Mad Men 1x03 Reaction

gotta do one first while theyre drowning

Josip

3:20 house of usher

Josip

I think a Mad Men type show focusing on the upper black class of the 40s-60s would make for amazing TV if done right. Maybe have it focus on a fictional Magazine inspired from Jet and Ebony magazines.

Seth Ranson

...I might have went a bit overboard with that last comment 😂 5000 words, wow. The academic/reactor in me really came out, didn't even think it was *that* long until the comments lmao. Anyways, here's the main things I wanted to say in 1100 words 😅: - The idea of masculinity being something you slip into to the point where you're basically anonymous in this world is reminiscent of American Psycho. Don being mistaken on the train highlights this, but it's also so much to do with how the male cast are all expected to look and act the exact same, just cogs in a machine. - What I imagine is going to be a recurring theme throughout the show's portrayal of male and female interaction is the idea that men are not at all interested in what women are interested romantically. Men will never allow themselves to entertain a romantic thought towards women if they know it's something that they're going to be derided for within their male social group. The scene with the women discussing the erotic book emphasises that familiar dynamic of how the codes to female sexuality are available in every library, but it breaks a gender role for men to engage with that. Unfortunately, what *does* maintain the gender role, is the locker room talk that takes place in the elevator, very much the "smell my finger" culture that's all too familiar. - I love how Peggy is very keen to stand her ground and make it clear that she understands the rules of engagement. She's actively navigating the rules of the game whilst maintaining her own code. But then, of course, we also see the mask drop a little bit. So I wouldn't necessarily say that Peggy is a "naive" character, I just think that she does have a lot to learn. Seeing a person that has the skill-set to thrive in a world like this, whilst also learning as she goes,is something I love as it fits a 'call to adventure' archetype. She has the perfect personality for this kind of character arc, and I'm very excited. - Twice in this episode the men participate in the knee slapping activity of *checks notes* joking about women dying. Don't really need to elaborate on that one. - Menken talking about "for a little girl, a dog is all you need". The fact that it can be comfort and it could be a form of protection. And, of course, this is all bookended by the plot at the end of the episode. From a symbolism point of view, it's just so rich, the idea that you can put a concept like this snugly within the framework of a proverbial alpha male. I mean we literally have Don at the episode's end literally replacing himself with a canine as a means to an end of filling this emotional void for his family, in particular his daughter. That and the fact that that idea is planted in his head by the woman he's cheating with as she's in the midst of trying to get with her via her *own* trauma from having a lack of parental compassion. It's just, wow. I mean, it's a show that I think will unfortunately be lost perhaps on some people who are just looking at the aesthetics. But Jesus, when you take the time to pay attention to all the details, it's just so fucking thematically rich. - The blocking. Absolutely impeccable in a scene like this. Look at how two of the women have their back towards the camera in the foreground of the shot and how that immediately blocks Betty in, but then Helen isn't actually part of that centering. So even though she, like, literally does have her back to the wall or in this case her back to the window, and you would *assume* that sets up a bit of a power dynamic, in actual fact, it's *Betty* herself who seems to be blocked in by these women because she's the only character in which all the other bodies are pushed in against her almost from all directions. Meanwhile, you look at Helen, who not only is actually blocked as taller than three out of four other women, but her body language, the cardigan draped over her shoulders, the way she's holding her drink, all establishing dominance. And of course it goes without saying the way that she's more than capable of handling herself against these women and not rising to the bait, nor letting anything go over her head. But Jesus Christ, the blocking itself is just absolutely magnificent. You really get the sense of how despite how is propped as "the broken woman of the group", how much of the blocking and cinematography does *so* much to position Betty as the one who is actively the weakest amongst these five women. And the fact that it's happening within her own home as well and how that leads to the idea of her mentality being at a fragile state is just absolutely fantastic. - The amount of subtext that's within this kitchen scene that's all to do with the formality and all to do with the bitchiness culture. Just all the going through the motions, and how every single woman in that room is so aware not only of the fact that this is a means to an end of sizing Helen up, but that Helen herself is aware of the other's awareness and vice versa. It's as if these are just flesh suits filled with worms or maggots or something like that. There's just so much ugliness wriggling beneath the surface of porcleain where everything just looks so pretty and so regal. You might as well be watching just a fist fight or a hazing ritual for as much as what's happening in this kitchen. It's just as crass as how the men speak just without being explicitly vulgar. - And then, of course, that final scene where of course he gets the fucking dog. It's such a great mirror to Breaking Bad, that whole dynamic of Walt being seen as the good parent because he just spoiled his son doing something without thinking of any consequences whatsoever. And then, of course, if it's the wife who has to try to solve that situation, she's seen as the bitch mother as a result of doing it. Father's never get called 'killjoy' in this world, let alone irresponsible. This ending scene doesn't necessarily "say" something as much as it reinforces all that's come before. Just how unhappy Don is in this relationship, with the marriage and his means to an end of blowing off steam is in this petty, passive aggressive act of getting this goddamn dog. Again, reinforcement of the idea that he can do whatever the fuck he wants and he'll be seen as the hero of the day, meanwhile Betty has to fall apart at the seams just to be acceptable.

