# 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:** 9
**Author:** ![Alessan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alessan/32/465_2.png) [@Alessan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alessan)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2010, 3:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mad-men-4-07-the-suitcase-open-spoilers/552742/161 "2010-09-10T15:41:10Z")
> [@Push\_You\_Down](#): > > 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. That’s how I saw it - “Why are you shitting on my ideas?”, in the almost-pleading tone Don used, is definitely something you’d say to an equal, or at least a near-equal. ---
**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 10, 2010, 3:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mad-men-4-07-the-suitcase-open-spoilers/552742/162 "2010-09-10T15:42:58Z")
> [@Alessan](#): > > > [@Push\_You\_Down](#): > > > > 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. > > That’s how I saw it - “Why are you shitting on my ideas?”, in the almost-pleading tone Don used, is definitely something you’d say to an equal, or at least a near-equal. I agree. His tone and phrasing was one friend to another, not boss to subordinate. It wasn’t pleading, though. ---
**Author:** ![Gangster\_Octopus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a8b319/32.png) [@Gangster\_Octopus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gangster_Octopus)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2010, 3:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mad-men-4-07-the-suitcase-open-spoilers/552742/163 "2010-09-10T15:53:45Z")
What’s interesting is that Peggy had some valid criticisms, but there was clearly a hint of snarkiness in it too, “look I can criticize just like you”. I think that is one reason why she backpedalled, even she wasn’t sure if she was just being snarky and tired. Remeber Don said it was a fine line between good and bad. OK, can we think of ten taglines for Don’s ad? ---
**Author:** ![Sampiro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/2acd7d/32.png) [@Sampiro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sampiro)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2010, 4:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mad-men-4-07-the-suitcase-open-spoilers/552742/164 "2010-09-10T16:09:22Z")
Don’s defense of the Glow-Coat ad was also equal to equal, and valid (it really was as much his idea as her’s). And his comment “That’s what the money’s for” when she complains about the lack of thanks was also valid, at least to a degree. ---
**Author:** ![corkboard](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e9bcb4/32.png) [@corkboard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/corkboard)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2010, 4:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mad-men-4-07-the-suitcase-open-spoilers/552742/165 "2010-09-10T16:20:56Z")
> [@Sampiro](#): > > Don’s defense of the Glow-Coat ad was also equal to equal, and valid (it really was as much his idea as her’s). And his comment “That’s what the money’s for” when she complains about the lack of thanks was also valid, at least to a degree. It’s valid on its face, but since Peggy feels some sort of kinship with Don that nobody else in the office enjoys, she was no doubt hoping for more of a personal ‘thanks’ from Don, even if it was ‘thanks for the nugget that eventually became a Clio award-winning ad’. Arguably, the money’s for working to create ads that sell products for their clients. Since so few of the thousands of ads that are produced each year by all the agencies actually end up winning an award, I think it’s fair to say that the money isn’t in lieu of a ‘thank you for your contribution to the work that won this award’- the ‘thank you’ should be extra. ---
**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, 4:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mad-men-4-07-the-suitcase-open-spoilers/552742/166 "2010-09-10T16:23:42Z")
> [@acsenray](#): > > I think it’s all true, at least from Roger’s point of view. > [@shy\_guy](#): > > 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. I think you guys are being played. What we in the audience know and Don and Peggy don’t is how much trouble Roger has been having with these memoirs. He does multiple takes at the best of times. When he’s drunk anything can come out. I can believe his not remembering Miss Blankenship to the exact year, but when he says “1948, no 1932… wait 39…” he’s making crap up. Wait and see. There will be a hilarious incident in which Bert Cooper proves that he is not ballless. :eek: ---
**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, 6:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mad-men-4-07-the-suitcase-open-spoilers/552742/167 "2010-09-10T18:03:56Z")
I don’t find his confusion about the date to be indicative of mendacity. It’s completely believable for him to waver like that about the truth. And I might have bought your point about Cooper except for the fact that the Dr. Lyle Evans thing was foreshadowed in “Chrysanthemum.” ---
**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, 6:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mad-men-4-07-the-suitcase-open-spoilers/552742/168 "2010-09-10T18:14:06Z")
> [@acsenray](#): > > I don’t find his confusion about the date to be indicative of mendacity. It’s completely believable for him to waver like that about the truth. > > And I might have bought your point about Cooper except for the fact that the Dr. Lyle Evans thing was foreshadowed in “Chrysanthemum.” I was going to bring up the latter point as well. In regard to the former, I was under the impression that Roger was drunk when he made the recording Don and Peggy listen to. ---
**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, 6:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mad-men-4-07-the-suitcase-open-spoilers/552742/169 "2010-09-10T18:25:02Z")
And I’m happy to note that _Mad Men_ keeps offering regular doses of Megan, even if brief. Just a glimpse of her makes me happy. ---
**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, 6:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mad-men-4-07-the-suitcase-open-spoilers/552742/170 "2010-09-10T18:48:36Z")
> [@acsenray](#): > > And I might have bought your point about Cooper except for the fact that the Dr. Lyle Evans thing was foreshadowed in “Chrysanthemum.” And you now think you know everything about Dr. Lyle Evans? Ah, you poor deluded fools. Surprised, you will be. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Sampiro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/2acd7d/32.png) [@Sampiro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sampiro)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2010, 7:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mad-men-4-07-the-suitcase-open-spoilers/552742/171 "2010-09-10T19:00:10Z")
[QUOTE=Exapno Mapcase] Surprised, you will be. 😉 [/QUOTE] No, surprised _you_ will be. Low in testosterone Burt Cooper is. ---
