Let’s Talk Mad Men
**I’m going to talk about the Mad Men finale, so stop right here if you haven’t watched it! You’ve been warned**
I would like to derail my usual blog topics and talk about my favorite TV show. (Again, MAD MEN SPOILERS!!!) Did anyone else scream loudly WHAT THE F@#$%??? WHAT THE F@#$%??? WHAT THE F@#$%??? Like, 18 times, watching the Mad Men finale? I finally had time to watch it last night, and pulled the covers over my head (we watch TV on our laptop in bed) in sheer terror of that marriage proposal. The complete insanity of it all. The MADNESS. But I don’t think I hated it – I just can’t full absorb what happened I’m in such shock (but damn, I love a good shocker finale!) I also wanted to strangle Betty for the 5th time this season, despite her not making too many appearances. Overall I loved this season to pieces. The episode where Peggy and Don bonded was one of my favorite moments in television history. I loved watching Don try to change, Peggy try new things, and other characters fall apart and pick themselves back up again. I can’t wait to see what happens next season. What did you think? Tell me everything.
PS. Did you know that the slightly creepy neighbor kid Glen is Matt Weiner’s son?
In related news, Purple Deer is selling a Johnathan Logan dress that’s pretty much identical to one of Dr. Faye Miller’s dresses. Someone should buy this amazingness and go as a heartbroken Faye for Halloween. Runny mascara, telephone in hand. Or just wear it every day because it’s so, so beautiful.
October 20th, 2010 at 1:30 pm
My husband had to pull be back down to couch last night when jumped up and screamed “NOOOO!”I don’t think I can wait. It was like the B.B. finale all over again. “I have to wait how long!?” My husband reminded me the babe was asleep grabbed me a glass a wine. Mad Men has mad me so emotionally involved (And that’s big for me since I’m rarely a T.V. fan)
Thank you love for the feature. That dress is too amazing to just hang in my closet. <3
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October 20th, 2010 at 1:30 pm
OK — I JUST had this convo in the office!
First off, I like Megan. I think she’s smart & sassy enough to stand up to Don and is clearly the mother Betty is incapable of being, which will be wonderful for dear sweet Sally Draper (LOVE HER). BUT — engaged after what, a week?!?! DON DRAPER IS CRAZY. But at the same time — his seemingly idiotic, hasty decisions seem to work out for him (the ad in the Times, right?)
Best scene of the ENTIRE SEASON had to be Joan & Peggy bonding in the office over what these idiot men do. It’s about time they get on the same side!
ALSO JOAN IS KEEPING STERLING’S BABY! And playing it off that her meathead rapist husband is the father!! I cannot wait to see where this goes! I also cannot wait to see Christina Hendricks in stylish 60s preggo wear.
Ok — enough for now!
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October 20th, 2010 at 1:39 pm
Oh man, I just about DIED when he proposed!! And with something as precious as Anna’s ring! It killed me. I like Megan too, but I think she is in many ways the same woman as Betty was when they first met (aside from hopefully being much more emotionally stable) and instead of pursuing a possible real, adult relationship he’s reaching for a fantasy just like Betty was with Henry. ‘You can always find another house’, you know?
I did love, love the Peggy/Joan convo and really hope there is more of this in the coming season as it was something I’d been yelling at the tv (really, laptop) this whole season, that they’d needed to talk to each other rather than accepting the way things were and feeling isolated.
Oh man, so much to say but I loved this season too and I think heartbroken Faye is an incredibly brilliant Halloween idea!
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October 20th, 2010 at 1:55 pm
so true kate! I loved the joan/peggy exchange, it felt like a christmas present! It was so funny/creepy when jon hamm got his happy face on while at the office, he is so handsome but when he’s happy his eyes get all huge and he kinda looks crazy. That’s when I knew he was really over the edge. We’ll see what happens, I love the twist but I was hiding my eyes too. WHY??? Faye totally nailed him when she said “you only like the beginnings of things.”
not as kick-ass as last season’s finale, but nothing could top that.