TeaDrinker3000

I've rewatched this show at least nine to ten times, and I actually have never clocked how the dog parallels the story that Rachel told—only now, as you said it!

Endeedee

If the first episode where Don says Love doesn't exist and then goes home to his wife and kids wasn't enough of an indicator, THIS episode basically spells it out to you that this marriage has the rockiest of foundations. This man Don really left to get the cake and never came back until after the party was over. How they didn't get into a huge fight after that, I will never understand. I am watching along with you guys, I have just finished season 3 and I am about to start 4 this weekend, and while I still don't like any particular character, I am having so much fun with this show and I know you ladies will too. I think what's reeling me in the most is the aesthetic of the 1960's, that decade is such an important time in America's history for a multitude of reasons, and what I love most about the show so far is that it's well aware of that fact and it showcases that but it doesn't let that take attention away from the very particular story and setting that they are talking about if that makes any sense, and it does it ,damn near flawlessly, like you still feel the weight of the events in the 1960's without it overshadowing our specific story and characters.

Nyeisha Melvina Clark

I understand Lola when she says she would like to see more of the African American experience during this time. For me, being a black woman, every time I watch a period piece, I can't help but always want to see what my people had to go through, and the 1960's as we all know is such an important time for the African American people. A part of me though is scared to see it as well if that makes any sense, especially dealing with these types of characters and how they are, but I also understand as someone mentioned in the comments that because of the type of characters we follow and their business setting, it makes sense why Black people will typically be in the background. Thankfully for me though I still have my grandparents to go to for that information because my grandparents were around the same age as these characters in the 1960's as well, although its a little jarring to see the black people in the background in the bathrooms and elevators because in the back of my mind I think about how my grandparents had those same jobs.

Nyeisha Melvina Clark

fun fact: James Manos Jr co-wrote that Sopranos episode who would then later develop and produce 'Dexter'

Infode

Always felt the first 3 (maybe even 1st 4 episodes) were slowish from a textual standpoint (not subtextual) but from episode 5 ('5G') onwards it kicks off IMO much like 'The Sopranos' 5th episode ('College') where Tony takes Meadow 'university-shopping'

Infode

"It seems like Don is an alcoholic" Haha well, they're all alcoholics, it's just a question of how high-functioning each character is. I've always found this episode a little, I dunno... straightforward? The Rachel/Sally dog parallel is very pat, and Don going MIA from the party to just sit and watch trains feels ~mysterious~ without actually saying much about the character. The omg a divorcee stuff is also bit broad for me, even if the "where are you walking?" runner is very funny. It's Mad Men, so there is still a lot to love here (the chicken strutting by in the Sterling Cooper foyer!) but I'm not *as* enamoured with this one as everyone else here. I do love that sequence of Don with the movie camera though.

Mike

Put another way, we see as much of them now as our characters are aware of them. They are true others atm.

Luis

Lola mentioned about bc it being the 60s (Civil Rights), she'd like to explore more of what black folks are going through and atleast early on whether it's on the elevator, the bathroom or maintenance crew that's all we see. I think obv. that's done intentionally as there was kinda of a visibility pecking order where the characters we're following who're in a specific economic bracket where WASP men are the standard than any other type of white men, white women and then ofc coloured people who're barely visible, if that, which also mirrors the visual aesthetics still being tailored to the 50s as it takes time for 60s to really be reflected visually as it's not instantaneous.

