Smoke-Worthy Moments in Mad Men: Episode 305

Education program application rates skyrocketed in the early 1960s as thousands of women applied in hopes that they would become educators in the tri-state area and one day teach Sally Draper about grief and sleep with her father.


Top Moments of Episode 305: The Fog

The Odd Couple: Don the Ad Man and Dennis the Prison Guard
First Connie the Self Made Man, now Dennis the Prison Guard - it seems Don's biggest learning experiences (and some of my favorite scenes) are coming from strangers. In some of the most entertaining ("It's not a party, but I'll have one") and thought provoking ("Imma be better. Tell me you heard me.") came out of the two or three scenes between these two anxious fathers. In a sudden turn of events, and likely a watershed moment in Don's career / life, one of his trademark one liners ("Our worst fears lie in anticipation") got a luke warm response. Could he be losing it? Or maybe he's starting not to believe his own words. The face he made when questioned makes me think the latter is true.

But what does this mean for our hero? His fidelity counter tentatively hangs at 4 episodes now (A Mad Men record). Even with the flirtatious phone call between him and the slightly-tweaked school teacher, Don's keeping it on the up-and-up, focusing on the even more unbalanced Betty (more on that below). Even Weiner hints at this transformation being more permanent; when Don and Betty arrive home together, the shot of them entering the red front door is shot from the top of the stairs. For avid MM fans, you'll remember this is how Don comes home at the end of the pilot, alone and post-cheating with that LES hipster.

Is Don going to be better like he seemed to indicate to Dennis? Will he stop blaming his upbringing and play catch with his son like he admitted he should do more often? Does putting an unscrambled egg in a hunk of fried meat count as cooking? Stay tuned.

Pete "MLK Jr." Campbell will be the harbinger of change at Sterling Cooper
Oh sweet irony. While I agree that it's difficult to argue that Peggy is the most nuanced character on the show (and TV?), Pete is becoming my favorite to watch this season, and almost by no doing of his own. By sheer momentum and his own arrogance, it seems Pete may actually do some good this year.

Case in Point 1: Racism. At the onset of the episode, Pete picks up on Kinsey's joke that the cities where client / TV maker Admiral is succeeding is in "Jazz cities," latching on to the idea that it's possible negroes (Campbell's words) are the reason for such growth. He pitches it to disastrous results. The higher ups catch wind, bring him in the office, give him a flogging (Pryce's words) and then ultimately get some receptive ears in the form of Pryce and Burt. Aside: Am I taking crazy pills or was it insane that Colonel Burt and Blackface Roger required outsider perspective to see that racial change was coming? Activitist Medgar Evers was just murdered and JFK just spoke in support of civil rights. I thought their job was to pay attention to worldy activities. Too much time buying Japanese paintings or banging secretaries. Back to topic - OK, so what if Humps conducts crude diligence (nice throwback / comparison to Don in Season 1 episode 1 with the waiter and his Old Gold cigarettes. Point Draper). And so what if Campbell can only see the picture in terms of dollars and cents (and pounds).

Case in Point 2: Loyalty. In a hilarious exchange, Pete shuts down Duck at the dinner pitch he shared with Peggy. Even a sly compliment from Duck on Pete's "chivalry" over Freddy Rumsen didn't phase him from walking away from the table, jabbing one last time that he would need "his own dinner" if he wants to be properly woo'd. Once again, Pete Campbell comes out on top, but not because he's honorable, but rather because he's a petty prick.

Case in Point 3: Friendship. "Your actions affect me." This from Pete to Peggy in reference to Duck's offer is his fucked up way of showing affection to someone he cares about. It is equally heartwarming and horribly selfish. Pete wants her to make the right decision but not because he cares about her but because he's worried his head would be on the chopping block next. And if we didn't know Pete well enough, we'd think he was being sweet. Good thing Peggy is one smart cookie (my words, sorry).

The little things: details in Episode 305 too good to pass up
Preggers Betty trying to scootch her rolling chair over towards Don / Don's bemused look
"Get that in writing" - Don's response to Pryce's snide tardy comment "A little Don is better than no Don at all." Don exits stage left 30 seconds later.
"What time is it? What time isn't it" Ken Cosgrove rhetorical conversation on his Bird's Eye watch
Don's disappearing act in the hospital hallway (no wonder he's so good at cheating)
The flicker in Betty's eyes when she killed the caterpillar. A metaphor for her squashed ascension to butterflydom or senseless acts of insecticide?
"That's bullshit" - Don's ironic response to Dennis' comment that all inmates blame their parents
"Have you seen my husband? Have you been with him?" - Betty to the bitchy nurse (zing)
Duck's turtleneck
"Every job has its ups and downs" Hollis the elevator operator announcing his lauded return to the show
"The Women's Room, want to come?" - Peggy's half proposition / response to Pete Campbell's inquisition over the Duck offer
Betty's shrug to end the episode

It was good for me, was it good for you?

Hat tip: BMar for the Draperism and Sars for her advice