The business with the lighter was complicated, I've got to think about it a little more, I think.
I'd have to go back and see those original episodes. But as when he originally stole Don Draper's identity, by taking the lighter he changed names with the private. (Who will probably die.)
There's a bit of the sense that this guy is going to die in his place, which literally was happening in Vietnam. As happens when older men send younger men off to war.
Something about going down to the storage room pinged me as a callback too. Something about his half brother who hanged himself.
I loved the Roger/Mona scene. So much ruefulness and understanding and affection.
I loved the Roger/Mona scene. So much ruefulness and understanding and affection.
She's such a good actress. (Martin Balsam's daughter!)
She had a scene last year that was so good I looked her up - I had totally forgotten that she was John Slattery's wife.
I didn't think Peggy was boss at all. She is mimicking what she learned from Don, but she doesn't have any confidence to back it up. I can't picture Don ever calling his boss that many times before going with his back up idea, or really ever asking for permission at all.
I didn't think Peggy was boss at all.
Really? That whole scene with Ted coming back was to emphasize that she had that kind of power in the office to make people stay in and work on NYE.
Hec, thought the scene was emphasizing my point. Ted didn't seem pleased that she made everyone stay and work when she already had a workable idea and he seemed confused by her need to get his approval on that idea. I think she has power, but she doesn't realize it.
Hec, thought the scene was emphasizing my point. Ted didn't seem pleased that she made everyone stay and work when she already had a workable idea and he seemed confused by her need to get his approval on that idea. I think she has power, but she doesn't realize it.
Totally read it the other way. Ted was admiring, and gently letting her know that she has that power and to wield it graciously. Stan even teased Peggy about how much Ted liked her.
I think Peggy is supposed to come off as supercompetent and in charge in this episode. And that's how I read it. She's where Don used to be. She's at a peak and still climbing.
I can't picture Don ever calling his boss that many times before going with his back up idea, or really ever asking for permission at all.
hmm. this is an interesting point. I forget how little time has passed (months not years). It probably is a bit of a tension between Peggy becoming more comfortable in her role bit by bit and being fully confident.
Some reviewers of the episode thought the Peggy's stuff didn't "fit" - but I think the ep would have been too moribund without her. In so far as the episode was about passages and the meaning of life and perhaps "hell is other people"/"hell is ourselves"/"the old generation in decline", I think she was certainly the flip side to Don's side.
I can't wait to read T-Lo's style breakdown of this episode. The facial hair alone requires a thesis!
