Mad-Men 3.06, Guy Walks Into An Advertising Agency (open spoiler)

[alphaboi867]

Originally Posted by AMCTV

Sterling Cooper receives a surprise visit; Sally is spooked; and Joan gets some unexpected news.

So the chairman of Putnam, Powell & Lowe is coming for a visit (the day before the 4th of July, ouch). I'd be surprised if Joan's unexpected news turns out to be pregnancy, though if it does I prefer it she got an abortion on the sly. We've already the other 2 female main characters have a baby and deal with that drama. Give Joan something different to deal with.

[Bridget Burke]

Nope, Joan isn't pregnant. And she's definitely got something different to deal with.

Ouch!

[Mixolydian]

"Doctor said, 'He'll never golf again'..."

[Dewey Finn]

I think Roger said that Don received $500,000 from the sale of Sterling Cooper. Based on an online inflation calculator I found, that's about 3.4 million today. But I think he's still in the same house. So does he have a really fat bank account now?

And what did Lane do to deserve the transfer to Bombay?

[alphaboi867]

That was so fucking awesome. Is Lois fired now, or is there a way for her to srewup bigger? How amusing that this whole time Joan's apparently be training Moneypenny to take over as Office Manager. She's so fucked now.

[The Weird One]

Originally Posted by Dewey Finn

And what did Lane do to deserve the transfer to Bombay?

He was too good at what he does. Poor guy's the victim of his own success.

Putnam, Powell & Lowe are bloody heartless, aren't they? First they move Lane after less than a year, then they completely wrote off what's-his-face's post-foot career.

Speaking of which, did the screaming, bloody tore-up foot scene have to last so damn long? I felt ill by the end of it. It was obvious as soon as they brought out the lawnmower at the party that someone was going to get run over; they didn't have to punctuate it with three minutes of screaming and blood.

I wonder if Joan's going to swallow her pride and ask for her job back, or look for a job elsewhere? For the sake of the show, I hope she stays at Sterling-Cooper.

ETA: Anybody know what, if any, compensation what's-his-foot can expect? Nobody at S-C or PP&L said or did anything to suggest that they're expecting to get hit with a major lawsuit.

[Jophiel]

Talk about shifting gears -- we could barely keep track of Draper's conversation with Hilton after the lawnmower thing. When the mower came out the second time, I said "Someone's going to put that thing through a wall." I would have never guessed.... that.

Roger was great between "It looks like Iwo Jima out there" and "Somewhere in the history of our business, this has happened before."

Don seemed like a bit of a dick with Hilton. I guess it works out in the immediate term judging from the previews for next week (in that he at least gets the chance at the account) but, Christ. He could be a little friendlier walking in the door.

[Dewey Finn]

I wasn't expecting an amputation by lawn mower, as I assumed that they had enough sense to remove the blade before driving it into an office building. Instead, I figured that someone would get run over, or die from gasoline fumes.

And does this mean that they'll lose the John Deere account?

BTW, what did Hilton mean when he suggested that Don was insufficiently aggressive? I think he expected Don to ask for an in-house job at Hilton Hotels, as head of marketing or some such thing.

[alphaboi867]

Originally Posted by The Weird One

...I wonder if Joan's going to swallow her pride and ask for her job back, or look for a job elsewhere? For the sake of the show, I hope she stays at Sterling-Cooper.

If she does return to Sterling-Cooper ideally I'd like it if she was in a different position (say in Media), but that's probally very unrealistic. She's caught in between Peggy's direction (career gal) and Betty's (homemaker) and about to be pulled in half. It never occured to her that she would end up the breadwinner in the marriage. Come to think of it, how badly is Greg payed? Is (was) she really making more that him?

Oh, would losing a foot like that really be that big a deal in 1963? They had prosetic limbs and physical therapy in the 60s. He'd be able to walk again.

[AuntiePam]

Originally Posted by Dewey Finn

And what did Lane do to deserve the transfer to Bombay?

He turned pennies into pounds! I've only worked at one large company but I suspect it was typical. The bean counters got no respect from management or staff. They'd be told to find waste. They'd find it. There'd be layoffs, or new rules about the supply cabinet. No more fancy pens! Bics are all you need! Everybody ended up hating the bean counters, even though we knew the bean counter was just doing what management told them to do.

