TV in Review: Mad Men, “Mystery Date”
April 9, 2012 12 Comments
Remember me saying that I love how Mad Men does awkward? Well, this episode starts off with that, with a small moment of Don meeting an ex-flirtation named Andrea, who comes on to him because it’s not obvious that the other woman in the elevator is Don’s wife, Megan. But she is. And I still love it.
(Warning: possible spoilers ahead.)
In “Mystery Date,” we get an under-the-weather Don Draper, and as usual he’s all the more interesting when his weakness are on display.
MEGAN: That kind of careless [pause] appetite — you can’t blame that on Betty.
We get some iconic moments, like a soldier’s return.
The new guy Michael Ginsberg starts to make small waves in the business world, in a way that promises for bigger waves in the future.
Assertive Peggy is back (yay!)…
…having fun with a comical Roger Sterling and forging a relationship of sorts with the new secretary, Dawn. Their exchange is very revealing, both about racial issues, and about each of them as characters. Plus, drunk Peggy is funny.
I’m still enjoying the glimpses we get of Sally Draper this year. She’s really got the tween thing down.
SALLY: Grandma Pauline is still here, and I hate her.
Indeed, Grandma Pauline is abusive, in more ways than one. Random rules, scary stories, and prescription drugs. There are moments where I like her viciousness, but mostly I don’t. Even then, though, I still like her for dramatic purposes. Pauline is fun to dislike. Oh, and before I forget, for the second episode in a row we get Bugles!
Actually, there’s a lot in this episode that’s dislikable even as it entertains. They give us sex and violence with the discussion of the gruesome rape and murder of some nurses in Chicago, but they also give us Michael questioning the ethics of eliciting excitement from the story. (It’s the Richard Speck murders, from July 14, 1966.)
Sex and violence get all mixed up in this episode, also including the manner in which Don’s past behavior comes back to haunt him, in yellow. “Haunt” is the operative word, as it is difficult to tell Don’s desires apart from his nightmares. I like that Don is struggling with demons, and that the show is willing to present him as unlikable, and although I also know that they won’t go so far as to make him a full-fledged devil, they do go pretty far in this episode. If you’ve seen it, then you definitely know what I mean.
So Mad Men appreciates complicated characters (which is not the same as excusing their bad behavior). The same guy who says this about black soldiers…
GREG: Plenty of Negroes in Saigon and they’re plenty brave.
says this about Vietnam..
GREG: I know you’re hearing a lot of horrible things about what’s going on over there. It couldn’t be further from the truth. You don’t need to worry.
But we do worry, about a lot. “Mystery Date” is a masterful episode, weaving together the multiple story lines with ease, evoking guilt, pleasure, anticipation, excitement, sickness, disgust, and more. It ain’t easy, and it’s not always pretty.
And the ending song over the credits? It’s a song that I’ve long found the absolute creepiest of all girl group songs ever, “He Hit Me (And It Felt Like a Kiss)” by The Crystals. Really creepy, as in it’s difficult to even listen to the whole thing.
It remains to be seen how far Mad Men will go in exploring male violence, in the news, in its characters, and in its institutions, but it’s part of what makes the show worthwhile that they’re willing to broach the subject in more complicated ways than your by-the-book Law & Order formula.
A top notch episode. Unfortunately it’s now time to put down the Bugles, set aside the kitchen knife, and go to work. Another long week until the next Mad Men fix.
AMC first broadcast Season 5, Episode 4 of Mad Men on April 8, 2012.
SEE ALSO
Polentical: TV in Review: Mad Men, “Tea Leaves”
Colorblind?: AMC’s “Mad Men:” Keeping black characters in the periphery….until now?
pubaccesstv: Mad Men – “Mystery Date”
TVLine: Mad Men Recap: Dishonorably Discharged
I Might Have Thought What You Said…: Mad Men 504 “Mystery Date”…
About Matthew
A very nice re-cap for what was this week not a very nice show, though in the best way possible. The elevator scene was amazing, so intricate in its machinations and yet it flowed so well; I can’t think of another show that could have handled that sequence without getting clunky. Then there was the surprise accordion serenade over dinner that had me simultaneously cringe and roll back in laughter. You’d hate to be there, but looking in is enticing and exciting; kind of like a car accident, or the scene of a slaughter.
That accordion serenade was perfectly cringe-inducing! It was actually my favorite photo that I wound up not including in my post. I’d include it in this comment, but my technical knowledge doesn’t extend to knowing how to embed a picture in the comments section.
I don’t know if you read Grantland, but one of the writers there is convinced that Sally Draper is going to be a serial killer. I think that’s hogwash, but despite the love I have for the character, I can’t escape the feeling that something is off with her. What do you think?
You know, I don’t read Grantland, but I should put it on my list. You’re definitely not the only one to recommend it. I hadn’t thought of Sally as a serial killer and am with you. I think there’s something off about her and I like that they are willing to have children who are imperfect in odd ways. Do you remember her friend Glen, who was played by the series creator, Matthew Weiner? I loved how strange he was in what came across as very authentic.
I think you a word there Matt. If Glen was played by Matthew Weiner then he has either aged very, very gracefully or he is a child well beyond his years.
Sorry, I was so tired last night! I meant the son of the series creator. Glen was played by Marten Holden Weiner.
How could I forget Glen? He was definitely off, and the writer on Grantland cites his influence on Sally in his theory. I’m definitely more comfortable calling him a sociopath. He’s just so damn perceptive not to be.
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Great recap! A drunk Peggy is an awesome Peggy. And while Sally is no Glen, she’s one to keep a wary eye on as the 60′s roll on.
Thanks! I’m enjoying Sally more this season, although I also keep my fingers crossed that Glen will return some day.
Matthew — Thanks for Liking my blog post today! I am a big fan of the Show and now that I know you write about it often, will check back frequently. It’s interesting as a marketing consultant (and old agency gal) to see the comments here and how folks talk about these characters in such a personal way: as though they really know them. It’s a a tribute to the quality of the production.
You’re most welcome, and thanks for dropping by! Maybe your marketing experience is why your writing is so lively and fun? For anyone else interested, the post in question is a great response to “Signal 30.”