Thus far, Don has been drunk, distant and depressed since his divorce from Betty. He has not achieved anything in his private or professional life. Is he going to snap out of it? He seems to be on the verge of something in his battle with Faye, the market research consultant. For her part, Peggy has been dabbling in the 60s counter-culture and I am hoping that love affair is going to continue. Don has told her he needs her in the firm because she understands young people. Will he also come to “get” the new 60s? But Don also wanted Pete on the team, because he is open for new and young markets, yet Pete is more concerned now with maintaining his position and keeping up the façade of his marriage. With their Clearasil and Jai Alai accounts gone to a competitor, Pete is proud to announce they are invited to compete for Honda’s business. Roger Sterling’s World War II experience keeps him form appreciating the opportunity.
Nevertheless, the other partners are eager to take the chance and Pete recommends they read anthropologist Ruth Benedict’s The Chrysanthemum and the Sword. When the Japanese executives explain they have a set of rules for the competition, Roger explodes. After the meeting, Don has an ingenious idea: as Bert Cooper believes they must resign because Roger insulted the executives, Don does not want to see the business go to the competitor by default; since they do not have the financial means to break the rules and produce a finished commercial, he suggest they make it seem as if they are shooting one, so that the competitor will actually make one. On the day of the presentation, Don offers his resignation and complains that they broke their own rules. It gains him their respect, they win the account and have bankrupted the competition. Don’s stunt has paid off royally.
Meanwhile, Don’s daughter Sally is acting out against her grandfather’s death, her parents’ divorce, her father’s many affairs, her mother’s new marriage. First she cuts her hair and later she touches herself on a sleep over. Betty is angry and mortified, but Henri says punishment will not make Sally change her ways. Instead he suggests seeing a therapist. Like Don, Betty does not believe in psychiatrists. She has been in therapy years ago and it did not do her any good. Not surprisingly, his daughter’s behavior brings Don closer to Faye and as they chat she admits she merely pretends to be married to avoid male attention at the work floor. He almost asks her out for dinner. A new blonde in his life. But that’s for later. Don is starting to get his groove back. Now let’s hope we will hear more about Peggy next week.
Nevertheless, the other partners are eager to take the chance and Pete recommends they read anthropologist Ruth Benedict’s The Chrysanthemum and the Sword. When the Japanese executives explain they have a set of rules for the competition, Roger explodes. After the meeting, Don has an ingenious idea: as Bert Cooper believes they must resign because Roger insulted the executives, Don does not want to see the business go to the competitor by default; since they do not have the financial means to break the rules and produce a finished commercial, he suggest they make it seem as if they are shooting one, so that the competitor will actually make one. On the day of the presentation, Don offers his resignation and complains that they broke their own rules. It gains him their respect, they win the account and have bankrupted the competition. Don’s stunt has paid off royally.
Meanwhile, Don’s daughter Sally is acting out against her grandfather’s death, her parents’ divorce, her father’s many affairs, her mother’s new marriage. First she cuts her hair and later she touches herself on a sleep over. Betty is angry and mortified, but Henri says punishment will not make Sally change her ways. Instead he suggests seeing a therapist. Like Don, Betty does not believe in psychiatrists. She has been in therapy years ago and it did not do her any good. Not surprisingly, his daughter’s behavior brings Don closer to Faye and as they chat she admits she merely pretends to be married to avoid male attention at the work floor. He almost asks her out for dinner. A new blonde in his life. But that’s for later. Don is starting to get his groove back. Now let’s hope we will hear more about Peggy next week.
Quite a bit of controversy over Sally touching herself. She's only 11 and a lot of people are grossed out. Do you think it's this huge deal??
ReplyDeleteNo, I do not think it is a huge deal at all. But those were the sixties.
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