"Mad Men" on AMC (US) - (Spoilers Within)

[Wire9Vintage]

Yes. I've not commented yet because I'm still mulling the episode over! I'm really enjoying reading your insights.

 

[RichardH]

Thoughts on 'Far Away Places':

Roger dropping acid: the world is starting to go to hell. Nicely done scene depicting hallucinations.

We saw it coming with Roger and Jane (age difference: same problem as Don and Megan?), but divorce after only two or three years, in the '60s? Excuse me; Roger had to sell his family's company to the Brits (and ended up losing that company and starting over) to pay for his first divorce. Doesn't seem realistic. Sure, midlife crisis and all that but this man was a WWII naval officer and ran a successful business. He's not stupid; he wouldn't blow the rest of his inheritance and income over a girl. My guess: by the show's end, around 1970, Roger and true love Joan will be together.

Great period atmosphere with the Howard Johnson's.

The Don/Megan fight: a tease/fake-out for the ladies hoping for more floor making-up sex. Critics love characters brooding and being annoying, so all's not bliss there. Still, I'm cheering for them as a couple.

You mentioned Roger as a WW2 Naval Officer, was he a naval aviator? I can't remember which season, but he mentioned something about downing a "Dinah" (A japanese twin engined recce plane) in the south pacific, and in a later episode "quizzing" an Air Force officer about aircraft. (In a rather resentful manner if I remember correctly.. I guess that scene was meant to signify inter-service rivalry or something) So my question is, did Roger at any point specify what he did in the war?

 

[Young fogey]

You mentioned Roger as a WW2 Naval Officer, was he a naval aviator? I can't remember which season, but he mentioned something about downing a "Dinah" (A japanese twin engined recce plane) in the south pacific, and in a later episode "quizzing" an Air Force officer about aircraft. (In a rather resentful manner if I remember correctly. I guess that scene was meant to signify inter-service rivalry or something.) So my question is, did Roger at any point specify what he did in the war?

Not as far as I know. I remember the episode where he quizzed the Air Force officer (a general?). The sarcastic tone was because Don or somebody else told him the officer was really just an actor.

I don't remember him mentioning the Dinah. Good memory. Maybe his ship shot it down.

 

[fortworthgal]

Personally, I wish the series had started earlier (mid-50s) that way it would only be in the early 60s now. I just trust in the writers to not get too over the top with it.

Cosign.

 

[PADDY]

I just love this thread for all the insights and interpretations people bring to the show.

Don and Megan...I 'honestly' cannot see that lasting (I know, I know, I can hear some of you tutting in disbelief, but...I really can't see it being a successful and longlasting marriage due to personality and also age).

Roger has been told it's going to be an 'expensive' divorce for him (another one). But I found Roger 'very likeable' in this episode, throughout the whole thing, which was refreshing. A much more mature and agreeable man.

Peggy - well 'yes,' she is striving to take control of so many areas in her life, in what is still a male dominated world. The cinema scene symbolised this as has been pointed out.

The Michael conversation (where he says 'he' is from Mars..and there are others like him, but they just don't know it..etc). Is this a reference to 'men being from Mars' and women from venus? Or does 'he' just feel he is different from all those around him, as he does seem to see the world differently (I just don't know). Or, does he empathise with Peggy because they are both different and seeking to strive in this male/testerone fuelled environment? I'm guessing here folks, but it's fun just trying to unravel the riddles.

As ever, a GREAT SHOW.

 

[AmateisGal]

I think maybe the Mars reference has something to do with him not knowing about his past - if he really was born in a concentration camp, then that is a lot to deal with. Dunno...just speculation. [huh]

 

[Lily Powers]

Don and Megan...I 'honestly' cannot see that lasting (I know, I know, I can hear some of you tutting in disbelief, but...I really can't see it being a successful and longlasting marriage due to personality and also age).

It's the 1960's and Megan will grow with the times and Don will age with the times. Bet he'll even go 'backwards' at some point and reconnect with Betty on some level (horizontal or vertical, but it will be somehow meaningful and safe for him).

