Showing posts with label Joan. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Joan. Show all posts
Jam of the Week: Nas & Damian Marley - "As We Enter"
JOTW has been a staple since this blog's inception. Love it or hate it, in some way, it's hear to stay. That said, I agree that this blog needs more content and less youtube vomit. This post won't be exactly what you're looking for. That said, I am in the midst of writing a modified JOTW, which will center around a music video but also aspire to be more thoughtful, personal, and directed towards particular themes each week. We'll see how it goes. Like Carr said below, people are getting dumber thanks to the internet and I'm no exception (or at least that'll be my excuse from now on). So pardon me if I lose interest and go back to liveblogging and youtube vomiting.
Nas and Damian Marley are the rap equivalent of the Liger. It's pretty much my favorite group. It's like the best rapper and the best reggae/rapper mixed... bred for its skills in awesomeness. I haven't heard the full album yet but from a few of the tracks I've heard, I'm excited. This song, though, is my favorite and I'm very happy it got the video treatment. Now that I think about it, this might be the first Nas JOTW. That is fucking atrocious. If I can rant, Nas is considered one of the best rappers ever. I think "Illmatic," Nas' first album which he put out when he was 21(!), will probably forever be in iPod/iPhone/Android/Spaceship device until the day I die. Many people say the same about Bob Marley, so Damian, Bob's son, isn't far off. Together you have a match made in hip hop heaven. Are you listening / watching yet?
Bonus: See them live here.
Smoke-Worthy Moments In Mad Men - Episode 306
(Don Draper couldn't be located for this Draperism so Joan Halloway is stepping in)
Joan Halloway is a better secretary, ad man, fraternizer and surgeon than you. Golf? Lights out.
Top Moments of Episode 306: Guy Walks Into An Advertising Agency
Mentors
We all knew from Episode 303 that something was bound to happen with Connie. Turns out Vulture was right: Connie = Conrad Hilton, Time cover man, hotel mogul and grandfather to the (porn)stars, Paris and Nicky Hilton. Knowing how Weiner and Co. have no problems lingering on scenes, I'm a little upset this one was cut short. Still, both guys got some zingers in - Connie in particular had a favorite line of the show - after initial refusing to give free advice to Connie, Don asks what he wants. "I want one for free" Connie replies firmly. Minutes later, Connie repays the favor, asking Don what he wants. Less firmly, Don asks for the Hilton's business. "Next time a man like me asks you a question like that, I'd expect you to set your sights higher." Don calmly waxes about snakes suffocating on mice and says "One opportunity at a time."
Does this feel familiar to anyone? What about that dinner scene that Peggy and Pete got from Duck? Pete, the dickhole that he is, responded by being insulted that a co-op dinner wasn't enough to be woo'd. While it shows some Don-like cajones, I think it was too brash. It's too bad Pete Campbell couldn't witness the magic of his Sterling Cooper idol this week; Pete has a thing or two to learn about humility and patience (Remember his pout to Trudy earlier this season: "Why can't I have the success all at once?").
But what about Peggy? She seemed to have handled that same dinner quite smoothly - expressing her discomfort with the situation while at the same time not completely rejecting the offer. Good training? Peggy is and has always been Don's favorite. But it's clear everything she does drips Don Draper - the ad-ephiphanies, the assertive (if unsuccessful) request for a raise, and now the handling of a potentially better offer. "I want what you have" Peggy said to Don last episode. Their relationship to date was best summed up in the 10 second exchange between the two this episode over champagne. Peggy thinks the champagne is good. "I don't think so" Don replies. On the surface, it's Don being Don - surly and to the point. But Don is also openly displaying his frustration about the party, the British rule and his place in it. And he isn't afraid to let Peggy see it. It's as if to say "See Peggy, we're both just employees now - you have what I have and it's not everything either of us want." Too bad Draper Olsen doesn't have the same ring as Sterling Cooper.
The Lawn Mower Scene
Every week since starting Smoke-Worthy Moments ("SWM"), I've used my little black book ("LBB") to jot down notes while I watch / rewatch each episode. I'll avoid the [Apple symbol] style show-and-tell and just explain to you that when this scene came up, there was a big blank spot where my chicken scratch would normally go. The reason for going au natural was because a) I was too busy watching and b) every detail was engrained in my head. Smitty hands over the mower to Lois in the background. Louis' face as the tractor lurches forward. The confetti spray of blood (see GIF file below, which will reach meme-like status on the internets very shortly). Peggy fainting only to be caught by Pete. Joan working quickly to staunch the bleeding. Guy's belly-aching (what a baby). All was too much to avert my eyes. And you can't beat Roger's line, "Somewhere in this business, this has happened before," for denouement.
Remember Season 1 when Weiner used dark comedy to depict a very important relationship and a turning point in the season? If not, go back and watch Episode 107. Summary: Roger tosses his
Like that scene, there's a lot to be gleaned from the chaos here. In two minutes Joan has established herself as a key contributor to Peggy's rise, a more competent head hen in the bullpen over Moneypenny and even has better hands than her useless husband, Dr. Rapist. While Peggy shows she's not invincible within the company walls, Pete Campbell is once again the good guy by sheer luck. And Lois...sigh...all I have to say is that she can't be fired because without her comedic relief, Mad Men will be in serious jeopardy. Besides, who else will defeat the British? I thought this was Amurica?!
When Worlds Collide: Don and Joan
Joan's had a rough couple weeks and this episode was no exception. Some may have noticed the light imagery this episode. Did anyone see how Joan ceremoniously "closed" the light in her apartment after hearing the bad news about Dr. R's impotent fingers? While this may seem heavy-handed, it's an interesitng tie to the next shot of Don staring happily at the turned-off bedroom ceiling lamp above his head. While Joan's hopes of retirement and house-wivery have been dashed, Don is simultaneously contemplating the English promotion. But in that hospital waiting room (what's with these waiting rooms?), everything seems to change.
So what is going on here? Don laughs not once but twice at Joan's jokes. Don blushes when she kisses him on the cheek. Don stares longingly as she walks out. I'll tell you what's going on here: we just witnessed Superman and Batman briefly teaming up to fight the forces of evil (or boredom, whichever comes first on MM). BMar didn't like this scene because it felt forced. I respectfully disagree and think he's fucking stupid*. I swear I haven't seen that much emotion out of either character in the last 2 seasons. And the scene wasn't longer than 3 minutes (Again, Weiner, stop being a cock tease).
So we obviously benefited from watching, but which character got more out of this brief exchange? Don clearly had a chance to relax with someone who is in this author's opinion, his only equal. It was more familial than sexual - not since being in California with the Real Mrs. Draper was he able to be himself. But there's no question Joan was the winner of the scene (and arguably the episode). Don let her know how he felt about her professionally - arguably the biggest compliment he's given anyone in the office to date. And her heroism with Guy didn't go unnoticed, in either the Brits' eyes or in Don's. Should Don move on, Joanie's secured her spot.
It was good for me, was it good for you?
*Hat tip: Kidding BMar, thanks for the good call on Joan's surgical hands
