(S03E13) It's a cold Friday, December 13, 1963. The President's been killed and the world as Don Draper knows it has pretty much fallen apart. For most of the season, the ground has been shifting under Don's feet and he's be holding on, trying to right himself and his life. He's tried with Betty. He's tried for Sally and Bobby and Gene -- at least as much as Don is able to try.
With Conrad Hilton he's never been on a level playing field, and from the moment he was forced to sign the contract, Sterling Cooper has not been his domain as it had been. With this episode, this season finale, all was changed and, perhaps, all has been righted. More after the jump.
Don has always thought that he was one step ahead of everyone. Smarter and sharper than his colleagues, Don was stunned when he learned from Hilton about PPL being sold to McCann Erickson. It wouldn't be the only surprise for Don.
On the home front, Betty dropped the bomb. She went to a divorce lawyer. Don was getting his freedom whether he wanted it or not. But the sting when he heard from Roger about Henry Francis turned Don primal. His treatment of Betty, calling her a whore, was beneath contempt. Don's the last person to throw stones.
At least he had the wherewithal to call her at the end and make amends. "I won't fight you. I hope you get everything you always wanted." Don truly meant that because, in truth, he does love Betts.
And say what you will about Don, he does love his children. The scene when Betty and Don gave Bobby and Sally "the talk" was gut-wrenching. I kept thinking of the Sonny and Cher song, "You Better Sit Down, Kids." Betty's words to him, "You'll always be their father," hurt like hell for Don.
At least in the work place Don was able to do something to fix things. He didn't want to go to McCann Erickson, a place Don called "a sausage factory." As harebrained as it seemed, Don and Roger and Bert teaming with Lane to stick it to PPL was brilliant. And the way it all came together, bringing in Pete -- and his $8 million in accounts -- Harry, for the media, Peggy for her ability to do what Don does, but not be Don, and then the coup de grace -- Joan.
It was sheer brilliance. I only wish they had called Sal, but I have no doubt he'll be there when Sterling, Cooper, Draper,
Speaking of which, there will be major transitions in the season to come. Whether it's 1964 when Matt Weiner picks up the story, or beyond, Don Draper will be someone else and somewhere else. Betty and Ossining will be in the rear-view mirror. Over the end credits, the singer sang, "The future is much better than the past." We shall see.
Other points of interest
-- Don's best sales job of the season was convincing Peggy to join them. She said no, and Don had to go to her. On her turf. Just like he went to Pete, but with Peggy it wasn't as much about business as something else. Don needed her, to the point of saying that he promised to spend the rest of his life trying to hire her. Peggy's tears suggested that she wanted more, but what? Love? Approval? Respect? She's tempted to let Don out of her life, but she doesn't. Peggy's choice of going with Don means she's not going with Duck.
-- The reconciliation between Roger and Don: It was sweet to see them together at the bar, and yet bitter because Roger was the one to tell Don about Henry Francis.
-- When Don confronted Betty, he asked about Henry. "You've been building a life raft."
-- The running gag of the show was sitting. Everybody was being told to take a seat.
-- Henry's jumped into the relationship with Betty full-on. He went with her to the divorce attorney. He was on the plane to Reno. Is Betty finally going to sleep with the guy?
-- Trudy really has Pete figured out. She's his partner in a way that Betty never was with Don. She even brought sandwiches to the Pierre.
-- Harry remained oblivious to what was happening, and yet what a lucky guy. He always lands on his feet. Kinsey was not so lucky.
-- It was great the way Joan knew exactly how to organize the mutiny. It's great that she's back with Roger... and the others.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
11-09-2009 @ 12:14AM
Toolman said...
AWESOME!
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11-09-2009 @ 1:06AM
Deb said...
Such an unexpected and thrilling season finale. Don even smiled when he saw Lane join them at the end. I predict that this will revitalize Don and have him focus on his career, and now that he's free to date, will let that part of his life go for a while. Who knows - Don and Peggy???
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11-09-2009 @ 10:23AM
the dude said...
don and joan.............?
