Mad Men thoughts since I was able to watch it last night (spoils).
Posted by
HdnAgnda (aka HDNAGNDA)
Jul 27 '10, 08:59
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So I think the most depressing thing was Don's apartment. Boy did they really hit on all cylinders conveying the dark side of furnishings in the 60s to the 70s. I feel like we were seeing one possible future with that dreary apartment - a washed up Don watching some stale 70s show; still smoking but basically dying. Interestingly, that TV Land show that I don't watch but have seen a few minutes of (Hot in Cleveland) is shot in that style purposely. Five minutes of that and I felt I was watching One Day at a Time (and not because of Valerie Bertinelli) or Hello, Larry or take your pick.
But I digress. That apartment (A sign that Don cares about 'looking good' in public but not so much in private.) stands in stark contrast to that walkthrough scene at SCDP with the jazzy upbeat music, the natural light through many windows, the neutral tones and the non-existent second floor. A few points of my own:
1) Don and the prostitute. Aside from the big talk being about the rough play how about having a prostitute repeatedly come to where you actually live? Guess it really was different back then.
2) Betty and Henry. Ugh. Living at the house? What happened to the suave, successful guy that would 'provide for Betty?' I thought he was big in politics? This is Betty's doing. She is still keeping tethered to what Don and her used to be by doing this.
3) As always, poor Sally. I don't think MM will run long enough to fully flesh out her character's move through the rest of the 60's. We need a flash-forward on her! Sally hopping into a VW Vanagon on her way to Bethel, NY for the big concert (clich�d, perhaps).
4) Henry's mom. Heh. Total battle-ax but at least she is calling it like it is.
5) More Joan please!
6) Loved the Jantzen two piece ad.
Now some thoughts based on what I have read this morning (thank goodness Karen Valby is back recapping the ep at EW):
1) Many people thought that when Betty and Henry got it on in the car in the garage and then Don was waiting for them at the house (football? Really Don? ) it meant they died of CO poisoning. Jeez! I didn't think that. What show do they think this is?
2) So it is Nov 1964 totally blowing my hope of the show giving us the Beatles landing at JFK in Feb 1964. People say this may have a lot to do with the costs of acquiring the rights to use Beatles songs, imagery etc. But Tobacco Road was a good ending song for a few reasons (Don's upbringing; holding on to Lucky Strike and its 71% billings while trying for more clients).
3) Roger's wife's friend Bethany. Cute but a different, (more street-wise?) version of Betty.
4) Many say the new junior copyrighter working with Peggy doesn't have the 60's look. Particularly the hairstyle.
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