Talk is a public forum where you can ask questions and share your commentary with fellow Mad Men fans.
The GG voters who choose the winners for the different catagories usually only see one episode of each actor if you were Don, January, Peggy, John etc. which episode from Season 2 would you submit?
I'm watching "The Jet Set" again and am really struck by it (again). The scene in the breakroom where the young guy admits to "making love with the men" while all the guys are holding donuts... Joy's father walking in on her and Don in bed ... wow, is this show good!
I keep going back to that line - when Betty confronted Don about Bobbie Barrett and said, "She's so old!" Just HOW old do we think Bobbie was? I'm guessing at least 40. Given that Betty is 30, I can just imagine how old 40 seemed! I'm taking this all a bit personally since I'm older than that!
All the talk of Jennifer Aniston coming on the show made me think - she's hitting 40 isn't she? As much as I like her, I have to say age is starting to catch up to her face. I wish someone would tell female actors that smoking ages their face terribly. If it weren't for her incredibly small body she'd be losing some of her star appeal.
As a gift to myself, I downloaded all of Season Two yesterday and watched the first 4 or 5 yesterday (through 3 Sundays). I love knowing how the season will end and watching all the clues leading up to it. I've been in total denial about how much I miss this show.
I recently re-watched the final episode of Season 2, and I think my favorite scene, at least from a purely visual perspective, was the beauty parlor scene where Betty tells Francine about her pregnancy. Just loved the pink accents in the salon and the hairdressers in uniform. It truly was a woman's domain, with not a man in sight. I loved how perfectly coiffed the women emerged. I suppose they did not wash their hair until the following week's visit? Does anyone else remember when hair salons were called beauty parlors?
Mad Men is so rich with allusions to other works, it seemed worthy of heavy-duty analysis.
Please check it out, and let me know what you think!
http://mad-mango.blogspot.com/
Mad Mango
Hi all. I'm new to the Talk forum. I remember reading that someone asked for the text of Don's letter to Betty. Has it been posted yet? I have copied it from my DVR recording the best I could. Would anyone like me to write it out here?
I was dissapointed to see Betty's stumbles during the dinner party. No well brought up young wife would have used Sally and her ballet routine as an entertainment at a business occasion. This would be stictly a performance for adoring grandparents , close family or friends. The next faux pax was serving ramaki as a 2nd course of her dinner. This dish would have been a passed hor d' orve during the cocktail hour.
Talk about Episode 13, "Meditations in an Emergency".
Catharsis as the theme for "Mediations..."
Don/Dick admits his affair and begins to renew his life...
Peggy is cruel but kind, baring her soul by underlining the end of her affair with Pete and letting him know of the existence of his son...
Here, in no particular order, is a list of some of the things I loved about Season 2:
1. Betty versus the dining room chair
2. Sally Draper's bar tending skills
Did anyone else relate Pete's comment about the (Commies) backing down once they saw the US's strength, to how Don handled the merger conference?
Pete's comment was made as he was leaving Don's office - after he told him that Duck was going to President of SC. Don just sat there looking as though he were thinking very deep thoughts.
Really great job on the part of the set decorators! re: the beauty shop where the women were arguing about the missile crisis was perfectly 1962 in an upscale fashion. Really good. Extra points for the art directors/set decorators.
Who is old enough to remember "The Missiles of October" ? I was very young, about Sally's age, when it occurred. We were very aware, even as children, of what was happening. My father was an engineer at Vandenberg AFB ... launching missles was his job. However, my grandparents and family in NJ and NY didn't seem to be as concerned. I don't think they understood how close we came to disaster. I'm curious as to who remembers what ... and were people in every region of the US actually expecting / fearing armageddon.
I loved the part where Duck thinks he's going to reem
Don and pushed way to far, criticizing creative and not talking about the work for the clients. He made it all personal and it's going to come back and bite him in the ass. People come to Sterling Cooper because of Don and he cares about his clients. He's a salesman too but he felt so bad when he had to let go of the airline account and felt they should keep the loyal account they had instead of going for the glory of American
Mr Cooper caught and so did the British. can't wait to see next season, anybody have an idea when???
Finally, an episode that made sense, and was engaging for the entire hour....wish they had all been that way.
Thoughts on how this episode, and everyone's meditations on their personal emergencies as well as the big emergency reflects any part of the whole of O'Hara's poem?
Don confesses the affair, Pete confesses to Don what Duck is up to and then confesses to Peggy his love, Peggy confesses that she had that baby, the telephone girl confesses to the office what's happening....And interestingly, only Betty is left unconfessed at the end. Everyone gives up their secrets, and Betty, alone, keeps hers. Rather like she's keeping the baby. Interesting, no?
Remember that Tarot reading? Well, not only did we have the Wheel of Fortune, with people rising and falling, rising and falling, the question of who will win this world crisis spinning round and round...but we also had a the 9 of Wands card. This card shows a lone soldier holding the fort. The fort is well defended, but he's still alone, holding out till morning. And there was Pete at the end with that shot gun, seeming to hold the fort. Against what was he defending the company? Russians? The British take over?
The priest was advising Peggy to confess. She didn't confess and clear her soul with the priest. His advice was heeded when she confessed and cleared her soul with Pete. She had a look of incredible relief after she told him. Thoughts?
Betty Draper is in a bar walking toward the ladies room. The music being played is Stranger on the Shore. Moments later she is having sex with a stranger.
complete of season finale .... (and, hey, I predicted in my review last week that Betty was pregnant)...
Talk about Episode 12, "The Mountain King".
Beautiful lyrics for all lost boys and their fathers. If you never got a chance to see this 1998 film with Tim Roth, you should rent it.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7-ufYvXeEKs
Mad Men is filled with people who have secrets. The last episode brought many of them to the surface. Don has kept Anna secret from his NY world, Anna has kept secret that she is a widow and not a divorced woman. Betty is keeping secret that she doesn't know where Don is and that they aren't together. There are many more. But, Betty took a first step in revealing a secret. She told Sally that Betty and Don weren't together. I thought Sally's reaction was interesting. Betty was fearful of telling and Sally was acting out because she was fearful of knowing what was going on. Once the truth was said, the secret became much tamer. What do you think about secrets and their impact when revealed?
Truely enjoyed this episode. Especially in light of the fact that it is, sadly, the next to the last episode of this season. (Please, please AMC can you give us more episodes next season?!?) One of the things I really appreciated about this episode was that it gave us such a good insight into so many of the characters before giving us the last episode of the season. I enjoyed seeing Dick's emersion; being able to finally be in a safer and more comfortable atmosphere. That place where we really got to see a softer, even happier self. And I smiled at the end when Dick Whitman finally began to wash Don Draper away, even if just a little bit at a time.
Hopefully, Joan will wake up and tell that asshole fiance of hers to f--- off. She is so much smarter than that. And go Peggy! I've been so proud of her for moving on (so to speak) and pushing forward for what she wants. Even Pete seemed happy for her.
When Pete had his meltdown,did anyone wonder WHERE the projectile chicken ended up, after he threw it off the terrace? Yikes! We can only hope that maybe Chauncey found it and had a nice meal...(sorry, just a little levity...folks have been very intense on the site this week!)
The guy from Popsicle said that there was something familiar about the woman in Peggys artwork. She had mentioned something religious in her office with the guys as there were brainstorming about religion and Catholism. In the art work that she presented, the mother in the picture looked to me like the Virgin Mother or maybe Mary M with arms outstretched. It looks like a familiar Catholic iconic image to me, but I need to do more research. Anyone else notice this?
I saw episode 12 as almost entirely about the "changing of the Guard." The title, The Mountain King, Roger's recitation of lines from the Pooh poem titled, Buckingham Palace, Anna's Tarot reading with Don as the Sun King, all frame the changing of the guard theme.
