'Mad Men' recap: Changing the conversation

On Sunday night, Don Draper pulled a Jerry Maguire.

As the saying goes, desperate times call for desperate measures.  And, fair or not, Sterling Cooper Draper Pryce is in truly dire circumstances. Dumped by American Tobacco, the agency can’t even get meetings with other cigarette companies. As Pete puts it: “The wind is blowing ice cold out there.” Don, used to playing hard-to-get with women and clients alike, is clearly uncomfortable making the hard sell. There's a whiff of desperation clinging to the agency. “I bet I could get a date with your mother right now,” a Heinz executive tells Don.

And, in case you missed it, desperation was the theme of this episode. Midge, Don’s junkie ex-mistress, embodies the idea. When Don runs into her in the Time-Life lobby, she seems healthy and happy, but once he arrives at her drab hovel, he knows that’s not the truth. Strangely enough, the encounter is cathartic for Don. He realizes that he can -- and desperately must -- “change the conversation,” just as Peggy suggests. All it took was a run-in with his drug-addicted former mistress to make him see the light.

Rather than heading to Kinko’s late at night to make copies of his manifesto, a la Jerry Maguire, Don takes out a full-page ad in the New York Times. “For over 25 years, we devoted ourselves to peddling a product for which good work is irrelevant, because people can’t stop themselves from buying it,” reads the ad. Of course, Don doesn’t really care about the ethical ramifications of selling a dangerous and destructive product. The point of the letter, as Megan accurately assesses it, is to convey: “He didn’t dump me, I dumped him.”

I thought it was an inspired move, but none of the partners were impressed by Don’s manifesto. “You had a tantrum on a full page in the New York Times,” says Pete.  Even Lane, usually reserved in his criticism, tells Don: “No one asked you to euthanize this company.” Most irate is Bert Cooper, who calls Don cynical and craven, then promptly tenders his resignation. 

So, who’s right? Is Don just an egomaniacal hypocrite? Or did his manifesto successfully “change the conversation” about Sterling Cooper Draper Pryce? We’ll have to wait until at least next week to find out the answer. With just one episode in the season to go, the number of possible outcomes is a bit dizzying. The company could go out of business, but you can’t really have “Mad Men” without an ad agency, can you? Strike that one from the list. From a creative standpoint, it also seems unlikely that Don and company will form another new agency -- after all, that’s exactly how last season ended. It would be a major snooze if they did the same thing all over again, wouldn’t it? Theoretically, Pete could still abandon ship and take Vicks with him to CGC. The fact that Don paid for Pete's share of the payroll actually makes this possible: If he wants to, Pete can now escape financially unscathed. 

While we’re on the subject, I am not sure how to interpret Don’s gesture. It was either a very gentlemanly way of thanking Pete for dropping the NAA account, or an extremely manipulative way of buying Pete’s silence. Given that this is “Mad Men,” it was probably a little of both. In any case, Pete has demonstrated an almost unreasonable level of loyalty to Don and the agency, so I am guessing he’ll stay put -- and maybe even rise to senior partner. I don’t think Roger is going to make it past this season. So far, only Joan knows about the bungled Lucky Strike account, but there is no way there won’t be more fallout. And, as much as I love Roger, I also desperately want him to be exposed. 

My suspicion is that the calls from both Emerson Foote and the American Cancer Society are not an accident. (Emerson Foote was the former head of McCann-Erickson, who resigned in 1964 in protest over cigarette advertising.) My guess is that a pared-down Sterling Cooper Draper Pryce will become pioneers of anti-tobacco advertising. The irony would be almost unbearable -- what’s next, a campaign against sexual harassment? But it would also be sublime. Could a “smoke-free” workplace lie in the future? Such an unexpected client could be just what the floundering agency needs. Symbolically, it would also be a pivotal move. This is an agency primed for the times ahead: out with the cigarettes -- and the old white men!

As for the Faye-Megan-Don love triangle, we didn’t make too much progress this week, though there were a few interesting hints. Megan seems to have a hunch about Faye -- thus the repeated mentions of messages from “Dr. Miller.” Faye also seems wise to Megan; otherwise, why would she have told Don: “Have your girl make reservations”? Just to extend the “Jerry Maguire” metaphor a bit longer, Megan is the Renee Zellweger character, and supports Don's letter. “Things feel different around here,” she says. On a professional level, Faye seems slightly annoyed by Don's stunt, but personally, she is relieved. Now that they're no longer co-workers, they can at last dine out in the open. What’s not clear is whether Don will remain interested. Though he and Faye are (mostly) honest with each other, their relationship has operated in secret -- and I suspect that the furtiveness was part of the allure for Don.