11-09-2009 @ 1:12AM
MacGuffin said...
I haven't been a Mad Men watcher until now. Tried to watch it the first season, but didn't get hooked. Tuned in again last week at a friend's place and thought it was interesting. Watched it tonight and really liked what I saw. I can see that everything is changing, not only in the real world with JFK's death, but in the MM world, too. Will definitely need to catch up on S01-03 and then S04 whenever it airs. It's a very high-quality show, and we need more of this on TV.
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11-09-2009 @ 1:35AM
Alex Farquharson said...
I got a bit teary eyed (Which is actually hard for me) at Don hugging his son (like it was the last time) and Don saying "He would fight everyday to have Peggy at his side" Awesome finale, cannot wait til next summer. Awards to both January Jones and of course Jon Hamm for the season
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11-09-2009 @ 2:48AM
notatoad said...
that was epic. for me it was the best episode since the pilot, which i consider to be the best episode of TV ever.
i really hope the kids end up with Don. not for the sake of the show, but just because betty is a crappy mother. did she really just leave the kids with the maid while she left for 6 weeks in reno?
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11-09-2009 @ 7:50AM
rjbtrdx said...
I wondered about Betty going to Reno for 6 wks too. And leaving her kids with Carla. Whoa. How self serving is that?
Just a great great episode.
11-09-2009 @ 9:34AM
Georgia said...
I would think setting up residency in Reno for six weeks did not require a person to STAY in the city full time. It's Xmas time - she'll be back for her children's Xmas. She loves her children, but parents like she was parented.
11-09-2009 @ 3:21AM
Jeff N. said...
An incredible episode. So much happened. It was just out right riveting. One of the very best episodes of Mad Men and of TV. I kept saying to myself are they going to be able to pull this off?
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11-09-2009 @ 6:32AM
shamon said...
I see them winning alot of awards this season was the best amc has a beast on there hands .
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11-09-2009 @ 7:26AM
Georgia said...
I think Betty might at one time wanted to be like Trudy, but she has said "Am I allowed to talk this time?" when they go to company dinners, etc. Don probably shut her down. He uses her for arm candy; that is to be her only company function.
Funny that he told Peggy he would spend the rest of his life trying to hire her -- but let Betty go. He won't fight her - not he would spend the rest of his life trying to win her back.
Most episodes there are things that happen that somehow make you feel tender toward Don, but this one did not bring that out for me.
His look at the end seemed like "I've got a clean slate, bring it on."
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11-09-2009 @ 8:07AM
Lisa said...
This was perhaps one of the most riveting 50ish minutes of TV ever, congratulations Matt Weiner. My favorite moments were when Roger realized what they needed and i yelled "Joannie!" and when Don told Peggy he'd spend the rest of his life trying to hire her...and one more, when Peggy said no when Roger asked her to get him coffee. I did that once to set a new guy straight and my former steno-pool gal cheered!
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11-09-2009 @ 7:53PM
slutty_whore said...
For the people who think Betty abandoned her children, isn't Don around to raise them? Remember, that scene took place during the day, so my assumption is that while Betty is off to divorce Don, Carla takes care of the children at night and then Don takes care of them at night. It's funny how when Betty leaves, everyone calls her a crappy mother, but didn't Don abandon his family for at least three months in California? Where was everyone calling him a crappy father? No matter how bad Betty has been, she has been there and raised her children.
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11-09-2009 @ 10:31AM
the dude said...
i felt like the season would have ended with the kennedy assassination but am pleased with the fact that it went on for another month in time. i felt that the gang buying the agency back was going to possibly happen, but i am glad that it worked out completely differently than i thought. good to see the core cast of agency characters moving forward with the addition of lane. sal will be back next season and i would think that hilton returns also. i wonder where it all goes forward from here and what happens to betts.
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11-09-2009 @ 10:38AM
TV Chick said...
The last three episodes of this season have been some of the best of the whole show ever. Jon Hamm and January Jones should definitely win some awards for this season, not to mention the writing staff, and the show as a whole in the best drama category.
