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Episode synopsis from IMDB: Don and Duck try to bury the hatchet, and Peggy attempts to join in on the execs' after-hours meetings. Also, Duck receives a family visit at the office.
This episode seemed much more like Season One than previous weeks. The set direction was better, there was a central advertising campaign that anchored the episode, and the action focused more on our main characters. I can't say I'm surprised that it was excellent.
Once again we see Don reaching toward morality even as he makes mistake after mistake. He has the best of intentions in berating Betty, but he forgets that she's a person... and a good-looking one, too.
On the other hand, Pete and Peggy start down the road that will lead to their becoming powerful at the expense of their souls, and yet we're torn as to whether or not we want them to stop.
I must say, that Jon Hamm plays silent regret better than any other actor I've seen recently. As he sat down in the final scene, we sense both his disappointment in himself and the inevitability of his downfall. The world he controls will end sooner than he knows. Betty will leave him emotionally if not physically, he will lose his family as his children eschew him, and the world will come to worship at someone else's feet.
Finally, we see some humanity out of Duck. He's not just a prop, he has a history that's all too easy to fill in. Well played here and a welcome cameo from Alexandra Paul who does not get near enough work in my opinion.
Right now, Mad Men has just enough history. You can understand the little innuendoes between Pete and Peggy, between Don and Betty, and even Joan and Peggy. The show has matured to the point where it can reward viewers with little bits of backstory like that.
Well done, and I look forward to another episode!
This episode seemed much more like Season One than previous weeks. The set direction was better, there was a central advertising campaign that anchored the episode, and the action focused more on our main characters. I can't say I'm surprised that it was excellent.
Once again we see Don reaching toward morality even as he makes mistake after mistake. He has the best of intentions in berating Betty, but he forgets that she's a person... and a good-looking one, too.
On the other hand, Pete and Peggy start down the road that will lead to their becoming powerful at the expense of their souls, and yet we're torn as to whether or not we want them to stop.
I must say, that Jon Hamm plays silent regret better than any other actor I've seen recently. As he sat down in the final scene, we sense both his disappointment in himself and the inevitability of his downfall. The world he controls will end sooner than he knows. Betty will leave him emotionally if not physically, he will lose his family as his children eschew him, and the world will come to worship at someone else's feet.
Finally, we see some humanity out of Duck. He's not just a prop, he has a history that's all too easy to fill in. Well played here and a welcome cameo from Alexandra Paul who does not get near enough work in my opinion.
Right now, Mad Men has just enough history. You can understand the little innuendoes between Pete and Peggy, between Don and Betty, and even Joan and Peggy. The show has matured to the point where it can reward viewers with little bits of backstory like that.
Well done, and I look forward to another episode!
