Not So Live Blogging As I Rewatch FTWTY…

For the record, this is an excellent episode. No, it’s not a contained story like many of the others, but stands up as superb storytelling by filling us in just enough on what’s happened and where other matters stand. A big thumbs up from B.Cooper.

Also, I haven’t read all the threads, etc. on this episode so I may be making observations already in play. Please forgive.

LOVE the opening sequence “ great music choice.

Drs office

Where’s Don? Like the use of the nurses voice while he’s taking his shirt off.

Another arrogant doctor “ “because that will mean something to you?” What a prick.

Don’s language is always harsh talking about his parents.

“Living or deceased?”

“Dead.”

“Two packs a day but you’re cutting down.” Didn’t catch all the comments in the other threads, but I thought someone mentioned this is Don admitting smoking might be bad for his health. But I look at it as the doctor reading what Don wrote on the information sheet and adding the ” but you’re cutting down” part. Look at Don’s sheepish response.

“I’ve been good.” The only time that Don actually looks like he’s lying.

Betty at the stables

Takes about 4 seconds to establish that Betty’s still a nut about weight.

Who’s the doofus on the horse?

Who’s Girdy?

Xerox delivery

Just bang him already!!

Conference room

Mmmm, sandwiches.

Pen & Pencil anyone have a reference on that? Freddy’s watering hole, I suppose.

Fat farm verification/confrontation with Lois props right now to whomever posited that Peggy confided in Don and he helped cover for her absence and is her career benefactor. If this isn’t how it plays out in S2, it should be.

I love how Peggy’s voice is now so definitive now. In acting classes, they teach you the difference between how women and men speak. Men are assertive and end statements on a downward pitch. Women are more submissive and end on an upward pitch. Peggy’s talking like a man.

Also, when she keeps asking Lois where Don is, she’s not seeking an answer to where he went. She keeps asking until Lois answers properly (read: properly covering for her boss). Peggy’s a tough broad.

Sterling’s office

Love how Joan always conspicuously leaves the door open a crack when she’s entering Roger’s office.

“He’s not Jewish.”

“Not anymore, but he was. Trust me.” Either Deb or Roberta did a post on how great the “Peggy, please get me a glass of water ” line was in Indian Summer? This exchange could warrant the same treatment.

What I also love here is that their former relationship, her current relationship, and Roger’s longing for Joan are all out on the table between them. They don’t pretend to about anything, and openly acknowledge everything that’s going on. Such a departure from almost every other relationship in the show.

Again, great writing that lets us fill in the blanks.

Duck enters

Duck challenges Don’s decision to put Fred Rumsen on the coffee pitch. Roger defends the Fred and Don’s decision “ he’s never thought about going young and doesn’t want to. But later on, he is firm with Don that they need to go young seems Duck really has Roger’s ear.

“He’s not my first creative director.” Oooh, listen to the drums playing in the background.

Conference room

Anyone else laugh when they show Sal dipping his hand in the bucket of melting ice?

Paul’s on the shit list in every way the “sorry we’re late line” was in appropriate, and when Don calls on him and he’s talking with his mouth full he just looks like the embodiment of a fat and happy creative guy. Plus he puts the noose around his own neck with that list. He’s toast.

Don’t know where Dale came from but I kinda like him “ IMDB says he was in a 2007 episode anyone know which?

What’s Don mean when he says “stop writing for other writers ” and “there has to be advertising for people that don’t have a sense of humor.” Is this Don just missing the boat again?

Blah, blah, blah Don’s bored. He can’t, um, get it up for this shit anymore.

Sal zeros in on adjusting the stewardess’s cheekbones. No way he’s gay.

Draper kitchen

For the record, my mom never looked that hot.

“That defeats the purpose.” Because for Betty it’s not about being liked, it’s about being the most liked.

What happened to the little girl in GWTW?

Don’s office

“Cooper wants younger people “ Roger’s covering for Duck.

“The last time Freddy Rumsen had a cup of coffee, it was one of five being poured down his throat by a cop.” Pure Roger.

“Tell Duck, clients don’t understand “ Don doesn’t fall for the Cooper cover.

Lobby of the Savoy

Is that the “Teddy” fur coat??

Hofstadt? German

How amazing is it to watch the Curtis (aka “the John”) squirm throughout the conversation? He’s played by Frank Novak (his IMDB entry does not include MM).

Hotel room

Sally’s valentine, hundreds of babies. Recipe for limpdick.

Um, once again, my mother never looked that hot.

Casa Campbell

Uh oh Humps isn’t getting it done.

Tweety? Lame.

“The daughter was pregnant?” HA!!

“She doesn’t have what you have “ That would be Pete climbing on top of you for a good rogering.

“Do you really believe that?” Really just Pete competing again.

Hotel room

“I wish you’d just tell me what to do”

Great writing again (duh) she makes excuses to cover and protect his ego.

“This is Mr. Draper. Would you send up a dozen oysters. Oh, and some Spanish Fly?”

Don clicks past Jackie on TV he’s a real man.

Sal & Kitty’s

Sal doesn’t blink while watching Jackie.

Draper’s kitchen

Ann Dudek comes through again. Now that she’s not pregnant/miserable/suicidal, she looks really good.

“Like they’re playing house “ Let me just say how great this show is. It’s about the dawn of the 60′s, the Kennedy Era and all that. And they don’t diminish the fact that people at the time would probably have seen through at least a portion of the façade. But of course it’s all layered with meaning, as if Francine and Betty aren’t just playing house as well.

“No time for television.” Betty’s getting better at lying.

“He wanted you to have a good time.” Sharp as ever.

Don’s office

Short fiction uh oh.

Catch any fish today?

Joan & Lois

“She yelled at me.” She didn’t. Why do people say they were yelled at when they weren’t?

LOVE Lois Sadler.

Pete’s office

“Eventually.” Whoa.

Don’s office

“You feeling something. That’s what sells.” Don vacillates between being a blind old man to a wise old guru.

Betty’s car

Don’s too cheap to subscribe to OnStar.

So what’s the consensus on this scene? Is Betty just unaware that she’s leading him on? She just likes getting things done for her because she’s pretty?

Just in cast you didn’t know what the mechanic was expecting, HE PUTS THE FLASHLIGHT IN HIS MOUTH.

Draper family room

“Stuck in the parking lot.” Real good at lying.

Alright, Sally’s ballet schtick. Not sure if anyone’s addressed this, but they’ve clearly illustrated not only that Betty’s obsessed with Sally’s weight, but also that Sally is not a slim girl. You don’t need a degree in psychology

Don’s poem

Soooo well done, and not expected or easy. Just obscure enough and not obvious, yet perfectly worded to fit the series and the episode.

So where do we stand? Is it Midge or Rachel? He has more of a reason to reach out to Rachel, yet it might be more appropriate and appreciated by Midge.