In this episode of Mad Men, we were shown that the times were indeed a-changin’. Coworkers dabbled in drug use while others grappled with racism. Two parties were held under very different circumstances yet both resulted in rather uncomfortable revelations. It was a genuinely interesting episode; one that I am still mulling over a day later and probably will be for some time.
Gene officially moved in with the Drapers and enlisted Sally to read to him in his room. While he was indisposed, she secretly took a five dollar bill from his wallet and ran off with it. Gene instantly noticed that it was missing and confronted the family. Don offered him five dollars from his own pocket, which he refused, while Sally stood and watched in silence. Later, an affable Carla and Gene searched for the money in his room and he mistakenly called her by the name of his former maid {who also happened to be black.} She corrected him, and when he asked if she knew her, she replied, “We don’t all know each other.” This awkward moment was not the only nod to stereotyping in the episode.
Roger and Jane hosted a lavish 1920’s themed lawn party at a country club while Joan held a modest dinner for her husband’s coworkers. The Sterling Cooper staff all attended Roger’s shindig with the exception of Joan and a few from the creative department who were working for the weekend {more on them later.} At Roger and Jane’s party, Roger sang “My Old Kentucky Home” to Jane onstage while in blackface. The majority of the onlookers laughed at his performance while only Don appeared to be offended. I personally found it unfortunate that Paul was not in attendance, as he would have surely called attention to the fact that Roger’s impersonation was completely appalling.
Don saw this as an ideal time to step away from the party. Finding an empty bar on the compound, he made drinks for himself and a stranger that had ditched a wedding. The two discussed their backgrounds momentarily, and Don was uncharacteristically honest, sharing his experiences working as a valet and detailing his humble upbringing. I found this scene to be rather realistic, as people who hide the truth from their immediate circle are often completely candid when in the company of strangers.
Joan’s dinner party was a much smaller gathering but no less tense. It was accidentally revealed that her husband, Greg, is showing some difficulty at work- there is a brief allusion to a botched surgery. In the kitchen, an older lady shamed Joan by referring to her place as a virtual dump and advising her not to have children anytime soon. She also implied that without Joan, Greg would not have much of a future. Joan was upset by her rude comments but tried her best to appear gracious.
Elsewhere, Peggy Olsen made the impulsive decision to get high with the guys. It could have been due to a longing to fit in, a desire to be bad, or an attempt to shed her uptight image. It could have been done out of sincere curiosity, or it might have been a move towards escapism. Whatever the case, Peggy lit up with Paul and Smitty while they were “working on copy” at the office over the weekend.
While trying lamely to create colourful scenarios for Bacardi ads, Smitty mentioned his penchant for smoking grass. Being a self-professed libertine, Paul echoed his sentiments and proposed calling an old college friend that might have access to some libations. His friend, Jeff, was actually a drug dealer who promptly arrived to get the group high. Peggy joined the party a little bit late but seemed to be the most affected by the marijuana. Afterwards, her new secretary, Olive, showed extreme disapproval of the group’s actions, singling Peggy out for her poor judgment. Peggy was still under the influence at this point and rambled incoherently to Olive in response, attempting to tell her not to worry about her because she was in “a very good place.” It seemed that Peggy already felt as if the secretaries were worried over her ability to maintain her position as a copywriter. She emphatically swore to Olive that their apprehensions were misguided.
Back at Roger and Jane’s party, Betty waited outside of the ladies’ room for Trudy and was approached by an attractive gentleman who told her that he wished she was waiting for him. They had a brief conversation in which he admitted he was with a date, a dose of bad luck that he often encountered when meeting someone lovely. With permission, he placed his left hand on her belly to feel the baby {a hand that bore no wedding ring.} Betty was eventually formally introduced to this man, who apparently worked for the governor, by Bert Cooper.
The band played a frenetic 1920’s number which Pete and Trudy animatedly danced to. Surprisingly, the Campbells knew all of the steps to the Charleston and wowed the crowd, who quickly parted for them. In the buffet line, a rather wasted Jane slurred and swayed while trying to make a plate {which ended up all over the floor.} She praised Betty for her beauty as Don approached them and said, “I knew you two would get back together no matter what happened.” Betty walked away while Don exasperatedly led Jane to a nearby table. She groped at his shirt and asked why he didn’t like her. Roger intervened and angrily demanded to know what was going on. The two men had a private conversation and Roger mused that you should not make your happiness obvious because spectators will always respond with jealousy. Don coldly replied that nobody thought Roger was happy- they thought he was foolish. This did seem to be the public perception, as the staff had earlier made catty remarks about Rockefeller’s recent remarriage, which was akin to Roger and Jane’s scandal.
Back at Joan’s apartment, a desperate Greg insisted that Joan entertain his guests by playing her accordion and singing. Although out of practice and completely against the idea, Joan obliged and performed a surprisingly excellent rendition of “C’est Magnifique.” Although the dinner party was unsuccessful, Joan managed to maintain her dignity- and her temper- throughout.
Sally Draper, feeling much guilt over stealing her grandfather’s money, ultimately threw the five dollar bill on the ground and pretended to find it. Gene clearly knew that she had been harboring it all along but managed to put the matter to rest. He later had Sally read to him in his room, giving the impression that little had changed between them.
The show ended with a shot of Don and Betty dreamily embracing in the dark at a distance from Roger’s party.
Overall, I was particularly surprised by Roger and Peggy’s actions in this episode. The other characters all acted as I expected them to. Although Roger is quite obviously a cad, I never took him for a racist, and I was disgusted by his musical number. Roger’s only remaining asset seems to be his sharp wit, but that quality tends to get overshadowed by the ugliness of prejudice. I never expected Peggy to be one to get high. We’re aware that she has a progressive attitude towards sexuality, but she seems so straight laced in all other regards. It will be exciting to see the consequences of the three parties in this episode, from the club to the apartment to that hot boxed office.
