# Mad-Men: 4.07 "The Suitcase" (open spoilers) **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [September 6, 2010, 2:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mad-men-4-07-the-suitcase-open-spoilers/552742 "2010-09-06T02:03:48Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 8
**Author:** ![woodstockbirdybird](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/woodstockbirdybird/32/7905_2.png) [@woodstockbirdybird](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/woodstockbirdybird)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2010, 4:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mad-men-4-07-the-suitcase-open-spoilers/552742/141 "2010-09-09T04:50:25Z")
I guess “douche-a” is a play on the name **Bob Ducca** , who referenced that Greece line in post # 39 (on preview, I see I’m right), but I don’t get what the anger’s directed at, either. Those fiery Greeks! ---
**Author:** ![gallows\_fodder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/8c91f0/32.png) [@gallows\_fodder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gallows_fodder)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2010, 4:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mad-men-4-07-the-suitcase-open-spoilers/552742/142 "2010-09-09T04:58:32Z")
> [@GameHat](#): > > Like many, I was on pins and needles for much of the episode - damn it, Don, don’t you fucking sleep with her - “Let’s go someplace darker” - FUCK Don, stop it! Don pats the couch - “OH GOD NO SHE’S THE ONLY INNOCENCE YOU HAVE LEFT”. Heh, this is why I _needed_ to see it immediately all over again – I had to experience it without tensing up anytime he looked at her remotely like he might be about to make a pass at her. It also feels like this is the only episode this season where, when we (collectively) yell out, “DON’T DO IT, DON, NOOOOOOOOO,” he actually listened. ---
**Author:** ![Zeldar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/b77776/32.png) [@Zeldar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zeldar)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2010, 10:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mad-men-4-07-the-suitcase-open-spoilers/552742/143 "2010-09-09T10:49:16Z")
> [@GameHat](#): > > Many Dopers have said what I will say, but: > > Damn. > > \<\\> > > Like the Slate blog describes it, it was so nice to find Peggy and Don not sleeping together but rather having a _Lost in Translation_ moment. > > Anyways. Best episode of the season, and one of all the best of Mad Men. Well said, **GameHat** , and exactly how I reacted to it. One of those episodes that stands out for the difficult task of saying a lot without saying too much. Restraint in the writing and acting, and yet poignant to the point of Truth. Rarely attempted, even more rarely achieved. As I said earlier: Emmy worthy! ---
**Author:** ![shy\_guy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a6a055/32.png) [@shy\_guy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/shy_guy)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2010, 12:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mad-men-4-07-the-suitcase-open-spoilers/552742/144 "2010-09-09T12:23:34Z")
> [@woodstockbirdybird](#): > > I guess “douche-a” is a play on the name **Bob Ducca** , who referenced that Greece line in post # 39 (on preview, I see I’m right), but I don’t get what the anger’s directed at, either. Those fiery Greeks! My interpretation: “I’m so offended that people are laughing at an anti-Greek slur in a way that they don’t laugh at the anti-Black and anti-Jewish slurs in the same show!” Except that we _do_ laugh at the latter, for exactly the reason **Captain Amazing** gave, and for that matter Don and Peggy were actually complimenting Greece (“I want to go there because it’s pretty”) while ribbing American Greek restaurants. ---
**Author:** ![Gestalt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/90ced4/32.png) [@Gestalt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gestalt)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2010, 12:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mad-men-4-07-the-suitcase-open-spoilers/552742/145 "2010-09-09T12:44:45Z")
I don’t get how, “all the good cooks stayed there,” is an insult to Greeks. ---
**Author:** ![GrandWino](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/grandwino/32/67_2.png) [@GrandWino](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GrandWino)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2010, 2:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mad-men-4-07-the-suitcase-open-spoilers/552742/146 "2010-09-09T14:17:51Z")
Yeah, it’s hardly an insult to Greece. He’s saying that he wants to visit the country because the food is great there. OH NO!!! Greek diners were springing up around the country around the time of “Mad Men” and they weren’t much differerent than they are now. Good greasy spoon type food, but not what you’d hold up as a great example of Greek cuisine. According to [this Wiki page](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diner)on the history of Diners, Greek immigrants opened more than 600 diners in NYC from the 1950s-70s. Chicago has some great Greek diners around still but if I want real Greek food I’ll go to Greektown and get something more authentic. Gyros were first introduced to the United States via Chicago in 1965 so they may not have spread to NYC by the time Don and Peggy were enjoying their meal. Sincerely, Bob Douche-a ---
