I looked at the ending quite differently. Yes, Don is very lonely like usual. He may have had some reprieve with Megan and possibly he may start sleeping with woman again but I think there was significance of the woman asking Don to light her cigarette. "What do women want?" Remember Peggy's boss said that? The woman asking for a light was smoking a long cigarette, Virginia Slim? So, what do woman want...This may be alluding to how far woman have come. Somebody else said Virginia Slims slogin was, "You've come a long way baby." Maybe they still want security but either way, I think this sparks Don's fierce creativity that had been lacking on Season Five.
As we saw in the last episode Don was more focused like he used to be. Maybe he will steal Peggy's account. They do have a mutual respect and even love for each other but they are now in competition so will be trying to win the same client's.
Betty Draper Rank: Recurring Character
June 11th, 2012 5:19 PM
Hey QueenBee :) Are you shocked as I am that season 5 is already over? What are we gonna do till season 6?!
You're right that Don is not a victim in this marriage. They both wanted to use each other for their own agendas,and that's it. I really can't stand Megan though, she is too young for Don and he is just too old fashion for her. Weiner said:
''Don “knows that if he gives Megan what she wants, she could possibly leave him,” Weiner says, adding that nevertheless, the screen test changes Draper’s mind about helping his wife land the commercial audition.''
For the sake of the show I hope this marriage is over and Betty and other far more interesting people will get their time to shine!
I think Megan's a user. She seduced Don into marrying her with stories about how she wanted to do what he does for a living.
Oh come on, Don is a big boy and he certainly doesn't need anyone to "seduce him to marry her". He was lonely, pitied himself and couldn't believe that he had actually screwed up his marriage with Betty, so that she wasn't willing to put up with him again. You do remember last season I hope? Don was a mess and in a downward spiral. He was so used to someone taking care of him, and having a nice little wifey who waited with dinner at home for him (after he rumbled the sheets with someone else) that he just didn't know how to deal with this new situation. And then there was Megan and the kids loved her and he needed someone and there she was. I won't deny that she had her own little agenda going and certainly did his status and money play into her decision of marrying him - but as I see it they used each other for different reasons.
well, "I have no idea" wasn't all I had to say, so again
I find their way they are going with Joan extremely weird. It's like she is a whole other person. Someone without confidence or self-respect and I still can't fathom that she did sleep with that guy to get the account. That was so un-Joan-like...
This finale just like the whole season just didn't bring it for me.
Don's stories were the worst and the least interesting ones. Everything involved either Megan or him being a douche to most of his co-workers (except Joan). I'm confused if I should feel sorry for him or for other people in his life since everything he is involved in fells apart.
The only stories I really enjoyed were Peggy's bold move to move on, Roger' s trip, Joan leaving her asshole husband, and Betty and Sally bonding when you least expect it.
I hated Lane's suicide since it was all too fast (he could have had so many options and he wasn't alone, he had friends and family), every single Megan story and Don loosing interest in his work.
Yep, you basically summed up my thoughts.
My question is what's up with Joan? Her comment about giving Lane what he wanted was bizarre. Now she's referring to herself as a whore? Where are they going with this Joan = prostitute story line?
I have no idea.
Betty Draper Rank: Recurring Character
June 11th, 2012 3:15 PM
@PhillyGirl
I was wondering the same thing about Joan. What the hell is going on with her? I mean she and Lane kissed once, Lane for sure liked her but he was never at that point that he would go crazy without her love.
It was a very self centered and stupid question. Don's eye rolling was priceless though.
PhillyGirl
June 11th, 2012 1:47 PM
I think Megan's a user. She seduced Don into marrying her with stories about how she wanted to do what he does for a living. She seems perfect, sexy, talented, smart, everything a guy could wish for. Then last night her facade cracks, and she becomes a snivelling, self-pitying mess. The only time she is effusive with Don is when he does something for her. So she rides his coattails into a job.
My question is what's up with Joan? Her comment about giving Lane what he wanted was bizarre. Now she's referring to herself as a whore? Where are they going with this Joan = prostitute story line?
Did anyone else think last night's episode could have easily been a series finale rather than a season finale?
Betty Draper Rank: Recurring Character
June 11th, 2012 12:38 PM
This finale just like the whole season just didn't bring it for me.
Don's stories were the worst and the least interesting ones. Everything involved either Megan or him being a douche to most of his co-workers (except Joan). I'm confused if I should feel sorry for him or for other people in his life since everything he is involved in fells apart.