Did I mention that I read tarot cards? The problem is that there are many different types of Celtic Cross (the spread Anne is using) and they each have different meanings for the card positions. However, the story is generally clear.
review of episode 2.12
We just saw Joan forcibly raped by her horribly jealous, sexually inept, egomaniacal fiance. I think she's been raped before in her past. Will she realize the disaster that marriage will be, and run for the hills? Next...
We saw "real Don Draper's" wife from the 1952 flashback, who became Dick/Don's "ex-wife" so he could legally marry Betty as Don Draper; she counsels Don that it's ok not to tell his wife everything about himself, because surely there are things he doesn't know about Betty....such as her setting up a fried to commit adultery?
Finally, we saw Dick immerse himself in the ocean. Was it a baptism, or rehearsal for suicide? Is he rising to a new life, born again from the ashes of the life of Don Draper he created and abandoned in NYC? Or will he end it all?
I KNEW he was in San Pedro!!
Talk about Episode 11, "The Jet Set".
[On behalf of jamm54 due to technical difficulties]
There are so many literary references in the Mad Men series, and someone suggested a possible virtual book club over the winter.
It's come up in one of the other discussions, but would anybody be game for a virtual book club in the off-season relating to 1950's-1960's books? For example, reading some of the books referenced in the series that the characters were reading or upcoming books from the latter half of the sixties.
Also, what about possibly setting a schedule for every couple of weeks to "meet" back on the Mad Men forum. Maybe Clayton Neuman could help set it up. Nutty or what.........feedback, thoughts, opinions, suggestions?
There was a great line Sunday night when they were trying to sneak out to lunch - something about Duck (who was obviously in charge) in a "blind" meaning it was safe to sneak out.
Did anyone else catch that Duck's secretary is JOY, same as groovy sex chick? I think that was the theme Sunday - something about Joy and a "duck blind."
Don's creative mind makes him good at "underlying messages. He's also a "target" of many women with sex on their minds. Does anybody think the writers would devote some many precious minutes to this dry scene without it having a meaning beyond setting us up for the Cuban missle crisis? The engineers named the project "Multiple Independenty Targetable Re-entry Vichicle (MIRV)!!
Nice episode, even managing a neat putdown for Peter.
So ole Duck wants to be President of SC, eh? With creative (Don) reporting to him?
Perhaps it's what Don deserves. Meanwhile he's off on his mysterious quest. I get the impression he's at a major crossroads and this flight to Palm Springs was part of the Dick Whitman way of working issues out. He's either going to rebuild his "Don Draper" life with Betty somehow (which would be an amazing feat to watch at this point) or he's going to toss it all and resume Dick Whitman's. (No contract, remember?...He could just walk if he wants.)
Notice how Roger's lawyer (Rothman) tries to talk Roger out of this divorce? (We'll forgive him for his characterization of women "in this situation" (Mona) as "EXTRA irrational"--on the theory that he was just trying to appeal to Roger on Roger's level.
The
The set of last night's episode looked stunningly like Phillip Johnson's iconic architechtural glass house in Palm Springs. Gorgeous and full of midcentury pieces in moulded plastic and chrome. LOVEDIT!
Anyone besides me think that doctor at the Palm Springs house was a decidely odd character? I was enormously relieved when Don did not let him give him an injection. The doc's hair and beard looked fake. I am assuming it was not only because I believe I recognized the actor from a liquor commercial - the one with the weird guy at the buffet line eating all the shrimp. Actually, was that a Tanqueray Gin commercial? If so, what a weird tie-in with this episode - it was a box of Tanqueray Gin that Duck received at the office - he gave a bottle to Joan and presumably then dove into a bottle himself, hence the need for the breath mints which another poster identified as the violet candy Don's father ate. Is this show great or what?!?
I wonder if Don is multilingual? The lothario sitting by the pool asked 'joy' about Don using the above phrase. Who was he used to seeing poolside? If Don is indeed conversant - I'll bet he was thinking, "...you bet your skinny continental butt I'm important!........." Yet he chose to remain silent as he suddenly suffered major diaphoresis and syncope.
Is anyone familar with a magazine ad created by Ogilvy for Paco Rabanne? Jane's poem to Roger was very similar in tone as the ad (although the copy in the ad was written as a phone call). I wouldn't be surprised if her poem shows up in future episode in an ad campaign. Here's a link with a photo and discussion of the ad.
http://www.commercialcloset.org/common/adlibrary/adprintdetails.cfm?QID=1701&ClientID=11064
We've been so involved in discussing Palm Springs, we've ignored some big news on MM. Roger and Jane's engagement! OH BROTHER! Roger's acting like an ass and I hope he has another coronary before the wedding and Mona ends up with everything. Any thoughts on whether this wedding will take place?
I may not have liked this episode, but that doesn't mean the writers failed at their usual, amazing job. As usual, there are layers and layers. One of which is the book: The Sound and the Fury. According to Wiki: "one of the most celebrated novels of the twentieth century, written by American author William Faulkner, which makes use of the stream of consciousness narrative technique pioneered by European authors such as James Joyce and Virginia Woolf."
This nonlinear tale is about the death of a family, their sinking into "dusty death."
Discuss.
This episode was a real deflator for Pete. Once he got to California, he had now power, no control and no one to push around or humiliate, and was rejected even by women at the pool. He was totallly impotent. It was no wonder that when he got home, he said he didn't really like California. He was totally out of the loop when he returned to the office. Good character development in taking this weasel down a peg or two (no pun intended!)
Don was Don at the pool telling Pete not to vacation. Then they sit in that starkly lighted room, have the lights go off, and watch war happen on the screen. I was thinking 'oh oh, here comes a flashback', instead I think the scenario brought Dick to life. From then on he is Dick, even revealing Dick's age to Joy instead of Don's age. I liked the bar scene where it was not Betty, then was Betty, then not Betty again. Maybe that also triggered the memory of when he met Betty, and showing us how Dick was pre-Betty. Just a thought, but it somehow made the episode make more sense to me seeing it this way. The Jet Set took a flight of fancy, in other words.
Last week, Betty told Don that she had been dreaming about a suitcase. The scene where Don's suitcase was delivered to the house ( with nobody home ) was chilling.
and Kevin Finnerty, Dylan, and much more figured in this mind-reeling episode ... complete review
When Jane says to Roger regarding their relationship, (paraphrasing here) about eating a mushroom and finding herself on a train back to Trenton...isn't it a bit early in the 60's to be talking about pyschedelics, or did she mean something entirely different that I'm not getting??! Or, along with the talk of Bob Dylan, and homosexuals, are we being prepped for the Swingin' 60"s??
Don's Magical Mystery Tour in Palm Springs felt like he had morphed inside one of his foreign films that he goes to, to escape from the office. The decadent, drifting, idle rich Euro-trash, their meaningless (or existential) lifestyle, the non-traditional family/friends....all this is totally anti-thetical to Don's life in NYC. It feels as if this California interlude is a segue or turning point for him towards some decision or self-discovery, i.e., his phone call....
(Did you notice who directed the episode? Phil Abraham, one of The Sopranos regulars.)
While I am all for Don falling into bed if that's where the story takes him, I really did not like this California business, or more correctly, non-business. It was actually almost as creepy as the Betty and Glenn thing. Having said that, after thinking about this episode, I believe the real reason why I disliked the whole California scene is because it did not seem like stepping back in time - at all. That is one of the reasons why I love this show - the whole 60s atmosphere - going back in time to another world. The California of yesterday did not seem any different to me than the California of today. Lots of sun and pretty, phony people enjoying themselves. Don could have been a man of today taking a trip to the coast - heck, the airline even lost his suitcase. There was not one thing that made me feel I was in LA in the 60s. If he hadn't had Peter Dykeman Campbell along, I would think Don Draper was a time traveller and landed in LA in 2008. The "Hello, this is Dick Whitman" phone call at the end was the only thing that saved that part of the show from being a complete bore. Does anyone else feel the same?
Talk about Episode 10, "The Inheritance".
