MAD MEN

[EricMontreal22]

I find the distracting every week. I don't mind.

[Mildred Plotka]

Anyone watch this Sunday's episode? Probably one of my top favorites of the whole series. The Joan plot-line with Jaguar had me in tears at the end. I've loved the fleshing out of her friendship with Don in the last 2 episodes.

[wonderfulwizard11]

I caught the episode on repeat earlier, and have to agree that it was a pretty spectacular episode. Joan's story, in particular, was devastating- though Christina Hendricks was beyond brilliant in her scenes. I have also never hated Pete Campbell more than I did in this episode.

Also, was anyone as shocked as I was that Peggy actually left SCDP? Reflecting on what's happened this season, it makes some sense, but I was just really surprised that she actually went through with leaving. I really loved her last scene with Don, which felt like a nice cap to their relationship at the agency. It will be interesting to see what happens now that Peggy's gone from SCDP.

[Taryn]

All I can say is: fantastic freaking episode. Everyone talked about the brilliance of "The Suitcase" last season, but it didn't hit me like this one did.

[strummergirl]

Oh, boy. This episode.... wow.

First, Pete Campbell is repugnant It speaks volumes that he did not answer Joan's hypothetical about Trudy when he gave her the proposition. I wanted to take a shower after this episode but it speaks to how effective and excellent it was between the writing, direction, and cast performance.

There were these hints that Peggy was unsatisfied be it being intrigued by Ken's meeting (that turned out to be about his writing) and their work pact in "Signal 30" or how Stan told her that it would be easier for her to hire a mediocre copy-writer instead of her hiring her eventual successor (and I definitely think Michael is going to replace her among a group of free-lancers). She got buried in the Heinz Beans account that she got kicked out of, she was off accounts simply because she is a woman, and she did two Ginsberg accounts with no credit whatsoever. I can definitely see why Peggy reached a breaking point not being involved in Jaguar or even getting credit for her pitch in the episode (I mean, even Harry thought she was brilliant and told Don so).

I am most surprised that she took up with Ted Chaough's firm. I know she trusts Freddy like a father but him giving her off to Don's smarmy rival would piss Don off, as his reaction showed. I do hope it works out for her in the end, and of course I hope we still follow her story as she was why I followed the show in the first place.*

I do wonder if the pact with her and Ken is still in tact. I am thinking maybe not with her dismissal of it after Don yelled at her because I think in her mind, Ken has never experienced what she has experienced working there. Plus he has an escape, writing, whereas she has only known copy-writing/advertising as her profession.

I wonder how long Stan is there for too. I am oddly invested in him and Peggy's relationship and he has hinted that his time could be numbered with the rise of photography in advertising.

This should be Christina Hendricks' Emmy submission episode. I loved the looks Don, Peggy, and Joan each gave to each other in the final 5-10 minutes of the episode. I was in tears in the Don-Peggy scene in his office.

My only issue in this episode is that Roger seemed completely fine with what Joan was doing or rather, what Pete told the partners (that little smirk he gave when Joan gave him an ambiguous enough response rather than a direct 'No' made me recoil in terror). Maybe Roger and Joan really have hit an impasse after the Pearl Harbor Day talk. But still, she is the mother of his child and it says a lot that she wore the fur he gave her to her 'date'. Lane was shown more about his relationship with Joan and how it involves him than Roger and that struck me as curious, beyond the fact Lane gave Joan the partnership option to save his own skin with his financial issues.


**POSSIBLE SPOILER**
*-AMC's Inside Mad Men on its website has cast-members, still in their clothing from what I believe is from the finale episode, talking about each episode up until the finale and Elisabeth Moss with her costume makes me think we will still see her in the final two episodes of this season.

[Auggie27]

I've little doubt Peggy will be seen in the finale. As many have noted (including Elizabeth Moss), Peggy is the new Don, and though she's now isolated, unities wise, from the characters and office, she has a rich opportunity to grow competitive with her mentor and psychologically speaking, mirror self.

The show last night was brilliant storytelling.

[JerseyGirl2]

Peggy knows she's worth more and went elsewhere. Joan thinks she's not worth anything more than her body. It was pretty leveling.

[EricMontreal22]

I thought it was interesting too in comparison to what happened earlier (season 3?) with Sal being essentially fired for not sleeping with the cigarettes guy.

[NYadgal]

Oh, sadness.

[mominator]

OMG! That was a tear filled episode.

[strummergirl]

When Joan cried, I cried.

Matthew Weiner at least acknowledges that Don is a magnet for tragedy.

Also taking solace in Weiner stating in Inside Mad Men that Sally is not attracted to Glen on any level after she sees him again.

[thetinymagic2]

Even though I don't think that the Weiner kid (glenn) is a particularly good actor, there's something really perfect about casting him as this socially inept totally awkward tween. You really can't take your eyes off that face when he's in a scene.
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[JerseyGirl2]

I thought that was the finale. I was rather confused when they didn't set anything up. Glad to know there's another episode.

[MotorTink]

I was really expecting it to be Pete that ended up found like that, but Lane makes as much sense. Sad.

I have a feeling Peggy will be back at SCDP. (with Pryce gone - do they go to SCD? SCDC?)

[mominator]

Very good question Tink. Pete will lobby for his name on the door and Lane's office. I can see him getting the office but the firm going to SCD.
It was nice to see Betty finally acting like a mom.

[strummergirl]

Pete's been angling to rise from junior partner to having his name on the door for about two seasons. But I am thinking unless there is a real time jump in-between episodes (like months instead of a month) it may be too insensitive for the agency to switch up names. Who knows if they are even going to reveal publicly that Lane resigned and Don is the only one who knows the check is a forgery (Bert just knows it was a bad check).

