Mad Men "The Gypsy and the Hobo" OAD 10/25/09 *SPOILERS*

[Stuart Sweet]

"And who are you supposed to be?" Carlton Hanson (Francine's husband) to Don Draper, at the end of the episode Thanks, kanebogin

This was a thoroughly refreshing episode, completely different from anything in recent memory. There was some subtext, but for the most part everything was right up front where you could see it. Disguises were stripped away and in the end everybody actually did the right thing.

Betty... comes right out and confronts Don. Of course, she talks to an attorney first and is told how difficult it would be to leave Don. I'm not sure how true that was back in 1963 but it doesn't matter. It would add another whole level to the dialogue if the long-time family attorney were lying to convince Betty to do "the right thing."

Don... stops being Don for a while. He can't light a cigarette, can't pour himself a drink, can't lie... and leaves Miss Farrell sitting in the car (which I thought was hilarious and brilliant!) Don Draper disappears and for the first time, Betty meets Dick Whitman. It's his honesty and charm that disarms her, and while the Drapers may not be happy by the end of the episode, they're still the Drapers. Or perhaps, they are the Drapers now for the first time. Miss Farrell is finally out of the picture, and I suspect she'll cause no trouble. She fears for her job if she's found out.

Joan... what a lovely scene where Joan finally gets tired of her husband's whining. What is it he said? You don't know what it's like to plan for something, want it your whole life and when you get it it's not what you think? Christina Hendricks plays this perfectly. You can see her character thinking, as we all were, "Yes I do." We, the viewers, have been waiting for her to fight back against that putz for so long, and it felt so good! So now he goes into the Army, and hopefully he and Niedermeyer will meet the same fate in Vietnam.

Roger... has the most surprising turn of all. Aided in his scenes by Mary Page Keller, whom I've liked since the 1980s, he reveals that in the end he really is a standup guy and surprise surprise, he really loves his wife. He also has genuine fondness for Joan. I do wonder who he was on the phone with at the end, though.

Finally, as we see the kids dressed fittingly as a gypsy and a hobo, both aspects of Don's life, we see some peace has settled into the little town of Ossining as well as the island of Manhattan. Of course, it's October 31, 1963 and the whole world will change in 22 days. Or, three weeks as we watch in 2009.

post scriptum: Mrs. Shadow asked, Will Betty ask Don to take her to meet Anna? I hope she does, because Anna's been a force for good in Don's life. If the two Mrs. Drapers meet, I think it will settle Betty's head even more.

[phrelin]

Good review, Stuart.

To me there was a great deal of irony that this episode's backdrop was Halloween. Betty penetrates Don's many-layered disguise. In the meantime, Joan hears her pathetic husband Greg tell her he's going to put on a costume to make their life all better - "In Vietnam, if that's still going on."

You have to wonder what company Roger contacted to get Joan a job. Speaking of Roger, I can't help but think he's in love with the idea of his wife as she creates inside him a costume that makes him feel young.

But I'm really looking forward to the next three episodes. It always amazes me how well the writers pull each season's meanderings together. We have a known future event to somehow tie into the Sterling Cooper resale, Conrad Hilton, and the remaining characters' unresolved story lines.

[Stuart Sweet]

It's hard to really know what Roger would be thinking (if he were a real person) but I prefer to think that he's older and wiser, and genuinely owns the decisions he's made, including the decision to marry someone much younger.

Anyone else catch Don lighting a cigarette with no sense of irony as the group discussed the man who'd died of lung cancer at the age of 56? The Surgeon General's report didn't come until 1964.

One question for those who also watch Curb Your Enthusiasm... There was a 1963 Dodge, I think it was a Dart or Polara, that appeared parked next to Don's Cadillac. I wonder if it was the same '63 that was featured prominently in this week's Curb.

[kanebogin]

"And what are you supposed to be?" anonymous homeowner to Don Draper, at the end of the episode

By the way, that was not an anonymous homeowner, that was Carlton Hanson, Francine's husband. They are the Draper's friends and neighbors.

I thought it was a great episode also - emotionaly explosive, sad, and moving.
Wonderful acting from Jon Hamm and January Jones.

[Stuart Sweet]

Wow, great catch, kanebogin! I didn't realize it was the same person! With your permission, I'll change post #1.

[compac]

Hey, since when do both parent walk their kids around for Trick or Treat.. not in the 60's in suburbia.

Who's at home giving out the treats ?

Did the shaken Don really forget about Miss Sue in his car? He was lucky the daughter or the Bettz didn't go out to get his "hat" left in the car. She would have handed him his head after finding Miss Farrell asleep.

[spartanstew]

Originally Posted by Stuart Sweet

Anyone else catch Don lighting a cigarette with no sense of irony as the group discussed the man who'd died of lung cancer at the age of 56? The Surgeon General's report didn't come until 1964.

Yes, but I believe he was 51.

[Stuart Sweet]

I thought the same about both parents... but in this case I dismissed it because it could have happened and it did enhance the plot.

At any rate, Carla could have stayed at the house and it's possible that it was pretty early. If Daylight Saving Time rules were the same then as they were up to a few years ago, it could have been 5pm and still pretty dark.

[lucky13]

Originally Posted by Stuart Sweet

If Daylight Saving Time rules were the same then as they were up to a few years ago, it could have been 5pm and still pretty dark.

DST ended in early October in the 60s.

[lucky13]

I noticed the trailer for the remake of The Prisoner, beginning after Mad Men wraps up.

Continuing the theme about identity search...

[kanebogin]

"Wow, great catch, kanebogin! I didn't realize it was the same person! With your permission, I'll change post #1."

No problem, but now I realize that what Carlton said was "And who are you supposed to be?"

Sorry I didn't notice that before - and thanks.

[Maruuk]

Not at all unusual for parents to take the younger kids around to a limited number of houses in the 60's burbs.

This ep linked beautifully to Bert's classic line about Don's contract: "Who would be signing this anyway?"