For the last Escarole-back, I passed on reviewing the season's most iconic episode. I did this because I felt that episode had been combed through enough times already and thought a different episode that I love equally would be a better choice. For Season 4, I almost regret to say, I will not be following suit. "The Suitcase" is easily the most widely loved episode in this season. Much like "Shut the Door. Have a Seat.", it has been examined thoroughly and all of its wonder has been discussed. But I can't help myself. I love this episode so much that I just can't pass up the opportunity to comment on it publicly.
Episode 7: "The Suitcase"
This episode centers around Don and Peggy as they attempt to create a campaign for Samsonite luggage. Don and Peggy's relationship is one of the most beloved aspects of Mad Men. They go through so many ups and downs and this episode might encapsulate their relationship perfectly. In an effort to ignore his heartache over Anna Draper's impending death, Don throws himself headfirst into work. He drags Peggy along with him, who remains by his side even though she is increasingly late for her birthday dinner with her boyfriend. They work through the night and experience several changes in how they view each other.
At first, Peggy is irritated with Don for the aforementioned birthday reasons. Her anger increases as they argue about the Glo-Coat campaign for which Don recently won an award. Their anger with each other culminates when Peggy's boyfriend breaks up with her over the phone because she is more dedicated to work than him. Peggy confronts Don about the way she is treated at work: "You never say "Thank You"!" she screams, to which Don replies "That's what the money is for." I hear you, Peggy! All anyone wants in a job setting is to feel they are valued. Don assumes wages express value, but there is so much more.
A great and funny scene brings our two heroes back together. Don finds a recording of Roger's memoir and the two laugh over the scandalous information it holds. All I have to say about it is... Miss Blakenship? Who knew!? The way Don and Peggy laugh over the tape is extremely sweet. I think the fact that they can scream at each other one moment and laugh with each other the next shows us that their relationship is special and familial. Both Peggy and Don feel that they have been exiled by their families. They can relate to one another. They find comfort in one another. Their newly restored bond becomes even stronger while they are out to dinner. They discuss the child that Peggy gave away in Season 1 and she confesses that her mother assumes Don is the father as he is the only person who visited her in the hospital. Peggy assures Don that she knows who the real father is, but doesn't tell him it's Pete. Some things are better left unsaid.
Upon the return to the office, there is an altercation with Duck Philips who is accusing Don of stealing Peggy away (In a professional sense. Although Peggy and Duck were doin' it for a while in Season 3). Duck claims he and Peggy were in love, but also calls her a whore (?), which results in an underwhelming fistfight. After Duck has gone, it's Peggy's opportunity to comfort Don. He falls asleep in her lap and dreams of Anna passing through his office with a suitcase. When he wakes up, he knows that Anna is dead. Things get really heavy as he sobs to Peggy, telling her of the great person that was Anna Draper. Not only do we weep along with Don at the loss of the only woman who has ever truly loved him, but our hearts surge as the torch of unconditional love for Don is passed to Peggy.
Sure, Peggy and Don will go through some more rough spots over the rest of the series. But this episode solidified their relationship for me. Peggy is Don's new support system. She may not have as congenial a personality as Anna, but she does see the good in Don. Even in the closing moments where Don presents his idea for the Samsonite Ad (a reference to the Ali v. Liston boxing match that serves as a backdrop for the whole episode) and Peggy isn't enthused, we see her back down to offer support to a person who is truly in need of it. They may not always see eye to eye, but they will always offer what the other is truly in need of when necessary. They are family.
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Only two more episodes of Mad Men are left! Can you believe it? I'm curious about where Don and Peggy will end up in their relationship. What do you think?
-Laura
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