Meanwhile, in Ossining, Sally and Betty appear to have reached a fragile accord, but it quickly falls apart. Blame it on Glen. Everyone’s favorite creepy kid was back this week to counsel Sally. I love Sally, and I even sort of love Glen, but there’s something totally unconvincing about the dialogue between these two. Sally, a budding atheist, explains that she isn’t bothered by the idea of dying, except that it’s “forever,” a concept she ties to the girl on the Land of Lakes package. That wasn’t an 11-year-old girl talking, that was a writer putting words in her mouth. It’s something that happens a lot on this show -- a character will explain their emotions using a conspicuously well-chosen metaphor -- and while I’ll take it coming from Roger Sterling or Faye Miller, it’s simply less believable coming out of the mouth of a tween. The one line I did swallow (so to speak)?  “Do you want the backwash?” That Glen: always a charmer.

Unfortunately for Sally, it looks like her days of hanging out with Glen outside a dilapidated old shack are numbered. Betty catches her sneaking off to see Glen, and, predictably, freaks out. There’s no doubt that Betty is mostly concerned about the “optics” of this friendship. “What will the neighbors say?”, etc. But we also know that Betty has a deep-seated and totally unfair grudge against Glen. He knows just how immature Betty really is, so naturally she hates him. Out of spite toward Sally, Betty tells Henry that it’s finally time to move out of the Ossining house. Poor Sally can't catch a break, can she? I still have an irrational hope that Sally will go live with Don in the village. Who's with me?

Betty is using her sessions with Dr. Edna as opportunities to talk about her own problems -- and not just as they relate to Sally. “You can talk to me but, you know, I’m a child psychiatrist,” Dr. Edna, perfectly framed by the cartoon animals on the wall behind her, tells Betty. With her marital woes and continually lit cigarette, Betty is totally out of place in a room decorated with dollhouses and googly-eyed rodents, and that’s just the point. Emotionally speaking, Betty is a child, a point that “Mad Men” drives home a little too often for my liking. I’m going to play devil’s advocate here and argue on Betty’s behalf. Her skepticism about psychology is completely understandable, given the fact that Don used to get reports from her analyst on their sessions. So can you blame her for not wanting to leave the haven of Dr. Edna’s office?

I was happy to see some more of Betty and Sally this week. I am one of those weird “Mad Men” fans who prefers the suburban ennui to all the workplace machinations, so the truth is, I’ve missed Betty this season. Not that I like her, mind you, just that I miss her.  

Stray thoughts:

-- Freddy Rumsen, Duck Phillips, and now Midge. This season really has been a walk down memory lane, hasn’t it?  Fine with me, as long as Bobbie Barrett doesn't return.

-- I loved how Peggy told Don, "It means you're going to do great" before his ill-fated meeting with Philip Morris. Their special bond is intact.

-- Can Danny Strong (the actor who plays Danny Siegel) really be as short as he appears, or is Jon Hamm wearing lifts in his shoes for comic effect?

-- We didn't get to see much Joan this week, but once again she was dressed in blue. What do we make of this color choice?

So, what did you think?  Any predictions for next week's season finale?  Could this really be the end of Bert Cooper? 

-- Meredith Blake
twitter.com/MeredithBlake

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Photos: (top) From left, Don (Jon Hamm), Pete (Vincent Kartheiser) and Bert (Robert Morse) ponder the future of the agency. Credit: Michael Yarish / AMC

(bottom) Betty (January Jones), right, discovers that Sally (Kiernan Shipka) has been hanging out with Glen. Credit: Michael Yarish / AMC

 

Comments

[American Girl]

I think Don's move was GENIUS!

I don't want the season to end...I LOVE THIS SHOW!!!!!!

[bitter gay mark]

The return of Midge was so depressing and so disturbing. I always genuinely liked Midge. She was always so ahead of her time. Tragically so, it turns out. Yes, I was beyond horrified to see just how far poor Midge had fallen... At least the show used her really well here. Hah! For a brief moment, when she first just 'happened to run into' Don I initially imagined that she would somehow now save the day in that she had become this successful artist in the ad world and would now offer up to Don some great client.... Boy, those hopes were quickly dashed. Yowsa.

Yes, it has been and interesting season as far as returns. Glen, Freddie, Duck, now Midge, and it all bodes well for my hopes that we haven't seen the last of Sal --- although I do fear he probably won't be returning next week, though. Still it bodes well for him eventually popping up on the show...

The internet is abuzz with people IRATE at Betty for her behavior regarding Sally and Glen. And yet I must admit that her fears are not THAT unfounded. Remember, this is Glen who was BEYOND creepy and inappropriate with Betty all those seasons ago... Don't get me wrong, I too, feel bad she is derailing things now, but you gotta admit that it is by far the most understandable of any of Betty's reactions to the world around her...

