the Gypsy

I noted a lot of questioning about who's the hobo and who is the gypsy (outside of the costumed kids); some suggested Suzanne and her brother--but her absent brother (1) wasn't in the episode and (2) isn't a hobo. A hobo wants to be on the move. Suzanne's brother is forced to be on the move because of his epilepsy. Which is why I'd vote the Hobo and Gypsy as being Don and Suzanne. Suzanne is attractive to Don because she is a free spirit like he is, but she's much more "exotic" and spiritual, more the gypsy. Of course, there's also a possibility that the title suggests Betty confrontation of Don about his first "wife" Anna--a tarot card reader.

The hobo, however, is most certainly Don, as he has been labeled so, metaphorically speaking, from the first time we see him learning lessons about the hobo code from an actual hobo. But the show went even farther this particular episode to make sure we got the connection.

After his confession to Betty, he is washing up and he looks at himself in the mirror. We feel this is the first time he's looking at himself and seeing the real him not the Don Draper mask he tries to wear 24/7. The man he sees in the mirror has a very heavy 5 O'Clock shadow. Just like we see in old Hollywood movie stereotypes of Hobos. Just the way bobby has his face done up for Halloween.

The gypsy may be a question, but the Hobo is Don.

Don's Night of Reckoning

a review of 3.11, the episode that changes everything

Don Draper Alias

what season and episode did Pete Campbell discover Don uses an alias?

He joins the ARMY? Yeah, right.

Gay.

Mad Men takes another journey into the absurd after Joanie's little boy, "my son, the doctor," (this IS after all, how the character is written and played) first wants to be a surgeon, then a shrink, and now, on to a different playtime game: let's play SOLDIERS!! Yay! I can be a surgeon AND a soldier at the same time! Yippee!!

In their never-ceasing quest to portray straight white males as corrupt or overgrown juveniles, we are supposed to believe this bizarre turn of events. "Sure, I may have to go to Nam, but that will be over soon..." or such childish words to that effect. Thus, the good people of the creative team want us to believe that this "kid," who managed to graduate med school, convince the all-knowing, all-seeing, wisest of wise, Queen Joan, that he was "the one," is now going to join the Army out of a desperate and peurile desire to be play with his favorite toys, uh, that is, become a surgeon.

On another topic, Don becomes more and more corrupt, while Cooper, perhaps the MOST corrupted soul on the planet, shows some "integrity," by refusing the advances of an old flame? Hah? Betts, find Don's "stuff,"??? Is this, "Mad Men," or "Days of Our Lives"??? Gee, you think Luke and Laura will get back together again?!??

It's insensitive to stereotype hobos and gypsys.

This is beyond the pale, I mean really. Has our society become so callous that we accept depictions of the homeless as objects of ridicule?

Season 3 Episode 10 - Open Thread

Talk about Season 3, Episode 10, "The Color Blue."

Season 3/Episode 11 Opening Scene Predictions

Your Post

podcast review of Mad Men 3.10

6-minute review .... the weakest ink, the strongest television

The line of dialogue that sent a cold chill down my spine

It was Miss Farrell's line to Don, after she had chased him down from the train platform to a seat next to him on the train:

"I don't care about your marriage, I don't care about your work. I just want to know that I'm WITH you."

*Miss Farrell squeezes Don's hand possessively*

Did this line terrify anyone else here? I know it sent a cold chill down my spine, and my guy Craig, who was sitting next to me stopped the episode, and played that part back again, because he thought he heard her incorectly. He then said, shaking his head, "Don, Don, she's trouble with a capital T. Dude, you're in it now!"

Anyone else have the same reaction? If not, was WAS your reaction to this moment? I'm dying to know what my fellow Maddicts felt, when they watched this scene....

ADT Recap 10

Pull your kerchief from your can and take your seizure meds. Curtain's up. Link in the comments.

Little Things to Love in Episode 10

Sorry I am late this week. Here, in no particular order, are the things I loved in this week's episode:

1. Sally's question about why the Drapers don't go to Church more often, and Betty's reply "We don't need to go every week" while Carla, who does go every week, is standing right there.

2. Bobby Draper, foreshadowing Jan Brady middle child syndrome

3. Mummy Draper, as she was riding with Jane and Roger to the Waldorf. "Does Monda know?"

4. Paul Kiney Theatre, and most especially, the guy with the purple kerchief who failed to spray his 'do with Aquanet first.

5. Roger and Bert looking at the photo from 1923 and Roger's wry remark that "they're all dead....except you and Doug Thompson." And Doug Thompson's passing off laxatives as candy to poor Roger.

6. Don and Betty, so preoccupied with which of their lovers may have called that neither failed to correct Sally on her bad grammar when she announced the hang up call ("They hanged up.").

7. Sally's muttering "Geez Louise" to Betty when Betty complained that Sally was taking things too personally.

8. When Don opened the door to Suzanne Farrell's apartment the first time. In the background, you could hear the radio playing "Dominique" by the Siniging Nun, which debuted in 1963.

9. The return of old favorites: Betty's washing machine and Lois Sadler.

10. Bert Cooper watching a soap opera when Lane Pryce entered Bert's office.

And a bonus, because I did not get to 10 in last week's list:

11. Don and Peggy both saying, at separate times, "I hate when that happens" when Paul explains that he forgot to write his idea down and it disappeared.

The color blue a red herring to viewers? Red herring as in something intended to divert attention from the real problem or matter at hand; a misleading clue.

I'm not so sure the color blue is that significant, the color or the fact that it is blue. My take is it was a clever method for the discussion between an elementary school teacher and Don so that he can say his line to convey his little philosophical moment. Also, it created a sense of intimacy between them. Having Don use a child's question softens him in her eyes, endears him to her because he responds to the teacher as if a six year old's concern is important to him because it is to her.
Then at home Don just as smoothly when Bobby, his own son, asks why doesn't he ask how he's doing, he responds shortly, "I do. (but doesn't) and explains that Sally's answer is quicker....Go figure; Mr. Softie not so much with his child.
I would love to read discussion about this and other's take on the color blue.

Tom and Lorenzo review Ep 10

http://projectrungay.blogspot.com/2009/10/mad-men-s3e9-color-blue.html

Who is tops in the Power Rankings this week?

http://www.movieline.com/2009/10/mad-men-power-rankings-week-10-enjoy-the-world-as-it-is-margaret-theyll-change-it-and-never-give-you.php

Paul's Big Idea

Anyone have any guesses as to what Paul's idea was?

