I think the AVClub review has a complete misread of this scene:
When she goes home, the positions of the two from the shot in “Tomorrowland” are reversed: Now, Megan’s the one laid low, while Don has all the power As she cleans in her underwear, telling him he can’t have her, he strides forward, dominant side returning to the surface. He grabs her by the hair, and there’s the slightest moment where you fear he might do something awful, before she consents. He “wins,” even if the pillow talk is all about how much they love each other. At the same time, she “wins,” because she gets to taunt him childishly and rile him up, even if it’s a hollow victory.
To my mind, Megan is manipulating Don in that scene just like a paid dominatrix, playing to his kinks for their mutual satisfaction. He's so filled with self loathing that he doesn't deserve a beautiful white carpet - it's much more arousing to be soiled and on the filthy carpet. She's not angry when she starts to clean up in her underwear; she's purposefully provoking him knowing what response she'll get.
To my mind, Megan is manipulating Don in that scene just like a paid dominatrix, playing to his kinks for their mutual satisfaction. He's so filled with self loathing that he doesn't deserve a beautiful white carpet - it's much more arousing to be soiled and on the filthy carpet. She's not angry when she starts to clean up in her underwear; she's purposefully provoking him knowing what response she'll get.
Yeah, I thought it was pretty obvious that they were playing out a scene. Surprising that AVClub didn't see it.
I read it the way they saw it, but I can see that way too.
If it wasn't clear from the scene itself, look at Don's reaction when Peggy told him that Megan had gone home to be alone - he (and we) knew that Megan was pissed at him for not having sex with her the night of the party, CLEARLY he was going home for a booty call.
I thought she was pissed at him for not liking the party at all ("Who doesn't want a surprise party?") and not being in any way grateful, and he was going home to try to make up with his wife.
my mother would also hate that.Which might be the only thing she's ever shared with Don Draper.
I also hate surprise parties.
But I definitely thought it was a deliberate playing out. "You don't know her at all."
yep. I find it interesting that he seems to have told her all about Dick Whitman and his poor childhood. I'm trying to figure Megan out:
1) it was obvious that they were playing at scene in their home. No one dismisses the maid, puts on a muumuu over a black bra and panties and starts cleaning the fucking house. I mean WTF?
2) she also was clearly upset when speaking to Peggy
3) she also doesn't seem to want children, but seems okay with Don's kids
4) she doesn't seem to really get Don. As much as Peggy may not know Megan, I am not sure Megan really knows Don outside of the fact she turns him on.
I feel really sad that Peggy doesn't know about Dick. Pete knows. Bert knows. Betty knows. Faye knows. MEGAN knows, and she's known Don the least. I want Peggy to know!
My question for the upcoming season is, who will sleep with the new Negro secretary!
