"Mad Men" on AMC (US) - (Spoilers Within)

tonyb · Apr 6, 2015

The exchange above -- between HH and FF and the Doctor -- points to the danger of conflating our individual experiences with the norm. I, for instance, have been thought cynical by people whose lives are populated by people quite unlike mine. Divorces, philandering, broken promises, bankruptcies, et cetera, are so commonplace as to be normal.

The ladies (and gentlemen) surely doth protest too much, though. (Present company excluded, of course.) Again, only my experience, but in that experience it is the people who trumpet traditional values that you'd be wise to keep a safe distance from your spouse, your children, your bank accounts. It's as if they are trying to convince themselves.

Oh, and Roger Sterling's mustache? Uh, nope. And the relationship with McCann Erickson isn't nearly so hands-off as Roger kinda led the partners to believe it would be.

Doctor Strange · Apr 6, 2015

I found this episode particularly downbeat. Don's a bigger self-destructive mess of alpha-male excess than ever, still spinning through his brunette fixation and contending with ghosts (as he always has). Ken considers following his dream, but ends up setting himself up as an client/adversary to exact revenge for being fired. Pete and Ted are back from California, another failed experiment. Peggy and Joan still take out their sexism-based frustrations on one another... All the money the partners got from the McCann Erickson deal hasn't made them happy. Is that all there is?

The only (maybe) optimistic note in this one was Peggy's hitting it off well on her date (with My So-Called Life's Brian Krakow!)

Only six more episodes...

tonyb · Apr 6, 2015

This split-season thing -- which has been thoroughly lambasted by fans and critics alike, for good reason -- serves at least this purpose: the characters and their circumstances have changed more than a little since Bert Cooper's sendoff, which is where we were left off last year, and that lengthy break makes those changes all the more plausible. It does indeed look (the facial hair, notably) and feel like it's been the better part of a year since we've seen these characters.

Don Draper circa 1969-'70 is in most ways the same character he was a decade earlier, but this later version, still the conflicted womanizer, has greater insight into his own motives, and how they don't always serve him so well.

Ernest P Shackleton · Apr 6, 2015

from the greatly informed Lipp Sisters website:

The speech by Richard Nixon that we saw was delivered on April 30, 1970. The episode therefore takes place on five consecutive weekdays, Monday, April 27, through Friday, May 1.

The Good · Apr 7, 2015

I really like what Ken Cosgrove did for himself in this latest episode. I do want Ken to eventually become a writer, hopefully getting published as well as pleasing his wife, but what he did towards the end was not bad. He just got himself a better position than he was in before, even after being fired. I hope that Ken doesn't turn out to become unlikable through the next few episodes, though. He's my second favorite character after Don Draper on the show.

Anyone notice that Don and Ken are still wearing hats? I think Roger still does, but one wasn't seen on-screen. It may not have been common in 1970, anymore, but I'm glad to see some characters carry on that tradition.

Ernest P Shackleton · Apr 7, 2015

The Good said:
I really like what Ken Cosgrove did for himself in this latest episode. I do want Ken to eventually become a writer, hopefully getting published as well as pleasing his wife, but what he did towards the end was not bad. He just got himself a better position than he was in before, even after being fired. I hope that Ken doesn't turn out to become unlikable through the next few episodes, though. He's my second favorite character after Don Draper on the show.

Anyone notice that Don and Ken are still wearing hats? I think Roger still does, but one wasn't seen on-screen. It may not have been common in 1970, anymore, but I'm glad to see some characters carry on that tradition.

I don't know. Ken might be the saddest part of this episode. He has the means, the talent, the know-how, the support, and an established avenue in which to create art and expression. He even acknowledged the signs to slide into that life. He has everything he needs to live the life he dreamt of living, but instead, he chose to stay in a profession he never liked and vengeance. He was never the vengeful type before, except when it came to Pete. Ken lost big in this episode. If anything, I see this better job representing the worst of Ken.

Young fogey · Apr 7, 2015

Ken's one of the show's only good guys. He did what he did because he can and because he's a man; as sweet as his wife is, he doesn't want her calling the shots by controlling his income.

Of course I noticed Don still has his hat. Glad he didn't Sixties out like Roger eventually did. The show is now in an era I remember; as I say, I've been chasing the golden era for over 40 years. About five years ago I realized I could bring a lot of it back so I did.

More thoughts here.

Ernest P Shackleton · Apr 7, 2015

Young fogey said:
Ken's one of the show's only good guys. He did what he did because he can and because he's a man; as sweet as his wife is, he doesn't want her calling the shots by controlling his income.

She wouldn't be controlling his income if he was successful, and everything leads us to believe he has a good chance of being a successful writer. I don't feel his decision has anything to do with his wife or Alpha Male Syndrome. He's already living in a home far outside his means. He's already privately hanging in social circles that are outside his job economic bracket. He's already living in her world, and he's never said anything that would indicate that it is a problem. I feel that if there is any Alphaness in this, it would be him wanting the last laugh. He's not going to be screwed by these guys. It's a pride thing, but not your typical economic or gender pride thing. Ken has always been evolved, for lack of a better term, when it comes to the sexes. After the initial shenanigans, he quickly treated Peggy as an equal and wanted to be teamed with her. He talked of Joan with respect and reverence. I'm not buying into the idea that Ken made any of this decision with even his subconscience wanting to bring home the bacon. He's never been portrayed as the "I wear the pants in this family" kind of man. It's one of the things that has made Ken different than all the other men on the show.