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October 20th, 2010 at 2:06 pm
I, too, was like “WHU DA FUHH?”! It’s as if Matt Weiner realized that there were no big plot twisters through the whole season, so he threw an engagement into the mix. There were NO reasons for us to believe that Don and Megan would ever amount to anything. He never explored that relationship save for one episode. It’ll be interesting to see what Weiner does to make this compelling enough next season. The Peggy / Don relationship was also my favorite thing about this season and that episode was the best one yet in this series. Actually, any episode that involved Peggy as a main plot point was great. But what the heck? They made her a semi-Bohemian and never went further with that! They brought in a possible love interest for her and never explored it anymore. I feel like this episode belonged in the middle of the season but was actually aired as the finale! That scene where she and Joan smoke cigarettes after finding out that Don was engaged was rad, though.
Anyways, at least one good thing came out of the season finale–Breaking Bad will be on soon!
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October 20th, 2010 at 2:13 pm
I was also floored by the proposal (and yes, I too hid under the covers at some of the more cringe-worthy scenes), but really started to like Megan in that last episode! I like her big mouth and calm demeanor. I also felt vindicated when Joan’s baby bomb dropped. After the scene in the abortion clinic a few episodes ago, I turned to my husband and said “she didn’t do it.” At the end of the finale I shouted “I was right! I was so right!”
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October 20th, 2010 at 2:13 pm
LOVED THIS POST!
I nearly screamed when Don proposed to the secretary – but it was kind of Faye’s fault for sending her to California in the first place. Oh and she got too attached to Don. That’s a don’t. I hate Betty, and I hate Mr. Francis. Sally is definitely growing on me, and I can’t wait for her to have her first kiss possibly NEXT SEASON.
ALSO, had no idea that Glen was Weiner’s son. Everyone thinks he’s a creep, but I really like him. Maybe I’m a creep?
I am so excited for the next season, it’s just so far away!
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October 20th, 2010 at 2:15 pm
OMG! i felt the same way! total SHOCKER!!! i cringed but had some feeling of elatedness. that girl has it together. i like her. but, dont know if i like don all giddy. it kinda freaks me out! holy geez. no idea that was matt weiner’s kid. he is so crazy awkward.
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October 20th, 2010 at 2:16 pm
Speaking of Season Four dresses, if you see anything like Meghan Von Trapp Of The Fake Québécois Accent’s white dress in the finale (the one with the flowers in the bottom), please let us know.
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October 20th, 2010 at 2:20 pm
Ok….yes, yes, yes, to all that you’ve written….but the most cringe inducing part for me was when she and the kids were singing the French song in the bed together. I had to pause it, get up and walk around and yell “WTF, WTF, WTF that is TOO much”. Well, that’s probably because I’m a little bit crazy.
And I am so excited to see Sally grow up and to see the women on the show become more independent.
Yeah, this show is tops. I love it and am not afraid to say it!
Thanks for this post.
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October 20th, 2010 at 2:36 pm
My boyfriend’s cousin was writer’s assistant this season and got to co-write this finale. I’m DYING to pick him brain. But considering he lives across the country, and I’ve only met him once, I’m probably not at the top of his list. (His lips are probably locked with a deadbolt anyway)… But yeah, my first reaction to the engagement was “Is this a dream?” Followed by a lot of “What?!”…but not really in a good way. I felt the plot twist was inserted a bit haphazardly. I so don’t get it! Poor poor Faye. Her character had so much depth compared to all of the other notches on Don’s bedpost. I agree the Don/Peggy late night in the office was definitely my favorite episode of the series. I also love love Sally’s development. She is such a little lady now!
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October 20th, 2010 at 2:58 pm
Love all the comments on this post. I’ve been wanting to write a Mad Men finale post on my blog but my mind is still spinning. I believe I kept yelling, “SHUT UP! SHUT UP! SHUT UP! IS THIS A DREAM?” Yeah, embarrassing…I know.
The thing that got me this episode (besides the engagement) was when Betty fired Carla. I cried. For real tears. How awful and immature do you have to be to do that?
Wow. How I do love this show.
PS- I love Glen. But not like Betty secretly does. Ha.
