It’s easy to presume that when a show or movie revolves around
real time events the writing comes easy; that all one really has to do is allow
for pre-existing knowledge to set circumstance into motion. But what makes Mad Men so special is the reaction
factor. Just like in real life, a tragedy happens and we all scramble for explanation.
And also just like in real life, after anger and mourning, life has to go on
and it forces change both immediately and gradually.
I doubt there are many are people who aren’t aware of what
Martin Luther King Jr. did for a race, a country, and humanity as a whole so
Matthew Weiner isn’t here to tell us that story. Matthew Weiner is here to tell
us the stories of Don Draper’s flaws as a parent and a husband, Peggy Olsen’s
attempt to build a future, and Michael Ginsberg’s social struggles when it
comes to dating a girl his Dad set him up with. But instead of all these
stories going by the wayside in the wake of MLK’s assassination, they get the
same amount of attention they would get any other time because the world doesn’t
stop turning. As Mr. Ginsberg explains to Michael: “Nonsense! There’s no time
like the present.”
But the bigger news of the episode, enough to overshadow
MLK, is that Bobby Draper can indeed speak! And peel wallpaper off the wall!
Yes this is the first, and I’m assuming last, time young Bobby gets a storyline
and of course it comes in the midst of all of this. I have always wondered why
they never tapped into the well of how Don would deal with having a son, and
how he would relate those experiences to his younger self and in this case the
payoff was more than worth the wait because it was an absolutely heartbreaking
moment of realization(*) that Don let’s Megan witness. Also, I can’t think of a
time I didn’t thoroughly enjoy a “Don hits the movies” segment, this time
watching the classic Planet of the Apes.
Weiner obviously wanted us to watch the end of the movie when the audience is
blown away by the revelation that humans had gone on to blow up the world,
leading the way the apes evolving and moving to the top of the food chain. But
despite it being such a heavy-handed metaphor to the riots it was fantastic to
watch the parallels between a movie and the real-life events going on at the
same time of its release.
(*)“You want to love
them but you don’t. And the fact that you’re thinking that feeling makes you
wonder if your own father had the same problem. And then one day they get older
and you see them do something and you feel that feeling that you were
pretending to have and it feels like your heart is going to explode.” –Don Draper.
This is by far the earlier frontrunner for Jon Hamm Emmy submission episode.
I think it might take a few re-watches (or some LSD in Roger’s
case) to fully understand what the deal was with Randall Walsh(**) but this
whole endeavor seemed very off in the Mad
Men world. That being said it was a hilarious transgression as I wasn’t
sure whether or not to laugh harder at Roger’s one-line responses or Stan’s reactions
and utter disbelief that this guy was pitching them such an absurd concept. I’m
not sure if there is any more to this story but I would have liked to see it
saved for an episode that had a little less going on.
(**) Played by William
Mapother who also played the equally creepy character Ethan on Lost. This guy
is definitely getting typecast.
After setting up some character development for Dawn last
leek I figured we would have gotten a much more focused reaction from her after
these events. Instead she was relegated to one scene where she essentially seemed
unaffected by the news and got a big hug from Joan. Peggy’s secretary had a
little more to day on the situation as she pointed out to Peggy that “these
fools running in the streets? It’s exactly what he didn’t want.” However; the
most devastating moment and reaction from an on-screen African American came
when Ginsberg was on his date and the busboy entered such a state of shock upon
hearing the news that he dropped the dishes he was carrying and had to sit down
because his legs could no longer support his body.
Other moments of note:
- Okay how many times can Don realistically run into Sylvia and Dr. Rosen in the lobby/elevator? Does no one else live in this apartment besides the heart attack doorman? It is interesting, though, to see Don is so concerned about Sylvia being in DC that he actually tries to get in contact with them after the riots break out. That’s an awful lot of caring for an “affair”.
- “He’s the head of accounts. He’s like Roger with bad breath.” – Peggy describing to Megan her agency’s head of accounts.
- Ted was in Abe’s seat. Uh oh. Peggy might soon have two guys seeking her affection as Teddy has shown a great deal of interest in young Ms. Olsen of late. It would be such a shame for Peggy to do anything to ruin what she has with Abe now that we know he’s thinking about having some kids with her and raising them among all different kinds of people. Aww Abe, you adorable little hippie you.
- Pete always has been on the higher end of the moral compass in terms of progressively looking at racial issues so it seemed true to character that he would be upset with Harry and tell him off: “Let me put it in terms you might understand: that man had a wife and four children.” Also, I loved how radically 70’s the two of them looked visually in that argument.
- I’m guessing the real Paul Newman wasn’t available?
What did everyone else
think? Comments are always welcome.