Episode 10 in Pictures

http://www.bestweekever.tv/2009-10-19/mad-men-recap-don-drops-his-drawers-both-furniture-and-pants-wise/#more-45409

And a few more articles...

http://blogs.chron.com/tubular/archives/2009/10/don_draper_cant.html

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/william-bradley/imad-meni-the-color-blue_b_326413.html

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/33383845/ns/entertainment-television/

http://popwatch.ew.com/2009/10/19/mad-men-is-miss-farrell-crazy/

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/popcornprejudiceamovieblog/2010094365_monday_morning_mad_men_betty_k.html

The Same Music Playing During Last Night's Episode as when Betty First Meets Henry?

Anyone notice how they played the same music at the end of last night's episode (as Betty is watching Don accept his award) as they did when Henry first met Betty and asked her if he could feel her pregnant belly? I wonder what it means, any thoughts?

Greek Heroes and Roman Generals

Afflicted soldiers who hide a secret weakness for fear they won't be allowed to fight? Like Don? We seem to have both our Greek Myth and Fall of the Roman Empire coming together in this episode. How many Achilles' heels did you see mentioned in this episode (i.e. people private/secret weaknesses)? And should we be thinking about Trojan horses and assassins in the Senate? (Et tu Brute?)

"People May See Things Differently....

...But they don't really want to," says Don Draper about the philosophical question, do we all see blue as blue? Wow. Talk about summing up Don, most characters on the show, and what advertising is all about.

Yet this episode is all about seeing things differently whether we want to...or not. Thoughts?

A Study In Contrasts - The Color Blue

Just when you think you know where a storyline is headed Weiner shifts your attention or reveals a side of a character that was unexpected. Another aspect of the writing for this show is the parallels between characters. The tension in the room when Sally answers the silent phone (I think it was Hilton) and the contrasting parallels it brings to light. The feeling that all of the characters are in some way trapped and unhappy and how that sensation is dealt with seems to be a central focus of many storylines. The Birtish wife trapped in NYC. Fashion model Betty trapped in the domestic life. Sal trapped by the lies about his sexuality. Peggy trapped by her gender in light of her ambitions. The teacher sad for her brother's illness ( and yet unexpectedly completely OK with being the other woman). And ultimately Don seemingly the most trapped and yet the most free. So in this episode we see various shades of "blue" and how these shades change in the light. And like all colors they can be painted over, especially when your successful husband gives a speech to a roomful of admiring peers.

Season 3 Episode 9 - Open Thread

Talk about Season 3, Episode 9, "Wee Small Hours."

How Mad Men shows the need for future laws of protection

Notice Sal, who did nothing wrong--and actually is the ethical one in the situation--gets fired when the account fails but Don's account is lost directly because of poor performance and he doesn't get fired????....And the nerve of Don to question Sal as he did! Remember California, Don? Baltimore and the stewardess? The Menken account and Rachael? Utz account and Bobbie? Did I miss any?

Pure examples of why laws were created to protect against sexual harassment, wrongful firing, civil rights, equality and discrimination in the work place.
Not to mention---the women's movement....

Don's Waterloo

I think Don has met his match with the teacher. I sense she is fatal attraction material. All of the defensive character attacks in her "Prelude to a Kiss" that she new would be inevitable. There is the implication of some deep rooted emotional baggage there. This isn't a casual adult thing like Don had with strangers far away cities or Jimmy's wife who knew the score. This is in his backyard with a woman who is obviously not about to be cast aside. Don is vulnarable. He is succumbing to compromise left and right. Look at the way he allows Connie to overstep professional bounds. He responds to him like a child to a father desperately seeking approval. Its disconcerting to witness and it won't be long before it compromises the respect of the young ambitious elements of SC. Betts is longing for glamour and excitement and the charm bracelet trinket Don gave her demonstrated volumes. But this young teacher, Don is weak and in over his head.

This was my real reactions to 'Wee Small Hours'

Sal? Oh my god! Kick Lucky Strike in the balls!
Connie? Wha???? You want what?
Betty! Ok, in your own house?
Don, look out! She's a bunny boiler! Get yer mind off her arse and her bouncing boobs! Shouldn't you be sleeping?
Aw, suck it up, Pete, and learn to smoke!
Wha? Don, are you saying-but-not-verbalizing that Sal should've "served" the client, Mr. Lucky Strike? Scandalous!
Wait....is that Sal calling Kitty from a pay phone with the "I'm working late" excuse, while he has gay rent boys waiting? (did you guys catch that? Sal's got some catching up to do, I suppose)
Roger! Looks like Don just served you a cold plate of 'I'm not buying your crap' while you weakly told him he was "0n notice" *snicker*
Betty, no! I can't believe you're coming off like a jilted lover to Henry!
Don...not the teacher! Are you really showing up at HER house.....I fear for you, dude.
Oh Conrad. Not even money can buy you the moon. Stop harassing Don for it.
Aw, c'mon, lucky strike creep. Stop acting like a jilted lover when you saw Sal at the meeting. So unbecoming of a man in the closet :-)

Give him the moon

What ad campaign could Don have given Hilton ? How about "What does Apollo need on the moon? ---Hilton

Little Things to Love in Episode 9

Here, in no particular order, is a list of things I loved in this week's episode. Note: this week's list is a little short because I found less to love in this episode.

1. Lunchboxes and pencil cases. Both very big deals for the start of the new school year.

2. Don, Peggy, Kurt and Smitty in the scene where they are reviewing the ad for the Athens Hilton. Snappy dialogue plus was that view from the supposed window of the Athens Hilton not the worst ad ever? The window cut the Acropolis in half!

3. Carla. Her scenes were very powerful, even though she had comparatively few lines. I loved how Betty was watching her in the scene where Carla put the kids' dinners in front of them. Betty was looking awfully guilty while Carla went about her business.

4. Don Draper in profile as he drove along, right before he picked up Miss Farrell. And then again when he met Connie late at night for a drink. How could anyone look so handsome and put together at such odd hours?

5. Betty, acting like a pouty teenager when Elsa Kittridge breaks the bad news that Henry is not coming, and Elsa gently but firmly putting Madame Draper in her place. Plus I loved Elsa's corsage.

6. Harry, resolving not to panic in the face of Lee Garner, Jr.'s direction to fire Sal and keep it between them.

7. Pete's unusually long hacking cough.

podcast review of Mad Men 3.9

with more on the Harry Crane, Perry Mason, Isaac Asimov resemblance... 6-minute review

Another sneak peek at Episode 10

Betty being nice to Don? Don not sleeping at home?

http://www.fancast.com/tv/Mad-Men/95854/1292799239/Sneak-Peek/videos

Open Thread Ep 3.09 Wee Small Hours (The one you might actually be able to access!)

