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Mad Men's 5 Maddest Moments: Season Finale "Tomorrowland"

Lauren Bradshaw — Mon, 18 Oct 2010 11:15:36 PDT

"Tomorrowland" is an extremely appropriate title for the season finale of Mad Men - and not just because Don is taking his kids to Disneyland. It's also an indicator of Don's newfound optimism, as he looks ahead to the future with rose-colored glasses (he even does a cannonball into the pool!). The reason for his sunny disposition? Love. And the decision he makes as a result is jaw-dropping.

Don's not the only one thinking good thoughts; things are getting better for Sterling Cooper Draper Pryce as well. I can't really divulge much about the episode without giving away spoilers, but allow me to say this: the finale is a nice close to an already fantastic season. For details about the biggest shockers of the evening, just

Meet Mrs. Draper No. 3: Is Don a hopeless romantic? He takes the kids on a business trip to California (they can see Disneyland; he can attend meetings), but unfortunately, Carla can't help babysit (more on that later). So in her place, Don asks Megan. She quickly becomes (as Don notes) a regular Maria von Trapp, even teaching the children to sing in French. Don gets so swept up in it that he proposes to Megan, and she says yes! It's no wonder Don's smitten; Megan is basically the anti-Betty. She tells Don that she could never be an actress because of her teeth (Betty was a picture-perfect model), and when the kids spill a milkshake, Megan just shrugs off the accident, whereas Betty would've had a conniption. But poor Faye. When Don and his new fiancée return to New York, he breaks the news to Faye over the phone. I like Megan, but she's just another woman who doesn't know the truth about Don's identity. Megan tells him what he wants to hear, but at least Faye told him what he needed to hear.
New business: When a model gives Peggy a tip about a pantyhose manufacturer that's not happy with its ad campaign, she swoops in to claim the client for Sterling Cooper Draper Pryce. She goes with Ken Cosgrove to the company to pitch them ideas and lands the first client since the Lucky Strike debacle. Her win is unfortunately overshadowed by Don's engagement news, which makes Peggy vent to Joan. First the CLIO award; now this. It's just one more incident where Don's stolen Peggy's limelight.
You're fired! Betty is on the rampage after Glen shows up to bid farewell to Sally before the family's move. Carla takes the blame for Glen's visit, and Betty retorts by letting the nanny go. Not to worry, because Carla is perfectly capable of defending herself. She gets in a jab before she leaves, telling Betty "someone has to watch the children." Ouch. And Glen gets in a hit too, saying "Just 'cause you're sad, doesn't mean everyone has to be." Hurts to hear the truth, doesn't it, Betty?
Lovers quarrel: Henry lets Betty have it after she fires Carla. She argues, telling him he's not on her side, to which he replies, "No one is ever on your side, Betty." The two have their first truly serious fight, and Betty is finally coming to the realization that her new life isn't so perfect. In fact, she seems to start longing for her old life with Don. When he comes to the house to meet the Realtor, Betty "happens" to be in the kitchen to have one last drink with her ex, confessing to him that things aren't doing so great. He responds by telling her about his engagement. Betty may have been looking for a reconciliation, but Don definitely puts the kibosh on that.
Baby on board: I knew it! Joan walks into Pryce's office, where he announces that she's being promoted to Director of Agency Operations (just a title change, not a wage increase, unfortunately). But that's not the big news. She's also sporting a stomach bulge that definitely isn't just a lunch bump. She later calls Greg on the phone, and he mentions a baby. Looks like Joan decided to keep Roger's child after all, but either Greg can't do math, or Joan is lying to him about how far along she is. She's visibly upset by Don's news of his engagement; not only has he stolen her promotion thunder, but he's also marrying his secretary, which brings out Joan's own animosity toward Roger. Speaking of Roger, I'm curious to see how he reacts when Joan's baby arrives.

What did you think of the finale? Were you shocked to see Don get engaged so quickly? What about Joan's pregnancy? Share your two cents in the comments below or add them to the Mad Men community group! Photo courtesy of AMC

Mad Men's 5 Maddest Moments: "Blowing Smoke"

Becky Kirsch — Mon, 11 Oct 2010 07:30:00 PDT

The wheels are really coming off the wagon that is Sterling Cooper Draper Pryce, and on this week's episode of Mad Men, Don may have added another nail to the coffin. As the water continues to rise for the company, it's getting harder and harder for Don and the rest of the team to land new accounts. Much like the end of season three, it feels like big changes are on the horizon.

