[Cornballer]

One last crack at this week - I added a couple more reviews and a few articles.

Content round up:


Reviews:
- Sepinwall
- Maureen Ryan
- IndieWire
- Onion A|V Club
- Tom & Lorenzo (style report will be up later this week)
- Salon.com
- Slate.com
- Televisionary
- Matt Zoller Seitz
- Ken Tucker @ EW.com
- Tim Goodman @ THR

Other Content:
- Inside the Episode
- Preview for next week's episode (please spoiler tag any discussion, youtube copy)
- AMC Interview with Christina Hendricks
- Slate.com Interview: Alexis Bledel Talks Mad Men
- THR: Preview of the Mad Men cast's appearance on Inside the Actors Studio
- Forbes: "Mad Men" May Have Paid Record Price for Beatles Song (via Fatalah)
- Grantland: Mad Men: Week 8 Power Rankings (via dave is ok)
- NYT: How ‘Mad Men’ Landed The Beatles: All You Need Is Love (and $250,000)
- Daily Beast: Death Watch montage (video compilation of death symbols from S5)

[Mangotron]

I'm kind of curious to hear people's reasons for not liking Megan. I've been on the fence about that but man I will take her over Betty any day. Is it just because she apparently makes Don less interesting this season?

My reasoning is two fold.

A. She comes across as much dumber then Betty, she just straight up bitches about stuff unlike Betty who has a much more brooding and scheming air to her. It makes Betty a much more interesting character.

B. She was at SCDP, which has resulted in Don being pretty much worthless for this entire season. Part of the appeal with this show is seeing Don kick ass in the conference room (or at least someone!) and we haven't gotten that at all.

[sixteen-bit]

I call it the "Cosgroove"

[Salvor.Hardin]

Gool ol' Prosperous Pete.

[JoJoShabadoo]

Excellent episode. Since last week I expected that Megan would eventually quit, but I didn't think it would happen so soon, and I'm glad it did.

[Meier]

I'm still waiting for Don to do some actual work this season. Like come up with an idea. I guess he pays people for that now though...

Yeah, this is what I said on the previous page..

The only downside to this season and I guess since the move to SCDP is that Don is almost completely un-involved in the creative and pitching process. I do miss him coming up with some super brilliant idea and being this amazing salesman.

http://www.neogaf.com/forum/showpost...postcount=3970

It's been a bit off-putting because that was part of the mystique of Don Draper.

[pulga]

My reasoning is two fold. A. She comes across as much dumber then Betty, she just straight up bitches about stuff unlike Betty who has a much more brooding and scheming air to her. It makes Betty a much more interesting character. B. She was at SCDP, which has resulted in Don being pretty much worthless for this entire season. Part of the appeal with this show is seeing Don kick ass in the conference room (or at least someone!) and we haven't gotten that at all.

Dumb? If anything, Megan has proved she's smart enough to hang around around with the boys (and Peggy).

[Ignatz Mouse]

Excellent episode. Since last week I expected that Megan would eventually quit, but I didn't think it would happen so soon, and I'm glad it did.

Things happen fast this season. A lot of things are set up and resolved in just one episode.

[Gooster]

My reasoning is two fold. A. She comes across as much dumber then Betty, she just straight up bitches about stuff unlike Betty who has a much more brooding and scheming air to her. It makes Betty a much more interesting character. B. She was at SCDP, which has resulted in Don being pretty much worthless for this entire season. Part of the appeal with this show is seeing Don kick ass in the conference room (or at least someone!) and we haven't gotten that at all.

Betty is definitely fun to watch. With Megan, I guess it's like being at peacetime or something while the tension remains. A slower fuse on the timebomb that is their marriage. I guess I can't really disagree with GAF when comments amount to, "Don and Megan are so cute together. The collapse will be epic."

I'm glad Peggy lambasted her the way she did. I mean, I think people should pursue their dreams and understand the obstacles along the way, but part of me also wondered would she have made this decision if she wasn't living it up with Don? She certainly had the talent for advertising. I also loved Don's "She quit because the people she worked with were cynical!" Gee, I wonder where they get it from.

[scosher]

I don't think Megan comes across as "dumber" than Betty. She comes across as more insecure. Well, at least more insecure than old Betty. Not Fat Betty.

[DoctorWho]

My reasoning is two fold. A. She comes across as much dumber then Betty, she just straight up bitches about stuff unlike Betty who has a much more brooding and scheming air to her. It makes Betty a much more interesting character. B. She was at SCDP, which has resulted in Don being pretty much worthless for this entire season. Part of the appeal with this show is seeing Don kick ass in the conference room (or at least someone!) and we haven't gotten that at all.

A. Megan seems far smarter than Betty. You don't have to be scheming to be smart. Megan is happy, she knows what she wants, and as we saw this week, she is willing to take risks. Betty was just a brooding mess most of the time.