The idea had been hinted at on here of Don starting his own agency, and while it's not strictly his agency only, it was his idea to break off and start the new agency. Don has struggled to reclaim his status (and I think his desire for advertising) at work this season and with this episode he is back to his old self.
I LOVED how the whole thing went down.
PPL's treatment of Lane and how he "jumped ship." All of the decision-making and planning. As soon as they mentioned taking some of the others with them, I knew Joannie would be back in. When they mentioned not being able to get into the art dept. I was sure they were going to call Sal in. Didn't happen but as Alison said, I'm sure he'll be there next season.
Pete and Peggy were expected. But I LOVE that Peggy did not follow immediately and that Don had to go after her. What he said about spending the rest of his life trying to hire her was something I don't think he would or will ever say to another woman. NOT that I think he and she should ever "hook up." But they do have a "connection" and I think his words show how much he respects her, professionally. I also loved how she told Roger no on the coffee request. This agency may be made up of the same players as Sterling Cooper but I think things are going to definitely be different. I loved how they are having to come together, roll their sleeves up and do the work necessary to build their new business...no more leisurely martini lunches. Instead it's take-out sandwiches for lunch. And Don was doing his own typing! :)
I love (I know I've been saying that a lot) the scenes of the movers moving everything out and then Monday morning when the rest of the employees come in to find the others gone. Kinsey and Ken not being a part of the new agency is a little surprising but appropriate...the episode comparing how Peggy works vs. how Kinsey works (when he was smoking, drinking and then forgot his idea because he didn't write it down) shows why Peggy was chosen. And Ken has always been too "slick" to me. Again I think the two of them are part of the "martini-lunch" way of doing things and that's why they were left behind.
At least I hope the new Sterling Cooper will reflect more "hard work" and less "coasting along." This would coincide with the changes of the time, and the changes to come as we get later into the 60's.
I know Weiner jumps ahead with each season, it will be interesting to see where season 4 starts...perhaps months ahead, as the agency is starting to get on it's feet and maybe moving into some real office space? Or further on?
I just realized I haven't even commented on Don and Betty and the whole divorce thing. No matter what, Don does really try to be a good father, the scene where he comforted his son after they told them of the divorce was very touching. And I was surprised that he actually threatened to take the kids from Betty. He may want to be a good father but he is not in the position as a single workaholic man to properly take care of kids. It will be interesting to see what develops with their own separate lives. Will Betty really find happiness with Henry? Oh and I somehow missed that she was going to be in Reno for six weeks...I take it that is that how long the divorce will take?
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11-09-2009 @ 2:12PM
Manny said...
Just a riviting episode! I didn't think that they could top last weeks episode but they did. The way they brought the best characters on the show together in the end was brilliant. They can go in so many different directions with the show now. There is a possibility that Don and Joannie may become something. That would be a power couple w limitless story-lines....
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11-09-2009 @ 10:44AM
Jessica said...
I totally dig Trudy. At first after her and Pete got married, I wasn't a fan. Now, I love what they did to her character. She is strong, independent and very smart (on the inside, mostly). She is the wives wife - stands by her man, supports him, encourages him, loves him - she is his equal out of public view. Back then - being equal wasn't possible - on the outside she is doing her wifely duties for that era - but we all know better. Loving Trudy! Joan, Peggy, even Betts too - Despite the era and the treatment of women back then - this show does a great job in showing women's strengths. Love it!
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11-09-2009 @ 11:13AM
Jimmy said...
I love Trudy! I laughed out loud when she called to Pete from the other room in the middle of Don and Roger's sales pitch.
What great television!
11-09-2009 @ 11:10AM
wildbill8 said...
You cited the name of the company wrong. The new company is "Sterling, Cooper, Draper, Pryce." The character is Lane Pryce.
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11-09-2009 @ 12:14PM
Matt said...
I really doubt that Don and Peggy will ever be an item; she sees him too clearly for Don to ever allow that. But Don's best relationships with women are the platonic ones: Anna, Peggy, Joan. They each get to say to him the things he'd never hear from the boys.
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