Photo via AMC.
In true MM style, Episode Ten brought some major bombshells: Pregnancy! Scandal! Lies! A caning! Of course it was all done with a subtle touch so nothing felt too soapy. How do you follow it up? Make the roof cave in on our dear SCDP in Episode Eleven.
We viewers knew it was coming, but we learned on Sunday night that American Tobacco has found greener pastures at BBDO. Did anyone else notice Alex Mack (Larisa Oleynik) as Cynthia Baxter, Ken Cosgrove's fiancee? Did I just dork out a little? Anyway, Ken learns that SCDP's biggest client is moving on. Of course, our resident silver fox already knew this weeks ago and didn't tell anyone. I'm a big Roger fan, but he's really getting on my nerves lately. Aside from the faux call to Lee Garner, Jr. and the faux trip to Raleigh, NC, the Joan brush off last week was just too much for me to bear. I heart Joanie and was really hoping for a serious reunion, not a hasty trip to the OB/Gyn. I still think she's with child, but I expect we will have to wait until next season to know for sure.
But back to the crisis at hand. It was paralleled with the birth of Baby Girl Campbell and Pete figured prominently in this issue when the detestable Ted comes bearing a Tiffany blue box containing a baby rattle. Pete accepts the gift, but not the position Ted dangles at him. Why? I honestly think the one moral bone these people have in their bodies contains their loyalty to SCDP if nothing else. Even Pete, the most morally ambiguous character on the show, isn't swayed by a cushier job...yet.
As for Peggy, let's hope the higher ups at Playtex thought her lipstick on the teeth was charming and not gross. I really liked that she was a bit more laid back then she has been in prior episodes and laughed off the joke. Maybe taking a cue from Joan? I also think we've really seen Peggy really come into her own throughout this season. As she said to Don before the Playtex pitch: "I'm not worried." I'm not either. I think she is able to be calm during the SCDP potential breakdown because she has nothing to lose. The old boys club does. And what of her budding relationship with beatnik? I still don't like him and all of his mock turtlenecks. Sorry, dude.
Then, of course, how could we ignore the Megan and Don hookup. So bizarre, in my opinion. My thought is this is another example of this new "willing-one-night-stand girl" that Don has previously not encountered in polite society. The only problem is, she's not just going to disappear after the night is done. Oh, Megan, if only your mother had spent less time splashing her face with water and more time explaining men like Don to you. Or, a scarier thought, maybe her motherly advice was to seduce her boss. Ew. I kind of doubt Faye will just brush this daliance under the rug like she did with Korea. The interesting thing with both Faye and Megan is that these women are something like mavericks, the very first to tread the changing waters of corporate America and its newly formed (or forming) gender roles. I think more than anything these two characters are just an honest portrayal of how people who are first at something tend to make mistakes in hindsight (i.e. Telling Heinz about a great ad guy).
Some random thoughts/lingering questions:
-What's in a name? "Chinese Wall" was the title of Episode Eleven, any insight on that?
-Anyone else notice the Skotch cooler in the back of Joyce's car? Seems a little to preppy for this brood. Maybe it was mom and dad's?
-Jane Sterling, how I've missed your wardrobe and immaculately groomed eyebrows. Come back!
-Are we off to Ossining next week for some creepy time with Glen? I feel our time may be up on that one.
Until next week...
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