I don't think the show condones Roger's racism, but just shows it as a fact. And in that time and place and with his position he's not going to suffer any consequences for it except that he's going to be increasingly out of step with the world.
The show does a pretty good job of indicating that Roger's hard feelings are racist when they note that nobody's got an issue about working for a Volkswagen campaign.
Also, the others in the office aren't any more enlightened. They object to Roger's behavior because it's unprofessional, not because it's racist. Bert's interest in Japanese culture is neatly balanced by his total lack of progressive thought with the civil rights movement.
I don't think they're exploiting stereotypes or endorsing anybody's behavior. Like the sexism and the antisemitism and the homophobia it is the characters' unexamined prejudices which reveal so much about the era.
Leverage: How did the con get the girl out of custody?
The problem with Roger is not that you're supposed to understand his viewpoint(s), but that you're supposed to like him anyway. Which I often do, thanks to John Slattery -- he says the most offensive shit, and it makes me laugh. Oh,
Roger!
But that doesn't mean I think it's right, or OK, and I don't think Matthew Weiner does, either.
Although, the whole show is slightly tainted for me after hearing that he doesn't think Betty is a bad mother. So lord knows what he really thinks about the rest of it...
Neal dressing Peter. A little something inside me just up and died in absolute pleasure.
I just have to say how ridiculous it is to think of one person going in to do an audit.
The problem with Roger is not that you're supposed to understand his viewpoint(s), but that you're supposed to like him anyway.
As a person or as a TV character, though? Because for me, he's firmly in that category of "I love you and THANK FUCKING GOD YOU'RE NOT REAL."
Yeah, I like that Roger is both genuinely charming AND genuinely racist. This is the man who did a blackface routine at a party after all. It's an interesting character choice.
As to his attitude, it seems true to the time. My mother will not visit Germany when she is with my Bro in Europe. She--the lifelong liberal--firmly says she will never forgive them. Not only did friends of hers die at their hands, the Holocaust is inexcusable. Intellectually, she knows it's a lot of new people, but she can't get past her anger.
Start with Neal dressing Peter, continue with Neal rushing to save a delirious Peter's life (and Peter being all noble), and then the whole "I'm glad I know the .... people .... I know" speech and the pledge not to lie to each other?
People, be gentle with me.
And how much reveal did we actually get about Sophie's backstory?
Yeah, I'm confused. Was that her aunt? Was it a fellow con artist? Why did she sell out Charlotte about their family to the bad guy afterward?
Any thoughts from the hivemind on this?
