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Mad Men Season 1 Episode 6

Babylon

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8.6

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Episode Summary

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AIRED: 8/23/07

Rumors spread in the office about a surprise romantic affair. Peggy's ideas get noticed during a pitch meeting and her future at the agency begins to look more promising. Don asks Rachel's advice about an ad campaign.

Fan Episode Reviews (3)

Joan and a co-worker are sleeping with each other while Don tries to connect more with Rachel Menken

8.2

By JaCkKbAuEr2424, Jan 15, 2011

For me, this episode was one of those that sort of just sit in the middle and do nothing but slowly advance storylines. Sure, it was well-written (Mad Men has a great way of throwing in little bits and pieces of dialogue that illuminate characters in ways that entire episodes of other shows cannot) but it didn't seem to move at the same pace the last few episodes have. For some reason, I didn't exactly feel as enamored with Don's obsession with Rachel or Midge as I usually do. It felt pigeonholed in. Also, I'm not sure how I feel about these episode-to-episode advertising plots. Besides Rachel Menkin, how important is any of this other stuff?

I do like the idea of Peggy moving her way up through Sterling-Cooper. She always did seem different than the rest of the secretaries and women in the show and it'll be interesting to see how she progresses throughout the show. It's also interesting to see Joan being involved with Roger. Roger seems to be somewhat obsessed with her while Joan clearly isn't getting what she wants out of the relationship. Once again, this seems like a story that will have plenty of time to unfold.

The only thing I'm worried about is that there's too many stories floating around. There's a lot of stuff going around that could easily get tangled up.. just look at Big Love for what happens when a show runs out of control. And while I can see the merit in this show, I'm still not convinced it's the best show out there. But still, it's great television and is worth following.moreless
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Joan is sleeping with someone she works with. Don has a childhood flashback. The girls of the office get to try on some lipsticks and the boys have to promote Israel's tourism.moreless

9.0

By DraperJoan, Aug 22, 2010

Sometimes it's good to be the boss... or John Slattery. Yeah, I like Joan a lot, guilty as charged.

Anyway, I'm not sure yet how I feel about Don's flashback scene. I don't really see where this storyline is going. It's a little confusing although quite intriguing too.

The two-way mirror scene was just brilliant. Put them in front of a bunch of young women and those grown up men will turn back into teenage boys in less time than it takes Roger to cheat on his wife. By the way, I should have guessed than he and Joan were sleeping together, it makes a lot of sense.

The poetry reading was also quite enjoyable. Don didn't fit in at all and I couldn't help but laugh at the girl's weird story about Castro.

Don still wants to get in Rachel's pants but we already knew that. They had an interesting talk but asking her to dinner under that kind false pretenses probably wasn't the right way to go. Yet it did seem to remind Rachel of how much she likes Don. Even if she does, I don't think that he really wants a serious relationship. I still can't figure out who Don truly loves, or rather if he does truly love one of his women.

I really enjoyed this episode, a lot more than the previous one.

http://www.mad-men-tv.commoreless
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Basket of kisses

9.0

By lawgotham, Jul 10, 2008

This episode was a fine study of some of the machinations of the advertising industry.

The girls in the office get to try out one of the client's melange of lipsticks. It's a type of focus group. Not only do the ad boys get an idea of what women like in a lipstick, they also get some ideas for tag lines for copy. Don's secretary comes up with a clever line about a basket of kisses (describing the tissues used to wipe lips clean).

She's thought of as clever and is given, in addition to her regular work, the task of coming up with some copy. Kudos to her although someone else is sure to get the praise. We also see Don's boss with his affair with the lead secretary and Don wanting Rachael. Phew, this show is progressing quite nicely.moreless
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Cast & Crew: STARS

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Jon Hamm	Don Draper
Vincent Kartheiser	Pete Campbell
Christina Hendricks	Joan Holloway
Elisabeth Moss	Peggy Olson
January Jones	Betty Draper
Michael Gladis	Paul Kinsey

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Cast & Crew: RECURRING AND GUESTS

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Rebecca Creskoff	Barbara Katz	Guest Star
Irene Roseen	Lily Meyer	Guest Star
Ian Bohen	Roy Hazelitt	Guest Star
Rosemarie DeWitt	Midge Daniels	Recurring Role
John Slattery	Roger Sterling	Recurring Role
Joel Murray	Fred Rumsen	Recurring Role

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Trivia, Notes, Quotes and Allusions

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TRIVIA (3)
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- After delivering a message to Peggy, Joan states "you know what they say 'the medium is the message'". This is a reference to Marshall McLuhan's popular phrase, originally coined in a book published in 1964. Joan's use of this phrase is an anachronism, as the first season is set in 1960.
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- The song played at the end of the episode is "Babylon", a folk song released by Don Mclean on his album "American Pie".
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- Actress Talia Balsam makes her first appearance in this episode, playing Roger Sterling's wife, Mona. The daughter of actors Martin Balsam and Joan Van Patten, she and John Slattery are married in real life. She was previously married to actor George Clooney.
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QUOTES (3)
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- One of Don's underlings: (About Peggy during the lipstick brainstorming session)
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- Joan: Roger, if you had your way, I would be stranded in some paperweight with my legs stuck in the air.
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- Don: Mourning is just extended self-pity.
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NOTES (0)
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ALLUSIONS (0)
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