When we last left our hero
At the close of Season One, Pete brought in the Clearasil account via his father-in-law. When Don assigned Peggy to be the copywriter (and promoted her), Pete went ballistic. Threw a tantrum, stormed off and got super drinky-drunk.
Enter Season Two
In FTWTY, we see Pete and Peggy working together on the brand. Working well together. Brainstorming ideas, very respectful of one another, and entirely in sync. As is Weiner’s way, we are not privy to witnessing the steps that took them from there to here. We never got to see the transition but certainly, we are relieved to see where this seemingly healthy interaction.
And at the end of Season Two
Pete loses the Clearasil account via his father-in-law. And he goes to Peggy.
Let’s roll it back for a moment
Earlier in the season, we saw Pete receive the news of his father’s death. And he wanted to go to Peggy. We saw that. But he didn’t.
As I was saying
Pete goes to Peggy when the relationship with Clearasil was terminated. Seemingly with no hesitation or agenda. Really it felt more comfortable than any of his other attempts to connect with her during the season (not awkward or lech-y like at Harry’s shower).
My point?
I’m not sure. I just noticed that Clearasil seemed to be the punctuation.
And, y’know, it’s a symbol of the struggles of growing up.
11 Responses to “Clearasil is marking the spot”
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Nice. Nice about the symbols.
(Nice I wrote something.)
It is also a pretty neutral product. While the lost account ends up not meaning much because of a conflict of interest with PPL*, they don't have to spend time putting down similar products. Everybody promoting it believes in its benefits, unlike almost every other product we see them sell. I think that aided the transition into a working relationship where almost everything they say to each other comes off loaded.
I just noticed that in Maidenform Peggy discusses having a Clearasil campaign about two kids going to the prom, and she can have the whole thing focused on knowing how to be prepared and taking care of one self. However when promoting the Catholic Youth Group Dance in A Night to Remember when the focus has to be on the romance, her arguments come off as less sincere. The line about "the kind of hand holding that leads to marriage" sounds like a line, not a process that really happens.
* BTW what over the counter acne treatment did PPL have? I did not recognize the name.
Pete can go to her with something work related, when it's personal, it's more difficult. Clearasil is the perfect product for the two of them to be working on. It's a product of youth, and they represent the younger employees at Sterling Cooper. They are the younger generation (insert Pepsi joke here). I'm not sure what the age difference between them is, but it can't be more than 5 years.
I'll see RetroGirl and raise it one: Pete can talk to Peggy about business precisely because it's not personal.
Peggy wrote Pete off after "Hobo Code," but Pete later comes to realize that he loves Peggy.
Maybe that happens from working with her, but he struggles with trying to keep it to himself. That's why his approach at the shower is so clumsy.
Losing the Clearasil account provides Pete with an ideal way to start making their relationship more personal again — it's business, but with the personal father-in-law aspect Peggy already knows about. That's the spot Clearasil marks.
Karl, I think the lecherous attention that Pete had for Peggy was when the anonymous couple are making out in the middle of the herd of desks and he calls her over from across the room. I don't think that little 'thank you' said so quietly to her for the cake was leering in the least. (not that you said that, but for clarity's sake) But in the later scene, it feels like he was watching the couple a bit longer than he should have been, and then along comes Peggy…
Here's a thought: maybe in Pete's mind, him confiding in her about losing Clearasil tells her that he's shedding those things that were obstacles to them being together. Like, if he's on the outs with his father-in-law, it's because he can't make it work with Trudy. (Episode 12 re: his failing marriage, he says, "Guess I'm not doing my job.") Remember, in the finale, before Peggy disillusions him, he seems to think his feelings for her are reciprocated. I think this is why he has no fear of being honest with her – he really doesn't see that she's just not that into him anymore.
As of Smoke Gets In Your Eyes, Pete tells Don he's 26, and Peggy is 20.
It seems I was off by a year, but I think my point still holds up. Peggy and Pete are only 6 years apart, whereas Don Ken, Paul, and Harry are at least a decade older.
Pete and Peggy represent the future of Sterling Cooper. I do think there is hope for Pete. Change is possible. I can't wait to see what he does with their relationship in season 3.
Ret, I think Ken and Harry are only a couple years older than Pete, and Paul is maybe one or two years older, if that. I think S1 those guys are all 28-ish, maaaybe Paul is 29-30.
Noah, nope. you're not.
Slightly OT: Am I the only one who laughs a little too hard whenever a character says 'Thanks, Clearasil!'
I want to see Pete grow in all aspects of his life.
I really hope that in S3, as a testament to his growth, we will see that Pete ultimately respects and accepts the decisions Peggy has made regarding their relationship.
This is the romantic in me, but I think if Pete really does love Peggy, he'll wait for her, no matter how long it takes for them to resolve their relationship. (This might be seriously out of character for him, but whatever, I can dream right?
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