tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8490006990580611900.post8246754649610120921..comments2015-05-20T09:28:20.474-07:00Comments on Mad About Mad Men: Let the Fun BeginCathyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06406367604160528926noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8490006990580611900.post-35405136391719267782010-09-13T11:15:24.232-07:002010-09-13T11:15:24.232-07:00That makes sense. All of this reflection on lack ...That makes sense. All of this reflection on lack of end song really suggests how radical--in terms of shift in story-telling--the decision to go with Don as narrator was.Cathynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8490006990580611900.post-72786033509668709892010-09-13T10:46:45.125-07:002010-09-13T10:46:45.125-07:00I was thinking a little more about the no song at ...I was thinking a little more about the no song at the end issue. Generally, these songs give us a little bit of insight into Don's persona/tensions - as you mention, "Where is Love?" or "Tobacco Road". So, maybe since we were getting those insights from the man himself, via first person narration, we didn't need the musical track at the end to sum it up? This idea might fit in with your suggestion that "Satisfaction" was Don's own choice for his soundtrack...Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8490006990580611900.post-7477246196415408032010-09-13T09:56:33.213-07:002010-09-13T09:56:33.213-07:00The second comment came in while I was posting my ...The second comment came in while I was posting my response to the first one. I do think our different response to the voice-overs might be connected to us being English majors. From what I saw doing a quick perusal of comments on Tom and Lorenzo's blog, a lot of people didn't like it. I loved it too. Not only for some nice writing, but Jon Hamm's got a great voice for that sort of thing.Cathynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8490006990580611900.post-79956182560530346122010-09-13T09:46:15.394-07:002010-09-13T09:46:15.394-07:00Interesting to bring in the 'reliable narrator...Interesting to bring in the 'reliable narrator' question. While Don does seem to be a reliable narrator for now, even reliable narrators pick and choose what to include in their stories; they're constructing their worlds in the way that best suits whatever their purposes are. I like seeing how Don desires to structure his narrative/life. One thing about starting out on this writing life is that one has to think about one's purposes in doing so--at least if it's going to be done well. It's this self-reflectiveness about his life that's so new for Don--and for us watching him. "The Summer Man" might suggest that Don is a different man for each season, rather than a "man for all seasons," but it could also be a metaphor for his renewal. New things come to life in summer; new opportunities for action come into play. Perhaps that's what his story's title is referring to.<br /><br />I, too, am looking forward to further development of the women in the workplace story as it's getting more political. You're right that the emerging women's liberation brought out many tensions for women with regard to relationships and work life. Peggy's been dealing with that lately in the context of her relationships with men. This episode hinted at how women's relationships with each other were starting to change in certain sectors. It's sad for Joan that she's becoming more outdated: a Marilyn-body in a more Twiggy and Cybill Shepard-type decade; sexual and manipulative means of exerting control at a time when direct action was emerging as the preferred strategy; and a competitive approach to other women on the cusp of the 'sisterhood' of the women's movement. I so felt for her when Greg suggested she talk to her "friends at work" while he's gone; she cried, knowing that she has no friends at work. She has Roger--who chose to leave his first wife to marry a younger woman even than Joan--and that's it. She can't have girlfriends when she's always set herself up above the other women in the office. While Peggy sensed some solidarity between them in the Joey situation, Joan disdains that. Tom and Lorenzo wrote about how Joan has always shielded herself from others, so now is alone, while Don is now trying to open up to the idea of being close with others.<br /><br />I like thinking about Faye's fable as providing a broader moral for different story arcs. I'll have to keep that in mind as the season proceeds.<br /><br />And, yes, the absence of a song at the end was deafening. I wondered if they decided to move the song to the middle instead, if "Satisfaction" was Don's choice of a sound-track for his story, part of his construction of the narrative of his life, so he was messing with the standard order. I really liked the song as he was coming out of the Y, but it was jarring--so loud, so '60s; the typical end song is either from an earlier era or if it's a '60s song, a quieter folk song or a song from a musical (like when they used "Where Is Love?" from "Oliver"). This one just screamed--"We're in a new era! Don's doing new things with his life! He's not any longer going to be the throw-back to an earlier decade!" So, they shake it up. Lack of an ending song also just left that image of the smiling Don with Gene in our minds. Again, he, as narrator of this story, is controlling our ending image?Cathynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8490006990580611900.post-871385405456353072010-09-13T09:35:05.972-07:002010-09-13T09:35:05.972-07:00I enjoyed your commentary, Cathy. My daughter (30 ...I enjoyed your commentary, Cathy. My daughter (30 something)hates voiceovers. Is it a generational thing or an English major thing? But when voiceovers are so beautifully written, I enjoy them. Those were so lovely, that I played some of them more than once to catch every nuance.<br />I agree re Peg/Joan. It was the first time this season I wasn't on J's side. It felt to me like she doesn't want to lose the power she's always had, and having Peg find her own power (direct, earned and with no sexual undertones)threatens her. Even the comment about Peg needing exercise, when clearly she's thinner than Joan seemed unnecessarily childish. <br /><br />I loved the episode. But I hate having to wait a week for more.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8490006990580611900.post-72932331789745272782010-09-13T08:58:24.135-07:002010-09-13T08:58:24.135-07:00The voice-over narration was cool, as you pointed ...The voice-over narration was cool, as you pointed out, Cathy, and I like how you mention Don as narrator of his life. As all us lit nerds know - can you trust a first person narrator? Don's actions during last night's show do point to his being a reliable narrator, but the title of the show "The Summer Man" makes me wonder whether Don has a new identity for each season. However, Jon Hamm, in shades, standing on a street while "Satisfaction" is playing is alright by me any time of year.<br />I'll be curious to read your insights on the Peggy/Joan/woman in the workplace story that is developing. I admire how this show truly explores the complicated dynamics of any sort of liberation. Peggy is caught between Don's direct advice - fire the guy - and Joan's anger at being robbed of her own office power through her indirect methods. Peggy thinks she's done a good thing and Joan resents her intrusion. I think the show will really explore the tensions/confusion of women who want to "live the life" - and find that relationships are difficult to navigate. Maybe Faye's advice will be the moral to more than one story.<br />The only heavy-handed note, in my opinion, in the episode was Joey's hatred of Joan because she reminds him of mommy, down to the pen necklace. I think Joey can just go ahead and be a jerk on his own.<br />And - why no song over the closing credits last night?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com