This week the smaller adjustments begin: layoffs are made, Betty may be uprooting the Draper kids, and Don makes a very big decision regarding the future of the agency without consulting his partners. There's a lot to chew on as we gear up for next week's big finale, so just

Dire straits: Don's big meeting with Heinz doesn't exactly go as planned; the exec is excited about Don's ideas, but doesn't want to get in bed with a company that may be about to go under. The partners at Sterling Cooper Draper Pryce call in an adviser, who gets them a meeting for Philip Morris tobacco. With most of their eggs in the proverbial basket, the partners are crushed when they learn that Philip Morris was only using their meeting to get a better deal with Leo Burnett. Pryce manages to get a bank loan, but it requires a hefty collateral fee from the partners - and a round of layoffs.
Doctor Feelgood: Sally has a meeting with Dr. Edna, who says she's really proud of Sally's progress and that Sally is ready to have fewer sessions. Unfortunately, Betty is displeased when she hears this news because she's skeptical that Sally has been "cured." Clearly, Betty has been enjoying her monthly sessions with Dr. Edna to ~~talk about Sally~~ complain about Henry, but Betty balks when Dr. Edna tries to refer Betty to a shrink of her own. You know, because Betty "doesn't need a psychiatrist."
Hugs, not drugs: Don is shocked (as was I) to see his former love Midge in his office lobby. Now a "starving artist," she chalks the meeting up to coincidence and invites Don back to her apartment to meet her husband, Harry, and check out her paintings. Harry wastes no time trying to hit Don up for cash, and more or less tells Don that he's free to sleep with Midge if he buys one of her paintings. Once Don forks over some money, Midge reveals that she and Harry have become addicted to heroin and that she sought Don out for cash. Clearly pitying her, Don gives her the contents of his wallet for one of her paintings.
Man on a mission: After getting rejected by a second tobacco company, Don takes to his notebook again, this time to write a piece called "Why I'm quitting tobacco" (while smoking a cigarette, no less). As it turns out, this isn't just another "dear diary" moment: Don's article about why his ad agency won't be taking on any more tobacco accounts turns up in The New York Times. He waxes poetic about how the product doesn't improve and only hurts people, and even refers future tobacco accounts to his competitors. The partners are furious that they weren't consulted, and Cooper picks up his shoes and quits right there on the spot. Lane calls Don a hypocrite, doe-eyed Megan praises him for taking a stand, and Peggy quietly supports his decision. Ultimately, though, the article means Faye has to resign from her post - which means she and Don can finally go public with their relationship. Overall it's a very gutsy move on Don's part, but it certainly calls attention to the company. Do you agree with his actions or do you agree with the partners?
Like mother, like daughter: As Dr. Edna suggests, Sally seems to be calmer and better behaved these days - but her private meetings with Glen are proving to be just as influential as her therapy sessions. Sally's relationship with Glen is pretty sweet (she doesn't even accept his cigarette offer), but her mother doesn't see it that way. In a kind of awkward argument (remember when Glen was in love with Betty?), Betty forbids Sally from seeing Glen anymore. Taking things one step further, she tells Henry that she thinks it's time that the family move to a new neighborhood.

What are your thoughts on this week's episode? Will Sterling Cooper Draper Pryce finally fall in next week's finale? Will Sally get even more rebellious? Leave your comments below or take them to the Mad Men community group! Photo courtesy of AMC

Mad Men's 5 Maddest Moments: Episode "Chinese Wall"

Lauren Bradshaw — Mon, 04 Oct 2010 06:45:00 PDT

Sterling Cooper Draper Pryce is plummeting in a downward spiral on this week's Mad Men, and even though there isn't any carnage to be had (yet), the vultures are already circling. When Ken Cosgrove attends a dinner with his fiancee, Cynthia (it's Alex Mack!), he learns through a guy at rival agency BBDO that Lucky Strike has abandoned the Sterling Cooper ship. As a result, the entire staff comes together for a call to arms. Roger does his best fake surprise over the news, Don rallies the troops with a motivational speech, and the partners set their sights on new clients. Can the company be saved?

But it's not just all work. Peggy takes it to the sheets with one of her previous suitors, and it's time to break out the cigars for Pete: he's a proud new papa. Let's get down to the nitty-gritty of the night when you

