I had high expectations for this latest season of Mad Men, and I wasn’t disappointed at all. This season started slow, as usual for Mad Men.
SPOILERS FOLLOW!!
Sterling Cooper has been sold, so things are now run by a british company. Pryce is the new addition to the season and he’s definitely a difference character. More on that later.
Meanwhile Betty and Don have to deal with 2 babies: their new-born son and Betty’s father Gene. Gene and Sally’s plot was interesting, especially when Sally started to be scared of her little brother. Previously I lamented the fact that the kids’s roles were too small, so I’m happy to see Sally at the center of this plot.
Things started to pick up steam in episode 6, where the British owners come for a visit and bring a replacement for Pryce. Seeing a group of British people was a nice change of pace. Their behaviour is certainly very distinct from the Americans. Though they started to feel like caricature after a while. But the main excitement (and probably the most action this series has ever seen) is when Bryce’s replacement gets his foot cut off by a lawn-mower. What a great scene!! This episode also see Joan’s resignation, which is only the beginning of more drama for her. I feel sorry for her, but she finally rebelled against her husband. What a satisfying hit.
There are many characters in this series, maybe too many. But many of them get some great moments in the series. Sal continues his struggle with his sexuality, which will bring him to being fired. Pete continues to be a sleazebag, while being supported by a great wife. Peggy also struggles with her position in the company, though she seems to have found a stable relationship. But I felt she had less time this season.
Among the minor characters, Hilton was definitely the most interesting one. An eccentric person for Don to deal with, their scenes were very amusing.
But the big story of the season is obviously between Don and Betty. At first it seemed Don was really sorry about his affairs, so he seemed to care about Betty and the baby. When Betty had her little affair with Henry Francis, I thought it was over for Don. But the writers surprised me with first closing the affair, then having Don and Betty revive their love in Italy (great episode, I especially enjoyed the two Italian men wanting to dine with Betty).
But that was all an illusion, a last moment of happiness before they both realize it’s over. Don starts another affair with Sally’s teacher! Betty is basically falling in love with Henry Francis, even though they never succumb to their instincts. That’s probably a sign that it was more than a sexual attraction.
Things get even more complicated when Betty finds out about Don’s past. I must say I didn’t expect it to come out so soon, so when she confronted him it felt unreal. At that point I again felt they could patch up their marriage one more time, Don could finally confide in Betty about his past, they could get close for real.
This is when the assassination of JFK happens and chances things for many of the characters. Roger’s daughter’s wedding is celebrated despite the sad news. Don and Betty attend it despite the strenous relationship between Don and Roger. Betty is shocked by JFK’s news, but she also realizes that she doesn’t love Don anymore, so she wants to end it once and for all.
The last episode things happen very quickly. Instead of bending down and taking another company buy-out, Sterling Cooper Draper Pryce decide to form a new agency and take whatever people and accounts they can. Every character that joins the new company has a clear reason for doing so, that’s been building throughout the season. I liked the scene where Pete demands Don to tell him why they need Pete. But I especially liked the scene between Peggy and Don. I knew that Joan would be back, she’s the perfect person for managing the new company.
I was a little surprised at how things ended between Don and Betty. First of all Don finds out about Henry from Roger, that clearly means that he couldn’t care less about Betty, which is why he never noticed or suspected anything. At first I thought Don was furious at Betty for having an affair, but I think he was also furious at himself for not noticing. Being a parent, the scene where Don and Betty tell the kids about their separation was the hardest to watch. I’m glad they included that scene.
In the end, Don realized that he was not a good husband, that he didn’t make Betty happy. And that’s why he wishes her happiness on the phone.
I must say, the end of the season was so satisfying that I wouldn’t mind if it were the end of the series. Don and Betty are over, so there’s no more drama there. The old agency is gone, so no dangling plots there. I’m not saying I don’t want to watch more of Mad Men, but at this point I’m satisfied and I don’t know where they could be going next.
This was a great season, by the end I think it surpassed the previous ones in quality. By far the best series I’ve seen this year.
Season Rating: 5 Stars