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October 20th, 2010 at 2:58 pm
The symbolism in this episode was brilliant. I mean all the loose ends from his past were tied up. Both houses (the one in California and the one in New York) were empty and sold and he finally let his Don Draper life intersect with his Dick Whitman life (telling his kids his nickname is Dick!). I don’t think the happy face was all thanks to pretty Megan. I think the huge burden of being Don Draper was finally lifted off his shoulders. The whole season was brilliant. It seemed it was heading to end in a major low, but turned itself around in the end and left us with some new messes to get into (Peggy being pregnant, the thought of Megan being made a copy writer, etc).
Loved it!
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October 20th, 2010 at 3:11 pm
I am so glad to learn that I wasn’t the only one yelling at my laptop during this episode. I think the thing about the proposal that offended me so badly was the use of Anna’s ring. But the moment he received it, I knew what was going to happen. Still very disappointing.
And thank the lawd for the Joan/ Peggy exchange. Those two have always shared a special bond that has been swept under the rug this season and I was thrilled to see them get a moment.
I’m beyond excited to see where they are going to take things next season. I’d personally like to see Megan get the axe (I think she’s a pretty vapid character compared to ladies like Peggy or Joan). Arrgh, now we just have to wait until next summer!
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October 20th, 2010 at 3:16 pm
Watching Mad Men is typically a nervous activity for me. Sometimes I don’t know why I watch when it only serves to leave me uncomfortable for and hour and then reeling with questions for days. Still, I love it.
I totally thought the whole thing was a dream sequence. Don.. just didn’t seem himself. It didn’t seem at all to me like he ‘couldn’t sleep because he was love sick for her’ as he stated.
Rather I think it was the self loathing he has for himself. He dumped Faye because she had told him in the beginning of the episode that he needed to face himself.
So he retreated and as he let his mind vacate him he couldn’t help but be drawn to one of the only characters in the show that has a positive attitude- Megan. Also I think it was partly the influence of Anna. Almost like he was thinking by the pool ‘what would she have wanted me to do?’
I think Betty and Megan are two completely different characters. In fact, I think that’s what he’s attracted to. His natural reaction when Sally spilled her milkshake was to scream at her like Betty. He was reacting how Betty would have wanted (she was always yelling at him for his lack of discipline)
But Megan’s reactions seemed to throw him for a loop. Even Faye had freaked over his kids.
I’m excited to see where they take this new angle.
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October 20th, 2010 at 3:31 pm
I was never a fan of the Draper flashbacks, nor did I like watching him get lost in his Lisa Frank diary this season. But oh man, when that engagement scene happened, I was praying it was all in Don’s head. Please be a dream! Please be a crazy little dream!
I loved Faye, but there’s no way Draper could be in an equal relationship. That man needs control, which is why he wasn’t into emotionally-unstable Betty or doesn’t-need-a-man Faye. Megan is a controllable challenge, and I don’t necessarily fault him for choosing her.
Overall, I loved seeing a happy Don. Didn’t your heart just melt when he cannon-balled into the pool? Nothing is more adorable than silly father, and when that father is John Hamm…there are no words. But I’m with you, lawn party, that creepy grin in the office was terrible. That and his comment about Megan being a more attractive version of Peggy dug him back into a hole.
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October 20th, 2010 at 3:58 pm
Seriously! Crazy! I was thinking about it for a full 24 hours later. Don Draper – you are one crazy man. It was a brilliant, frustrating, crazy episode. And now I’m going to go crazy waiting for the next season to start…
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October 20th, 2010 at 4:19 pm
@iwishihadtaste The actress who plays Meghan is actually from Montreal, so I’m not sure how her accent could be fake. But I digress. I liked it, but after watching it a second time, it felt a bit too forced to me. Some of the dialogue was so unnatural that I think it really affected the acting. Or maybe January Jones is just way out of her league compared to the other actors. I loved almost EVERY scene with Peggy this year. I really hope she and Joan stay allies.
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October 20th, 2010 at 4:26 pm
Abby! Billy paused the episode when Meghan sang the song in French and yelled, “I AM SO UNCOMFORTABLE!!” hahahaha!
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October 20th, 2010 at 4:29 pm
I also covered my face in horror at the proposal scene. The entire episode I had a sense of dread that little Eugene was going to drown or something terrible would happen to the children due to don’s negligence but did not expect the marriage proposal. Funny he chose the woman who doesn’t know about his past.
love that dress and I remember commenting during that episode how cute it was!