It's the end of the world: Or so everyone would have you believe. When Lucky Strike's departure hits the office (and the advertising gossip mill), the agency scrambles to save its existing clients and add new ones to its Rolodex. But Lucky Strike's departure snowballs a bit, and Glo Coat calls Don to say it's pulling out too (so much for the CLIO). The partners go into desperation mode, even attending the funeral of another agency's head honcho to get face time with his clients. Is nothing sacred?
. . . And the end of the affair: Just when things can't get any worse for Roger, precious Joanie puts a stop to their trysts. After he does his song-and-dance routine to fool his colleagues about Lucky Strike's actual departure, his conscience gets the best of him and he confesses the truth to his number one confidant. He pleads with Joan to be by his side during his self-loathing, but when he tries to kiss her, she says she "can't do this anymore." He returns home to Jane, and what should be a proud moment - the unveiling of his book - is nothing more than extra salt in his wounds.
Peggy apologizes; she's "not usually like this": Peggy goes to the beach with her beatnik friends, and before you know it, she's bringing Abe back to her place for a followup to their closet incident. He comments on her Olympian shoulders, she teasingly pulls him back to bed in the morning - the woman is glowing. Rizzo picks up on her new aura and interprets it as a come-on (because, you know, "women get sex-crazed" when an agency falls apart). Peggy turns him away, so that when it's time for her important Playtex presentation, he neglects to tell her about the lipstick on her teeth. Luckily, she still nails the pitch.
It's a girl! As Sterling Cooper Draper Pryce suffers, Trudy Campbell is in labor. Pete tries to split his time between the hospital and the office until his father-in-law suggests that business is more important. But why decide between the two when you can do work right from the waiting room?! Ted Chaough shows up on the scene to poach Pete for his own agency before the Lucky Strike dust has even settled. Pete turns him away for the time being, though Ted's promise of a new car does sound tempting. Oh yeah, and like the total afterthought the episode makes it out to be, Trudy has her baby . . . a girl.
A woman to soothe a weary soul: That long look Don gave his secretary Megan last week wasn't just in our minds. After a fight with Faye (Don asks to use her client list for new business), she storms out his office leaving him to sulk. Enter Megan, who wants nothing more than to stroke Don's ego. Is it any surprise then that these two have sex on his office couch? Perhaps it's the drinks (Don says his limit is three) or Megan's overt aggression, but Don gives in. When he returns to his apartment, however, Faye's waiting at his door with a surprise: she's scheduled a meeting for him with Heinz. Ouch, that guilt has to sting, doesn't it, Don?

What did you think of this episode? Do you think Peggy's new beau will stick around? And am I the only one who kind of missed Sally this week? Sound off below or check out the group It's a Mad, Mad, Mad Men World in the BuzzSugar Community to chat more! Photo courtesy of AMC

Mad Men's 5 Maddest Moments: Episode "Hands and Knees"

BuzzSugar — Mon, 27 Sep 2010 08:30:29 PDT

Oh, how the tables quickly turn on this week's Mad Men. The episode starts off on a promising note for Don; he calls Sally with news of Beatles tickets, which sends her into a screaming fit of pure joy. Even Betty seems impressed with the show of father-daughter love. Then it all goes downhill, as surprise visitors make the ad man lose his cool (and that's putting it mildly). Who comes to his rescue? A reluctant Pete, who is furious about having to keep Don's secret . . . yet again.

Don isn't the only one in trouble. Lane Pryce is in love with a new girl, but his father arrives on the scene to put a stop to all that. Joan has personal problems of her own, which quickly get swept under the rug. As for Roger, he's doing all he can to salvage his last shred of dignity at the agency. Let's recap the big events of the night when you

Secrets no more: Don's past catches up with him yet again. Pete's client North American Aviation does a background security check on Don, sending two men from the Department of Defense to question Betty about Don's "loyalty" (I had to laugh at her reaction to the word!). Despite their past animosity, Betty keeps mum about Don's desertion and true identity, but that doesn't make Don any less panicked about the investigation. Later, when he and Faye head to his apartment, the appearance of two mysterious government types in the hallway turns him into a paranoid, feverish mess as he hyperventilates, tears off his shirt, and fears that he's having a heart attack. After a nap and some soothing from Faye, he finally reveals his story to her. She knows the truth now, and best of all, she's willing to help him. The woman's a keeper, Don.
Whipping boy: In order to keep Don's secret from the government, Pete has to take the fall with North American Aviation, a client worth $4 million that he's been working on for years. He's understandably ticked, but you know how much Pete loves to play the martyr, telling Trudy "it's honest people who have to pick up the pieces" (side note: Trudy's pink maternity nightie was kind of hilarious, no?). He goes to Don's apartment to discuss the dilemma - where he happens to see Faye, oops! - and Don asks him to drop the account. Pete breaks the news at the partners' meeting, where Roger lays into him with a bleeped-out expletive. Racy stuff. But Roger is angrier than usual because of his own recent failures. For more on those, keep on reading.
Not-so-Lucky Strike: During a smoke-filled meeting, Lee Garner Jr. breaks the news to Roger that Lucky Strike is dropping Sterling Cooper Draper Pryce. Roger is irate about losing the account after 30 years of business and asks Garner for a 30-day grace period so he can buy himself some time to find new accounts. Let's face it: without Lucky Strike, Roger is essentially worthless to the agency in terms of monetary contribution. But hey, now that Garner is out of the picture, can Sal come back, please?
An unwanted surprise: The quickie between Joan and Roger has more permanent effects, as she tells him she's late. He makes a few remarks about how he'll take care of it, but she insists on going to get the abortion by herself. A train ride later, she's in a doctor's waiting room as the young mother of a 17-year-old girl cries about her daughter's own "operation." She asks Joan how old her own daughter is, to which Joan replies, "15" (perhaps Joan is referring to her first abortion and the child she never had). Joan deals with this latest procedure so quickly and coolly that it makes me wonder if she actually terminated the pregnancy.
Father knows best: When his father comes to visit, Pryce takes him and Don to a Playboy gentleman's club. There, we get to meet Toni, Pryce's new - as he calls her - "chocolate bunny." But when he suggests that daddy dearest and his new love go out for dinner just the three of them, his old man smacks him on the side of his head with his cane (I did not see that coming). He scolds his son to get his life in order and fly back to London, while Pryce quivers on the floor like a child. He announces to his partners that he's taking an absence to fly overseas, but that's all good, because the company is stable financially, right? Oh, if he only knew about Roger's little secret! Looks like Sterling Cooper Draper Pryce may be in a pickle once the finale hits in a few weeks.