I thought one of the most interesting moments in the episode was that between Pete and Don after Pete learns that Don just paid his share of the firm's mounting debt. I half expected Pete to flip out and get all up in Don's face about it. Instead, Pete (wisely and maturely, I might add) played it cool. Very, very cool. And it definitely marked a change --- I think --- in their relationship. I suppose it was fostered by the fact that Pete was so desperate that he would welcome aid from anywhere... But I think that he, like I, was rather caught off guard by Don's gesture... (Did anybody see this coming, fellow mad men addicts?) Sure Don was repaying a debt in many ways for Pete's silence, but Don did so in a classy way. It was a grand gesture to be sure, but Don handled it all so matter of fact. He certainly didn't lord it over Pete in the way that others might have...

PS --- I found myself wanting to slap Trudy at one point. Not for her berating of Pete or her shrewish ultimatums..... No! Instead she was more than worthy of my blows simply for the unforgivable sin of wanting to move out of that utterly amazing and fabulous apartment. Seriously! That set is such fun, why abandon it for the dreary suburbs? ;)

[Chris]

The best line of the night was delivered by Peggy when she said, "I thought you didn't go in for those kinds of shenanigans?" Even Don couldn't help but smile and have no rejoinder.

[shawn]

My biggest fear when I heard the word "heroin" was that they were going to get Don to try it. That really would have ruined it for me. Thankfully, they didn't go there.

I agree that the funniest part of the show was the sight gag of Danny standing next to Don.

[Lee]

Predictions ...

Conrad Hilton comes back with his business. He reads the letter in the Times and likes what Don has done
Betty as a mother is right up there with Joan Crawford. I can't help feeling there's a big secret like being sexually abused by her father. Maybe Sally was abused too
Rodgers days are numbered Will Joan tell about his knowing about Lucky Strike?

[J_Is_Dismayed]

There was a sequence in last night's show that had me fearing the next shot would be Don meeting up with Midge to sample heroin... Especially after he asked her, "What is it like?" THANK GAWD it didn't happen....

Bert Cooper up and leaving after his, "We've created a monster remark," seemed somehow....hollow. He's such a nice contrast to Roger, even to Lane...man, I hope he is not gone for good.

Don ripping out his diary entries and throwing them away spoke to me for some reason....sort of some symbolism for: My head is clear now, I know what needs to be done. I especially love the shot of Henry reading Don's newspaper ad text.

I wasn't sure how last season was going to be wrapped up in one episode, but at the time, I was rewarded with the very best episode of the series' run to that point. So, you can imagine how high my expectations are for next Sunday.

[vegasgirl]

I completely agree with the author about the kids' dialogue. It's ridiculous -- and the Glenn character to me is underwritten and mystifying (but maybe that's how they want it. Still, I say get rid of him and bring back Sal!).
Solid episode -- the scenes with Midge were especially heartbreaking. It shows Don is still a softy, for all his bravado.

[Bebe]

I agree, the dialogue between the kids was horrible. It didn't sound like kids talking. It weakens the show when the writers are indulged this way.

It seems as if Faye may have some notion of something being up with Don and Megan, based on Faye's line "have your girl make the reservation." Faye is a master manipulator. That was definitely an attempt by Faye to infantilize Megan in Don's eyes.

[Candigirl1968]

I totally disagree abuot the Sally/Glenn dialogue being off. Glenn is a weird, socially awkward kid, and what he says and how he says it comes off as such. While Sally treats him like a confidante in some respects, both are play acting to sound much more mature than they are (Sally is not yet an adolescent).

I took the fact that Don quietly paid Pete's share as a step forward in the evolution of Don Draper. He did it without asking, without complaint, and seemingly out of gratitude and grace. And, for once, Don's favorite mode of problem solving (cold hard cash), actually was appropriate.

[Zedmund]

I took Don ripping out his diary entries as an acknowledgement that they were a bit lame. He didn't have to throw them out, he could have just gone to the next blank page. At the time of watching that episode I remember thinking the diary entires were a bit "teenage confessional" or something like that, maybe this was a way of showing Don's slight emabarrassement for his dear diary moment.

Also please don't mention Tom Cruise again, some of us are trying to eat.

[Saroj]

Anyone have any comments on Henry reading and smiling at Don's letter in TIMES

[SnarkyMark]

I also loved that Dr Edna had to explain to Betty "I'm a child psychiatrist" while framed by the cartoon bear and bunny mural. I suspect Bert Cooper's gone for good. "You there, get my shoes" has to be one of the best lines of the night. I also think it's about time for Roger's second (and final) heart attack. As to endings, we've been watching Don come to terms with who he is. The door's open. With Bert and Roger both gone (maybe) Don's the sole Senior Partner (Layne made it clear he's a junior partner like Pete). Peggy might become the first female CD in the ad game. Not bad.

