AMC's Mad Men Season 3, Episode 4
The Arrangements
Betty Draper displayed her shortcomings as both a daughter and a mother in this episode of Mad Men. When Gene tried to discuss his funeral arrangements with her, she called him selfish for upsetting her and advised him to “keep it to (himself).” Luckily, Gene was smart enough to organize everything in a folder, allowing a shell-shocked Betty to spring into action after his sudden death — closing the door on poor, brokenhearted Sally.
And that wasn’t the only occasion that Betty left her daughter alone with her grief. After she heard the adults laughing, Sally burst into the kitchen and demanded that they acknowledge that her grandpa was really gone forever. Instead providing her daughter with any comfort, Betty simply ordered her to go watch TV in a lonely, darkened room.
Sally’s Sorrow
Sally had good reason to be sad over her grandfather’s death. After growing up with her emotionally distant parents, she had finally found someone who paid attention to her and told her she was worth something. Gene let her read to him and drive the car, and his final act was a trip to buy her peaches, despite the fact that Bobby was allergic to them.
Don seems worried about Betty’s reaction to Gene’s death, but perhaps he should be more concerned about Sally. After all, his father-in-law’s visit seemed to make Don reflect on his own parenting skills and the role that his father played. Don's reaction to Bobby’s wearing a “dead man’s hat” indicated that it’s a good thing he didn’t see Sally driving, but he had to notice how happy their grandpa’s attention made the kids, despite Gene's objectionable actions.
Don Plays Dad
Don had the chance to practice his parenting skills on the job after a rich young client offered to throw boatloads of money at Sterling Cooper for the harebrained idea of promoting jai alai. Even after the young man’s father — who made the money the client would be throwing — said he’d rather his son waste his cash at Sterling Cooper than somewhere else, Don advised the young man to really think it through.
Despite Don’s efforts, “Ho-Ho” decided to go ahead with the idea, much to the relief and delight of Pete, who managed to bring in a lucrative new account that earned him a “Nicely done, my boy” from Lane Pryce and an outward declaration of jealously from Ken Cosgrove: “God, I wish I was a part of this.”
Patio Pulls the Plug
Although it was exactly what the client had requested, the “Bye Bye, Birdie” clone of a Patio commercial was deemed a failure, leading a satisfied Peggy to cast a knowing glance at Don. Sal was disappointed that his first crack at directing was turned down, but Don reassured him that he did exactly what had been asked. However, it seems that Sal’s wife needs some reassurance, too.
Sal told Kitty that he was distracted due to preoccupation with work, but, as she watched him act out the Patio commercial, she seemed to realize that his disinterest in her stems from something deeper. Of all his excuses, only one rang true: “I’m not myself.” And he wasn’t the only one — Peggy also took on a new identity as she tried to live up to fun-loving persona in the roommate ad devised by Joan.
Peggy seems more than ready to move to Manhattan, despite the histrionic protests of her mother, but Karen doesn’t exactly seem like the best match for Margaret Olson. Perhaps her new roommate will help Peggy to loosen up even more and avoid further taunting from her co-workers — or perhaps Karen will present a whole new set of problems.
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