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!
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.
That was my reading as well. Peggy is competent, but she's learning. She doesn't know where the boundaries of being in charge are yet.
Okay after reading around the blogosphere, here's the import of the lighter.
Dick Whitman dropped his lighter which accidentally started the fire that killed Don Draper.
He didn't just take Draper's dog tags, but the lighter of the man who he impersonated. We know that because the PFC called him "Lieutenant."
So Don has literally lost his talisman for changing his life, exchanging Dick Whitman for Don Draper.
Roger Sterling's best quips, in a handy list (collected by a friend of mine):
[link]
Going back a ways as I just caught up with this myself:
I'm just catching up on the finale, but just wanted to pop in and say HOLY CRAP about the showdown in the nursery. I had to rewind it twice because it was so awesome, especially Winona's bit with the groin/femoral artery shot and then badass and rage/fear-fueled emptying of her clip.
Continuing the trend of men underestimating women on Justified at their own peril.
Finally watched the Mad Men premiere. Meh. So didn't need to be 2 hours long. Loved seeing my gal Peggy, though!
Thanks, Psych. I thought you were getting complacent, but that final scene, including the Gus bit, was way more sincerity than I was expecting from this show. Nicely done.
