Mad Men – “Person To Person” A Fitting Finale

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May 242015
 

Tweet I wasn’t looking forward to watching the final episode of my beloved Mad Men. Fortunately, “Person To Person” came through as a powerful, poignant and perfect finale. The genius of the series finale is, rather than definitively revealing where the characters have ended up, it leaves us anticipating where they are headed. Overall, the finale is about happy and hopeful anticipations, heartfelt goodbyes, going away lunches; emotionally cleansing phone calls, and new beginnings. We have a good sense of how Peggy, Stan, Joan, Pete, [read more]

‘Mad Men’ – “Time & Life”

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May 022015
 

Tweet “Time & Life” is powerful episode that breaks through the thin veneer of complacency at SC&P and brings everyone face to face with the reality they naively hoped would never materialize. SC&P, the agency, will disappear and the partners will no longer be masters of their universe. Finally, after 10 years Jim Hobart of McCann got what he wanted: the acquisition of SC&P. With this transaction McCann eliminates an industry competitor, neutralizes a threat to their General Motors account, brings top creative talent to [read more]

Mad Men: ‘Severance”

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Apr 082015
 

Tweet The last Mad Men episode, “Waterloo,” closed out the 60s with McCann Erickson’s acquisition of SC&P, the promise of independence for the agency, and yet another new beginning. Don kept his job, Ted Chaough was back in the game, and the partners got very rich. We were left imagining how Pete and Joan would handle their new found riches and whether fiercely independent Don and flamboyantly flip Roger could cope under the control of a very big global agency. “Severance” picks up in April [read more]

Mad Men: “The Monolith”

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May 082014
 

Tweet This week’s episode serves up ample portions of humiliation, irony, and payback for past transgressions, especially for Don and Roger. At SC&P, the screws are tightened and the tables turned on Don in ways that he never expected. Roger’s sins of his past and present came back to haunt him with a slap of reality delivered by his daughter, Marigold. Harry’s maneuvering with Cutler pays off with the installation of a new IBM computer bringing with it a both a boost to his status and [read more]

Mad Men: “Field Trip”

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May 012014
 

Tweet From beginning to end “Field Trip” is filled with painfully awkward moments for just about everyone, including the viewer. Resentment, humiliation, and disappointment seep into everyone’s interactions. Perhaps a more appropriate title for this episode is “Guilt Trip.” Betty’s turns Bobby’s sharing of a sandwich with a needy classmate into a point of disappointment for both her and Bobby. Don’s mission of mercy to save Megan from herself in Hollywood only adds to Megan’s sense that the marriage is over. Don finally steps up to [read more]

Mad Men: “A Day’s Work”

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Apr 242014
 

Tweet In this season’s Mad Men premiere, it is clear that unrest, uncertainty. and uneasiness are simmering at SC&P, and in the lonely lives of Don and Peggy. In “A Day’s Work”, frustrations boil over, old rivalries are stoked and new flash points of controversy ignite. Valentines Day 1969 is far from being a happy celebration of affection and admiration. A bouquet of roses sets off a day of stress and humiliation for Peggy, another unannounced visit to the office by Sally brings Don closer to facing [read more]

Mad Men: Season 6 Finale -“In Care Of”

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Jul 012013
 

Tweet “In Care Of” is a powerful yet depressing episode that delivers closure for some, and opens doors to new possibilities for others. Ted breaks Peggy’s heart, Pete’s mother gets lost at sea, and Bob Benson brings Pete’s stint on Chevy to a crashing halt. Don is a one-man wrecking crew and his actions lead to just about everyone being touched by disappointment, loss, or coming to grips with their demons. Fresh on the heels of loosing Sally, Don is content to let Megan slip away to [read more]

Mad Men: “Favors” & Unintended Consquences

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Jun 132013
 

Tweet True to its title, “Favors” revolves around key characters requesting, providing, or receiving personal favors. The Vietnam War is the catalyst for the chain of “favors” between Don, Sylvia and their kids, Sally and Mitchell, at the epicenter. These expected and unexpected favors interconnect and triangulate agency business, personal relationships, and family ties.Sally is the victim of the collateral damage brought on by Don’s impulsive, self-destructive “comforting” of Sylvia. Sally’s already tenuous relationship with her father is severely strained, and she holds the key that can [read more]

Mad Men: “A Tale Of Two Cities” (And More)

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Jun 062013
 

Tweet A “Tale of Two Cities” focuses much of the action around agency business with the turmoil of the Democratic National Convention in Chicago as a backdrop. The episode unfolds as a fast-paced mix of disruption, conflict and compromise. Jim Cutler challenges the partners to seriously discuss a name change.  Don, Roger and Harry travel to Los Angeles to drum up new business and, once again, it turns into a traumatic trip for Don and things go awry at the agency. Ted goes off to Detroit to [read more]

Mad Men: “The Better Half”

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May 312013
 

Tweet “The Better Half” is an episode of connections, reconnections and disconnections that deftly intertwines business and personal lives. There is an ever present blaring of sirens that punctuate changes and choices that set the stage for new and radically altered relationships. Without the benefit of Dr. Hecht’s vitamin serum, it’s back to reality at the office. The agency is still trying to solidify its identity (and name) and the partners are grappling with carving out their roles and responsibilities. Don and Ted are doing [read more]

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