AMC's Mad Men Season 3, Episode 2
Love Among the Ruins
Don Draper saved the day twice in this episode of Mad Men. At home, he came to his wife’s rescue by standing up to her weasel of a brother, William, when Betty’s distress at her father’s deteriorating mental state was compounded by the solutions William presented: either they put Gene in a home, allowing William and his family to take over the Hofstadt family mansion, or William and his family would move in with Gene.
The latter idea was the one that really upset Betty as she watched William’s wife, Judy, usurp her by playing Gene’s dutiful daughter. Don, however, was quick to put William in his place. Treating him like an underling at Sterling Cooper, Don informed William that Gene (and his Lincoln) would be moving in with the Drapers and William would be providing financial support — and Betty’s brother was smart enough not to argue.
The New Draper Marriage?
Before William hightailed it out of the Draper house, he informed Betty of the new arrangement, as Don had ordered him to do, and the look of gratitude that Betty gave her husband was one of the most genuine displays of affection the Draper marriage has ever seen. In fact, this whole episode highlighted a new dynamic between Betty and Don, one in which she seems to be more open with her emotions and on more equal footing with her husband.
Despite his infidelity in Baltimore, Don does seem to be making a genuine attempt to be a better family man — why else would he allow Betty’s father to move in with them other than to make her happy? However, it’s obvious that the new member of the Draper household will be trouble. Don either ignored that fact to please Betty or was uncharacteristically shortsighted when he decreed that the old man would move in.
Madison Square Garden? No Thanks.
Meanwhile, Don also played hero at work by using his silver tongue to win back the Madison Square Garden account after Paul offended the clients by haranguing them for their plan to tear down Penn Station. Before Don had time to celebrate his victory, however, Lane Pryce informed him that Sterling Cooper’s British owners had decided they didn’t want the account after all — and Don was none too pleased.
During their lunch meeting, Don also seemed quite frosty toward Roger, perhaps over his role in the Sterling Cooper takeover or perhaps because of his marriage to Jane — or perhaps both. Roger’s ex-wife and daughter certainly haven’t forgiven him for taking his new young bride — Margaret went so far as to demand that Jane stay away from her upcoming wedding. Of course, since that wedding is set for the day after Kennedy’s assassination, Jane just might be overshadowed.
Peggy Plays a New Part
Don also clashed with Peggy, shutting her down when she questioned the strategy of using a sexy Ann Margaret lookalike to sell diet cola to women. However, Don seemed to regard Peggy differently after the sight of Sally’s young, barefoot teacher dance around maypole struck a chord with him — although it’s unclear what that chord was.
However, observing and imitating Ann Margaret and Joan — who now Mrs. Harris and not Miss Holloway — Peggy tried her hand at flirtation, picking up a young man at a bar (one who was suspiciously reminiscent of Pete) and quickly ditching him in a fashion that would make her male co-workers proud. However, it remains to be seen whether she’ll continue pursuing a new lifestyle and whether it will affect her work.
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