After our little dose of comic relief interrupted a meeting Don was hosting, we learned that Don's been dealing with a bit of personal competition in the advertising world with some slimy guy named Ted Chaough (Really? I actually had to look up how to spell the guy's name.) Turns out the guy's firm has been picking up SCDP's lost accounts and is a real jerk about it. But at the partners' luncheon we learn that Don's got a chance of scooping up a new account to replace the ones he's lost: Honda. I must say that so far this season, Pete Campbell has proved why Don and Roger decided to take him on as a part of their mutiny at the end of Season 3. The guy has got smarts and he's a little go-getter. What's more is that he has no problem putting someone in his place, as he showed with the way he handled what I'll call "The Roger Situation."
Oh, Roger. I love you and your strong opinions, but sometimes, you have just the slightest hint of intolerance. I understand that you fought in World War II and that you witnessed many men die for their country, and that you are still sensitive, but like Bertram said, "The war's over, Roger." And Pete smartly pointed out that another agency is doing business with "Volksvawgon." Honda shouldn't be any different. But of course, Roger wouldn't hear it, and vetoed even an introductory meeting with the motorcycle company. Knowing that Roger will be Roger and no one else thinks like he does, the rest of the guys decide to go on with the meeting and keep Roger far away from it. What a great plan. I'm sure things will run smoothly.
WRONG. THINGS DID NOT RUN SMOOTHLY. Well, things were running smoothly. The Honda people were warmly welcomed by the offices of SCDP. Pete made sure to get the potted chrysanthemums out of the building. Miniature Japanese and American flags were standing happily together on the conference room table. And Joan wowed the potential clients with her apparently not-so-subtle assets. Everything was just dandy. But just as Honda was about to present the rules, in comes a shocked Roger, who then proceeds to make one offensive comment after the other--each making blatant and crude references to the past. I kept close count, and for the record, throughout the entire episode, Roger made a total of 8 offensive comments. Gee, surprisingly, Honda did not respond very well. They kept their cool of course, but there was no sign of them giving SCDP a go at their business. Roger's behavior is one of the reasons "uncomfortable" is a key word in this post's title. I had absolutely no issues with Pete Campbell walking into his office and chewing him out the way he did--it was well-deserved. The cherry was seeing Don agree with Pete. And what was the result of the whole regrettable incident? Don later received a consolation prize of a bottle of Saki from one Teddy Chaough. And that was the end of that.
JUST KIDDING! Despite the horrid incident, Honda invited SCDP to the presentation party. Sure, Bert assumed it was only to send in their resignation from the account, but it was still a chance! And so began one of the best sequences in Mad Men history. Don knows Teddy is watching his every move. So what does he do? He breaks Honda's rules and makes a commercial--oh wait--he makes it look like he's making a commercial. And what does Teddy do? He actually makes a commercial. When Don follows an all too confident Teddy and faces the people of Honda, he calmly reprimands them for not playing by their own rules, and in the end, wins their favor. It was a grand feeling. After the most recent "violated secretary gets violent" incident, Don was back on his game. It was safe to say that Don's work life was once again thriving.
Sadly, the same could not be said for his home life. Poor Sally. Poor, poor Sally. The nights she actually gets to spend with her father, he's out with the likes of Bethany. And may I just say something about Bethany? She's complaining about 3 dates in 5 months with Don, but c'mon Bethany, are you listening to yourself? You've had 3 DATES WITH DON DRAPER. That's more than I've ever gotten from him, so please do count your pretty little self lucky! ANYWAYS, poor Sally. You have to feel for the gal. While her father is out dillydallying with twenty somethings, she's stuck at his apartment with the babysitting nurse wonder who lives down the hall. She's upset. She knows that her father is "doing it" with other women. She knows that "the man pees inside the woman." Yes, it's all very awkward. So what does she do? Like any other confused 10-year old who wants to grow up, she cuts her hair, and of course it didn't exactly turn out the way she intended. No worries, after a good slap on the face from Mother of the Year, Betty Draper--ahem, uh, Francis--a quick trip to the beauty parlor fixed her right up and she was fine. Everything was back to normal. Sally had a cute, little modern hairdo. She went to a cute, little sleepover at her friends' house. She played with herself in front of her cute, little sleeping friend. SHE PLAYED WITH HERSELF. The minute those wide eyes of hers looked at the pretty guy on the TV a little differently, and her hands slowly pulled up her nightgown, things got INCREDIBLY UNCOMFORTABLE. Mortified, after finding that Sally was taken home early from the sleepover, Betty listens to Henry and finds little Sally a child psychiatrist. And even after an uncomfortable conversation with Dr. Edna, Betty goes through with it. This of course isn't the best news for Don to hear, but really, it seems like he can't do much about it. I have to agree with Dr. Faye on this one and remind Don that Sally will be OK as long as she knows he loves her--so do it, Don! Love your daughter! But don't do it in the creepy and disturbing Chinatown way. Do it in the normal, loving father way.
And you had better do it soon, Don. For it was a sad sight to little Sally silently say goodbye to a worried Carla and walk herself into Dr. Edna's office. It was almost as if we were watching her make her final exit out of a normal childhood. Peace be with you, Sally Draper.
Whew! OK, I'll admit, that was a long one. But since we're here I'll touch on a few other things of note:
- Miss Blankenship and Don and the coffee incident. Oh, how I would have loved to have seen how that played out. Perhaps it went something like this.
- Pete yelling, "Christ on a cracker!"
- It pains me to say this but I was slightly attracted to Henry Francis in his robe. Perhaps less clothing makes him look younger?
- "Miss Blankenship!"
- Pete's "dead in the water" comment directed at Roger.
- Dr. Faye letting Don know she's not married--PLEASE DON'T SLEEP WITH HER.
- Fine, January Jones, you may not be able to host SNL as well as your on-screen ex, but you can act. You also look good in light blue.
- Joan informing Roger that the Lucky Strike voiceover actor came down with a case of chest congestion.
- Peggy riding around in circles on the Honda motorcycle on the soundstage.
What, oh what, will occur next week?
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