tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post2052892711831161743..comments2024-03-28T18:01:28.997-04:00Comments on What's Alan Watching?: Mad Men, "Out of Town": Birthday wishesAlan Sepinwallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03388147774725646742noreply@blogger.comBlogger179125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-41899669965386489322010-01-28T05:23:13.196-05:002010-01-28T05:23:13.196-05:00The Brits are back!
Just in case anyone is still ...The Brits are back!<br /><br />Just in case anyone is still passing (maybe on DVD catch-ups or when S3 is re-run in the US), just wanted to say that S3 started in the UK last night.<br /><br />And, as well as the elation at the show being back, it's also great to be able to head straight here to Sepinwall-land to read what you guys all posted six months ago!<br /><br />Whilst it's certainly frustrating having to avoid this site and Basket of Kisses for six months each year, there's a great beauty in being so far behind because it means I can log-on here and hey-presto the comments buffet is already on display.<br /><br />Thanks Alan. Thanks all.<br /><br />Adds no-one seems to have picked-up on:<br /><br />* the duality between the foot-shots of Don (in the milk pan opening sequence) and Sal in the bellhop money-clip scene<br /><br />* Sally's obsessions with Don's suitcases (so beautifully drawn) stretches back to S3 (remember "His suitcase is here but he's not"?); so it makes a neat tie-in for Weiner to pick this up again on so many levels, especially her eagerness to unpack it for him. The craft of that final scene was sublime and the terror - just knowing that Sally would extrude something incriminating from the luggage - was out of Stephen King's top drawer. The major expression on Don's face was adrenaline-laced "phew, that was close" relief; and Weiner knew his audience would pick up on it as we were all feeling the same knowing how close he'd come to losing it all.<br /><br />Majestic.Gregorynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-39496720417393893362009-11-13T16:59:45.119-05:002009-11-13T16:59:45.119-05:00A few comments that may only get read by an even b...A few comments that may only get read by an even bigger slacker than I...<br /><br />Don leaving town and cheating - don't shit where you eat. He also might not be getting any at home... (also mentioned by blogward)<br /><br />"Going to someone's office seems to be a big pecking order indicator." Burt said to Don "You're the face of Sterling Cooper now" in the beginning. Perhaps Don is now "President?" He certainly was the one doing the firing.<br /><br />"The late scene of Bert, Roger, Don, and Pete all huddled in Don's office indicates how strongly the power dynamic in the office has turned against them." I noticed this too and thought the same thing.<br /><br />Regarding the plane vs. train, you'll recall something about Don going "first class all the way." When the stewardess closed the curtain, she did so at the back of the cabin - they were in first class. I'm not up on airline historical accuracy (though I do recall Weiner in one interview insisting they be on a TWA plane as opposed to an AA one) but if they're flying out of Idlewild (renamed JFK 12/63)), that's quite a hike from Manhattan and then yes, that trip might have indeed taken just as long as taking the train. By the way, they probably would have been on a 707 (the same plane model Pete's dad would have died in) which is indeed a jet, not a prop plane... Further research has revealed that TWA was Flying out of LaGuardia in '62. <br /><br />Atlanta PR Guy, thanks for all the payroll info. I've thought about that quite a lot. The $75(8?) Pete said/was told he was making early in the 1st season seemed way, way out of line compared to what Don made, even considering the difference between their positions. That said, everyone seems to be making a lot more money a lot faster.<br /><br />Alan, I didn't discover your blog until some time after I finished watching the second season, which was some time after it ended, reading instead The House Next Door. Thank you for your analysis as well as a place for us nerds to congregate and chime in.Evan Rosehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16900867257740796958noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-70758389123139643602009-08-29T18:31:05.454-04:002009-08-29T18:31:05.454-04:00Sorry for the late post...but did anyone catch the...Sorry for the late post...but did anyone catch the sly "Lost Weekend" reference when Don was making fun of the Fleischmann's ad? "I pawned my typewriter so I could spend the weekend with you."Tony Semczukhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10475776101286654740noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-14677298344554090292009-08-23T15:53:40.906-04:002009-08-23T15:53:40.906-04:00Ant colonies are ruled by a queen, so yeah, I thin...Ant colonies are ruled by a queen, so yeah, I think it would be correct to call that a gynocracy. (Though, I, too, want one of those Joan-ocracy shirts; given the track records of networks, though, we won't get one that doesn't have a big MAD MEN!!!! logo all over it, unless we do it ourselves and get sued.)