Part of why I love Mad Men is how it sends a message in a subtle way. Like - you have to pay attention or you won't get it. So far, the show has shown how sexist life was back in the day. It has also, in it's own way shown how African Americans were not even regarded. I think the character we have seen the most has been the elevator attendant who helped Don in the last episode to get back at Roger Sterling.
The episode begins with Pete Campbell and Peggy in the elevator together. Both coming to work uber early at 7am. During the ride, the attendant lets them know that the service elevator is out of place and would it be okay if the janitor rode with them? The look on Pete's face as they disembarked filled me with rage. It was one of "seriously, it would have been better for him to use the stairs. How dare he ride with me?"
Pete looks exceptionally unhappy and when Peggy goes into his office, he repeatedly tells her to shut the door. To which Peggy tells him "why? there's noone here" - despite the fact that a janitor just rode with them into the office. This is how Mad Men tells its story to show the disregard held for African Americans. I digress, a one-two step and Pete and Peggy end up having sex as the "noone there" janitor sees their silhouette through the window bumping and grinding.
Don shows how good he is at his job by closing the Belle Jolie account using Peggy's words. They have an alpha male celebration in the office and Peggy ever so slightly forward, goes into the office and she is offered a drink. She tells the operators and Joan doesn't take it so kindly and is a bit snarky towards Peggy. The girls tell Peggy she has to celebrate and arrangements are made to meet at a bar. She has also invited Pete, who declines at first since its the day he and Trudy are moving in to their new apartment. She shows up unannounced and Pete is not so kind to her - probably the guilt of cheating on her but then again is Pete capable of guilt?
So far, Sal is not out the closet and one of the operators has taken a liking to him and looks out for him at the party but he is a no show as he ends up having drinks and dinner with a Belle Jolie exec who eventually hits on him and invites him back to his house but Sal kinda snaps out his trance and says no and leaves.
At the party Peggy is having a good time and Pete seems to look miserable. She flirtatiously dances and asks Pete to dance with her and the miserable person that he is says "I don't like you like this". I am not even sure what he meant but his intent to be hurtful works as Peggy dances away with tears in her house.
Re-watching now, I am beginning to see how highly narcissistic most of these characters were. We continue to see how they spiral out of control. And to think we are still just in the first season.
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