I'm curious about why he was asked to remove his spectacles.

How are they gonna get Joan back on the show?

[Rubystreak]

Another ep where Betty parents ineffectively. Her lame gambit with the Barbie ("Don't you know babies get faeries to do things for them?") was doomed to fail, and then she says, "There's nothing I can do!" All it took was Don sitting down with the baby and Sally, showing Sally that he's just a baby, seemed to work wonders. The kid just needs a little attention.

What did it mean that Roger Sterling was left off the corporate chart like that? Was that just an oversight or was it pointed? And just what does he do anyway?

I too wonder how they will get Joan back. She can't possibly be leaving the show.

[Spyro]

Did you see how MM won an Emmy? I was a bit surprised when Matt spoke...Is he channeling his own creation, Salvatore? By the way, Jon looked fiiiine. Where was Christina?

[Bridget Burke]

Originally Posted by Spyro

Did you see how MM won an Emmy? I was a bit surprised when Matt spoke...Is he channeling his own creation, Salvatore? By the way, Jon looked fiiiine. Where was Christina?

Christina wasn't nominated, so she didn't have an official role in the Emmy show. But she showed up on the Red Carpet--looking spectacular, as usual.

[AuntiePam]

I loved Pete's response to the introduction. Guy says (paraphrasing) "I've heard impressive things about you!" and Pete says "I wish I could say the same."

Sally, screaming at Barbie -- that was right out of a horror movie. (Admit it -- you laughed.) Great inspiration for a future horror story. Typically, parents have no clue what kind of stuff scares their kids. It's been too long, and we've forgotten.

[Dewey Finn]

Originally Posted by AuntiePam

I loved Pete's response to the introduction. Guy says (paraphrasing) "I've heard impressive things about you!" and Pete says "I wish I could say the same."

Pete is such an idiot. What's wrong with simply saying, "Thank you." And what was the meaning of the org chart description of the accounts department including "Mr. Campbell, for the present." That's the kind of thing he's going to agonize over.

[Sage Rat]

Originally Posted by Rubystreak

What did it mean that Roger Sterling was left off the corporate chart like that? Was that just an oversight or was it pointed? And just what does he do anyway?

The funnier bit is that Cooper was placed off in an empty branch. Sterling was put under him when they drew him in.

[Sage Rat]

It sure seems like they're setting it up for an exodus of Sterling-Cooper. Jane is looking for a job, Peggy is entertaining other options, and no one is all that happy where they are.

It will be a bit stupid (i.e. improbable) for them to all end up at the competition with Duck, but that does seem to be the way they're trying to take it.

[corkboard]

Originally Posted by Jophiel

Roger was great between "It looks like Iwo Jima out there" and "Somewhere in the history of our business, this has happened before."

Someone: "They say he's going to lose his foot."
Sterling: "And so soon after he got it in the door."

Loved it.

I think we saw more emotion from Draper in this episode than we ever have. The unsuppressed smile on his face in bed while fantasizing about his expectations of a London appointment was one of the first we've seen, and the little shudder and guffaw-type thing he did in the barber's chair, after he got the hot towel, seemed somewhat out of character for him.

Joan must be an expert at her 'wifely duties'. "Go lay down and I'll come in and undress you". Yum.

[The Weird One]

Originally Posted by Dewey Finn

Pete is such an idiot. What's wrong with simply saying, "Thank you." And what was the meaning of the org chart description of the accounts department including "Mr. Campbell, for the present." That's the kind of thing he's going to agonize over.

Yeah, that was interesting. I suppose it could go either way - a promotion, or right back down. I expect it'll make him reconsider Duck's offer, though.

Originally Posted by AuntiePam

I loved Pete's response to the introduction. Guy says (paraphrasing) "I've heard impressive things about you!" and Pete says "I wish I could say the same."

I forget the precise wording, but he said the exact same thing to Peggy as well. I suspect he would've said the same thing to anyone else they introduced him to. He's an expert at flattery. Pete... not so much.

[h.sapiens]

A lot of screaming in this episode. And a lot of little touches that I found really amusing.

Paul playing his guitar in his office as the Brits were walking by.

Peggy fainting into Pete's arms at the sight of McKendrick's mangled foot.

The cleaner wiping the blood from the frosted glass, and Harry's reaction.

