There are 5 episodes remaining in the final half season of Mad Men. I, for one, am not yet ready to accept that I will soon be living in a world without new Mad Men episodes. I will miss my friends on Madison Avenue dearly. With that in mind, I decided to write a series of posts dedicated to Mad Men. Over the next 5 or so weeks, as the series wraps up, I'll review/recap my favorite episode from each season. So, without any further ado...
Season 1
Episode 7: "Red in the Face"
There are many episodes in the first season of Mad Men to cite as the best or a favorite, but this one edges above the rest for me. First, I love the cunning way that Don gets back at Roger for making a pass at Betty even if it is a zero-to-sixty kind of reaction. The whole progression of the event from the minute Don starts talking to the elevator operator, Hollis, to the final blow when Roger vomits up 2 dozen oysters in front of a client makes for some seriously satisfying television. This might be the first instance in the series where we learn that you don't screw with Don. This also illustrates the relationship that we as viewers form with Don perfectly. Don's a bad guy: he treats his wife poorly (and cheats on her), ignores his kids unless he can be the good guy, and lies to everyone. But for some reason, we all root for him. And even though we know that he's no good, when he gets back at Roger you kind of want to pump your first in the air at his win.
Speaking of Betty, she has one really interesting moment in this episode. Betty became about a thousand times more interesting to me once we started to see how broken she is. Always beautiful and perfectly dressed, when Betty's cracks start to show - oh boy! It's kind of amazing. Admittedly, Episode 9 ("Shoot") is when we really see that she does need that psychiatric treatment she's getting. But the interaction with Helen Bishop at the market is like a little preview for what's to come. Helen Bishop isn't wrong; Betty giving a lock of her hair to a 9 year old boy is weird and inappropriate. So, what does Betty do upon receiving this information? Something even more weird and inappropriate: slaps Helen Bishop right across her face. I guess you don't screw with Betty either.
Finally, there's the incident involving one Pete Campbell, a Mrs. Trudy Campbell, and a chip-and-dip. It was already established that Pete is a sleazeball when he seduced Peggy right before his wedding and then treated her like yesterday's moldy bread. I guess exchanging a wedding gift for a rifle behind your wife's back all while attempting to bed the girl behind the counter so she'll help you is just business as usual for Pete Campbell.
Season 1
Episode 7: "Red in the Face"
There are many episodes in the first season of Mad Men to cite as the best or a favorite, but this one edges above the rest for me. First, I love the cunning way that Don gets back at Roger for making a pass at Betty even if it is a zero-to-sixty kind of reaction. The whole progression of the event from the minute Don starts talking to the elevator operator, Hollis, to the final blow when Roger vomits up 2 dozen oysters in front of a client makes for some seriously satisfying television. This might be the first instance in the series where we learn that you don't screw with Don. This also illustrates the relationship that we as viewers form with Don perfectly. Don's a bad guy: he treats his wife poorly (and cheats on her), ignores his kids unless he can be the good guy, and lies to everyone. But for some reason, we all root for him. And even though we know that he's no good, when he gets back at Roger you kind of want to pump your first in the air at his win.
Speaking of Betty, she has one really interesting moment in this episode. Betty became about a thousand times more interesting to me once we started to see how broken she is. Always beautiful and perfectly dressed, when Betty's cracks start to show - oh boy! It's kind of amazing. Admittedly, Episode 9 ("Shoot") is when we really see that she does need that psychiatric treatment she's getting. But the interaction with Helen Bishop at the market is like a little preview for what's to come. Helen Bishop isn't wrong; Betty giving a lock of her hair to a 9 year old boy is weird and inappropriate. So, what does Betty do upon receiving this information? Something even more weird and inappropriate: slaps Helen Bishop right across her face. I guess you don't screw with Betty either.
Finally, there's the incident involving one Pete Campbell, a Mrs. Trudy Campbell, and a chip-and-dip. It was already established that Pete is a sleazeball when he seduced Peggy right before his wedding and then treated her like yesterday's moldy bread. I guess exchanging a wedding gift for a rifle behind your wife's back all while attempting to bed the girl behind the counter so she'll help you is just business as usual for Pete Campbell.
So, that's all for this installment of the Mad Men Escarole-back! I'll be posting my favorite episode from Season 2 in the next few days. Until then, what is your opinion of this episode? Is it a stand out for you or do you have a different favorite episode?
-Laura
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