My second post. Episode 10 seems to be a plot advancement one. It was a little dark and lacked the humor and pathos of Six Month Leave. The characters remain very repressed except for Betty's dad, the stroke victim. Most memorable line was when he boldly attacked Don Draper "You have no people, you can't trust someone like that." It made me feel a little sorry for dapper Don.
I loved the final scene of Don Draper on the plane with the sun shining through the window on his face. The inside of the plane looked so clean and spacious, and we caught just a glimpse of the stewardess walking by. I hope Don caught "just a glimpse of a woman's thigh" - he deserved it, after the icky time he had to spend in Birdieville. That scene got me to thinking of air travel as I have known it over the years. I have not flown that much, but the difference between my first flight in the early 60s and my last just a year or so ago is like night and day or perhaps it would be a more apt description to say between heaven and hell. I could list all the differences, but anyone who has travelled by air recently is surely aware that it is no longer a serene, enjoyable experience by any means. How about it, folks, anyone care to share memories of air travel back in the 50s and 60s before the world went crazy on us?
The greatest irony of this episode was the fact that Don, Mr. Pretend himself, was not, for once, pretending with Betty. The love-making scene between them was the most genuine we've ever seen and he clearly did mean it when he said he wanted to support and protect her through this trying time. He was genuinely hurt when she told him it was pretend, not real...and perhaps, from her end, that was pretend, too (?).
Wow! Does the dysfunction ever end? Pete and Bud had absolutely NO feelings of loss for their father, which is curious enough. What could have happened there? Then, the boys seem to have fun mocking their parents:
Bud: "What would have happened if Dad had lived?"
Pete: " He would have been on his knees to us." Har, har (shared chuckles).
Regarding dear mom:
Pete: " How long can she afford to live?"
Bud: "By golly, Pete, maybe we can get rid of her tonight."
Pete: (hahaha) "Remember rope?" hahahah (more shared laughter). What do they mean by this dialogue??
Any other adoptees here besides me? What did you think about the remarks regarding adoption in Episode 10?
Did you notice the short two-shot at the end of Harry's Baby Shower....Peggy handed Pete a piece of the cake, and the look between the two of them...each thinking their own thoughts...wonderful, mini-moment in the episode.
At the risk of being labeled as a "dog hugging nut case"...I was so happy to see Polly again at the Draper household!! Four paws up for that cameo!
Chauncey, are you out there? WOOF!!
DID MM ACTUALLY PUT A WHITE MAN ON THE FREEDOM BUS, AND HAVE HIM TRY AND EXPLAIN THE CONCEPTS OF ADVERTISING? THE ONLY BLACK PEOPLE THAT I REMEMBER AT THE TIME WERE EITHER IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD, OR ON THE ED SULLIVAN SHOW. SO WHO WAS HE HAVING THIS INTELLECTUAL CONVERSATION WITH?
This episode was just tinged with sadness. Betty's grief and feeling like an orphan, well I was crying through that. But also, turning Don away again. The Don and Joan being so stiff with Roger. Bert announcing "Happy Birthday" at Harry's baby shower. It really felt like the end of an era, and that many things had shifted and moved, to change things permanently at home, in the office, friendships. Just sad.
A few weeks ago I made the comment that Paul was very brave to publicly present his Black girlfriend to his co-workers who I perceive (and I think rightly so) to be fairly socially conservative in their viewpoints. This is why I was surprised when both Pete and Ken kissed her. I thought that they would either say hello or shake her hand at best! But it really shocked me to see both of them kiss her on the cheek and take her hand( I dont mean in a quick , fast way either). It was as if they were kissing one of their colleagues wives. I mean this is 1962 when these guys could have easily have been disrespectful to her and there would have been very little she could have done about it. Instead however, they embraced her warmly.
Either these young guys were not all that racially restrictive after all or they were just being politically correct. I am curious.
What was that...thing that Betty wanted so badly that had belonged to her mom? That weird vase thing? Talk about symbolism. Either you inherit nothing like Pete and his brother, or you inherit a vase thingy that only has some meaning/value to you.
review of Episode 10
Talk about Episode 9, "Six Month Leave".
I love how Joan 'socked it" to Paul in the open forum of the baby shower. His crestfallen face was priceless! And right away he calls Sheila to undo the earlier diss that 'he couldn't talk about'. What an incredible douchebag he is......" Go Joan. And we now KNOW that it's Jane in the sack with myocardial infarction man Roger. Personally, Joan is better without him or the pissant Paul. When she demanded his airline tickets back I thought he'd start crying. Worm.......
Didn't you guys find the picnic scene when Betty left all the garbage behind hilarious? I love the fact that the writers are giving emphasis to what was considered "common behavior" back in those years....
Also funny was the scene where Betty's daughter is walking around with a plastic bag over her head, and Betty's concern was whether the girl left the dry cleaning on the floor rather than worrying that tshe could suffocate....
In many of the scenes, particularly in the last half of the episode, in almost every character's costume, and in every room, and even in the artwork behind the talking heads, there seemed to be various shades of a color called, in those days, "peacock blue."
The color theme, starting with Pete's blue suit in the unfortunate scene in Freddy's office, seemed to be largely greys and peacock blues, punctuated by an occasional smattering of red. In many scenes, the men were wearing a combination of grey and peacock suits and ties. Betty and Arthur's riding clothes contained in them the same shade of peacock blue. The cocktail waitress's sequined dress, even Carla's dress in one of the scenes.
I'm just curious about Janie Bryant's motivation behind that ......
--Did you hear the train whistle in the background as Don was talking to Betty at the foot of the stairs? "Betts, what do you want?..." accompanied by hearing that looong lonesome wail. Weiner told us the train whistle is a recurring theme for the entire series. Remember what it signifies? I think it's key to Don's motivation and feelings. Next time you watch, listen for it....
--Notice little Bobby's signal to act is someone touching him? Both Jon and Januaryy did just that to move him through scenes in this episode. It's probably why his acting seems so stilted. In January's scene, she had already casually delivered her lines, yet he didn't move until she touched him. In Jon's scene, the tap on the butt was delayed, so was his reaction time because he waited for the signal to move. So please, everyone who has been hypercritical ease off and give the kid a break. He is the third actor to play the part, and is doing what he's been directed to do.
he mentioned "The Stanhope" and I wondered was that a popular hotel back in the day ... I am Canadian and recently we stayed in a Stanhope in Prince Edward Island so I am just curious
...when Don and Roger take Freddy out for his kind of "last supper", it struck me as being akin to the mob guys "taking a guy for a ride"...Matthew Weiner referencing his Sopranos roots?...however, fortunately although Freddie's ride is a taxi and he isn't killed, his soul and career is....(I will miss Bill Murray's brother Joel in this role...he was perfect)
...Don picks up the newspaper and sees the headline about MM"s death...MM? MadMen?...
...maybe I was imagining it, but did anyone else notice that in this episode there were a number of blonde Marilyn Monroe type blondes as background extras?...Maybe it was a coincidence?...
At the gambling place, Freddie and Roger used funny phoney names, Don used Rachel's husband's name. Later Don mentioned Archibald Whitman, an old drunk he used to know. Where their other mentions like this that meant something if a person was paying attention?
Talk about Episode 8, "A Night to Remember".
What is the significance of the Blood Drive? I'm not sure if blood donations were tested for diseases in the 60's. What if Don tests positive for example (syphillis) and he has to tell Betty? P.S. I'm new to the Talk Forum. I've followed all of your posts for a while now and wanted to join the conversation. I love the show. My best friend and I compare notes about it each week.
There were three different scenes where a character was caught napping on the couch. Joan was laying down in Roger's office, Pete was on his couch when Peggy stormed in and Don was doing the same when Mona barged in.
Thought is was funny when Hildy asked Pete if it was true that he ratted out Freddy.
Epi 9 should have been called "Hypocrisy".
