"The Rejected"? What a great episode title. It seems to fit Mad Men's melancholy stance on life. But who is the rejected? Don? Peggy? Her new companions? Pete? His father-in-law? Allison? Don's new secretary?
So, let's start with the not-so-fun stuff first. Don is pathetic as ever this season, or any season. Even he seems to realize it. His secretary Allison, the latest victim of Don's one-night-let's-be-intimate-just-this-once stands, has had enough. She throws a glass at his face after he suggests she write a cover letter (signed by him, of course!) on his stationary. Good riddance to Don, indeed. Sadly, the best comic relief in a while results from Don's new secretary, for once, the least sexy woman in his life who is perhaps a little hard of hearing.
With Betty still off the scenes (apparently to return next week) the bulk of this week's episode revolves around Peggy and Pete - separately, but with intertwining themes.
Peggy... where to start? She has evolved from an uptight, naive career-starter to an experienced career gal, looking for fun in a male-dominated world. She finds that fun in the elevator in the form of Joyce, a clear lesbian who works in the building and invites Peggy out for a good time at a party. A good time indeed: we aren't completely sure if Peggy is drawn to Joyce in a homosexual subtext, or if she genuinely enjoys making out with a no-name straight guy in a closet. (Peggy coming out of the closet... hmmm... food for thought?)
By contrast, Pete is faced with very adult situations. First, he must inform his father-in-law that Clearasil is dead as a client, which forces obvious personal and awkward issues. Second, he finds out - through his father-in-law, no less - that his wife is with child. Rather than dwell on the awkward moment, Pete is elated. You can see it on his face: "There is another smarmy offspring in the works!" Fortunately, since Trudy's father spills the beans about her pregnancy, the Clearasil account seems low on the radar for him.
Other observations:
-Ken! Welcome back! Now, in what capacity will he be around? As a potential competitor, will Sterling Cooper Draper Pryce find him interesting?
-Exactly up which tree is Peggy barking? What about her "fiance"?
-Is Allison coming back? I'd be content to watch Don struggle with a secretary who needs to take estrogen supplements.
-I loved Pete and Peggy's resignation to their situations. It was definitely a "I get where you're going and I totally acknowledge the past" look. Very well-played by both actors.
-I enjoyed Lane's reluctant acknowledgment of Pete's fatherhood. He's just a good guy, in spite of himself.
-This episode was well-directed by John Slattery (otherwise known as Roger Sterling). Well done. I guess the hard liquor is just an act, after all.
The Rejected: B+
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