Comments on: “Mad Men” Season Finale Discussion, Anyone?

By: Jennifer

Jennifer — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 00:26:28 +0000

Have to agree, I thought the episode was brilliant. It left me happily dreaming of season 4 and for now I’m looking forward to watching season 3 all over again, glad I bought it on itunes so I can do that at my leisure.
Betty may be making mistakes right now, but at least she is admitting things are messed up. No more “my people are Nordic,” she’s going after a new happy ending. Betty and Don’s relationship was doomed because it was built on lies. Don saw Betty as a pure perfect woman, one to raise his children and fit the role of domestic bliss. I’m glad he found out about Francis and confronted her. She’s not all innocent and it was time he faced that. Toward the end of the episode I think they had both acknowledged they were human and imperfect. As for their kids, lets face it; they were in line for therapy long before this. Lets just hope Carla stays in their lives.

Peggy was brilliant. I loved her standing up to Don. Its not the first time she’s confronted him this season, but She really made him see her. Her poodle speech was perfect. And Don did well by winning her back in the end. I also loved seeing Trudy, Pete and Peggy “Isn’t this so exciting?” Harry was good (as always) for comic relief.

Also happy to see Joan. And I’m betting Jr doesn’t run Lucky strike forever, so I bet Sal will be back by season 4. fingers crossed.

As for Don. What a season. A few episode back I was despising him. But I love where he is left. No more illusions, no more lies (well not as many) and he is finally looking to a future of his truth.

By: J Coulter

J Coulter — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 23:18:25 +0000

Because this comment and the whole thread are about plot development I will wrap my comments in spoiler

Absolutely brilliant ep. Yes the right people are still on board at SCDP and the new owners will get the dead weight for premium price. So many priceless scenes but Pryce finally waking up and taking real charge with his handlers in London was amazing I look forward to his participation.

Standing up for yourself was the theme of the show although like many, I see Betty’s standing up to be a disaster waiting to happen. Henry doesn’t strike me as an improvement and her talked her out of asking for a settlement what a jerk and what a sucker.

Did anyone else notice that Peggy was allowed to look just a bit sexier in a couple of scenes?

The return of the Queen Bee (Joan) was amazing. How did men manage in the 60’s? Joan is the answer.

Like many I would love to see Sal back, but the dependence of Lucky Strike/American Tobacco would seem to rule that out for at least until cigarette advertisements went totally in the tank in the 70’s.

There

By: Jen

Jen — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 21:54:23 +0000

Such a great episode. I love when my tv “friends” are so clever. The look on Don’s face when he realized Pryce could fire them. . .awesome.

I really do want to keep up with Betty and the kids, but as far as the people who are left at SC; I don’t care what happens to them. I think Weiner left the perfect people behind (and, hopefully, out). Ken doesn’t interest me anymore, Paul’s just gross, and the young creative team (can’t remember their names) always seemed forced to me.

By: Lisa

Lisa — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 17:59:55 +0000

AMAZING! I find the contrast between Betty & Peggy (the 2 most important women in Don’s life) so interesting. Peggy is the future and Betty is the past.( I GASPED when Don grabbed her by the neck and called her a whore!) Peggy is forging her way in the world while Betty just hooks up with another “daddy.” Yet, there was regret in her eyes when we see her flying to Reno for the divorce. It will be interesting to see if she follows the lead of another Betty from the 1960’s, Betty Friedan (The Feminine Mystique was published in 1963.) Jon Hamm gets all the press for being an amazing actor (deservedly so), but January Jones is certainly his equal (suck it, Ashton Kutcher.). I hope we don’t lose her character because of the divorce.

By: Grey Rainbow

Grey Rainbow — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 17:21:43 +0000

And Sally. What the heck is going to happen with her? Besides years and years of therapy. That’s something I wonder about, too as to where the show will pick up (1965 maybe?) and aging the characters (particularly the kids since Sally seems like a key character and a hell of a little actress.)

I found this season to be a little uneven but, the last few episodes more then made up for it. The whole Kennedy assassination epi. was well done.

FYI—Any Californication fans out there? Embeth Davidtz[the Dean's wife] (played Price’s wife) and Carla Gallo[Daisy] (played Peggy’s roommate).

By: Jack

Jack — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 16:20:40 +0000

A great episode.

I can’t imagine Betty settling into domestic bliss with Henry. He could buy the farm (I hadn’t thought of that), but I’m guessing he turns out to be something other than what he appears. Someone on another board doesn’t trust him because he was touching Betty’s pregnant belly when they first met. That is kind of… forward. (Creepy?)

It was good to see how the key players all came together, and the strengths they bring to the table. Alan Sepinwall compared it to Ocean’s Eleven, which sounds about right. My two requests – (1) that season 4 doesn’t start months after we ended season 3; I’d like to see the growing pains at the new firm; and (2) that we continue to see what happens to those left behind, like Paul, Ken, etc.

By: freakgirl

freakgirl — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 15:38:55 +0000

It’s also telling how Henry wants Betty to be completely dependent on him. Betty isn’t changing anything about her life, really, is she?

By: Michael

Michael — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 15:36:03 +0000

Yes! And Peggy standing up to Don in his office was fantastic. He was so confused by her.

I was thinking that about Betty, too. I was thinking maybe he’s more interested in the chase than the capture and she’ll be left high and dry.

I forgot about Sal (shame on me!), except briefly when the Art Dept. door was locked. For a second, I thought they’d be calling him, until DD kicked in the door.