Comments on: IBM Selectric Anachronism

By: David Fried

David Fried — Sun, 18 Jul 2010 03:18:58 +0000

Deb is right. I also thought the Selectrics were an anachronism because I never saw one until maybe 1964, and in 1965 I learned to type in high school on an old Remington manual. Selectrics were terrifically expensive, and if you've ever typed on a manual you sort of have to re-learn. If the agency had even begun to replace its typewriters the new girl would have been last in line. I can believe that Joan, and Joan alone, would have one.

By: Deborah Lipp

Deborah Lipp — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 19:05:29 +0000

John, those are fab.

By: John Rothschild

John Rothschild — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 17:02:56 +0000

I think I found the chandeliers that are used in the Sterling-Cooper conference room:
http://www.neimanmarcus.com/store/catalog/prod.jh…

By: Kay

Kay — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 15:19:09 +0000

Even though season 2 is fast approaching, it's still so fascinating to read the character analysis. I got from the pilot episode that Joan was really trying to help Peggy, even though she went about it in a rude way.

By: Ms. Darkly

Ms. Darkly — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 15:05:50 +0000

I don't think Joan resents Peggy, she just doesn't understand her. They barely speak the same language. That's why Peggy's voice was filled with discovery when she realized Joan was trying to be helpful — she was finally able to translate Joan's language.

I can see a scenario where Joan thinks Peggy had forgotten her roots though.

By: Jackie

Jackie — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 14:26:19 +0000

How old is Joan supposed to be anyway? 24-ish? I'm assuming she went to a four year college and she and her roommate have been living in the city for a couple of years since she had time to advance to office manager. Is she older than the typical marrying age of that time? I just can't see her in the suburbs with the Bettys and Francines, she'd be bored to tears. Plus, they think they're threatened by Helen? Please. Those guys would go nuts.

I think she's a Sex and the Single Girl type- theoretically marriage is the goal, but she's in no rush. Though I guess she could marry and stay in the city for awhile like Pete and his wife.

By: JungleRed

JungleRed — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 14:11:23 +0000

I agree with this dansj:

"Peggyâ€™s miles ahead of her and Joanâ€™s going to resent her for it."

And its kind of ironic, looking back at a recent blog topic "Weekend Quotation" – July 13, where Deborah posted one her favorite quotes from season 1:

"Those people in Manhattan? They are better than us. Because they want things they havenâ€™t seen.

â€”Peggy Olson, Indian Summer"

I think Joan will resent Peggy, because Peggy wants things that Joan hasn't see. Basically Peggy wants things that Joan had never even thought of or though was a possibility. She just knows her station. I think a lot of the rise in the feminist movement was about awareness. Not just "we CAN do that!" attitude, but a "we CAN do that?" silent question in the back of some womens minds back then.

I think there's a bit of Don in Peggy. That whole "getting ahead" attitude, and moving up fast with blind confidence. A true protÃ©gÃ©. Similarly, we really don't know who Peggy truly is anymore than we do Don, as far as their "pasts." But i'm looking forward to turning over that rock in season 2!

By: RetroGirl

RetroGirl — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 13:55:55 +0000

Joan's management skills would not be useless. It's 1960's suburbia for her if she gets married. That means PTA lunches, play-dates, organizing parties, she'd be one busy woman. Women were taught in that era that being a wife/mother could be a career and that it took organization. It seems bizzare today.

That being said, I'm convicned that Peggy will be running Sterling Cooper decades after the show takes place. I can see her in 1980's suits with broad shoulders.

By: dansj

dansj — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 13:47:42 +0000

I don't disagree, Deb. Comments like that aren't meant to ignore other talents. I believe the subtext of a character like Joan (also thanks to the unbelievable talents of Ms. Hendricks) is that her abilities as a manager are all but drowned out by her philosophies (she's something between a mother and a waitress).

Imagine if she started to manage her job at S-C like an actual career, asking for raises, promotions, etc. They wouldn't know what to do with her because she's allowed them to think of her just as the wrangler of the hens in the office. The lipstick focus group was the perfect example.

Which brings us to Peggy … the anti-Joan. Ambitious, smart, and confident like Joan but in a different way. Joan's confident about men and relationships and social matters, but keeps her nose out of the business stuff. Peggy's managed to climb the ladder without using her sexuality, which is what baffles Joan. If you're not there to find a man, then, like, why be there, right?

My point is that Joan is no doubt great at her job, but to what end? If she lands a husband, then those management skills will be considered useless because they're not valued. And further, she's not ready to demand that they be valued. Peggy's miles ahead of her and Joan's going to resent her for it.

See, even a thread about the damn typewriters ends up going deeper than expected.

By: JungleRed

JungleRed — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 12:39:32 +0000

…(continue)…bumps in the road, just about getting there. I think the message is received.