Infode

Jesus Christ

Julien

Don was loving that camera lol but that may have been the 15 beers and 4 cocktails he drank already 😔

Kara

They reference it in the episode, but Volkswagen specifically had an uphill battle in marketing their cars in US because it's a German car manufacturer and many people had strong memories of the war (WW2 ended 15 years ago). Like to be unfair, "remember those nazis we fought? let's buy their cars". Self-deprecating humor was genius because it let people laugh at the cars, showed 'the german car company' had a sense of humor, took some of the sting/bite out of it culturally and made the cars seem cute and fun compared to chonky serious "americuh fuck yeah" cars.

Kara

Speaking of 1959+1, WW2 ended in 1945 only 15(!!!) years before the current date of the show. like Band of Brothers was only 15 years prior. Any men above the age of, say, 40 in the show probably went to war and the women lived through the wartime period back home doing their part. Everything we remember about the 'post-war' period happened in the last 10 years basically... migration, Israel, denazification, the 'boys coming home', the post-war baby boom etc. Imagine going from literal WW2, to a television in every home, to the 1960s. a crazy period of time.

Kara

Very true! Worth adding that the reason she had a convenient box cake in her freezer was probably because she's a busy working divorced mother (cheaper easy frozen food etc), like all the things they criticised her for are the reason Sally got a cake at her birthday.

Kara

"Lemon" is US slang for a bad car. It'd be like a car ad with the word "shitbox" "doesn't start" etc. The previous ad they reference has a pic of a tiny car next to the words "Think Small", because people were saying VW cars were too small. The joke is that that's what people say about the cars even if it's not true, it's quite a modern/ironic self aware advert for 1960. The young guys in the office like it + think it's funny. The older guys Don and Roger (his white-haired boss) don't. I agree with others that this is probably the first great episode of Mad Men (nothing compared to what's to come!). Don getting shitfaced at a children's birthday party then leaving to pick up a cake, not coming back, and showing up drunk with a dog is so funny to me.... what an absolute prick lmfao. Of course all Sally is gonna remember is the birthday Daddy built me a playhouse and brought me a dog. Milena's confusion every the women make thirsty comments about Don is so funny to me. at least it makes more sense than sex symbol Tony Soprano 😭💀 The book the women at the office are reading is called Lady Chatterly's Lover. It was banned in the US. Of course this made women want to read it even more lol. The original Ao3 fanfic smut if you will. I'm never gonna say this again because I'd have to say it every episode but: THE COSTUMES! THE HAIR AND MAKEUP! THE SET DESIGN! THE CINEMATOGRAPHY! its just fire. it's like they time traveled to the 1960s but with modern cameras + film knowledge. Very much enjoying the reactions/discussion... So far this series is everything I hoped it would be 🥺 🙏

Kara

That "wife and lawyer are drowning" joke doesn't make any sense. Why do you have to choose between lunch or a movie? Do both, you're going to have a lot of free time on your hands.

BND

I agree that Don has the same loathing of his "normal" life that Tony/Chris had. But the difference seems to be that even though he hates his life, he doesn't blame his family for it, and he doesn't seem to resent them for not being as miserable as he is. Tony talked several times about how much he hated the 'happy wanderer' people, and he would lash out at everybody in his life who seemed to be improving themselves. Don just gets quiet and leaves, instead of (hypothetically) starting a fight at the party, or flirting with one of the wives, or doing something else to stir up trouble. Helen saved the party by having a backup cake. It may have been a subpar cake, but she HAD IT. Good or bad, thanks to her Sally HAD A CAKE. She might not be as 'put together' as Betty, with the out-of-date wrapping paper and wrinkled clothing, but she pulled through here.

JBK405

TeaDrinker3000

While you guys are acclimating to the time period, I think it’s important to note that beyond it being the 60’s, it’s literally *1960*. As in 1959+1. There was more social change that decade in the US than any other in history. Culturally, the difference between 1960 and even 1965 can’t be understated. What was acceptable, normal or frowned upon changed in a relatively quick amount of time.

