Monday, August 2, 2010

Mad Men Recap: Episode Two

Wow! Mad Men's most compelling storylines frequently revolve around parties. Maybe it's the glamour of the '60s or the copious amounts of booze involved, but at the the end of a party episode I feel a little dizzy and in need of an Alka Seltzer or two a la Roger Sterling. Last night featured one of the most raucous fetes in recent memory. As usual, there is a lot simmering under the surface, but now more than ever I think there are some major shifts and changes afoot, mainly due to the fact that SCDP is the catalyst. Let's keep the office parties coming.

So, great things: Joan Holloway! How much do I love this character? She's so incredible. I love how she turned the office party into a "bacchanal" in no time flat. The orange game, the conga line, it was so Joan and so perfect. Flirty, fun and yet seemingly totally under control. Her hot pink outfit was awesome, and am I mistaken or did she also wear that on the first episode? And the red dress "with the bow that makes you look like a present" per Roger. Can they please get together and get rid of Jane and her questionable decorating persuasions?

How great were the subtle showdowns on this episode. I especially loved the Roger and Lee Jr. showdown over the Santa suit and the tension between Frank and Pete.

And speaking of Pete...Peggy, Peggy, Peggy. What are we going to do with you? This "boyfriend" is ridiculous at best. So naive and the haircut? Can we get rid of him and his Swedish hook-up info quickly please.

Another person I would like to see offed is the uber-creepy Glen. What's going on there? The lanyard/dangerous string cutter, the ransacking of the "Francis" residence (did anyone else get completely thrown off when Carla answered the phone that way?). Creep city. So completely bothered by him. Even more so than I was when Betty seemed to be jonesing for him.

And finally, Don. We knew it was coming. Matt Weiner is trying to make me hate him. His tryst with his secretary was completely terrible. Her face in the last scene was so heartbreaking. I don't love this Don, but in an effort to understand where he's coming from...I think lately Don feels like he has lost his mojo a little bit. The ladies aren't falling head over heels for the wounded divorce as they were for the dashing married man (odd, isn't it?). Between Bethenny the Barbizon resident, Faye the shrink and Pheobe the flirty--yet not easily swayed--nurse it seems Don just can't win. I'm not exactly taking his side, what he did was awful, but I guess that's how you can rationalize it.

Weiner, throw me a bone here. Until next week....

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