Mad Men

[Steve Tannehill]

And tonight we see just how cold Don Draper is.

[Allen]

Originally Posted by Steve Tannehill

And tonight we see just how cold Don Draper is.

Yeah, they're making him into a very unlikeable character so far this season.

Semi-spoilers ahead!!



Last night's episode definitely had a theme on the use and abuse of power.

Spoiler: Click the button to see the hidden message

Lee Gardner Jr. (what a despicable asshole!) abuses his role as #1 client; Don abuses his role as Allison’s boss. Freddie too is using (maybe misusing) his AA relationship to secure the Ponds account and forcing his view as Peggy’s old boss and mentor. And sometimes it's plain old bullying, as in Glen’s creepy vandalism and Lee Jr’s treatment of Roger and all the professional staff, making them sit on Santa's lap so he can get a pic with his new Polaroid.

In each case we see immediate discomfort, confusion or pain on the part of the person being manipulated, mistreated or bullied followed by some degree of stoicism (which makes sense, b/c in the early '60s, you were still expected to "suck it up", not seek legal redress or a shrink, especially in the work environment).

Spoiler: Click the button to see the hidden message

Roger gets that this is part of his job, as distasteful as it was. Peggy behaves like a professional in the face of Freddie’s clumsiness. Allison is clearly hurt but bears up very stoically. Even Henry deals with the vandalism calmly and coolly.

It'll be interesting to see the fallout of all these abuses.

Spoiler: Click the button to see the hidden message

The powers at SCDP might now accept Sal's explanation of Lee Jr. as a bully; maybe Glenn's actions will help get Sally out of the old house sooner. Peggy's much more confident in her work, so she can stand up to Freddie on the idea front, but maybe rebelled against Freddie's "old-fashioned ways" in her personal life. And Don was a complete cad to Allison - I thought maybe she was typing her resignation letter at the end, but apparently not (she's too attached to Don to just leave, I guess).

[Steve Tannehill]

Good analysis, Allen. I am already waiting impatiently for the next episode!

[Allen]

I guess it's just you and me, Steve. So I'll dispense with the spoiler tags.

I’m pretty sure “Good News” is meant to be ironic. It seemed like nearly every bit of “news” was bad, from Lane’s impending divorce to Anna’s cancer.

What wasn’t bad (Joan’s apparent ability to conceive, despite her 2 abortions) may turn out not to be as good as the characters believe right now (hence, the tears and the impending threat of Vietnam service). Regarding Stephanie’s roommate and her conversion to the New Testament Gospel: her devotion to “the Good News” was the result of a nervous breakdown!

When Anna says that there could be worse things in a roommate, Don smirks, “No there couldn’t.” Makes me a little afraid that the one bit of apparently unabashed “good news”—Lane’s announcement to Don that SCDP had a “very good year” might turn out to be not so good or illusory, as well.

Most heartbreaking line of the episode, by far: "I know everything about you and I still love you" (which is what the "Good News" really is: forgiveness, grace, being loved despite all our flaws).

Roughest line of the night: "you're just a man in a room with a checkbook."

[DYohn]

I thought it was a really good episode and I loved the way it ended. The rest of the season should provide a few shake-ups.

[Steve Tannehill]

Another great episode.

Has anyone been watching the new series Rubicon? It's gotten off to a fairly good start.

[Allen]

Don gets some comeuppance tonight; we see even more of the '60s counterculture start to emerge, through Peggy.

At the same time, Peggy is becoming more like Don ("Get over it, move on!"), and Don has become what he warned Pete about way back in the 1st or 2nd season.

Pete grows some cajones with his father-in-law, and I think Ken will end up at SCDP.

I'm watching this one a 2nd time for a more complete analysis - lots to digest.

[Allen]

All the instances of rejection that play out in The Rejected:

SCDP intends to reject Clearasil as a client.
Dottie has been rejected by her boyfriend.
Allison has been rejected by Don (as a lover).
Don is rejected by Allison (as a boss).
Peggy rejects Joyce (as a lover, but not as a friend).
The focus group rejects Peggy’s idea for Ponds.
Don rejects the results of the focus group.
Peggy is reminded by the baby of her rejection by Pete.
Don is reminded by his neighbors of his rejection by Betty.

[Steve Tannehill]

Actually, it was Peggy who rejected Pete by putting the baby up for adoption and then telling him about it.

Good show. I watched it a second time, too.

[Shane Martin]

I am probably alone but so far I'm not enjoying season 4. I don't know if it's the new firm or Don's character now but it's lost that bit of intrigue for me in exchange for a more serious tone. I did enjoy the bit last week about how Don was discovered but the rest of the episode was just ok to me.

[Allen]

Hang in there, Shane - Don's gotta hit bottom soon.

I'll grant you it's a much darker show thus far this year, but I still find it intriguing.

[Steve Tannehill]

Don was almost sympathetic tonight. Peggy's boyfriend was an idiot. So was Duck.

I am enjoying this season.


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[DYohn]

I *really* like the darker tone, and the scenes with Don and Peggy this week were outstanding.

[Allen]

We've gone full circle now. Peggy tried to hold Don's hand when she was first his secretary, and Don set her straight.

Last night, Don holds Peggy's hand. Peggy may now be Dick's new Anna.