Right after deciding to fire Freddy for his alcohol problem, both Don and Roger have a big drink. Then they take Freddy out on a drunken night on the town.
Don punches Jimmy - it should have been the other way around, as Jimmy is the aggrieved cuckholded husband.
How did you like Don's scolding the guys outside the blood drive room making fun of Freddie pissing his pants. Don scolds them for feeding on the drama like a bunch of high school girls.
That could also be taken as a backhanded slap at the viewers, no?
Joan told Roger that one day he'd lose someone very dear to him, then he'd understand. Could Joan have uttered anything more fitting and prophetic for Roger? Think Roger has stepped out on the ledge by leaving Mona, and is going to take the tumble of his life? Roger doesn't have the experience that Don does in dealing in very complex personal situations. How do you think Roger's going to fare in the future?
Will it be? When Roger said that to Don in his "orders" to fire Freddie Rumsen (farewell sweet Freddie), my first thought was maybe Roger's right. Then I began to wonder if Don's loyalty to Roger or Peggy or Sterling Cooper is going to end up being a liability for Don. I don't know, but I can see Don's sense of loyalty turning on him.
the ending was just incredible! i sat there staring at the television in disbelief. great story writing that happened off the screen, away from our eyes, dropped like a bomb right in our laps! gimme more!
i do believe roger is in love with jane and she with him. when he was talking to don at the bar, he asked hi, did you fall in love? don said no and he said something to the affect that makes it easier. he loves her. poor mona.
jane is in love with roger or she wouldn't have cried when he came to touch her arm. it's all very tragic.
Our Emmy-winning writers make us fall more & more in love wth this show every week. What were your favorites from Six-Month Leave?
It is very interesting to hear Don say he is "relieved" over the situation of his marriage. I never felt Don was truly comfortable as a husband and father. Sure, he loves Betty and is proud to have such a beautiful and "classy" women for his wife. He is an affectionate and loving father to his children. The fact that he has never shared his past with Betty and in reality is living a lie makes them both feel a void in their relationship. Obviously he thinks she would judge him poorly and now it is probably too late to reveal the truth. I wonder if their marriage can be saved.
Jimmy Barrett once again has the most significant line of the episode, following from his "You're garbage" reality-check a few weeks back.
This week, he calls Don "the man in the gray flannel suit", an analogy to Don as the main character (Tom) from the book of the same name:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Man_in_the_Gray_Flannel_Suit
Addiction seemed to be a running theme throughout tonight's episode; its apparent in the death of Marilyn Monroe splashed on the newspaper headline and in the streaming mascara of the secretaries. However, addiction seemed to be weaved through the various stories of the characters, for instance: Frank's addiction to drink, or Betty's addiction to finding evidence on Don's affairs (rifling through his desk drawers). Addiction wreaks havoc on those who succumbed; Frank lost his job and suffered an embarrassment to his name/reputation. Betty lost her vitality, due to her constant (and understandable) attention on Don's indiscretions.
Although this show has many intertwined stories and nuances, the episode's thrust on addiction was riveting and poignant.
Don's secretray handed him a shopping bag that had a name that seemed like J. Menkens or something close to that on it. I am pretty familiar with NYC in that period and the name does not ring a bell. Anyone know? Loved the freezer that was not self defrosting.
THE SONG AT THE END OF THE EPISODE WAS,
"EARLY IN THE MORNING" SUNG BY PETER PAUL
AND MARY.......ORIG. RECORDED IN 1962..........
GO TO YOU TUBE, THE ORIGINAL VERSION IS THERE........IT TRULY IS AN "OUTSTANDING" SONG....
KARMA27
Am I the only one who was deeply disturbed that Duck ditched his beautiful Golden? How could he? Was it a childish way of getting back at his wife? When I watch the episode again I fast forward through that scene it is that painful to watch. OK I love dogs but who took their dog to work in the sixties? In Manhattan--presumably taken from the suburbs.
Hello, fellow Maddicts -- are you all feeling as good as I am right now? I've "gone without" for 10 days and now am getting a feast! The only downer is the stupid hotels.com commercial.
In "The New Girl" is the cop who detains Don played by "Ross the Intern?" He looks SO familiar and I swear that's who it is.
Just a friendly reminder that AMC is having a Mad Man
Today (9/25) is the Season 2 mini-marathon beginning @4:00p.m. EST.i have noticed recently that there are more "newbies " posting on the boards and many have missed previous episodes. If time allows,today would be a great time to watch them and get caught up to where we left off. When i was sick at home this summer i lucked out and caught the Season 1 Marathon and I was a devout fan when the final episode aired.I think I broke a new record for continuous T.V. viewing in one sitting.It was a great day to be stuck at home with the flu!
Maddicts can't get enough? AMC is replaying the first 8 episodes today. Check the schedule for your area. 3-11 PM in CDT zone.
Wow, I was traveling this week and swamped with work so didn't see "A Night to Remember" until last night. I took a lot of discipline to not read the posts until this morning.
Anyone notice in the 'Utz' commercial how the camera lingered on Betty when Jimmy utters the line, 'Am I crazy? I don't think so.' Amazing. Betty for much of the shows seems to think she is going crazy because she knows but cannot prove that Don is a dishonest man. Maybe it's me, but I think hearing Jimmy utter that line, after their conversation the previous episode, was what steeled her resolve. As an aside, did the writers know that this commercial would come back at a pivotal moment for Betty and write it accordingly? Phenomenal stuff.
Did anyone else notice how Betty broke up the chair. It was quite awkward. She pushed on it as if to see if it could be salvaged. She exerted more effort and the chair starts breaking apart, but slowly. Then she picks up the chair in pieces and takes her job elsewere as a carpenter or an artist with finished product would. Some posts have indicated this is her rant on Don. I see that and more. Can you explain her breaking of chair and her reaction to Don?
Did anyone find that that Betty's 'ride' early Saturday morning was like none we've ever witnessed before? Her heavy breathing, sweating and crescendo leap followed by her slow, almost hypnotic return to 'reality' emblematic for the unexpressed torrent of emotion she wants to unleash all over her skanky hubby? It certainly was unlike any of the stable scene's we
witnessed Betty in previous episodes. It was a perfect opening what came next.
My inquiring mind was wondering if anyone can tell me whether the "Night to Remember" episode began the day after the Jimmy Barrett party fiasco? I know when Betty got back from riding Don was still in bed, and I think he asked her jokingly if it was still Saturday. If it was the next day after she threw up in his car, wouldn't you think there would be some discussion of it - if only him asking how she was feeling? I couldn't get a sense of whether or not Betty had been stewing over Barrett's remarks for several days or if she was still shell shocked from the previous evening.
First of all, I love this show. It's as if I'm watching my childhood. The handsome flawed father. The dutiful wife. Ballet lessons etc. The scene that REALLY bothered me was the picnic scene. Everything was picture perfect, the pristine new Cadillac, making sure that the children were "clean" enough to get back into the car - but.....these imacculate people just shook out their picnic blanket and left all of their garbage just laying on the ground! What the heck was that all about! And the director made sure that the trash stayed in the shot....what the?
The hesistant way he puts down the phone in his office when Betty essentially tells him she wants to break up seemed exactly the way he put down the phone when he hears that Adam has committed suicide. The incredible pain on his face when Jimmy confronted him with his cheating seemed exactly the way he looked when Campbell hit him with Dick Whitman ("I can see on your face it's true," Campbell says). We all have only so many modes. Once in a while, we repeat. Perhaps the actor summons up the same emotions to play the situations. If we can identify those emotions, we're probably on to something. When Adam was dead, Don could obviously do nothing about it, but he put down the phone slowly as if he didn't want to go on. Likewise, with Betty, it now seems that it's too late.
"A Night To Remember"...also the title of a film about the Titanic...
(I did mention this in the Production Values post as well.)
