User Reviews

It ends up being the runner-up; "Meditations in an Emergency" beats it.

I liked Freddy. I think everyone liked Freddy. He was endearing. Everyone at the agency seemed to be so cynical and caustic, but Freddy was light-hearted and friendly. And that's why it was so important that he leave Sterling Cooper. And what strikes me the most is the grace with which he departs.

To be honest, at this point in the show, I'm not sure what the overlying story is. Most television shows definitely have one. For "Breaking Bad" it was turning a good guy into a bad guy. For "Friends," it was about the quest for a soulmate. What is it in "Mad Men?" Is it the search for peace? Making everything okay? Is it really about Don, or is it about Peggy, and her potential rise to the top?

The episode I'm reviewing is premised by the death of Marilyn Monroe. The show has a wonderful way of working history events into it. You never hear about Obama's election in "Breaking Bad," even though it happened during the course of the show. But in "Mad Men," you're occasionally reminded of the world outside Sterling Cooper. Marilyn's death is striking to the viewer because we knew it was going to happen, but we never expected it to actually happen in Mad Men.

There are three major events in this episode: Marilyn's death, Freddy's departure, and Don and Betty's official separation. It's the episode in the season, and every season of every good drama has this, where multiple characters hit rock bottom.

It's excellent television. Even by the superb standards set by "Mad Men."

Don has been staying at the Roosevelt hotel in Manhattan. Betty is miserable, but she is determined not to let him come back. The children miss their father. Little Sally even calls his office to talk to her dad. Jane, the secretary, not knowing what to say, makes up a story. When Jane approaches Don, he advices her the matter is personal; he will not talk about it under any circumstances.

The big news around the office is Marilyn Monroe's death. Peggy remarks to Don about what would have happened if the Playtex campaign that emphasized the dead actress' physical attributes was approved; it would have been a disaster for the manufacturer and for the agency.

The new client, Samsonite, is being handled by Harry Crane. At a meeting in his office, Peggy and Pete Campbell are horrified when they observe an almost sleepy Freddy pee his pants. The group disperses after they put Harry to sleep. Pete goes to Duck Phillips immediately to report the incident. Duck meets with Roger and Don because he feels Harry is a time bomb and he will explode at any moment putting the agency in a bad spot. Don is the only one that defends him, but, he too, understands it's the best for all concerned if Harry is let go.

Roger and Don invite Harry Crane out for a night on the town. They begin with cocktails and dinner in which Roger proposes Harry take a six month leave of absence to get himself in shape, but this is obviously a dismissal for the veteran adman that contributed so well to the success of the firm. After dinner, the men visit an illegal gambling joint. Don discovers Jimmy Barrett drinking at the bar. He goes over and punches him in the mouth. Roger, who senses Don has left his home, asks his associate about it. Don finally confesses he is staying at the Rooosevelt. The next morning Don gives Peggy the news she will be taking over Harry's position. Peggy confronts Pete about what she feels was a despicable act on his part.

Sally, left alone in suburbia, doesn't know what to do with herself. Her best friend Sarah Beth comes in to borrow a dress. Sally doesn't look well. The least she needs is to have her friend get wind of the separation. Carla, the maid, realizes Betty is going through a rough patch in her marriage, but her employer refuses to acknowledge there is a problem. Betty gets out of the house and at the club she meets Arthur Case. She proposes a lunch date at a restaurant which she had planned with Sarah Beth. Betty never shows and Arthur and Sarah Beth seem to like what they see in each other.

Mona Sterling barges into Don's office. She accuses him of being instrumental for the end of her marriage. Don is totally confused. The reason is obvious, Jane, his secretary is the new love interest of Roger. Don asks him to take her away from his presence.

Another interesting episode of this amazing show. This one was directed by Michael Uppendahl based on the script by Andre and Maria Jacquemetton and the creator of "Mad Men", Matthew Weiner. Good turn by Rich Summer who does justice to his pathetic Harry Crane, a man that loses his job and doesn't know what to do with himself, or what direction to steer his life into. The regulars do fine work under Mr. Uppendahl's direction.

Don comes into the office to see all the girls crying because of the Marilyn Monroe suicide. I like how this show immerses history and how the company and society is affected by what is going on in the news. Peggy tells Don it is good they do not have the Playtex account as all of the Marilyn ads would have had to been pulled.

He asks Jane if she needs to go home and she says no. Jane has such a beautiful, tall body.

Jane is quite reliable and is elegant. When Don comes into his office she gives a run down and gives her help in between. She buys Don more shirts from Menken's and goes out to get Don breakfast.

Peggy, Peter, Salvatore and Freddy are rehearsing for their presentation to Samsonite. I like their rehearsal - they make a great team and their voices go through the script fast as if they were acting out a play. Freddy is turned around and we see urine dripping to his shoes and the other workers watch in horror. Freddy turns around and we see that his pants are wet on one thigh and he reacts in a funny way. He goes to his desk and passes out. Peter is disgusted and says so as they leave the office to give the presentation themselves. Peggy quickly acts out a plan.

At the blood drive the office is hosting which is a competition between departments on which can donate the most, the men act out Freddy's reaction and laugh. Don tells them it is none of their business and scolds them. They reply it was funny and Don says, "just man's name, right?".

Joan is lying down on the couch when Sterling comes in saying he always dreams of seeing her this way. Joan is crying because of the death of Marilyn Monroe. Sterling tells Joan she was a stranger and that she had everything in the world but decided to end her own life. Joan tells him that one day he will lose someone dear to him and know the pain.

Betty is not allowing Don to come home and it seems they are separated. It is interesting to see marriage troubles as a viewer who is still too young to know them.

Sterling, Donald Drapers and Freddy Rumsen go for drinks where Freddy is given the news that he is given a 6-month break when he really knows it is full compensation for 6-months and then he is gone. Freddy reacts quite calmly. They go to an underground gambling place that is illegal. There are girls wearing what the girl in Mean Girls wore for her Halloween costume. There are only female servers and Freddy has a good time. Sterling tells Don to let loose. Freddy is having a good time, look at him.

Don sees Jimmy and punches him. The men are kicked out and Freddy leaves with goodbyes.

Mona Sterling comes into Don's office and angrily blames Don for the divorce between her and Mr. Sterling. They have been married for a long time. Mr. Sterling has become interested in Jane, Don's secretary and Don tells Sterling to not have her in his sight.