Mad Men: The Final Season

[Scalito]

Just watched it tonight. I am really enjoying this season so far. Operation Get Lou is proceeding as planned; I don't expect to see Don fall hard again until after it's over.

 

[StevieDude]

I'm enjoying the season and getting annoyed that there is only 2 more episodes and then have to wait a whole year for the last 7

 

[Scalito]

I'm enjoying the season and getting annoyed that there is only 2 more episodes and then have to wait a whole year for the last 7

It's really annoying. I only learned about the split after beginning this season. If I had known, I might have waited before watching them all, but it's too late for that now. All I can do is complain.

 

[Dogdeacon]

Yep, they are building some serious momentum but rather than keep rolling with it as viewers we are almost forced to brace ourselves for a cliffhanger.

I thought that episode while kind of all over the place was great in the exact way Mad Men is great = deeply psychologically affecting. I had two dreams about it after watching last night.

• Loved the Betty - Sally stuff. Betty is so cruel and yet a product of her stifled upbringing that she is struggling to get out of while simultaneously repeating the pattern on her daughter without recognizing it. This is how life works and was spot on. Loved the sibling moment with Sally & Bobby, I'm interested in him now as he bridges towards adolescence and desperately needs a father figure.
• On Don - Megan I almost totally missed that Megan was desperate for Don's emotional intimacy with Stephanie and jealous or upset upon seeing Don take a caring role towards someone else. I literally needed the female in the room to spell that out for me. Megan can be the type to confront Don about this things and her options as I see it are to either try that or quit the entire thing as they are clearly moving apart rapidly now.
• Ginsberg, wow. I totally disagree with commentary reviews that this was too extreme or not within the Mad Men universe. I think that is exactly how mental illness manifests and I think we are watching an extremely turbulent time that has casualties. Peggy's reaction was so well done.
• Don & cigarettes - Don't know where it ends up, but obviously great to see a return to Don Draper being Don Draper on two fronts (pun intended). He was smoking! To hazard a TV guess, this is not the Cutler-Avery show so I think tobacco will take Don back. Should be another good fight coming with Roger (likely castigates Don for the stunt and for not including him but then joins up) & Bert (hmm, unknown, I say he flip-flops and goes with whatever side garners the business) picking sides.

 

[ZooCougar]

I thought Ginsberg thing was very much in line. As was getting Dick Cheney'd in the face.

 

[Dogdeacon]

I thought Ginsberg thing was very much in line. As was getting Cheney'd in the face.

The actress playing Sally has to enjoy if not love the increasingly harsh takedowns of her tv mother.

 

[Scalito]

Loved the Betty - Sally stuff. Betty is so cruel and yet a product of her stifled upbringing that she is struggling to get out of while simultaneously repeating the pattern on her daughter without recognizing it. This is how life works and was spot on. Loved the sibling moment with Sally & Bobby, I'm interested in him now as he bridges towards adolescence and desperately needs a father figure.

I always thought Don and Betty would get back together to some degree or another. Maybe not married, but more than a one-night stand at sleep away camp. Otherwise, why waste so much time on Betty and her home life? The story's about Don and the advertising industry. We shouldn't see so much of Betty, absent Don, unless the two storylines are going to be woven together again. Or so I always thought. Now I'm not sure if there are a sufficient number of episodes remaining to do that (although Betty and Don seem to be moving towards second divorces, so who knows).

 

[Dogdeacon]

I always thought Don and Betty would get back together to some degree or another. Maybe not married, but more than a one-night stand at sleep away camp. Otherwise, why waste so much time on Betty and her home life? The story's about Don and the advertising industry. We shouldn't see so much of Betty, absent Don, unless the two storylines are going to be woven together again. Or so I always thought. Now I'm not sure if there are a sufficient number of episodes remaining to do that (although Betty and Don seem to be moving towards second divorces, so who knows).

I think Betty & Don are parallel stories and don't intersect except for their kids. She is a 50's era housewife whose mindset is totally out of place in current world. She expected "Pleasantville" with Don and now a slightly more enlightened version of that with Henry Francis. I doubt Henry has changed but as the world around her (Betty sees her friend working) changes, Betty realizes maybe she should aspire to something more. So she tried out an opinion and then made the grave mistake of saying "SINCE WHEN?!" to her husband's opinion. Allows them to tell some of the Vietnam story and all thematically on point in terms of how people try to adapt to the times. And dovetailed perfectly with her shutting down her daughter in the same manner it was ingrained into her. So at 'Castle FrancisStein' we are left wondering if Sally can fight of becoming her mother and Bobby becoming his father (also obviously struggling with changing times).