Just thought since there is no way for so many to get on the Open Thread for Wee Small Hours... might just as welll start a new one.

A bunch more articles for you to read

http://artsbeat.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/10/12/mad-men-watch-all-they-want-is-the-moon/

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/showtracker/2009/10/mad-men.html

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/hotstories/6663142.html?plckFindCommentKey=CommentKey:51f949f0-ffd1-4060-b131-c1f6068eb4eb

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/33278864/ns/entertainment-television/

http://blogs.wsj.com/speakeasy/2009/10/12/mad-men-season-3-episode-9/

http://tunedin.blogs.time.com/2009/10/12/mad-men-watch-promise-me-the-moon/

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/popcornprejudiceamovieblog/2010049502_madness_--_and_bad_behavior_--.html

http://watching-tv.ew.com/2009/10/12/mad-men-sal-fired-teacher/

This show is becoming a soap opera

More on Joan, Sal, Peggy - those story lines are interesting. But 1 more affair from Don? I get it, he runs whenever he's threatened, upset, blah, blahh. not asking to change his character, but does it have to be the main story line every week? Betty'srelationship with Henry is more interesting because it's a NEW STORY LINE.

Season 3 Episode 8 - Open Thread

Talk about Season 3, Episode 8, "Souvenir."

6-minute podcast review of 3.8

January Jones has never been better ...

Little Things to Love in Episode 8

Here, in no particular order, is a list of things I loved in Episode 8:

1. Pete reading "Ebony" at work.

2. Pete struggling to get out of his shirt in his dark apartment. Unbuttoning the shirt might have been easier, but far less entertaining.

3. Pete eating cereal and watching cartoons. All that was missing was his cowboy pajamas.

4. Betty's hairdo in the Rome evening scene. Eat your heart out, Liz Taylor circa 1963. The black dress she wore was something else, too. I am thinking she bought it in Rome, possibly in a boutique at the hotel.

5. Betty's Pucci-esque loungewear, which she wore upon her return to Ossining. Wow! Was it in fact a Pucci, and if so, did she buy it at the hotel?

6. Betty speaking Italian. This wasn't Don's trip to Rome -- this was her trip, much like JFK accompanying Jackie to Paris.

7. Betty's happy dance when she tells Don "we won, we won, we won" after the town council meeting.

8. Enough of Betty -- nice to see that Don's face -- and his overall outlook on life -- seem to have healed nicely from the beating he took in last week's episode.

9. Joan's purple dress in the Bonwit Teller scene. That dress could easily be worn today.

10. The Hermes display at Bonwits -- is that where Duck bought the scarf for Peggy? Or did he get one for free from Hermes?

acts of violence in "Souvenir"

Pete and the au pair. Was it rape?

To be fair, it is somewhat ambiguous because the camera cut away at the exact moment before very much had happened, so we technically don't have all the details, but I'm leaning toward yes, it was a form of sexual assault. It may not have been defined as rape in those days though. What does everyone else think?

It was obvious from the first moment they met that Pete was going to put the moves on her and would use the dress as leverage, but I didn't expect him to take it as far as he did. Yet it did not appear consensual at all. She told him she already had a boyfriend, which is equivalent to "No, not gonna happen". He pushed his way into the apartment and into the bedroom. When she hesitated and tried to leave the room, he closed the door and forced her up against it, effectively preventing her from moving. She looked frightened. She seemed cripplingly shy (always had her head down and her hair hanging in her face) and innocent. Was she underage? Possibly. She called him "Mister Peter" and was naive enough to let him do a huge favor for her, a total stranger, out of the blue, and not expect that he was going to want anything in return?

Then we have Sally. Her temper sure isn't getting any better. While it may be totally normal to fight with her brother on occasion (young siblings do fight) the show has been spending a lot of time emphasizing Sally's feelings of anger/rage and how she keeps taking it out on other people physically. Am really wondering where this is going to lead.

What is Sally capable of...?

Don's attraction to Betty

As we know, Don has a thing for independent, career-minded women (Rachel, Midge, Bobbie, etc.). I think Betty's efforts to save the reservoir have played a large part in reawakening Don's attraction to Betty (that gorgeous black dress and Roman-fountain hairdo didn't hurt either). Ironically, this interest of Betty's thats driving Don towards her is driving her away from Don and towards Henry Francis.

Why Pete, why?

Here I was thinking Pete had a somewhat redemptive character arc and he goes and does something awful again. I guess we can at least give him credit for feeling guilty about it? Why does Trudy put up with him? The "previously on Mad Men" showed the infamous part where he essentially tells her he doesn't love her and doesn't want to go with her to Rehobeth...so is that still true? Ahhh why Pete, why?

Bi-Polar or Princess Syndrome...

what's wrong with Betty?

Betty wows Rome!

Who knew? Or have I missed something? Betty morphs into a Blonde Sofia Loren and is fluent in Italian.....where oh where did she learn these skills? I gotta say that I LOVED watching Don's consternation as she knocked those two suave Romeos' into next week and she did it with her own cool style! Her husband rediscovered some of her major mojo for sure.

Season 3 Episode 7 - Open Thread

Talk about Season 3, Episode 7, "Seven Twenty Three."

Season 3/Episode 8 Opening Scene Predictions

I wanna hear Zerelda's prediction on here...who knows, you just may win! (no prizes) I was trying to get an autographed photo of Liz Moss, but she moved out of my building. Oh well.

August 1963

I heard two references to August in last Sunday's episode. Sally's teacher telling Don she is off for the month of August.
And Pete having a conversation with Paul, Ken and Harry about he likes "this time of year because it's so quiet". Just prior to the guys coming into his office, Pete was reading Ebony magazine.

I think the writers are getting us ready for the March on Washington coming up in August.
I can see Sally's teacher attending, and who knows...maybe Pete?

Season 3 Episode 6 - Open Thread

Talk about Season 3, Episode 6, "Guy Walks Into an Advertising Agency."

Sly Betty on the prowl!!!

Betty is on the edge. Did she or did'nt she "quickly jiggle" the drawer on Don's desk after she hung up with H.Francis?

Inside Mad Men: Seven Twenty Three

This video with Matt Weiner and some cast members is excellent. Even the Clorox ad at the beginning is good!

Source: www.amctv.com

Episode 7 has everybody talking.

http://www.salon.com/ent/tv/feature/2009/09/28/mad_men/

http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,20308534,00.html

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/blogs/tgoodman/detail?&entry_id=48460
(Not for the weak stomached - picture of Duck and Peggy in bed...)

