lucky strikeout

In this week's episode of Mad Men, I learn just how many exclamation points I can use when I've had a wee bit more wine than I'd originally planned to whilst watching and taking notes (for your reading pleasure, I've added them in bold where appropriate). Also, that when Roger and Don act like, well, Roger and Don, I can roll my eyes so hard I can practically see through the back of my head. And finally, that the best part of this week's ep was a guest appearance by a former Nickelodeon child star.

OMG!!! ALEX MACK w/ a Carey Mulligan haircut!!
You guys, Ken Cosgrove's ebullient fiancée was played by Larisa Oleynik, aka Alex Mack! Aside: to date, she is the one and only person I ever sent a fan letter to when I was kid. It was a two-pager that wondered mostly how she managed to turn into a puddle of silvery goo every episode. In return I received an orange Nickelodeon form letter that, no, I am not still bitter about. She also played Dawn in 1995's The Baby-Sitter's Club movie, which ten-year-old me loved because Dawn was my favorite (hellooo, she was from California and she had two--TWO--earrings in each ear!) AND she was being played by Alex Mack! For the 95% of you who don't know what I'm talking about, Larisa Oleynik also played the younger sister in 10 Things I Hate About You.

OMG Roger, ffs!!
Anyway, Alex Mack is telling the story of Trudy going into labor when Ken hears from a colleague at a rival agency about Lucky Strike's parting from SCDP. Ruh-roh. Of course, this is devastating news for the fledgling agency, and everyone is mobilized. Roger is completely and utterly pathetic, especially when he flat-out pretends to be on the phone with Lee Garner, Jr. Finger on the receiver? What is this, I Love Lucy? (No offense, Lucy! I love you!) Oh Roger, your classy silver hair and well-tailored suit belies your internal cowardice. I'm so glad Joan was legitimately pissed off and spurned his attempts at seduction in her (cute) PJs. I really like John Slattery (let's forget he ever wanted to pee on Carrie) and he certainly plays the aging playboy quite well, but ROGER IS ANNOYING THE BLAZES OUT OF ME. Grow up! Yet at the end, with totally oblivious Jane and the Sterling's Gold with the horrible cover art, he got to me. Hate to say it, but I think we need to add Roger S. onto Suicide Watch.

Oh noooo, Trudy's pelvis! D:
How great that Trudy manages to be in labor for about three days and pop out a baby Campbell, yet we don't see one frame of Alison Brie? Guess she was too busy Chloroforming janitors in Greendale (obligatory Community pimping). I was very concerned for Trudy and her pelvis, but luckily all went well. I did think it was interesting that Trudy was apparently very much awake during her labor, whereas just two (?) years ago when Gene Draper was being born, Betty was put in her crazy drug-induced haze.

Stan's green jacket--FUG
Sorry, I know some people aren't fond of the word fug, but it's what I scribbled down, okay? Is it bad that the assier Stan gets, the fonder I become of him? I know have terrible taste in TV jerks, this is well-documented (House, Jimmy McNulty from The Wire, DON DRAPER...). Yes, Stan is clearly a huge Neanderthal turd, but I think I like the fact that Peggy doesn't let him get to her and gets to reject him over and over. So no, I do not love Stan but I do love seeing him get served seven ways to Sunday. Also, wardrobe needs to get him some better (looser!) clothing. Yikes.

Oh God, this guy again. Wearing very short shorts!
Stan's got some competitition in the form of Tiny Yellow Swim Trunks (formerly Turtlenecked Beatnik, I refuse to call him by his actual name, Abe, because I don't care for him). Despite being terrible at compliments ("I love your shoulders, you look like you're in the Olympics"), Peggy seems to be quite satisfied with TYST. Knowing Mad Men, this will last all of two episodes.

Manwhore!!!!!!!
I had to hand it to Faye when she stuck it to Don about him asking her to jeopardize her career. For once, I found her tolerable. But then she had to go and muck it all up! Sigh, Dr. Faye, I thought you were different. And yet again, Don is cheating on the blonde with the brunette. It's always one step foward, two steps back with him. I'm starting to wonder just how many times Don can go back and forth from Don 1.0 to Don 2.0. It's season four and we're seen some pretty good episodes, so I will endure this once again. But I predict that if we continue to see Don progress and regress over the next season or two, I'm going to get pretty tired of it all. All the goodwill he won from me in "The Suitcase" is crumbling away. Honestly, I think Don wins the prize for Character Most Likely to Give Viewers Emotional Whiplash.

And WHAT is going on with Megan? I can't figure her out. Does she actually want to be a copywriter like Peggy or is she really looking for a husband? Either way, sleeping with Don in his office is not the appropriate in either circumstance! Also, her pink flowered blouse/skirt combo was atrocious (/cheap shot).

So what happens next week? Will Ted Chaaaaaaoogoghghodshgogh eventually woo Pete Campbell away from SCDP? How long will TYST stick around and what wardrobe will he be sporting next that I can make fun of? Most importantly, if Lucky Strike is out, does this mean Sal is coming back???