The only stories I really enjoyed were Peggy's bold move to move on, Roger' s trip, Joan leaving her asshole husband, and Betty and Sally bonding when you least expect it.
I hated Lane's suicide since it was all too fast (he could have had so many options and he wasn't alone, he had friends and family), every single Megan story and Don loosing interest in his work.
brainiac4200
June 11th, 2012 12:00 PM
Don wasn't questioning Pete. He was asking "We can do that?" because he didn't want to be at the meeting. It had nothing to do with authority. Just Don being lazy.
Simon
June 11th, 2012 10:21 AM
Never wanted it to end. Mad men is all about ambience and atmosphere and the show just feels so real. Loved the final shot too - with the Bond theme playing, a very ambigious ending indeed. But that's what keeps the show interesting - it never gives you a nice, easy conclusion to draw. It is, indeed, like life itself.
Patti
June 11th, 2012 9:24 AM
I love Mad Men, but this was the most boring season ending episode and I was not happy with it. I kept waiting for something to happen. The only thing it may have left us with was Don possibly starting his cheating again, which as much as I hate to admit, made him and the show more exciting. This season he seemed to be Megan's doormat and it just wasn't the Don we all know and love( or maybe hate).
I hope Peggy comes back, I miss her. Some of the best scenes were between Peggy and Don or Peggy and Joan. This show will not be the same unless she is back telling Don exactly what she thinks because she has earned it and he knows it.
Stephen
June 11th, 2012 8:14 AM
I have to admit that in comparison with the last few episodes this episode would seem uneventful and that any of the previous episodes could of justified as a season finale however two things were present in the episode meaning it was clear that Matthew Weiner knew where he wanted this season to be. The first as pointed out by the reveiwer was "are you alone?" a character defining moment but the second was the imagery of the five partners standing in there new office, that was providing an idea of change as well as the transformation of the 60's into the upcoming 70's which has been present throughout the season (as in there was some of the old life i.e Don, Rodger and Burt and some of the new life i.e. Pete and Joan). Sometimes you need a smaller finale and Mad Men certainly did. It was clear from this that next season will be something special. Season 5 has been rift with conflict and now its the calm before the storm. Sure Don may be at peace with Peggy, but he isn't with Pete or Jo
Mia
June 11th, 2012 7:33 AM
Don's growth/improvement was as a result of fear/grief (Anna's death), not self-actualization, therefore he can easily "revert" to his destructive behavior. Lucas brought up a good point, but was it Megan acting in their marriage or Don.
I think Don has been playing the good husband, and caged his philandering and secretive tendencies, believing it was the cause of his former life crumbling, the true source of his discontent with Betty. Yet, even though he did the direct opposite of his life with Betty, he is still faced with an unsatisfying home life. Why? Because Don's motives stemmed from selfishness, not self-improvement. If the motive of your actions are fragile, your self-perceived "growth" will be like a house of cards.
I dont think Don cheats just yet, he will have a mistress, instead of "a dime a dozen" flings, especially so quickly. Also, Trudy doesn't seem like the divorcing kind, perhaps Trudy will have an affair of her own. I liked the finale, it was an apropos endi
Larry Levinson
June 11th, 2012 7:05 AM
Uneventful year? You can't be serious.
StBob
June 11th, 2012 6:03 AM
Maybe Don thought: "okay I've finally worked out what Megan wants and I'll give it to her. And in return I'll get what I want". If Megan had wanted to be a loyal doormat, err I mean housewife, then maybe things would have turned out differently but (in Don's mind at least) she is the one who chose to go down this route first.
How about his dead brother's reappearance? Okay so Lane hanging himself may have brought back the memory but Don is actually seeing him, and not just when he is under gas. Remember when he hallucinated killing that women. He might be the next one going in for a lobotomy.
Lucas Marcondes
June 11th, 2012 3:55 AM
The way I see it, when Don watched Megan's tape, he realized that she acted in their marriage too, and that she kinda appealed to his vulnerability to get what she wanted. I see his help with the commercial more as a "here, have what you want, but now don't expect me to be there" gesture, and I fully expect him to go back to his old cheating ways. I agree that it seems kinda weird considering Don's genuine improvement as a husband this season, but still, it's what it looked like to me.
All in all, a solid finale, and while Pete's story seemed a little too TV-ish and scripted, I thought it was effective, and he's probably the character that I'm most interested in now that Lane is dead.
Pete: Don't act like you had a plan. You're Tarzan, swinging from vine to vine.