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/showtracker/2009/09/mad-men-seven-thirty-seven.html
(same picture in this article - eewww)

http://www.nj.com/entertainment/tv/index.ssf/2009/09/mad_men_seven_twenty_three_rev.html

http://featuresblogs.chicagotribune.com/entertainment_tv/2009/09/mad-men-seven-twenty-three.html

Betty Blocked the Soul of Her Home

don and betty are doomed - she blocked the soul of her home with a hideous couch and then we can presume, fantasizes about another man. this might be the final straw for me - i have always wanted to see don and betts work it out - not sure i want to see that anymore - bring back rachel menken!

Betty and her new furniture

The interior decorator said: nothing should go where they were standing. "It's the hearth" - the focal point where the family gathers; the heart of the home.
That's Betty's desire. So what does Betty do? She shoehorns in that gargantuan lump of a victorian fainting couch. Those Draper kids are going to be in therapy soon.

aside: I bet Peggy could make that couch come in handy in more than one way - if Betty unloads it.

Season 3/Episode 8 Opening Scene Predictions

Your Post

Sixteen Tons

Some people say a man is made outta mud
A poor man's made outta muscle and blood
Muscle and blood and skin and bones
A mind that's a-weak and a back that's strong

You load sixteen tons, what do you get
Another day older and deeper in debt
Saint Peter don't you call me 'cause I can't go
I owe my soul to the company store

I was born one mornin' when the sun didn't shine
I picked up my shovel and I walked to the mine
I loaded sixteen tons of number nine coal
And the straw boss said "Well, a-bless my soul"

You load sixteen tons, what do you get
Another day older and deeper in debt
Saint Peter don't you call me 'cause I can't go
I owe my soul to the company store

I was born one mornin', it was drizzlin' rain
Fightin' and trouble are my middle name
I was raised in the canebrake by an ol' mama lion
Cain't no-a high-toned woman make me walk the line

You load sixteen tons, what do you get
Another day older and deeper in debt
Saint Peter don't you call me 'cause I can't go
I owe my soul to the company store

If you see me comin', better step aside
A lotta men didn't, a lotta men died
One fist of iron, the other of steel
If the right one don't a-get you
Then the left one will

You load sixteen tons, what do you get
Another day older and deeper in debt
Saint Peter don't you call me 'cause I can't go
I owe my soul to the company store

--Written by Merle Travis, whose father was a coal miner in Kentucky

--Sung by 'Tennessee' Ernie Ford, Frankie Laine, The Platters, and Johnny Cash. Ford had a number one hit with it in 1955.

She Slept with Duck. With Duck!?!

It doesn't beat the John Deere Tractor but it sure comes close.

Duck.

7/23/1963

Now we know the significance of this date; Don signs a contract and he is now tethered to something that goes against his very being. And given his behavior with those kids, it feels like he's on a descent into some kind of an abyss. But perhaps even more importantly, this date signifies exactly 4 months until Roger's daughter's wedding; 11/23/1963. And of course, more blood was spilled as it has been in each of the last few episodes. IMHO, everything is directly and indirectly leading up to the crescendo of JFK's assassination.

The Devil and Daniel Webster

I loved the scene with Don and Burt in which Don finally signs the contract. The lighting was particularly effective, Burt looked positively devilish. "I owe my soul to the company store" indeed. What did everyone else think?

Could we be seeing the back side of an affair?

I mentioned this in another post but could it be that the teacher's strange behavior masks an affair between her and Don? Her strangely bitter remarks to him and the fragments between them...The strange phone call...The "Old Kentucky Home" end shot that seemed to show Don (or someone) in an embrace...Could it be that she and Don in public are feigning not to know each other while carrying on in private? And this one time, to confuse us, Matt and co are not showing us what's going on?

Brutal Edges in Mad Men 3.7

review (spoilers)

And Betty? And the teacher?

Betty seems pretty casual about Don's overnight absence...And his "fender-bender" injury. Perhaps the fainting couch has affected her?

And the teacher? What the heck? She seems to be obsessed with Don rather than vice-versa, given the earlier episode where she had that bizarre near-faint while talking to him by phone. Apparently, despite the "Old Kentucky Home" ending she and Don are not yet involved outside perhaps a mutual fantasy but it's still very weird....In fact Burt, Betty, the teacher...All around weird behavior on MM tonight.

This week's promo on the AMC site

Kind of lame?

Betty's redecorating, talking over things with her ID. Don walks in, says move the lamp and end table to the other side. Betty and the ID both think it's genius.

Really? That's supposed to whet our appetites?

Silly and Tasteless Episode 7 Predictions

This is only for silly or tasteless predictions of how the show will open in the very first scene. Sadly, no prizes unless your silly or tasteless prediction actually happens, at which time voting for what kind of prize will commence, and you will be covered in praise by your fellow Maddicts for being silly and tasteless enough to actually have thought of something Matt would actually use...

Season 3/Episode 7 Opening Scene Predictions

Starting a separate thread for this so as to not disturb the real episode thread that is ONLY for talk about the show. This is only for predictions of how the show will open in the very first scene. No prizes except "Fame & Fortune" on the MadMen blog, and superiority above your peers on here, both the ones you love, and love to hate! All kidding aside, just a fun contest, join in!

ADT Recap 6

More foot jokes than you can shake a Barbie at. Link in the comments...

The Choking Snake or "Let it Go..."

"He's about letting go of things so you get what you want" says Bert about Guy (don't know if that's an exact quote), the pure "accounts" man. Meaning, of course, that Guy does what the Brits have been doing, forcing SC to let go of employees and unprofitable accounts in order to save/make money. But this seems to refer to a lot of things people were hungry for that they didn't get. Thing they thought they wanted that they need to let go of in order to get what they really want.

Later on, Don relates the story of the too hungry snake that soffocated on what it was trying to swallow.

Thoughts?

Deus Ex Machina

So? Did ya get the joke? And I don't just mean the one about a "Guy walks into an Ad Agency..." Actually, this episode is full of black -humored jokes. And my favorite is the John Deere Tractor. I think it's a brilliant visual joke from the writers to us viewers--very literary, but what the hell? Still funny.

Think about it. Pryce (by the by, we do all know his name is also a joke? All he cares about is the "Pryce" of things?) is about to be exiled to Bombay. Joan has been told "bon voyage!" Roger has been cut out. And promotions have been blocked. The new young account fellow is going to steal everything from everyone--all their hard work and he's going to reap the rewards. Can anything save our heroes? Will the gods not set right this terrible injustice?

As in an old Greek play, the Deus Ex Machina arrives--literally, a machine--a John Deere Tractor--care of the writers if not the gods and in one horrific splatter of blood, all is put right. Pryce gets to stay, the young ad guys have a brighter future, the secretary who caused the accident will leave, making it possible for Joan to return, and Roger has a place again!

