Next season could start almost a year in the future...as they pointed out it was December 1963......so they could jump ahead almost to 65 where styles etc are starting to change...and the Drapers, well into divorce. Should be fun. #madmen
@Z und Vielpunkt's chick: They'll have to get rid of Lucky Strike first. Believe me, I thought of this the second they decided to bust into the art dept. #madmen
@Products Will Save Me: It's 2/3 of their billings; they can't lose that acct. So Matt is just going to have to kill off Lee Garner Jr (the guy who made the unwanted advances to Sal and then had him fired), or no Sal. #madmen
Loved, loved it. Not as shocking as last season but nicely woven and poignantly put together.
Best line for me: "Peter can I see you for a minute?" That chick is badass. Wouldn't have guessed that doing the Charleston at Roger's wedding would be foreshadowing of Trudy and Pete's teamwork. And damn it, if Pete hasn't really been the most progressive this season. Don nailed it on the head when he complimented Pete's foresight.
Yay Joan! Genius reentering of our favorite office gal. Was dismayed a little when they didn't elevate her role a bit for the forthcoming firm. Or maybe she just revels in running the show from behind the scenes so to speak.
Don and Betty...sigh. Knew it was coming, but damn, didn't expect Betty to be swayed so easily. She really is just a large child, and doesn't Carla have her own family to care for?! Blech!
Nice end scene with the new firm participants cramped in a small room with excited anticipation on their faces. An ending to one chapter and a start of another for all. Maybe we'll see Cooper be a Mad Man for once. Can't wait. #madmen
@Spirit Fingers: Betty has been this character that I've wanted so desperately to feel for... now I just couldn't fathom it - leaving the kids behind (except the baby) was absolutely terrible. Poor kids (and Carla).
Trudy is turning into quite the powerful one, but it makes sense, when you look at how Pete's shrewdness can often become unhinged and too all-over-the-place to do any good for him. #madmen
Also, who else was excited that they poached off Harry Crane?? He is my favorite most under-appreciated character on the show...although, I love it how they always make a point to show how he "basically created" the Media Department, on his own. And Paul Kinsey's face when he see's he's been left behind by his would-be mentor Don in favor of Peter and *gasp* Peggy...priceless. What a badass episode, to be sure.
And who else is hoping that they save poor Salvatore from propositioning strangers in Central Park in Season 5? They still need artists, you know...maybe when the SCDP earns more rupees.
@randomnessish: I don't know how they're going to do that, though. The guy who asked to fire Sal is the Lucky Strike guy that is the new firm's biggest account. #madmen
@Z und Vielpunkt's chick: I'm assuming that the cast wasn't really slimmed down. This might be naive of me, of course, but I have to assume that either A) they'll poach more of the old Sterling Cooper gang once business grows, or B) we'll see them in scenes of competition or similar scenarios between SCD&P and McCann, like how Duck's been back a bunch of times. #madmen
@DahlELama: I can't see the cast staying that small, but I seem to recall some disputes between Weiner and AMC over per-episode costs. Smaller cast means smaller budget . . . . #madmen
@pureblarney: You mean, like when he was jerking off in his office or talking down to the janitor? I've never liked the character. Remember when he had the black GF just to prove how liberal he was? #madmen
So well done. Such emotional delicacy, graceful writing, and so many nuanced performances. This was Don's Day of Atonement, and Hamm pulled it off without hyperbole. I must say I love the way Fred Crane always looks as if he showed up at school when there's a surprise quiz, and he just shit his pants. Something that has been nagging at me: in the real world, didn't the conglomeratization of ad agencies take place several weeks later, and isn't it too soon (again, in real world terms) for these guys to set up a boutique shop? Any ad guys out there know? #madmen
Last night--is it just me, or is there something a little bit strange and mannered in Vincent Kartheiser's performance? For a while I've been chalking it up to Pete's UES-ness, but I'm not sure.
In that scene with Peggy and Don, I couldn't tell whether he was going to offer her a job, or profess his love and make out with her. It was... pretty awesome.