I think that this show was constructed brilliantly. Betty went from showing strain ("bad chair!") to embarassment "WTF are you laughting at? I thought the green bottles were pretty.") to confused desperation ("I'm not finding anything but these suits sure reek of poonanny.") to desire for reconciliation ("Dammit, Don, be a man and stop trying to sell me this 'I'm innocent' bullcrap!") and finally to fierce determination ("If you like Bobbie so much, go see if SHE will look the other way when you let one rip! Stick a fork in me, cause I'm done!") Do you agree that this made her behavior seem completely realistic?
When Joan and her fiance were eating their Chinese food at her apartment, he told her, "You should be watching those shows, not reading them, ...with a box of bon bons on your lap to soothe your cravings."
This conversation, in addition to the scene where she is looking at the marks left on her shoulder by her bra straps (heavier than normal breasts), gives credence to the speculation that Joan is pregnant.
Are we being manipulated or will Joan's storyline deal with the 'right to choose' issues a pregnant single woman would be confronted with in 1962?
Hallelujah! I couldn't help doing "The Happy Dance". Betty finally confronts Don. Betty snoops (it's about time). Don is moved to the couch. Don is banned from the house. I thought I would get a headache if Betty kept pretending and keeping silent. What 's next?? Don's unconvincing plea from the couch was also pathetic: "I don't want to lose this." This?? How about "I don't want to lose YOU, Betty??? Don strikes out again.
IT WAS A HOOT WATCHING BETTY HAVING A MELT DOWN IN HER PARTY DRESS. I THOUGHT IF SHE WAS STILL WEARING IT NEXT WEEK, IT WOULD BE TIME FOR HER TO GO BACK INTO THERAPY. I WISH I HAD A DIME FOR EVERYTIME A WOMAN SMELLED AN ARTICLE OF MENS CLOTHING THINKING IT COULD BE USED AS EVIDENCE IN AN ARGUMENT
I was curious as to why, after seeing the Utz commercial with Jimmy Barrett, that Betty called Don and asked that he did not come home. Did she realize something? Did Jimmy mention that the affair started around the filming of the commercial? I can't recall!
I was rolling on the floor laughing at the slept in party dress, but I stopped laughing when Bets went in that closet and started smelling Don's clothing.
I personally thought that seeing Joan pull her bra strap off revealing the marks left behind, the Father pulling off all his garb, all the glamour and makeup came off of Betty really exposed the persons underneath. It seemed like several characters were stripped down to their true selves.
Did anyone notice the fabulous art direction in Joan's apartment (art imitating life, once again!)...her red hair, the colors in her outfit and the reddish/brown walls...all complemented one another and were totally on purpose...this show continues to be in the zone on so many levels....
As for the title of the episode, "A Night to Remember"...this was the title of a film about the Titanic........hmmm...
Although I admire the way Bety has asserted herself and demanded some dignity by taking on Don demanding that he acknowledge his pathetic behavior, she needs to be careful. Don is a very abrasive, vindictive man. I have no doubt that he will use every weapon at his disposal to destroy Betty. That includes taking the kids from her as well. I fear for Betty at this point.
Talk about Episode 7, "The Gold Violin".
Okay, somebody please explain to me.....why is Jimmy playing the "victim", and enraged over Don screwing Bobbie? As he said to Don, to paraphrase "he was one in a long line of many". So why, if Jimmy has always been aware of Bobbie's tactics for advancing HIS career, does it matter now? Or with Don? Or is this what Jimmy and Bobbie always do post-victory on a career goal achievement?
when ken came to dinner at salvatore and his wife's house, did anyone notice the cookie jar on top of the "icebox"? It was white with "raised cookies" and a walnut on the top of the lid. I HAVE THAT SAME COOKIE JAR FROM 1960 and would really like to know where it was purchased and how much was paid for it!!!! Not that i would EVER sale mine, it means the WORLD to me!!
"Perfect in every way, except it can't make music." I thought that perfectly describes many of the relationships we have seen: Sal and Kitty, Don and Betty, Jimmy and Bobbie, etc.
These are couples who, on the outside, appear to be perfectly matched, made for each other. But in reality, it is all just for show.
Betty vomiting in the car was oddly hysterical -- I swear, these writers come up with more novel ways to leaven awfully tense moments with borderling-inappropriate humor. It also seems to tie in nicely with the Episode's motif about the garbage the characters try to leave behind on the side of the road of their journeys. Don seems to view all modes of transportation as escape (the train as an desired exit from his domestic life in that early episode from season one, his comments during the Mohawk meeting this season about the pleasure of 'seeing the city' receding in the distance on a plane). However, his occasional car rides with Betty, typically back and forth from the Manhattan to Ossining, always seem claustrophobic and rudderless -- on a Road to Nowhere, like the Talking Heads sang. Betty vomiting is the most vivid symbol that these two aren't leaving any trash behind them, even in their shiny new car. It's traveling with them now, and needs to be dealt with.
Anyone else think around the corner is the big crash for these two?
Congrats to Nora Paradiso, Adman and Country Husband who chose the Caddy. Did everyone think Betty did a good thing by personally christening the new Drapermobile? Is this a symbolic act representing Betty's displeasure with the dysfunctional life that the Drapers actually live?
Anyone else sad that Donald didn't get the Continental or Riv? Lastly, has anyone heard if more people are watching- have the number of viewers increased from the dismal numbers from a couple of weeks ago?
What did Jane mean when she asked Joan "Why are you the only one who gets to have fun?" What does Jane know of Joan's "fun"? Does she know about Joan and Roger?? Also, Jane seems quite smug most of the time. What was she trying to prove by leading the boys into Coop's office? It was mentioned by Joan a couple episodes back that Jane went to college. Does Jane feel superior because she probably has a higher education than most of the women at SC? Does Jane have her sights set on Joan's job?
As always, I love the style of the era that the set designers use, and was excited about the conversation of art, especially an adbstract expressionist like Mark Rothko. I loved how Cooper just confessed that it was an investment on his part and basically could care less about it, but that everyone else was drawn to interpret the work in some way. I actually like Rothko and wish I had an original myself, but I can only wish...Actually it is fitting that they chose this artist because he fit well into the theme of this episode including the over ostentatiousness of some of the characters like Don and Cooper. Rothko was said to have hated this attitude and actually dropped a large commission to paint murals in the Four Seasons Restaraunt in 1958 b/c he felt it was much too ostentatious. Ironically as his abstract work became more popular he was sought out by the most wealthy and privledged collectors of the era. I guess he didn't get that you have to be a little ostentatious to be able to afford his art.
Here we go, the beginnings of the Generation Gap at SC!
Tonight confirmed that Jimmy knew all along about Bobbi and Don (wonder if she even told him details - some couples are kinky like that)- and while he claims to be incensed by Don's schtupping his wife, it's just an excuse to verbalize his deep hostility to Don, because Don appears to be everything Jimmy can never be. Jimmy probably knew full well his wife intended to seduce Don- she did it and continued it to advance Jimmy's career. Also, Jimmy's supposed admiration of the perfect WASP princess Betty is also veiled hostility - he wants to hurt her, burst her bubble, ruin her marriage - because she is someone he could never have. The comedy is a vehicle for his true hostility and anger and jealousy against the world of WASPS and all the advantages he thinks they have and don't deserve. What do you think?
What exactly was the meeting about with Don Sterling and Cooper?
The comedian isn't joking around. He proved himself to make the moves he needed to make in order to get to a better position in his life. He wants Betty to be his trophy wife but we all know that will never happen. I don't know how he found out about his wife and Don but I guess he didn't need to find out because he knows how she operates. He knew if he put her in the right position she would play her part. He wins in the end. Now he better watch how he crosses Don. Don is a very powerful man now and I feel he can make or BREAK a person.
Go get her Joan. I know many people may be on the side of jane but lets not forget who the queen of the office is........Joan hands down. Jane is terrified of Joan but she is holding her own against her. Who are you rooting for?