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October 20th, 2010 at 4:31 pm
OMG…I was totally shocked too!! I watched it on my lunch hour at work and couldnt scream…but I wanted to. I totally didnt see the proposal coming but I think that Megan will help bring don to lighten up and help him discover himself…..Im a little wary though as to the fact that he didnt disclose his big identity secret to her but he did to Faye…hmm…we’ll see.
And Betty!! love January Jones but Im with you, Ive wanted to seriously reach into the screen and shake her…its kind of funny how she is just really like a kid.
OK well you totally made my day by talking Mad Men…cant wait for next season!!
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October 20th, 2010 at 4:32 pm
There was so much about the finale that I loved: Don finally chose someone who doesn’t appear to be a sociopath or have major issues with … [insert noun/verb here]; there was some strange closure with Betty; and Peggy and Joan finally bonding! I predict that the agency will fall apart though – I think it’s the only way they’ll be able to cleanly end the show with new beginnings for everyone.
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October 20th, 2010 at 6:27 pm
Goodness, what ending for a season that fell rather flat for me. The last few episodes seemed lacking or depressing (what with the artist turned junkie and all of dons blunders), but with this one i was on the edge of my seat full of squeals of delight or horror, i have yet to decide.
I like Megan, if only for the fact that she is good with the kids. We have yet to see that from any of the women that Don interacts with. They need a good mother. I agree with others that i cannot wait to see Sally grow up, she’s become quite a sharp young lady.
Love love loved the girl talk scene, we’ve been waiting for that. And as someone said, more bohemian Peggy please! Oh and, what happened to the mega-drama of the end of SCDP? Um hello, you have (had, thanks to peggy) no clients?
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October 20th, 2010 at 7:18 pm
I loved it. It made no sense at all, yet all the sense in the world that Don would ask Megan to marry him like that. I actually love that plot line. It’s kooky, funny that it derailed everyone and oh so smart of dapper Don. Plus, I like that Megan called out her own teeth. At the end there I thought it was going to be the neighbor kid with a gun to shoot Betts. Best of all? I love that Henry is not going to live in Don’s house anymore. Maybe he can grow a set now. I was suuuuuper pissed when Betty fired Carla. I was so mad I couldn’t wait to give her a piece of my mind but then realized it’s all fake. And poor, poor Faye. She gave so much to Don and he punched her right in the jugular and lovingly explained why he did it. He’s so thoughtful. Can’t wait for next season!
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October 20th, 2010 at 8:13 pm
I’m in total agreement with you. Best show ever. Really interesting season (we watch on our laptop also) and I was holding my loud commentary the entire time as to not annoy my husband.
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October 20th, 2010 at 8:38 pm
http://nymag.com/daily/entertainment/2010/10/mad_men_finale_recap_did_don_d.html
read this! really good recap.
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October 20th, 2010 at 10:16 pm
Peggy is my favourite, there’s something both disarmingly sweet and disarmingly clever about her.
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October 20th, 2010 at 11:09 pm
That really is a genius costume idea. So the creepy kid is his son? I really thought something major might happen with that scenario but it’s really interesting nothing did. I feel the same way about Don’s proposal and I agree, my favorite episode was the Don & Peggy one. It was so neat how it focused solely on them and you really got to understand a deeper layer of their relationship. I also loved the episode where Don’s secretary (the old lady, not his FIANCE OH MY GOD) died! Oh yeah and I’ve had many a dream about the Silver Fox after what happened with him and Joan. Wow, what a SEASON!!
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October 21st, 2010 at 5:32 am
Hahaha! Here I am sitting down at my new job (first day!) and I laughed out loud reading this! “WHAT THE F@#$%??? WHAT THE F@#$%???” absolutely!!! But it was my favorite season for sure! What about this season’s wardrobe??? Not just Faye’s, I wish I could steal (almost) everything. I guess the fact that I work in the Advertising “world” and I’m a big 60′s fanatic makes me obsess even more about Mad Men, haha! Great post Kate!
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October 21st, 2010 at 8:02 am
um, what about joan keeping roger’s baby????? wtf???
