Don Draper may be an advertising genius, but he’s a terrible writer if his journal is anything to go by. I don’t think anybody will be rushing to publish his memoirs as a novelty book just in time for the Christmas market (incidentally, I wonder if he was inspired to keep a journal by discovering Roger’s efforts in last week’s episode?). There may have been a few character details sprinkled here and there (such as Don’s laziness with school assignments, although I kind of wish that I could follow his example by only writing everything in five paragraphs of fifty words each), but for the most part it was all old-timey folksy drivel. Still, it did provide the opportunity for us to see plenty of shots of Jon Hamm mostly undressed during Don’s turgid voice over. It seems that, following Peggy’s despairing comment ‘How long are you going to go on like this?’ to him in last week’s episode, Don’s finally getting his life back on track. Or at least he’s just trying to be a bit healthier, what with all the swimming, which may or may not be the result of the influence of John Cheever. The fact that he made dates with both Bethany van Nuys (which might have involved going to see the Odd Couple but definitely involved casual-looking but actually well-planned fellatio in the back of a cab) and Dr Miller (which involved a story about her dad’s connection to the mob through his ‘candy shop’ and Aesop’s fables) during the episode suggests that his approach to relationships is as chaotic as ever.
As if to complicate Don’s personal life even further his date with Bethany involved an uncomfortable run in with Betty (as if there could be any other kind of run in with Betty), as Henry was invited to the same restaurant to discuss joining Congressman Lindsay’s campaign. Apparently this was too much for Betty to handle and so she spent much of dinner sat in the toilet smoking, which earned her a well deserved telling off from Henry: ‘You need a drink? What are you a wino?’ Not that he escaped the episode squeaky-clean either, what with him over-reacting (perhaps) to Betty (‘Maybe we rushed into this’) and for being an incredible dick over the boxes Don left in the garage, first reversing into them and then actually daring to say to Don when arranging a time to pick up the now dented stuff ‘Gene’s birthday is on Sunday, so I think Saturday would be best’. On the plus side, Don got through all this and came out being far more likeable, not causing a scene at when he showed up unannounced at his son’s party (which he would have been entitled to do) but just bringing a giant stuffed elephant instead, and it was the first appearance of Francine since series two. Hi Francine! Still it’s a shame that the episode had to finish with Betty’s ultra-smug line to Henry that it didn’t matter that Don was at the party as ‘We have everything’ – you couldn’t ask for a more blatant example of hubris (unfortunately there wasn’t even the usual apt/cheeky choice of pop song over the end credits this week so Betty was left un-undermined), I’m looking forward to seeing those two get their just desserts.
Meanwhile the SCDP office saw the first firing of the season in the shape of Joey. It’s a shame that it wasn’t Stan, but I can’t say I’ll be sorry to see Joey go – anybody who insults the divine Joan (especially in such a vulgar way as his filthy ‘tally ho’ cartoon of her and Lane) deserves to face the consequences. Joey’s firing may have marked the moment that Peggy finally got some authority in the SCDP office, but unfortunately Joan didn’t appreciate it (‘All you’ve done is prove I’m a powerless secretary and you’re another humourless bitch.’), and judging by Stan’s ‘power of the poontang’ gibe later on, it doesn’t look like the guys are going to bow down to her authority that easily.
On a happier note, Miss Blankenship got a cataracts operation, so she spent the episode wandering around with dark glasses on, pretending to be even more dotty than she already is. I’m starting to think that her character may have been inspired by Roz from Monsters Inc. And the creative staff’s work on the Mountain Dew account basically involved designing cocktails (even if they couldn’t find the perfect third ingredient to add to Mountain Dew and Vodka), so that was good, although I couldn’t help but be surprised by the fact that Mountain Dew’s logo used to be a hillbilly with a cauldron, soft drink branding has got much more sophisticated since the sixties apparently, although I’m sure it’s only a matter of time before nostalgia/irony dictates that we go back to that label design.
It was a bit of a filler episode really (every photo of the episode on the AMC official site is of Jon Hamm looking unbelievably cool, which doesn’t suggest an action-packed plot), but then that’s not surprising considering how great last week’s one was. And we finally got the Rolling Stones on the soundtrack, I’m sure it’s only a matter of time until The Beatles follow suit.
