This is a very wonderful review. I liked that you illustrated the inverse relationship between Don and Lane. I hadn’t noticed that when I watched the episode. While watching the episode, I couldn’t quite understand why Lane would take such an easy route. To me, it seemed like he was running away from his problems. Yes, it is extremely hard to start over but giving up is not an option. However, with this review, I can see why he thought the solution to his problem was killing self. The writers of Mad Men definitely foreshadowed a bit when Don said, “Take the weekend. Think of an elegant exit.” And he did.
I am glad you pointed out the irony of Sally becoming a kid again and then having to deal with maturing as a woman. I also didn’t think of that. I just thought of it as, when she actually comes to face with adulthood (after pretending to be an adult), Sally realizes that it is not all that she hoped it would be. Just as you said, her experience at the codfish ball and in this particular episode are almost parallels.
Another parallel I noticed was the way Lane killed himself. By the way, it was very interesting that you pointed out how unreliable the Jaguar was, and how Lane’s suicide didn’t even prove to be an easy route to take. But what I found particularly interesting was the fact that Don’s half brother also committed suicide by hanging himself.
In conclusion, it was a very great review. I just recently found your blog and would be definitely checking out your thought on other TV shows and movies.
It's remarkable that you were able to put together such a well-written and insightful article just a few hours after the episode aired. You are very good at what you do. I look forward to reading more of your articles.
That was an awesome review Jonathan. I wish I could do what you just did with a simple episode of MM on any of my coursework. Very well written and prior to that: You have a gift of reading in between the lines of this episode so accurately.
Well written review; however, you're letting Draper off the hook. His destructive tendencies used to be self-directed; now he's taking dead aim at others. First Peggy last week, now Lane. Lane makes a desperate yet persuasive case for himself: 13 day loan, the onerous English tax system, going the extra 3000 miles to put the Firm's affairs in order. Yet Don can show no mercy; he's just been scolded by Bert Cooper, been called a child among adults. Lane, down the food chain a notch,is easy prey... Considering his culture, heritage and professional competence, (his tax problem, remember, is due to liquidating assets to prop up the Firm)Lane feels he has no choice but to kill himself. The viewers know it too. The embarrassment otherwise would kill him eventually anyway. Sorry, Jonathan: in the moral universe of Mad Men, this one's on Don, and he's going to pay.
The one thing that I felt was lost in this episode was the whole Peggy storyline. It seems simply illogical that we were never shown the reactions of the staff at SCDP to Peggy's departure. This episode was as if Peggy never existed at all, and I don't think that's fair to us as viewers.
Peggy has departed. She is gone, and she won't be back. While the impact of her absence may be felt by those closest to her at SCDP, it's most likely that we won't see any expressions of this impact directly.
I think you are misreading the meeting with DOW. The whole season has been about Don accepting status quo and being happy. He realizes in this episode that Lane, someone he cares for, was suffering with the "piddlying around." The scene with Roger right after Lane's emotional outing shows that Don has been selfish recently with his contentment with all things on cruise control at the agency. He feels guilt over not having to have pushed himself for more success to give everyone Christmas bonuses so Lane would not have gone through the crisis of being found out, a feeling Don is intimate with. The meeting with DOW is Don taking responsibility for his lack of leadership putting Lane in his situation.
Watch how the scenes unfold. 1) Don confronting Lane and then realizing what Lane was going through because the Agency has not been doing well. 2) Don confronting Roger saying he is "not happy" that they could not pay out Christmans bonuses. 3) Meeting with DOW where we see Don was like DOW this whole season being 50% happy and how that is causing problems at the Agency. 4) Lane's suicide confirming "symbolically" that Lane's meltdown was enough guilt to trigger Don to want more than 50% it was not enough time for Don to emotionally, psychically process his guilt over his inactions this whole season.
Great review. I wonder if Don telling Lane to "plan an elegant exit" had anything to do with why Lane chose hanging in his office, other than the car not starting. Incredible episode all together. Traumatic but a cute scene at the end with Glen driving his first car.
Jonathan, that is a great summary. You are a very very good writer. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteAmazing. You're gifted.
ReplyDeleteThis is a very wonderful review. I liked that you illustrated the inverse relationship between Don and Lane. I hadn’t noticed that when I watched the episode. While watching the episode, I couldn’t quite understand why Lane would take such an easy route. To me, it seemed like he was running away from his problems. Yes, it is extremely hard to start over but giving up is not an option. However, with this review, I can see why he thought the solution to his problem was killing self. The writers of Mad Men definitely foreshadowed a bit when Don said, “Take the weekend. Think of an elegant exit.” And he did.
