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.
Showing posts with label random thoughts. Show all posts
Showing posts with label random thoughts. Show all posts
Sunday, August 8, 2010
Sunday, August 1, 2010
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.
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.
Monday, July 26, 2010
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?
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?
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