[bitter gay mark]

Actually, yeah. I thought showing Henry was interesting... Very interesting. I mean, I wouldn't be surprised if he threw some business Don's way in a gesture of goodwill or something. Doesn't he have a big political campaign coming up that he is working on? Wouldn't a campaign be able to use such an agency? Especially one that appears to be so principled? Not sure it will happen, but it did cross my mind.

I had no problem with the kids dialogue. Frankly, I think all too often kids are dumbed down by the media whenever it portrays them. I used to drive my friends son up to San Francisco every month or so when he was younger and I was always amazed at how worldly and grown up our conversations were even at the age of 8... Both Sally and Glen have been through an awful lot. They sound just as I would expect they both would. Perhaps Meredith has had the unfortunate experience to be surrounded by a bunch of exceptionally dimwitted children, which I must admit is all to common in Los Angeles... ;) Also, the fact that she would have noticed the Land O Lakes packaging rung especially true to me as Sally so knows that that is the type of thing her father notices... Look, I remember noticing similar things as a child and thinking they were cool. Kids are often more aware of little details than most adults as everything is new and fresh to them...

The other thing I think Meredith is slightly off on is her reasoning with Pete -- and about how the episode set it up that he could now leave the agency. I think the episode did the exact opposite, actually. Sure, he could bail now and not be hurt financially...she's right there, true. But what she seems to have overlooked is that now Pete has absolutely ZERO motivation to leave in that there is little or no risk to him staying... I mean, Pete has proven to be well connected and capable at his job...should the agency collapse, I have no doubt he would find another job quickly and without much problem. (Keep in mind this is 1965 and NOT 2010, as my friends and I joked as all the nameless extras left sobbing from the office... Ah, the be jobless in that job market, sigh. Sure would be nice...) There is no way in hell Pete would quit the agency now. No way. No day...

[Ann]

Loved the NYT ad (and how it unfolded), love all the comments, but let's talk clothes! Dresses had me ooh-ing and ah-ing, some of the best this season. Joan's beautiful blue, Megan's green, but Peggy wins in the red and white ensemble then the black number with white down the front!

And. . .was it just me, or did Faye look a little frumpy in her red suit? And her hair a little Dr. Joyce Brothers? Come to think of it, she's could be modeled a bit after her.

Similarly relieved Don didn't try heroin!

P.s. Sally is GIFTED, y'all. Don's kid. I believe everything that comes out of her mouth!

[h-]

Season finale? 2 words: Walt Disney.

[Heather]

in response to Henry reading the ad.... when they got the call from "senator kennedy", I at first was thinking it would actually end up being Henry somehow I definitely think there will be something involved with Henry in the next episode. I am hoping Bert doesn't go either... I am thinking that maybe he'll have a chance to blow off some steam and then will come back when he realizes the new possibilities Don's ad created. I was touched by Don's gesture towards Pete- no matter what his motive may have been.

[Katharine Saavedra]

I liked the kids' dialog, not a little bit because it reminded me of myself at that age. I don't know what kind of kids you hang out with but the kids I know are quite capable of such musings. And Glen is great. How long should Betty, and we, judge him for stuff he did when he was too young to know how long twenty minutes was? He makes Sally's, and Betty's, life more interesting and is becoming a great thinker or a serial killer. Maybe both.

As for Betty, her scenes with Dr. Edna remind me of the first thing her first therapist said way back in season one. "Essentially, we're dealing with the mind of a child here." We all thought it was just a horribly sexist attitude. It may well have been but it reads a little differently now that we've gotten to know Betty better doesn't it?

[Katharine Saavedra]

@h- ,

Walt Disney died in December, 1966. I don't think there were any big announcements about his illness before hand. That kind of thing wasn't done then. So, if that was where you were going, it's about a year early.

[h-]

Katherine -

Disney released an anti-smoking short (starring Goofy) in 1951 called "No Smoking" all while Walt was an addicted smoker (but never in public) who ended up dying of lung cancer. Walt would have appreciated Don's ad & position enough perhaps to turn to Don for help with his theme parks.

From a timing perspective, the final land transactions in Orlando that ultimately became Disney World happened in 1965.

Further evidence to this theory is on the AMC website itself which lists the season finale's title as "Tomorrowland" which is the name of one of the Disney theme parks attractions...the Florida one he began developing after the close of the '64-'65 World's Fair.

Maybe it's too obvious but it makes sense. Walt Disney could be the new Conrad Hilton. The episode name also has the double (& triple) meanings of new opportunities personally as well as professionally for the characters.

[cinnamon barks]

I have always been amused by the name "Faye Miller," which is the name Marilyn Monroe used to check herself into that psychiatric hospital ... and here she's a psychologist.