The Rejected (15 Aug. 2010)

Peter finds out that he will become a father, and has to break some bad business news to his father-in-law. Meanwhile an office focus group study for a client has some unintended personal consequences for Don.

Director:

John Slattery

Writers:

Matthew Weiner (creator), Keith Huff,

Stars:

Jon Hamm, Elisabeth Moss, Vincent Kartheiser

Cast

Episode cast overview, first billed only:
Jon Hamm	...	Don Draper
Elisabeth Moss	...	Peggy Olson
Vincent Kartheiser	...	Pete Campbell
January Jones	...	Betty Francis (credit only)
Christina Hendricks	...	Joan Harris
Jared Harris	...	Lane Pryce
Aaron Staton	...	Ken Cosgrove
Rich Sommer	...	Harry Crane
Kiernan Shipka	...	Sally Draper (credit only)
Robert Morse	...	Bertram Cooper
John Slattery	...	Roger Sterling
Alison Brie	...	Trudy Campbell
Joel Murray	...	Fred Rumsen
Alexa Alemanni	...	Allison
Joe O'Connor	...	Tom Vogel

Storyline

With the firm now handling the Ponds cold cream account, Pete is given the news that they have to let go of Clearasil - an account only half the size - despite Pete's connection to the account through his father-in-law, Tom. Pete is directed to tell Tom the news by the start of the next working day. However, Pete's news to Tom is overshadowed by news Tom has for Pete, which makes Pete forget about his task, at least for the time being. Once the news of what Tom told Pete makes the rounds at the office, everyone seems happy for Pete, with perhaps the exception of Peggy, who finds the news somewhat bittersweet. With Ponds, Fay - oops, Faye - holds a focus group with the younger secretaries of the firm. Don, Freddy and Peggy, viewing the focus group behind a two-way mirror, find the focus group illuminating, but for Don having to do with an issue not associated with the product. This revelation during the focus group leads to a frank discussion between Allison and Don. Meanwhile, Pete ...

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Genres:

Drama

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Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

15 August 2010 (USA)

Company Credits

Production Co:

American Movie Classics (AMC), Lionsgate Television

Technical Specs

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

16:9 HD

Did You Know?

Trivia

Action takes place around February 21, 1965, the day Malcolm X was assassinated (Peggy mentions that "Malcolm X was shot last Sunday").

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Goofs

When Pete goes home to see Trudy after learning of her pregnancy, Pete's lips do not move and the voice is obviously not his when he calls her name.

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Quotes

Elderly Man, Apartment Neighbor: Did you get pears?
Elderly Woman, Apartment Neighbor: We'll discuss it inside.

User Reviews

The baby

Freddie Rumsen who brought the Pond's account to the new agency does not like Pete Campbell, the man responsible for having him fired a few years ago. Freddie thinks Clearisil, that Pete Campbell was instrumental in getting to the agency through Tom, his father-in-law, is in many ways a rival and the agency stands to get more revenue from Pond's. Therefore, it is decided to drop Clearisil, presenting a problem for Pete because it belongs to Pete's father-in-law's. At the same time, the old man owns Vick's a much larger account.

Expecting a show down with his father-in-law, Pete decides to meet the old man for drinks at a cocktail lounge. Not knowing how to approach the situation, Tom believes the meeting is because Pete has decided to announce Trudy's pregnancy. Instead, Tom blurts the news that takes Pete by surprise. Afte all, they had tried so hard to become parents and now it is a reality.

The agency has hired a consultant to try the beauty products on the female staff. Joan takes the women into the room where the executives can see through a two way mirror how the ladies react to the applications they are asked to test. Unfortunately, the session turns into a series of complaints as some secretaries bring out the way they are treated by their men. Allison, Don's assistant, cannot take much of what it is being discussed, leaving the room in tears.

Allison had made the mistake of going to bed with a drunk Don, which has made working for him a living nightmare. Later on, Allison comes into Don's office to inform him she is in a difficult position because of the way she feels about him. Working for him has become too much, so she has decided to leave her job. Don is quite surprised by this outburst, but he figures it is better to let her go. He tells her to type a letter of recommendation which he will sign.

Peggy Olson met a young woman, Joyce, in the elevator. Joyce shows up one day to ask Peggy to go to lunch with her. They fall into an easy friendship. Peggy hears he news about Trudy Campbell expecting, when she is asked to sign a card the agency's workers are sending. Having had her own bad experience, she refuses to sign, but she stops by the office to congratulate Pete.

Joyce invites Peggy to go to a party downtown at some friend's place. Peggy is not prepared for what the party will be like. The mostly beatnik crowd are smoking pot. Joyce offers some to Peggy, who accepts the offer. Joyce has brought Peggy to seduce her, which does not get too far because the police sirens are heard as they raid the place. Joyce and Peggy escape.

The episode was written by Keith Huff and the series' creator, Matthew Weiner. This episode was directed by John Slattery, who plays Roger Sterling. This chapter covers a lot of territory, touching on the themes that have been going on in the series. It is ironic that Pete, having made Peggy pregnant, could not have his own child with his wife. Finally, it is going to become a reality. All the regulars show why "Mad Men" is one of the best series in television.