“He hated me. And I hated him. That’s the memory.”
I imagine that Gene Hofstadt was a shit to Don for many years. The first “he has no people!” seemed like a product of dementia or brain injury, but “that joker” sure didn’t. We don’t know what Gene might have said before, or even during, the wedding. That sort of behavior can build animosity that never fades.
And yet.
Gene never gave Don a chance, I bet, because Don didn’t answer questions (and I bet Gene was quite the interrogator), or have “people,” or buckle under. But I also bet that Don never gave Gene a chance.
Don doesn’t have a good track record with fathers. The first sign of harshness out of Gene, and Don sees Archibald Whitman. It seems to me that’s who Don really hates. Because “hate” is a harsh word, and maybe Gene deserved some lesser form of that (dislike, disdain, discomfort, some “dis” word), but Archie was violent and mean and a drunk, and I’m thinking that’s where the earned hatred truly belongs.
Don doesn’t hate every father figure. He seems to have good relations with Bert Cooper and, of course, Connie Hilton. But put the actual word “father” on it, and it’s obvious Don has issues.
Joseph Culp as Archie Whitman
67 Responses to “Hating Gene”
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@ 54 MamaLouise- Welcome to the Basket. You seem like you have a really interesting prespective on the era, and I look forward to reading future comments from you.
Deborah, VERY insightful about men being hurt by their lack of closeness amongst their ranks. You're one smart cookie. Man I wish I lived near you so I could watch with you in person sometime. I'm strongly considering coming out for the last episode party, even though it's 3,000 miles away! Anne B., want to fly out with me? Or at least watch the show with me in SF? : ) What about you, SFCaramia?
#44 RetroGirl you are so right! But would Peggy fit in with the Village types? She's "creative" but not artsy and open and loose in the way I would think people like Roy and other Village types of the times might appreciate. She's not really that buttoned up but she looks it, and she works a lot. Her problem is that she's kind of a freak for her times! A serious minded young career woman in a field mostly populated by men? She makes everyone uncomfortable, and she doesn't have Joan's natural appeal and charm to smooth the way, either. Poor Peggy. Peggy, I'll be your friend! I think you're amazing!
Hi Joyce…I've been thinking I can use a NY visit, it's been way too long. Maybe the three of us can keep in touch about this…Anne B, thank you for your nice posting BTW
My BFF lives in NYC and I have a place to stay!
It's possible that Gene Hofstadt simply sensed that his son-in-law was a fraud and has taunted Don with this suspicion for years. As for Betty, I don't think she knew a thing about Don's background, until Roger pointed out that Don's dialect may have originated from a rural upbringing in S1.
The theme of this thread is about "father figures," so I hope you won't mind this injection of father-related news.
I just heard on the news that Timothy "Big Russ" Russert has passed away, at age 85.
He was the father of the late "Meet the Press" host, Tim Russert and grandfather of Luke Russert, and the subject of Tim Russert's 2004 bestseller, "Big Russ & Me".
If there is ever a list of ideal fathers, Big Russ would be at the top of the list!
http://www.mediabistro.com/tvnewser/obits/timothy…
"The first “he has no people!†seemed like a product of dementia or brain injury"
Have to disagree with your analysis of the above. Earlier in Season 1 or 2, I can't remember which, Don makes a reference to his FIL and how he's always staring at him, giving him 'that look', or something like that. I picked up then that Don's FIL doesn't trust him, and I don't think the outburst during the visit had anything to do with his stroke, other than that strokes can sometimes make people a little less able to keep a lid on what they're really thinking.
Do agree that ol' Don has mega Father issues, not to mention Mother issues, general intimacy issues.
I love DD's character so much. So flawed with such goodness underneath. I am a new MM fan; just finished Season 2 on DVD and to my great joy found Season 3 available on iTunes (oh happiness!). I cannot wait to see how Don develops (or not) in the weeks to come.
My personal theory is that he'll never overcome his weaknesses and become the man he wants to be until he is able to confess all to Betty and experience real intimacy. We shall see if is able…
Thanks for your blog!
I don't know if this is the right place for a question like this or not.
My Season One DVDs aren't handy right now, but when Adam came back to see Don, he mentions the deaths of some of the Whitman relatives. Was Archie Whitman one of the ones that he mentions?
The reason I ask, is because Internet Movie Database shows Joseph Culp (as Archie) in this week's episode and I wonder if his character's death will be touched upon, in a flashback.
In Season Two (I think), Don mentions that his father died from being kicked in the head by a mule, and I'm a but fuzzy on which Whitman died when.
It is possible that Don's story about the mule, isn't all there is to this?
Smiler, Don's entire speech to Rachel about his upbringing is in the Season 1 quotes, under "Long Weekend." Archie Whitman died when Don/Dick was ten. The people he asked Adam about were Abigail (Dick's stepmother, Adam's mother), and Abigail's new husband "Uncle Mack."