Mad Men's Final Season

[AznAnarchy99]

Last night's episode was great. I wonder how he's gonna out maneuver everyone.

 

[techs]

Don really wants to get back to work lol.

Yeah, the conditions were humiliating.

I don't understand why Joan suddenly has such a dislike for Don. She was always very friendly with him.

Also, wasn't Peggy knowingly using ideas from Don that were transmitted thru the guy who peed his pants a few seasons back? It seemed like she was in Don's corner. Peggy has always had a complicated relationship with Don but compared to her current Boss I would have thought she would welcome Don's return.

 

[Don Vito Corleone]

Yeah, the conditions were humiliating.

I don't understand why Joan suddenly has such a dislike for Don. She was always very friendly with him.

Also, wasn't Peggy knowingly using ideas from Don that were transmitted thru the guy who peed his pants a few seasons back? It seemed like she was in Don's corner. Peggy has always had a complicated relationship with Don but compared to her current Boss I would have thought she would welcome Don's return.

I don't believe Peggy knew the ideas were coming from Don - I think she thought they originated with Freddy Rumson, who pitched them to her on Don's behalf. You may recall that she expressed surprise at Freddy's Accutron watch idea because she didn't think he was capable of work of that quality (which of course he was not - it was Don's idea).

I agree I was surprised that Joan was so hostile to Don's coming back. I gather it's because she had made strides within the firm while he was gone and is afraid they might be undone if he returned (though I don't think there would be any reason to believe they will).

I was surprised Don agreed to those conditions for his return. It seemed as though they made them so stringent that they intended to induce him to say no and quit. I guess he is just that motivated to return to work.

 

[rh71]

started this (only on s01e11) on Netflix and while olden times are usually not my thing, the characters have me captivated

now I must exit before I read any spoilers

but before I go - I gotta say I knew they smoked a lot back then but all the time around their kids? And they didn't suffer for this?

 

[AznAnarchy99]

started this (only on s01e11) on Netflix and while olden times are usually not my thing, the characters have me captivated

now I must exit before I read any spoilers

but before I go - I gotta say I knew they smoked a lot back then but all the time around their kids? And they didn't suffer for this?

Didn't grow up in the 60s but in Europe, when I was living there, smoking around kids and people is still pretty much the norm. I saw a guy, with his kid in a stroller, standing in line puffing away.

 

[techs]

A sober and motivated Don Draper? Lou is a goner when his contract runs out. And those who showed their dislike for him, like Peggy and Joan, are going to find out that Don is their superior in every way and pay backs a bitch

 

[NuclearNed]

I really enjoyed seeing Roger stick up for Don in the partners mtg.

 

[techs]

I really enjoyed seeing Roger stick up for Don in the partners mtg.

As I said I was surprised more people didn't stick up for Don. Don practically built the place with his creative. Bert Cooper especially should have shown some loyalty to him. Bert made a fortune from Don's work. It was bizarre that outside of Roger, Pete was the only one on Don's side, or at least assumed to be on Don's side.

 

[BrokenVisage]

Good episode last night even with Betty sprinkled in, this show is at its best during confrontations like the partner's meeting at the end. Did I hear right when Peggy said "Can't say anyone here missed you" to Don?

 

[AznAnarchy99]

Good episode last night even with Betty sprinkled in, this show is at its best during confrontations like the partner's meeting at the end. Did I hear right when Peggy said "Can't say anyone here missed you" to Don?

Yup you heard right.

 

[Imp]

Peggy, I could understand. Joan being a bitch to Don, not so much. The way I read it is that now she's up there, it's going to her head.

And damn, Don is desperate to take that with all the other real and potential offers.

 

[techs]

Peggy, I could understand. Joan being a bitch to Don, not so much. The way I read it is that now she's up there, it's going to her head.

And damn, Don is desperate to take that with all the other real and potential offers.

Don has a non compete so he can't take any offers unless they were willing to buy out his partnership, which we found out they weren't.

