‘Mad Men’: Weird kids and mean daddies

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Thursday night’s episode was a journeymen’s show – nothing too flashy happened (c’mon, did you really think Pete Campbell was going to carry that sad little cardboard box all the way downstairs?) but it planted some important seeds, and not just plot ones either.

“Mad Men” is starting to get smarter, nicer and a little more comfortable in its wingtip shoes. That said, it could crank up the knobs a little bit. How about more witty repartee? And a smidge more camp a la those pulpy novels that were so popular in the day? And more hats like the delectable confections seen atop Rachel Mencken’s head? Don’t fear going overboard, “Mad Men.” There can never be enough of any of these things. And don’t feel like you have to be so serious all the time. We like to laugh.

Alright, now that we’ve got that out of the way, let’s talk divorcees, specifically sexy redheads such as Helen, who volunteers for the Kennedy campaign and wears a sweater on her shoulders with just a touch of naughty insouciance. She’s a vital spike in the mix, complicating the ‘50s version of Wisteria Lane with her outwardly messy life, but her kid Glenn is seriously worrisome. Not just the character himself but the whole idea of the character. There is nothing more depressing than a screwed-up child. I repeat: Screwed-up children = no fun at all, so be very careful, “Mad Men.” Tread lightly when dealing with sad-eyed boys who like to look at pretty ladies on the toilet.

But as icky as it was, I’m glad they went there. When Glenn asks the young matron Betty Draper for a lock of her admittedly lovely hair, she gives it to him with empathy and wary amusement, a sensitive reaction we’ve yet to see her grant her own children. As for Glenn’s strange request, I’m hoping it’s the sign of an artistic personality and not a budding serial killer. If he hurts any kittens, I’m telling you right now, I’m never watching again.

Junior account executive Pete Campbell also gets a chance to show that he’s more than an oily-haired snake in the grass. He’s a man with dreams and a mean daddy, sniff. Alright, so the stuffy WASP dad is well-worn territory by now, but at least this one seems more shaded in than most, if only for the fact that he can summon great gusts of cranky disapproval all while wearing boating shoes and madras shorts. Campbell’s wife seems intriguing too, blessed with the kind of social cunning that would make Jane Austen snap to attention.

And as far as Pete Campbell’s almost-firing, I’m glad that he pitched his idea to the client and took a little of the stuffing out of Don Draper. Seriously, who died and made that guy king? Draper’s yet to show much consideration toward anyone. Ditching his kid’s birthday party, cheating on his wife, acting like he’s the hottest action to ever grace the tawdry world of advertising …. I, for one, could watch him get kicked around a little bit more, if only to watch that handsome face crack under pressure.

-- Margaret Wappler

(Photo courtesy AMC)