The Brits talking about McKendrick as if he were dead.

Lane comparing himself to Tom Sawyer at his own funeral.

Almost nothing ever gets to Roger, does it? He didn't even seem too put out at being left off the organizational chart.

[Rubystreak]

Originally Posted by h.sapiens

The Brits talking about McKendrick as if he were dead.

Well, he can't play golf ever again, so he might as well be.

Lane comparing himself to Tom Sawyer at his own funeral.

And that really weird gift of the dead snake stuffed into a basket as a way of telling him he was going to Bombay was pretty funny too. I actually felt sorry for the guy in that scene.

Almost nothing ever gets to Roger, does it? He didn't even seem too put out at being left off the organizational chart.

I think he was upset, more than Roger usually is. He complained about it to Bert Cooper, whose response was, "We took their money, now we have to do what they say." It was also interesting when Roger said, "I keep telling myself, I'm rich, so they can't hurt me," and Cooper said, "Well, that's a mistake," or something like that. This might be the kick in the ass Roger needs to re-evaluate his situation.

Joan came off as a really good wife in this episode. She was supportive, gentle, and loving. Did anyone else cringe when she said to Dr. Rape, "I married you for your heart, not for your hands"? When they brought out the cake, I figured she was sobbing because she didn't want to leave, but couldn't bear to lose face by staying. What a shitty situation for her to be in. I was really hoping she'd confide in Don to get her job back, so he could help her contrive a reason to stay that wouldn't humiliate her. Don is great at keeping secrets and would have probably been able to figure something out.

[Carol the Impaler]

Can anyone explain Betty's giddyness for most of this episode? She actually seemed... too happy? Definitely no the sullen, pouty Betty I'm used to.

Until the smoking in bed post-Barbie scene.

So, did the Brit lose his leg because it was tourniqueted? I remember in Girl Scouts (in the late 70's) we were taught to never ever tourniquet unless it was a last resort.

Also, are we to assume that the Brit loses his career because it was shameful to be disabled?

[LVBoPeep]

Originally Posted by Rubystreak

Joan came off as a really good wife in this episode. She was supportive, gentle, and loving. Did anyone else cringe when she said to Dr. Rape, "I married you for your heart, not for your hands"? When they brought out the cake, I figured she was sobbing because she didn't want to leave, but couldn't bear to lose face by staying. What a shitty situation for her to be in. I was really hoping she'd confide in Don to get her job back, so he could help her contrive a reason to stay that wouldn't humiliate her. Don is great at keeping secrets and would have probably been able to figure something out.

Well, it doesn't help that Dr. Rape basically told her she had to keep her job now- a little late don't you think? So either way she will be humiliated- either by having to stay there (although I doubt she really ever wanted to leave) or by having everyone know she is working at another agency.

Seems weird that they would have made those decisions without having his residency secured.

[Sage Rat]

Originally Posted by Rubystreak

Joan came off as a really good wife in this episode. She was supportive, gentle, and loving. Did anyone else cringe when she said to Dr. Rape, "I married you for your heart, not for your hands"? When they brought out the cake, I figured she was sobbing because she didn't want to leave, but couldn't bear to lose face by staying. What a shitty situation for her to be in. I was really hoping she'd confide in Don to get her job back, so he could help her contrive a reason to stay that wouldn't humiliate her. Don is great at keeping secrets and would have probably been able to figure something out.

More impressively, she was a great nurse (not shying from blood at all and tying a good tourniquet.) Take that Dr. Rape!

[Jophiel]

Originally Posted by niblet_head

Also, are we to assume that the Brit loses his career because it was shameful to be disabled?

I figured the Brits thought a one-footed ad man would be a distraction in that he couldn't properly schmooze the clients without making them feel uncomfortable with his limping about (and inability to play golf). Plus, it's not even as though he's limping from an old war wound valiantly fighting the Germans or Communists or something -- he got it from an office party when a secretary in his firm ran over his foot with a lawn mower. Hard to get respect from the clients with a story like that.

[DianaG]

Originally Posted by niblet_head

So, did the Brit lose his leg because it was tourniqueted? I remember in Girl Scouts (in the late 70's) we were taught to never ever tourniquet unless it was a last resort.

Also, are we to assume that the Brit loses his career because it was shameful to be disabled?

