lovely review. blundered into this page looking for thoughts on the ep. I pretty well agree with everything here, but I want to stick up for the choice of closing song.
first, it's not just about Betty - it's about the whole theme. you could easily put Megan, the groupie, Pete, or anyone else in Liesl's ingenuous role.
second, of course, in keeping with the sixties, none of these relative youths have any interest in being kept in their place; all are rebellious and pushy. so it's quite the opposite of the song, which I think adds irony to the choice.
third, starting with the intro is sly; only the more die-hard fans would recognize the song, so it made a wonderful gradual reveal, I felt. saccharine and sweet and perfect.
fourth, The Sound Of Music film from which it was taken came out that very year. and was a throwback to 1959, when Mad Men was first set.
and then fifth! think of The Sound of Music - the stiff man of the house and the rebellious younger woman who comes to take care of the children, because the biomom is gone. what more perfect closer source could there have been? none, I tell you.
so great an episode. thanks for your otherwise wholly agreeable investigation!
KS - You are correct about Dawn. Thanks for pointing that out, I've changed it in the review. But the premiere was directed by Jennifer Getzinger. Some thought the premiere was directed by Hamm because this episode, Tea Leaves, was shot first in the production schedule.
Windows to Sky - thank you for your thoughtful comment and analysis. I had not considered some of your points, so I'm glad you contributed to the discussion. Your third point especially makes sense to me - starting with the into was very effective, at the very least.
thanks! to clarify, by "throwback to 1959", I meant, that's when the play was written. the story takes place earlier and its non-musical predecessors are also from earlier, but still, I like the 1959 coincidence. :)
I think Don's new secretary is named "Dawn"..and I believe Hamm also directed last week's 2 hour episode.
ReplyDeletelovely review. blundered into this page looking for thoughts on the ep. I pretty well agree with everything here, but I want to stick up for the choice of closing song.
ReplyDeletefirst, it's not just about Betty - it's about the whole theme. you could easily put Megan, the groupie, Pete, or anyone else in Liesl's ingenuous role.
second, of course, in keeping with the sixties, none of these relative youths have any interest in being kept in their place; all are rebellious and pushy. so it's quite the opposite of the song, which I think adds irony to the choice.
third, starting with the intro is sly; only the more die-hard fans would recognize the song, so it made a wonderful gradual reveal, I felt. saccharine and sweet and perfect.
fourth, The Sound Of Music film from which it was taken came out that very year. and was a throwback to 1959, when Mad Men was first set.
and then fifth! think of The Sound of Music - the stiff man of the house and the rebellious younger woman who comes to take care of the children, because the biomom is gone. what more perfect closer source could there have been? none, I tell you.
so great an episode. thanks for your otherwise wholly agreeable investigation!
KS - You are correct about Dawn. Thanks for pointing that out, I've changed it in the review. But the premiere was directed by Jennifer Getzinger. Some thought the premiere was directed by Hamm because this episode, Tea Leaves, was shot first in the production schedule.
ReplyDeleteWindows to Sky - thank you for your thoughtful comment and analysis. I had not considered some of your points, so I'm glad you contributed to the discussion. Your third point especially makes sense to me - starting with the into was very effective, at the very least.
thanks! to clarify, by "throwback to 1959", I meant, that's when the play was written. the story takes place earlier and its non-musical predecessors are also from earlier, but still, I like the 1959 coincidence. :)
ReplyDelete