Now that there’s a new addition to the Draper household, I’m curious to find out how baby Eugene will affect Betty and Don’s relationship. But there’s a lot more going on in Mad Men’s sixth episode called “Guy Walks Into an Advertising Agency” and we find out tonight at 10/9c on AMC.
Last week on Mad Men, Sally’s grief over her grandfather’s sudden death manifested in some bad school behavior, Betty gave birth to her third child, Duck took a dramatic turn while the British owners’ approach to overseeing their merger came to the forefront.
The employees of Sterling Cooper have a lot on their plate this week because aside from dealing with their usual work loads, they’re also getting a surprising announcement. Unfortunately, it’s not the kind of news that they’d want to hear, especially with the Fourth of July holiday coming up.
Lane Pryce and his assistant John Hooker break the bad news that the British CEO is coming in for a friendly visit to evaluate Sterling Cooper’s staff, and you can immediately hear the entire office groaning. While that alone is difficult to take, the employees are tasked to prepare for the visit without interrupting their daily routine. Worst of all, they are forced to come in on a holiday.
Meanwhile, something is spooking Sally. Could it be the ghost of Grandpa Gene? Joan, on the other hand, receives some unexpected news. Could she be expecting a child?
This may have been our favorite Mad Men episode of all-time. All three storylines were exceptionally done, each reflecting something much larger about the show.
Let’s start with Pete. He’s upset because Ken appears to have the best accounts. For now, Pete is focused on Admiral, a television maker whose sales have flattened. Except in one areas: cirites with a large “Negro” population (his word choice, of course).
As part of his market research, Pete speaks with Hollis, the elevator attendant, about what kind of TV he has. As usual, Pete is completely oblivious to how obnoxious his actions and words are, as his questioning implies that Hollis speaks for all African-Americans. Pete doesn’t understand why the conversation is offensive.
Inspired by his data, Pete pitches Admiral on a campaign that will focus on the Negro market, telling the company to advertise in magazines such as Ebony. The response is far from good, as Roger and Burt later tell Pete when they rail him out: Admiral has no interest in integrating its advertising campaign; or, especailly, focusing on just black consumers. Again, Pete cannot reconcile this, as he was just trying to make the best financial deal.
Lane Pryce, who was pinching pennies as best he could throughout the episode, speaks up, however, and says that the firm should think about this demographic because “something is happening” in America with blacks. He’s got that right.
Meanwhile, Pete’s next problem intersects with Peggy. Each is asked to lunch by Duck, who has found work at a competing ad firm, Grey. He wants them both to come aboard, even inviting both to lunch together, unbeknownst to one another. Pete barely stays to hear Duck’s pitch, as he’s offended at being wooed along with the woman that gave away his child.
After Pete leaves the lunch, though, Duck turns to Peggy. He says it’s “her time.” As a result, Peggy enters Don’s office later and asks for a raise. He says there’s no money. She seems unsure what to do, as she wants to take advantage of her time to move up in the world. When Pete sees Peggy leaving Don’s office, he asks if she’s revealed Duck’s job offer (she did not). Peggy says it’s none of his business, but Pete shoots back: “Your decisions affect me.” We somehow doubt he’s talking about just this instance.
Finally, there’s Don and Betty. The latter goes into labor and the couple goes to the hospital. Once there, Don is sent to the waiting room. He bonds with a prison guard named Dennis there, who is nervously awaiting the birth of his first child. His mood is contrasted with Don’s, who is as cool and as relaxed as ever. But Don realizes that he’s too detatched from the moment - and his life, really - as Dennis talks anxiously and excitedly about his first kid.
Once Dennis learns he has a son, he vows to Don that he’ll be a better person going forward. This appears to have an effect on everyone’s favorite advertising exec.
As for Betty, she’s in a haze as she prepares to give birth. She sees visions of her late father and even her late mother in one dream sequence. (She also curses out Don during one exchange with the nurse.) When her son is born, Betty names him Eugene Scott Draper, after her dad. (When she tells Don of the name, he says that decision can wait; he even tells people at work that no name is selected yet.)
Upon getting home, Betty actually smiles! She seems newly inspired with the addition to her family… until Gene cries in the middle of the night. Betty gets up to take care of him, pausing in the hallway to collect herself as the episode fades to black.
Drugs, tension and secrets are all major focal points of this episode of Mad Men. First, the drugs:
Kinsey, Peggy and Smitty were forced to work all weekend on a new ad campaign for Bacardi. The boredom got to them, so Kinsey called an old friend from Princeton to deliver some marijuna. As the group smoked, we learned that Kinsey is quite insecure about his poor background and goes out of his way to prove how smart he is to everyone.
We also learned that Peggy is hilarious when high. It was her first time trying pot and it seemed to inspire her by the end. She told her secretary not to worry because Peggy would be just fine, she’d accomplish everything the secretary dreamed about for her. First, she needed a glass of water and then she’d come up with some dynamite content.
Meanwhile, Joan hosted a dinner party for her husband, his work colleagues and their wives. Soon, though, it was revealed that Greg had recently messed up a surgery. He never told Joan about that. To change the topic, Greg has Joan perform with her accordian for the group, while she shot death stares at her man for putting her through it. Seriously, Joan. Leave the loser!
Back at the Draper residence, Sally needed some attention, as neither of her parents gave her much. As a result, she stole five dollars from her grandfather, who went around the house in a huff about it. Finally feeling guilty, Sally eventually claimed she found the money and returned it. Her grandfather was clearly on to her, but never let her know. He simply asked her to read to him again at night, showing more of a parental love for Sally than her mom does, certainly.
And where were Don and Betty this whole time? At a party thrown by Roger and Jane. During the evening, Betty sort of flirted with one of the guests there, who dared to put his hand on her pregnant belly.
Also, by the end of the shindig, Roger confronted Don over the cold shoulder he’s been receiving lately. Don said everyone thought Roger was “foolish” for marrying Jane. But Roger being Roger - the guy sang in blackface to his wife in front of the entire party earlier - didn’t care. The episode closed with him dancing slowly with Jane and Don, seemingly inspired by their affection, finding Betty for a major make out session.
Now that there’s a new addition to the Draper household, I’m curious to find out how baby Eugene will affect Betty and Don’s relationship. But there’s a lot more going on in Mad Men’s sixth episode called “Guy Walks Into an Advertising Agency” and we find out tonight at 10/9c on AMC.