What did you think of this week's episode? Did your mouth drop at Pryce's cane-smacking? Why did Don eye Megan in the show's final moments - will he ditch Faye for a fling? Let me know your thoughts in the comments, or join the group It's a Mad, Mad, Mad Men World in the BuzzSugar Community to chat more! Photos courtesy of AMC

Mad Men's 5 Maddest Moments: Episode "The Beautiful Girls"

BuzzSugar — Mon, 20 Sep 2010 06:30:00 PDT

On this week's Mad Men, Don (and his voice over) take a backseat to the ladies of Sterling Cooper Draper Pryce. Faye comments that not having kids was her decision; Peggy's concerned that her new male copy writers could easily unseat her; and Joan struggles to stay collected with her husband about to be shipped to Vietnam. Then there's Miss Blankenship, the office spinster and shining example of what you don't want to happen to you.

Feminist perspective aside, there are plenty of shockers from the evening as well. Don has a girlfriend? Sally runs away from home? Roger has sex in a dirty alley with...?! Well, I don't want to spoil everything just yet. If you're ready to talk about the big moments just

Don adds another notch to the belt: You didn't really expect Don to keep up his chastity act with Faye, did you?! Apparently that didn't last, because the latest episode kicks off early with a particularly, er, vocal display of Don and Faye's relationship. The two are now sleeping together, but it looks like Don's in it for more than just sex, letting Faye lock up his apartment and exchanging knowing looks in meetings. Sally asks if he's going to marry his new paramour, to which he responds that Sally might see her more often. The outlook seems good for Faye, but do you think Don will keep around for long?
Little girl lost: Sally continues her wild streak and runs away from home to find Don, showing up at the agency unannounced. With his two worlds colliding - father and businessman - Don doesn't know what to do, asking Faye to watch her at his apartment (Faye may be able to smooth talk with focus groups, but her awkward "hello" makes it obvious that she does not do well with children). Later, Sally revels in being close to her father again, spending the night eating pizza and making french toast for him, even though (oops!) she mixes up the rum and Mrs. Butterworth's bottles. But the next day, Don still tells Sally that she'll have to go back to Betty, sending her into a screaming fit. She sprints down the office hallway and falls flat on her face. One of the secretaries tries to make her feel better by saying "it's going to be alright," to which Sally replies a devastating "No, it's not." I hate to say it, but I think Sally may be right as far as she's concerned, the poor kid.
Very public displays of affection: I know I'm supposed to feel bad for Joan with her husband Greg going to Vietnam, but she's been particularly irritable the past couple of episodes. You just knew she was going to snap, and well, it happens. Roger makes a few suggestive comments, she gets angry, he apologizes by sending her a masseuse, and soon they're having dinner to discuss what's going on with her. Finally, her wall comes down a little, and the two leave the restaurant - where they get held up by a mugger. Roger sends him away with their belongings, and then tries to calm down Joan who goes in for a kiss. But it doesn't stop there, as Joan hikes up her dress, and they get it on right there by the street! Whoa. Nothing like a near-death experience to bring people together. Then the clincher: when Roger apologizes the next day, Joan says she's not sorry.
You say you want a revolution: Peggy's progressive friends are back! Her lesbian pal Joyce returns and she plays matchmaker for Peggy and Abe - the guy that she kissed a few episodes ago. Abe gets opinionated on Peggy, telling her about a protest happening with her Fillmore Auto Parts client where they won't allow "negroes" in their Southern stores. The debate flusters her, so she leaves their arranged date, but then Abe shows up at her office the next day with an article stating his argument. Peggy's furious, concerned that if he publishes it, she'll get fired. But his statements don't fall totally on deaf ears; in a meeting with Don and Ken, Peggy suggests that they hire Harry Belafonte to sing a jingle for the auto parts company (which of course, Don shoots down).
Miss Blankenship, R.I.P.: Yes, Miss Blankenship bites it, keeling over right at her desk. With an important meeting with the auto parts company going on, the secretaries have to band together to wheel Blankenship out of the office with a blanket over her body. Their back-and-forth removal and cleanup was perhaps the funniest part of the night (morbid, but true). Let's all take a moment to recall Blankenship's mean and often-inappropriate quips. Even the line she had in this episode where she asks Don if he's going to the bathroom made me laugh out loud. May she rest in peace.

