« In Which I'm Peggy Olson And I Want To Smoke Some Marijuana »

Mad Men: The Musical

by MOLLY LAMBERT

Great episode. The viewers at home breathe a sigh of relief as Mad Men hits its stride in the third inning after two wobbly-kneed and tedious first attempts. All the gears are finally whirring. Everyone (Joan!) has shown up. Characters are mixed up and re-matched in new social settings. And so many GIF opportunities.

So Many GIF Opportunities:

Roger in blackface

Peggy getting high

Don Draper hopping over the bar

Sterling's wife v. Joan

Pete and Trudy's dance routine

Joan playing the accordion

Sally Draper stealing from grandpa

The Tigertones reunion

So many chances for things to go horribly wrong, and yet for the most part it went alright. Matthew Weiner clearly thrives on the narrative tension of awkward situations, and yet he does not go straight for the banana peel every time. Jane's alcohol induced collapsed was not followed up with one of Mad Men's trademarked "vomiting in public embarrassment" sequences.

Pete & Trudy's Charleston: America's Next Best White Dance Crew?

Are they setting the characters up to be happy just to twist the knife later? Joan's husband's lack of medical prowess being revealed with the suggestion that patients die on his table seems pretty ominous. As does the whole "Grandpa Gene" situation. Or is it possible that after two seasons of turgid misery the Mad Men ensemble's lives will finally achieve that "freeness" the sixties is so often associated with. Probably not.

the other contender: Monica and Ross's "Routine" from Friends

There were some overly long poetic monologues. That Sam Elliott type (Chelcie Ross) in the empty bar served no purpose other than to make me laugh with his rambling about "taking a johnboat down past the old mansion." Peggy's overly mothering secretary who won't go home was neither here nor there.

"IT'S MOHAIR!!! HE'S LIKE A TOTALLY IMPORTANT DESIGNER!!!!!"

But the Breakfast Club bit with Peggy and the other creatives holed up smoking reefer at Sterling-Cooper on a Saturday was delightful. Christina Hendricks may not be a real redhead, but she really plays the accordion. How she fits it comfortably over her massive (real) breasts is a mystery for the ages.

"I'm so hiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii"

The cut from Peggy smoking the joint to the hallucinatory nightmare of Roger singing "My Old Kentucky Home" was one of many such touches that made this episode feel like the show is the Sopranos successor it ought to be. At its finest, Mad Men is a slow-paced and richly rewarding character drama (like The Wire). At its worst it's a campy soap (like True Blood).

I see you Patrick Bateman, hitting on my Peggy Olson, don't even think about it man!

Here's hoping the season continues in this fashion. I'll admit the first two episodes left me a little cold compared to this one, which I loved. Mad Men — like The Sopranos — theoretically follows one antihero while remaining an ensemble show at heart. Don Draper is cool, but he is just one of the eight million reasons we love this show.

In the end, it's really Pete Campbell's show. We're just watching it.

Molly Lambert is the managing editor of This Recording. She tumbls & twitters. You can find her review of last week's Mad Men here.

"Soil, Soil (demo)" — Tegan & Sara (mp3)

"Burn Your Life Down (demo)" — Tegan & Sara (mp3)

"Call It Off (demo)" — Tegan & Sara (mp3)

Comments

[Tati]

Oh my. I nearly keeled over during the Pete and Trudy routine. It was so sinfully embarrassing and amazing I had to delicately shield my eyes for some moments.

SO, high Peggy. Baller

[jw]

Did you find all these gifs on ONTD?

[benjamin]

I'm glad I wasn't the only one that had the epiphany that it was Miles Fisher as Paul's drug dealer. It was one of those moments where I to momentarily pause the DVR to prevent my brain from completely melting.

[lo]

Pretty much all from ontd. http://community.livejournal.com/ohnotheydidnt/38735069.html?page=4#commentsa

[joolia]

"In the end, it's really Pete Campbell's show. We're just watching it."

This. It's really the Pete Campbell and Peggy Olson show. Don Draper who?

[lambo]

So good!

[brendan]

I thought the second episode was the best so far, the first was broad and lacked nuance, this one had some great moments particularly the last two shots.

[Hugh]

Pete is everyone I ever wanted to punch all in one. I'd like some Cosgrove development and we're in for some more shindigs with the little Miss Draper.

[slick jefferson]

14 more reasons to hate whitey. Need more?

[Jay]

Did anyone else think it odd or interesting that three cast members sang in this episode?

[Beats Solo]

The Beats by Dr. Dre have a chunky, padded, shiny black headband that slopes down and expands almost seamlessly into circular earcup supports. The large, oblong earcups are extremely comfortable and can swivel gently, back and forth and from side to side. Thin accents of silver and red wrap round each earpiece—a subtle, handsome touch. On the outside of each earcup is a metallic disc that curves into a graceful red b, the now-familiar logo of the popular Beats brand. Moving back up the shiny headband, four tiny hex-head screws reveal the seam at which the headphones can be expanded along their internal metal bracing. This is followed by a small Monster Cable logo and, finally, at the very apex of the band, four words: beats by dr. dre.

[lexington law firm reviews]

Hi! Good stuff, please do keep us posted when you publish again something like this! <a href="http://top-10-credit-repair.com/lexington-law/">lexington law firm reviews</a>

[hardyrady]

I think is information very pure and interesting stuff and Theme. And thank's for shearing this info.

[Process of grief]

Good website! I really love how it is easy on my eyes and the data are well written. I am wondering how I could be notified whenever a new post has been made. Have a great day!

[Commercial Lighting]

Outstanding article and you performing fantastic job. Thanks for this article.

[otterbox]

I am happy to find this very useful for me, as it contains lot of information. I always prefer to read the quality content
thanks for share me...

[Commercial LED Lighting]

I really appreciate this post. I’ve been looking all over for this! Thank goodness I found it on Bing. You have made my day! Thanks again!

[treatment for bacterial vaginosis]

Excellent work item. These are great topis I really appreciate it. Exchange of information in these great minds of thought.thanks.

[hardyrady999]

This information is very interesting, I really enjoyed, I would like get more information about this, because is very
beautiful, thanks for sharing!

[silicone repair tape]

Greetings. very nice explanation, thank you for this information.
When I read around the internet by chance. really nice page.
thanks for share me..

[anabolic steroids]

love how it is easy on my eyes and the data are well written. I am wondering how

[silicone tape]

your site Place wonderful in that my mind of view....i totally Enjoy to reading information . i want to some more idea about this component .anyways that's a another great think as compare to others. I will be the definitely come to check it again. Thank you.

[car title loans]

I would like to thank you for sharing this great information with us.
I am really glad to learn about this because it helps me to increase my knowledge.
Thanks...

[LOW SODIUM GLUTEN FREE SOY SAUCE]

Thanks for this great article! It has been very insightful. I wish that you will continue posting your knowledge with us.

[Celtic Tungsten Rings]

I’m glad I found your article. The information is smart and interesting. This is a must-read for everyone. I, for one appreciate your hard work.

[a frame brackets]

I’m really enjoying the design and layout of your site. It’s a very easy on the eyes which makes it much more pleasant for me to come here and visit more often. Did you hire out a designer to create your theme? Excellent work!

[marine repair tape]

This is good stuff here. ... Read this another really great information on their own sites, and enjoy. definitely come make it again. Thank you very much.

[self-fusing silicone tape]

It is one of the greats! It is a very helpful and useful information. Subscribe to information about me and tell me that it is only useful in any place.thank for this such information ...