Thank you for crowning Joanie "St. Joan," Brian. It's one of the many reasons I love you. #madmen
@pureblarney: What you see as mannered in Kartheiser I actually think is Pete Campbell being a poor actor. He is constantly acting in life, trying so hard to fit in even if it means not being himself. #madmen
@pureblarney: Don lives a lie, but he doesn't necessarily act. His personality is him. Pete tries to take on the personality he thinks will get him accepted. He is also just awkward with people. #madmen
@pureblarney: I've always had a problem with Vincent Kartheiser's performance. The way he delivers his lines always makes me feel like he thinks he's on stage. People constantly tell me that this is just "Pete Campbell's personality," but it seems to me like forced acceptance of bad acting from an actor you want to like. But hey, if it works for most people, he's obviously doing something right. #madmen
Excellent post as always, Mr. Moylan. I sincerely appreciated "Henry Francis—who barely knows you but wants to marry you!!" because this drives me insane. I love As The World Turns, but I prefer to leave that sort of thing to weekday afternoons.
Also, the Peggy and Don scene was utterly fantastic. The power and self-awareness that woman has drawn into herself over three seasons is inspiring to watch. #madmen
@DahlELama: Do we know that Henry Francis wants to marry her? Or did he tell her that so she would get a divorce and he could be with her with no fear of scandal. #madmen
@son of spam: Right? I can't quite understand how we're supposed to feel about him. Should we find him attractive or alluring? Are we supposed to understand what draws Betty to him, other than that he's a replacement father figure for the one she lost? Does she realize he's old enough to be her father? I can never tell how much credit we're supposed to give Betty... #madmen
@Lymed: My assumption is that he genuinely wants to marry her, especially after he convinced her not to go for any of Don's money last night. It would certainly not be in his interest to have a completely broke girlfriend to support, and if he were planning on making it anything less than permanent, I have to think he would have advised her to take Don for everything he's got so he could eventually dump her guilt free. I believe that he believes he's in it forever. What I can't understand is why?#madmen
Loved your summation of Joanie's glorious entrance, Brian. Hearts everywhere went soaring, coolly saving the day, they couldn't pull off this rather exciting caper without her. Her gleaming golden pen, symbol of her superpowers.
Loved that whole urgent, secret meeting of the minds, an all star team for sure. It was such a fantastic thing to watch, the rapid forward momentum of all the character's lives, taking a risk, and giving us an idea of what's to come. Even in the cramped suite at the Pierre, the optimism was lovely. Exhilarating turn of events.
Sal's absence sort of registered as an unspoken presence. And Don's breaking open the door made me wonder if it was an allusion to another locked door of Sal's, the closet. He'll be back.
Just a superb finale, above and beyond. Hurry up, August. #madmen
@Baroness: since you are easily top 3 in commenters, i want to hear your take on why people hate betty more than don. i tried to have a civilized convo on jezebel and ended up with an oversensitive, wounded commenter on my hands. #madmen
I actually saw ACC. I happen to love the story, but this version is unbearable--endless falling and screaming and shock effects that belong in a George Romero film, not something Granny and Gramps are going to go take the kids to see. #robertzemeckis
@resipsaloquacious: I'm sincerely hoping this never happens. I loved the friendly dynamic the two of them shared at the hospital, but beyond that, I like that each of them always holds the power in whatever relationship he or she is in, and I would hate to watch either of them become the weaker half. Plus, I love her and Roger; I swear, I could watch just the two of them for the entire hour. #madmen
@resipsaloquacious: My money's on Pryce's wife, Rebecca...who BTW is also diddling David Duchovny on Californication. Girl gets around.
Both Salvatore and the teacher/girlfriend were noticeable absences in the shuffling of the relationships in this finale--I hope they both come back for mega dramatic effect next season. #madmen
I was hoping that this would lead to Sal's return, but I just realized that Lucky Strike is now going to be 2/3 of SCDP's billings. Maybe Lee Garner Jr. can have an encounter with a lawn mower... #madmen
@registered: Maybe Sal and Lee will have an encounter in the Brambles. I don't know why but I get the sense that they will lose Lucky Strike next season.
