I think that Peggy is quite aware that Duck might be using her to get back at Don. Especially since Pete made that obvious in their discussion about the gifts they had received. But after Don had chewed her out, I think she had decided to use Duck to make herself feel good . . . and possibly get back at Don. And . . . she managed to have some enjoyable sex in the process.
You're absolutely right about Peggy's motives and that she is aware of what's going on. Like when she immediately says: "They need someone in a skirt." Despite the fact that she wants to feel good after being treated so badly by Don I think she also enjoys being treated like a "normal" woman (like Joan is treated by men) and Duck's words did that for her. It's Duck's motives which are unclear. I have the feeling there is more behind his advances, but his sexual interest seemed real.
Thanks! I am glad you liked it. You have been the one who said in another discussion that Peggy uses sex to get over being dressed down by Don, right? That's still humming in my head. I probably never thought of it because it was so obvious that Pete travelled his way to Brooklyn in the middle of the night because he wasn't lucky to find a girl in Manhattan and the fact that Peggy was rejected by Don too was somehow covered by that. I always liked the relationship of Don and Peggy but I never saw anything sexual in it.
I think you are right. I don't see their relationship sexually charged either. Maybe Sex is just Peggy's way to empower herself and strengthen again and has nothing to do with Don in the first place, not because she feels rejected at least. When she went to find herself that boy in the bar, I thought that's a reaction to when Don says, she needs more tools in her toolbox. So she goes out to practice something new ;)
Sorry I'm late! Your essay reads fine. Great reflection!
I loved your analysis of Betty's fainting couch. I think at the start of the episode the space before the heath was described as "the heart of your home". The fainting couch is a great object to represent who Betty is at heart. She is a housewife but she doesn't fit in with the perfect homely picture. She is this crazy fantasical princess in her own mind. I just loved that couch so much. It IS Betty.
Now he talks to her like he would never talk to a male copywriter. I don't really agree with this. Don has said far worse to Pete in the past. It's not like Don told Peggy she would die alone in her office because nobody likes her. Don was brutal with Peggy and yes, he was off-loading his bad mood on her, but I don't think he said anything that wasn't true. Peggy has been asking Don for things all season and she hasn't achieved enough to be making so many demands (though I agree with Peggy's feminist protests). I'm actually surprised how many fans think Don yelling at Peggy is
( ... )
It IS Betty.Yes it is! And as far as I know: the word "heart" is the etymological deduction of "hearth" which means the fireplace or better the place to cook, which was usually placed in the center of the house (with an open roof or chimney above it). So when Betty occupies the space in front of the fireplace, she literally puts her own needs over the need of the family, or, in case of the modern interpretation where the fireplace is in the livingroom, over the need for social gatherings. And damn, that thing covers the fireplace completely. It isn't even possible to use it anymore. Probably a hint that she soon starts acting against the social rules, or stops caring about them the way she did before
( ... )
I do think Don has some issues concerning his secretaries. We know Don has fired at least three of his girls. It's been said that "Draper is a tough desk". Peggy is the only secretary of Don's who was promoted, not dismissed. I think there was a sense in which Don was saying "Hey, you were my secretary. My secretaries usually get the shaft. So think yourself lucky." I can see your point that Peggy thought she had a special bond with Don, but I do think it was a mistake for Peggy to rely too much on Don. I still think if Pete or Kinsey had walked in at that moment, they would have taken a lashing over Don's mood too. Don was being a bully, looking to lash out at an underling - but not necessarily a woman. I think there has always been a lot of sexism in Don's character, right from - "I'm not going to let a woman talk to me this way" - but Don will talk "that way" to women and men who he considers beneath him.
Well, seems like Don is acting out his anger on anybody these days. I still believe Peggy will stay loyal to Don and so will he to her. Mostly I am good in predicting storyline but Mad Men has tendency to surprise me all the time, so I won't bet on it. The only thing I can say about Don and his secretaries is that it was always a rule for Don not to have sexual relations at the office. Even when he and Roger have that crazy evening with the twins, he doesn't want to have anything going on in the office. He rather goes to his artsy girlfriend in the village instead of playing around at Madison Ave. So other than Roger he doesn't takes advantage of the "women beneath him". On the other hand he can be a complete hypocrite, that's for sure.
