Here's how I see it. This is an episode about family, more-so, non-related families. Peggy counters burger chef, with some insight from Don. Pete's back for a visit, and he's brought along Bonnie. Look up in the sky: it's a bird, it's a plane, no it's the return of Bob Benson! I really missed Pete's antics and petulant outbursts though. We see Pete and Bonnie are taking a "vacation" to New York. They're good together, in lust, a sexually experimental couple, but the news that Pete is going to visit his daughter and run into his not-yet ex wife unsettles her. Pete treats Bonnie like most divorced executives might treat their gorgeous, sexy rebounds. He shows her off at the office then abandons her in their motel while he carries out his personal agendas. These are working Burger Chef, and making his "yearly" visit to his daughter and wife. "You're not part of THIS family". Pete's got a boatload of family issues and it's just going to be better once the divorce if final. As I said last week, Don's return has been assisted by faithful members of the agency; up to now it's been Roger and Harry. This week Pete gets Don inside the Burger Chef meeting then insists he give the presentation. It will seem like Don will get credit for everything because he's going to be the "authoritative" speaker in the presentation, while Peggy is going to be the "emotional" one. Peggy is not happy with this, as she was under the assumption that Burger Chef, was her show, her shot, her call, and her account. But it's doubtful to think Lou and Pete, maybe even Ted, really wanted to give her full control. Otherwise they wouldn't be giving suggestions with carefully placed "ands" and "buts". Would they? It's still an unwelcoming time for women as authoritative figures. Don smacks himself a high five after Peggy tells him that the idea for him to present was hers. Peggy's trying to get any sort of credit here. Then, Peggy goes a little "Mad Women". She begins smoking and drinking while working. Waking up in the middle of the night to toss files around. And While Don is at home trying to entertain Megan, perhaps get her back to New York, Peggy is assuming the role Don's been playing the past six seasons. A drunk dial here, is very funny. Don and Peggy's eventual confrontation climaxes into the season's best moment. (Ginsberg last week was nothing). Megan does visit Don in this episode, but it's getting more obvious that there is something in this relationship that isn't meant to work out. Whether they are just different "coast" people, or not meant to be, Don confesses he still feels "that he has no one". Bob Benson makes a return and it's a dramatic one. He tells Joan he wants to see her Sunday, then says he wants to see "everyone" meaning her mom and son. Sparks ignite between them. Bob has brought the Detroit people along, who we know have a very "outlandish" style of living. It's how Ken Cosgrove got his eye patch. Bob Benson isn't just back to smirk, show up at places where he's least expected, and be a "Mr.Nice Guy". A very different side to him is seen in this episode and his return comes marked with big changes and opportunities for SCP. Roger Sterling is on top of it. Cutler ticks him off again. Ultimately this episode is about the Mad Men "family", just a group of workers that sometimes wish the other wasn't there. Sounds like a real family to me. Everyone seems to have trouble getting their personal lives together. Pete and Trudy, forget it. Roger's family, forget it. Bob Benson- who knows about his secret life? Peggy's 30 & single. Joan's 40 & single (living with her mom). Don and Megan aren't compatible. They are all connected, however, by one thing, work, where their devotion unites them. And when the LA people are flying off to LA (yeah, get out!), the New York people sit around a dinner table, cozy, with those whom they belong to. Next week's the finale and there's just too much going on. I predict an unbearable cliffhanger. 9/10. Side note: I don't understand what "exclusive club" Pete was invited to. Maybe it's the Mad Men family, or Burger Chef? Weird choice of words for episode log line.
Review of The Strategy
