Buftex Posted September 18, 2010 Posted September 18, 2010 Finally got to see the latest episode, tonight. (Football season always presents a challenge for me, for all the Sunday night shows...no DVR!) I really liked it. Dick/Don is just as hard to figure out as ever. Some really great scenes in this one. I loved the scene where Henry is mowing the lawn, and Don just picks up his boxes, at the curb, and then tosses them in a dumpster. It seems like Don is changing. I always kind of figured he would end up with the blond psychologist. One thing that this episode, like many lately, has me asking though... how did Dick Whitman get so literate and perceptive? They have never shown any bit of his past, to indicate that he had it in him. Interesting that they started a narration for the show..I wonder if it continues. btw- was the picture that the kid drew of Joan and the Brit, portraying her blowing him, or vice versa?
HopsGuy Posted September 18, 2010 Posted September 18, 2010 One thing that this episode, like many lately, has me asking though... how did Dick Whitman get so literate and perceptive? They have never shown any bit of his past, to indicate that he had it in him. Interesting that they started a narration for the show..I wonder if it continues. I was thinking of that, too. He was portrayed as a bit of a yokel in the one scene in Korea, but still had the wherewithal to change identities with Lieutenant Draper. He was sort of smooth as a car salesman, not to upsell but rather get the kid the right car. In the fur store with Roger, he was both smooth and obsequious. He still had the confidence to go meet Roger to ask for a job. Maybe he got that confidence from being successful with Betty? I'd like to see that story told. btw- was the picture that the kid drew of Joan and the Brit, portraying her blowing him, or vice versa? The former. Wow, Joan's little speech about how they'll all have to go off to Vietnam was pretty blunt. I like how Don/Dick said about Vietnam "I hope it doesn't turn into another Korea." Little comments like that are such a big part of these stories when seen in retrospect.
HopsGuy Posted September 23, 2010 Posted September 23, 2010 On PTI yesterday, Tony Kornheiser said that "Rolling Mrs. Blankenship" would be a good name for a fantasy team. RIP Ida, you always had the best lines. What did we learn from "The Beautiful Girls"? (1) Sally is still screwed up. (2) Faye is not mommy material but she'll do for now. (3) Megan is easy on the eyes. (4) Peggy doesn't want to hear your pinko crap, Abe. (5) Roger & Joan find mugging to be an aphrodisiac. Now what?
bbb Posted September 24, 2010 Author Posted September 24, 2010 Tony's name for his fantasy team is Draper's Magical Cab Ride. Ida's line about sadists and masochists was really good, knowing what we know about her now! I wish this had more than a 13 episode season. There can't be many left..
HopsGuy Posted September 24, 2010 Posted September 24, 2010 Tony's name for his fantasy team is Draper's Magical Cab Ride. It's been a recurring theme lately. Today he went with "Sally's French Toast". Ida's line about sadists and masochists was really good, knowing what we know about her now! I wish this had more than a 13 episode season. There can't be many left.. This was #9 for Season 4. Just 4 more to go. I'm still watching "Rubicon" with the same attitude: Jeeze, will something just happen? "Breaking Bad" won't be back until next summer. Up to date on "Weeds" and still liking it. Now catching up on "Californication". I like it. Like "Weeds" it's some decent bubblegum for the brain.
Buftex Posted September 27, 2010 Posted September 27, 2010 The newest episdoe "Hands and Knees" was really good. You just get the feeling, before this series is over, some serious **** is going to go down between Don Draper/Dick Whitman and Peter Campbell. Campbell is turning into a great adversary...partly because he is kind of a weasel, but, also, cuz he is pretty damn smart, and has good side...with limits I think. It almost seems like the new firm is headed to the trash heap. What did you all make of the ending...Don blows off his doctor girlfriend, and his eyes are drawn to his attractive new secretary...once a skell, always a skell! I think, because he told the doctor his secret, he thinks he has to move on from her. I remember when he was telling his friend in California that Betty had found out his secret, he was afraid she would see him for who he was, not the character he created. Too bad, only three more episodes left. Good stuff.
