Mad Men: Smokin' Cigarettes and Watching Captain Kangaroo
warning: contains spoilers
That being said... just because this season of Mad Men has been the weakest of the series...doesn't necessarily mean it's been bad. In fact, it may be one of the most important with the series comes to end this time next year.
Did the season long mystery of Bob Benson pay off? Yes and sort of no.
No, because I'm sure some fans wanted him to be a number of things including Don's son, a time traveler, a government agent, Santa Clause, a serial killer, etc., etc.
So when they found out he's just a liar like Don, who's conned his way into the business...people were disappointed. I can understand that. But expectations like those are just not realistic given Weiner's writing style. Weiner's keen on parallel themes and stories and that's why it's no surprise that Bob Benson echoes Don Draper.
Benson being gay wasn't a shocker. Being Joan's gal pal and the fact that Ginsberg made a somewhat subtle comment in the middle of the season told us that at the very least, we'd learn Bob Benson was gay.
But more importantly, Weiner wants to focus on the relationship between Pete and Bob.
One of them was born with a silver spoon in his mouth while the other has dark past who lied to get where he is and is a great idea man. Sound familiar?
As I've said before, this season (from a thematic standpoint) has been all about change. Roger and Don aren't getting any younger. Especially Roger.
The world is getting younger and taking in fresh ideas that are leaving behind the traditional values that Don and Roger have made their money on since we met them in 1960.
It's Mad Men...so it's not always easy to predict, but I truly believe Weiner is telling us that Pete and Bob are the next Roger and Don.
Even the names are similar P-E-T-E-R, R-O-G-E-R (Both 5)..... B-O-B, D-O-N (Both 3).
That might be stretching it too far. But never underestimate Weiner to give you little clues.
And how bout that awkward theater experience? Nothing liking seeing your business partner/rival on a date with your protegee.
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Don wins this round against Ted. Also somehow Megan out Megan-ed herself and made most viewers gag at the fact she now loves her gossip more than anything.
I've actually grown to like Peggy a lot this season and it was a shame Don had to show up both her and Ted in the meeting and make them look like complete ponces. But that's their fault for getting too comfortable and careless in exposing their true feelings for each other in the office.
It was like two middle schoolers on a class trip; giggling at inside jokes and alienating others. Ginsberg, once again, was the comedic relief/voice of reason of the night...pointing out how far he had to go just to get their attention.
Both Ted and Peggy are sensible people...but I don't see the relationship ending well. Despite, Peggy's gorgeous eyes (Don's words), Ted is married and too smart to let it affect his business and personal life.
It's just a sad case of puppy love that will have to die.
Back to the theater briefly...once again there is another Roman Polanski reference as the four go to see Rosemary's Baby. Now the theories that Megan will be murdered are becoming more realistic.
She was always very uneasy and affected by the movie whereas Don couldn't careless as he likely slept through most of it.
Like I said. Nothing is too small in Weiner's world. Perhaps Megan's life is coming to an end.
KEN'S DEAD!! OH wait, he's OK!
Smooth move. What would've been the most heat-breaking death of the series, Ken Cosgrove is shot in the face a-la Dick Cheney-style, while out hunting with the Chevy guys.
It cuts away and you don't find out Ken is pretty much fine until about 15 minuets later. I guess amid a 'slow' season, they wanted to see if the viewers still have a pulse. Considering Ken is one of the few moral people left on the show...it was good to see him survive and continue on.
Speaking of good people...Sally Draper needed more screen time this season. Every time she was in an episode...she completely stole the show.
During an upstate trip for a boarding school interview she got high, got drunk, got her crush to beat the shit (eh sort of) out of some creepy guy named Rollo, all while acing her interview and getting accepted into the school.
Great weekend Sally.
It also had probably one of my favorite moments of the show watching Betty and Sally each smoke a cigarette and eat McDonald's together.
Betty Draper might not qualify for a good person...but she's definitely gotten a lot better this season. She no longer hates Don and their growing for respect for each other is nice to see. Betty's comment on how Jackie Kennedy Onassis got lucky twice with having great husbands and Don's reply "so did you"...was one of the best quotes all season as they both smiled and hung up the phone. It's good to see they're both happy for each other, despite not being total asshats.
But Sally had the line of the night saying her father "has given [her] nothing" her whole life. Yikes. #DadProblems
With the series coming full circle it will be interesting to see how these relationships play out; Don and Sally, Don and Betty, Don and pretty much everyone, Pete and Bob, Roger and Joan, etc.
While we may not know quite where we're heading, when we're aboard the Mad Men and Weiner train...we can always except a bumpy ride.
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