Another Sunday night filled with mysterious Don Draper, world-rocking Joan Harris, and creepy Peter Campbell. Read a quick recap, discuss your thoughts, and catch a preview for next week!
In the wake of last week’s tumultuous episode, Mad Men season 6, episode 6 “For Immediate Release” seems to start out on a lighter note.
The episode begins with exciting new plans for the agency, including an evaluation of share values. Joan does a spectacular job as always, and Peter lets her know, albeit in his signature creep way- he should probably be never left alone in a room with another female.
Trudy Campbell’s determination is reaffirmed once again as Pete slimeball tries to rekindle the failing marriage, but Trudy isn’t giving in. She’s done pretending that Pete is a faithful husband (as she should).
The theme of Mad Men season 6, episode 6 is Mother’s Day, as it was apparent that episode 5 was all about fathers. Megan and Don’s marriage is hanging by a thread, though Megan receives some -ahem- encouraging advice from her mother about keeping Don interested during a client dinner. However, things get heated when Jaguar’s account representative, Herb, cuts off all ties with Don’s agency.
Roger and Megan’s mother, Marie, had an on-again-off-again fling, but Marie tells Roger to forget her name. Roger is still mourning the loss of his own mother, or at least trying to use it to conjure pity from unsuspecting women.
Joan kicks ass (what’s new?) and stands up to Don when the agency loses the Jaguar account to pick up Chevy. Her anger is justified; Joan had to essentially prostitute herself to Herb so they could nab the account. Season 6 of Mad Men is all about female empowerment, and it’s showing through yet again in episode 6.
Speaking of, (spoiler alert) ,when Ted kisses Peggy, it doesn’t come as too much of a surprise. There’s always been a slight flirtation, but more in the way that Peggy inspires Ted and vice versa. Peggy may not be into the beatnik lifestyle the way Abe is, so she instead fantasizes about him turning into Ted to ease the pain of her noisy new apartment.
Arnold Rosen reveals to Don that he’s quit his job, and we’ve seen in past episodes the way Don actually seems to care about what Dr. Rosen does. He certainly cares about his wife Sylvia, with whom Don has been having an affair, but is it over between them for good? Can Megan and Don rekindle things? Can Peter Campbell ever stop being Pete the creep?
Mad Men season 6, episode 6 ended full circle. Trudy and Pete converse at the home they once shared, and Peter reveals that he saw his father-in-law at a brothel with a prostitute. The biggest twist of all? Don and Ted partnered up, so that means Peggy is back at Sterling Cooper Draper Price. She has to write up the news of the merger- for immediate release, of course.