Mad Men (TV Series) The Gold Violin (2008) User Reviews

The New Best Episode of Season Two (so far)

[borowiecsminus · 8/10 · 2 August 2016]

Again, another will go on to be even better, but at the time of airing, it was the best of the season.

There is really so much to love about this episode. There's the surprisingly entertaining subplot of Costgrove's short story writing, which seems dull but was actually quite interesting. There's the Elliot Schwartz cameo, something that has nothing to do with quality but made me a little biased towards the episode. And of course, there is the absolutely brilliant scene with the Barrets and the Drapers.

My biggest praise goes to five people: Jon Hamm, January Jones, Jane Anderson, Andre Jacquemetton, and Maria Jacquemetton. The first two are actors, the other three wrote the episode. They all did a great job.

The penultimate scene, in which Betty learns about Don's affair from the same man that goes on to practically spit in Don's face, is one of the best scenes in the recent memory of the show.

However, one scene in this episode is even better. In fact, it's my favorite scene in the show so far. It is a simpler moment. It is Joan walking up to Jane. I don't even like the dialogue that follows that much. But the walking is incredible. Something about the camera- work, the facial expressions on both principal characters, and, and this is important, the thrilling music that plays makes this scene possibly the best so far.

This is great television.

My Community College Actor Teacher is in this

[TheFearmakers · 9/10 · 22 October 2019]

He plays the coffee company owner they play the jingle for. Tom Ormeny. Anyhow, having gotten over what the horrible Duck did do his dog in the last episode, this one is pretty good, more lightweight. Kinda wish more of these episodes had more to do with the ads being sold. Either way it's an entertaining non-filler.

What makes this a great episode is the dinner between the closeted Sal and Ken, the tall handsome writer (who doesn't look like a writer, but oh well). Also the showdown with the comic Jimmy and the Drapers. Good stuff.

(And hey, the co-founder of Grey Matter works as a car salesman... Love seeing an actor from the two best cable movies ever, Mad Men and Breaking Bad!!!)

(And OH MY GOD, as far as litterbugs go, The Drapers are a SWARM!!!)

Coupe De Ville

[jotix100 · 9/10 · 7 February 2010]

Don Draper goes to a Cadillac dealer to inspect a new Coupe De Ville. He has been referred by Roger Sterling. The salesman is impressed, figuring this man can afford the car. As Don takes a look and goes around the vehicle, he goes back in time to another place where he was the eager young salesman. The family he is selling the car decides not to buy it. A strange woman, that has been standing quietly behind the group. Don asks her if he could help. Her reply: "You are not Don Draper", which leaves him stunned. Don walks out of the dealership without making a purchase.

Ken Cosgrove's ambition is to be a writer. During a chat, Sal reveals he has read a story by him. Naturally, Ken is impressed. He offers to have Sal take a look at his latest story. Sal gratefully invites Ken for a Sunday lunch at his suburban home. The lunch goes well, except for Kitty, who feels lost and out of place because her husband has diverted all his attention to Ken. After Ken leaves, Sal discovers his lighter and pockets it.

One thing that causes excitement is the Martison's coffee presentation by the Smith team. The executives like the calypso-like jingle with its catchy message and melody. Peggy likes what she heard. Duck Phillips comes to congratulate Don for having landed the Martinson's account. At this point, Jane, comes in the office to inform Don that Roger is waiting for him to celebrate. Duck, it appears, hasn't been included. Duck, who has been bringing the dog to the agency, takes it downstairs and frees him from the collar as he closes the door and walks back to the office.

The speculation of a new painting by Bert Cooper causes quite a stir in the office. Everyone wants to take a look at it, but since it's located inside the boss' office, no one can actually see it, unless being asked to the inner sanctum. Jane decides to take the group to inspect the Mark Rothko abstract picture. They don't know what to make out of the intriguing red painting.