To me it is all part of the bag of yuck that is a divorce and thereby relevant to Don via his children. I don't see any mutual resolution between Don and Betty, but it is definitely in the realm of possibilities that Don somehow takes a more active role if/when both the Francis family and Don's business implode.

All that said, I do think at times January Jones is simply part of the cast and they've been challenged to write storylines for her. Fat Betty was the best example and I think reflective of the writers being frustrated with both the character and the actress.

 

[Scalito]

Nice to see Peggy and Don reconciling, but otherwise last night seemed like a mere placeholder. Not complaining. It may have been a necessary placeholder. You can't have everything happen lightning fast, after all, but it was kind of boring.

One random thought: I don't like that Don is drinking "normally," if you will. It isn't realistic. Alcoholics are alcoholic because they cannot drink normally. The writers shouldn't try and put the cork back in that bottle.

 

[Husky25]

Nice to see Peggy and Don reconciling, but otherwise last night seemed like a mere placeholder. Not complaining. It may have been a necessary placeholder. You can't have everything happen lightning fast, after all, but it was kind of boring.

One random thought: I don't like that Don is drinking "normally," if you will. It isn't realistic. Alcoholics are alcoholic because they cannot drink normally. The writers shouldn't try and put the cork back in that bottle.

I didn't get the feeling that he was drinking normally. Are you talking about when he and Peggy were there late? I though was subtly hammered. Alcoholics can drink normally for a period of time (See McNulty, Jimmy. Season 4), but it typically doesn't last. There are hundreds of real world examples just like that. Did you catch in a later scene with Megan that Don didn't go home that night?

I was disappointed in the end of the episode. It was too abrupt.

Good to see the resurfacing of Bob Benson, Accounts. but Joan's rejection of him was classic ("Bob, you shouldn't be with a woman."). It was a little late at night, so it took a little bit to understand what she meant...

 

[Scalito]

Are you talking about when he and Peggy were there late?

Mostly, but he was drinking with Megan too. It all just seemed too casually frequent for a full blown alcoholic to handle. I know alcoholics seemingly can drink normally for a while, but it's a progressive disease. Once you are as far along as they portrayed Don, it is very difficult to have just one or two.

Did you catch in a later scene with Megan that Don didn't go home that night?

Must have missed it. When'd that happen?

 

[Husky25]

Must have missed it. When'd that happen?

I Thought it was just after Don and Peggy were dancing. Next scene involving Megan.

 

[Scalito]

I Thought it was just after Don and Peggy were dancing. Next scene involving Megan.

Thx. Will have to re-watch it. It's shown too late for subtle cues.

 

[Husky25]

Thx. Will have to re-watch it. It's shown too late for subtle cues.

I could be wrong as well. I had to take my cover pump out of the pool and pick up a few of my son's toys before I went to bed, so Mad Men was on pause for about a half hour. It was probably a mistake, but I stayed up to watch the end.

 

[ZooCougar]

I enjoyed the episode. It was really subtle perhaps and there is at least one thing that I don't fully understand.

The teasers for Mad Men are almost always misdirection and shown in such a off context that that in my view, they should be ignored. Weiner has said that he does them because AMC requires him to. But otherwise he objects because he thinks viewers should enjoy the show in its complete narrative.

That being said. Who is Don's "other woman". My theory is that it isn't a woman. It's his job, profession and his personal connections. So far this season we have seen Don place greater emphasis on his personal relationships beyond the one with his wife. He finds unexpected gratification in connecting with his truculent and untrusting daughter during a drive back to school. His "niece" calls for help and he couldn't be more happy to help in the hope that he reestablish his connection. And in this episode, as Peggy finds herself in the throes of crafting a strategy for Burger Chef, he doesn't waste any time suiting up and heading in to see what Peggy is up to.

They hash it out a little and she asks him what he is afraid of, he says "Not having done anything, having nobody". And then... she stops being the project lead and he reverts back to being the mentor and she the protege, while still being collaborators. They dance and then later on have Burgers with Pete Campbell at a Burger Chef and all three of those people are adrift in their own ways. The camera pulls back and we see them enjoying eachother's company and what they are talking about doesn't matter.

