Random Thoughts on Mad Men: Waldorf Stories by Kara Howland

And the student becomes the master. I don’t know about you but I found this week’s episode fascinating. We are learning a lot by watching the evolution – well, the devolution – of Don Draper. We see him when he’s an eager up and comer in the fur business. He takes his chance with Roger and manages to get a job offer, even though Roger can’t remember it. Much like Don can’t remember much of his weekend. He goes to bed with a brunette on Friday and wakes up with a blonde on Sunday. How does this man not have an STD? He really gets around.

I always enjoy the Don/Peggy dynamic and this week it feels like Peggy is continuing to come into her own. I don’t think we’ll have to worry about this particular pupil ever becoming too much like her teacher but I did like seeing her push the new art director around. It was pretty ballsy to strip down so he (as a nudist) could do the same and feel comfortable. Too bad he was so “distracted” by Peggy’s nudity. She also did the right thing in reminding Don that he basically stole that slogan from Roger’s wife’s cousin. And Don paid for it dearly by having to hire that little shrimp.

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again (in a different way): I’m ready for Don to stop living in the gutter. He is such a mess. I want him to wake up and take some responsibility – especially after seeing how low he’s sunk. I don’t need him to be bright-eyed and bushy-tailed but perhaps he should cut back on the boozing and whoring. Seriously.

p.s. Did you see a few of the cast members on the cover of Rolling Stone? Check this out.

Random Thoughts on Mad Men: The Chrysanthemum and the Sword by Kara Howland

Don Draper is a genius. He certainly knows how to think outside the box, which helps the firm land Honda despite Roger’s racist comments. I like how Pete is really stepping up and making his opinions heard. And it’s different then the way he’s presented his ideas in the past. Before I felt like he was whiny and needy. Now I feel like he’s actually earned his right to say something to someone like Roger. Good job.

Betty and Don are at their most interesting when they fight. I love their interactions but I do hope they can put their personal acrimony aside to help their daughter because Sally is crying out for attention. She’s clearly still affected by the death of her grandfather and the absence of her father. I hope talking to Dr. Edna helps her.

Miss Blankenship is still amazing with that comic timing. I hope Don suffers through her for at least one more episode.

Random Thoughts on Mad Men: The Rejected by Kara Howland

Trudy is finally pregnant and Don gets his just desserts, sort of.

I’m not sure how to feel about the fact that Pete Campbell is soon to be a father (for the second time). Pete even admits that it feels different then he expected it to. Well, I should certainly hope so. The first time he was told he was a father was a complete and unwelcome shock. This time, it’s something that Trudy – and maybe to a much lesser degree Peter – has been anticipating. Peggy’s reaction is quite interesting and I liked their little interaction at the end of the episode. I wonder if Peggy will ever truly get over Pete.

Don is finally called out by Allison. When some of the girls who are participating in a focus group at work start talking about how ex-boyfriends didn’t seem to appreciate, or in some cases even notice them, it’s a little too much for Allison to take. She knows Don is watching and doesn’t feel comfortable confiding in the group. When Don finds her in his office later he once again wants to pretend like everything is ok. But Allison is sick of it. She’s embarrassed and she wants to go work for a woman. When she asks for a reference and Don can’t even be bothered to write it, it’s the last straw. She makes a bit of a scene as she leaves. Good for her. It’s about time someone called Don on his atrocious behavior. I think he’s finally starting to realize the error of his ways, which isn’t so good for everyone in his life. Because when he feels threatened he lashes out in really ugly ways. Tonight’s episode should be a doozy.

P.S. Miss Blankenship is awesome. She’s an unexpected and welcome dose of hilarity.

Random Thoughts on Mad Men: The Good News by Kara Howland

Gentleman, shall we begin 1965?

Christina Hendricks' Joan. What an interesting character. She goes to the doctor to make sure everything is in working order for whenever she and her husband decide to start adding to their family. Not only do we learn that Joan’s had two abortions but we also learn that she doesn’t trust her husband’s medical skills. When she cuts herself badly she wants to go to the hospital despite the fact that her husband is a surgeon. Now, I’m sure there’s much more behind her decision not to trust him. First, he’s a rapist. I think for Joan to go on in her everyday life she has put that out of her mind. She’s kind of resigned to her home life. Maybe that’s why she such a take charge kind of girl at work. And second, she has no idea when he’ll be shipped off to basic training. After that, he can be sent to Vietnam at any time. Whether or not she has any intention of starting a family with this man – and it seems like she does – there’s real hesitation here. Maybe part of her is realizing what a mistake it would be to settle for this guy. It will be interesting to see how this all plays out.

