Yes he is, very much so. But the show isn't. A great finale to a great season. Although at times it felt like the episodes were losing some momentum and the same story lines were being explored, the finale does nicely to wrap up some overhanging issues and, as always, build up more expectations for the next season.
The move to California was played out by the writers to not only be an exciting new step for the firm, but also a promise of new beginnings for several of the characters that face their own demons and inner conflicts. I loved that, loved the way it created struggles and more office drama. Stan's ambition and yearning to be a self-made man, Ted's guilt and lust for Peggy, and of course Don's ever self-destructive behavior all intertwined in a struggle to get as far West from NYC as possible. Of course none of the women come out satisfied with the results of this dispute, feeling helpless to the whims of the men and their own damaged lives and mistakes, having no power to make any decisions for themselves, as Peggy put it. This speaks true to the male-dominated world of 1960s America that Mad Men has become so famous for portraying. As always, Bob Benson remains a mystery to me, and his complicity with Manolo in Pete's mother's death remains a big question mark. Did he know Manolo was up to this sort of stuff? Did he intentionally get Manolo involved to split the wealth of Pete's mother? I have to admit, though, I felt that the whole "married her at gun point" and "pushed her off the ship" storyline was done a little bit in poor taste.
Finally, HATS OFF to the most impressive scene of the episode and one of the best in the show: Don's unexpected confession during the Hershey's meeting. Great acting by Jon Hamm and beautiful writing. For the first time, Don is completely upfront about some of the most shameful aspects of his past, while trying to land a huge account in a room filled with clients and coworkers. He's embracing Dick Whitman. He is Dick Whitman. Even though it's not what Hershey's were expecting to hear, he still delivers it with profound and clever salesmanship, as always. This time, however, it feels real. It feels sincere. He's not just trying to seal a deal, he's actually speaking from the heart. He knows how to sell Hershey's, he has the idea, he knows what it means to himself and others and whether his story is masked in a beautiful lie or told in its bitter truth, the message is the same and equally convincing. I expect he'll have a lot to answer for next season.
The move to California was played out by the writers to not only be an exciting new step for the firm, but also a promise of new beginnings for several of the characters that face their own demons and inner conflicts. I loved that, loved the way it created struggles and more office drama. Stan's ambition and yearning to be a self-made man, Ted's guilt and lust for Peggy, and of course Don's ever self-destructive behavior all intertwined in a struggle to get as far West from NYC as possible. Of course none of the women come out satisfied with the results of this dispute, feeling helpless to the whims of the men and their own damaged lives and mistakes, having no power to make any decisions for themselves, as Peggy put it. This speaks true to the male-dominated world of 1960s America that Mad Men has become so famous for portraying. As always, Bob Benson remains a mystery to me, and his complicity with Manolo in Pete's mother's death remains a big question mark. Did he know Manolo was up to this sort of stuff? Did he intentionally get Manolo involved to split the wealth of Pete's mother? I have to admit, though, I felt that the whole "married her at gun point" and "pushed her off the ship" storyline was done a little bit in poor taste.
Finally, HATS OFF to the most impressive scene of the episode and one of the best in the show: Don's unexpected confession during the Hershey's meeting. Great acting by Jon Hamm and beautiful writing. For the first time, Don is completely upfront about some of the most shameful aspects of his past, while trying to land a huge account in a room filled with clients and coworkers. He's embracing Dick Whitman. He is Dick Whitman. Even though it's not what Hershey's were expecting to hear, he still delivers it with profound and clever salesmanship, as always. This time, however, it feels real. It feels sincere. He's not just trying to seal a deal, he's actually speaking from the heart. He knows how to sell Hershey's, he has the idea, he knows what it means to himself and others and whether his story is masked in a beautiful lie or told in its bitter truth, the message is the same and equally convincing. I expect he'll have a lot to answer for next season.