Mad Men Season 4

somatoform: I was wondering the same thing about the ending! I liked the flashbacks in this episode.

I thought this episode and last week's were probably the highpoints of this season. For some reason, this season has seemed a little slower and not as reliant on clever banter or twists as the previous ones (though still excellent), but the last two episodes have had enough humor and scheming (the fake commercial) to break some of the uncomfortable tension of the drama.

Overall, I'm really enjoying the current season.

The costuming is really good. The instant I saw Don in a DB, I knew it was a flashback.

I agree that the costuming is really great (and the subtle passage of time is well-illustrated by the subtle changes), but I rely on the much more obvious indicator: his hair. Dry look=flashback.

Originally Posted by somatoform

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Also, that ending was ambiguous: did Sterling actually hire Draper or did Don take advantage of him as a forgetfull drunk? Was this confirmed in earlier seasons?

It seems the student became the master in regards to forgetful drunken stupors. I'm glad they didn't reveal what happened to Don between Friday night and Sunday morning. I was just as confused as him.

blanken ship vs new short guy hire? who will have more hilarity due to incompetence?

but maybe the new guy will actually pan out.. he had one good idea and was brushed off by the two people who got their jobs/opportunity out of fate/incredibly good timing. but they made their careers from the hard work and talent put in afterwards.

Don's teetering on the edge nowadays....still successful - BUT is he letting it go to his head?

Losing his grip.

The going to bed with one girl and waking up with another was good editing and showed him losing grasp of time and his self..

The flash back of him and Roger was good...he wasn't as sharply dressed - more car sales guy and definitely took advantage of Roger getting him drunk.


The comedy angles are getting sharper- Don's secretary and the new short guy, more comedy gold?


Pete Campbell, what an insecure douche!

Did I miss some previous interaction between Peggy and the new art guy?

Originally Posted by somatoform

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Also, that ending was ambiguous: did Sterling actually hire Draper or did Don take advantage of him as a forgetfull drunk? Was this confirmed in earlier seasons?

It certainly dispels the myth of Sterling saying he "found" the guy in the back of a fur shop doing copy, and the whole Betty and Draper being Ken & Barbie. I forget which episode but it certainly was a lot less flattering.

Maybe that's why at the end of the day, there is this animosity. He never did thank Sterling in actual words for discovering him.

Originally Posted by Beetleything

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Pete Campbell, what an insecure douche!

Campbell's never forgiven being passed over for that. I like how his face changes completely when Cosgrove agrees to the conditions.

But the good thing is, Cosgrove is here - the inevitable smoking ban on advertising will come and they will have a few more accounts and interesting work stories to tell. I presume Rumsen is somewhere in the background so I imagine it's almost all of Sterling Cooper.

I like how Joey is all disparaging against Draper when he's not around and then when he's in a boardroom with clients, he's all docile. It'll be fun when Draper yells at the new art director as Peggy alluded to.

Anybody think now that one of the first pregnancies from Joan was Sterling's child?

Originally Posted by LawrenceMD

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japanese business men wanted to bukkae joan.

Would watch.

Originally Posted by fwiffo

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It certainly dispels the myth of Sterling saying he "found" the guy in the back of a fur shop doing copy,

+1. Also, Roger writing his memoirs is hilarious. "I think I've got a work story."

A genuinely happy, smiley don draper was unusual. Natural reaction after winning, but i'm not used to seeing him that way.

Did anyone catch what watch Don was wearing during the interview? Looked like he was wearing a diver with his side vented suit. Perhaps the james bond influence.

Don holding Joan's hands underneath the table; Joan later leaves Roger hanging at the bar. There's always been chemistry between Don and Joan although I don't think they'll act on any attraction.

The resentment and envy that Roger and Peggy have towards Don seem to be building. Peggy telling Don to "fix it!" with the short cousin was very ballsy, but a hungover, defeated Don took it. We've only seen Don being, ahem, hard on Peggy. A good role reversal scene, and I think a significant one.

The Pete-Cosgrove scene was great. Pete may be a douche, but he's really growing into his character. His and Peggy's development have been well done this season.

Another solid episode. Let's hope the show can keep it up.

Totally forgot about the back story of Roger buying the mink for Joan... This was likely before he was married? Interesting they had a thing going on even way before the series started, I'd like to see what happeend from there.

Originally Posted by bcate3

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side vented suit. Perhaps the james bond influence.

Don holding Joan's hands underneath the table; Joan later leaves Roger hanging at the bar. There's always been chemistry between Don and Joan although I don't think they'll act on any attraction.


I saw this as either:

A. Symbolism. Based on the flashbacks, Roger would have never met Don if it weren't for Joan (in a roundabout way). It was Don's award, but that group was the vehicle.

B. The core group from Sterling Cooper that steered the ship to Sterling Cooper Draper Price, and eventually, that award. They went through hell over the past year, and they were eagerly anticipating their chance to finally celebrate. Pete was there, but he could almost be seen as baggage.



PS - I loved how Doris knew Don as Dick. Talk about a major slip up for Don/Dick...

Originally Posted by bkk

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PS - I loved how Doris knew Don as Dick. Talk about a major slip up for Don/Dick...

I was wondering if maybe Don is in essence losing his Don Draper facade becoming more Dick Whitman this season. He certainly seems a lot less poished and together this season.

Originally Posted by sonick

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Totally forgot about the back story of Roger buying the mink for Joan... This was likely before he was married? Interesting they had a thing going on even way before the series started, I'd like to see what happeend from there.

No way. That was sometime in the 50s, and he has an adult daughter with his first wife.

That art director came out of nowhere--did I miss a reference to him in earlier episodes?

Originally Posted by shoreman1782

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No way. That was sometime in the 50s, and he has an adult daughter with his first wife.

That art director came out of nowhere--did I miss a reference to him in earlier episodes?

Yeah makes sense now forgot about the daughter.

+1 on the Art Director, I thought I passed out watching a previous episode or something...