I'm gonna go ahead and assume that it had more to do with the fact that his foot was shredded by a lawn mower.

And as mentioned above, I don't think that the Brits consider his handicap shameful so much as just... offputting. Can't have the clients squirming.

Joan was awesome. And I too kept waiting for to explain her situation to Don. It's not like she saves a whole lot of face with Sterling once they get called for references. Why not just let them know that her situation has changed, and she'd like to stay. It's not like they'd tell her no.

[alphaboi867]

Originally Posted by Jophiel

...Plus, it's not even as though he's limping from an old war wound valiantly fighting the Germans or Communists or something -- he got it from an office party when a secretary in his firm ran over his foot with a lawn mower. Hard to get respect from the clients with a story like that.

Good point, if lost his foot in the War it probally wouldn't be much of an issue.

Originally Posted by DianaG

...It's not like she saves a whole lot of face with Sterling once they get called for references. Why not just let them know that her situation has changed, and she'd like to stay. It's not like they'd tell her no.

She's not going to be in SC's offices when they get called for references. They'll know (& she'll know they know), but she won't have to actually face them.

[SaharaTea]

Originally Posted by niblet_head

Can anyone explain Betty's giddyness for most of this episode? She actually seemed... too happy? Definitely no the sullen, pouty Betty I'm used to.

Betty is totally in love with baby Gene. She really didn't have time to properly mourn her father before the baby was born. Now I think she's focusing all her love on the "new" Gene partially to avoid dealing with her grief over losing the old one. As usual she is totally clueless as to what Sally is going through. I predict she'll always favor Gene over the other kids.

I might be reading too much into it, but I thought Joan's bloodstained skirt was foreshadowing the JFK assassination. There was also a shot of Don and Joan sitting next to each other in the hospital waiting room which looked a lot like JFK and Jackie sitting next to one another in the car before he was shot. Maybe I'm crazy though...

[DianaG]

"Totally clueless" is such a kind interpretation. I'd have gone with "totally indifferent". Betty's such a child herself, I think she genuinely believes that Sally is difficult just to spite her. Any time the poor girl acts out, Betty's reaction can basically be summed up as "Why are you doing this to me?"

[Gangster Octopus]

So are we to think that Don is in line to take over the COO job? Or am I confused.

[DianaG]

I profoundly doubt it. They want him in charge of all things Creative, but not the whole shebang. I'm pretty sure they consider him (not incorrectly, IMO) someone who needs to be reigned.

[AuntiePam]

Originally Posted by SaharaTea

Betty is totally in love with baby Gene. She really didn't have time to properly mourn her father before the baby was born. Now I think she's focusing all her love on the "new" Gene partially to avoid dealing with her grief over losing the old one. As usual she is totally clueless as to what Sally is going through. I predict she'll always favor Gene over the other kids.

That could be. At least until baby Gene becomes a person with a mind of his own.

It explains the change from the last episode, when Betty acted like she was trapped by motherhood, and this one, where she doesn't say anything to Bobby about his dirty shirt and tries the best she knows how to console Sally.

Thinking more about the spectacles thing (and footless Guy), physical appearance seems important to PPL. St. John looks like Hart Bochner (one of the secretaries commented on how handsome he is) and the other guy reminds me of James Mason. Then there's Lane, who looks like a frog. It might explain why they're so charmed with Don. He's not just smart and creative, he's beautiful.

[astro]

Re the office manager it's odd (to me) that they reward him by kicking him across the ocean, and really don't seem to give him any real respect for doing a bang up job. They are polite/condescending to him, but it's obvious he's a lackey. I suppose I always thought people who got things done would be rewarded and it's almost like he's being punished and pushed around.

In an American context "success" means that you have some degree of self determination and say as to there you will go. Even when he's being congratulated he's being whipped. Is this the way British firms of the 60's would operate?

It doesn't to me make sense even with the time difference and different cultures. I don't get it.

[Jophiel]

I think the deal with Lane (was that the manager's name?) is that he's really just good for trimming fat and bitching about the supply closet and getting the books in order. Once the fat's been trimmed, the books are straight and everyone's using strictly rationed budget quality pens, he's pretty expendable and can be shipped off to the next place. Like Roger laments about himself, he's the victim of his own success. Only in Lane's case, it's actually true.