What did you think of the episode? Were you happy to see Joan and Roger knock boots once more? Surprised to see Don and Faye hop in bed so quickly? Still bummed about Miss Blankenship's departure? Let me know your thoughts in the comments, or join the group It's a Mad, Mad, Mad Men World in the BuzzSugar Community to chat some more! Photos courtesy of AMC

Mad Men's 5 Maddest Moments: Episode "The Summer Man"

BuzzSugar — Mon, 13 Sep 2010 07:30:00 PDT

Remember last week's Mad Men when Don leaves his office door open? I assumed it was so he'd be more accessible to his employees, but I had no idea that Don would be letting down his walls for us as well. If that episode is about Don hitting bottom, then this week is how he starts digging himself out. First order of business: start a journal. Perhaps inspired by Roger's own memoirs, Don takes to paper to chronicle his thoughts and get him off the booze . . . a little. It's as dour as you might expect, but a perspective that I'm excited to see nonetheless.

At the forefront of Don's mind: how people always want more than they have. It's a theme that applies to Don's drinking and his appetite for women, but also to Betty's own dreams of a picture-perfect life with Henry. However, by the end of this episode both of the exes change their spots (for now). It feels like the signal of a new era for Mad Men, where anything could be possible for the characters - and it has me excited to see where the rest of this season goes. Let's take a look at the night's events when you

Welcome to the frat house: The newbie boys of Sterling Cooper Draper Pryce are in rare form this week and ready to send the women into a tizzy. When Joey's not making crude remarks about Joan's cleavage, there's Rizzo, pressing his butt cheeks against the office windows, telling jokes about balls, and adding the word "poontang" to the Mad Men vocab. The men of 1965 - just like the men of today, ladies!
Women stick together, right? Joey will not let up with Joan; first he tells her she looks like she's trying to get raped, then he concocts a lewd cartoon of her and tapes it up. After Joan tries to put a stop to them to no avail, Peggy swoops in to her aide, showing Don the drawing. But when Don doesn't take Peggy seriously either, Peggy takes matters into her own hands by firing Joey herself. I was excited to see Peggy lay the smack down, but Joan is less thrilled. As the two women stand alone in the elevator, Joan lays into Peggy about her show of authority, insinuating that the move made Joan look like a "meaningless secretary" and Peggy a "humorless bitch." So which is it - was Peggy's move a stand for women, or just reinforcing stereotypes?
The double date from hell: Don goes on yet another date with Betty-lookalike Bethany, but as they dine, in walks his ex and Henry for an important business dinner. Betty freaks over the encounter, has a stiff drink, cries in the bathroom, and smokes her little heart out before complaining to Henry on the car ride home. Henry's steamed over having to deal with Don (again), telling Betty that perhaps they "rushed into this." Uh oh, so much for the happy family Betty thought she was getting! But the night's drama has the opposite effect for Don, as Bethany decides to "make him more comfortable" in the back of a cab. Nothing like a run-in with the ex to create some competition.
Sink or swim: In Don's struggle for more self-control, he takes up swimming at the local aquatic club. The exercise tires him out, and all he really wants to do is fall to the bottom of the pool, but it's just a larger metaphor for Don's life. When he goes to reach for a stiff glass, he asks Blankenship for a coffee instead. And when he finally gets a date with Dr. Faye (guess Peggy is out, at least for now), he suppresses the more, um, primal urges that got him in trouble in the past. When Faye hints about going home with him, he turns her down, saying he can only take her to her door for now. I'm proud of you, Don. Baby steps.
Relationships for grownups: Props to Betty. Little Gene is celebrating his second birthday, and though Henry has made it clear to Don that he doesn't want him to show up to the party, it's Betty who acts like the adult when Don walks through the door. She goes over, picks up Gene, and hands him to his daddy with a cordial hello. Did I see that right? Could Betty and Don learn to play nice after all?