What I don't get is the whole Buick thing. Did SCP lose GM? It seemed like Bob was getting it and not SCP. I really didn't grasp what was happening there.

Crane as partner is a big deal. Crane's work is science and not art. It could set the stage for a further transformation at the firm that relegates the creative side even further.

 

[Husky25]

The camera pulls back and we see them enjoying eachother's company and what they are talking about doesn't matter.

That's the part I didn't understand. Though it was 11:30 by that point and I could barely keep my eyes open.

What I don't get is the whole Buick thing. Did SCP lose GM? It seemed like Bob was getting it and not SCP. I really didn't grasp what was happening there.

SCP lost GM. In fact, the guy that Bob Benson picked up from the police station told him that SC&P never were going to get it. It was always planned to come back in house. But Bob had a position at Buick if he wanted it.

Crane as partner is a big deal. Crane's work is science and not art. It could set the stage for a further transformation at the firm that relegates the creative side even further.

I agree it is a big deal, but each segment of a firm should have a seat at the table. The original 5 partners (Including Campbell as a Junior Partner) wouldn't have asked Crane along if they thought Television wasn't the future of Advertising. I'm not really a fan of the character, but I'm interested in whey the other characters have a problem with the Crane. My guess is that Roger views it as an attempt to marginalize Don along with Creative. Jim Cutler and Teddy Chaough sees it as an opportunity to marginalize Don, and Burt doesn't care one way or another.

 

[ZooCougar]

That's the part I didn't understand. Though it was 11:30 by that point and I could barely keep my eyes open.



SCP lost GM. In fact, the guy that Bob Benson picked up from the police station told him that SC&P never were going to get it. It was always planned to come back in house. But Bob had a position at Buick if he wanted it.



I agree it is a big deal, but each segment of a firm should have a seat at the table. The original 5 partners (Including Campbell as a Junior Partner) wouldn't have asked Crane along if they thought Television wasn't the future of Advertising. I'm not really a fan of the character, but I'm interested in whey the other characters have a problem with the Crane. My guess is that Roger views it as an attempt to marginalize Don along with Creative. Jim Cutler and Teddy Chaough sees it as an opportunity to marginalize Don, and Burt doesn't care one way or another.

And the irony is that Crane is part of Team Don. And they don't even realize that it was Crane who tipped Don off about the new tobacco account.

 

[Dogdeacon]

I thought that episode was phenomenal, so densely packed with deeply personal moments for all of the 'big five' characters (Don, Peggy, Roger, Pete, Joan).
GM-Buick
Yes they lost the new GM car (ok cuz that car ended up being the dud Chevy Vega!), but Bob Benson gets a job with Buick. The convo with Roger and the McCann guy was about the latter trying to hire Don so that SC&P could get the cigarette account but the guy really wanted to pry Don away to protect himself from losing Buick. Buick is in play and that's what Roger surmised in scene with Joan so he & Don will now go after Buick.

On Don the alcoholic stuff I too worry when I see him drinking, but this show is not about 12 steps. Don may or may not be a functioning alcoholic or an alcoholic at all. I think the point is that he uses booze to suppress and cope with his problems; plus drinking and the workplace were remarkably intertwined back then. Don may or may not have an alcohol dependency, but his underlying emotional issues are what the show is about. So it is not an interesting or relevant question whether Don can or cannot drink (a medical diagnosis is outside the show concept) and the disease they are looking at is not the chemical dependency but the emotional issue of hiding his true self and feelings. So I was fine with him drinking with Peggy because it unlocked that deeper level of friendship and family that he shares with Peggy.

Logistically I'm pretty sure Megan went back to LA and then Don pulled the all-nighter with Peggy. Also glad they cleared up unambiguously that BB is gay and I respect Joannie's choice. Not sure if that's it for BB or they pull him back in one more time to bring Buick to SC&P.

 

[Cheddie]

Logistically I'm pretty sure Megan went back to LA and then Don pulled the all-nighter with Peggy.

I really, really hope Weiner doesn't go there. Peggy's been a shrew this year, angry and afraid of Don, and the dance at the end was their reconciliation. You could feel the tremendous relief when she rested her head on her one-time mentor's shoulder, and she lit up when he embraced her pitch in the burger place.

 

[Dogdeacon]

I really, really hope Weiner doesn't go there. Peggy's been a shrew this year, angry and afraid of Don, and the dance at the end was their reconciliation. You could feel the tremendous relief when she rested her head on her one-time mentor's shoulder, and she lit up when he embraced her pitch in the burger place.