I wonder too if Ms. Department Store shows up again next season. #madmen
@son of spam: Now that you mention it, this is December 1963. I believe the surgeon general's warning that cigarettes cause cancer came out in January of 1964. That could certainly lead to a loss of Lucky Strike and a consequent return of Sal...
Also, Rachel Mencken has been my favorite of all of Don's women. Her return would make me exceedingly happy. #madmen
@son of spam: She popped back in this season, with a husband she introduced to Don, right? But yes, it would be fun.
The actress is featured on Sons of Anarchy, but that can't keep her too busy. #madmen
@Trulymadlyme: I totally agree. Also, is it just me or did the whole pace of the episode go incredibly well? I never felt like someone needed to cue the "wrap-it-up" music.
@Conchie Birdie: Exactly. The entire season seemed to be inching forward, to what we all thought would be the Kennedy assignation. Were we all fooled? Absolutely. Was it worth it? Totally. #madmen
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Best line for me: "Peter can I see you for a minute?" That chick is badass. Wouldn't have guessed that doing the Charleston at Roger's wedding would be foreshadowing of Trudy and Pete's teamwork. And damn it, if Pete hasn't really been the most progressive this season. Don nailed it on the head when he complimented Pete's foresight.
Yay Joan! Genius reentering of our favorite office gal. Was dismayed a little when they didn't elevate her role a bit for the forthcoming firm. Or maybe she just revels in running the show from behind the scenes so to speak.
Don and Betty...sigh. Knew it was coming, but damn, didn't expect Betty to be swayed so easily. She really is just a large child, and doesn't Carla have her own family to care for?! Blech!
Nice end scene with the new firm participants cramped in a small room with excited anticipation on their faces. An ending to one chapter and a start of another for all. Maybe we'll see Cooper be a Mad Man for once. Can't wait. #madmen
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Trudy is turning into quite the powerful one, but it makes sense, when you look at how Pete's shrewdness can often become unhinged and too all-over-the-place to do any good for him.
#madmen
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Also, who else was excited that they poached off Harry Crane?? He is my favorite most under-appreciated character on the show...although, I love it how they always make a point to show how he "basically created" the Media Department, on his own. And Paul Kinsey's face when he see's he's been left behind by his would-be mentor Don in favor of Peter and *gasp* Peggy...priceless. What a badass episode, to be sure.
And who else is hoping that they save poor Salvatore from propositioning strangers in Central Park in Season 5? They still need artists, you know...maybe when the SCDP earns more rupees.
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It is an interesting move to slim down the cast like that. Was there some contract dispute that wasn't publicized? #madmen
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In that scene with Peggy and Don, I couldn't tell whether he was going to offer her a job, or profess his love and make out with her. It was... pretty awesome.
Thank you for crowning Joanie "St. Joan," Brian. It's one of the many reasons I love you. #madmen
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Also, the Peggy and Don scene was utterly fantastic. The power and self-awareness that woman has drawn into herself over three seasons is inspiring to watch. #madmen
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Loved that whole urgent, secret meeting of the minds, an all star team for sure. It was such a fantastic thing to watch, the rapid forward momentum of all the character's lives, taking a risk, and giving us an idea of what's to come. Even in the cramped suite at the Pierre, the optimism was lovely. Exhilarating turn of events.
Sal's absence sort of registered as an unspoken presence. And Don's breaking open the door made me wonder if it was an allusion to another locked door of Sal's, the closet. He'll be back.
Just a superb finale, above and beyond. Hurry up, August. #madmen
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Both Salvatore and the teacher/girlfriend were noticeable absences in the shuffling of the relationships in this finale--I hope they both come back for mega dramatic effect next season. #madmen
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I wonder too if Ms. Department Store shows up again next season. #madmen
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Also, Rachel Mencken has been my favorite of all of Don's women. Her return would make me exceedingly happy. #madmen
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The actress is featured on Sons of Anarchy, but that can't keep her too busy. #madmen
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ROGER: Peggy, can you get me some coffee?
PEGGY: No.
Good for you, Ms. Olson. You've come a long way. #madmen
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In short, this was a great finale.
#madmen
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