<br /><br />Timmy!!!: You're a nitpicker.<br /><br />:-)<br /><br />And, really, I've read half the comments so far, but it appears that I really am the only one who thinks that Pete Campbell has grown up a bit. <br /><br />He was smart enough not to go off with Roger in the office, and he didn't rip Trudy a new one when he didn't get what he wanted -- even though screaming at her for things not her fault has been his metier in the past.<br /><br />Ok, he's acting like a fourth grader... but at least he's no longer acting like he's *four*. :-)<br /><br />All in all, I'm sure I speak for a whole lot of people (most of whom are not regular commenters on *this* blog) when I say, "huh?" :-)<br /><br />(wv: hydring - what Sal needed to keep his, er, pen from leaking.)Baylinkhttp://photo.imageinc.usnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-65833363034280262332009-08-22T21:53:29.438-04:002009-08-22T21:53:29.438-04:00Great review and comments. :-)
As for the caption...Great review and comments. :-)<br /><br />As for the captioning, oddly enough I found the instant replay to have more accurate captions than the preview airing. For instance, they spelled it "ginocrasy" on the first run, and spelled it correctly on the repeat. Other things were more accurate as well. Although the way they drink, it could be a gin-ocracy. The Joan-ocracy is a great idea!<br /><br />I also found Betty's comment about tools and lesbians to be a bit anachronistic as well. Except perhaps in a Vassar "The Group" sort of way, as you mention Liam. But good point about her competitive nature with Sally though, I can see that. And I too get annoyed by her treatment of Bobby, could she have a hatred of men in general that extends to her own son?<br /><br />I agree that it's great to have Jared Harris on MadMen, after he got literally "cut" from Fringe.<br /><br />Olucy, I was thinking that back then the "exposure" ad might be more for men's magazines than for a general demographic vehicle such as Life magazine?Capcomhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06841675195251354073noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-58563267322796718082009-08-22T20:25:14.964-04:002009-08-22T20:25:14.964-04:00MAD MEN (& WOMEN) SALARIES:
Using http://ww...MAD MEN (& WOMEN) SALARIES:<br /><br /><br /><br />Using http://www.westegg.com/inflation/ my wife and I calculated some interesting financials from MM:<br /><br /> <br /><br />In 1960, Don received a raise to $45,000/year ($305,355 in today’s dollars). Soon after, when named partner, he received another 12% raise to $50,400 ($341,998 today).<br /><br /> <br /><br />Also in 1960, After declining his offer to spend it on a trip to Paris with him, the $2,500 bonus check he signed over to Midge (when he told her, “then, go buy a car…”) would be $17,322 today.<br /><br /> <br /><br />Based on a screen capture of the YTD figures for a paycheck dated October 11, 1962 when Betty was signing his paycheck to deposit it after she kicked him out, prorated through the end of the year (not including any bonuses), his annual salary was $61,118 ($414,727 today).<br /><br /><br />The $6,500 ‘cash’ he paid for the new '62 Cadillac would be $44,106 today.<br /><br /> <br /><br />Don’s approximately $500,000 share from sale of SC to PPL now would be about $3,392,840.<br /><br /> <br /><br />Gender inequality that it was at the time, after Peggy’s successful Belle Jolie copy, and being assigned to another “project, not an account” for the Relax-a-ciser, Don told her not to be shy about asking for a raise, so he took her from $35/week ($1,820/year; $12,350 today) as a secretary to $40/week ($2,080/year; $14,114 today) as a secretary also doing copywriting.<br /><br /> <br /><br />Harry Crane was making $200/week ($10,400/year in 1962; or $70,571 today) when he opened Ken Cosgrove’s pay envelope and discovered that Ken was making $300/week ($15,600/year; or $105,856 today). I loved Jennifer Crane’s shocked comment of something like, “That mannequin’s making $300 a week; he’s not even married!” because in the early ‘70s, I had a boss actually ‘explain to me’ that was giving one of my peer’s a bigger raise “because he has a wife to support, and they are expecting.”) Harry went to Roger Sterling and asked for a raise to $310/week and settled for Roger’s offer of $225/week ($11,700/year; or $79,392 today), plus “throwing in new business cards.”<br /><br /> <br /><br />In the first season (1960), Pete Campbell was making $75/week ($3,900/year; or $26,464). He then received a 30% raise that brought him to $5,070/year (or $33,995 in today's dollars).<br /><br /><br />In 1963, when Pete Campbell, and Ken Cosgrove, both are unknowingly named head(s) of account services, Pete forgets to ask what his salary will be, but when Ken does remember to ask, Brit CFO Lane Pryce says the salary will be (a(disappointing) $21,000/year ($140,809 today).<br /><br /> <br /><br />We got these figures by replaying some episodes, writing down the figures from some conversations, and using the on-line inflation calculator mentioned above.