What did you think of the episode? Are you rooting for Don and Dr. Faye? Excited to see Betty move on? Still giggling over Mad Men's first full moon? Share your reactions below, and then don't forget to join It's a Mad, Mad, Mad Men World in the BuzzSugar Community to chat some more! Photo courtesy of AMC

Mad Men's 5 Maddest Moments: Episode "The Suitcase"

BuzzSugar — Mon, 06 Sep 2010 10:30:00 PDT

For such an innocuously-titled episode, this week's Mad Men is anything but. There's both potty humor and the raw honesty, and by the time the vomit and ghosts appeared, I was convinced I was watching the wrong show.

The series really roughed up its Emmy-fresh sheen to peel back the curtain and show us a more, uh, interesting side. Aside from the boxing and strength metaphors, this episode is really about Don and Peggy and exposing a new facet of their relationship.

Let's get to it, shall we? To discuss the maddest moments of this week's episode, just

The Match: The excitement in the office is around the Cassius Clay/Sonny Liston fight, but the real heavyweight match is between Peggy and Don. It's her 26th birthday, and she's detained by Don until she can come up with a usable idea for Samsonite. The resentment Peggy feels for being ignored when Don won the CLIO last week bubbles up and comes right out of her eyes. After Don yells her into the ground, Peggy breaks Kelly Cutrone's cardinal rule by crying in the office.
How not to break up: Ugh, good riddance, Mark. Peggy's boyfriend arranges a surprise dinner for her that includes her family, and he's more than irked that she can't make it. After ripping her a new one for ditching him for work, he then breaks up with her over the phone from the restaurant, in front of her family. No one should be dumped on their birthday, and not while their family awkwardly listens over oysters.
Unwelcome goodbye: Don gets an urgent call from California regarding Anna, and he knows it's bad news. He waits until the morning after Peggy's birthday to call, and it confirms that Anna has passed away. Don knew it was coming, especially after glimpsing her ghost as he slept off his drunkenness. We see more vulnerability from Don as he gives into his grief in front of Peggy and sobs, letting her comfort him.
If it walks like a Duck, it's probably drunk: The only person more of a hot mess than Don Draper this week is Duck Phillips. Fired from his job, he sends Peggy a birthday bouquet and a stack of presumptuous business cards. The desperation (and alcohol) on his voice is thick, and he describes the agency he wants to form with Peggy from the ground up. She extracts herself from the painful phone call and when she next sees him, his pants are down and he's trying to defecate on Roger's couch. And though I'd like to forget it even happened, I have to say it: Someone farted on Mad Men.
Time to get personal: Don and Peggy's relationship stops being polite and starts getting real after their epic fight. Making up over the hilarious tapes of Roger's recordings for his book (I'll never look at Cooper the same way again), they go out for dinner and drinks. I was shocked by how much comes out; Don freely makes references to his old life as Dick Whitman, and then they talk honestly about why they've never slept together (the rules). Is it cute or weird that Don tells Peggy she's "cute as hell"? The season one revelation of Peggy's illegitimate child also comes up, and Peggy admits that her mother thinks it was Don's baby. They're being so open that I'm surprised they stop before Peggy admits that it was Pete who impregnated her. The bonding continues after that - she helps him as he gets sick, falls asleep with him on his couch, and by morning, he tenderly strokes her hand. I've always been weirded out by a possible Peggy-Don love connection, but the sequence of events that leads to them having a new understanding of each other is so touching that I'm almost rooting for them to get together.

What did you think of "The Suitcase"? Were you as shocked as I was that they went so far with some things (yes, I'm thinking of all the bodily function situations). Chat me up with your reactions below, and don't forget to join the group It's a Mad, Mad, Mad Men World in the BuzzSugar Community to chat some more! Photos courtesy of AMC

Mad Men's 5 Maddest Moments: Episode "Waldorf Stories"

BuzzSugar — Mon, 30 Aug 2010 09:47:15 PDT

Forget the Emmys, because this week on Mad Men, there's another coveted trophy: the CLIO awards! Don, Pete, Joan, and Roger attend the ceremony, where the agency (well, mainly Don) is up for honors for its Glo-Coat ad.

