Mad Men Discussion Thread

[NotUrsula]

The John -- Marsha thing is actually a comedy routine by Stan Freburg. Back in the days of comedy albums, that one was a huge seller.

The bit was that there was soapy organ music in the background, and an entire routine that plays out a scene between two lovers, in which the only two words that they say are one another's names. The drama comes in the inflections. It's hilarious, actually, and is meant to make fun of how much scenery-chewing happened in radio soaps. This is how it goes ...

"John!"
"Marsha!"
"John…"
"Marsha…"
"John?"
"Um… Marsha…"
(-Snif-) "John!"
"Marsha?"
"John…."

... and so on; all in the tone of voice. A version is available on iTunes. I think that the repetition in the episode was meant as a reference to the absurdity of older advertising that was meant to appeal to women.

As to Public Relations, I had heard that there was an issue between Betty and her new MIL. I lot of the opinions I read wondered how an older lady of that era might fault Betty for being strict, but obviously now we know that MIL's issue isn't that Betty is strict but that she's indiscreetly abusive. I've now revised my opinion of Henry -- I think that he has got a mother fixation of some sort. (The scene in the car was too funny.)

 

[Mimi1965]

But seeing Henry and Betty in the same bad as Don was in.....was rather disturbing.
The fact that she cant look for other houses-and this infuriates Henry-speaks volumes as to Betty really "moving on"

 

[mefordis]

But seeing Henry and Betty in the same bad as Don was in.....was rather disturbing.
The fact that she cant look for other houses-and this infuriates Henry-speaks volumes as to Betty really "moving on"

I think it stinks that Henry is living in Don's house while Don pays for the mortgage, taxes, and insurance. It's twisted! I really don't see what he has to offer Betty except for being there at the right time so she could escape to someone.

I can't believe she would ship her baby off to Carla for the weekend to get away with that toad. Sorry, I get really into the show

 

[mefordis]

Thanks for clearing up the John -- Marsha thing. It was really getting on my nerves but now I know what it was all about.

I'm glad Henry's mom doesn't like Betty. She IS a silly woman, as his mom points out.

There was something lacking in the episode last night. It didn't seem to have that special flow that the other episodes have had. Does anyone else agree that it was kind of off for some reason?

The John -- Marsha thing is actually a comedy routine by Stan Freburg. Back in the days of comedy albums, that one was a huge seller.

The bit was that there was soapy organ music in the background, and an entire routine that plays out a scene between two lovers, in which the only two words that they say are one another's names. The drama comes in the inflections. It's hilarious, actually, and is meant to make fun of how much scenery-chewing happened in radio soaps. This is how it goes ...

"John!"
"Marsha!"
"John…"
"Marsha…"
"John?"
"Um… Marsha…"
(-Snif-) "John!"
"Marsha?"
"John…."

... and so on; all in the tone of voice. A version is available on iTunes. I think that the repetition in the episode was meant as a reference to the absurdity of older advertising that was meant to appeal to women.

As to Public Relations, I had heard that there was an issue between Betty and her new MIL. I lot of the opinions I read wondered how an older lady of that era might fault Betty for being strict, but obviously now we know that MIL's issue isn't that Betty is strict but that she's indiscreetly abusive. I've now revised my opinion of Henry -- I think that he has got a mother fixation of some sort. (The scene in the car was too funny.)

 

[Pakey]

Thanks for clearing up the John -- Marsha thing. It was really getting on my nerves but now I know what it was all about.

I'm glad Henry's mom doesn't like Betty. She IS a silly woman, as his mom points out.

There was something lacking in the episode last night. It didn't seem to have that special flow that the other episodes have had. Does anyone else agree that it was kind of off for some reason?

I thought it was "off" too. Perhaps because the new offices don't feel right yet, plus Henry sleeping in Don's house.

 

[mefordis]

Yeah, plus we are missing Cosgrove and Smitty. They were funny and added a lot to the dynamic. Joan doesn't have as many people to condescend to, either. I'm just not sure about the chemistry between the people.

Plus, I really liked the guy they brought in to give some youth to the creativity. I don't know his name but he's not there now. But who is that "John/Marsha" guy anyway? I'd rather see the other guy. I wonder why they didn't bring him on?

I thought it was "off" too. Perhaps because the new offices don't feel right yet, plus Henry sleeping in Don's house.

 

[NotUrsula]

My take on Betty and the house isn't that she's doing it to stick it to Don. I think that she thinks that after all he put her through that she deserved that house, and the fact that Henry insisted on signing it away in the divorce settlement is almost immaterial IHO. (I'm thinking that she went along with a lot that Henry asked for so that she would be assured of an immediate soft landing, and I'm betting that she doesn't intend to follow through on half of it.)

The more I've thought about it since last night, I've come to the conclusion that I *totally* mis-judged Henry's motives last year. Now that I've seen his mother I'm inclined to believe that he's got one heck of an issue with a Madonna complex. The pretty-pregnant-lady-in-white-lace thing must have been like a bomb going off in his head.