MrBern · May 6, 2015

The widening lapels & broader ties of the the 70s.
Bleh....

The Good · May 6, 2015

MrBern said:
The widening lapels & broader ties of the the 70s.
Bleh....

Yeah. Based on the ideas, I'm not against wide lapels or wide ties, but in earlier years, the designs were almost always accomplished better than during the 1970s. Don Draper still looks to be a well-dressed man, but the 1970s wide fashions don't suit him as well. The suit in this picture is a bit more moderate than the wider lapeled grey suit he was wearing, if I recall. I like his earlier suits and ties better, and even in Season 6, he was wearing some narrow ties with moderate lapels, occasionally. Maybe Don should wear less striped ties, and more solids?

I do think Don's handling the 1970 fashions better than most characters on the show, or a lot of people that lived then. I'm not sure what he'd look like, going on into 1971, or 1972, enough time that differences may be noticeable. Don might consider growing his hair out a little longer by the mid-1970s, but I really doubt it's something we'd see on the show in this last season.

MrBern · May 6, 2015

Yup, this was the scene that really bugged me. I made a screencap, couldnt find the suit online

At the Meeting, he's got a can of coke & a box lunch & realizes he doesnt want to be there anymore.
I believe is sideburns are slightly longer that previous seasons. But at least he hasnt devolved into a scruff long haired look yet.
and theres no bellbottoms on his suit trousers yet....

MrBern · May 6, 2015

Heres a promotional shot from last year. Still in a dapper early 60's appearance

MrBern · May 6, 2015

Tho Peggy I enjoyed Peggy's swagger

Janie Bryant gave a nice explanation on how the dress was developed
http://www.amctv.com/mad-men/videos/fashion-and-style-episode-712-mad-men-lost-horizon

Worf · May 6, 2015

Well, one thing for sure... I don't think Peggy will be long for M'Cann after the way they treated Joan.... That made my blood boil... I wanted to smash something... But I've no dog to kick and my son's too old to hit. I know after all these years that life's unfair and cruel... but do those in power have to be so damn nasty when wielding it?

Worf

MrBern · May 6, 2015

I dont know.
Peggy is going in with Sterling's pep talk.
And her headhunter did tell her its the best offer onthe table.
She seems ready for staking out her new territory.

I dont want to mitigate Joan's harrassment situation, but she did go in thinking she would have more status. I dont know if the old Joan wouldve let her meetings become so confrontational. Seems like Joan was once better at deflecting all the negative attention.

Wasnt it in the earliest episodes when Joan advised Peggy on secretarial demeanor.
theyre not secretaries anymore, but women are still second class citizens in the office, so standing up for themselves is a tricky manuevar.
[video=youtube;9Hh70Wb45uc]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Hh70Wb45uc[/video]

Worf said:
Well, one thing for sure... I don't think Peggy will be long for M'Cann after the way they treated Roz..... That made my blood boil... I wanted to smash something... But I've no dog to kick and my son's too old to hit. I know after all these years that life's unfair and cruel... but do those in power have to be so damn nasty when wielding it?

Worf

EmergencyIan · May 6, 2015

This final season has been enjoyable, so far. I'm sad to see "Mad Men" going. It's still really well written and acted, in my opinion.

- Ian

HudsonHawk · May 6, 2015

EmergencyIan said:
This final season has been enjoyable, so far. I'm sad to see "Mad Men" going. It's still really well written and acted, in my opinion.

- Ian

Other than they keep torturing us with Betty, I agree. She should have been written off 4 or 5 years ago.

The Good · May 7, 2015

HudsonHawk said:
Other than they keep torturing us with Betty, I agree. She should have been written off 4 or 5 years ago.

Betty has become one of my least favorite characters, especially not long after Don divorced her, although it was really Don who was at fault for those affairs. I just don't think Betty is relevant anymore in the show enough, to be featured as lengthily as she has been, all these episodes since the divorce. There is a place for her character to appear, occasionally, but I think she has had too much screen time since Season 5. Her new husband Francis is not all that interesting, either.

TimeWarpWife · May 7, 2015

MrBern said:
The widening lapels & broader ties of the the 70s.
Bleh....

I never really got into watching Mad Men but maybe it's a good thing that they've decided to end the show now. You do know what's coming fashion-wise, right? The dreaded leisure suit! :eeek: My dad had a burgundy one that he wore with a blue flowered shirt - I refused to be seen with him in public when he wore it.

HudsonHawk · May 7, 2015

The Good said:
Betty has become one of my least favorite characters, especially not long after Don divorced her, although it was really Don who was at fault for those affairs. I just don't think Betty is relevant anymore in the show enough, to be featured as lengthily as she has been, all these episodes since the divorce. There is a place for her character to appear, occasionally, but I think she has had too much screen time since Season 5. Her new husband Francis is not all that interesting, either.

Not only is she irritating to the viewer, she's pointless to the plot. Sometimes unlikeable characters are the best characters. They make you want to watch them. But Betty doesn't make me want to watch. She makes me want to stab a fork in my eyeballs. For all the great writing of this show, they have an enormous blind spot when it comes to her.

"Mad Men" on AMC (US) - (Spoilers Within)

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