Mad Men: Six Month Leave Rewatch
August 13, 2014 6:00 AM - Season 2, Episode 9 - Subscribe
Freddy Rumsen disappoints his team during a pitch. Pete finds an opportunity at the office to exploit while Don proves his loyalty to an old friend. Betty finds a welcome distraction in Sara Beth.
Freddy literally pees his pants before the Samsonite meeting and Don will later figuratively pee his pants while in the Hershey's meeting. Had not a clue when first viewing this episode that Don would share Freddy's ignominious fate of being given a leave of absence from which no one expected him to return. Matt Weiner must have taken a long look at this episode when coming up with the story of Don's professional fall from grace. Lots of parallels, even down to the detail of Freddy worrying aloud to Don how he's ever going to be able to tell his wife Violet. And of course we know how Don will deal with Megan concerning his leave of absence, he decides not to tell her.
On a lighter note, I still laugh when Don gives his name as Tilden Katz at the underground gambling club.
posted by cwest at 8:44 AM on August 13, 2014 [2 favorites]
On a lighter note, I still laugh when Don gives his name as Tilden Katz at the underground gambling club.
posted by cwest at 8:44 AM on August 13, 2014 [2 favorites]
I want to know more about Freddy's daughter.
posted by drezdn at 12:00 PM on August 13, 2014 [2 favorites]
posted by drezdn at 12:00 PM on August 13, 2014 [2 favorites]
On a lighter note, I still laugh when Don gives his name as Tilden Katz at the underground gambling club.
I just had to look that up. Why did Freddy and Roger laugh, though?
It's interesting to see Peggy start to think in terms of her career. Even before the Freddy debacle, her reaction to Marilyn's suicide was to think of the Playtex campaign. But she has compassion for Freddy and helps him as best she can. And later, when Pete points out that Freddy's departure leaves room for her to move up, she seems to be disgusted at herself almost as much as she's disgusted with Pete, as she realizes that he's right.
That's a excellent connection to make to Robin Williams, cwest.
posted by donajo at 8:04 PM on August 13, 2014 [1 favorite]
I just had to look that up. Why did Freddy and Roger laugh, though?
It's interesting to see Peggy start to think in terms of her career. Even before the Freddy debacle, her reaction to Marilyn's suicide was to think of the Playtex campaign. But she has compassion for Freddy and helps him as best she can. And later, when Pete points out that Freddy's departure leaves room for her to move up, she seems to be disgusted at herself almost as much as she's disgusted with Pete, as she realizes that he's right.
That's a excellent connection to make to Robin Williams, cwest.
posted by donajo at 8:04 PM on August 13, 2014 [1 favorite]
I just had to look that up. Why did Freddy and Roger laugh, though?
Because it's a funny name. It sounds funny. Like Langdon Alger.
posted by Ruthless Bunny at 5:21 PM on August 14, 2014
Because it's a funny name. It sounds funny. Like Langdon Alger.
posted by Ruthless Bunny at 5:21 PM on August 14, 2014
Betty is reorganizing, something to occupy her time? She gets her own back by not telling Don anything.
I had forgotten how much Sal laughed. Peggy is right there with the solution, too. Which Pete takes credit for. And this is Peggy's big break, getting Freddie's entire portfolio.
Joan is right about Roger, his progressive collapse as he loses people is impressive in its grandeur.
Funny, the leave of absence is presented as a smokescreen to fire him. And Don's fierce loyalty, over a name.
"Bonnie Prince Sterling"
posted by the man of twists and turns at 8:31 PM on August 14, 2014
I had forgotten how much Sal laughed. Peggy is right there with the solution, too. Which Pete takes credit for. And this is Peggy's big break, getting Freddie's entire portfolio.
Joan is right about Roger, his progressive collapse as he loses people is impressive in its grandeur.
Funny, the leave of absence is presented as a smokescreen to fire him. And Don's fierce loyalty, over a name.
"Bonnie Prince Sterling"
posted by the man of twists and turns at 8:31 PM on August 14, 2014
It's funny that Betty takes Carla's advice to go outside and rediscovers her mojo with a little scheme straight out of high school.
Watched this episode with commentary and everybody loved that Freddie gave the cab driver his full address - including apartment number. It's also interesting to hear Joel Murray wonder if he/Freddie will ever be back. That pie-faced, "Goodbye, Don," is so poignant.
And even on Nth rewatch, it's still a jolt when Roger puts his hand on Jane's shoulder after Mona leaves the office - but I like when we don't get get to see everything.
posted by Sweetie Darling at 5:10 AM on August 15, 2014 [2 favorites]
Watched this episode with commentary and everybody loved that Freddie gave the cab driver his full address - including apartment number. It's also interesting to hear Joel Murray wonder if he/Freddie will ever be back. That pie-faced, "Goodbye, Don," is so poignant.
And even on Nth rewatch, it's still a jolt when Roger puts his hand on Jane's shoulder after Mona leaves the office - but I like when we don't get get to see everything.
posted by Sweetie Darling at 5:10 AM on August 15, 2014 [2 favorites]
Betty is reorganizing, something to occupy her time?
Oh, the banal horrors of shelf paper.
posted by ChrisTN at 3:17 PM on August 15, 2014
Oh, the banal horrors of shelf paper.
posted by ChrisTN at 3:17 PM on August 15, 2014
This was the first time, on rewatch, that I realised Weiner already has a long game to play. The parallels between Freddy and Don -- not just the embarrassment of literal and figurative pants-wetting, but Freddy's words in particular:
Freddy: What am I going to do?
Don: It's not an ending. It's a fresh start.
Freddy: If I don't go into that office every day, who am I?
posted by tracicle at 10:57 AM on August 17, 2014 [3 favorites]
Freddy: What am I going to do?
Don: It's not an ending. It's a fresh start.
Freddy: If I don't go into that office every day, who am I?
posted by tracicle at 10:57 AM on August 17, 2014 [3 favorites]
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posted by cwest at 8:05 AM on August 13, 2014 [3 favorites]