June 11th, 2012 6:23 PM
I looked at the ending quite differently. Yes, Don is very lonely like usual. He may have had some reprieve with Megan and possibly he may start sleeping with woman again but I think there was significance of the woman asking Don to light her cigarette. "What do women want?" Remember Peggy's boss said that? The woman asking for a light was smoking a long cigarette, Virginia Slim? So, what do woman want...This may be alluding to how far woman have come. Somebody else said Virginia Slims slogin was, "You've come a long way baby." Maybe they still want security but either way, I think this sparks Don's fierce creativity that had been lacking on Season Five.
As we saw in the last episode Don was more focused like he used to be. Maybe he will steal Peggy's account. They do have a mutual respect and even love for each other but they are now in competition so will be trying to win the same client's.
Rank: Recurring Character
June 11th, 2012 5:19 PM
Hey QueenBee :) Are you shocked as I am that season 5 is already over? What are we gonna do till season 6?!
You're right that Don is not a victim in this marriage. They both wanted to use each other for their own agendas,and that's it. I really can't stand Megan though, she is too young for Don and he is just too old fashion for her. Weiner said:
''Don “knows that if he gives Megan what she wants, she could possibly leave him,” Weiner says, adding that nevertheless, the screen test changes Draper’s mind about helping his wife land the commercial audition.''
For the sake of the show I hope this marriage is over and Betty and other far more interesting people will get their time to shine!
Rank: Leading Character
June 11th, 2012 4:49 PM
I think Megan's a user. She seduced Don into marrying her with stories about how she wanted to do what he does for a living.
Oh come on, Don is a big boy and he certainly doesn't need anyone to "seduce him to marry her". He was lonely, pitied himself and couldn't believe that he had actually screwed up his marriage with Betty, so that she wasn't willing to put up with him again. You do remember last season I hope? Don was a mess and in a downward spiral. He was so used to someone taking care of him, and having a nice little wifey who waited with dinner at home for him (after he rumbled the sheets with someone else) that he just didn't know how to deal with this new situation. And then there was Megan and the kids loved her and he needed someone and there she was. I won't deny that she had her own little agenda going and certainly did his status and money play into her decision of marrying him - but as I see it they used each other for different reasons.
Rank: Leading Character
June 11th, 2012 4:43 PM
well, "I have no idea" wasn't all I had to say, so again
I find their way they are going with Joan extremely weird. It's like she is a whole other person. Someone without confidence or self-respect and I still can't fathom that she did sleep with that guy to get the account. That was so un-Joan-like...
Rank: Leading Character
June 11th, 2012 4:41 PM
This finale just like the whole season just didn't bring it for me.
Don's stories were the worst and the least interesting ones. Everything involved either Megan or him being a douche to most of his co-workers (except Joan). I'm confused if I should feel sorry for him or for other people in his life since everything he is involved in fells apart.
The only stories I really enjoyed were Peggy's bold move to move on, Roger' s trip, Joan leaving her asshole husband, and Betty and Sally bonding when you least expect it.
I hated Lane's suicide since it was all too fast (he could have had so many options and he wasn't alone, he had friends and family), every single Megan story and Don loosing interest in his work.
Yep, you basically summed up my thoughts.
My question is what's up with Joan? Her comment about giving Lane what he wanted was bizarre. Now she's referring to herself as a whore? Where are they going with this Joan = prostitute story line?
I have no idea.
Rank: Recurring Character
June 11th, 2012 3:15 PM
@PhillyGirl
I was wondering the same thing about Joan. What the hell is going on with her? I mean she and Lane kissed once, Lane for sure liked her but he was never at that point that he would go crazy without her love.
It was a very self centered and stupid question. Don's eye rolling was priceless though.
June 11th, 2012 1:47 PM
I think Megan's a user. She seduced Don into marrying her with stories about how she wanted to do what he does for a living. She seems perfect, sexy, talented, smart, everything a guy could wish for. Then last night her facade cracks, and she becomes a snivelling, self-pitying mess. The only time she is effusive with Don is when he does something for her. So she rides his coattails into a job.
My question is what's up with Joan? Her comment about giving Lane what he wanted was bizarre. Now she's referring to herself as a whore? Where are they going with this Joan = prostitute story line?
Rank: Guest Star
June 11th, 2012 1:20 PM
Did anyone else think last night's episode could have easily been a series finale rather than a season finale?
Rank: Recurring Character
June 11th, 2012 12:38 PM
This finale just like the whole season just didn't bring it for me.
