Diary of a Mad Men Virgin – More Peggy is a good thing

by Ivey West

'Mad Men' shines when the focus is on Peggy. I've found myself enjoying the episodes when her story is featured more than episodes she's barely in.

I’ve noticed a bit of a trend. When Mad Men gives me a reason to care, I enjoy the episodes. Usually, the only character I care about is Peggy Olson (though, her choices with her child have colored that perspective as well), and she had an opportunity to shine, for better and for worse, in these two episodes.

“The New Girl” Season Two, Episode Five

Pete, Petey, Pete … You’re just one Grade-A, US Prime immature douche-bag aren’t you? What’s worse … I do understand where you’re coming from, with the relief and all (Even though we already knew his little swimmers were up to the task). But you have to be one obvious, self-centered SOB to say those things in front of your sweet little wife (Oh, yes, the best thing that has come out of this Mad Men Virgin Diary is the furthered love I have for Allison Brie, which lead to me to watching all of Community in like, eight days or something). I suspect, though, that we should expect anything but this from you at this point, should we Petey?

Live by the sword, die by the sword, eh Don? The running around had to catch up to him at some point, even if it was only in two small instances here. I was pleasantly surprised to see Rachel Menkin walk back into Don’s life, even if only for a second, and only to serve as a reminder what a royal scumbag he is. If he actually cared for Menkin, and I suspect that, in his own way, he did, getting caught out with Bobbie probably twisted his insides more than a little bit. Plus, every time he wants to add a little salt to his food, he’ll be reminded of both the whole ordeal, and his inability to think on his feet when recovering from a drunken concussion.

Another surprise (this one also pleasant) was Don going to Peggy for help. I was concerned, with the previous appearance by Menkin, that he would be dumb enough to call her, but calling in a marker we didn’t know he had was a much better decision. I like too that, as revealed in the flashbacks, it was Don that helped motivate Peggy out of her funk. I doubt, though, that he realized that putting her with Bobbie for the week would have the affect on Peggy that it did, with her “Don” now.

“Maidenform” Episode Six

Is it just me, or is the affair between Bobbie and Don getting a little boring? And “by a little boring” I mean that it was never exactly interesting in the first place? Good, it’s nice to know I wasn’t the only one.

This has been a nice couple of episodes for Peggy. Not that everything went well for her, but it is nice to see her featured. Was her decision to go to the club with the rest of the “guys’ the right move? Despite her obvious discomfort, yes it was (though I’m not sure sitting on the client’s lap was a good call). She has got to find a way to integrate herself into the team if she’s going to get the opportunities she deserves. I just hope she doesn’t lose any more of her humanity in the process.

Duck is dead to me. It isn’t entirely fair to say that he chose the bottle over his dog, but … Wait, it is totally fair to say that, even if he hasn’t had his first taste yet. Plus, and I hate to admit this, I was just as confused as Don was during their conversation. Sure, Duck was brought in to do a job, but it seems to me that Sterling Cooper would benefit from all arms of its operation working in conjunction. But I guess that’s just me.

Take a look at previous entries in my Mad Men Virgin Diary.