Agree, that is a friendship not a soul-mate type thing. Putting Don and Peggy together seems like brother and sister, pales in comparison to the aesthetic of every other Don Draper pairing and would be a default TV trope. Would possibly irreparably harm the entire series.

 

[Scalito]

I really, really hope Weiner doesn't go there. Peggy's been a shrew this year, angry and afraid of Don, and the dance at the end was their reconciliation. You could feel the tremendous relief when she rested her head on her one-time mentor's shoulder, and she lit up when he embraced her pitch in the burger place.

I don't think there is any chance that Don and Peggy will have a thing.the writing on the show has just been too great for that to happen.

 

[Dogdeacon]

I don't think there is any chance that Don and Peggy will have a thing.the writing on the show has just been too great for that to happen.

I agree but I listen to a podcast or two and have seen people speculate about it.

Only definitive direction I can see after most recent episode is they are kind of obligated to give Joannie a happy ending because she's made the tough personal choice a few times now (notwithstanding her compromised professional/personal choice that could still doom her - ok take it back, nothing is definitive other than Lou is going DOWN!).

One criticism (some have criticized Don & Megan back together without a specific detente but I think its fine and their post breakup phone convo after she sent him back to NY showed she still cared) I haven't heard is there were no repercussions shown from Don's grandstanding cigarette gambit. If Lou and Cutler want him out wouldn't they have used Don's insubordination and violation of the Draper Rules to oust him? AT the very least I think we needed a conversation where those two decided to hold it in abeyance pending the decision by Commander cigs. My best guess now is they get the cigs conditioned upon Don's ouster and that comes back to roost but just as Lou & Cutler think they are dooming Don, Roger & Don run them down with a 1969 Buick Riviera (with Bob Benson's body in the trunk .

 

[nelsonmuntz]

I am only 2 seasons into Season 5. I watch almost no original programming shows during February and March because of basketball.

I am really pissed to have accidentally read the spoiler that Lane hanged himself at the end of Season 5. Mofo, I really liked that character.

 

[Dogdeacon]

I am only 2 seasons into Season 5. I watch almost no original programming shows during February and March because of basketball.

I am really pissed to have accidentally read the spoiler that Lane hanged himself at the end of Season 5. Mofo, I really liked that character.

If its any consolation he had a nice victory over Pete 'the grimy little pimp' an episode or two before his demise

 

[StevieDude]

I loved that episode. to AMC for making us wait year

 

[mauconnfan]

For whatever reason I lost track and didn't know it was the last and now I see 2015 - those f'ers!!! Very solid episode to finish but what can't they have 12 episodes like everyone else………..duckk

 

[progrocks]

My takeaway from this season is that I have never seen someone so blah about the realization that he was about to be in a threesome. His reaction was very "well, if we must".

Great show, so perfectly put together, and I can not wait to see the finish.

 

[Dogdeacon]

3 strikes for me on predictions (SPOILER ALERT):
1) Roger & Don were getting Buick (nope it really was the McCann guy trying to buy the entire agency not just Don)

2) I said Commander cigs says YES. They said no, but at least I was right that Cutler used this as grounds to oust Don. Inexplicable that Cutler didn't try to build consensus before just firing off the breach letter AND that he had the audacity to put other's names on it. Can we see the letter?!

3) Looks like Lou is gone in low key style, but Cutler survives (its a lot of money!). Again I was half right in that Roger had would ride the white horse.

Great episode. The Harry Crane mental pratfall comedy is the gift that keeps on giving. As the episode ended I was shocked and befuddled, but like a lot of things Mad Men with time the song & dance was just so much greatness.

Only thing I can't get my arms around now is how they carry on with Don, Joan and Pete as nouveau rich. They all have 'F _ U' money and yet we need them to work for the show to maintain its ballast.

 

[nelsonmuntz]

If its any consolation he had a nice victory over Pete 'the grimy little pimp' an episode or two before his demise

"Am I the only one that wants to see this?" and "Just so you know, I had Lane"

Roger Sterling is one of the best characters in TV history.

 

[Dogdeacon]

"Am I the only one that wants to see this?" and "Just so you know, I had Lane"

Roger Sterling is one of the best characters in TV history.

No doubt, I've got Roger right up there with Henry Blake, Dietrich from Barney Miller (had to look up Steve Landesburg to get that name) as HOF most likeable & funny supporting comedic characters.