Mad Men 6x11 Reaction
Comments (31)
Man, James Wolk acts his ass off here. That scene with Pete is incredible.
Finally, some good fuckin food.
I think it's obvious when Don talks to Sally at the end he pretty much did nothing to assuage her from what she saw or make amends in any way. But that this is also 1968. Men of the time are just generally not honest, emotionally available, and definitely did not like to talk about their feelings. That just didn't happen then. Him essentially saying "you didn't see what you saw" felt like what a man in 1968 drunk out of his mind after being caught in that situation would say to his kid. Then when Sally reluctantly agrees even though she knows her Dad is lying to her is so, so heartbreaking. Kiernan Shipka is amazing in this episode. Also, goes without saying that this is devastating for Don. Weiner said that scandalizing his kid is "one of the worst things that ever happens to him".
I think the conversation with Peggy and Pete at the dinner is actually Pete at his most likeable and understandable for the entire series so far. Because he's so relaxed, and he's not putting on an act or a performance with Peggy like he does for everybody else. Neither is taking his mother's words too seriously just yet since they think it's dementia. They're both shocked by what Pete's mother said, but they laugh together and it's a HUMAN laughter. Even his self-pity at being sidelined at work comes across as a normal human emotion instead of wallowing. If he could relax like this with other people, he could be an endearing person. His mother's words also explain a lot about why Pete has such a strong need for outside approval. She probably called him "unloveable" (or words to that effect) all throughout his childhood. Probably worse things as well. So it's no surprise that he works so hard at being Respected As A Man. Like Tony Soprano said about Janice and Livia, what kind of chance did he have with her as a mother? I agree with the other comments that say Don's intentions originally were noble (so to speak) in this circumstance. He wanted to do a favor for Arnold Rosen and also metaphorically save HIMSELF by keeping one dumb kid out of the war. Once he realized this was a way to get back into Sylvia's bedroom he grabbed that opportunity with both hands, but he didn't have that plan from the beginning. Mitchell was talking to Megan in the first place because he was considering fleeing to Canada to avoid the military draft (Remember, Megan is Canadian). This was a way out for people who couldn't find another way to avoid the draft, generally speaking those without the money or connections to evade it some other way. It was illegal under USA law, but technically NOT illegal under Canadian law, so they couldn't be extradited back for prosecution, but also couldn't return. Hence running 'for the rest of his life'. After the Vietnam War, I believe there was a general pardon for draft dodgers in the mid-70s.
I think that joint worked on Pete.
Don being raped as a child is often neglected when people discuss his character; that rape combined with the beating he received has destroyed his ability to perceive women. He genuinely does not like women in my honest opinion.
"She doesn't know that loving you is the worst way to get to you." Don is incapable of maintaining healthy, functional sexual/romantic relationships with women. I think his past trauma broke that part of his brain. But I don't think he dislikes women in general (at least not consciously)... he does much better when it stays platonic. It's clear he deeply loves Anna and Peggy (as fraught as their dynamic may be at times).
I've always liked Pete's relationship with Peggy and Joan at this point of the show. As horrible as he often is the fact that Joan says he's always kept his word with her and that he has a fun friendship with Peggy is nice.
Seeing Peggy with the cat, I’m reminded of her last conversation with her horrible mom when she found out Abe and her were moving in together. Saying that she’ll have no one, “you’ll get a cat, and then another, and then another, and then you’ll be done.”
The ending is painful, but the reactions to Sally and her friend talking about Mitchell's ass and Peggy calling Stan were hilarious.
I actually think Don (initially) was trying to do a favor for Arnold. He was even trying to call Arnold's office, not Sylvia with the news that Ted could get Mitchell a spot. He does consider him his friend and he wanted to ignore the issue until he had a drink with Arnold. He also acknowledged Mitchell's situation resonated with his own military history. It currying favor with Sylvia during their phone call was a byproduct that he just could not help but take advantage of. I dunno maybe he was using it to get back with Sylvia the whole time but that's not how I read it.
Congrats Sally, you're now old enough to join the women Don gaslights. He first avoids it and pretends nothing happened and then when confronted he so badly lies. Not to get all Freudian but it must also feel so much more disgusting to witness your dad specifically treat women this way since you're also a woman and are currently doing through a very confusing period of understanding your body and the expectations placed upon you
Manolo was just comforting Pete's mother
I see what you did there
also what a day for this ep to drop. america: god bless you, if it's good to you
Sally catching Don is the most memorable scene of the whole series for me. so much depth/build-up to this moment been waiting to see this scene again since the ep Sally was beaming at Don when they're at the country club or wherever in the early seasons. coincidentally, after getting commended for his service previously, i'd mentioned this season had only one personal memorable scene. still true for me, but on the rewatch, definitely of the whole series, not just season 6. i watched MM as it aired, and never rewatched in the past 10+ years, but this scene always did come up when i thought about mad men
Same for me. For some reason when they only started Mad Men and we were first getting Sally and Pete scenes I immediately thought about these two moments - Sally discovering Don's affair and Pete's mother telling him he's unlovable. More than anything I was excited for them to get here but I forgot that they were actually from the same episode
This revelation gives me similar vibes for when Betty found out about Don's true life. Just unravelling the facade of Don for Sally now
Tough ending but I like this episode overall. Peggy and Pete's storylines are both fun to watch. I'll never understand why Bob thought that was his moment to shoot his shot lol.
ya, he had just called Manolo a degenerate, and Bob's face visibly dropped, but he still did it haha??? also, i immediately was thinking this revelation recontextualizes a lot of Bob's past actions. interesting to think about how some read differently now that we know he's not straight
The way Sally looks at Don: https://ibb.co/vvh3vD5R
this is heartbreaking
Oh man, I've been dreading this episode. There truly is no show like Mad Men. Sure there are shows with similar scenes, but Kiernan Shipka plays this role of a traumatised teenager so well.
Sally is the best executed and acted child character in TV bar none for me
day drinking for this one
A new low
Your daughter Sally... whatever happened there...
The fundamental question is, will I be as effective as a doorman like my dad was? And I will be, even more so. But until I am, it's going to be hard to verify that I think I'll be more effective.
"you are the sweetest man" God, I love this show
Here we go ...
One of the most painfully cringe moments of the show