Mad Men
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At the center are four characters: Pete Campbell, Peggy Olson, Rachel Menken, and Don Draper.
He does share one key trait with his nemesis: Hes not happy being married.
When Pete reenters the office, his coworkers press for salacious details.
Pete says trysts with the wife are something a gentleman never discusses.
This and other statements amount to implied promises of fidelity.
Whenever he sees Peggy, a charge passes between them.
Their shared glances are neither sly nor innocuous.
Its a wonder their coworkers havent found them out.
I understand, Peggy says.
When men talk about it, its jokey, with a hostile edge.
Somehow, Don gets heror at least thats her impression.
Theres a darkness to him, and a furtiveness.
In Figaro, Pete notices the connection, and says hes never seen Don Draper turn it on before.
Something about the way you talk always restores my confidence, Rachel tells Don at the office in Figaro.
I have a deep voice, Don says.
Because you give me your confidence?
Because I give you mine.
Don rectifies that error by stopping by later in the day.
Boy, were they in for a surprise.
Menkens is entombed by its history.
Rachel asks Don when he makes a pass at her.
She pushes him away, but something in her face suggests that she could still invite him back.
In his peculiar, counterintuitive way, Don has gained her confidence.
Dons Story
Don has three secrets.
They are, in order from least to most disturbing:
1.
In the powder room, Don feels ill at ease.
This is a feminine space: perfume, floral pink washcloths, white soap resting in a ceramic hand.
He dares not disturb Bettys universe.
In Figaro he tells Rachel hes married.
She says she didnt ask because she didnt want to know.
He says the marriage is something that shouldnt have happened.
What are the chances?
At Sallys party, Francine admiringly describes Don as That man!
But it is his handsome image that she is admiring, not the man underneath.
(The episode is bracketed by trains.)
Excerpted with permission fromMad Men Carouselby Matt Zoller Seitz.