 

[Young fogey]

It's the 1960's and Megan will grow with the times and Don will age with the times. Bet he'll even go 'backwards' at some point and reconnect with Betty on some level (horizontal or vertical, but it will be somehow meaningful and safe for him).

I agree except for the part about Betty. Thank God Don won't 'grow with the times'. He's 'the Don'! Hope you're wrong about Don and Megan growing apart. Lovely woman and I like Don being in love with her. Betty's a b*tch ('Main Line brat' as Don said); Don's not in love with her. That's over. Betty was the trophy blonde he was supposed to like; Megan's a brunette he really likes, like most of his girlfriends in episodes past.

Watching 'At the Codfish Ball'. I remember, as a kid, when shacking up was shocking or at least not mainstream. Fits a beatnik like Abe though. Like I said, the world I like largely still existed when I was born. Right around the time of this episode.

Nice to see Mona again. The actress is Slattery's wife but you already knew that. 1966 style looks good on her.

 

[AmateisGal]

What to say about last night's episode other than: poor Sally!

I loved seeing Julia Ormond as Megan's mother. She's one of my favorite actresses. And I wasn't surprised at all that she and Roger got "together" at the end, though again...POOR SALLY!

It all seems so perfect for Megan and Don, which means it's about to come crashing down...

Another great episode!

 

[AtomicEraTom]

I thought the banter between Roger and Sally was kinda cute.

 

[Wire9Vintage]

Yes poor Sally! But I really liked the little connection between Sally and Megan, both in the shared shopping experience and the dealing with the "dirty" men in their lives. Also liked the detail of Megan having to explain to Don why her father's crying to the grad student was wrong. Don still has some things to learn about relationships. But his skills as a father certainly are nice. Loved the comment and kiss for Sally at the table.

And the Roger/Sally dynamic was lovely (until....). As was Bobby's question to Roger: "are you the babysitter?"

Anyone else keep saying "oh no..." all through the episode like I did?

 

[Young fogey]

I loved seeing Julia Ormond as Megan's mother.

So that's who that was! Lovely. Thanks.

 

[rue]

Oh my God..... this episode was great! The ending made me laugh so hard I almost fell out of my seat. I'm probably so wrong for saying that, but I've been in Sally's situation and couldn't help but laugh as I am now an adult and looking back at it.

 

[AmateisGal]

Hmm. I think the best part of this episode was the yelling match between Don and Peggy. I continue to be surprised that Don isn't up to his old tricks. But it looks like Pete has taken over that role. Gosh, Pete is just so SLIMEY. Ugh!!!

 

[Chaps]

Hmm. I think the best part of this episode was the yelling match between Don and Peggy. I continue to be surprised that Don isn't up to his old tricks. But it looks like Pete has taken over that role. Gosh, Pete is just so SLIMEY. Ugh!!!

Completely agree with everything you said. And how about Roger's laid back attitude since his "trip"?

 

[AtomicEraTom]

That's an understatement!

Pete is just so SLIMEY. Ugh!!!

I have been analyzing the Don/Peggy dynamic since the beginning and haven't figured it out yet.

 

[AmateisGal]

I have been analyzing the Don/Peggy dynamic since the beginning and haven't figured it out yet.

I think they have a very special bond - almost like brother and sister, though that's not quite it, either. It's one of the best aspects of the show, IMO.

 

[Zemke Fan]

The Pete situation is, for lack of a better phrase, utterly, depressingly sad. Hope his suicidal musings don't presage something bad...

 

[rue]

I think they have a very special bond - almost like brother and sister, though that's not quite it, either. It's one of the best aspects of the show, IMO.

I think so too, but I hope they don't take it to the next level. I really don't want to see them in a romantic situation.

 

[AmateisGal]

I think so too, but I hope they don't take it to the next level. I really don't want to see them in a romantic situation.

Oh gosh, NO. I agree! That would completely ruin it!