A Night To Remember
Wednesday, September 17, 2008 at 11:24pm by Michael
Wow. Fantastic episode, huh? Lots happening on many fronts. Speaking of fronts, Joan’s shoulders are practically raw from holding up hers. Let’s get to it, shall we?
Fr. Gill once again taps Peggy’s…advertising expertise. He’s got a CYO dance to sell. She agrees to help, but quickly realizes it’s more work than she would like, and Fr. Gill is intent on prying into areas she’s long since closed off. They dance around things for a while (leave some room for the Holy Ghost!) before he finally asks her if she feels she doesn’t deserve His (his?) love. When we last see them, Peggy is stewing in a tub of something (shame?), and Fr. Gill is strumming his guitar. Really hard. Am I reading these two wrong?
Joan finds her calling! Then quickly has it snatched away. She doesn’t seem enthralled with her doctor, but she’s loving her position as Head of Broadcast Operations. And she’s good at it. So good that Roger Sterling realizes the need and hires her full-time replacement.
The Drapers. Oh, dear. Betty is torn apart after finding out about Don’s infidelity. She asks him about it, even though she knows the truth. She looks for clues, even though she knows the truth. And he keeps denying it while staring straight into her eyes. That’s how she knows. He never does that. For his part, Don seems almost to BELIEVE he’s telling the truth, doesn’t he? Betty doesn’t and tells him not to come home.
BEST DRESSED: Betty in her polka dot confection with the satin sash, which she wears through her dinner party of embarrassment, and the next day at breakfast with the kids.
BEST LINE: Roger makes introductions. “Crab, Duck. Duck, Crab.”
1. freakgirl said ( Thursday, September 18, 2008 at 8:02 am )
That “Crab, Duck” thing killed me. Roger is so funny.
If Joan had been offered that job, her fiancee wouldn’t have let her take it anyway. Obviously he wants the little missus at home making babies and watching her stories. And I think that’s why Joan didn’t fight for the job she wanted (and deserved). For someone whose looks have always given her power, this time they made her invisible. The differences between her and Peggy are amazing to watch.
I agree with you that Don believes what he says. He thinks he tells her he loves her every day. But he doesn’t. And when he finally admitted one true thing — that he would be lost without his idyllic suburban life — Betty seized on it and took it away from him. Interesting stuff.
Oh, and Joan with the bra straps? SO been there. Ow.
2. GeekBoy said ( Thursday, September 18, 2008 at 8:44 am )
For what it’s worth, Michael, I don’t think you’re reading it wrong. I’ve definitely been getting a Thorn Birds vibe about Peggy and Gill since the moment his character was introduced. He seems like yet another in a long line of characters on this show who are trying to convince themselves that they are what they appear to be.
3. Michael said ( Thursday, September 18, 2008 at 10:15 am )
Yes, they are trying to convince themselves they are what they appear to be, and they want what they’re supposed to want.
Also, I’m going to start a tally of how many times the camera lingers on Joan as she enters/leaves.
4. Jen said ( Thursday, September 18, 2008 at 10:45 am )
This episode was the first time I’ve felt sorry for Joan. What a punch in the stomach! I’m not sure that I think she didn’t fight for the job because she knows her fiancee wouldn’t approve. Rather, I think Joan was sucker punched and genuinely shocked. She didn’t see this coming, but I have faith in Joan. She just needs some time to scheme. I think (hope?) she’ll have that guy’s job by the end of the season. The clients certainly like her and her replacement didn’t seem like a mental giant. Joan can and will play the game better than him. I’m not sure she really cares about her fiancee. I think she’ll ditch him if he gives her a hard time. Joan has proven before that she will only take so much.
5. Sandy said ( Thursday, September 18, 2008 at 12:29 pm )
This show makes me inarticulate. I love it so much that all I can say is: I love it so much.
6. freakgirl said ( Thursday, September 18, 2008 at 1:16 pm )
That screencap is so tragic.
7. Chuck said ( Thursday, September 18, 2008 at 5:21 pm )
They should have just named this show “Conflicted.” Every character has some kind of internal struggle going on, except maybe Sterling. Maybe that’s why he’s so likeable despite his lack of morals. I guess he was conflicted after the heart issue, but like, for a second.
I too felt sorry for Joanie, but I agree that she’ll get in there somehow. She handled it very well. And yes, Colin Hanks is up to something here.