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October 21st, 2010 at 8:56 am
Kate, so glad you posted about this! I kept having to hit pause and take a breath. I do like that she is french canadian (so am I) but in the words of second-city’s sassy gay friend, “what, what, what are you doing?” I loved the light while they were in Cali… but it doesn’t mean that he needed to give her a ring. WOW. blown away. I also predicted Joan would keep the baby… and think that will throw a big monkey wrench in next years season. As always, the fashion is completely amazing and makes me want to jump in a time machine. Such a good episode, even if it was crazy.
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October 21st, 2010 at 10:11 am
I was happy with the finale because there was so much Sally Draper facetime. I love that girl. My boyfriend and I couldn’t believe our eyes and ears when Don proposed. … Didn’t see that one coming at all. It feels as if they excluded some scenes that would have made the transition smoother!
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October 21st, 2010 at 11:17 am
We watch tv on our laptop too!
I guess I wasn’t surprised by the proposal, though I don’t like it. I just don’t think a divorced man in 1965 would want to be alone all that long. Plus, Megan doesn’t know anything about Don’s past, while Faye knows it all. Great idea for a Halloween costume, by the way!
Do you ever read the Mad Men recaps and style posts on Project Rungay (projectrungay.blogspot.com)? They’re so well done!
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October 21st, 2010 at 1:56 pm
I was gonna watch the episode on monday night but a friend called me in the morning after watching it and she was HYSTERICAL.
I dropped my good resolutions and watched, and INDEED what the F@#$%&*::”° !!!???
I like Megan, I love her teeth and her soothing temper, and I get how good it must feel for him to see her with the kids, but IT’S NO REASON !
He was finally in a pretty healthy relationship with wonderful awesome beautiful Faye !
Don/Dick, come on, you’re not in love !
And Anna’s ring is not one to give to someone after three days in California !
I too loved loved loved the Don/Peggy episode, their bonding was so awesome and I love how they have such a special relationship.
She gets to call him on his crap sometimes and to hug him privately after inquiring after his mental health when he announces the engagement.
I love seeing Don’s relationship with his daughter as she grows up.
Joan is keeping Roger’s baby !
And at last, I really hope Betty gets better, she’s got tones of potential, she’s just so freaking unhappy and miserable !
Can’t wait for next season !!
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October 21st, 2010 at 2:47 pm
I couldn’t believe it. Literally, I thought that it must be a dream sequence or something. I felt just horrible for Dr. Miller. It was shocking but good, and I especially loved Peggy and Joan talking afterward.
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October 21st, 2010 at 4:53 pm
MAD MEN!!!!!!
Maybe we were seeing things a bit more through Don’s hazy California eyes, but Megan was at least growing on me by the end of the episode. Plus, as soon as that ring appeared, it was like that old Shakespearean “you see a knife in Act 1, by Act 4 someone usually gets it…” (I think that’s related to Shakespeare. It could just as easily be Hitchcock.) Don’s a clown though — telling Peggy that Megan reminds him of her. So quietly dramatic, this show! I love it.
-Danielle
http://daniellemsolomon.blogspot.com
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October 21st, 2010 at 5:24 pm
i LOVE mad men tooo! and i love this post. i LOVED the finale and could not BLEIEVE he propsed. i literally rewound my tivo to be like ” did that just happen?” i loved the california trip and i totally agree about the father/daughter peggy/don stuff. very sweet ” she has your spark” was so darling! i’m so sad the show is over. didn’t know about the creepy glenn kid – great party trick! and oh! i wrote a little post about my best friend lily from bigbang today. i know you’re a fan so you should check it out and celebrate the lily love! love your blog! xo
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October 21st, 2010 at 6:08 pm
I have loved the patterns going on in the last two episodes. Also, did you hear that Barbara Walters was like talking about how “happy” the season finale was on Mad Men? Does she not get that show? Also I will watch a show that is just about Sally Draper all day.
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October 21st, 2010 at 7:23 pm
I did the “WTF IS THIS PART A DREAM?!!? WHEN DOES DON WAKE UP??? OMG?! THAT JUST HAPPENED?!” It was fantastic! But definitely ca-razy!