They even threw in an extra hint to make sure you got it. That this was a Greek play, I mean. The guy's foot is injured....Oedipus. The name means "swollen foot."

I love this show! :-D

The lines drawn

Going back to the three parties episode, that was about a lot of things, and one thing I had thought was it being about lines being drawn. The three groups were basically divided with some people in the middle. Society divided up.
I'm watching Don and Betty here, and I'm seeing Betty drawing yet another line, between her and Don. It seems like Gene jr. is Betty's answer for Don's Sally. This marriage and family is seeming to be in the process of being, again here in Mad Men, divided up. And someone of course in the middle in this case as well, Bobby.
Since this era is seen as a divided time....greater metaphor going on here?

Little Things to Love in Episode 6

Here, in no particular order, is a list of things I loved in this week's episode:

1. Bobby Draper. He's turning out to be a nice little boy ( "Can I pet him?" he says to Betty in reference to Baby Gene) and he's a sound sleeper -- screaming sister, barking dog and fighting parents -- do not stand in his way of a good night's sleep. Also loved that he was shown wearing a dirty shirt in the scene with Betty and Baby Gene -- just seemed very "real" to me.

2. The Dr Pepper soda machine in the hospital waiting room. Love the door that you opened to get your drink. We had a machine like that in the laundry room of the apartment house I lived in as a child in the '60s.

3. Betty's dress with the strawberries and the green rickrack in the scene where she gives the Barbie to Sally.

4. Pete sticking his foot (no pun intended) in his mouth when greeted by Guy McKendrick. After McKendrick compliments Pete on his accomplishments, Pete says "I wish I could say the same thing about you."

5. Don's "get out of my way you little twerp" look at John Hooker when Don walks into the lobby and Hooker is announcing the impending PP&L visit.

6. Roger, Roger, Roger. Back in rare form. "I'm being punished for making my job look so easy." Plus his recounting of his father's well manicured hand in the casket.

7. The transition of Lane Pryce's facial and body expressions from the time he first gets the box (a pleased "Oh, you shouldn't have" look) to his discovery of the stuffed snake in the box to the realization that he will have to go home and explain to Rebecca that they're moving to Bombay.

8. Mr. Ford of PP&L: a dead ringer for James Mason in voice, and almost in looks.

9. That Don survived a stressful day without breaking a sweat: passed over for what he thought was a promotion to London, an unexpected meeting with Conrad Hilton that could turn into big business, a visit to the hospital after an in-office lawn mower accident , discovery of Sally's Barbie face down in the bushes and then restoring order to a household that includes a crying baby, screaming child, barking dog and a wife who refuses to budge on the issue of naming their new child after a man who hated him. Jack Bauer on "24" has nothing on our man Mr. Draper.

10. Last but certainly not least, our dear Joan.

8.
7.

Can a Deere jump a shark?

I don't know, and I'll probably be publicly flogged, but I'm really worried that Lois on her John Deere tractor has become MM's version of Fonzie on his waterskis. Anybody else think so, or am I completely alone on this?

So Many Literary References!

I'm having trouble keeping track of them all since Mad Men began. Anybody care to suggest a few?

Last night we were treated to Charles Dickens and Mark Twain, and what a comparison! Both authors were known as true representatives of a national literature. Lane Pryce tells Don that he's been reading American lit--Tom Sawyer-- and that he feels like he's witnessed his own funeral, but didn't like the eulogy. (Tom attended his own funeral when the townsfolk thought he was dead.)

Joan offers the PPL visitors tickets to the Broadway show "Oliver!" which was a smash hit in NY in 1963. The irony is that it was a hit in London in 1961, and was written by one of England's most celebrated novelists, and adapted by a London Cockney, who also wrote all the songs-- Lionel Bart.

"A tragedy with a happy ending." Indeed!

Both novels feature orphans who land on their feet. Not a coincidence on Mad Men, I'm certain.

From the Fog to the Light

I am curious what others think about the references to light in this episode--Sally's nightlight, the scene of Don staring at the ceiling light. Last week's episode was about the characters being, in one way or another, in a fog. What, if anything, has been illuminated?

NOTHING RUNS LIKE A DEERE

Could it be Jackie Kennedy coming to the aid of John Kennedy in the motorcade ? The blood on the dress etc.

A Saving John Deer in Mad Men 3.6

a review on this Emmy-winning night

Was epi 6 directed by the Coen brothers??

When SC most famous red head leaves for 'greener pastures' they literally paint the office red! LMAO

Season 3 Episode 5 - Open Thread

Talk about Season 3, Episode 5, "The Fog."

The British taking back the 4th of July

I just watched the sneak peek of episode 6, and I found it kind of amusing that the top execs from the British company are arriving on July 2nd according to Pryce. He said they would also be at SC on July 3rd. And, he was sorry, "they didn't know it was a holiday"?!!!
OK, was that a joke, or British payback for Americans winning our freedom from the British, and celebrating it on July 4th?
I just found it funny.
Also, was it me, or does that Hooker guy seem like one of those people who announce Royal proclaimations? Are they called pages?
All I know is the Beatles better get here soon!!

Guy walks into an advertising agency and...

finish this sentence

He's back

Saint John Powell is among the PP&L Brits showing up in the 3:06 episode. Just saw it listed under Charles Shaughnessy's (sp?) appearances.

Season 3/Episode 6 Opening Scene Predictions

Starting a separate thread for this so as to not disturb the real episode thread that is ONLY for talk about the show. This is only for predictions of how the show will open in the very first scene. No prizes except "Fame & Fortune" on the MadMen blog, and superiority above your peers on here, both the ones you love, and love to hate! All kidding aside, just a fun contest, join in!

The Caterpillar

In "The Fog," do you think the caterpillar symbolizes anything? Or was it just another one of Betty's drugged out dreams? Poor Betty, so glad the birthing process is different today!

Little Things to Love In Episode 5

Here is this week's list, in no particular order, of things I loved in Episode 5:

1. The handwriting charts in Ms. Farrell's classroom, above the blackboard. I believe it was called the Palmer Method. I remember penmanship class when I was in grade school. Do they still teach that?

2. Betty's lemon yellow dress in the scene with the teacher, and Francine's lemon yellow pants. Seems like lemon yellow was a much more popular spring/summer color for fashion in the '60s.

3. The return of Francine. Hallelujah! Every line delivered with just the right amount of snarky deliciousness.

4. Peggy delivering the baby present to Don. "You didn't have to do that.... Yes, I did, I didn't know everyone else was going in on a gift." Coupled with: "Don't return it .. I was the youngest and I never got anything new."