This episode was packed with amazing stuff--the Ken/Salvatore dynamic, the Joan/Jane dynamic and of course the hole that Jimmy Barrett put in Don and Betty's marriage. BUT the big thing, the really big thing in ep7 is: We're getting closer to finding out why Lt. Draper's family didn't turn Dick Whitman in--did it lead to his leaving that podunk and heading for NYC? Who is that woman in the used care lot? What has she come to say to Don? Your thoughts Madmaniacs ....
Who is Sara? Bobbie tells Don that she heard from Sara he was so good in bed. Who is she?
My wonderful husband bought me the first season on dvd. I watched the episode where Betty gives Glenn a lock of her hair and her mother later is quite rude to Betty about it. What gives? Is there some hidden meaning to this gesture that is lost on younger generations? I just don't see the big deal about it. The boy admired her, and she give him a few strands of hair. Big deal. It's not like she gave him a photo of her naked! If Helen didn't like it, she could just throw it out.
Don't you love this quote from Don Draper to Peggy Olson? Is this what's keeping her sane about having had her baby? I can certainly apply it so many times over. What could you apply it to? The writing is so great on this show...by the way did you read the blog on twitter? Sounds like fun.
Talk about Episode 6, "Maidenform".
Just watched this again, and I was shocked once more by how racist Joan is towards Kinsey's girlfriend Sheila. She is vile in her conversation with Kinsey in the office several days after Kinsey's party. ALSO: as a Catholic, it ocurred to me that Peggy stays seated for communion at the episode's end. This is a very public thing to do in church; one would perceive you as possibly a divorcee'. What would the other issues be where you would sit out communion? This leads me to believe that obviously she had a child out of wedlock and fellow parishoners would know this by sitting out communion? Thoughts?
I started watching Mad Men this year but stopped the minute the dog was let go. I cannot imagine how they could have written that in. I know there is symbolism there but not at the sake of the dog. I sure hope there is a happy ending for the pooch. Of course I will never know because I refuse to watch.
What an uncaring man Sterling was to abandon his beloved dog, Chauncy. I suppose it reminded him too much of his ex-wife and the life they had.
Heck of an episode. Each of the characters that were featured revealed something about themselves that helps us know them better and leaves us even more curious as to what will happen.
Don Draper- the secret to his success so far has been his ability to compartmentalize his life and his thoughts. He has kept his true identity and personal life a secret and now both are in danger of being revealed.
.........What do you think about this heading up Episode 6?
Here is a live version on YouTube... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=701fhWWJXXQ
I somehow missed the scene where Duck put Chauncey out and went back to find the scene after all the comments. Wow, talk about a meltdown. Duck wanted that drink but felt shame after looking down at Chauncey who represented a happier time in his life. He then ditched the dog.
Similarly, when Sally came in to see Don, she gave him the same look after stating that she wasn't going to talk. The same look of total devotion and love made Don realize his shame, too, and he similarly shooed Sally from the bathroom.
Are Duck & Don before and after images?
How about the mirror image...an homage to the black & white/Jackie & Marilyn ad showing Don's two sides?
What
I hope the writters bring the dog back in another episode and have the dog found by Campbell. As a dog lover and owner, I cried; I could not stand it. I realize that character has issues, but my God, to do that to a dog, no! This is the only thing where I think the script is not authentic. I hope all you dog lovers will complain. The writters could make the dog a company mascot and use it for dog commercials. Something!!!
Don's stare at Sally at the military dinner sent shivers down my spine! (He should win an award for that look)
Wow, I didn't know if he was going to cry, pass out or what, and pretty little Sally just kept right on beaming proudly and cheering for her dad. Sally's love and pride for her dad reminds me of myself and my dad ( though my dad was not a manwhore) RIP Dad, I miss you.
Love the show! :)
Talk about Episode 5, "The New Girl".
Hi fellow Maddicts!! Tonight's episode is called "Maidenform". For my female Maddicts: Do we have to put on our bras for this episode. or take them off in protest? Any male Maddicts who need to put on your bros (with apologies to Jerry Seinfeld) get ready!
Does anyone know if Maidenform bras are still being made?
In the scene between Bobbi and Peggy (the day she was wearing the pink shirtwaist), Bobbi began to question Peggy to gain an understanding of the connection between her and Don.
"He's a decent man, isn't he? You wouldn't think he would be."
"I never expect him to be any other way than what he is."
Why do you think Bobbi is surprised that Don is 'decent?' What did he do that surprised Bobbi into re-categorizing him? Did she suddenly realize the image is different than the man she met? Is she in love with him? (She did give him that schoolgirl line, "I didn't think you'd call.")
Don asks Peggy if she knows what "they" (the doctors) at the hospital want, and she says no, she doesn't. Don tells her that she does, and then says to give it to them, so she can get out of there and move on. What does she need to do?
Don is told the fine is $150 yet tells him he'll call for a taxi and have an employee bring out the $500. Then the cop says sarcastically, "or maybe your wife has a friend". Also Don hears the heels clicking and seems almost surprised to see it's Peggy. What's up with Peggy's white gloves so late at night too, were gloves worn all the time like that?
Did anyone else notice the attention to detail-when Peggy walked past her TV (about 29-31 minutes in) it went out of tune? Great job by the set designers, directors!
EPISODE 5 WAS ALL ABOUT THE WOMEN BEHIND THE MEN: Their various states of marriage, fidelity, motherhood, and fertility.
The women were the focus here. Who was married, single, engaged; which ones had children, were pregnant, or wanted to be pregnant; and lastly, who had cheated who did not. Curiously, every one of these women has a different story and not a single one is in the same boat as another.
Peggy: Single/Cheated with Pete/Recently gave birth/No children
Joan: Engaged/Cheated with Roger/no children
Rachel: Newlywed/Cheated with Don/?
Trudy: Married/No cheating/wants to be pregnant
Betty: Married/No Cheating/2 children
Bobby: Married/Cheated with Don (and others?)/No children
Anita: Married/No cheating/Pregnant/2 children
New Secretary: Single...
To me, this is the subject matter that stood out the most in the show.
Greetings, Maddicts. Here is my weekly review of this week's episode.
The theme was "This never happened." His relationship with Rachel? Never happened. Peggy in the hospital? Never happened. His accident? Never happened. Dick Whitman? Never happened. n I'm sure Ted Kennedy wishes he could apply the same to Chappaquiddick! Which, by the way, is what I thought was going to happen when Bobbie asked Don if he liked bridges.
Shocking moments for me: Anita is pregnant! The whole zipper scene with Freddy - ROTFLMAO! Don to Bobbie: "I don't feel a thing." Rachel in the restaurant and she's married to a total dweeb who I'm sure Daddy likes. Don called Peggy to bail him out. Don visiting Peggy in the hospital. Peggy calling him Don (you go, girl!).
I didn't like that Peggy stayed home with Bobbie vs. going to work. That really didn't make sense to me. I expected Bobbie to give her a makeover and I sense one coming soon as Peggy begins to assert herself. Bobbie had some very interesting lines: "Pick a job and then become the person who does it," and Don's response: "That's true." To Peggy: "You have to start living the life of the person you want to be." I think Bobbie and Joan have a lot in common when it comes to using the power of being a woman. I liked how Bobbie negotiates everything and she even said she did it once in a department store - this right after Rachel walked by. The contrast between Bobbie and Peggy was great - Bobbie thinks she's so smart and in charge yet Peggy is even more so. It's very similar to the dynamic between Peggy and Joan. Bobbie and Joan know how to be women - Peggy is trying to learn to be a man, which Bobbie said she can't do.
Why did Don join Bobbie after saying no to her? He mentioned a foreign film to her - "La Notte?" Big question - does Don know Peggy had a baby? Does he know it's Pete's? I'm guessing yes and yes. But, then again, it never happened.
Peggy is growing balls. I loved her line to Don in the car: "I don't want you treating me badly because I remind you of it." I was also very proud of her reminding Don about the $110. His response: "I guess when you try to forget something you forget everything." I'll bet he does.
