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
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.
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
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
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
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
@registered: I've liked him for a while now, I'm pleased he'll be back. It was fabulous to see him defy St. John, hanging up with a snappy, "Happy Christmas!". In a show about re-creating selves, he wants to escape the UK class system that keeps him in his place, take a risk with the Yanks.
Poor Moneypenny, abandoned like Duck's dog.. #madmen
Elizabeth Moss was superb in this. I loved how she stood up to Don and more or less told Roger to get his own fucking coffee. She's probably the character who has developed the most over the three seasons, and it has been credible throughout. #madmen
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01:49 PM
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
01:49 PM
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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01:49 PM
01:45 PM
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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01:44 PM
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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01:54 PM
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01:42 PM
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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01:47 PM
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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01:51 PM
I wonder too if Ms. Department Store shows up again next season. #madmen
01:35 PM
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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01:47 PM
Poor Moneypenny, abandoned like Duck's dog.. #madmen
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