The win creates some jealousy, as Roger envies Don's prize - and the fact that Don kisses Joan probably doesn't help, either. Do you think the writers are setting the men up for a friendship fallout? At least they have one thing in common: they both love booze. Don spends most of the episode in a drunken haze where he doesn't remember anything. Luckily I do, so let's recap when you

Roger's memoirs: Hooray for flashbacks! As Roger works on his book, he reminisces about the beginning of his affair with Joan and his first meeting with Don when Don was just a sales guy at a fur shop (note the ad featuring Betty on the store wall as a wink to the viewer). At the time, Don was just a dreamer trying to get his foot in the door at Roger's agency through any means, even "bumping" into Roger at his office elevator. Roger takes all the credit for discovering Don's creative talent, but we know the truth: Don just got Roger to agree to hire him when Roger was too drunk to care otherwise.
Feeling liberated! Peggy is turning into quite the free spirit. First she starts hanging around beatnik artsy types, and now she's baring all? After hitting writer's block with her unfocused, fratboy-ish creative guy Rizzo, she decides to do something that is sure to get his attention by taking her clothes off. All of his talk about her being too stuffy and not "liberated" enough, and Peggy really one-ups him. Best of all, they get a good Vicks campaign out of it.
The CLIO Awards: Don, Joan, Roger, and Pete head to the Waldorf as nominees for an advertising CLIO Award (an off-the-wagon Duck makes a cameo, as well). Don gets soused at the affair, and then returns to the office, where he pitches a slew of bad slogans to Life cereal before heading to the afterparty at the local bar. He hits on Faye (called it!), but when she turns him down, Don goes home with another interested woman instead, followed by another woman. We always knew Don was a Lothario, but sleeping with two women, two nights in a row (and then forgetting it, no less) seems like a new low for him.
Team Cosgrove: We'll be seeing a lot more of Ken Cosgrove very soon. After meeting with Pryce, the former associate is returning to the fold, which of course makes Pete furious. Pete tells Pryce that he doesn't want his nemesis on his team, but Pryce insists that Cosgrove's clients will be a coup for the company. So Pete does what he does best: he brings Cosgrove in and belittles him. I think Pete is due for another swift kick to the ego sometime soon, and here's hoping Cosgrove is just the man to do it.
It's all about who you know: Roger sets Don up with a meeting with Jane's cousin, Danny (Jonathan from Buffy: The Vampire Slayer!), an ambitious but clueless ad hopeful much like Don's former self. After Danny shows his book of cliched ads, Don basically laughs in his face and kicks him out. But when drunk Don is in the middle of the aforementioned Life cereal meeting and reaching for ideas, he hands out one of the same slogans Danny had pitched. Peggy calls him out on the error, and soon Don is giving the kid a job. It'll be interesting to see how someone so clueless meshes with the office know-it-alls (looking at you, Peggy).

What did you think of the episode? It really felt like the show was putting Don up on a pedestal only to knock him down, and I loved it. Let me know your thoughts in the comments, or join the group It's a Mad, Mad, Mad Men World in the BuzzSugar Community to chat some more! Photos courtesy of AMC

Mad Men's 5 Maddest Moments: Episode "The Chrysanthemum and the Sword"

BuzzSugar — Mon, 23 Aug 2010 07:30:00 PDT

This week's Mad Men is titled "The Chrysanthemum and the Sword," but stop searching for any deep double meaning, because it will perhaps be better remembered as "the one where Sally Draper plays with herself." Yes, the show goes there in this episode – consider the envelope pushed. While Sally deals with growing pains (and an infuriated Betty), daddy Don is busy trying to secure a Japanese Honda account much to the distaste of WWII vet Roger.

In terms of this season thus far, this may just be my favorite episode. Darker moments aside, the show lets itself have some fun with a cat-and-mouse type tease between Don and new rival, Ted Chaough, and the Japanese businessmen had me laughing with their overt reaction to Joan ("How does she not topple over?"). Let's recap the big moments of the night when you