<br /><br /> <br /><br />Anyone care to confirm, or correct, these figures? <br /><br />Atlanta PR GuyAtlanta PR Guyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00561755646320244281noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-70504686669413300672009-08-21T18:28:35.883-04:002009-08-21T18:28:35.883-04:00This is off topic but its something that has been ...This is off topic but its something that has been brought up constantly about Don and I would like to get some clarification.<br /><br />In the flashback about him in Korea when he switches identities with the real Don, does he wet himself or is that wetness from the gas leak? I have watched it a couple of times and it seems to be a bit ambiguous, as if the real Don thinks that is what happens but then they are startled to see what that its really from the gas leak.<br /><br />Has anybody else seen it that way?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-15634258557439313482009-08-19T20:52:50.815-04:002009-08-19T20:52:50.815-04:00About the bellhop's perfect gaydar, did anyone...About the bellhop's perfect gaydar, did anyone else notice that Sal in his drunken stupor was pretty blatantly checking him out before he took out his money? That's kiiiiind of a giveaway.<br /><br />Also, when Sal was late to the meeting, I just thought that he couldn't bring himself to face Don the next morning.<br /><br />I adored this episode. Funniest Mad Men episode ever. "DROP DEAD, YOU LIMEY VULTURE!"Erinnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-30929108648199634762009-08-19T14:57:05.237-04:002009-08-19T14:57:05.237-04:00Something that occurred to me while talking about ...Something that occurred to me while talking about the show yesterday: When Sal "forgot his ticket" and the hotel, could that have been a convenient cover for finishing what was interrupted by the fire alarm?Matter-Eater Ladhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07582100232490047227noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-22420405925977981392009-08-18T21:33:01.445-04:002009-08-18T21:33:01.445-04:00Thanks, olucy for explaining my ant farm question....Thanks, olucy for explaining my ant farm question. I obviously was not paying attention at that moment.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-51311029745245704552009-08-18T20:44:04.717-04:002009-08-18T20:44:04.717-04:00Don is Creative Director of Sterling Cooper.Don is Creative Director of Sterling Cooper.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-40393411740233408512009-08-18T18:59:25.212-04:002009-08-18T18:59:25.212-04:00Those are good explanations, which helps my brothe...Those are good explanations, which helps my brother and I because I could not adequately explain Don's position to him. Thanks!Henrynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-52631418327379356642009-08-18T17:28:16.430-04:002009-08-18T17:28:16.430-04:00Don works full-time for SC, but since he has no co...Don works full-time for SC, but since he has no contract, he could<br /><br />1) quit, or be fired, at any time, with no notice, but<br /><br />2) since he does not have a contract with the usual no-compete clause, if he did quit or was fired, he could work for a competitor, set up his own firm, take away clients, etc. (Though he said in Series 1 that if he ever quit it would be to do something else, obviously under conditions of leaving under protest, had Duck taken SC a direction he didn't like, no one would believe he wouldn't compete.)<br /><br />Before SC was sold to the Brits, he had a 12% share of the business. Presumably that had to be legally fixed somewhere (during the partners' meetings, he was expected to be there, but in the end his absence meant nothing since the 12% wasn't going to make a majority even with Bert, supposing they had both opposed he sale.) He received his share of the sale, and now he's just an employee again, high-level, apparently still without a contract. SC needs him, and he'd rather not be bound to them by contract - gives him some freedom. Some day he may get fired, without compensatio, of course.berkowit28https://www.blogger.com/profile/08194317697552106140noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-46040026866206758632009-08-18T16:00:16.583-04:002009-08-18T16:00:16.583-04:00He's the head of the entire Creative Departmen...He's the head of the entire Creative Department, which means he's over all the copywriters and graphic designers. Both Peggy and Sal look to him for approval/direction.<br /><br />I don't know what the legal implications are of his not having a contract, but he's not freelance.olucyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12047701257768309071noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-41074678338442583952009-08-18T15:39:26.805-04:002009-08-18T15:39:26.805-04:00My brother was watching the season premiere with m...My brother was watching the season premiere with me on Sunday. He asked me an interesting question: What exactly is Don's position at Sterling Cooper? Is he Head Copywriter? If he has no contract (as established from last season), is he a freelance copywriter?Henrynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-66597803888147682152009-08-18T15:34:42.784-04:002009-08-18T15:34:42.784-04:00ascot2 said...
