Grid Effect

We’re ridiculously hungover, it’s Sunday and we are approaching the 10pm start time so we are going to keep this Mad Men review of last week’s episode pretty succinct. We apologize in advance for mailing it in, and for procrastinating so long with this.

-This episode focused very much on loyalty, a trait owned by Don and Peggy and pretty much nobody else. Of course others (namely: Betty) are well within their rights and are justified in abandoning it, but loyalty and how these characters approach was at centerstage on Sunday. For the most part, when we watch Don, we know he is almost a dual personality: He has different values for different facets of his life.

-The scene at the restaurant with Don reluctantly and Roger (almost) gleefully firing Freddy was one of the better we’ve seen from this series, and that is saying something. Watching Freddy squirm as he knows full well what a six month leave implies was gut-wrenching, even if he did bring it on himself. It is constantly said that in these changing times, Sterling Cooper is the most hesitant to adapt, of all the people at Sterling Cooper, Freddy was probably the most set in the ways of the old school, even though he was the one responsible for discovering Peggy, who was understandably upset. Still, we loved the look on Sal’s face when Freddy gave him a full glass of whiskey.

-Punching out Jimmy Barrett wasn’t exactly a moment of triumph for the series or for Don, and we thought it odd to even throw it in there. I am sure there is some subtextual reason for it that we are missing. Any thoughts?

-One that could be considered a moment of triumph for Don was his scolding of the minions for mocking Freddy literally pissing his pants. Given the level of secrecy and discretion with which Don lives his life, any sort of gossip seems to upset him greatly. If you recall the episode where Don leaves Bobbie tied to a bed, it was after discovering that professional women in NYC have made him a frequent topic of conversation. One might consider it a compliment, but for a (married) man that’s as eccentric as Don is, it isn’t exactly a surprise when he left Bobbie tied up or when he reacted so unfavorably to the water cooler discussion of Freddy and his uncontrolled blaotter.

-The revelation that Roger was leaving Mona for Jane (and not Joan) was a bit much to handle for the close of an episode. I don’t recall the series ever just smacking us in the face with a significant plot point like that, but there it was, in typical television form, just leaving a bunch of unanswered questions. I am constantly surprised by how duplicitous Roger can be, and he seems to hold a certain contempt for Don that is never addressed. At least we can all agree that fucking his secretary and exchanging information about Don’s marriage isn’t nearly as low as trying to fuck his wife in his own house (”Red In the Face” is still an all-timer for us).

-Joan has hada rough go of it as of late, we hope the Marilyn Monroe suicide isn’t foreshadowing or anything, but between losing a job she never knew she wanted, getting married to a guy she doesn’t seem to love, having her firing of Jane be usurped by Roger and now Roger marrying her arch-nemesis..,well, we worry about her fate. Even more so than Betty’s.

-Speaking of which, I assume Betty is attempting to sabotage her friends’ marriage just so she doesn’t feel bad about the collapse of her own, but I really am not clear on her motivations there. Maybe simply so the two of her will leave her the fuck alone.

-Loved Peggy recalling that they are lucky Playtex didn’t go for the Marilyn ad and Don’s impressed reaction that her mind is always geared towards work.

Another great effort from Weiner & Co. Despite not entirely approving of how they handled Roger’s separation, we are on pins and needles with anticipation waiting to see how this all plays out.

Back tomorrow with recaps for Entourage and Life and Times of Tim.