JJ

Originally the term came from a heel being an untrustworthy person, but nowadays the only use the term gets is in WWE

Darrach

I also assumed he was thinking about suicide, but yeah that might be a bit too dramatic lol.

Taya

The Volkswagen Beetle "Lemon." campaign was revolutionary at the time for how concise and self-deprecating of an advertisement it was. It was absolutely instrumental in Volkswagen's success in the American market since people were reticent in driving a Nazi-made car after the War. The ad agency DDG came up with the risky idea of "Lemon." as the car was already a hard sell. Lemons was what worthless used cars were called in early 20th century US. As such, the ad was self-deprecating humour  and it created Volkswagen’s brand image of honesty and simplicity. At the same time, the featured full stop forced the reader to stop and think about the ad for a second longer. Headlines usually attract the reader to read the first line and rarely ever feature a final interpunction. All in all you can see how much of a breath of fresh air this would be and really ahead of its time.

bondbond53

A heel is a bad guy, like a pantomime villain. Not that serious. They use the term in pro wrestling, although they wouldn't be referencing that here.

Mark M

Watching this episode the first few times I just assumed that Don is thinking about suicide when he stops near the train. But listening to Matthew Weiner's DVD commentary for this ep, what's actually going through his mind is him wanting to run away - which makes more sense for his character. I dunno maybe this was obvious to everyone else lol.

Eric Viola

Yeah I think in the popular old saying that 'it takes a village to raise a child' was also included in the past the idea that anyone in that community could discipline the child

bondbond53

The first truly great episode of the show. Mad Men is always at its best when the "Don at work" and the "Don at home" stories work so well together, feeding into and enriching each other.

Mike Conlin

"The Marriage of Figaro" is an opera by Mozart and it's about how the servants Figaro and Susanna succeed in getting married, foiling the efforts of their employer Count Almaviva to seduce Susanna and teaching him a lesson in fidelity. As such, you can see how tongue-in-cheek this title is in regards to everything we see about the so-called perfect marriage of the 60's. From the incessant gossip over Helen's *gasp* divorce to the literal children reenacting in the play house what they hear every day in regards to their parents marriages and to Pete's entire plotline as a newlywed this episode. It's interesting in this sense seeing Don as the observer through his camera. It appears as if he is most comfortable like this. At first his camera masks the reality of Helen and Francine's husband's unpleasant interaction; they wave at the camera and all that is left on the tape appears to be two pleasant neighbours having a good time. Then, Don's camera drifts to the couple which are sharing a very intimate and tender kiss in a corner. They’re the outliers. If you watch the husband you’ll see him grimace at the shitty wife/lawyer joke. A couple who genuinely enjoy each other. When Don is filming them he’s weirded out by this non-performative moment of affection. It strikes him that all of the merriment he was catching on camera was totally fake, and he was entranced to stumble across two people having an actual human moment. Such is his everyday ambivalent experience as an ad man - trying to create something that feels, smells, looks real but doesn't necessarily have to be real yet still earning for it himself as a consumer.

bondbond53

I got punched by a teacher once, she did it in front of the whole school, so it was pretty normal then. She said it was because I was daydreaming lol it was a hard one too, I was only ten. Makes me feel old remembering that. A generation before that they got the cane so we thought we were lucky

Ken

A lemon means a defective car. And that was a real advertisement! I guess they were trying to be ironic. It's not Don's style of advertising so he was puzzled by it. But like he said, it did get everyone talking.

Taya

Kinda like when Lola has a good hair day you just know that the analysis section is going to be about 5 min longer.

Luis

I think it should be Wednesday and Saturday but we're still a day out of sync. (Mon - rest day) Tues - TLOU (short live action slot) Wed - Mad Men 1 Thurs - Monster 1 Fri - Cowboy Bebop (short anime slot) Saturday - Mad Men 2 Sunday - Monster 2

Kara

The first great episode of the series. Joan’s haircut makes everyone raise their game.

Luis

What are the days for mad men? Is it Thursday and Saturday?

Patrick

Fuck! I only just started typing my notes 😭 Hang tight people, my voice note reaction ended up being 45 minutes so I have a lot to write down 😅

TeaDrinker3000