[drastic_quench]

Originally Posted by Dewey Finn

I wasn't expecting an amputation by lawn mower, as I assumed that they had enough sense to remove the blade before driving it into an office building. Instead, I figured that someone would get run over, or die from gasoline fumes.

Riding lawn mowers have drive chains for both the blade and the wheels. In this way, the speed of the blade needn't be in any proportion to the the speed of the entire mower. Also - and most key here - this means they can be driven without the blade rotating at all. There's no need to remove it.

I never have a problem with fictional violence, but the sheer googly-eyed incompetence of the act nearly made me retch. I would sue for my life and wait a year before having Lois relocated to the bottom of the East River.

[astro]

Originally Posted by drastic_quench

Riding lawn mowers have drive chains for both the blade and the wheels. In this way, the speed of the blade needn't be in any proportion to the the speed of the entire mower. Also - and most key here - this means they can be driven without the blade rotating at all. There's no need to remove it.

I never have a problem with fictional violence, but the sheer googly-eyed incompetence of the act nearly made me retch. I would sue for my life and wait a year before having Lois relocated to the bottom of the East River.

Plus riding mowers put out a HUGE vortex of wind when the blade is spinning. If you were standing next to one in an office all nearby papers etc. would be blown off desks etc. I don't recall that happening in Lois's last ride down the aisle.

[Green Bean]

Originally Posted by AuntiePam

Thinking more about the spectacles thing (and footless Guy), physical appearance seems important to PPL. St. John looks like Hart Bochner (one of the secretaries commented on how handsome he is) and the other guy reminds me of James Mason. Then there's Lane, who looks like a frog.

A frog? That explains it. Given the British disdain for the French, they're punishing him by shipping him off to the various colonies.

[drastic_quench]

Originally Posted by astro

Plus riding mowers put out a HUGE vortex of wind when the blade is spinning. If you were standing next to one in an office all nearby papers etc. would be blown off desks etc. I don't recall that happening in Lois's last ride down the aisle.

Well, back in the sixties the standard 8 1/2'' by 11'' paper was much heavier owing to the old-growth redwood, asbestos, and lead they used to manufacture it. I love how this show gets those little details!

[LVBoPeep]

I'm not a Oprah fan but if you all are in front of a tv, Don & Betty are on right now.

[wierdaaron]

Am I the only one with a looming feeling of dread that Sally or Betty are going to kill that baby? Either Sally will get sick of it stealing all of her attention and/or being her reincarnated grandpa, or Betty will finally split her nut over her dead father + postpartem depression and one of them will smother that thing with a pillow.

I need Matt Weiner to write me a letter confirming this isn't going to happen, because in any scene taking place at the Draper home, I can feel it coming.

For a while I've been wondering if Don would get fed up with all of the corporate meddling (being forced to turn down the Maddison Square Garden account seems to have killed his spirit) and start his own agency, but I never knew where the money would come from. Now, I wonder if Hilton will be a silent investor, and Don would bring along basically the entire cast. Draper-Sterling-Cooper, doing (for starters) all of Hilton's marketing.

Perhaps Connie will get a premonition that his great-granddaughter will be a vapid, celebrity-seeking whore who destroys the family name, and he'll decide to give his family fortune to Don instead.

[AuntiePam]

Originally Posted by wierdaaron

Am I the only one with a looming feeling of dread that Sally or Betty are going to kill that baby? Either Sally will get sick of it stealing all of her attention and/or being her reincarnated grandpa, or Betty will finally split her nut over her dead father + postpartem depression and one of them will smother that thing with a pillow.

I think Don's talk with Sally defused that situation. Don and his magic touch works at home as well as the office.

I think the baby dying (in any fashion) would take the show in a whole other direction. The writers haven't had to manufacture a lot of drama -- it's enough just to show these people coping with the cultural shifts without adding murder and craziness. Peggy's pregnancy in S1 was the closest they came to cliche and they managed to turn that on its ear and surprise everyone.

[Skald the Rhymer]

Originally Posted by wierdaaron

Am I the only one with a looming feeling of dread that Sally or Betty are going to kill that baby? Either Sally will get sick of it stealing all of her attention and/or being her reincarnated grandpa, or Betty will finally split her nut over her dead father + postpartem depression and one of them will smother that thing with a pillow.