Joan, who knows about the unauthorized visit to Mr. Cooper's office, comes by to talk to Jane. They two have words about the incident, but Jane proves to be a good fighter. As a result, Joan fires Jane. She wants to have her out of the office right away. Jane who is holding her belongings as she leaves, pays a visit to Roger's office. Roger, a womanizer, if there was one, sees the possibilities with Jane. He promises he will talk with Joan and to return to her desk on Monday, as though nothing had ever happened. Monday morning comes, and a defiant Joan stops by to see why Jane has come back against her orders. Jane mentions the magical name: Roger Sterling and it's clear to Joan that her former lover will take Jane under his wing.

Jimmy Barrett has made a point to invite Betty to the big party in his honor to introduce him and the series. At the party, Jimmy takes her away and he accuses Don to be having an affair with Bobbie. Sally is shocked, but as she looks across the way at a group where her man and his wife are seen talking animately, she realizes the two are involved. As Don goes to tell Jimmy they are leaving, the comedian becomes quite verbal in his accusations against Don. On the way home Betty and Don ride in complete silence until Betty throws up all over the new Coupe De Ville.

Andrew Bernstein is the director of this chapter of "Mad Men". The writing is by Maria and Andrew Jacquemetton and Jane Anderson. This episode brings up the issue of office sex politics as Jane doesn't have a problem going to Roger to secure her job. Also, the past keeps returning to Don's mind, plus his extra marital activities are finally catching up with him. Good performances by the cast. Also there's a hint of homosexuality in Sal's behavior, which will probably surface later on.

Incredible

[lambsauce · 10/10 · 6 February 2021]

I don't know why I felt the need to come and write a review for a specific episode of Mad Men, but damn, this episode hits all the marks. I won't spoil anything but every segment of this episode has great performances, drama and writing. So many interesting themes packed into one episode it's insane.

Secrets

[vivianla · 9 June 2020]

Joan fires Jane after she talks rudely back to Joan. I suspect Joan is jealous of the attention Jane is getting from the men who always lurks around her.

The Drapers go out for a picnic. Bobby needs to use the washroom and Don tells him to go behind a tree, no one is looking. Sally suggests she should go too, later, and Betty says "hm, I don't know, it's different for boys". Bobby comes back.

Sally asks her parents if they are rich and the parents look at each other. Betty replies with, "It's not polite to talk about money".

They head to the car to leave. Betty simply pulls up the red and white checkered blanket and lets all the garbage fall to the grass. They leave the garbage there.

Salvatore invites a co-worker to dinner at his Italian home. Kitty, his wife, is upset because he did not include her in their conversation. She says, "Many people find me interesting, you know.".

Jimmy Barrett calls and invites the Drapers to a party. He suggests to Betty the idea that their partners are cheating on them. Betty leaves, uncomfortable. Jimmy thanks Don and confronts him of him cheating with his wife. Jimmy tells him to go to a prostitute and "you don't screw another man's wife".

Red, the blood of angry men

[Horst_In_Translation · 8/10 · 18 April 2024]

"The Gold Violin" is the seventh episode from the second season of "Mad Men", so pretty much from the middle of the season, and many think it is one of the best from the season. As you see from my rating, I would have a hard time to disagree with them. But first things first: The episode runs the usual 48 minutes and it was the third of four episodes directed by Andrew Bernstein. The writers here are familiar names too and have worked on quite a lot from this show. This also includes writer Matthew Weiner. Like with every Mad Men episode, there are moments when you will laugh or at least smile, but the more dramatic moments are the bigger factor here. There are regulars from the show that do not play a vital role in this episode at all. Peggy is not a factor and neither is Pete. Sterlin has some screen time, but not a lot either. Cooper is once again included, which is always nice. May Robert Morse rest in peace. I have been wondering for quite some time why the episode is called like that and eventually you understand or at least find out that it is the name of Ken Cosgrove's book. He got included a little more here and so did Bryan Batt's Salvatore Romano. I am still not sure what to make of this part though. There was at least one earlier episode when we found out that Sal may be in the closet and the way how he shut out his wife in this episode here when a colleague came to dinner may add more fuel to the fire. It is really only speculation though. I am not sure at all what to make of these scenes.