I cannot help but think when Lane and Joan were talking about his inferiority complex and how he told her that she in his position 'could do it'. Maybe she will actually will be in his position in the finale beyond her 5%. She fits more of the profile in Lane's position than Pete does. Would her name go on the door and not Pete's? Maybe not but it would be a bit hilarious to see how Pete reacts to even the possibility since he started that mess.

Ken seems to have put two and two together over how Joan became a partner based on his conversation with Roger where he said no to a partnership. He just knew too much from the last episode but I doubt he is going to make a fuss about this or gossip. The other employees at the agency, however, are going to start talking, especially since there have been assumptions about Lane and Joan going back to season 4 (I doubt people know the details on Jaguar).

[EricMontreal22]

What a devastating episode. I had a feeling Lane would end up that way, but knowing where it was leading just made the whole thing harder to watch (in a good way--brilliant). I also liked the juxtaposition of Sally in a way starting her life just as Lane is ending his--and that hopefully Betty now realizes that Megan will never replace her for Sally.

I suspect Don will keep the cheque stuff quiet, since he feels guilty about it all and knows Lane would want it that way--poor Don, two peple have hanged himself in front of him now (his brother early on in the show), and in situations where Don didn't seem to realize the desperation of the situation and was in a position to maybe help things.

[strummergirl]

Finale is tonight. I have no idea what is going to down. Even the UK spoilers of the finale (that have actually been very reliable to people who put in the time to search for spoilers) have been very vague. There is a final shot mentioned in multiple reviews that has earned both the distinction of being a love letter and also being considered ambiguous.

[Taryn]

Hm. A bit ponderous. I'm a bit underwhelmed.

[JerseyGirl2]

It didn't seem like finale material to me.

I did love the scene with the partners standing before the window of the new floor. The spacing was perfect. It just got to me for some reason.

[SonofRobbieJ]

So...what was that final shot? The old Don Draper is back? That's kinda what I took from it.

It would have been impossible to top the last two episodes...it would have felt like overkill. I liked that this episode was quiet. But Adam f*cking freaked me out.

[mominator]

Yes I think the old Don is back. (Could this be because Meghan has turned into Betty?)
Adam popping back in was quite weird.
Rodger and Pete sadly will always be scum.

[SonofRobbieJ]

But DAMN does John Slattery have a hot ass.

I also love how Joan is asserting her partnership. It's an uncomfortable fit right now, but I think it's going to be fascinating watching her run the whole friggin show.

[wicked1492]

Who, ME?!


I agree that it was very underwhelming after such an exciting season with so many twists and turns. I'm not sure that I liked that it calmed down. I did LOVE seeing Pete take a few punches. Finally.

[strummergirl]

I think the final shot was a blank canvass anybody can project. For most of this season my doubts shrunk that Don would return and be a straying husband but I think his brief conversation with Peggy in the theater about how 'Don't you want the people you helped all of those years leave and be successful?' (or something to that effect) also spoke to Megan. Don while trying and actually helping Megan, may stray if it means that there are more times of Megan on a soundstage. I always thought the issue was that Megan putting on a performance for anybody but him was going to be an issue. Don's feelings watching her screen test seemed like he was falling in love with her again but then seemed to realize the nature of screen tests and that for her, she wants to be seen by more than just him. That is definitely going to be hard for him if he could barely handle the 'Zou Bissou Bissou' performance.

Was not really feeling Pete's sub-plot and I can buy Trudy thinking her husband is a bad driver but the whole apartment in NY issue came back and resolved far too easily. I felt like Pete's suburban misadventures were put on the back-burner too long to be significant (if it was ever at all), although I think Howard deserved his attack. Never make me root for Pete Campbell in a fight ever again, Mad Men.

Julia Ormond as Mrs. Calvet was pretty great in her return. Her lines killed both in its cold melancholy and dark comedic tones with her daughter (and now we understand why Megan is fine with no kids). You get why she was so captivated by Roger Sterling just by watching him play off those familiar beats with Sally Draper at the ball.

I felt like this finale actually set up a lot to think about character's futures. Roger's back on LSD trying to fill the void of emptiness, this time with no supervision. Joan at the partners meetings seemed like the most together, the one in control of the discussion and matters. I think Jersey Girl mentioning that gorgeous shot of the partners in the office space is important to note that Joan is in the center. The creatives are a bit lost without Peggy, Stan especially (and hey, it looks like Peggy is frustrated with some of her creatives in the art department so maybe there is a reunion), who has soured on his dynamic with Michael Ginsberg who continues to have a volatile work dynamic with Don.

And Peggy possibly being in on Virginia Slims? Awesome. The account she got to keep the company alive last season also seems not enthused by SCDP so at the very least, she can reel in Topaz. I feel like the fact that SCDP continues to have their creatives be male-dominated and that Don made it a point to go after the big guys may turn sour (or in the form of Dow Chemical napalm) and that Peggy's success could be finding the new things that could turn out big and be for women. The Lady Godiva pitch that was woefully ignored by Don was another indicator. I think next season may actually tap into the feminist movement and Peggy is going to use it as a opportunity to really hit it big. She was Don's equal in the movie theater scene, she might even surpass him.

I love the two odes to Bond. Peggy and Don seeing the turkey of a spoof in Casino Royale (Which puts the episode in late April to possibly early May of 1967) and "You Only Live Twice" in the montage.

[SonofRobbieJ]

I'm probably alone in this opinion, but ever since the remake of SABRINA, I've been completely entranced by Julia Ormond as an actress. And she's been showing up in unexpected places (Law and Order: Criminal Intent, as well as Mad Men), delivering perfectly modulated performances. Perhaps the stain of trying to replace Audrey Hepburn will finally lift and she'll be allowed to explore bigger and better roles. Because she really is quite wonderful.