Mad Men (TV Series) The Mountain King (2008) User Reviews

Confusing and Over-Rated, but Good Anyway

[borowiecsminus · 8/10 · 7 August 2016]

People seem to think this is one of the best episodes of "Mad Men." I disagree.

Don't get me wrong, I love Mad Men. If I didn't, I would've taken away more than two stars. And this is a good episode, it just isn't even near Mad Men standards. And the main reason for that is the fact that it fails to captivate. It's Don's last day in California, and he visits the wife of the man who's identity he stole.

The other thing is that it is extremely confusing. It's actually one of the most confusing episodes of television I've ever seen. Throughout the whole episode, I didn't know if it was a flash-back, or if it was only half a flash-back, or if he was lying or telling the truth... I got it eventually, but I only got it when I read the full summary on IMDb. The episode offered no help. It felt like Inception, only actually MORE confusing. At least to me.

But, with that being said, everything else about this episode is great. In particular, the two people who did the best job are Alan Taylor, the director, and Jon Hamm (Don Draper). The final shot in particular stands out from the crowd as being (so far), the most memorable shot in the show.

Even though it's great, it's one of the worst episodes in the second season. But that's not a statement about "Mountain King." That's a statement about how good "Mad Men" is.

Visiting An Old Friend Who's A Piano Teacher

[vivianla · 9 June 2020]

Betty takes out a cigarette from an elegant pouch. I love the pearl earrings in this show as well. Very elegant and beautiful. The fashion in this show and time is amazing.

Betty looks for Sally and finds her in the bathroom trying out a cigarette. She pulls Sally away, yelling at her and pushes her into a room. Sally calls Betty mean and stupid and that is why their dad will not come home. Betty softens and tells Sally their dad is on a trip.

Don looks for work in California as he comes across a group of men working on old cars. They are the typical men lounging out on the driveway on a hot summer day. One man is shirtless and fit, working on a far. There is a man's son there.

Joan and her fiancee attempt to make love but they are not sexually compatible.

Don is staying in Cali and he goes to visit the wife of the man whose identity he stole. She is an old friend and they were married as he took her husband's name and then he asked for a divorce to marry Betty. When he enters Anna Draper's home, a piano student of hers is playing a song that is the title of this episode.

There is a flashback where Don gushes to Anna Draper about a girl he met named Elizabeth, Betty. He says she is well educated, has a good family, is a model and says he thinks he wants to marry her. He tells Anna he would need a divorce and he will always support her despite Anna insisting he does not owe her money.

Joan brings her fiancee to work and he is a doctor. They go to Donald Draper's office and he tries to satisfy Joan with a fantasy. Joan has been working at Sterling Cooper for 9 years and is in her thirties. He tells Joan to treat him like he is a worker there and he pushes her down roughly and goes on top of her. This does not satisfy Joan in anyway, they are not sexually compatible.

Peggy gets her own office after confidently asking Sterling for Freddy's. Joan is organizing papers right outside and congratulates Peggy. Peter Campbell comes in to tell Peggy their client does need their work anymore despite the sales being a success. I love the vibes, mood and lighting of the Peter + Peggy office scene. Peggy asks about Don and Peter says Don disappeared, did not check out and Peter almost called the police. I love Peggy's concern and this conversation. She is so caring.

So I'm this far in and yaaa it's hyped up

[mkayseryan · 1 August 2021]

I just finished shield ..... so watching this right after isn't the right choice in this far in and wow this show is sooo boring only thing I'm here for is don draper but my god guys y'all hyped this up.