It ends up being the runner-up; "Meditations in an Emergency" beats it.
I liked Freddy. I think everyone liked Freddy. He was endearing. Everyone at the agency seemed to be so cynical and caustic, but Freddy was light-hearted and friendly. And that's why it was so important that he leave Sterling Cooper. And what strikes me the most is the grace with which he departs.
To be honest, at this point in the show, I'm not sure what the overlying story is. Most television shows definitely have one. For "Breaking Bad" it was turning a good guy into a bad guy. For "Friends," it was about the quest for a soulmate. What is it in "Mad Men?" Is it the search for peace? Making everything okay? Is it really about Don, or is it about Peggy, and her potential rise to the top?
The episode I'm reviewing is premised by the death of Marilyn Monroe. The show has a wonderful way of working history events into it. You never hear about Obama's election in "Breaking Bad," even though it happened during the course of the show. But in "Mad Men," you're occasionally reminded of the world outside Sterling Cooper. Marilyn's death is striking to the viewer because we knew it was going to happen, but we never expected it to actually happen in Mad Men.
There are three major events in this episode: Marilyn's death, Freddy's departure, and Don and Betty's official separation. It's the episode in the season, and every season of every good drama has this, where multiple characters hit rock bottom.
It's excellent television. Even by the superb standards set by "Mad Men."
I liked Freddy. I think everyone liked Freddy. He was endearing. Everyone at the agency seemed to be so cynical and caustic, but Freddy was light-hearted and friendly. And that's why it was so important that he leave Sterling Cooper. And what strikes me the most is the grace with which he departs.
To be honest, at this point in the show, I'm not sure what the overlying story is. Most television shows definitely have one. For "Breaking Bad" it was turning a good guy into a bad guy. For "Friends," it was about the quest for a soulmate. What is it in "Mad Men?" Is it the search for peace? Making everything okay? Is it really about Don, or is it about Peggy, and her potential rise to the top?
The episode I'm reviewing is premised by the death of Marilyn Monroe. The show has a wonderful way of working history events into it. You never hear about Obama's election in "Breaking Bad," even though it happened during the course of the show. But in "Mad Men," you're occasionally reminded of the world outside Sterling Cooper. Marilyn's death is striking to the viewer because we knew it was going to happen, but we never expected it to actually happen in Mad Men.
There are three major events in this episode: Marilyn's death, Freddy's departure, and Don and Betty's official separation. It's the episode in the season, and every season of every good drama has this, where multiple characters hit rock bottom.
It's excellent television. Even by the superb standards set by "Mad Men."