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October 21st, 2010 at 7:44 pm
SERIOUSLY!!!!!!!!!!! JUST watched this, and was freaking out the entire time. I am in 100% agreement with you, total shocker, but not sure that I actually hated it. I really do like the story going on between Peggy and Don, I think something might happen sometime. I could be completely off here, but I think I secretly want something to happen with them. BETTY on the other hand gets worst mom in america award. She has been so terrible all season, she needs to shape up, poor Sally. AND Poor Faye, however, I didn’t really like them together, she was bad with his children. I feel like it almost doesnt matter who Don gets hitched too, he is just going to sleeping around anyway, right? The pain of having to wait until next season is going to kill me. By far my favorite show on television.
PS. LOVE The halloween idea :o)
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October 21st, 2010 at 7:55 pm
I’m with you all the way… I was SHOCKED at the proposal and immediately thought, *wow, this this not going to last, if the wedding even happens* What an end to the season! and as for that episode with peggy and don bonding it up, I really agree with you, it was a super sweet moment for the show. I love their relationship so much, it’s my favorite thing to watch. and what about Joan’s baby! That one I wasn’t shocked by quite the same, but still, what a finale.
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October 22nd, 2010 at 11:49 am
Faye and Peggy actually seem to be in similar situations this season. Both want independence and equality in their professional and romantic lives, but still dream of that big wedding. Faye told Don flat out that she had zero interest in being involved with his children or being a mother, so I really don’t think she was so perfect for Don as many others seem to do. I think part of what made Don so over the moon with Megan in California was seeing his family relaxed and happy for the first time ever.
Now I am just waiting to see Betty crash and burn next season when her relationship with Henry falls apart…
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October 23rd, 2010 at 3:53 am
um yeah… pretty much had the EXACT same reaction. i haven’t been so shocked from a season finale since Dexter last year.
i don’t know how i feel about it. i like that don is/was a womanizing skeezer. i hope the show doesn’t try to change that too much.
i wish betty would drop off the show entirely. (ok, not really, but i do hate her.)
i LOVE the fact that joan is keeping roger’s baby and pretending it’s her husband’s.
now when is the next season premiere?!?!
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October 24th, 2010 at 10:53 pm
I waited to read this till I watched it, and w. t. f. were all the words i screamed the entire time. don is such an assssss.
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October 28th, 2010 at 10:19 am
It was shocking! I thought the proposal was a dream sequence and couldn’t have been real and found myself yelling at the TV. It was just so crazy. Still cannot get over it.
Here is my take. Don likes Megan, sees she is good with the kids, but needs her half citizenship for whatever and/or he told the doctor too much, plus the kids freak her out and all of that scares him (mainly the bit about his past) and so he is cutting all ties. Just a theory. It could haunt him next season because now Peter and the doctor know, but he shut Pete up with that 50K.
Loved the bit with Peggy. The relationship between her and Don is interesting. There is magneticism that I think is slight attraction on her part and she also looks up to him as a kind of father figure. So, I thought it was classic when she asked him sincerely about his engagement.
Joan keeping the baby wasn’t really a shocker, I knew the moment she told Roger, “I will take care of it.” It was too vague a line and I just knew she was speaking literally.
Read a really interesting article about Weiner in Rolling Stone and he said that each character is a bit of himself. Of course, Betty’s character is the one we tell ourselves, “don’t be like her ever!”
Glad to see so many others had the same reaction I did. With all of this response you could do an book club.
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October 29th, 2010 at 10:19 am
Oh, I havent seen the end yet , thats ok, I read knowingly .
I dont live in the United States..
We are behind in episodes,
BUT
Reading the comments I was triggered,
does anyone
remember when Faye first came on the scene she said to Do “you’ll be married in a year!”. ?
Don said, “excuse me!”
and Faye said something like, “Oh I forgot, people dont like being made a ‘type’ ”
or something like that…! It was all there , in the cards, as Anna would say.
LOVE LOVE LOVE MADMEN
and this blog! opps, thats the important bit.
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November 8th, 2010 at 5:21 pm
I totally reacted the same way…my husband thought I was acting crazy. there was an episode when Faye got jealous of Megan and then asked Don to dinner and said “…and have your girl make the reservation” and so I kind of enjoyed faye getting dumped for Megan. such a good show.
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