**Author:** ![WOOKINPANUB](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wookinpanub/32/132_2.png) [@WOOKINPANUB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WOOKINPANUB)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2010, 2:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mad-men-4-07-the-suitcase-open-spoilers/552742/147 "2010-09-09T14:18:40Z")
> [@Gestalt](#): > > I don’t get how, “all the good cooks stayed there,” is an insult to Greeks. Nor I, but considering the offended party found it neccessary to resort to mocking another poster by warping his name (in a totally lame way, I might add) I really have to ask myself if it’s worth pondering. It is not. ---
**Author:** ![GrandWino](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/grandwino/32/67_2.png) [@GrandWino](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GrandWino)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2010, 2:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mad-men-4-07-the-suitcase-open-spoilers/552742/148 "2010-09-09T14:20:05Z")
> [@woodstockbirdybird](#): > > I guess “douche-a” is a play on the name **Bob Ducca** , who referenced that Greece line in post # 39 (on preview, I see I’m right), but I don’t get what the anger’s directed at, either. Those fiery Greeks! I feel compelled to post as many anti-Greek jokes as I can come up with, and I have a few good ones up my sleeve, but I’d be dangerously close to violating the “don’t be a jerk” rule so I’ll defer to my better judgement. Now, don’t get me started on Macedonians!!! ---
**Author:** ![Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecccb3/32.png) [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skald_the_Rhymer)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2010, 2:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mad-men-4-07-the-suitcase-open-spoilers/552742/149 "2010-09-09T14:21:02Z")
> [@Gestalt](#): > > I don’t get how, “all the good cooks stayed there,” is an insult to Greeks. If all the good cooks stayed in Greece, it follows that Greek restaurants in America are not good. ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2010, 2:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mad-men-4-07-the-suitcase-open-spoilers/552742/150 "2010-09-09T14:35:00Z")
> [@Spyro](#): > > Hey Douche-a, > > Why do you find the Greek jokes so funny? Did you love Harry Crane’s stereotypes about Jews or Blankenship’s dismissal of “negroes” beating each other up for a dollar just as humorous? Calling someone a douche is totally inappropriate for this forum. Don’t do it again. ---
**Author:** ![GrandWino](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/grandwino/32/67_2.png) [@GrandWino](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GrandWino)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2010, 2:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mad-men-4-07-the-suitcase-open-spoilers/552742/151 "2010-09-09T14:45:54Z")
> [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](#): > > > [@Gestalt](#): > > > > I don’t get how, “all the good cooks stayed there,” is an insult to Greeks. > > If all the good cooks stayed in Greece, it follows that Greek restaurants in America are not good. Also, the Parthenon has roaches. ---
**Author:** ![shy\_guy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a6a055/32.png) [@shy\_guy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/shy_guy)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2010, 3:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mad-men-4-07-the-suitcase-open-spoilers/552742/152 "2010-09-09T15:18:14Z")
> [@Bob Ducca](#): > > > [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](#): > > > > If all the good cooks stayed in Greece, it follows that Greek restaurants in America are not good. > > Also, the Parthenon has roaches. The size of dogs! ---
**Author:** ![Push\_You\_Down](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/push_you_down/32/9095_2.png) [@Push\_You\_Down](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Push_You_Down)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2010, 4:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mad-men-4-07-the-suitcase-open-spoilers/552742/153 "2010-09-09T16:34:30Z")
This just came to me this morning- I think Peggy’s critique of the Ali referencing Samsonite ad is a call back to earlier in the episode when she confronts Don about the Glow-coat ad. Her pitch was a kid locked in a closet which Don pointed out didn’t work for a TV ad, and the idea had to be tweaked into what it became. Peggy coming back at the end with the same mode of thinking, shows that while she still is learning from Don, she’s now stepping up to a more even level with him. Shes’ looking at things not just as a copy writer. I may need to watch it again, but Don’s dismissal of her concerns didn’t read to me as a boss dismissing an underling. ---
**Author:** ![TheTerribleTako](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ba8739/32.png) [@TheTerribleTako](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TheTerribleTako)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2010, 7:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mad-men-4-07-the-suitcase-open-spoilers/552742/154 "2010-09-09T19:03:09Z")
That’s a very good point, **Push You Down**. Also, I found it interesting how Don mentioned earlier in the episode when they were in the bar (or was it the Greek restaurant?) that when you see a good ad, you just know. Yet, when Peggy saw his Ali/Liston take-off, she immediately honed in on its flaws. It’s obviously not a great ad. Yet, she demurs in her criticisms when Don is obviously hurt, since she knows that he’s in a vulnerable place at the moment. Don recognizes the kindness (one that he never extended to Peggy), and reaches out to hold her hand. This would be a loaded imagery just because of its parallel to the season one episode where he rejects her hand, but because we know Don is such a loner and we’ve seen in this episode that he feels utterly alone in the world, the gesture feels as if he’s finally reaching out for a meaningful relationship. ---