I need Matt Weiner to write me a letter confirming this isn't going to happen, because in any scene taking place at the Draper home, I can feel it coming.

For a while I've been wondering if Don would get fed up with all of the corporate meddling (being forced to turn down the Maddison Square Garden account seems to have killed his spirit) and start his own agency, but I never knew where the money would come from. Now, I wonder if Hilton will be a silent investor, and Don would bring along basically the entire cast. Draper-Sterling-Cooper, doing (for starters) all of Hilton's marketing.

I was going to say that Cooper & Sterling probably have non-compete contracts, but as I think on it I'm not sure. We know Don doesn't; there was non when SC was an independent entity, and though I'm sure the corporate bosses would like him to sign one now they have no way to force him to do so.

[Green Bean]

Originally Posted by AuntiePam

I think Don's talk with Sally defused that situation.

Maybe so. But it's quite likely that Betty will do something to reignite it.

I'm imagining Sally as one of those cartoon bombs with the really long fuse. The fuse is lit. Don comes along and stamps it out, but the fuse is still sitting there. Then Betty comes by and casually throws a lit cigarette over her shoulder....

[Lightray]

I think Lane's real failing is that he is not a handsome, charming young man. He's an older man, hence his needing to take off his glasses so as to not remind people of that fact.

Unfortunately, to PPL he was the Beast Rabban sent in to whip Arrakis into shape, before PPL sent in adorable Feyd Rautha to ease their pain.

[Dewey Finn]

Originally Posted by wierdaaron

For a while I've been wondering if Don would get fed up with all of the corporate meddling (being forced to turn down the Maddison Square Garden account seems to have killed his spirit) and start his own agency, but I never knew where the money would come from. Now, I wonder if Hilton will be a silent investor, and Don would bring along basically the entire cast. Draper-Sterling-Cooper, doing (for starters) all of Hilton's marketing.

As I said earlier, Conrad Hilton's comment to Don was not very clear (when he said that Don needed to think bigger) but I think he was suggesting that Don should have asked for a job at Hilton Hotels, perhaps as head of marketing, and that had Don done so, Hilton would have granted it to him. Certainly the two of them bonded at the country club over their shared experience as poor boys looking in at the people with money.

[Dewey Finn]

FYI, here's a link to the Time magazine cover story on Conrad Hilton which ran in the issue dated July 19, 1963. So presumably it was on sale the week after Independence Day.

[Rubystreak]

Originally Posted by wierdaaron

Perhaps Connie will get a premonition that his great-granddaughter will be a vapid, celebrity-seeking whore who destroys the family name, and he'll decide to give his family fortune to Don instead.

Doesn't Don have half a million dollars? Couldn't he use that as start-up money?

Originally Posted by Lightray

Unfortunately, to PPL he was the Beast Rabban sent in to whip Arrakis into shape, before PPL sent in adorable Feyd Rautha to ease their pain.

Beautiful metaphor; hat's off.

[wierdaaron]

Originally Posted by Rubystreak

Doesn't Don have half a million dollars? Couldn't he use that as start-up money?

Isn't there some saying about never gambling with your own money?

[kath94]

Originally Posted by Dewey Finn

I wasn't expecting an amputation by lawn mower, as I assumed that they had enough sense to remove the blade before driving it into an office building. Instead, I figured that someone would get run over, or die from gasoline fumes.

That's what I thought -- is everyone going to pass out from carbon monoxide poisoning?

But if a big ol' lawn tractor is comin' at ya, wouldn't you at least get out of the way?!? It's not like you couldn't out run it.

Originally Posted by AuntiePam

I'm curious about why he was asked to remove his spectacles.

My guess is that any handicap is frowned upon at PPL. Poor vision that requires glasses, missing a foot, etc.

Originally Posted by AuntiePam

Sally, screaming at Barbie -- that was right out of a horror movie. (Admit it -- you laughed.)

...as soon as Don placed it on the dresser I told my husband that Sally was going to freak out over it. I remember that much about being a kid.

[Dewey Finn]

I wonder if Don was cautious in the meeting with Conrad Hilton because the story he told Connie in that country club about being a poor kid parking cars at a roadhouse was one from Dick Whitman's childhood and not Don Draper's. So that if Conrad Hilton or his people do any digging around, they will notice the discrepancy.