Excellent review. Very astute observations. The writers are good at setting up a seemingly unimportant storyline or detail and bringing it back again, sometimes much later on. (For instance, I'm rewatching season 1, and it's pretty clear that Sal is gay. Watch episode 2, the scene with Pete's bachelor party.) Oh, I loved the way Bert coerced Don into signing the contract. ^_^ I wonder if Don/Dick will ever own up to his past?
Yes, I always enjoy Peggy and Pete's interactions. And as far as Duck, I can't tell if he was actually trying to woo her or if it was 'strictly business.' Once he figured out (or assumed) she had slept with Pete, did he just expect she would be compliant with him? I mean, it's not like single guys her age are knocking down her door to be with her. Or is she behaving like Joan (who, by the way, I hope returns soon!) to get what she wants: security and clout? Very intriguing, as always.
Thank you! It was clear for me that Sal was gay when I watched the pilot the first time. There is a scene in a bar when he says: "I am italian!" I was laughing my head off about this euphemism!
Still you are right about the brilliant way they are able intertwining their storylines. And they waited, I think, until Sal invites Ken to his home to make it completely clear. Before that, there have been only hints - some more subtle, some less.
There is no way Don will ever own up to his past, I think. This show is all about hidden secrets to illustrate the double standards of the time and Don is the prototype.
It took me a while but I enjoy Peggy and Pete very much. You are probably right that Duck finding out about them made him come up with the idea to seduce her. And Peggy sure tries to act like Joan, but not for the same reasons. Other than Joan, Peggy is struggling with her feminity. She is trying to find out, who she is.
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I loved your analysis of Betty's fainting couch. I think at the start of the episode the space before the heath was described as "the heart of your home". The fainting couch is a great object to represent who Betty is at heart. She is a housewife but she doesn't fit in with the perfect homely picture. She is this crazy fantasical princess in her own mind. I just loved that couch so much. It IS Betty.
Now he talks to her like he would never talk to a male copywriter. I don't really agree with this. Don has said far worse to Pete in the past. It's not like Don told Peggy she would die alone in her office because nobody likes her. Don was brutal with Peggy and yes, he was off-loading his bad mood on her, but I don't think he said anything that wasn't true. Peggy has been asking Don for things all season and she hasn't achieved enough to be making so many demands (though I agree with Peggy's feminist protests). I'm actually surprised how many fans think Don yelling at Peggy is ( ... )
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The only thing I can say about Don and his secretaries is that it was always a rule for Don not to have sexual relations at the office. Even when he and Roger have that crazy evening with the twins, he doesn't want to have anything going on in the office. He rather goes to his artsy girlfriend in the village instead of playing around at Madison Ave. So other than Roger he doesn't takes advantage of the "women beneath him". On the other hand he can be a complete hypocrite, that's for sure.
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Yes, I always enjoy Peggy and Pete's interactions. And as far as Duck, I can't tell if he was actually trying to woo her or if it was 'strictly business.' Once he figured out (or assumed) she had slept with Pete, did he just expect she would be compliant with him? I mean, it's not like single guys her age are knocking down her door to be with her. Or is she behaving like Joan (who, by the way, I hope returns soon!) to get what she wants: security and clout? Very intriguing, as always.
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Still you are right about the brilliant way they are able intertwining their storylines. And they waited, I think, until Sal invites Ken to his home to make it completely clear. Before that, there have been only hints - some more subtle, some less.
There is no way Don will ever own up to his past, I think. This show is all about hidden secrets to illustrate the double standards of the time and Don is the prototype.
It took me a while but I enjoy Peggy and Pete very much. You are probably right that Duck finding out about them made him come up with the idea to seduce her. And Peggy sure tries to act like Joan, but not for the same reasons. Other than Joan, Peggy is struggling with her feminity. She is trying to find out, who she is.
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