How wonderful that MM is back to its former creativity! This episode was fantastic. I'll strive to elaborate why.
The 60's were a time of change....how great it is that we are getting glimpses of the New World. In the 50's, it was "spare the rod, spoil the child." In the 60's, Don gets mad when his kid is slapped. In the 50's, you could go blind from masturbation. In the 60's, it's really no big deal! In the 50's, Japan turned out crap. In the 60's, it's just entering the U.S. car markets.
And so much more....
Of course, our favorite folks are doing some changing for the better as well:
Don...He's coming out of his depressed shell...thank goodness! Back to flirting with a pretty secretary, which is much more in character. He's sympathetic standing up to his wife on behalf of his daughter. He's downright clever playing the "honor" card to get the Japanese account.
Betty...quite bitchy, which is just right for her. Her prudish style contrasts nicely with the changing mores. She has a bit too much anger toward Don, which is rather nasty for further plot developments...I'm worried about the future of her character.
Betty's kid...ah, the little girl who discovers SELF! (hahaha) This kid-actor has grown up over the years and might just be a real player on the set in future years. I like how the writers are focusing on the next generation.
Roger....right on, you WWII vet! When I was growing up in the 50's and 60's, I recall many adults who hated the Japanese, much more than the Germans. They would not buy a thing from the Orient. So Roger is a good portrait of a man struggling with change.
Joanie: When the Japanese visitors asked why she does not fall over, we broke out laughing. Very spot-on humor, since there is still little awareness of women's issues back then. Great how she's now organizing the meetings and running them. And really nice how she stands up to Roger re her husband. Wish the writers would do even more with her.
All in all, a very moving, thought-provoking show. A+....let's hope they keep it up.
A well-thought out take on this week's. Great details noted. (My only attempt at a chronological "yea, but" is with the comment that in the 60s masturbation was "no big deal." In fact, we see in this episode that it is a very big deal, and although on the precipice of the sexual revolution, it had not exploded yet.)
ReplyDeleteO.K., so here are some of my notes. And yes, I blushingly confess that I now take notes while watching this show!
Love all the business acumen and lack of in this world of advertising. The "Sting" of the Honda ad charade was hilarious, and any time I need a chuckle I need only picture Don at the door with his little red Honda motorcycle. Funny!
Yes, the Roger outburst was fascinating and, I suspect, dead-on for that era.
I am pissed that Don would go out on a date on one of his kids' nights. That's personal for me. Not cool.
Betty is a horrible, terrible, no-good, very bad mother (to quote Judith Viorst's book). To leave the housekeeper to take Sally to the shrink is a new low. And yet, Sally seems more attached to her (can't blame her). Reminiscent of Imitation of LIfe with Lana Turner (do you know that movie?)
Loved the glimpse of Top Cat and Man From U.N.C.L.E.
Continue to LOVE Don's secretary. Breath of fresh air humor. I laugh out loud.
Lastly, I learned a new phrase from Pete Campbell: "Christ on a cracker!"
I'm sorry, but I had to laugh at your use of the word "exploded!" Pun intended??!!!
ReplyDeleteBut yes, the sexual revolution was slow to hit the 60's. Yet we already had the Kinsey Reports. Kinsey's work on females was done in 1953. The pill was in, I think as early as 1960...wait, just checked Google and here's the answer: Finally, in 1960, it became FDA approved and by 1963, 1.2 million women were using it. Re masturbation? Not sure about views by 1965, but I'd guess Betty was off the deep end by comparison to most folks.
I agree that Don is a rat for going out and leaving his kids...why not go out on his nights off? Very male behavior...which happens today as well.
Betty is certainly a bitch. I can't stand portraits of anyone who abuses kids. When I see a mother in a market yelling at her kids, I want to step in and say something. As I noted, Betty's character is getting just a bit too despicable...might be hard to bring her back from the brink.
Ah, yes, the Man from Uncle. I told Bianca that the fellow she was looking was David McCallum playing Mr Kuryatkin.... she said, Huh?
The new baddilacs is fantastic! What a neat plot twist! No more young hot things for Don!
Pete Campbell: Growing in stature...more likable now.
Keep taking notes, film buddy!
My sister theorizes that Betty's flip-out over Sally may be leading to revelations about herself and possible molestation by her dad. She cites other clues like Betty's own psychiatric experience and the repeated mention of Sally's "closeness to her grandfather." Also how he had stayed in her room before he died.
ReplyDeleteDunno. Whatcha think?
I'd say a very good call. Sounds logical and would explain Betty in many ways.
ReplyDelete