The Unfiltered Ramblings of a DVR Addict

Mad Men Season 3, Episode 10:  The Color Blue

Hmmmm….this week’s episode is building had an exciting plot twist.  We learn that Sterling Cooper  is getting sold, Betty learns a bit about Don’s past (or so she thinks) and Don continues his affair with Suzanne Farrell.

The episode opens with Don explaining to Betty that he has work with Hilton and isn’t spending the night at home, but where is really going to be?   You guessed it, Suzanne’s place!  Suzanne wants him to stay the night and he is very comfortable with her, so much more than with his own wife.  I like Suzanne, but she might be just under Don’s spell.  We know he can’t change his ways, but after last season, I didn’t think he would want to jeopardize his family.  Oh hell, never mind, Betty is crazy!

At the office, Don hears pitches from Kinsey and Peggy on the Aqua Net account.  When Don comments that Kinsey’s idea is too wordy, Peggy chimes in and shortens it on the spot.  Don likes it and Kinsey grows upset with Peggy.  Kinsey is so threatened by Peggy, rather than working with her, he insults her and storms off. 

Later that evening, Don is at Suzanne’s house, when her brother knocks and interrupts them.  Don is worried, but is put at ease.  Suzanne wants Don to meet Danny, Don wishes him well and rushes off.  Danny suffers from epileptic seizures and Suzanne is always there to help.   Danny isn’t really impressed with Don-he calls him arrogant.

SC is celebrating their 40^th anniversary and Roger and Cooper are reminiscing about the good ole days.  Don has to make a speech and Lane encourages him to make it great.  It really bugs Roger that Don is receiving an award for some sort humanity thing, but all Cooper does is liken the party to a funeral.

That evening we see the Draper family at home, Betty and the kitchen table with Sally doing her homework, while Don is in the Den with Bobby.  When Sally answers the phone and is quickly hung up on….Betty and Don both think twice about it.

There is a scene that shows Don putting cash away in his desk drawer.  He locks it up and puts his key in his bathrobe when he is startled by Baby Gene’s cries.  Can we say foreshadowing?

The next day, Suzanne boards Don’s morning train to the city.  She discreetly sits next to him and he clearly shocked.  Don asks her if she called last night, but she answers no.  Suzanne makes it clear that she is doesn’t care about his marriage or work, she only cares that he is with her.  Is this really going to work out?  Suzanne tells Don that she got her brother a job and he is leaving shortly.

While Don is at the office, Betty calls Henry Francis to ask if he called last night and hung up.  He says no and tells her that if she wanted to talk to him, she shouldn’t make up an excuse.  Who called last night then?  Just wait-another bombshell!  Betty finds Don’s key while doing laundry.  She opens the desk drawer and finds the money, plus the box of Don’s mementos, including family photos, dog tags for Whitman and Draper, deed to a house, plus the divorce papers on Don and Anna Draper!  What story is Don going to give her?  She clearly upset and spends the evening waiting for Don.

Meanwhile at the office….Kinsey is awakened by his secretary in his office.  He spent the evening working on pitches for a telegraph account.  Peggy recorded her ideas on the Dictaphone, but Kinsey drank himself silly, chatted with the maintenance man and is struck with an awesome idea!  Unfortunately the next day, Kinsey cannot recall it.

Lane was featured quite a bit this episode.  He had to deal with his emotional wife who longs for London.  He is also trying to fine tune the 40^th anniversary party (the big shots are coming), convinces Cooper to attend the event, all while learning that SC is for sale.  This party needs to be awesome—better for business, they need a buyer.

Poor Betty is at home waiting for Don, but he is at Suzanne’s house.  Danny is leaving for Massachusetts; Don offers to take him there.  Danny shares that he is not interested in another menial job; Don gives him some money and drops him off.  When he returns to Suzanne’s home, Don tells her he took him to the job at the VA hospital.  They kiss and embrace, but that’s it.

The next morning, Don calls Betty about the evening’s agenda.  He will be home at 5:30 and they should leave within the hour.  She claims to be feeling ill, but Don expresses that he wants to show her off, the stunning Betty Draper. She is still a bit raw; she asks where he was the night before, he blames it on Hilton.

Paul and Peggy meet before presenting to Don on the telegraph account.  They both have nothing, Kinsey tells her he lost his idea, but shares a Chinese proverb, “The faintest ink is better than the best memory.”  Peggy is sympathetic to Kinsey.  When Don dismisses Peggy’s pitch, Paul clams up.  Peggy tells Kinsey to tell the truth-he didn’t write it down-Don totally understands… it happens sometimes.  They all talk it out and incorporate the Chinese proverb…Kinsey learns a lesson on teamwork.

While en route to the party, Lane confesses to his wife that SC is being sold.  We also see a funny exchange with Roger and his mother-she confuses Jane with his daughter, Margaret.

At the party, Roger addresses the crowd and speaks of Don’s heroic acts in Korea and states that he looks forward to working with him in the next 40 years.  Don is greeted with applause, before he takes to the podium, he kisses Betty.  We see the SC family, plus the London big shots.  The episode ends with Don saying, “I’m very honored.”

When is Betty going to confront Don?  Will something terrible happen to Danny?  What will become of Sterling Cooper?

Interesting thoughts….

• How come the Drapers don’t need to go to church every week?
• How do I know what I see as blue, is the same as it is to you?
• Ms. Moneypenny/Mr. Hooker is such a toad!
• Forty years as the average life span of a Mad Man
• Peggy belching on the Dictaphone…sorry about that Olive
• Churchill arousing or Hitler arousing?