 

[Mimi1965]

I thought it was "off" too.

They need more of the old characters to interact with.
And Don yelling at the Jantzen people-what the heck????

 

[mefordis]

They need more of the old characters to interact with.
And Don yelling at the Jantzen people-what the heck????

Yes! I agree! That was over the top.

 

[mefordis]

I love your insight. I wish I would have saved the episode on my DVR. I think there is more to the episode than I got after first watching it.

Another interesting observation: Betty isn't used to being in circles that are of higher social status. Henry's family has a lot of money and it looks like they look down on her. This must frustrate the heck out of her, since she is used to doing the looking down on people.

My take on Betty and the house isn't that she's doing it to stick it to Don. I think that she thinks that after all he put her through that she deserved that house, and the fact that Henry insisted on signing it away in the divorce settlement is almost immaterial IHO. (I'm thinking that she went along with a lot that Henry asked for so that she would be assured of an immediate soft landing, and I'm betting that she doesn't intend to follow through on half of it.)

The more I've thought about it since last night, I've come to the conclusion that I *totally* mis-judged Henry's motives last year. Now that I've seen his mother I'm inclined to believe that he's got one heck of an issue with a Madonna complex. The pretty-pregnant-lady-in-white-lace thing must have been like a bomb going off in his head.

 

[FloraFauna]

I enjoy watching Mad Men.

I also found it weird that Henry would sleep in the same bed that Don and Betty shared. Also, I remember Henry saying he didn't want Betty to ask Don for a penny and that he would support her.

 

[mefordis]

I know, I agree it is weird. Also, Henry should have offered to buy the house if Betty doesn't want to uproot the kids. She said something to that effect in last night's episode. Does Henry not have the money he lets on to have, I wonder.

QUOTE=FloraFauna;37549648]I enjoy watching Mad Men.

I also found it weird that Henry would sleep in the same bed that Don and Betty shared. Also, I remember Henry saying he didn't want Betty to ask Don for a penny and that he would support her.[/QUOTE]

 

[NotUrsula]

It isn't the same bed. Same bedroom and the same furniture arrangement, but not the same bed. The original bed had a very distinctive baby-blue tufted velvet headboard; this bed has a wooden headboard.

 

[FloraFauna]

Oh, I didn't even notice that. I do remember the blue headboard now that you're mentioning it. Maybe Henry put his foot down on that one at least.

Do ya'll think she's thinking of the kid's interests with not uprooting them, or is she just trying to have some control over Don with him having to pay for the house they live in?

I also enjoy seeing Sally. The little girl who plays her is a very good actress. She never seems false.

 

[Pig Pen]

Did anyone else notice the similarities between Betty and Don's blind date?

 

[kristilew]

Do ya'll think she's thinking of the kid's interests with not uprooting them, or is she just trying to have some control over Don with him having to pay for the house they live in?

I also enjoy seeing Sally. The little girl who plays her is a very good actress. She never seems false.

Finally got to watch last night - thank goodness for DVRs!

I think Betty's temper-tantrum declaration about Don: "He doesn't get to decide!" says it all about her staying in the house. She couldn't care less about those kids.

Did anyone else love the ending? It felt like Don was finally starting to find his mojo after a whole episode of him not really sure how to make himself fit into his new situation(s). I think we're going to see him spreading his wings in some interesting ways this season.

 

[DisneyMomx7]

Did anyone else notice the similarities between Betty and Don's blind date?

I was thinking the same thing when I was watching their date.

 

[NotUrsula]

But the key is, she was a BLIND date. Jane chose her and Roger backed up Jane's choice. Jane the clueless thought that sending a Betty clone after Don would be a good idea.

While I'm sure that Don would have been more than happy to take her up on her implied offer of sex, that is all he is interested in right now. People around him are wondering why he's not visibly dating, but the answer is simple; he is NOT interested in remarrying right away, and that woman is interested in nothing but marriage. His stress level is high because of work issues and money concerns; and he doesn't handle the combination of stress and emotions too well; paying a prostitute is much easier than putting effort into dating.

Has anyone else noticed that Don's bad girl/good girl complex is literally black and white? (And also the opposite of the popular advertising stereotype where women are concerned?) Blondes are "good girls" -- marriageable wife and mother material. Brunettes are "bad girls" that you have fun with, but never get serious with. I think that the point Weiner is trying to get across is that Don LIKES the brunettes more than the blondes, but he feels that pursuing the "proper" blondes is the more middle-class thing to do. It is all about the struggle between ambition and impulse, which is a huge part of what makes Don's character interesting.

 

[gometros]

We were discussing the show a month or two ago, when info started leaking out about this coming season...

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=36318825#post36318825

I was wondering why that thread was inactive after Sunday night's premier. Does it make sense to merge these two for people who are subscribed to the original thread?

 

[bicker]

It does, but that can only be done by a moderator.