Just caught up on Madmen. Holy crap, they are going to resolve all this in one episode? Or they are going leave it unresolved, start next season a year later, and never explain how they survived...

They've established that they can scrape by for six months, so it's entirely possible they end on a cliffhanger.

There's been no hint that Conrad Hilton is going to rush in with a saving account, or anything like that. So it might be a few marginal wins that help them squeak by.

As I was thinking about it last night after watching, this makes much more sense from Weiner's perspective. You don't want them fat and happy. There's way more drama to milk by seeing them struggle to establish themselves.

Anyway, I expect it won't be one big account but a bit of a rally to corral a couple mid sized ones which makes the difference.

As long as it starts six months later. What I would hate is to have it start a year later ...

What I would hate is to have it start a year later ...

I don't think they'd make that narrative choice again after this season.

For one thing, Weiner's changed his tone in interviews and now it's starting to sound like he's got more than a five year plan for the show.

So instead of spacing it out every two years through the sixties he's thinking about following this story through the decade.

Also, he seems very committed to Kiernan Shipka and they can't jump ahead too much if they want to keep her in the cast.

Finally, I suspect that the title for the next episode hints at a possible big account, and it jibes with the general feel of this season.

Title for last episode: Tomorrowland.

Hayden,

Also, office gossip says that Peggy slept with Don to get where she is.

Excellent point. Because we know the "facts", I keep forgetting what the characters assume.

Hec, are you assuming Disney, based on that title?

sj, it could be a misdirect. But that account would definitely emphasize some key elements that Mad Men explores.

I mean it's go the fake Main Street USA at the heart of it. That's exactly what Don does. He exploits nostalgia and the way people want to imagine themselves.

From Slate's discussion:

I think Faye didn't go out for a drink with Peggy because doing so would ruin the image that Peggy has of her. Yes, Faye is the smart, woman Ph.D. who pushes back at the partners, but she's also compromised those ideals for Don. Better to leave with her star intact. And while it's true that this season's theme has been the rise of women in the workplace, don't you think the show has painted a bleak picture of female office camaraderie? Faye rebuffs Peggy's earnest praise, Joan dresses down Peggy for her "help" in the elevator, and the secretaries are focus-group fodder.

What do you all think?

[link]

I don't think Faye particularly cares what Peggy thinks of her. Why should she?

that's what I was thinking too. We haven't been shown that Faye cares that much about Peggy's perception.