KD in CA Posted September 28, 2010 Posted September 28, 2010 The newest episdoe "Hands and Knees" was really good. You just get the feeling, before this series is over, some serious **** is going to go down between Don Draper/Dick Whitman and Peter Campbell. Campbell is turning into a great adversary...partly because he is kind of a weasel, but, also, cuz he is pretty damn smart, and has good side...with limits I think. It almost seems like the new firm is headed to the trash heap. And yet Pete knows he still needs Don, and he caputulates at the partners' meeting. Meanwhile, Roger keeps his disastrous news to himself. Highlight of hte night: Lane's father cracking him in the head with the cane and telling him to get his sh-- together! p.s. Joan didn't go through with it.
Buftex Posted September 28, 2010 Posted September 28, 2010 And yet Pete knows he still needs Don, and he caputulates at the partners' meeting. Meanwhile, Roger keeps his disastrous news to himself. Highlight of hte night: Lane's father cracking him in the head with the cane and telling him to get his sh-- together! p.s. Joan didn't go through with it. I think you are right on that...
HopsGuy Posted September 28, 2010 Posted September 28, 2010 The newest episdoe "Hands and Knees" was really good. You just get the feeling, before this series is over, some serious **** is going to go down between Don Draper/Dick Whitman and Peter Campbell. Campbell is turning into a great adversary...partly because he is kind of a weasel, but, also, cuz he is pretty damn smart, and has good side...with limits I think. It almost seems like the new firm is headed to the trash heap. What did you all make of the ending...Don blows off his doctor girlfriend, and his eyes are drawn to his attractive new secretary...once a skell, always a skell! I think, because he told the doctor his secret, he thinks he has to move on from her. I remember when he was telling his friend in California that Betty had found out his secret, he was afraid she would see him for who he was, not the character he created. Too bad, only three more episodes left. Good stuff. Remember when Don was making the case that the new firm needed Lane and asked Pete "Can you do what he does?" With Lane out of the picture, I think you're right in thinking the firm is finished. Pete has to give up North American Aviation to protect Don, while the firm's centerpiece Lucky Strikes is leaving, too. SCDP is on life-support Joan keeping the baby is the right read. I wonder if Sally enjoyed the concert? That was quite a scream she let out.
Buftex Posted October 4, 2010 Posted October 4, 2010 Another great episode. Anyone get the feeling that Roger Sterling is not going to be around a lot longer?
HopsGuy Posted October 5, 2010 Posted October 5, 2010 Another great episode. Anyone get the feeling that Roger Sterling is not going to be around a lot longer? Roger is a completely broken man. From the beginning he had been identified as the guy having an affair with the busty redhead who also knows how to best schmooze the firm's biggest client "Lucky Strike". He basically inherited his position from his father without having to do too much of the heavy lifting. Now he has lost both. He comes home to his new trophy wife (nice to have a Jane sighting) and she presents him with a copy of his autobiography, the true definition of the man. She sits next to him and puts his arm around her. Don has the same scene with Dr. Faye, but he had just left a dalliance with Megan the cements just who Don Draper is. Pete's father-in-law stresses to him that he had his fun with this firm, but now it is time to take responsibility for his family and go to work with Ted Chaough. It was interesting to see Don tell Roger that Pete wouldn't have let Lucky Strike get away. Peggy gave Abe a second chance and that seems to have worked out for her. How about that all-hands meeting? Gee whiz the firm employs a lot of people we do not know. Two more episodes to go.
bbb Posted October 5, 2010 Author Posted October 5, 2010 I hate that there are only two episodes left! I'm not used to a show with a 13 week season. (I got into this show via the DVDs in the spring). It sure was good to have a Jane sighting. Man, she is hot (even though Roger doesn't care - what happened to him being so happy, as he kept saying last season?). Actually, Roger has not been as funny in general this season as the past three. But, I'd hate to lose him as a character. BTW, I thought the last episode was even better than this one (I think Weiner wrote that one and not this one, too). I love when Dick Whitman crashes into Don's life. Don having a panic attack (before they were called panic attacks, I'm sure). The first news of Lucky Strike leaving. Don telling Faye about Dick and to my mind the best song ending of the series. The music only to The Beatles "Do you want to know a secret" as Don ogles the new secretary. Lots of balls in the air - should be very interesting the next two weeks.
