I recall, near the end of amnesia weekend, seeing all over Cafe Society “Mad Men - I did NOT expect that” or something like that. “Oh no, I better not read that”, I thought to myself. “Whatever the major spoiler is that’s in there, I won’t touch it till I’m done watching the episode.”
Well, iTunes took forever to get it up, and I only just watched it. And I still have no idea what that title was in reference to! Can anyone who read that thread help me out?
I didn’t read the thread, but I’m guessing it had something to do with Peggy’s transformation.
I didn’t read the thread either because of spoilage. I’m guessing, like, corkboard, that it was Peggy. She is such an interesting character and I have to give her props for showing up at “that” kind of club in 1962. Go girl!
I was also really bothered by what is happening with Don. He seems to be completely losing it. Any opinions? I also got the feeling that when he was standing at the country club as an honored war vet that he wasn’t actually in the war. My memory sucks when it comes to parts of last season (okay, okay I was stoned!) so do we know for a fact that he was there?
This is a really great show.
Some of the shock in the original OP was about Duck letting Chauncey loose in NYC, as well as Peggy’s transformation.
PeacePlease, Don was in the war. If I remember right, the real Don Draper died because of something stupid and/or cowardly that our Don did, or died saving his life. I love the show but I’ve never rewatched an episode.
Yes, he was in Korea as Dick Whitman (his birth name), but that’s where he took on the identity of Don Draper (a comrade killed in action). The war was when he began living a lie.
I did feel bad for Chauncey. Poor doggie.
Don’s always been a little off, but I think the combination of (i) being “honored” for serving his country (during which he shed his identity); (ii) seeing the admiration in his daughter’s eyes (and knowing he’s not who everyone thinks he is); and (iii) learning that there’s a network of his past conquests that compare stories about his lovemaking prowess, is eating away at him. The man’s a simmering cauldron of secrecy and it’s just a matter of time before it all comes bubbling over.
Looking forward to seeing Peggy kick ass and take names in the office. Joan will be working for her some day.
What actually was going on with Duck there? Why did he ditch the poor doggy? Was it because he never liked it in the first place? Or because it was too stinging a reminder of his failed marriage? After letting Chauncey loose, did he run up and fall off the wagon?
Peggy: Where is this going to lead? Yes, it was gutsy of her, but will it really get her what she wants? Wil she be treated as an equal by the guys? Somehow I don’t see it.
Pete: Why is it when it comes to Peggy, Pete gets that “serial killer” look on his face?
Oh, and still nailing the model even after discovering that her mother was just behind the curtain-wall? Very creepy.
Indeed, that relationship hinted at between the model and her mother has got to be one of the creepiest ones depicted on the show. – Stay behind the curtain when I have company!
I love how the show presents the perfect, button-down Eisenhower era in visuals and then reveals how damn creepy everything was.
Creepy for sure. And speaking of creepy, I sorta miss Glenn from S1, the little boy who sorta connected with Betty. Maybe they moved away.
About Duck and Chauncey, I think you’re right on all counts.
Maidenform is the brassiere brand that uses more creative advertising. Their competitor, Playtex, is the firm’s client.
And also the name is a pun, just as the brand name is. Break the word into its components and think of Peggy’s story arc, and Don’s.
His marriage and former job fell apart due to his alcoholism which he thought he’d beat (in the first episode he’d appeared in - he said something about that). But with his job falling apart again, his wife moving getting remarried, he went for the bottle - and couldn’t do it with Chauncey (whom he loved) looking at him and symbolizing everything he had lost.
So yeah, he went back up and fell off the wagon - his spiral will be interesting…
Pete has this weird madonna/whore thing with Peggy. Pete is frequently creepy no matter who is in the room.
The juxtaposition of the hotel scene (Don and Bobbi) and the bathroom scene (Don and Sally) was excellent. Don kept telling Bobbi, “don’t talk” and left her (tied up to the bed, no less) when she kept talking and said something he didn’t like. It made it all the more creepy when Sally gave him that adoring smile and said, “don’t worry, Daddy, I won’t talk.” It seemed that Sally’s words made him realize how messed up he really is.
Oh, and Peggy … damn, girl! Didn’t know you had it in you. 
Sorry, I should have been more clear. I had no idea what the title of the SDMB thread “I did NOT expect that” was in reference to.
I think there was an intentional parallel between poor Chauncey and Sally. Both of them gazed up at the person they worshiped, and the object of their worship knew he was not worthy. Duck is desperate for a drink but can’t do it in front of Chauncey, so he gets rid of the dog. Now he is free to be a degenerate again, without an innocent, adoring gaze to shame him. Don, of course, hasn’t abandoned Sally (yet?), but he certainly can’t face her.
Yeah, I’ve always found him creepy, but he was especially weird in this ep. First, the dropping in to Peggy’s office, then wanting to get a dog for the office, then the model, then the angry eyes when Peggy showed up at the club. I think it’s because of his wife being so hot to have a baby, he’s getting a little wiggy.
Don is really starting to come apart at the seams, too. I’m really interested to see where this is going.
I’m the one who started the thread mentioned in the OP. There were a couple of things I didn’t see coming.
First, I really thought Don would see the auto accident as a “wake-up call” and not pursue Bobbi any more. I was surprised that he ended up in bed with her after all, but really shocked when she told him that his swordsmanship is quite the public topic among a certain set of ladies.
Second, yeah, I was really surprised to see Peggy end up the way we last saw her, like Hot Lips Hoolihan sitting on Trapper John’s lap at the end of MAs*H. I guess I expected better of her, but then I realized that putting on a women’s business suit and becoming one of the guys, this earning their respect and acceptance, was an 80s thing, not a 60s thing. Forgive me; at my age some of those decades start to blend together.
I also whimsically forshadowed the formation of PETA for the purpose of having Duck wacked for what he did to Chauncey, then realized that (heh, heh) I’d said “Duck whacked”, but apparently I was the only one who thought that was funny. Still do.
Unfortunately, I’m in N.C. over the weekend visiting my son and his family, they don’t have AMC on their basic cable, so I’ll miss this week’s episode. Anybody know when I can see it again after Tuesday?
I think On Demand is your best bet--Hulu.com has the first ep from S02 but nothing since. You’d think they’d stream it on their site but you’d be wrong.
I almost started crying over Chauncey–I just lost my very much loved dog a couple weeks ago and that was way too close to home. I didn’t like Duck much to start with, but now I really hate him and hope he jumps out a window.
Didn’t see it, lacking cable and an inclination to see guys I used to know on TV. However, the “I dreamt I was” campaign was one of the first to arouse me. Made damned sure THIS boy was straight!