a little confusion on my part - th...<i> ascot2 said... <br />a little confusion on my part - that was Don/Dick's real father in the flashback (Archie Whitman). Okay. I got that. He's the same person in the Hobo Code, and who was waiting for the body of DIck for Dick's body, when his younger brother saw him. But I thought he died (kicked in the head) when Don/Dick was nine (?) so he couldn't be the dad, because wasn't Don/Dick brought up by his stepmother and her (new, non Archie) husband? Is that right? Help.</i><br /><br />Ascot - You are partially correct. <br /><br />Yes, that was Dick's real father that we saw Sunday night, the same man in The Hobo Code flashbacks, Archie Whitman. <br /><br />The man in the flashback waiting for Dick's body was NOT Archie Whitman, it was Abigail's second husband who was Adam's father.<br /><br />Hope that helps.LAhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04868479477550590056noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-69701279823068000862009-08-18T14:48:45.431-04:002009-08-18T14:48:45.431-04:00Andrea said: Same thing with Pete. I'll buy t...Andrea said: <i>Same thing with Pete. I'll buy that perhaps he and Trudy have found peace with each other and are beginning to make an effort...but I will not buy that after only 6 or so months she has morphed from a belittled accessory-wife to Pete's Peggy-substitute and closest emotional confidant.</i> <br /><br />I agree, Andrea. I think she's just doing what she can to humor him and keep him from going into another one of his funks. She's doing what she thinks a good wife is supposed to do. I didn't much that was genuine between the two of them. Taking care of Pete's fragile ego is a full time job, and she has it down to a science.<br /><br />I still think she's a simp. Also, that hat she had on was killing me, and not in a good way.Maurahttp://occasionalblond.vox.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-48643985674396220622009-08-18T12:28:06.783-04:002009-08-18T12:28:06.783-04:00a little confusion on my part - that was Don/Dick&...a little confusion on my part - that was Don/Dick's real father in the flashback (Archie Whitman). Okay. I got that. He's the same person in the Hobo Code, and who was waiting for the body of DIck for Dick's body, when his younger brother saw him. But I thought he died (kicked in the head) when Don/Dick was nine (?) so he couldn't be the dad, because wasn't Don/Dick brought up by his stepmother and her (new, non Archie) husband? Is that right? Help.ascot2noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-46463118907467116362009-08-18T12:13:59.114-04:002009-08-18T12:13:59.114-04:00Recall that Betty is a graduate of Bryn Mawr. She ...Recall that Betty is a graduate of Bryn Mawr. She knows what lesbians are and its a sign of her aggressive childishness to use the term as a way of demoting another princess who is competing for the king's affections. Betty is no Cordelia (Lear reference).<br /><br />Not that Matt Weiner intends any cross-reference, but Bryn Mawr's motto is I Delight in The Truth; something that Betty definitely does *not* do when the truth is hard.Liamnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-50522030550057024462009-08-18T12:10:49.919-04:002009-08-18T12:10:49.919-04:00re: the quick Sal/bellboy encounter - my gay male ...re: the quick Sal/bellboy encounter - my gay male friends have told me of anonymous hookups they've engaged in that happened even <i>faster</i> than Sal's. Especially in the pre-AIDS era.<br /><br />re: Pete's wife entertaining docents from the Met - doesn't that mean she is truly associating with early 60s high society?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-52628588359875871532009-08-18T11:59:16.810-04:002009-08-18T11:59:16.810-04:00Great insights as usual Alan, but I have to say......Great insights as usual Alan, but I have to say...on this one I totally disagree. <br />Is it just me or does everyone seem a bit "out of character"?? Let's start with Don. In this episode we were definitely seeing that bit of Dick Whitman that we first glimpsed last season in "the mountain king" -- which made sense given several personal transformations (i.e. betty's pregnancy, the revelation from the real Mrs. Draper that "you are not alone," etc. etc.) -- until it becomes apparent that Don's behavior and business/personal relationships have not changed. <br />The aggression and smooth callousness is gone but the behavior those things masked (and in a way validated) is not. <br />Don Draper is not acting like himself (either as Don or Dick) and for the first time in the series the character feels contrived and the motivations don't make sense.<br />Same thing with Pete. I'll buy that perhaps he and Trudy have found peace with each other and are beginning to make an effort...but I will not buy that after only 6 or so months she has morphed from a belittled accessory-wife to Pete's Peggy-substitute and closest emotional confidant. <br />Also Bert Cooper: when have you ever seen him outside of his own world? I cannot fathom him "hanging out with the boys" like he does in the scene in Draper's office. His personality simply does not lend itself to that kind of relationship. It only makes sense if Bert is suddenly feeling himself becoming useless under the new ownership and needs companionship. But to me it seems like Bert would act this desperation out by becoming increasingly more withdrawn in his world of Ayn Rand and Japanese art.