Here's how I see it. This week's Mad Men did a few things well. It was able to sustain suspense with Don's storyline because it was dramatic, as well as using cutbacks to Betty's blase side- story (Betty's story may seem to have the sole purpose of filling 45 Mad Men minutes, but it proves it's somewhat important). Most lingering questions, still unanswered, from season 6 get addressed, meaning the episode focuses on everything Don and the New York side of SCP (No Pete, Ted, or her real-estate agent). You thought Lou was an asshole? Someone else holds a grudge against Don Draper, and in case this episode seemed to give some type of closure that everything is solved, it opens up a bunch of doors. Back to the main storyline, which I won't reveal even a bit for it will kill the episode for anyone who hasn't watched. Jon Hamm does his best acting here. For Don Draper- I use this analogy- is portrayed in this episode as a child going to his first day of school in a new town, but in the same state. ("Don, can you hold?" Is the best line ever) Therein lies the ambiguous title; Bobby and Betty's "real" field trip, and Don visiting "familiar" territory (with some land-mines in the way). He realizes the lies to his kids, his wife, to himself are about to expire, so it's time to take action. The decision in the end, whether you agree or not, is brought to the audience in a edge-of-your-seat, roller-coaster ride fashion. The suspense was real. I was biting my nails during the last few minutes, hoping they would reach a satisfying resolution (not make me wait another week). It keeps getting better. 9/10 -Something I especially liked about this episode is we see that Roger isn't really the guy who sat in his chair in the season 6 finale and told Don, "It's what's best". Don and Roger are buddies. They have history; nights on nights of debauchery. It's good to see the writers didn't forget that.
5 Reviews
Draper in a Strange Land
TheFearmakers26 October 2019
Good episode, and purposely awkward as Don returns to an agency who he doesn't quite recognize, and vice versa. Nice tension like the good old days, and the best episode of this final season so far. The manager who replaced Don, basically, is strict and a jerk, and a good character who makes the copywriter's story edgier than it's been for a while now. Meanwhile, Betty's on the titular field trip at a farm. Not much more to say about that. But this is Don's episode.
7.3 ***
edwagreen27 April 2014
Warning: Spoilers
Rather benign episode with an occasional inter-office flare- up among the staff.
The episode improved drastically when Don flies out to California and informs his wife that he has been suspended at the office. She literally flies into a rage and tells him to leave. It sounds very much like she wants to end the marriage right then and there. Of course, he had gone out to California when he was informed that she was beginning to panic regarding her career out there.
The episode really heated up when Don is told to come back to work and does so only to find that no one in the office has been told that he is returning. Despite the fact that they really don't want him back, the disadvantages of firing him are presented and they determine to take him back.
We see a rather humbled Don when he accepts their conditions for his return to the firm.
The episode improved drastically when Don flies out to California and informs his wife that he has been suspended at the office. She literally flies into a rage and tells him to leave. It sounds very much like she wants to end the marriage right then and there. Of course, he had gone out to California when he was informed that she was beginning to panic regarding her career out there.
The episode really heated up when Don is told to come back to work and does so only to find that no one in the office has been told that he is returning. Despite the fact that they really don't want him back, the disadvantages of firing him are presented and they determine to take him back.
We see a rather humbled Don when he accepts their conditions for his return to the firm.
When it's time to go you shouldn't stick around
dierregi4 July 2020
Don plays his last, best card to get back to work with SCP. I just don't understand why he makes such a big effort to go back to a place where his partners despise him, rather than turn a new leaf and start with an agency that wants him.
His best move would have been forcing the partners to buy him out - that would have taught them a good lesson - and work for the competition. Instead, he accepts to crawl back in a demeaning junior position. Unless that was a kind of perverted atonement, his decision doesn't make any sense.
Therefore, I found the plot of this episode one of weakest because it defies reason, even the drunkard, distorted logic Don showed at times.
Finally, I never liked Peggy much, but her lines about not having missed Don is utterly despicable and shows what a mean, frustrated, petty woman she is.
His best move would have been forcing the partners to buy him out - that would have taught them a good lesson - and work for the competition. Instead, he accepts to crawl back in a demeaning junior position. Unless that was a kind of perverted atonement, his decision doesn't make any sense.
Therefore, I found the plot of this episode one of weakest because it defies reason, even the drunkard, distorted logic Don showed at times.
Finally, I never liked Peggy much, but her lines about not having missed Don is utterly despicable and shows what a mean, frustrated, petty woman she is.
God I hate peggy
AppaloniaR5 May 2018
Who does she really think she is so nasty they should have wrote her horrible character out ages ago. Having only just watched the series now on Netflix I'm starting to really not enjoy it anymore it's the way the company is I hate that awful old man danzer and who does Joan I got my shares by default think she is now. This seriously has ruined the show no wonder this is the last season...
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