**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 10, 2010, 7:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mad-men-4-07-the-suitcase-open-spoilers/552742/172 "2010-09-10T19:54:32Z")
I voted “loved it” but everyone has ably stated most of the reasons so I’m going to register my one and only complaint; what’s up with the gratuitous vomiting? Okay, maybe not _gratuitous_, but it would seem Mr. Weiner has to include at least one puking scene per season. Last week’s could have been worse I guess. I was thinking what a thrill it was that they showed some restaint and didn’t make us see the graphic details and then we had to see ten minutes of Don with pouke on his shirt. Blerg. It could be my mild case of emetophobia, but not only did it not add anything to the story, I didn’t find it believable. Drinking is practically Don’s second career and suddenly he can’t hold his liquor? Even my boyfriend who was watching for only the first time but is familiar with what the character is supposed to be didn’t get why the main, badass dude was being shown in such a pathetic, unrealistic light. Am I missing something? I know we’re supposed to be witnessing Don being brought low but that whole scene just struck me as wrong. ---
**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, 8:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mad-men-4-07-the-suitcase-open-spoilers/552742/173 "2010-09-10T20:02:30Z")
It’s not unrealistic for a heavy drinker to occasionally overindulge to the point of vomiting. ---
**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 10, 2010, 8:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mad-men-4-07-the-suitcase-open-spoilers/552742/174 "2010-09-10T20:10:14Z")
I don’t think Roger was lying about Miss Blankenship… I mean, he’s not saying that he nailed her last week, he’s talking about seeing her 20 years previously… when she [looked more like this.](http://www.sitcomsonline.com/photopost/data/1474/Randee_Hellerad_1.JPG) What’s so crazy about that possibility? ---
**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 10, 2010, 8:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mad-men-4-07-the-suitcase-open-spoilers/552742/175 "2010-09-10T20:14:09Z")
> [@acsenray](#): > > It’s not unrealistic for a heavy drinker to occasionally overindulge to the point of vomiting. You could be right. I guess I can only go by my personal experience of knowing / having known, heck, having once _been_ a heavy drinker myself. It doesn’t seem to have bothered anyone else so I’ll take your word it’s just me, but in light of the other vomitocious scenes (Roger upchucking in front of the prospective clients in Season 2? Puhlease) Weiner likes to include I felt like he just put it in there for shock / gross out value. ---
**Author:** ![Zeldar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/b77776/32.png) [@Zeldar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zeldar)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2010, 8:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mad-men-4-07-the-suitcase-open-spoilers/552742/176 "2010-09-10T20:17:09Z")
> [@WOOKINPANUB](#): > > > [@acsenray](#): > > > > It’s not unrealistic for a heavy drinker to occasionally overindulge to the point of vomiting. > > You could be right. I guess I can only go by my personal experience of knowing / having known, heck, having once _been_ a heavy drinker myself. It doesn’t seem to have bothered anyone else so I’ll take your word it’s just me, but in light of the other vomitocious scenes (Roger upchucking in front of the prospective clients in Season 2? Puhlease) Weiner likes to include I felt like he just put it in there for shock / gross out value. Having Duck take a dump in a chair seemed a bit excessive as well. Maybe it’s just “spice.” ---
**Author:** ![Sampiro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/2acd7d/32.png) [@Sampiro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sampiro)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2010, 8:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mad-men-4-07-the-suitcase-open-spoilers/552742/177 "2010-09-10T20:18:38Z")
> [@WOOKINPANUB](#): > > It could be my mild case of emetophobia, but not only did it not add anything to the story, I didn’t find it believable. Drinking is practically Don’s second career and suddenly he can’t hold his liquor? It’s not unrealistic in and of itself: even the most two fisted drinkers can overdo it. (To quote from Mark Twain about a particular ‘half a gallon’ binge, “I’d been drunk before but that was my masterpiece”.) Add to this though that he’s in a state of extreme anxiety about the call from California plus the always present other stuff [demanding career, money troubled firm, fear he’s losing speed on the draw when lots of people are looking to outshoot him, divorce, kid in therapy, etc.]). ---
**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, 8:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mad-men-4-07-the-suitcase-open-spoilers/552742/178 "2010-09-10T20:28:32Z")
> [@WOOKINPANUB](#): > > It could be my mild case of emetophobia, but not only did it not add anything to the story, I didn’t find it believable. On the contrary, the graphic nature of the scene is important specifically because it’s such a sharp contrast to the cool, confident, put-together Don we met in season 1. It’s meant to highlight the depths to which Don has fallen. It also provides high contrast with the Don Peggy finds in his office the following morning; Don practically passed out in his own filth the night before and is still the most handsome man in Manhattan the next morning whereas Peggy is obviously disheveled despite not having been in as bad a state the night before. I also think that getting drunk to the point of vomiting is quite believable for an alcoholic whose life has fallen apart. This season (and series, really) is addressing the issue of alcoholism from several directions, and one of them is seeing Don being swallowed by his addiction now that he lost the things that kept him in line. ---
**Author:** ![drastic\_quench](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e36b37/32.png) [@drastic\_quench](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drastic_quench)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2010, 9:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mad-men-4-07-the-suitcase-open-spoilers/552742/179 "2010-09-10T21:05:07Z")
- and you can buy the official Mad Men cocktail app for your iPhone! ---
**Author:** ![Sampiro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/2acd7d/32.png) [@Sampiro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sampiro)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2010, 10:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mad-men-4-07-the-suitcase-open-spoilers/552742/180 "2010-09-10T22:06:39Z")
> [@drastic\_quench](#): > > - and you can buy the official Mad Men cocktail app for your iPhone! Do they have an option where you can text a Duck Dump to a former co-worker? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mad-men-4-07-the-suitcase-open-spoilers/552742.md?page=8) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mad-men-4-07-the-suitcase-open-spoilers/552742.md?page=10)