I could say a lot about the Pete/Trudy/infertility story line. I'm an infertility survivor and I know firsthand what that is like. I think the portrayal is real. Men don't get how much of a woman's identity can be tied into wanting a baby. Pete simply doesn't see it. All he knew is that his sperm had superhuman powers and his manhood was secured. End of story. As far as him having to do something very private in a public place, all I can say is that he got to be alone and he got off - nothing about what Trudy will go through will be private nor pleasurable.
Speaking of which, great transition from Pete in the stall with a dirty magazine to Roger and the paddle ball! I loved Roger's line: "the story of relatively young love." I think he loved Joan in his Roger way. I give them credit for acknowledging it and not pretending that it never happened.
That Peggy might make mistakes (some of them monumental), but you can see how quick she is to learn and turn things to her advantage. I wouldn't be surprised if by the 1970s she's running SC after all the old guard is dead from booze and ciggys!
Also, did anyone else catch Peggy's comments to Don in the car on the way back from the slammer? She told him, "I don't want you to think you can punish me now after this." Something along those lines...you can see she's got a LOT of insight into how Don, instead of being really grateful to her, might try to cut her out now that she's seen a really seedy incident in his life. I think she's smart enough not to abuse the discretion -- I think she will just be sure that Don is her mentor as she uses her natural talents to move up the advertising ladder. What a GREAT character she is! No wonder Bobbi was so in awe of her -- she probably doesn't see many women who know how to move in the world of men using moxie and innate intelligence (instead of the tried-and-true sex for favors).
Considering Don's new secretary had about 6 minutes of screen time total, I'm wondering if the title wasn't suppose to be taken literally and had nothing to do with her at all.
Could the title be referring to Don's New girl, Bobbi? His old girlfriend showing up at the restaurant certainly saw it that way.
Or maybe the new girl is Peggy. The reveal through flashback of how she, like Don once did, transformed herself into "the person she wanted to be". Which would make Bobbi's philosophy about picking a job and just becoming that person very interesting. And her advice to Peggy about not trying to act like a man if she wants respect, but to be a woman? Ironic on oh so many levels.
And how she interprets that advice into not allowing Don to forget what she did for him, when he obviously had.
I guess I'll have to watch it again in full context when the season is complete.
I just wanted to give props to leighdear for this comment she made after the season premiere:
"Ya know, I can't help thinking that we're all assuming the little boy is Peggy's....Sure, he probably is....though he seems a little younger than the 15 months her baby would be.....I know, a HUGE stretch.....But what seems to be the "obvious" isn't always fact...."
Very astute. And clearly not that much of a stretch. You rock! Things aren't always as they appear...a theme that Mad Men, and The Sopranos before it, have mastered. Only the best shows make having your assumptions thrown back in your face so rewarding. Well played, Weiner & Co. Again.
Since Peggy's sister was pregnant in the flashback, I think it's clear that the little, blond boy isn't Peggy's. So where's Pete Jr.? Leighdear??
I now have to say that it took me a while to get my wits about me after this epi to it down at the computer and come on this forum. This epi BLEW ME AWAY. I now have to say that I officially now LOVE,LOVE, LOVE Peggy. As soon as Don picked up that phone I knew he was calling her. And their relationship is now at another level. (At least to the viewer now). They are not what I would call friends but depend on each other and see something in the other that is identical.
Maybe this epi hit me so hard because I had that exact relationship with my former boss. I worked PR for a well known sports agent and we all know what a scummy business that is. We had an unspoken bond, a "managing peoples exceptations thing". I got that late night phone call once to help him out of a jam and sure enough some time later I was in a jam and he was there. Guns blazing, telling me to buck up and get myself together. No judgement was passed and our relationship only grew stronger from there. He would always back me up no matter what and EVERYONE (clients/others in the office) knew not to mess with me. We worked this way for 8 years and I gained a rep in that business at being the best at what I did. (2 years ago I was at a sporting event with my husband and kids and met a young prominent athlete and he remembered my name, said he heard about my work), I know that I earned that for myself but he prevented anyone from hindering me. There was never any attraction there and we never crossed any lines in any way. He never showed vulnerability in my presence (even when we were alone) and the only time he did was when I told him I was pregnant and leaving to start a family. We still to this day (11 years later) speak about once a month, he always calls me when something big happens with him, I can still get tickets to ANY sporting event I want and I was the first one he called on 9/11 because he knew my husband had worked at the trade center at one time (it's also my birthday)
I'm way over here in California and would have to wait 3 more hours. What went on? Tell, Tell!
1. Is this a confrontation about Bobbie and he wants Betty in return?
2. He wants more money?
3. He wants his t.v. show on a silver platter and now, "Grin and Barrett"?
What can you guess he wants?
What did you think of Episode 4, "Three Sundays"?
In "The Benefactor", Arthur asks Betty if she knows the F. Scott Fitzgerald story "The Diamond as Big as the Ritz" and she replies No.
Then in "Three Sundays" when Betty and Don are sitting on the sofa, she's reading a book by Fitzgerald.
Hmm... anyone else think this is foreshadowing for a very interesting encounter with Arthur?
This episode seemed to really showcase what was to become the archetypal nuclear family that began to take shape in the early 60's...the shift away from the immediate family setting, like Peggy's, to a single family unit like Don, Betty and their kids. As people became more successful and affluent, their desire to have their own single homes, etc. became more pervasive. What's percolating here is that all is not perfect in paradise. As this family paradigm shifted, the problems became more acute and focused; there were no other family members to diffuse situations, or act as babysitters or buffers. The Modern Family was definitely experiencing growing pains and dysfunction, despite all the outer trappings of progress.
This Season we're contending with Duck who's trying to undermine Don, who initially hired him. We have Bobbie, who's cutting down Don to the Bone. We have the new priest and now it's all about him. We have the new girl next week. We have Lois,Don's secretary who gets fired, Harry,Tarah,and on and on. Can't seem to pinpoint any direction they are going in. I'm terribly frustrated that there is no connection with the story line of Season 1. It was so nice and cozy then with the main characters we love so much. They are being slaughtered this Season. I love Mad Men all of you know quite well! But, I'm having trouble with all these storylines. I want to know what happened from Season 1 to now. It's being ignored! Try watching Season 1 and see what I mean. Please explain why all these new open story lines and the fact that our main characters are being made to look so foolish. I want to see the development from Season 1 to now. What happened in the year and a half in between! Help me figure this out!
Hi Maddicts. Time for my weekly analysis. Just pretend you're Dr. Wayne and I'm lying on your couch.
The theme this week was "grin and bear it." In the opening sermon on "Passion Sunday" the priest made reference to each of us having our own cross to bear, and then of course Bobbie (not to be confused with Bobby) dropped that little gem of a TV show idea, "Grin and Barrett." Cute.
Interesting chemistry between Peggy and young Fr. Gill, who bears a striking resemblance to Pete. He always seemed concerned that Peggy was leaving. Perhaps he recognizes her as a sheep who has strayed and that it will be his role to bring her back. He did it by reaching her where she lives - in her work - and engaging her help. At the end, he basically told her he knew her whole story by simply giving her an Easter Egg for the little one. Eggs are good symbols of things yet to come. At first I thought maybe the priest was conflicted about being Catholic and celibate but his compassion to sister Anita in the confessional was fantastic and I think he is a gifted priest who is learning to embrace his destiny.
Thought it was neat that on "Passion Sunday" Dan seduced Betty -- he said he had an "interesting dream" - about Rachel maybe?
This was another great epi but this time filled with lots of tantalizing reveals. I was grappling over the theme. Was it revolving around apologies and forgiveness? Peggy's sister stated how Peggy gets away with her bad behavior with no apologies-- like it didn't happen. Draper mentioned the importance of AA moving forward in the ads with no apologies-- like it didn't happen. And that poor little boy, Draper's son, unable to apologize to Betty out of sheer terror, but easily offers one to his loving Dad.