ReplyDeleteI am glad you pointed out the irony of Sally becoming a kid again and then having to deal with maturing as a woman. I also didn’t think of that. I just thought of it as, when she actually comes to face with adulthood (after pretending to be an adult), Sally realizes that it is not all that she hoped it would be. Just as you said, her experience at the codfish ball and in this particular episode are almost parallels.
Another parallel I noticed was the way Lane killed himself. By the way, it was very interesting that you pointed out how unreliable the Jaguar was, and how Lane’s suicide didn’t even prove to be an easy route to take. But what I found particularly interesting was the fact that Don’s half brother also committed suicide by hanging himself.
In conclusion, it was a very great review. I just recently found your blog and would be definitely checking out your thought on other TV shows and movies.
It's remarkable that you were able to put together such a well-written and insightful article just a few hours after the episode aired. You are very good at what you do. I look forward to reading more of your articles.
ReplyDeleteThat was an awesome review Jonathan. I wish I could do what you just did with a simple episode of MM on any of my coursework. Very well written and prior to that: You have a gift of reading in between the lines of this episode so accurately.
ReplyDeleteYou are brilliant, Jonathan. I get so much more out of the episodes after reading your reviews. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteYes, great review! I've read about 10 of them re this episode & no question, yours was by far the best & most enjoyable to read.
ReplyDeleteWell written review; however, you're letting Draper off the hook. His destructive tendencies used to be self-directed; now he's taking dead aim at others. First Peggy last week, now Lane. Lane makes a desperate yet persuasive case for himself: 13 day loan, the onerous English tax system, going the extra 3000 miles to put the Firm's affairs in order. Yet Don can show no mercy; he's just been scolded by Bert Cooper, been called a child among adults. Lane, down the food chain a notch,is easy prey... Considering his culture, heritage and professional competence, (his tax problem, remember, is due to liquidating assets to prop up the Firm)Lane feels he has no choice but to kill himself. The viewers know it too. The embarrassment otherwise would kill him eventually anyway. Sorry, Jonathan: in the moral universe of Mad Men, this one's on Don, and he's going to pay.
ReplyDeleteThe one thing that I felt was lost in this episode was the whole Peggy storyline. It seems simply illogical that we were never shown the reactions of the staff at SCDP to Peggy's departure. This episode was as if Peggy never existed at all, and I don't think that's fair to us as viewers.
ReplyDeletePeggy has departed. She is gone, and she won't be back. While the impact of her absence may be felt by those closest to her at SCDP, it's most likely that we won't see any expressions of this impact directly.
DeleteThis was a fantastic review, Jonathan! I got so much from it. You did an amazing job. Very insightful. I look forward to reading more of your work.
ReplyDeleteI think you are misreading the meeting with DOW. The whole season has been about Don accepting status quo and being happy. He realizes in this episode that Lane, someone he cares for, was suffering with the "piddlying around." The scene with Roger right after Lane's emotional outing shows that Don has been selfish recently with his contentment with all things on cruise control at the agency. He feels guilt over not having to have pushed himself for more success to give everyone Christmas bonuses so Lane would not have gone through the crisis of being found out, a feeling Don is intimate with. The meeting with DOW is Don taking responsibility for his lack of leadership putting Lane in his situation.
ReplyDeleteWatch how the scenes unfold. 1) Don confronting Lane and then realizing what Lane was going through because the Agency has not been doing well. 2) Don confronting Roger saying he is "not happy" that they could not pay out Christmans bonuses. 3) Meeting with DOW where we see Don was like DOW this whole season being 50% happy and how that is causing problems at the Agency. 4) Lane's suicide confirming "symbolically" that Lane's meltdown was enough guilt to trigger Don to want more than 50% it was not enough time for Don to emotionally, psychically process his guilt over his inactions this whole season.
I am completely blown away by this intensely intelligent review... Thank you!
ReplyDeleteGreat review. I wonder if Don telling Lane to "plan an elegant exit" had anything to do with why Lane chose hanging in his office, other than the car not starting. Incredible episode all together. Traumatic but a cute scene at the end with Glen driving his first car.
ReplyDelete