So, Don lost his marriage, but he’s gained a family.

This storyline was so much win, it’s unbelievable. Don learns from Conrad Hilton that PPL and Sterling Cooper will be sold to McCann Erickson (you may remember them from season one as the ad firm that hired Betty as a model to entice Don to work for them).  Don and Bert conspire to start their own ad agency. But first, Don has to make amends with Roger, Peggy and Pete. So, let’s talk about all the awesomeness:

• First, last and always . . . Pryce and Joan come along for the ride. Pryce especially was wonderful. After Singen (sp?) tells him he’s fired, Pryce answers, “Happy Christmas!” And, Roger’s inspired moment of calling Joan. Or, as Don put it: “Joan. Of course.”
• When Pete demanded that Don explain why he and Roger wanted him in the company, and Don was so gracious, I thought to myself, “Why can’t he say these things to Peggy and Betty?” Then, that wonderful scene between Peggy and Don where Don finally tells her how valuable she truly is. If you didn’t get teary-eyed along with Peggy, then you have no soul. Note: I still think that, at some point, Don and Peggy are going to get together. I know I said I suck at predicting things, but I’m sticking to this one. Another Note: Gee, Don. If you had said these things to Betty, perhaps you’d still be married.
• How wonderful are Pete and Trudy together? When he acts like a child, she’s an adult. And she always sees the bigger picture. (It sounds like she brought in Clearasil for Pete to help with the cash flow.)  Now, if Pete can just stop taking advantage of nannies. It’s interesting to note that it was after Trudy came in with the sandwiches that Don called Betty to tell her that he wasn’t going to fight her. I think he realized that Pete and Trudy have what Don and Betty never had. An equal partnership.
• We also have to give props to the second best relationship on the show: Don and Roger. It’s great seeing those two kids together again.
• I loved the Ocean’s Eleven type of music playing as they were plotting to take clients away from Sterling Cooper.
• How long do you suppose Paul will last without Peggy to lean on? I’m sure that Ken will be just fine, though.
• Should we be on countdown until they invite Sal back?
• Bert called Jane a trollop! Damn!

This episode had some of the best lines:

• “We have tea!”
• “Pete, could I speak to you for a moment?”
• “Can you believe that little shit was going to leave us?”
• “I was going to tell you. No, I wasn’t.”
• “Beg me? You didn’t even ask me.”
• “I don’t want to make a career out of being there so you can kick me when you fail.”
• “I’m so tired. Peggy, can you get me some coffee?” “No.”
• “I will spend the rest of my life trying to hire you.”
• “I’m not really sick.”
• “Sterling Cooper Draper Pryce, how may I help you? [pause]Yes, Harry, we’re in room 435.”

Special mention goes to fART DEPARTMENT. My inner twelve-year-old thought that was hilarious.

After such a dark and depressing season, it was wonderful to see the show end on such a high note. Yes, Betty is gone (I don’t know if she’ll be a regular next year–she’s not exactly popular), and most likely Paul and Kenny  (please, not Sal). But, Don seems genuinely happy with his new family. Summer of 2010 cannot come fast enough.

 

Note: Since this season is done, I’ll probably change the look of the blog. I’ll talk about the last season of Lost when it airs, and I might talk about V as well. (Apparently, I was the only person on the planet who wasn’t wild about the pilot.) We’ll see. And, of course, whatever else pops into my little head.

Thanks to all those who took the time to read my little blog. My friends and family don’t know about this, mostly because not of all them currently watch Mad Men, and I don’t want to be accused of spoiling things for them. (Crazy, right? But some of my friends are like that.)