5. The return of Duck Phillips (and his ducks). Love the turtleneck. Also love the line to Pete: "Have a nosh."

6. Pete to Duck: "You're at Grey two months and already you're noshing?"

7. Pete's misguided attempt to conduct a focus group on Hollis in the elevator. Question: "Why'd you buy it? [the tv] Answer: "To watch tv."

8. Betty's technicolor dream rudely and loudly interrupted by Don, the prison guard and the candy striper trying to get cigarettes out of the machine in the waiting room.

9. Don grabbing his hat when Betty announces "It's time."

10. The nurse to Betty: "Just breathe and think of the beauty parlor."

Little obscurities

Here's some other little things upon 2nd and 3rd re-airing that you catch. Betty is gonna be a heavy subject this episode so here's some of those other things that make Mad Men, Mad Men that you probably caught but were lost in the open thread. Apologies for any repeats.

Did you catch how Pryce actually had a drink with Don, but he sipped it; Don completely downed the whole thing in one gulp.

When Betty is first in the wheelchair, she looks back at Don and as someone crosses the path, Don literally disappears. You saw that so that's not the point. She had said to Don at Roger's party "don't disappear" when Don left Roger's show.

The weird guard there with Don finally says, "I'm gonna be a new man". That's both Don's theme in general, yet Betty's theme too here. It looked like Betty had a choice and chose yes. She's gonna be a new person. (But just like Don, we'll see)

When Don bonds with Sally in the kitchen, the opening shot, don't tell me you didn't think it wasn't going right back to the opening sequence of episode 1 this year. Visually almost same thing.

When Peggy comes to Don in the end and gives him the present she says she didn't know everyone was going in on gifts; again she's in the cold.

Fun with language: Sally asking Don, "Are you looking for a chick?"
Pete and Peggy with Duck: "Are we supposed to go together?"

More barefoot freedom, this time with Betty walking through the hospital. She even caresses her fingers on the wall. Not in exact accordance with Don and the grass, but still, she now did it too...

Well, I'm intrigued

I don't know how accurate the descriptions are but sounds like things get v-e-r-y interesting as we go along:
http://www.fancast.com/tv/Mad-Men/95854/episodes/season/3

Season 3 Episode 4 - Open Thread

Talk about Season 3, Episode 4, "The Arrangements."

Season 3/Episode 5 Opening Scene Predictions

Starting a separate thread for this so as to not disturb the real episode thread that is only for talk about the show. This is only for predictions of how the show will open in the very first scene. No prizes except "Fame & Fortune" on the MadMen blog, and superiority above your peers on here, both the ones you love, and love to hate! All kidding aside, just a fun contest, join in!

Yeah! It's Sunday!

Don and the school teacher finally meet in person - any predictions?

ADT Recap Four

Sorry for the delay. Attention Deficit Players were mourning Gene. Link in the comments.

The Fog

This is not about opening scene predictions. That's for SJ.....My friend used the word obfuscate in a sentence yesterday. I have to admit I had never heard the word before so we had to have a discussion about it so I could use it in a sentence at some point in the future with my husband.. It means-1. To render indistinct or dim; darken: The fog obfuscated the shore. 2.To confuse or becloud: His emotions obfuscated the shore. So The Fog -could it be about confusion for some of our characters?

Season 3/Episode 5 Opening Scene Predictions

Starting a separate thread for this so as to not disturb the real episode thread that is only for talk about the show. This is only for predictions of how the show will open in the very first scene. No prizes except "Fame & Fortune" on the MadMen blog, and superiority above your peers on here, both the ones you love, and love to hate! All kidding aside, just a fun contest, join in!

A Wish List for Episode 5

1) More Pete and Don conflict. Will Don take Pete to task for the Ho-Ho fiasco?
2) The new baby Draper to be born already (probably won't happen for another episode or two)
3) A juicy scene with Peggy and Pete. How is there working relationship these days?
4) Peggy and the Swedish roommate out on the town. Oh, this should be fun!
5) Some actual character development for Ken. Please throw this dog a bone!

Anything to add to the wish list, Maddicts?

Season 3/Episode 5 Opening Scene Predictions

Your Post

Nice Article/Review Episode 4

http://www.nj.com/entertainment/tv/index.ssf/2009/09/mad_men_the_arrangements_revie.html

Season 3 Episode 3: The Carrot Situation

In Episode 3, Sally decides to come clean about the $5 she stole from Grandpa. She throws the bill down on the kitchen floor while Grandpa and Bobby are eating dinner at the table. The thing is: the "baby" carrots that are on the table didn't exist in the 60s. They were not created (i.e. whittled down from a whole carrot) until the 80s.

http://www.usatoday.com/life/lifestyle/2004-08-11-baby-carrot_x.htm

Season 3 Episode 3 - Open Thread

Talk about Season 3, Episode 3, "My Old Kentucky Home."

Season 3/Episode 4 Opening Scene Predictions

Starting a separate thread for this so as to not disturb the real episode thread that is only for talk about the show. This is only for predictions of how the show will open in the first scene. No prizes except "Fame & Fortune" on the MadMen blog, and superiority above your piers on here, both the ones you love, and love to hate! All kidding aside, just a fun contest, join in!
My guess for the opening scene will be Betty going into labor and being rushed to the hospital.

Little Things to Love in Episode 3

Here is my list of things I loved in this week's episode, in no particular order.

1. Smitty's: "Rum...have some." Surely the adveristing slogan of the year, though "Bacardi Eisenhower" is also a strong contender.

2. Jane's hat. Some have commented that it looked like the Guggenheim Museum or a giant truffle. I am not sure what to make of it, but kudos to Jane for having the posture to carry it off. Though if she keeps losing weight, the hat might eventually crush her.

3. Joan's sizing up of Jane when Jane sashays into the office with the truffle/Guggenheim masterpiece on her head and the cute little harlequin dress. Again, a brilliant use by Weiner and co. of momentary silence. Joan stands there and blows cigarette smoke at her. A small but powerful moment.

4. Betty's hair and make up in the party scene. Tell me she did not do that hair style at home. Looked way too complicated for that, unless Betty has talents we don't know about. The pale make up looked lovely and would work as well today as it did in '63.

5. Grandpa Gene's potato peeling skills. Betty: "Carla said he thought he was on KP duty."

6. Sally's growing vocabulary. Licentiousness and Soiree. This girl will dominate the verbal portion of the SATs in a view years.

7. The green and white striping on the side curtains of the party tent. Gorgeous.

8. The hi-fi in the Draper living room with the push buttons. We had something like it in the '60s. It also came with a record player and a tv and was absolutely massive and probably was a real pain to move.