B. I'm really liking the changes with Don this season. As we move further on in years some of the decisions he's made have come back to haunt him. Also, he's falling behind. He doesn't know what's popular anymore and that's going to translate into the quality of his work slipping.

I was very pleased with Megan this week. Glad to see her pursue her dream even if it won't work out for her. She was obviously miserable in that office. I don't blame her.

[Rash]

I miss Betty so goddamn much.

It's the opposite for me.

One of my favorite things about Seasons 4 and 5 (thus far) is that they make Betty take a back seat.

There's some complexity to Betty's character, but after three seasons I was done with her, and I'm glad the show basically lessened her appearances after that point.

The characterizations of Sally and Megan (as female cast members) is much preferred. Betty had her time. Now that Don has moved on, so can we.

And in terms of looks, Megan is hotter without question, probably because she's slightly more "interesting" looking (I guess). January Jones in general is blandly pretty, IMO.

Also, I don't know why but I was starting to get bored of this show during Season 3, after really enjoying Seasons 1 and 2. But the ending provided a nice change-up that would pave the way for better things. So basically, my order for the seasons so far would be 1=2>4=5>3 but it's actually really hard to decide which one really deserves the top spot. Mad Men is definitely one of the more consistent shows I've watched and each season brings at least something worthwhile to the table. That said, I put S5 in there because I already know it's better than S3 and at least as good as S4.

[Acrylamid]

I just noticed something:
The episode in which Megan came to the fore was called "Tomorrowland".
Is it possible that "Tomorrow never knows" is the moment where she starts to disappear from the show?

Don't pretend you didn't know too. This is a Gilmore world, and we're all just living in it.

Wait, did you just quote this? High five, either way.

Don fucking hates change.

Change is neither good or bad, it simply is. It can be greeted with terror or joy. A tantrum that says ‘I want it the way it was,’ or a dance that says ‘Look, something new.’
Don lying? Possibly to himself and to others? Shock.

[Calion]

I never noticed the 666 til now.

It's been there since S4.

[Gooster]

B. I'm really liking the changes with Don this season. As we move further on in years some of the decisions he's made have come back to haunt him. Also, he's falling behind. He doesn't know what's popular anymore and that's going to translate into the quality of his work slipping.

Isn't it amazing how Roger and Bert are older, yet Don is the relic?

[Grisby]

Finished. Was lttp but caught it on my DVR.

I'm sure its been mentioned but Peggy's Pizza Hut line has to be one of the funniest things I've ever seen. The Beatles closing montage too was nicely handled with Don taking the pin off the record. Great stuff.

[Cornballer]

Heh, I saw this over on the SA forums:

[sixteen-bit]

Heh, I saw this over on the SA forums:

Haha, awesome edit.

[Awesome Animals]

Isn't it amazing how Roger and Bert are older, yet Don is the relic?

I don't think Roger is that much older than Don. They both served in the Korean War if I remember correctly. The white hair just tricks you into thinking he is as old as Bertram. I think Bert and Roger's father are of the same age, Roger's father just died already.

[Talon]

I don't think Roger is that much older than Don. They both served in the Korean War if I remember correctly. The white hair just tricks you into thinking he is as old as Bertram. I think Bert and Roger's father are of the same age, Roger's father just died already.

Roger served in WWII.

[Awesome Animals]

Roger served in WWII.

Well, then there must only be about a 6-7 year age difference. Minimum of 5.

[Talon]

Well, then there must only be about a 6-7 year age difference. Minimum of 5.

Roger was with Mona for 30 years prior to their divorce. That puts him at at least 48 by Season 2. Don just turned 40 (well, a few months over 40 for Dick's real age).

So he's at least a decade older by now if not more.

[sixteen-bit]

Roger is about 55 and Don is 40

[Keikoku]

According to wikipedia Roger was born in 1912, that makes him much older than Don

[Awesome Animals]

Well, fuck me then.

[shadyspace]

I like how Joan has become SCDP's guidance counselor.

[sixteen-bit]

I like how Joan has become SCDP's guidance counselor.

She's HR, isn't she?

[DrEvil]

Clearly the elevator shaft is a huge foreshadow and someone important will bite it by season end.. or in a few seasons when we've all forgotten about it.

[-Pyromaniac-]

Maybe the elevator shaft indicates penis shaft.

[DarkKyo]

Maybe the elevator shaft indicates penis shaft.

[DominoKid]

My reasoning is two fold. A. She comes across as much dumber then Betty, she just straight up bitches about stuff unlike Betty who has a much more brooding and scheming air to her. It makes Betty a much more interesting character. B. She was at SCDP, which has resulted in Don being pretty much worthless for this entire season. Part of the appeal with this show is seeing Don kick ass in the conference room (or at least someone!) and we haven't gotten that at all.

there is absolutely no way she is dumber than Betty. Betty has the mind of a 5 year old.

