Tonight's Mad Men had a great shot on television of the 1951 Robert Wise science fiction classic, The Day the Earth Stood Still with Michael Rennie. And especially apt, because the remake will be opening this December 12, starring ... Jon Hamm. "Klaatu barada nikto."
Also appropriate because the Earth stood still through much of tonight's episode of Mad Men, as Don Draper/Dick Whitman jumps through time. We see him first meeting the original Draper's wife, Anna, out in San Pedro. She was the one he called last week, and gave his name as Dick Whitman. They've kept in touch over the years - Don/Dick promised to take care of her, at least financially, as the least he could do for taking over her husband's name. He certainly cares for her, likely not romantically. It's hard to say with Anna, but I'd say she flat out loves Don in all ways.
Meanwhile, back in New York in 1962, Cooper and Sterling and Cooper's sister agree to the merger. Peggy gets Freddy's vacant office. And Joan gets -
Well, hers is the most wrenching, tragic story of the night. Her fabulous doctor isn't interested in making love to her in bed at night, only to rape her in Don's office the next day. Whether or not this would have been called rape by early 1960s standards, Joan clearly said no. Christina Hendricks is always excellent in her portrayal of Joan, but never better than tonight.
And Jon Hamm gave one his best performances as well, portraying Don/Dick with just the right ratio of innocence and savvy as he moves through ten years. Don will have a lot more to deal with next week, out in California, because it may be, on the basis of the very last scene with Betty tonight, that she's pregnant.
See also: Mad Men Returns with a Xerox and a Call Girl ... 2.2: The Advertising Devil and the Deep Blue Sea ... 2.3 Double-Barreled Power ... 2.4: Betty and Don's Son ... 2.5: Best Montage Since Hitchcock ... 2.6: Jackie, Marilyn, and Liberty Valance ... 2.7: Double Dons ... 2.8: Did Don Get What He Deserved? ... 2.9: Don and Roger ... 2.10: Between Ray Bradbury and Telstar ... 2.11: Welcome to the Hotel California
TIP:
Enter the amount, and click "Tip" to submit!
bill benzon
Poppi Iceland
PattyJane
N. Jordan
Dr. Vanessa Neumann
CPH/NYC
Salon.com
Comments
Uh, basic "sex" education to the rescue --- usually when a woman bleeds, it means she has started her menstrual period. Which usually means ... she is not pregnant! Unless there is going to be a stupid reprise of everyone's unconsciousness and denial about Peggy's very real pregnancy! These people copulate like bunnies but don't know basic physiological information about the reproductive system????
Uh, in early 60's I had owned and used a diaphragm for over 3 years -- which I had a doctor enthusiastically fit me with when I was 19. Responsible birth control did not begin with The Pill.
I want Red to be unhappy, and then happy. And I want her to get a career too. Isn't it time for Peggy to step back a little, and for the rest of gals to get a little spotlight? In fact, it might be just me, but the previous crumbs of office girls are getting smaller and smaller. And I kind of miss the girls. Anyone with me on this one?
I agree that Betty getting her period was nothing more than another indicator that she is not as in control as she used to be. Just as I don't think we will ever hear about Peggy's son again - his birth just serves as a bit of irony, since we now know that Pete and his wife can't conceive (and the trouble that's caused in their marriage).
Poor Joanie. That was just horrible to watch. Christina Hendricks is indeed fabulous - when she gazed out into nothingness in order to remove herself from the room it was just heartbreaking.
I could go on and on, but I feel I'm repeating myself as I'm also a TableTalk member and there has been lively discussion there on the Mad Men thread. I'm always amazed at what everyone picks up from the show and the different perspectives. There are a lot of subtle details, too, that I am not nearly intellectual enough to catch, so I always enjoy discussion about the show.