Sterling Cooper Draper… Harris? Was suicide the only way out for Mad Men’s consistent recipient of the Least Valuable Player Award? In “Commissions and Fees,” Lane’s tragic end is inevitable as soon as his sleight of hand with the books is found out by Bert Cooper; the canceled check for the money he stole from […]
Everyone Has Their Price: Mad Men Season 5 Episode 11 “The Other Woman”
Finally, something beautiful you can truly own? Think again! That may be the slogan that nails the Jaguar account for Sterling Cooper Draper Pryce, and on the surface, it may seem that these arrogant ad men hold ownership over the women, but not so fast! When it comes to the gorgeous gals in Don Draper’s […]
Mad Men Season 5 Episode 10 Christmas Waltz
Christmas Waltz? Some fancy footwork, maybe. But who’s doing the dancing? No tender two-step for Megan and Don. She seems peeved, and Don is… Well, what and where exactly is Don these days? He’s not in sync with his winsome wife – or himself. He’s out of sorts, uninspired, and feeling attacked. Counter culture is […]
Return to the Dark Side: Mad Men Season 5 Episode 9 (Dark Shadows)
Barnabas Collins? He doesn’t make an appearance, but “Dark Shadows” is an apt title for Episode 9 of Mad Men as our favorite characters do battle with their own demons – and lose. I’ll give the Ray of Light Award to Megan, for her maturing mastery of managing between a rock and a hard place, […]
Mad Men Season 5 Episode 8: Lady Lazarus (Megan Rising?)
If Megan is Lady Lazarus in Mad Men’s Episode 8, does she rise from the brink of metaphorical death of her dream to be an actress? If Don is the eternal Phoenix rising from the ashes, is Lazarus also a reference to his literal brush with death as the SCDP elevator doors open, and he […]
Mad Men Season 5 Episode 7 (At the Codfish Ball)
Mother Mary Comes to Me? Okay then. Maman Marie is a cool cucumber and a hot number – en même temps! Episode 7 of Mad Men offers an inside look at Megan’s mother and father, their strained relationship, and Don’s father-daughter bond with Sally as she’s growing up bit by bit. Even Peggy’s in on […]
Why I Love Jessica Paré
You might think it’s because she speaks French. (Et moi, aussi.) You might think it’s because she’s a brunette. (Me, too.) You might think it’s because Ms. Paré charmed us with her saucy rendition of Zou Bisou Bisou a few weeks back on the small screen. You might think I love Jessica Paré because her […]
Roger’s in the Sky With Diamonds! Mad Men Season 5 Episode 6: Far Away Places
Tune in, turn on, but don’t drop out? If there was ever any question that Mad Men would bite off a piece of the Psychedelic Sixties, there’s no doubt about it now. Pass the acid tabs at an upscale dinner – hosted by none other than Timothy Leary. And who’s in attendance? At the instigation […]
Fixer-Upper
Do you date a man expecting to change him? The Fixer-Upper.
Friends With Money
I happened across a quirky little film recently, Friends With Money, starring Jennifer Aniston and a talented ensemble cast. It’s the story of four friends, three of whom have money, and one who doesn’t. Aniston plays Olivia, a former teacher, a few years younger than her more established pals in their 40s. She’s a maid […]