[half a moon]

After being LTTP, I feel like the ad agency gets in the way of these amazing characters.

I kind of just.. want to see them doing other things instead of their office jobs and client relations.

[Jrmint]

I'm kind of curious to hear people's reasons for not liking Megan. I've been on the fence about that but man I will take her over Betty any day. Is it just because she apparently makes Don less interesting this season?

Probably because she has made Don soft, and not be as cool and suave as in seasons past.

I personally am hoping with her out of the office we'll get Season 2-4 Don.

[Foliorum Viridum]

After being LTTP, I feel like the ad agency gets in the way of these amazing characters. I kind of just.. want to see them doing other things instead of their office jobs and client relations.

I disagree. Although the characters are interesting enough for the show to work in other ways, I like the connection of the ad agency. That is the show in so many ways.

[Timbuktu]

there is absolutely no way she is dumber than Betty. Betty has the mind of a 5 year old.

Whereas megan is young and comes across as slightly naive and maybe sheltered, Betty has always been a bit deliberately dumb, in a spiteful kind of way. She does stupid things because she doesn't really care and want attention; megan is thinks a bit too much about others but isn't quite cynical enough for that world. Wouldn't checking in on how Betty is doing though.

[Cornballer]

- Daniel Walters @ The PNW Inlander: Don Draper isn't Mad Men's main character any more. And that's a good thing.

[Wool]

there is absolutely no way she is dumber than Betty. Betty has the mind of a 5 year old.

Betty was always very well educated and book smart. In the episode where she gives birth to Gene the nurse tells her to imagine being on some island, and Betty corrects her on where the island is.

In terms of maturity, Betty and Megan seem like they're on the same level. Betty wanted to go back to modeling, Megan wanted to go back to acting. Betty had a rich father who couldn't be satisfied, Megan does as well. Megan seems better with kids, but (almost) every scene we've seen with her and Don's kids was when she was his secretary and was being paid to be nice to them.

The difference between the two of them has always been the differences between the 50's and 60's to me. Betty was a strict 50's housewife who did everything her husband wanted her to. She wasn't supposed to let strangers in the house, she didn't go to the city or work, etc. Megan does whatever she wants. She lied to Peggy and went out for a drink with male friends of hers this last episode (much to Don's dismay), she works and lives in the city, she keeps up with the new crazy music and culture.

Don didn't know it at the time, but he married a new age girl. I don't think he's going to like it either...

[SickBoy]

Betty is childish, Megan is young.

[Klocker]

Betty is childish, Megan is young.

correct

[Majora]

I really don't think the 'old' Don is coming back, and it's nothing to do with Megan. Don is out of touch and there's a cultural gap developing between the young (Ginsberg, Peggy, Megan) and the rest. Ginsberg, for example, was the only person to recognise that the 30 year old song they played was nothing like the then current Beatles output. Don listens to half of the Beatles track Megan gave him and then switches it off. Don expected Megan to be happy as the compliant trophy wife, part of the perfect talented couple at the ad agency. Megan is certainly not dumb, she's extremely smart, and is part of a new generation of women who don't feel to need to be the simmering pot of repression and resentment that Betty was.

The meaning behind the promo poster for Season 5 becomes clearer with each passing episode. I can't help but feel that people pining for old suave Don, the driving force behind the agency's success, are missing the point. If anything, I think the show is setting up the downfall of the agency's golden boy. How can you carry on being successful in advertising if you can no longer relate to the culture around you?

[Dmax3901]

I really don't think the 'old' Don is coming back, and it's nothing to do with Megan. Don is out of touch and there's a cultural gap developing between the young (Ginsberg, Peggy, Megan) and the rest. Ginsberg, for example, was the only person to recognise that the 30 year old song they played was nothing like the then current Beatles output. Don listens to half of the Beatles track Megan gave him and then switches it off. Don expected Megan to be happy as the compliant trophy wife, part of the perfect talented couple at the ad agency. Megan is certainly not dumb, she's extremely smart, and is part of a new generation of women who don't feel to need to be the simmering pot of repression and resentment that Betty was. The meaning behind the promo poster for Season 5 becomes clearer with each passing episode. I can't help but feel that people pining for old suave Don, the driving force behind the agency's success, are missing the point. If anything, I think the show is setting up the downfall of the agency's golden boy. How can you carry on being successful in advertising if you can no longer relate to the culture around you?

Great post, your predictions make me both excited and rather sad.

[Tess3ract]

I wish I had don's job. I feel like I could do it!

[Salvor.Hardin]

The part when Don turns off his LP before the song ends said just about everything there needed to be said in the episode. A wonderful and depressing scene.