Don's stories were the worst and the least interesting ones. Everything involved either Megan or him being a douche to most of his co-workers (except Joan). I'm confused if I should feel sorry for him or for other people in his life since everything he is involved in fells apart.
The only stories I really enjoyed were Peggy's bold move to move on, Roger' s trip, Joan leaving her asshole husband, and Betty and Sally bonding when you least expect it.
I hated Lane's suicide since it was all too fast (he could have had so many options and he wasn't alone, he had friends and family), every single Megan story and Don loosing interest in his work.
June 11th, 2012 12:00 PM
Don wasn't questioning Pete. He was asking "We can do that?" because he didn't want to be at the meeting. It had nothing to do with authority. Just Don being lazy.
June 11th, 2012 10:21 AM
Never wanted it to end. Mad men is all about ambience and atmosphere and the show just feels so real. Loved the final shot too - with the Bond theme playing, a very ambigious ending indeed. But that's what keeps the show interesting - it never gives you a nice, easy conclusion to draw. It is, indeed, like life itself.
June 11th, 2012 9:24 AM
I love Mad Men, but this was the most boring season ending episode and I was not happy with it. I kept waiting for something to happen. The only thing it may have left us with was Don possibly starting his cheating again, which as much as I hate to admit, made him and the show more exciting. This season he seemed to be Megan's doormat and it just wasn't the Don we all know and love( or maybe hate).
I hope Peggy comes back, I miss her. Some of the best scenes were between Peggy and Don or Peggy and Joan. This show will not be the same unless she is back telling Don exactly what she thinks because she has earned it and he knows it.
June 11th, 2012 8:14 AM
I have to admit that in comparison with the last few episodes this episode would seem uneventful and that any of the previous episodes could of justified as a season finale however two things were present in the episode meaning it was clear that Matthew Weiner knew where he wanted this season to be. The first as pointed out by the reveiwer was "are you alone?" a character defining moment but the second was the imagery of the five partners standing in there new office, that was providing an idea of change as well as the transformation of the 60's into the upcoming 70's which has been present throughout the season (as in there was some of the old life i.e Don, Rodger and Burt and some of the new life i.e. Pete and Joan). Sometimes you need a smaller finale and Mad Men certainly did. It was clear from this that next season will be something special. Season 5 has been rift with conflict and now its the calm before the storm. Sure Don may be at peace with Peggy, but he isn't with Pete or Jo
June 11th, 2012 7:33 AM
Don's growth/improvement was as a result of fear/grief (Anna's death), not self-actualization, therefore he can easily "revert" to his destructive behavior. Lucas brought up a good point, but was it Megan acting in their marriage or Don.
I think Don has been playing the good husband, and caged his philandering and secretive tendencies, believing it was the cause of his former life crumbling, the true source of his discontent with Betty. Yet, even though he did the direct opposite of his life with Betty, he is still faced with an unsatisfying home life. Why? Because Don's motives stemmed from selfishness, not self-improvement. If the motive of your actions are fragile, your self-perceived "growth" will be like a house of cards.
I dont think Don cheats just yet, he will have a mistress, instead of "a dime a dozen" flings, especially so quickly. Also, Trudy doesn't seem like the divorcing kind, perhaps Trudy will have an affair of her own. I liked the finale, it was an apropos endi
June 11th, 2012 7:05 AM
Uneventful year? You can't be serious.
June 11th, 2012 6:03 AM
Maybe Don thought: "okay I've finally worked out what Megan wants and I'll give it to her. And in return I'll get what I want". If Megan had wanted to be a loyal doormat, err I mean housewife, then maybe things would have turned out differently but (in Don's mind at least) she is the one who chose to go down this route first.
How about his dead brother's reappearance? Okay so Lane hanging himself may have brought back the memory but Don is actually seeing him, and not just when he is under gas. Remember when he hallucinated killing that women. He might be the next one going in for a lobotomy.
June 11th, 2012 3:55 AM
The way I see it, when Don watched Megan's tape, he realized that she acted in their marriage too, and that she kinda appealed to his vulnerability to get what she wanted. I see his help with the commercial more as a "here, have what you want, but now don't expect me to be there" gesture, and I fully expect him to go back to his old cheating ways. I agree that it seems kinda weird considering Don's genuine improvement as a husband this season, but still, it's what it looked like to me.
All in all, a solid finale, and while Pete's story seemed a little too TV-ish and scripted, I thought it was effective, and he's probably the character that I'm most interested in now that Lane is dead.