9. Carla not taking any crap from Grandpa Gene.

10. That Don used to pee in the trunks of people's cars.

9.

Blackface ?

Why ?

Some fun gif files of the Charleston and Peggy getting high

Here:
http://thisrecording.com/

Three Parties

This episode features three distinct parties:

(1) The Kentucky Derby Club Party with invitees who are either rich and blue blood enough to be comfortable at it, or those who were born poor, watched rich folk attend such parties at such clubs, and now are getting their own chance at being on the "inside." It's a party locked in the past, keeping to old traditions, some which shock us like Roger thinking nothing of doing a song in black face, some which are quaint and lively, like Pete and Trudy doing a perfect and energetic Charleston. This is the party of "the past" with nothing new or modern to it, from the old fashioned band in their straw hats to traditional cocktails to talk of such old names as Rockafeller.

(2) Dinner Party with Doctors: This is our middle class party, with those trying to be solidly middle class. Joan tries to fit herself into it, but the real Joan peeks out when she surprises us with her song and playing of the accordion. A saucy French ditty. It's a hint of the past, just as there are hints of the future to come, but all-in-all, this is the party of the present. Of the now.

(3) The Bohemian Party is at the office, those who are supposed to be working passing around a joint instead, getting high. There's singing in this one too, just a pair of voices. Chips and sandwiches instead of an elegant dinner, casual dress, all young people, all looking to the future. This is the party of tomorrow.

Other thoughts or observations on these three parties?

Season 3 Episode 2 - Open Thread

Talk about Season 3, Episode 2, "Love Among the Ruins."

Little Things To Love in Episode 2

Here is a list, in no particular order, of details I loved in Episode 2:

1. Don's dry wit: To Peggy: "Everyone wants a drink named after a floor." To Roger: "What do you have to do today? What do you have to do all week?"

2. Roger's one liners. To Lane Pryce: "Do you ever get three sheets to the wind and try to put that on? [the suit of armor]. To Brooks: "I'll have yours." To the Madison Sqaure Garden Client: "It's true, isn't it?" after Don has done all the hard work of pitching to the client. To Betty: "Princess Grace swallowed a basketball."

3. That Lane Pryce has a suit of armor in his office.

4. That Betty has achieved at last the "royal treatment" she so desperately wants when she visits Don's office. Recall how she complained to Francine in Season 1 that she expected to be treated royally when she visited Don at work, and rarely was. Now Joan and the others are fawning over her, and she is in her element. "Why don't you tell me how long I'll be first" she snaps in response to Joan's request to Don's secretary to get Mrs. Draper a glass of water.

5. The kids camped out in front of the TV and Don having to step over Sally to make his way through the room. Ah, the magical powers of TV in the '60s.

6. Don's expression when he walks in to discover William plunging the sink and Judy setting the table. Has the Draper family been kidnapped, perhaps?

7. That Mona called Jane "June" and Roger did not immediately correct her.

8. That Margaret's wedding is on November 23, 1963. What an interesting way to foreshadow an event that Mr. Weiner has said he does not want to address directly.

9. The ending of the episode. On the first viewing, I said: "That's it?" But after 3 viewings, I believe it works. The episode just ends. No big cliff hanger or exciting moment, yet you know despite the seeming normalcy of Don and Peggy doing their jobs, there is so much else going on not only for them but also for S&C.
10. Don's continuing efforts to keep the peace with Betty. It seems his coping strategy is to just agree to everything she wants -- agreeing to go to Tarrytown to look at antiques, moving her dad in (without being specifically asked, though she was definitely angling for it); showing up to the kids' Maypole event at school. How long will this last, I wonder?

Splendor in the Grass

Can we separate the comments from the open thread and discuss the many interpretations of Don's hand in the grass and this houghts while watching Sally and her teacher perform the Maypole dance?

There has been a lot of speculation on interpreting this scene, some more farfetched than others. Let me tell you what passed my mind when I saw the scene, then you can share your interpretation.

My mind went immediately to the scene in "Out of Town" when Don was laying beside Betty trying to ease her into a restful sleep. He told her to close her eyes and relax......then told her she should think of putting her hand in the cool sand under her seat to further her descent into full relaxation....

I think he was trying to slip away from the stressful situation he was dealing with at home and at work. While watching Sally's teacher dance barefoot, he dropped his hand under his seat to further his journey away from there.....

What do you say? I know there are others. What is your interpretation of the scene?

I can tell you, I personally do not believe he has any romantic or lustful thoughts toward the teacher. Do you?

Two more reviews of Love Among the Ruins

http://www.bscreview.com/2009/08/mad-men-love-among-the-ruins-season-3-episode-2-review/

http://tunedin.blogs.time.com/2009/08/24/mad-men-watch-family-entanglements/

EW's review of Episode 2

http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,20299971,00.html

Love Among the Ruins?

I have been thinking about the title of this week's episode. Who/what are they referring to? Here is my short list:
1. The love between Roger and his new bride, and Margaret and her groom amidst the ruins of Roger and Mona and the ruins of SC.
2. The "ruins" of NY, e.g. Penn Station and the ruins of ancient Greece and Rome. Roger's new wife just returned from Greece, no?
3. The love Betty has for her father, even though he is quickly turning into a "ruin" himself.
4.The love Peggy is trying hard to find amidst the "ruins" of her failed affair and child with Pete.

If things don't turn around quickly, SC will be nothing but ruins.

Any other insights?

The Ending?

Please explain the ending to me!!!! And, why didn't she smooth her skirt before she sat down?

Season 3 Episode 1 - Open Thread

Talk about Season 3, Episode 1, "Out of Town".

Little things to love in Episode 1

Several days have passed since the premiere of Season 3, so I wanted to jot down a list of little things I loved, in no particular order, in Episode 1:

1. Kiernan Shipka's name (Sally) is now in the opening credits. Go Sally!!
2. The Drapers' milk comes in bottles (i.e., the opening scene when Don is heating the milk). Does that mean the Drapers have a milkman?
3. The intercoms at Sterling Cooper -- reminiscent of the adults' voices on the Charlie Brown cartoons -- totally unintelligible.
4. Trudy's hat -- reminiscent not only of Sherlock Holmes but also Juliet Mills in Nanny and the Professor (remember that show)?
5. The ant farm -- Sterling Cooper continues the tradition of "bringing your pets to work" Remember poor Chauncy from last season?
6. Bert Peterson screaming off camera while Joan is explaining to Mr. Hooker, as only Joan can, the rules of personnel management.
7. That Peggy's secretary is named Lola.
8. That Don was typing. Loved that Roger walked in while Don was typing and announced "your girl is gone."
9. Joan has got her mojo back -- bossing Joan Hooker around and shutting Peggy's complaining down while they were waiting for the elevator.
10. That air travel seemed reasonably pleasant, perhaps even fun.