[DoctorWho]

I really don't think the 'old' Don is coming back, and it's nothing to do with Megan. Don is out of touch and there's a cultural gap developing between the young (Ginsberg, Peggy, Megan) and the rest. Ginsberg, for example, was the only person to recognise that the 30 year old song they played was nothing like the then current Beatles output. Don listens to half of the Beatles track Megan gave him and then switches it off. Don expected Megan to be happy as the compliant trophy wife, part of the perfect talented couple at the ad agency. Megan is certainly not dumb, she's extremely smart, and is part of a new generation of women who don't feel to need to be the simmering pot of repression and resentment that Betty was. The meaning behind the promo poster for Season 5 becomes clearer with each passing episode. I can't help but feel that people pining for old suave Don, the driving force behind the agency's success, are missing the point. If anything, I think the show is setting up the downfall of the agency's golden boy. How can you carry on being successful in advertising if you can no longer relate to the culture around you?

You got it.

[Solo]

Don throws himself down the shaft in the finale. Glen becomes the lead for the final two seasons.

[Y2Kev]

I really don't think the 'old' Don is coming back, and it's nothing to do with Megan. Don is out of touch and there's a cultural gap developing between the young (Ginsberg, Peggy, Megan) and the rest. Ginsberg, for example, was the only person to recognise that the 30 year old song they played was nothing like the then current Beatles output. Don listens to half of the Beatles track Megan gave him and then switches it off. Don expected Megan to be happy as the compliant trophy wife, part of the perfect talented couple at the ad agency. Megan is certainly not dumb, she's extremely smart, and is part of a new generation of women who don't feel to need to be the simmering pot of repression and resentment that Betty was. The meaning behind the promo poster for Season 5 becomes clearer with each passing episode. I can't help but feel that people pining for old suave Don, the driving force behind the agency's success, are missing the point. If anything, I think the show is setting up the downfall of the agency's golden boy. How can you carry on being successful in advertising if you can no longer relate to the culture around you?

Wonderful post.

[half a moon]

I really don't think the 'old' Don is coming back, and it's nothing to do with Megan. Don is out of touch and there's a cultural gap developing between the young (Ginsberg, Peggy, Megan) and the rest. Ginsberg, for example, was the only person to recognise that the 30 year old song they played was nothing like the then current Beatles output. Don listens to half of the Beatles track Megan gave him and then switches it off. Don expected Megan to be happy as the compliant trophy wife, part of the perfect talented couple at the ad agency. Megan is certainly not dumb, she's extremely smart, and is part of a new generation of women who don't feel to need to be the simmering pot of repression and resentment that Betty was. The meaning behind the promo poster for Season 5 becomes clearer with each passing episode. I can't help but feel that people pining for old suave Don, the driving force behind the agency's success, are missing the point. If anything, I think the show is setting up the downfall of the agency's golden boy. How can you carry on being successful in advertising if you can no longer relate to the culture around you?

He saw them live the year before. Not sure if not knowing the current Beatles output and not knowing how to appeal to a younger generation is that a big deal. Everyone has always had their strengths in different demographics. Don was never good at appealing to women and has relied on Peggy a lot.

[DoctorWho]

He saw them live the year before. Not sure if not knowing the current Beatles output and not knowing how to appeal to a younger generation is that a big deal. Everyone has always had their strengths in different demographics. Don was never good at appealing to women.

The emphasis on appealing to a younger generation is becoming important. Clients are realizing the importance of the "get'em young" philosophy. If Don can't keep up with that, he will be a relic - fast.

[Fuu]

I really don't think the 'old' Don is coming back, and it's nothing to do with Megan. Don is out of touch and there's a cultural gap developing between the young (Ginsberg, Peggy, Megan) and the rest. Ginsberg, for example, was the only person to recognise that the 30 year old song they played was nothing like the then current Beatles output. Don listens to half of the Beatles track Megan gave him and then switches it off. Don expected Megan to be happy as the compliant trophy wife, part of the perfect talented couple at the ad agency. Megan is certainly not dumb, she's extremely smart, and is part of a new generation of women who don't feel to need to be the simmering pot of repression and resentment that Betty was. The meaning behind the promo poster for Season 5 becomes clearer with each passing episode. I can't help but feel that people pining for old suave Don, the driving force behind the agency's success, are missing the point. If anything, I think the show is setting up the downfall of the agency's golden boy. How can you carry on being successful in advertising if you can no longer relate to the culture around you?

Good analysis. I'm curious to see where they're planning to go with Don and Megan, clearly it won't be the obvious route of "Don cheats again, shit hits the fan, Don is magically awesome at work again".

[half a moon]

The emphasis on appealing to a younger generation is becoming important. Clients are realizing the importance of the "get'em young" philosophy. If Don can't keep up with that, he will be a relic - fast.

His business isn't going to suddenly focus on one demographic. It's no different than him relying on Peggy with certain products appealing to women.