Thursday August 9, 2007
104
Don teaches Pete a lesson when he oversteps his authority in dealing with a valuable client. At home, Pete's new bride pressures him to buy their own apartment unit.
Write a Recap »Not really sure what to think of this episode. I've only just started watching this series and am still deciding whether to really like it, or just watch it because of the hype. This particular episode felt a little out of place in comparison to the first three. Good or bad? I don't know. It's great to see the characters of Don and Peter developing, but that makes it harder to sympathize with them. Don started out as the good guy (if you can be whilst cheating on your wife and abandoning her at the kids party) and Peter the obnoxious guy who was a little too eager to get ahead. More and more I start to dislike Don and feel sorry for Peter, because he is struggling with so many things in his marriage and work. But that's the problem, it's hard to feel sorry for him, because he was so annoying. That's why I categorize this episode as 'out of character'.
Another great contribution to the intruiging universe of Mad Men. hide show
I loved the fact that this episode revolved around two of the most interesting character "conflicts" on this show: That of Don/Pete and Betty/Helen. I think on the one hand the show-off between Don and Pete was necessary and I'm very interested to watch things develop. It was a hilarious moment when Roger pretended that Don was "the only reason Pete was allowed to stay in the company." Nice.
Betty and Helen's relationship is still very tense at the moment but it seems that babysitting Helen's kid is making Betty think about her marital position and the strength of women in general. In a way she tries to deny this, as evidenced in her chat with the psychiatrist (who remains creepily silent!) but things are definitely changing. I can't help but think that Don and Betty are, though they definitely remain products of their time, the most emancipated people of the bunch who are trying to break free from the time spirit in their own ways. Or am I reading too much into things?
All in all, this episode is a nice addition to the already impressive list of Mad Men greatness.
It's not what you know, but who you know. hide show
As a period piece the show is near perfect, and it's a pretty good story too. In this episode we realize that not everything is what it appears to be.
In this episode Don is challenged by the upstart Pete. While Don wields his power in firing Pete, the owner of the firm says no, it's different. We need Campbell for his name, it grants us access....and then he lists the country clubs and captains of industry. Consequently Campbell is retained while Don's boss makes it seem that it was Don who went to the mat for him. It's the devil having to eat crow.
Meanwhile Pete has to eat crow when he's emasculated by his wife when she asks her father for help in aquiring new Park Avenue apartment. We also see a little into Betty and how she looks at Mrs. Bishop, the divorcee. Of course she gets nosy while babysitting Helen's very odd son. In a side note, I like the way AMC gives little factoids revolving around the following commercial. I'm sure that was a great selling point when courting advertisers for this show.
The first big clash between Draper and Pete. hide show
Great episode! I really enjoyed seeing another side of Pete. I couldn't stand before and now I kinda like him.
It's a good thing that every character on this show isn't completely likeable or unlikeable. It makes things so much more interesting.
I was laughing out loud during the scene where Roger tells Pete he is not fired. Great acting and great writing all around.
Those characters have such great dynamics. And this is juste the 4th episode.
Glen freaked me out too. Sure Betty is pretty, very pretty, but that didn't seem to be a simple childish crush. I'm not sure where they're going with the whole Betty/Hellen storyline and I'm not sure I like it either. I guess we'll see soon enough...
The only thing I didn't like about this episode was that there was no Midge or Joan.
www.mad-men-tv.com
Sherasbear
Editor
chuckdreyfuski
Trusted
flinched
Retired
sandybadlands
Retired
george91910us
Retired
therockstop
SrRui
CMcK1
