Mad Men (Read 5,071 times)

[Kpatch]

Who watched Sunday's episode? What did you think?

It was definitely not my favorite. Peggy was a caricature of herself. She was embarassing to watch. I thought she was out of character and acted more like Sami Brady than Peggy Olsen. I'm not sure I get the point of Pete this season. I liked Don's frank talk with Sally. And I loved seeing Dawn get the HR manager job. It's possible I'm missing something, but I thought it was a fairly dull episode, not up to the usual standards.

[wendylou]

I agree, Peggy was insufferable. I wish her secretary would have told her those flowers were hers right away. It seemed like everyone in the office was sick of Peggy and it seemed like they had a good reason after all that.

I liked Don and Sally's scenes. I usually do. I'm so glad he was honest with her in the end and I loved it when he told her they were going to skip out on the bill. I think she's a smart girl and she just wants him to treat her that way.

It was hard to watch all the mistreatment of the secretaries, either because they were women or black or both but I guess that's how it was. I makes me feel lucky that we've made the progress we have. That wasn't so long ago. Did you pick up on something with Dawn and Shirley being called the wrong names or something? When I watched I was confused but I read later that the show was making a point that their white co-workers were constantly confusing them. I kind of want to watch that part again.

I did like the end when Joan got moved up and then Dawn got her own office and I think a promotion too. I couldn't tell.

[wendylou]

Kpatch, what do you think of Peggy so far this season?

[Kpatch]

Interesting question wendylou. She is definitely feeling her oats. I think she's enjoying turning the tables on Don and asking him for 25 tag lines by noon. She wasn't happy to see him at first because she was afraid he'd take over again and she likes being in charge. I think she is losing some of her vulnerability though, the things we used to love about her, her relatability.

I was disappointed that Don took to the bottle again. Seemed like he wanted to get fired.

You were right about Roger's daughter.

What did you think?

[Kpatch]

wendylou, did you watch?

It was kind of a disturbing episode.

Seemed odd that Anna Draper's niece should show up out of nowhere, except maybe to perpetuate the Sharon Tate rumors. I can't stand Megan. She is such a bad character and actress and I don't know why she gets so much air time.

I didn't think Betty was out of line at all, but apparently Henry did. It was so subtle.

So what really happened to Sally?

I was a little surprised by the menage a trois, were you? With Don in the submissive position, it almost seemed like he was forced to have sex with the two women.

What was the deal with Lou's cartoon?

And OMG Ginsberg! He literally lost his mind. I always liked him and was sad to see him taken out in a straitjacket, so to speak.

[wendylou]

Yes, Kpatch, that was a crazy episode - literally I guess. Ginberg was so...sad and yes, disturbing. I knew he was high strung but I didn't know he was completely losing it. So strange - and gross. I have to say, I thought Peggy handled it well. I'm glad she got him help.

Speaking of Peggy, I'm glad she seemed a little more back to normal. I guess she was on a bit of a power trip earlier and in a way, who could blame her. As much as Don did for her, he also treated her pretty badly at times (throwing money at her???). Anway, she and Don seemed to have gotten over it and I'm glad. I prefer them as friends.

You know, I've never disliked Megan as much as you but last night I was completely disgusted with her. First the way she treated Don's niece was horrible. She's jealous of some poor homeless woman who's about the pop? How childish. And from the threesome she later pretty much coerced Don into, I don't think she's jealous on a sexual level. She was jealous that this girl knew more about Don than she did or maybe that he changed his plans to come up there to see the neice instead of her???

That threesome was a bit much for me. I think it started with the fact that Megan seemed to be forcing her friend on Don from the get go and then it seemed like she and her friend had been planning this for some time. She certainly looked like she knew what she was doing. Makes me wonder how she spends her time while Don is away. I was glad her little ploy didn't work and he left almost immediately the next day. Blech! It's not as if Don hasn't done much worse to Megan it's just that it was so pathetic.

Not sure what happened to Sally. Maybe she was beat up? I felt bad for poor little Bobby saying his stomach hurt all the time. It sucks to have an ice queen mother.

I'm not sure what's up with Lou but it's sad that he uses his cartoons for a creative outlet instead of his job where he could use a little more creativity.

Oh - I loved it that Don showed up for the tobacco meeting. That seemed like old Don for just a moment.

[Kpatch]

Ginsberg was so creepy.

wendylou, I'm glad you saw Megan's true colors. She kept trying to get Don's attention and nothing worked. He wasn't fazed by her sexy dance with that guy. And yes, it seems like she and that girl had a lot of practice. I wouldn't be surprised if some of those parties were orgies. It really showed the difference between her and Don. He doesn't change, but everyone else does. He looks exactly the same as he did in episode 1.

But you are right that he seems to be getting his mojo back. When he hailed that cab at the end, he was very commanding.