Shock Value Hurts Viewership

On one of the many threads about last night's show, a poster noted that this show would not play well between New York and San Francisco. That was the point I was trying to make last night when I said that I was surprised that the execs at AMC did not tell the writers and producers to "tone it down". Weiner and company and the execs blew it in my opinion with their "shock value".

Definitions of "shock value":

A character saying that they are going to "cut his dick off".

A mother calls her daughter a "little lesbian".

Showing someone putting his or her hands down the pants of another person (male or female).

A woman turning to a man sitting on a bed with her hands covering her breasts.

All in the first 15 minutes of a show that received great hype and most certainly had many new viewers.

I am sure that the execs at AMC would trade having a larger audience for allowing Wiener to have his "artistic integrity" if toning down the shock value would help retain some new viewers. Maybe the execs are just interested in putting on a show for like-minded people who possess their level of great intelligence and tolerance, but I doubt it.

TV is all about ratings! If the ratings do not improve this season, this show is dead, especially after all of the hype.

BMW is not going to pay the advertising costs to run 4 minutes of commercials for this show for the same 1.5 million viewers every week.

Low ratings have killed many great TV shows.

My opinion is that toning down some of this shock value stuff would have retained more new viewers.

It is always about money folks.....

Whiskey ad in magazine on plane...

I haven't seen this covered yet...Don's comment about the whiskey ad sounded vaguely familiar. After viewing the show for the third time, I realized he was referring to THE LOST WEEKEND. A movie that came out around 1945, staring Ray Miland. It was about an alcoholic writer who had a mental block. He hocked his typewriter in order to buy whiskey and went on one crazy binge that lasted all weekend. Don's comment was something to the effect that in the ad the bottle was the guy's date, not the girl beside him.

Matthew Weiner is so clever with some of his rather oblique references.

Don Draper's Off Center Moral Center

Last night's episode was another great example of Don Draper's chameleon-like morality. Depending on where he is, who he is with, or what he is doing, he can be a fine, upstanding man (making warm milk for Betty in the middle of the night) or a real cad (cavorting with the stewardess) or a little of both (telling Sally he would "always come home" yet also giving her the stewardess' pin). Lucky for Don, only the stewardess' pin made it into the suitcase -- imagine what might have happened if an errant bra or panties had fallen into the suitcase instead. I have always felt that Don lacks impulse control, and we saw this again last night -- he sees an opportunity, takes it, and sorts out the consequences later. While others who live like this might have ended up dead, divorced or at least court-martialed, his Teflon mostly works and he lands on his feet. Sometimes he reflects on his bad behavior, and seems to want to try to do better, but I detected in last night's episode that he's now fallen into a more cynical, "rationalizing" mode, i.e., Betty's pregnant and there's no way she'll ever find out about a stewardess out of town, plus it's Dick Whitman's birthday. His "message" to Sal is his new working philosophy. As long as you limit your exposure, what the hell. He did not limit his exposure last year when he was running around in plain sight with Bobbie Barrett, and he won't make that mistake again. What will be interesting to see this season is whether, and to what extent, any of this catches up with Don. I am going to bet that for the time being, he and Betty will be "ok" and he is not at significant risk for being sent back to the Roosevelt Hotel-- Betty is concentrating on domestic bliss, real or imagined, and will be too preoccupied with the baby to be drinking in the afternoon and going through Don's pockets. So maybe we will see unrest in Don's life in other ways --- the Agency, his health (remember all that coughing last year) or something else we have never thought of. I'm sure Weiner and Co. will deliver something wonderful.

Same Old, Same Old - comments, that is

I've been having a flash of deja vu reading first day comments on Season 3 episode 1. People either loved it, or - wait for it - were disappointed, let down, not what I expected, it's overhyped, etc. etc. etc. Go back and read the open thread for "For Those Who Think Young" and see for yourself.

unrealistic expectations

Wow so many negative comments.Was it the best episode ever no. does it have a different cinematic feel yes. Sal and the bellboy uncomfortable yes and also unrealistic.But there is no way this 1st episode could have met the expectations of a fan base chomping at the bit for a new season.Give the show a chance these guys writing know what they are doing.

Mad Men

While I was telling all that I saw last night to watch the return of MadMen. little did I know what was in store. The hotel scene was too much involving the bellman. Too much information. I don't believe this show needs to add the sex graphics to be up to par. That is what made the 50's movies the classics that they are. Leave that to the viewer to construe.

Belvedere Hotel in good ole B'more township

Just a note - The basement bathroom in the Belvedere Hotel was a "Notorious" homosexual tearoom for the well-heeled set up until the early 80's.
Haussner's was not that BRIGHT inside - Just to be picky.....Any thoughts........

Reaction to Sal...hard to believe

For me, it only goes to show that society isn't as progressive as people believe. I am saddened by the amount of people who have posted that they will not watch if Sal's journey continues, or that "Mad Men died tonight".

Seems that society will accept Don screwing everything that walks (well, except for the dimwits, which also seemed to cause grief this episode), but show one gay encounter and people start clicking off their sets.

It's sad to me that people are still so closed-minded.

The opening flashback

I know this is picky, but this show is so good, it's OK to be picky.
We are treated in the beginning to a flashback to Don's birth. Well, how could Don have remembered any of this, since he was,you know, being born?

Is this how he IMAGINES his birth happened? I can't imagine that either of his parents would have told him the horrible details, but I guess that's possible.

I guess, at the very least, it gives us some insight into Don if this is how he imagines the circumstances of his birth. It would be interesting if he discoveres the reality doesn't match his imagination.

Nice recap article

http://www.slate.com/id/2225274/entry/2225377/

My favorite line from the article..."This man may have no moral compass, but don't you dare impugn his commitment to fire safety."

A few observations

Hi fellow Maddicts!
If these topics have been covered please excuse me for repeating...I haven't been able to read all posts yet.

Did anyone else think the flight attendant with Don was a Betty double with a southern drawl? She even made a comment to Don that people ask her if she is a model? I got the feeling he was looking at her in the room scene and thinking of Betty.

I loved the scenes with Pete and Ken when they were each alone with the British guy (can't remember his name). Their styles are obviously sooo different! Pete was so uptight, and Ken made himself right at home! I wonder who will win that battle!

Did anyone else think the ant farm represented the "work place"? Maybe I'm reading too much into it...
I know ants have been studied for their work place roles, social roles etc.

OK I'll stop writing and read more now!