Jon Hamm’s Don. What a debauched character. He’s been on a downward spiral so far this season and in some ways I think he’s hit rock bottom tonight. He learns that the first Mrs. Don Draper has cancer but she doesn’t know about it. I still can’t believe there was a time – and in the not so distant past – when doctors weren’t required to tell their patients what was going on with their own bodies. Anna has a right to know. If the cancer is as advanced as everyone seems to think it is, doesn’t she have a right to know so she can live her last weeks or months how she sees fit? I don’t think Don will get to bring his kids out to see her for Easter. I’m sure she’ll be long gone by then. And how many people will Don corrupt before he wakes up and tries to be a better man? Not only was I embarrassed – for both him and Stephanie – when he made a move on her niece but I was a little appalled. I know she’s in college. I know it’s 1964. But really? Will Don try to have sex with every single woman he meets? And what about Lane? At first I liked that they were doing some male bonding. It’s nice to see Lane lighten up a bit. He’s always so serious and dour all the time. And even if his marriage is breaking up, I don’t really think that’s a reason for Don to introduce him to a prostitute. I’m sure it was accepted back then but that doesn’t make it ok. Lane wanted a distraction and he certainly got one.

What will 1965 bring to our favorite characters? We'll have to wait and find out.

Mad Men Extra

I don't know about you, but I'm always happy to read anything that gets published about Mad Men. Check out The Envelope's take on the season so far.

Random Thoughts on Mad Men: Christmas Comes But Once a Year by Kara Howland

What I Want vs. What’s Expected of Me

Dr. Faye Miller. She takes her work in the science of consumer evaluation very seriously. When Don decides not to take the quiz – by claiming he has another engagement – that is saying something about him. The way she keeps eyeing him, I was certain she had a romantic interest in Don. And perhaps she does. It certainly doesn’t hurt to keep him guessing. If you give in too quickly and easily – like his secretary – it doesn’t get you very far.

Nothing makes old ladies look good.

Freddy Rumsen is back. He’s clean and sober now and apparently a sponsor. I say good for him but nothing can save him from being old-fashioned. I like the dynamic between him and Peggy. He’s got a fascination for older screen legends but Peggy doesn’t think he’s doing any favors for Ponds. According to Peggy young women have no interest in taking beauty advice from older women. But Freddy is kind of their savior right now. They needed another account desperately.

Poor Don. He’s pathetic.

But at least he’s not paying prostitutes for sex. Well, at least not this week. His down-the-hall neighbor Phoebe makes a point to tell Don she’s noticed him noticing her but when he makes a pass, he’s rebuffed. When he leaves his keys at the office and his secretary has to bring them to him, he makes another pass. At first she resists but eventually gives in. This is Don Draper we’re talking about. They have a nice post coital moment and he genuinely seems to want her to stay but she can’t; she’s meeting someone. The next morning Don doesn’t handle the situation well at all. The Christmas bonus he gives her now seems like some kind of payoff.

Don’t you want to know why I said my name Is Stanley?

Sally hates living in that house. Every time she comes around a corner she thinks she’s going to see her Dad. It’s interesting that Sally feels comfortable enough with Glen to admit that to him but that kid gives me the creeps. I don’t know why Sally likes him. I think he’s going to grow up to be a serial killer.

I thought you came in to flirt but you came in to fight.

Who is Don without a woman in his life? There are plenty of woman clamoring for their shot with him but he’s not ready for anything series. Dr. Miller thinks he’ll be married again in a year but Don takes offense to that. He’s not “type” and he doesn’t appreciate being treated like that. At the rate he’s going now, I’d be surprised if he not married sooner. He desperately needs someone to take care of him. Whoever he does marry shouldn’t expect for him to be faithful. That’ll be the day when Don starts valuing the people who pay the bills. Even though Roger has to do what Lee Garner Jr. says Don isn’t about to be ordered around by a client.

Random Thoughts on Mad Men: Public Relations by Kara Howland

Warning: This isn't really a recap.

I am so happy Mad Men is back on the air. It's a great summer series that has a lot going on. I often feel like a second or third viewing is needed to get all the nuiance of what's going on in this world. But I don't have time for that. Here are my first-viewing impressions:

- I love Don Draper. He's still very much the same person he's always been but now he's also punishing himself. When the hooker showed up, I literally thought, "Don doesn't need to pay for sex. He can find a willing female almost anywhere." But when she started slapping him around, I get it.

- Peggy vocalizes something Don really needs to hear, which is that they all want to please him. And I think she says it at the exact right time. As we all know, if you displease Don he is going to make you pay for it. He can be extremely unpleasant when you've crossed him.

- Apparently, Pete is allowed to expense whores. He can't get the money to pay the actress who are going to particpate in their little stunt - a stunt that gets out of hand when one of the actresses press charges against the other. But a stunt that gets them some ink and gets the client to spend more money.

- Betty was supposed to vacate the house she shared with Don on October 1 but when Thanksgiving rolls around she's still in residence. Henry can't understand why she won't even start looking for a new place. Betty claims the kids have already been through enough change. But I think she's reluctant to separate entirely from Don and her old life. Who really knows what she's thinking? Betty certainly doesn't.

Matthew Weiner is a genius. I will watch this show as long as he's at the helm of this ship.

What did you think about the episode? Do you, like me, want to see a little more of Joan in the next episode? Which characters do you miss from the Sterling Cooper days if any?

Mad Men Extra

I don't know about you but I am on the edge of my seat with anticipation for the Season 4 premiere of Mad Men. Here's a little something to tide you over.