[wendylou]

Kpatch, I can't believe this is the second to last episode this year. I'm hoping for some major action in the storylines.

[Kpatch]

I know. And then a long wait for next season. Do you know when the last season starts wendylou?

[Kpatch]

Did you watch wendylou?

I thought it was a weird and disjointed episode. They certainly hit us over the head with "family." They wanted to show that the people at the agency are more like family than the characters' real families.

Bob's proposal came out of nowhere.

Pete's a bastard.

Did you see the look on Megan's face when the secretary said she didn't even know Don was married? His coworkers had a nicer greeting for her than her own husband.

I loved Peggy and Don's dance. It was my favorite part. It was like the Don and Peggy of old.

[wendylou]

Yes, Kpatch, I watched. I loved the dance too. It was sweet.

I'm hoping last night was the beginning of the end of Don and Megan's marriage. She seemed to be moving more of her life out to California but doesn't want Don there.

Pete is a jerk but more than that, he's just a jealous, sexist, hypocrite. He can join the mile-high club with his Malibu Barbie but Trudy is a mom who should be home with her child and have no social life whatsoever? Meanwhile, his daughter doesn't even know him. He's just mad Trudy isn't miserable without him.

Now to Bob. Thought we'd never see him again. I wasn't sure he was gay but he clearly is and just wishes he wasn't. It's hard to blame him in that time and place when it was so clearly unexceptable. I don't know that his proposal was out of the blue. He's always had a good relationship with Joan and likes he son. He thought she'd make the perfect beard, especially after his gay co-worker mentioned how his wife understood his sexuality. Bob wanted to present the image Buick wanted and Joan seemed perfect for the role. For a minute I thought she might take him up on it but I'm glad she didn't. She still has hope of finding love with a good man even though she spends her days surrounded by so many schm*cks. I sure hope she's not holding out for Roger. I know they love each other but I think she deserves better than him too.

I like Peggy much better this episode. She is looking great lately too. She and Don are such a great professional
team and I love their relationship.

[Kpatch]

Malibu Barbie.
  

[Kpatch]

Finale of the final season's halfway point tonight!

Anyone know how long until the next part starts up?

[wendylou]

Well, Kpatch, what did you think? I personally really liked it. I'm sad and surprised about Burt but what a crazy, sweet way to go out. That little song and dance was so strange but I really liked it. I'm not sure what it meant but after seeing Don's eyes I wondered if that was just kind of showing Don missing him. I was a little worried Don was going to die too because the son kept talking about "you and me" and he had just died. Maybe Don is starting to realize there's more to life???

I'm glad Megan and Don put an end to their marriage. I'm not a big fan of hers but it was still a little sad to see their marriage and for it to be happening at the same time Don was under attack at work was bad.

I loved Roger standing up for Don and figuring out a way to save him. I'm glad so many others, even weasely Pete, stood up for Don too.

Things seem to be looking up for Don for the next season but I doubt it's going to be all sunshine and roses. Can't believe we have to wait so long to see the ending. Not sure exactly when it comes back but it's definitely not until 2015.

[Kpatch]

wendylou, I liked it too. Definitely left me wanting more. I don't know when in 2015 the second half will start, but it will be an agonizing wait!

I haven't read any blogs or recaps yet, but here's mine.

I'm glad Lou got taken down a peg, and ultimatelly so did Jim. Bert was a staunch supporter of Don's and loyal to his "team" to the end. Roger mentioned a lyric to a song (Let's have another cup of coffee, let's eat another piece of pie) which I think foreshadowed the musical number at the end.

I really like everyone recognizing the value Don brings. I also loved his mentorship of Peggy and encouraging her to give the presentation to Burger Chef for the good of the team.

Didn't you like how everyone gathered round their TV sets to watch the moon landing? That was how it was back then. I found it interesting that people were so worried about the astronauts returning home safely and they felt this collective danger looming, like Harry not liking the airplane pilot's comments. Oh, poor Harry! Always a day late and a million dollars short.

What about Sally dolling herself up to impress a guy. I thought she was interested in the older brother and was kind of shocked when she kissed the geeky younger brother. What was that about?

I guess I don't have to say that I'm glad Don's marriage is over. I hope we've seen the last of Meghan.

And now for the finale, the song and dance number. I liked the choice of song with "The moon belongs to everyone, the best things in life are free," continuing the "moon" theme. I could be wrong, but I thought the purpose of the finale was the producers' way of giving Robert Morse, the actor who's played Burt Cooper since the series began, a nice sendoff and reminding the audience of his song and dance roots. You could see that boyishness when he was singing and it reminded me of this number from How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying. He played J. Pierpont Finch both on Broadway and in the movie. If you can bear to watch 5 minutes, it's worthwhile.




And here's an interview with Robert Morse about the demise of Bert Cooper. 

Q&A with Robert Morse