What was much easier to understand where the scenes involving Jane. She pretty much convinces the guys from the office to walk into Bertram Cooper's office while he was away to take a look at a certain painting. This has serious consequences for her as she is fired by Joan not much later. However, she goes to see Sterling then and apparently he will work something out that she can stay. Next Monday she shows up again at the office and Sterling has not talked yet to Joan, so we will see how this is gonna unfold in the next episodes. I mean I would not say "Mad Men" is a show where the situation is exactly the same between the beginning and end of an episode, but such an obvious difference is surely a bit of a rarity. I am surely convinced how the entire Joan/Jane situation is going to continue. By the way, the fact that people need to get out of their shoes before entering Cooper's office has also become a nice tradition, almost the way kids get out of their shoes before entering their father's working office. Add to that the words by Cosgrove it was I think on one occasion before they get in that were also really funny. Also showed how much respect everybody had for Cooper. Of course, the scene later on with the painting was also entertaining thanks to Morse mostly. The other guy trying to take the easy way out by asking Cooper what he thinks of the painting did not work out, but he fared the best when he honestly admitted he does not know a thing about paintings and eventually also gets Cooper's honest statement that the painting is just an investment.

The funniest moment from this episode or rather funniest and most entertaining scene for me was maybe the opening when we see Don and how he is about to buy a new car. The Dodge comment was quite something. Getting somewhere versus having arrived. I also really liked the actor who played the car salesman. Need to check if I find more stuff from him. The car is included on several occasions during this episode. The ending then is of course a bitter one and while I surely don't feel bad for Don that the car got puke all over it, I am a bit undecided if I should feel sorry for Betty. I mean it may sound harsh what Barrett was telling her, but he was right all along and maybe the fact that Betty needs to throw up in the car shows that she is finally away from the idea that Don is 100% faithful to her. Of course, Patrick Fischler was also a true scene-stealer there and should have been nominated for an Emmy in the guest acting category. He could not have gone out on a higher note really. Other than that, this episode is mostly worth remembering for understanding that you do not want Joan as an enemy in the office. In the previous episode I think, there was a statement from her towards Peggy that also showed that female employees who do not follow exactly what she tells them, may sometimes have a hard time, even if Jane is of course the complete opposite of Peggy. When she realizes that playing the victim is not gonna cut it, she even dares to speak aggressively towards Joan. The comment that she does not need somebody to act towards her like a mother because she is 20 years old was pretty hilarious.

So red is a defining factor in this episode, not only because Joan's hair and temper, but also because of the painting and the only thing definite about it being that everybody perceives art as something different. There you can make a reference again to the early parts from my review about Sal and Ken and the former maybe appreciating the artistic side of the latter and what he has to say about the painting. As I come to the end of the review, let me make another reference to the beginning where I explained why this episode does not end the way it started with the Joan/Jane situation as there was another inclusion that got me truly curious and I wonder if they will pick up on it again. "Mad Men" is known for flashbacks telling us about the past of Don Draper (or "Don Draper") and we have a short one here as well. It is closely connected to the car selling scene, only that Don worked a similar job as well in the past and we understand that after giving his best to sell a car to a man (or rather his son), there is a blonde woman who showed up at Don's workplace back in the day and tells him that he is not Don Draper. We do not find out if she knows who he is and if so, why she knows. If she maybe knew the actual Don Draper or what her background may be. I expected this to be solved at the end, but it did not. Will it be in the future? I guess so. But you need to keep watching to find out and to be honest, this should not be difficult because I am so hooked (again) now with this show and surely I am not the only one. Small-screen filmmaking at its finest. Truly high quality in this episode. Do not miss out!