**Author:** ![astro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/9dc877/32.png) [@astro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astro)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2010, 9:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mad-men-4-07-the-suitcase-open-spoilers/552742/155 "2010-09-09T21:52:26Z")
Anybody catch the fur shop poster model in the fur buying scene? Yep… that’s her. ---
**Author:** ![Sampiro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/2acd7d/32.png) [@Sampiro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sampiro)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2010, 10:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mad-men-4-07-the-suitcase-open-spoilers/552742/156 "2010-09-09T22:19:44Z")
> [@Bob Ducca](#): > > Greek diners were springing up around the country around the time of “Mad Men” and they weren’t much differerent than they are now. Good greasy spoon type food, but not what you’d hold up as a great example of Greek cuisine. According to [this Wiki page](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diner)on the history of Diners, Greek immigrants opened more than 600 diners in NYC from the 1950s-70s. Chicago has some great Greek diners around still but if I want real Greek food I’ll go to Greektown and get something more authentic. Gyros were first introduced to the United States via Chicago in 1965 so they may not have spread to NYC by the time Don and Peggy were enjoying their meal. I’m not sure why Greeks were so drawn to the restaurant business, but there are at several Greek owned restaurants in Montgomery AL that date to that time, none of which are Greek restaurants. One is a locally famous hotdog place, one’s a deli, the others are Italian or southern with occasional Greek dishes on the menu. Irks me because I love Greek food. I wonder if Joan knows about Miss Blankenship’s past or her fling with young Roger. It seems that she didn’t just pick her from the steno pool but actually brought her out of retirement to work with Don, so I wonder if that’s part of the joke. It’s also about time for a Joan episode; other than the one where her husband doctored her hand they haven’t really had one this season. My main complaint about this season is that most of the supporting characters have been cipher. Joan’s scene with the doctor-rapist-hubby, Pete and Trudy’s baby, and Roger’s Japanese meltdown are about the only times they’ve really been front and center. I’m sure Peggy’s psychoogist sessions will come into the fray but the season lacks both a major arc and minor arcs, going more into character studies, which are good but they don’t propel a series. ---
**Author:** ![Acsenray](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/acsenray/32/4519_2.png) [@Acsenray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acsenray)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2010, 10:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mad-men-4-07-the-suitcase-open-spoilers/552742/157 "2010-09-09T22:28:03Z")
Roger definitely knew her well. When Blankenship appeared, Roger said that she had been working in Cooper’a house. And that Cooper works at home without his pants on. ---
**Author:** ![Exapno\_Mapcase](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/exapno_mapcase/32/1051_2.png) [@Exapno\_Mapcase](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Exapno_Mapcase)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2010, 2:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mad-men-4-07-the-suitcase-open-spoilers/552742/158 "2010-09-10T02:01:56Z")
> [@Sampiro](#): > > I wonder if Joan knows about Miss Blankenship’s past or her fling with young Roger. It seems that she didn’t just pick her from the steno pool but actually brought her out of retirement to work with Don, so I wonder if that’s part of the joke. I thought it was all a joke. Roger was clearly making up a year in which his “fling” with Miss Blankenship occurred. Can we believe anything at all from that tape as literally true? ---
**Author:** ![Acsenray](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/acsenray/32/4519_2.png) [@Acsenray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acsenray)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2010, 2:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mad-men-4-07-the-suitcase-open-spoilers/552742/159 "2010-09-10T02:56:16Z")
I think it’s all true, at least from Roger’s point of view. ---
**Author:** ![shy\_guy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a6a055/32.png) [@shy\_guy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/shy_guy)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2010, 12:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mad-men-4-07-the-suitcase-open-spoilers/552742/160 "2010-09-10T12:20:24Z")
Yeah, the stuff on the tape is Roger telling the truth. That’s definitely how Peggy and Don take it. Plus, the tape is what will eventually become his autobiography or whatever. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mad-men-4-07-the-suitcase-open-spoilers/552742.md?page=7) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mad-men-4-07-the-suitcase-open-spoilers/552742.md?page=9)