Buftex Posted October 5, 2010 Posted October 5, 2010 I hate that there are only two episodes left! I'm not used to a show with a 13 week season. (I got into this show via the DVDs in the spring). It sure was good to have a Jane sighting. Man, she is hot (even though Roger doesn't care - what happened to him being so happy, as he kept saying last season?). Actually, Roger has not been as funny in general this season as the past three. But, I'd hate to lose him as a character. BTW, I thought the last episode was even better than this one (I think Weiner wrote that one and not this one, too). I love when Dick Whitman crashes into Don's life. Don having a panic attack (before they were called panic attacks, I'm sure). The first news of Lucky Strike leaving. Don telling Faye about Dick and to my mind the best song ending of the series. The music only to The Beatles "Do you want to know a secret" as Don ogles the new secretary. Lots of balls in the air - should be very interesting the next two weeks. I am kind of thinking Roger might end his life. His resentment of Draper came to the surface again. Great scene this past week, when they are at the funral, to poach clients from the firm of their deceased competitor. When all of the speakers are telling their stories, about the business, paying lip service to the widow and her daughter. Kind of sad/pathetic.
bbb Posted October 6, 2010 Author Posted October 6, 2010 I am kind of thinking Roger might end his life. His resentment of Draper came to the surface again. Great scene this past week, when they are at the funral, to poach clients from the firm of their deceased competitor. When all of the speakers are telling their stories, about the business, paying lip service to the widow and her daughter. Kind of sad/pathetic. That was very sad, pathetic, and might I add, depressing. I missed the Roger resentment of Don surfacing again - what scene was that?
KD in CA Posted October 6, 2010 Posted October 6, 2010 That was very sad, pathetic, and might I add, depressing. I missed the Roger resentment of Don surfacing again - what scene was that? In the partners' meeting when Roger makes the phony call to Lucky Strike.
bbb Posted October 6, 2010 Author Posted October 6, 2010 In the partners' meeting when Roger makes the phony call to Lucky Strike. I didn't catch that he was being resentful of Don. I thought he was resentful of the rest of the world at that point.
Buftex Posted October 6, 2010 Posted October 6, 2010 I didn't catch that he was being resentful of Don. I thought he was resentful of the rest of the world at that point. It was the scene where the gang is going off to the funeral. Roger says to Don "I was happy where I was, but I joined you, out of friendship. I guess friendship doesn't mean anything anymore." Or something to that effect.
HopsGuy Posted October 6, 2010 Posted October 6, 2010 Another good round-table review of Chinese Wall.
KD in CA Posted October 12, 2010 Posted October 12, 2010 Another good round-table review of Chinese Wall. I had no idea there were sure Mad Men devotees! Awesome round table! The penultimate episode was some classic Don, striking out on his own with the bold, pseudo-Jerry Maguire missive.
Buftex Posted October 13, 2010 Posted October 13, 2010 I had no idea there were sure Mad Men devotees! Awesome round table! The penultimate episode was some classic Don, striking out on his own with the bold, pseudo-Jerry Maguire missive. Not sure what relevance it has to the story, but the return of Midge was kind of sad, but felt so real. I feel like I have been around Midges' all my life... and Betty's scene with the psychiatrist was well done. January Jones is excellent in this show. I think people think of her as a bimbo, but it seems like it would be tough to play such a screwed up character, not well liked by many, and she does it so well. She is playing a pretty complex character. I really wonder how they are going to handle that character. It seemed like she took a back seat to the girl who plays the daughter, this season, after coming of an Emmy award. How much more can they do with her? I can't see any realistic way that she and Draper could reconcile... Terrific episode. My favorite moments were Peggy sort of busting Draper, when he asks her what she thought of his letter/ad. She said "We don't do stunts here..." or something like that. Obviously a reference to him chewing her out for the ham stunt that she and Campbell had concocted earlier in the season. The way they both laughed, after her line, was great. Also liked the scene where Campbell toasts Draper, from afar, when he learns from Lane that Don has paid his part of the "bail out" money. This is the kind of scene that most shows handle clumsily. Over the years, Don has developed some begrudging respect for Pete, first out of necessity (he knew the Whitman/Draper "secret"), but then out of respect for his work. Sad to see Mad Men end for another season...it just started rolling.
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