Lou is a goner at the end of his two year contract, that's for certain. They were griping about paying Don to sit at home, but if he's back they won't want to pay Lou as well as Don, so it's bye bye Lou and he can easily figure that out. Of course that's all dependent on Don playing nice.

I wonder if Peggys rude comment was meant as hatred for Don or as a message that he abused people and he needs to stop.

Once more, Joans behavior is borderline bizarre. I can't remember any run ins or times he abused Joan before he got put on leave. And Joan was perhaps Dons best friend after Roger.

I also don't get the guy in California being assumed to be against Don's return. Don stepped aside so he could go to California, iirc.

Lou versus Don is no contest, imo. Lou is merely competent job wise and he's a prick to boot.

 

[Imp]

Lou's a genuine asshole. The Sally and Dawn thing alone is evidence enough. Then he doesn't listen to underlings and what was it about the awards, that he only nominated or submitted the ones he worked on?

I read Peggy's comment as something meant to take offense but with a bit of endearment.

 

[techs]

Lou's a genuine asshole. The Sally and Dawn thing alone is evidence enough. Then he doesn't listen to underlings and what was it about the awards, that he only nominated or submitted the ones he worked on?

I read Peggy's comment as something meant to take offense but with a bit of endearment.

Yeah, I didn't understand that either. Can anyone clarify it?

 

[Don Vito Corleone]

Yeah, I didn't understand that either. Can anyone clarify it?

The Clio awards are the advertising industry's way of recognizing good work. We have seen Don win one for the Glow-Kote floor wax spot (I think it was in season 2 or 3). As head of creative, Lou would, I gather, decide whose work would be submitted for consideration for the award, and he didn't submit Peggy's innovative Rosemary's Baby aspirin spot or any other work that wasn't his, apparently because he didn't want to share the spotlight. This seems consistent with his previous unwillingness to give Peggy's work its due - he seems to see her as competition.

 

[techs]

The Clio awards are the advertising industry's way of recognizing good work. We have seen Don win one for the Glow-Kote floor wax spot (I think it was in season 2 or 3). As head of creative, Lou would, I gather, decide whose work would be submitted for consideration for the award, and he didn't submit Peggy's innovative Rosemary's Baby aspirin spot or any other work that wasn't his, apparently because he didn't want to share the spotlight. This seems consistent with his previous unwillingness to give Peggy's work its due - he seems to see her as competition.

Thanks.

 

[NFS4]

The Clio awards are the advertising industry's way of recognizing good work. We have seen Don win one for the Glow-Kote floor wax spot (I think it was in season 2 or 3). As head of creative, Lou would, I gather, decide whose work would be submitted for consideration for the award, and he didn't submit Peggy's innovative Rosemary's Baby aspirin spot or any other work that wasn't his, apparently because he didn't want to share the spotlight. This seems consistent with his previous unwillingness to give Peggy's work its due - he seems to see her as competition.

Which begs the question... she actually sees Lou as the lesser of two evils compared to Don?

 

[Don Vito Corleone]

Which begs the question... she actually sees Lou as the lesser of two evils compared to Don?

I think she is mostly pissed at Don because Ted went to CA instead of Don. It's misguided but she seems really to think that if Ted had stayed in NY things could have worked out. I hope things improve but I have to say that so far this season I really don't like the way they've written Peggy. It's not just that she's torn up, it's that she's being mean and even crazy much of the time. I guess I find that jarring because she has really been the show's moral center of gravity for the most part. It also feels a little inauthentic in that I just don't see her being such a bitch to Don.

 

[NFS4]

I think she is mostly pissed at Don because Ted went to CA instead of Don. It's misguided but she seems really to think that if Ted had stayed in NY things could have worked out. I hope things improve but I have to say that so far this season I really don't like the way they've written Peggy. It's not just that she's torn up, it's that she's being mean and even crazy much of the time. I guess I find that jarring because she has really been the show's moral center of gravity for the most part.

