It appeared this episode was going to follow the same formula Mad Men has grown accustomed to lately, which is continually shoving Don Draper's head under water between allowing brief gasps of air. But tonight, something GOOD actually happened to Don and its been a year since that's happened. Also this felt a lot like a mid-season/early-season episode through its light stakes and amusing subplots. "A Day's Work" is something of an oxymoron because we know, and the opening images remind us, that Don's unemployed. Despite waking up past noon, he still wears a suit and tie for the day (sounds like my earlier undergraduate years). He still looks like a SCP partner and we know Don's all about fabricating his image. Sally's kind-of a little brat, but in a good way, the way defined by catching your Dad in acts of infidelities and lies, and having the power to wreck his life. The writers do a great job bonding Don and Sally despite their walking disease of a father- daughter relationship. It's Valentines Day in the world of Mad Men, and the only other character feeling the love is Pete Campbell, believe it or not. Of course he has his prissy moments, but when it is revealed that Pete is hooking up with that smoke-show realtor, I applauded. Then he went back to getting upset over a conference call with the New York partners and was his old self again, feeling under-appreciated. But, wow, good for him. Peggy's life is in shambles. Ted's on her mind still (duh, it's Valentine's Day). She can't get any work done because there are roses on her desk. She receives another blow in the episode, it's not a teary one though. If she hasn't get off the "Chaough" yet, I don't think she ever will. (I really disliked how the season opened with Ted in New York just so he and Peggy could be in the same area. It's like the season 6 finale didn't happen) Ted's just as miserable, as Pete says. Working late nights. Glued to his desk. Where's Nan? Maybe Ted and Peggy's mucky attitudes are a sign that they'll sprint into each other's arms later in the season... probably. Joan has a fun side story unfold. One that is a little racial. It also makes me want Matthew Weiner to write off Lou in fatal fashion, now more than ever. Joan ends up having a good Valentine's day, and rightfully so after the day she endures. On a negative note, no Megan in short dresses (or treat of side boob, like the opener). A Mad Men history note, In 1969, black assistants, Dawn & Shirley, are strong, diligent, and better workers than the white secretaries in SCP. A crucial year in civil rights. On a closing note, good episode. It takes the steam from the Don Draper stoning that's been going on. It's nice to have a fun and easy episode to remind us that we have ways to go before things get serious and this magnificent show comes to an end.
Review of A Day's Work