Sad Sally: Sally Draper continues to flounder after the divorce fallout. Betty's already fed up with her daughter, but when Sally chops off her own hair, Betty goes all Mommy Dearest and slaps her. Maybe she just wanted her short 'do in order to look like Betty? Of course it doesn't help that it all takes place under the watch of Don who passes the kids off to his babysitter, AKA his cute neighbor/possible future conquest, Phoebe. Henry manages to calm Betty down, but later, Sally gets caught masturbating at a friend's house during a sleepover, prompting Betty and Henry enlist Sally in therapy. Too bad it's obvious that Betty's the one who needs to have her head examined.
Battle scars: Thanks to a chance meeting with a friend, Pete ropes in a possible account with Honda motorcycles that has the rest of the partners seeing dollar signs - all with the exception of Roger. He's still fuming from WWII, as he goes on a racist rant that manages to make everyone - including me - incredibly uncomfortable. The rest of the ad men proceed despite Roger's protests to work with the Japanese businessmen, but when Roger finds out, he offends their foreign guests and risks losing the account. Luckily, the agency manages to keep in the game, and Roger swallows his grudge.
Pete on the rise: Pete is finally proving his worth in more than brown-nosing. Not only does he have last week's Vicks victory under his belt, but he's also the reason for the Honda meeting - and Roger is feeling a little threatened by the "golden boy." Pete calls Roger out on his jealousy, lambasting the guy for only having one account (which of course gets Roger fighting mad). Is Sterling Cooper Draper Pryce Campbell on the horizon?
The art of war: With competitor Ted Chaough nipping at his heels for the Honda account, Don stoops to clever trickery to narrow the playing field. The Honda men ask for presentations from Don and Ted with one caveat: they can only use a budget of $3K. Don lets Ted and his associates hang themselves by pretending to do a fake commercial that costs way over the proposed cap. With Peggy and Joan, Don puts on an amusing show of circus-like proportions to pull off the fake stunt. When Ted gets wind of their ad spot, he chooses to up the ante by making a pricey one of his own. The time comes for the presentations with Honda, and Don enters the meeting to resign from the competition - he says he doesn't want to collaborate with men who break their own contest rules. The Japanese are charmed by Don's defiant move, and they tell the agency that they'll work with them on their future automobiles. Best of all, Don hurts Ted's business, and hopefully his ego.
The good doctor: Looks like we may see a future romance with Dr. Faye Miller and Don, or at least the writers appear to be positioning it that way. Even though Don takes out his Betty 2.0 lookalike (the friend of Jane's) from a few episodes ago, it's Faye who he turns to about his problems with his kids. The two chat in the office kitchen, and she reveals that she's actually not married - she just wears the ring to fend off overeager men. That means she's on the market, Don! Time to swoop in with those signature Draper moves.

What did you think of the episode? Do you agree that it's an improvement on the past ones from this season? Were you surprised to see the show address Sally's moment of self-discovery? Let me know your thoughts in the comments, or join the group It's a Mad, Mad, Mad Men World in the BuzzSugar Community to chat some more! Photos courtesy of AMC

Mad Men's 5 Maddest Moments: Episode "The Rejected"

BuzzSugar — Mon, 16 Aug 2010 07:00:00 PDT

This week's Mad Men is all about Pete and Peggy, and they couldn't be in two more opposite places. As office golden boy Pete continues to make good, he's shaking hands with gray-haired clients and cementing his place as a partner and as a husband. Peggy, on the other hand, is making nice with liberal young voices of the '60s art scene.

Meanwhile, Don deals with the woman he "rejected": his secretary, Allison. Needless to say, there are a few tears in this episode, so let's get down to it when you

In with the "in" crowd: Peggy gets an invite to an underground party from a young woman named Joyce who works at Life magazine, and she soon finds herself with new progressive friends. Joyce makes a pass at Peggy, which she rejects, using the excuse that she has a boyfriend - but that doesn't stop her from kissing Joyce's friend Abe in a closet! When police raid the party, Peggy hides with the guy until the coast is clear, but something tells me this is only one of a few brushes with the law to come for Peggy if she continues to keep the same company.
Proud papa: Trudy is pregnant! After her desperate tries for a baby, she finally has a bun in the oven, and Pete couldn't be happier. His father-in-law Tom accidentally leaks the info, and soon Pete is spreading the news. One person, however, is less than thrilled: Peggy. She gives Pete her congrats, but there is a definite sadness over her own baby with Pete, and the two share a knowing glance.
Old, familiar friend: Ken Cosgrove is back! Well, for a small cameo. Harry tells Pete that their former associate is getting married to the daughter of the bigwig at Corning, and he invites Pete to join them for lunch to celebrate and talk shop. Ken is now at another agency working on the Mountain Dew account, and he tells Pete that he's jealous of him for sticking with Draper. It's a friendly conversation - albeit, full of fake niceness. Is this the last we'll see of Ken? Probably not.
Heartbreak warfare: Don's fling with his secretary Allison comes back to bite him. When she's called into a focus group for Pond's along with the rest of the office 20-somethings, the topic turns to boyfriends and breakups - and Allison bursts into tears (while Don sees everything behind the glass). Later in Don's office, Allison shuts the door, telling him that she's leaving due to their situation. She asks for a letter of recommendation, but when Don suggests that she just write one up for him to sign, she throws a heavy desk tchotchke at his head and storms out. Don briefly contemplates writing Allison a letter explaining how messed up his life is, but it ends up in the trash can.
Keeping it in the family: Pete continues to use his father-in-law, Tom, for favors. When the other partners order Pete to close out the Clearasil account, Pete decides to bargain with Tom to get even more clients out of him. The result: a $6 million Vicks account. Pete is a smarmy guy, but he's certainly smart.

What did you think of the episode? Are you sad to see Allison go? Excited to watch Pete as a new dad? Let me know your thoughts in the comments, or join the group It's a Mad, Mad, Mad Men World in the BuzzSugar Community to chat some more! Photos courtesy of AMC