As much as I said last week that I was gaining appreciation for Mad Men, that feeling that I get every Monday evening when I realize it is time to watch it instead of Torchwood confirms that I’m not taking to the show just yet. I can’t even really identify why. I’m the “character” guy, and as many Don Draper jokes as I’ve made over the years, dude is a rather complex cat.
But complexity doesn’t necessarily mean interesting. And while other people find Don Draper interesting, I’m not 100% sold, at least not yet.
“5G”
“I like being your medicine.” – Midge
I’m all for foreshadowing, but the horseshoe flipping down the “unlucky way,” is a bit like being beat over the head with a baseball bat, no?
It really speaks to the relationship all of the co-workers at Sterling Cooper have when everyone’s reaction to Cosgrove’s story is so incredibly negative. From Kinsey and Pete’s obvious jealousy, even to Sterling’s “it shows an uncanny understanding of what most people like” comment, his success impacted everyone.
The Dick Whitman storyline, thankfully, returns. What was so horrible about his childhood, with his non-mother, that he would completely change his identity? To give his kid brother (half brother?) the equivalent of roughly $40,000 to start a new life (without Don ever being a part of it? I’m not sure I even want to know.
Sometimes I wonder … is there anything that Anne Dudek hasn’t been in?
I didn’t really understand Don’s reaction in the Liberty Mutual meeting. Kinsey described the Executive Accounts exactly as they were conceived. Moreover, if Betty wasn’t such an imbecile, it is a service he’d probably benefit from.
“Babylon”
“…. And all men like Joan Crawford. Salvatore couldn’t stop talking about her.” – Don
I have to admit … When Roger was lying in bed, talking to the woman in the bathroom, I really thought he was talking to his wife. I guess I shouldn’t be surprised that Sterling was sleeping with Joan, but for some reason I was.
I’m not sure what else to make of the episode. I’m looking forward to Peggy’s arc, as she realizes (and others around her as well) that she’s got a talent for advertising. I thought that the stuff with Midge just proves that, while she is a good foil for Don, she’d never be a good match for him. Rachel, however, would be great match for him … in all of the ways that Midge nor Betty could ever be. But for as childish as Betty is, in many ways, Don is much, much worse.
I’m still intrigued by Don’s past life, but the memory he had at the start of the episode made me less so. If what they are just hinting at at this point is the whole story, then it is all just run of the mill, no? Has Lost so bored me with daddy-issues that I can easily lump mommy-issues into the same “I’m not interested” pile? As brilliant as this show is supposed to be, I expected more. Granted, I get that I’m likely jumping the gun, but I’m just reading the tea leaves as they’ve been presented thus far.
Take a look at previous entries in my Mad Men Virgin Diary.
Clacked by Ivey West 
on Jun 14, 2011 @ 15:00 EST5EDT
