So. Um. I think we only have one episode of Mad Men left? This episode brought up an awful lot of questions. There were two threads I'd like to follow a bit - one is what happens now to SCDP, and what happened with Sally and Betty.
As to what Don did - I have to imagine that Midge was a big part of why he went on the offensive against big tobacco and took out that ad. Midge is so clearly desperate as a heroin addict, living from fix to fix, and Don doesn't want his firm to be the same way. Desperation is obvious, and it endears you to no one. And in business, no one gives you whatever money they have on them out of pity. So the only option that SCDP has is to become no longer desperate. And that is exactly what Don's ad did. I was shocked all the partners were mad at him - it seemed like a masterful stroke to me. And while the other ad men mocked him, there is a market for morality - I mean, have you seen oil companies try to market like they're green? I see these ridiculous Big Oil ads every day about conserving energy and going green on the metro all the time (or, in Chevron's case, they want us to maybe think about unplugging shit more to help the world? Shut the fuck up, Chevron, and stop greenwashing. Your human rights record is fucking appalling).
But mostly, Don changed the conversation. He stopped looking desperate. He may have brought in new accounts with his ad. I don't really know what will happen to SCDP, but I am excited to see how his strategy pans out. And as Peggy has always been the one with a conscience in the agency, it's nice to see that moment between her and Don, when she points out that she is kinda fucking right about things.
So while I am excited about that storyline, I am really worried for Sally. As a (former)(sort of - I am still to many of my kids) teacher, if there is anything I hate, it's not believing kids, and not believing in kids. Sally has this interesting friendship with Glenn, in that she listens to him, but I don't think she believes him, and I don't think she believes that everything he says is right. She listens to a certain degree, but Sally is discerning - she seems to figure out the good and the bad. And her therapist seems really good. Like, I don't worry at all about Sally taking care of herself - the problem is Betty. And if Betty is terrible at anything, it is Sally - and herself. Betty is essentially going to Sally's therapist to get help, but still unable to see anything clearly about herself, her motivations, or her daughter.
Now that Betty is finally willing to move out of the house, I wonder if this will signal a change for everyone - including Don, with the house gone and whatever was left of that life sold or trashed. Whatever Don's intent in that ad, it signals that there is room and it is time for a change. With one episode left, what are your thoughts?
Well, the not so subtle point about Betty is that she is a child and that's why it's fitting for her to see a child psychiatrist. Sally is maturing and learning to handle her emotions, but Betty is stuck in childlike ways. She refuses to admit that she needs to talk to someone. And when she catches Sally with Glenn, her subsequent actions are fueled by her JEALOUSY of Sally's relationship with Glenn, someone Betty had an odd connection with--because, remember, Betty is really a child.
ReplyDeleteBetty's final willingness to move is nothing more than a spiteful action directed at Sally. The "low people" in the neighborhood are Glenn (and his mother). It is good for them to move, but I don't like the reason it will happen.
I also predict that Henry will ask SCDP to work on his campaign! Or not...
Oh, jamy, I love that last prediction! Also, I never thought of the jealousy aspect - because Glenn had a crush on Betty, and Betty kind of indulged it, and now she's mad Glenn likes her daughter. I didn't really catch that, but you're right.
ReplyDeleteThe juxtaposition was stunning between watching Sally be so awesome and articulate in this episode, while Betty really just threw the tantrums and couldn't use her words.