What does it mean? Is there some significance about the father giving it to Peggy?
While many things took place in last night's episode, much of what happened to Don and Betty was seen by their children, Sally and Bobby. Their involvement in the plot line was so integral that it was hard not to see things through their eyes.
By the end of the episode, Sally realized that Daddy acts differently in the office than at home. At home, Daddy is passive, going along with whatever a yelling or tense Betty says. At the office, Sally sees a side of her father that she had not seen before. Sally arrives with her father, and is turned over to Joan, as Don heads into a meeting. Sally next sees her father after he has left the meeting and is headed for his office. Don doesn't walk across the floor, he strides. Confident, in charge, even bad-ass. Sally sees this and then sees a retinue of underlings follow at a respectful distance. She observes Pete, Harry and Ken talk indirectly about her father. The next time she sees Daddy, he has just emerged from his office, strided to the center of the room, everything has stopped and everyone focused on him. Don made a statement that Sally didn't understand- heck half the office didn't understand either- and then EVERYONE jumped to follow the new direction pointed to by her father. From a child's perspective- Wow !
Note how the secretarial staff had to wait until the professional staff (almost all men, but Peggy, too) had helped themselves to the food before they were allowed to partake, and they even had to wait until their supervisor (Joan) told them it was okay to get some food (which, by then, meant the leftovers.) Does this still go on, and, if not, when did it end? I never witnessed the exact same situation but something similar, in the 90's: I was working for a large law firm that regularly ordered food in for people who were working late: pasta one night, Mexican the next, etc. They tried to impose a rule that the secretaries who were working late were not allowed to eat any of the food. The justification was that the attorneys and paralegals were billling time to clients for the extra hours, but the secretaries were not, so they should not be allowed to eat anything, even though they were expected to stay and work alongside the attorneys. The secretaries protested, and the rule was changed.
What a screw up by Duck with American Airlines! A good Million Dollar client (Mohawk Air) jettisoned just to have a possibility of a chance with American; Don's personal reputation and the firm's demeaned by having to fire Mohawk; time and talent wasted on a fruitless presentation; a lame excuse or quasi apology to Don and Roger as he leaves the room. What's gonna happen next?
I think teh interesting and positive thing about Betty and Don pushing each otehr is that it stopped there - it could have escalated.
Did anyone else notice how many "accidents" occurred tonight..that upset
Betty? We have seen precursors to this...what does this all mean? And her daughter getting drunk at Don's office? Hmmm wondering what this all means?
I continue to worship at the altar that is Mad Men. This episode just brought in the formal religion. It threw me a little to see Tom Hanks' son .... but quickly realized he was a younger version of the Carmela Sopranos' priest (w/the fawning females & non-stop food). So similar, being flirty with women although he of course can't act on it. Peggy's sister is a piece of work.
Meanwhile, did anyone else get the prevalence of *kneeling* in this episode? First it's Bobbi's coat on the floor (for the obvious reason) .... then Sal's ad to woo stewardesses .... & the underlying thread of church throughout.
Interesting that Roger now has to pay for it .... let's hope there's some left to pay for his daughter's non-wedding. Sterling Cooper will continue to be interesting, as Duck's "connections" come & go. Loved Don's "stillborn baby" comment, & the look on his face when he slid Shel's book over to Duck. Also loved Joan's comment about Sally "making more than any of them" on a Sunday. But my Line of the Night was Don's "Mommy says you broke the Hi-Fi ... I believe her ... don't do that again"!
But the main theme, as the title "Three Sundays", I thought was well done. I'm loving the peeling back of layers on the Draper household. I loved their do-nothing Sunday with the heavy-handed coctails (is it any wonder Sally went for the glass?) & skipped dinner. Who knows if Don will reveal more about his father to Betty, but in the meantime, his comments about being smacked around will hopefully get her off of poor Bobby's back for a while. More to come, of course .... I'll be drinking it up. More please!
Tonight's episode seemed like it was written by a different writer, or something. Don seemed to LIKE Bobbi instead of detest her. Betty seemed angry instead of fearful and subserviant. Roger seemed back to his old ways when last time he seemed like he might get back to his marriage. All of a sudden, the kids are a big issue in the Draper marriage, causing a big blowup. I think the writing tonight was different, and not as good. Does anyone else agree?
I just got a chance to watch last week "The Benefactor" was away but I absolutely LOVED the line Don fed Lois when he was firing her. Don't know if it was touch on this but he said "You do not cover up for me you manage exceptations" Touche! now that Emmy writing! I will def be using that quote as the need arises
Don's thuggish streak continues. I was taken aback as he violently threw that object across the kitchen, stormed upstairs yelling at his wife and then violently pushes her. I relaized tht she pushed him first, but the way he repsonded was troubling. I hate to say this, but Don has had a pattern of blowing up on people (particularly women) with a ferocious rage.
I hope thaat Betty does not have to beegin to fear for her physical safety.
I found the fololowing information online, and cannot take any credit for it... It remains, however, the most credible explanation of its importance or relevance to date.
"...While I couldn't identify the film itself, the narration, word for word, is from a lyric poem entitled Ballade Des Dames Du Temps Jadis," which translates as The Ballad Of The Ladies Of Yore and concerns a Frankish queen known as Bertha Broadfoot. The last ten lines on this page are what you hear the narrator speak, and as the page notes, one of them, "Mais où sont les neiges d'antan!," is the derivation of the line "Where are the Snowdens of yesteryear?" which you might recognize from Joseph Heller's Catch-22. However, the words I find most relevant come right before the ones we heard spoken, to wit: "La royne Blanche comme ung lys, Qui chantoit à voix de sereine?" This translates as, "What befell the lily-white queen/Who sang with her voice like a bird?" Given Betty's alabaster skin and her nickname of "Birdy," I think you'll agree that the research was worth it. ..."
Fascinating....
Why did Jimmy's wife not press Don further for the $25K ? She could have falsely claimed rape after
what he did in the restuarant and in the car ? She could have tried to ruin him, as much as he said he was going to ruin her husnband. She could have threatened to tell Don's wife ? Wasn't this a reckless chance, that Don took to get her to get her husband to apologize ?
I noticed that there was VA state tax witheld on Ken's check. Am I mistaken?
Shortly before Don fired his secretary because she didn't properly cover for him when he was gone for a while he said something to the effect of her job was to"manage people's expectations" of him.
First of all was that what he said?
Second of all what did he mean by that? Also, what should have she said or told in that situation?
I don't believe Betty's explanation for her tears in the car following the dinner at Lutece. For the first time, I concluded that she must be profoundly depressed. I could actually feel the emptiness bubble to the surface with each mile decreasing the distance between her world and Don's world. She has gotten so good at hiding her emotions, I must admit, when the sleaze-bag stable gigolo advanced a notch when he called her on it. I believes she held it together until she walked away. Her hands were shaking as she left the stables...I can't imagine how hard it is to keep the facade she created together. Suddenly, I am verrry worried about her...Is she about to break?
When Don and Betty are dining at Lutece,camera angles filtering,closeups reminded me of Tony Soprano & Co.at Artie Buccos place .Anyone else feel this way?
Great Harry story (but he should have asked for $400 if he wanted $300) ... and two greats scenes with Don in car... http://paullevinson.blogspot.com/2008/08/mad-men-23-double-barreled-power.html
Who was the actress in the 16 MM film that was screened by Harry Crain?
I almost fell out of my chair when I heard Harry Crain ask to speak to Agdur Flatten at CBS. I worked for CBS New York in the late sixties and was one of the many young men to whom "Flatty" was a mentor. He was Director of Client Relations and a very good friend to me. The actor looked a lot like him but Flatty was not quite that glib. I can't believe that any of the show's writers would remember Flatty. Thanks for reminding me of a very happy time in my life.