She's becoming a grade A BITCH. I always liked Peggy, but you're right, this season she is just repellant.

As for Betty, I was actually starting to like her for a change this episode. She's seemed genuine even. Then Bobby traded the sandwich and it was back to the Betty we all despise.

 

[Imp]

She's becoming a grade A BITCH. I always liked Peggy, but you're right, this season she is just repellant.

As for Betty, I was actually starting to like her for a change this episode. She's seemed genuine even. Then Bobby traded the sandwich and it was back to the Betty we all despise.

That Betty up to the sandwich was a total act. It was weird and fake, which is so her.

Didn't notice until I checked the episode credits but Anne Dudek (Amber in House) was in the show. Think it was her at the coffee shop.

 

[NFS4]

That Betty up to the sandwich was a total act. It was weird and fake, which is so her.

Didn't notice until I checked the episode credits but Anne Dudek (Amber in House) was in the show. Think it was her at the coffee shop.

She was the neighbor from down the street in Mad Men season 1-3; and if you noticed, she still called her Betty Draper. I just remember her being pregnant, smoking and drinking

 

[BladeVenom]

Peggy, I could understand. Joan being a bitch to Don, not so much. The way I read it is that now she's up there, it's going to her head.

At first that was my opinion. Don has treated her with more respect than anyone else.

But on the other hand, Don cost them Jaguar after Joan had already whored herself out to get it. She is concerned with money and her financial stake in the firm. All the other partners are significantly wealthier than she is, and have better job opportunities is things go bad. No other firm would make her a partner or an account man. She is not willing to risk her financial future on Don going out of control again.

 

[BladeVenom]

Lou's a genuine asshole. The Sally and Dawn thing alone is evidence enough.

True he did overreact. Playing devil's advocate again, Lou is head of creative, and his secretary is answering to Don first and him second. It does seem reasonable that he request his own secretary. He just did it in a poor manner.

 

[radhak]

For the change of attitude towards Don from Peggy and Joan, you gotta remember that the characters' last interaction with Don is what remains with them, even if 6 months ago, and many other episodes for us, the viewers. This is brought up nicely in the 'previously on Mad Men' at the beginning of the episode(s).

Peggy I believe had told Don that he was a monster, out of control, and something more in that vein. The context was that Don was trying to scuttle Ted's affair with her, and Peggy - rightfully - was outraged. The fact that Ted proved to be a gutless slimeball made Peggy hate Don all the more, in a sort of double-down.

Joan, OTOH, is upset with Don for career reasons. She's ambitious, but for all her efforts, nobody noticed her at the old SC or SCDP (other than for her 'hills'). Then she saw an opportunity and literally whored herself to get an account and a partnership, even becoming the butt of office jokes because of it. And in comes Don with a holier-than-thou moment and washes all that away in one gesture, leaving Joan unsure of her standing in the office. Even the new guy Lou dumps on her, treating her as just a head-clerk shuffling people around. And guess who treats her so much better? Cutler! He apologizes for stuff; he elevates her to 'accounts man', and gives her a room. Effectively, he's bought her loyalty. No wonder she bristles at seeing Don back, threatening to bring back the old status. At least she gives it a cover of objectivity by pointing out to Don's drunkenness as the main problem.

And frankly, as far as professionalism goes, it's just Cutler and Joan left there. Peggy has lost her moorings; Roger's almost a hippy now; Lou is a career bureaucrat in disguise; Don is only looking for personal redemption. I pity the clients of this firm.

 

[Imp]

True he did overreact. Playing devil's advocate again, Lou is head of creative, and his secretary is answering to Don first and him second. It does seem reasonable that he request his own secretary. He just did it in a poor manner.

I meant the incident where Sally showed up and Lou shit all over Dawn for not being at her desk because she was out buying his wife perfume because he didn't listen to her constantly reminding him for the past while.