<br />And on a final note, I have to agree with the previous post that Betty's "little lesbian" comment about Sally felt totally modern and out of place, and too cavalier for the time.<br />I hope that this last part doesn't become a trend because the brilliance of this show is that it manages to be a powerful social commentary simply because it is so much "of its time" and has not until now felt like us looking back through the prism of cultural change.<br />Those things aside, I thought Joan, Sal, Ken and Peggy's characters were spot on.<br />All in all, it was an ok opener and I'm glad to get back to the world of Sterling Cooper. I'm just going to chalk the character problems mentioned above up to a case of the high-pressure first-episode-jitters and hope that the over-acting and character inconsistencies go away as everybody settles into the new season.AFishhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11635435268613535796noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-14536940814042105532009-08-18T10:34:59.600-04:002009-08-18T10:34:59.600-04:00including Roger's awkward shift from jaunty to...<i>including Roger's awkward shift from jaunty to somber when he realized, "Oh, that meeting,"</i><br /><br />and<br /><br /><i>I thought Roger said "Oh, SAD meeting," which is even funner than "THAT meeting."</i><br /><br />@Alan & Matter-Eater Lad: My favourite line of the episode; I also heard it as "Oh. Sad meeting". Repeat nit-picking listens seem to bear this out.<br /><br />Thanks a bunch for all the reviews and interviews, Alan - your writing (including that of these awesome commenters) is an invaluable supplement to the show.Karl Rubenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17046303307901837031noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-81418129953543169272009-08-18T08:52:04.202-04:002009-08-18T08:52:04.202-04:00Regarding Betty's 'lesbian' comment; t...Regarding Betty's 'lesbian' comment; totally brilliant and consistent characterization - throughout the show, Betty has been shown to resent her daughter (can't think of name offhand - Bo?) and be insecure of her and Don, as her own mother kept Betty at a distance. This was Betty the competitive woman instinctively undermining the relationship of Don and daughter. Subtle and automatic - watch for more.<br /><br />Also, some have questioned why Don would still let himself be unfaithful; apart from any woman-hating issues Don may have, it's fair to say that from a 60's WASP perspective and with Betty about seven months gone, Don isn't getting any at home - and he has learned to be a little bohemian anyway.<br /><br />Thirdly, overjoyed to see Maggie Siff listed in series 3 cast.blogwardhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07362291687463326731noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-76665328082254856022009-08-18T08:34:20.962-04:002009-08-18T08:34:20.962-04:00My favorite pun in the episode: Sal, he loves the ...My favorite pun in the episode: Sal, he loves the ball-sack...er...Balzac.<br /><br />Welcome back Mad Men!Tomhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15582136184196524214noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-64628884907111828402009-08-18T01:44:33.777-04:002009-08-18T01:44:33.777-04:00Im so glad this show and all the great observation...Im so glad this show and all the great observations are back. Yeh i was wondering about that "expose yourself to art" poster too, thanks for mentioning the time of release on that one.<br />I'm really enjoying all the commentary on Betty's new steely persona. What struck me about the lesbian remark was what seemed to be Don's reaction of genuine amusement to it. It's as if she's becoming more interesting to him in a wise-ass/Midge sort of way, yet she still wasn't sly enough to catch on to the stewardess' pin. (Wouldn't he have brought one home for each of the kids?) I was also surprised by the way they were throwing all the cancer talk around, was that typical of the time?<br />When it came to Shelley the stewardess it looked to me like Don could take her or leave her. I thought the hilarious line about ending up in the same old place was an insult directed at her and her ilk. Even back in the room he seemed bored and disdainful of her, and it also looked to me like the only reason he decided to go with it was in a self-pitying gesture for him to have an agknowledgment/celebration of his birthday that was probably more than Dick Whitman ever got. The line kinda reminded me of the secretary seduction scene in Revolutionary Road too.<br />And in keeping with the Sterling/Cooper execs' slightly behind-the-times theme, how about that promotion gift from Pete's wife? I don't remember if that "the buck stops here" thing was on Truman or Ike's desk but either way it would seem like a dated joke reference, no?helgahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02949967539362945458noreply@blogger.com