Diary of a Mad Men Virgin – The beginning of the end

Considering how many problems I had with season one, I have really begun to turn around on Mad Men. Last week Bob actually made me consider that I might actually like the show without having realized it. I’m not sure I’m willing to go that far just yet … the real test will be when I finish season two, and thus this virgin diary, and decide whether I will continue catching up on the next couple of seasons on Netflix. I’m still undecided on that front.

“The Gold Violin” Season Two, Episode Seven

First, it is just a little embarrassing to admit that I had to look up that Kitty was played by Sarah Drew. It is known that I am a Grey’s Anatomy fan, and I really shouldn’t have had to look it up. I know that Kitty has been in a couple of episodes before this season, but this is really the first time that she’s really been featured. Salvatore’s home life isn’t at all what I expected. I’m not sure what will come of this thing with Cosgrove … if Sal is able to overcome whatever reservations he portrayed last season, it will be disappointing to see him shot down by Ken when he had someone legitimately interested in him before. Regardless, Kitty will continue to get the short end of the stick.

Speaking of the short end of the stick, let’s talk about the upholstery in Don’s new Caddy! Or, I guess, more specifically what caused Betty to ruin it. I honestly didn’t expect Don and Betty’s relationship to get so rocky so quickly. I am assuming, obviously, that Jimmy’s independent revelations to both Drapers will cause significant danger to the perfect little household the Drapers pretend to have (If we’d forgotten how “perfect” they were, the scene in the park was perfectly timed to remind us that the Drapers can look like all kinds of Norman Rockwell when they choose.)

I liked … no, “liked” might not be strong enough: I enjoyed the hell out of the dynamic between Joan and Jane. The former has ruled the roost over the women of Sterling Cooper for far too long. That influence has far exceeded her responsibilities as office manager … though she is technically right in needing to reprimand Jane for the trip to Mr. Cooper’s office. It is just nice, however, to see someone stand up to Joan; I’ve long expected — and have been disappointed by the wait — Peggy to shut Joan up at least one good time.

“A Night to Remember” Episode Eight

The biggest development in this episode was the incredibly quick deterioration of the Draper household … frankly much more so than I expected.  However, I found that to be the least interesting thing that happened during “A Night to Remember.”

It is funny how quickly I went from wanting someone to stand up to Joan in one episode, to feeling so completely sorry for her in the next. Apparently, she did damn fine work helping Harry put together his “department.” Funny thing … I don’t think that he is that incredibly dense. I get that he doesn’t “see” Joan’s worth, and that is a damn fine shame, but what I’m really getting is that it has nothing to do with the value that she so obviously added to his cause. What he, even in the chauvinist world he is living in, should have picked up on is that it is an incredibly stupid thing to piss off someone with as much power around the office as Joan has. This is definitely going to bite him in the rear, and he will totally deserve it when it comes.

I am still not sure what to think of the connection between Peggy and Father John. Hell, there’s been enough ambiguity (via hints and innuendo) that the child her sister refers to isn’t even Peggy’s. So while I am clueless, and don’t feel like speculating, I’m liking the fact that I don’t know where a particular story arc is going. That being said, I’m surprised Peggy didn’t tell the CYO Committee off herself!

I guess I now have to circle back around to Peggy and Don. It is hard, when I have spent so much time criticizing Don’s choices in this regard, to jump back on that bandwagon. That being said, I’ve spent a fair amount of time calling Betty a child. It seems that this was the inevitable beginning of the end that had to happen at some point. It’s funny though … I dislike both characters so much, it is hard not to think that they really do deserve each other.

Clacked by Ivey West
on Aug 24, 2011 @ 11:00 EST5EDT