Someone pointed out on the AMC mothership forum that the subplots this season have been grouped thematically each episode.  In #6 Waldorf Stories I think the theme was changing heirarchies - specifically Pete vs. Ken Cosgrove and Peggy vs. Rizzo the new Art Douchebag.


At first I thought Pete was being a total ass to Ken but on repeat viewings, I realized he was actually the bigger man out of the two once he got over his intial tantrum as Lane so aptly described it.   Ken sat down at the conference room table and leaned way back with his legs crossed, seemingly friendly and relaxed, but really he was posturing, projecting himself as Pete's superior.  Pete calmly but firmly put him in his place - and he was correct to do so.  I thought it was a moment of nice emotional maturity from Pete and you could see both of their body language instantly change when their relationship was defined.


When Peggy said "I only changed one small thing" at the end of the episode, she wasn't just talking about Rizzo's penis as I originally thought - she was talking about their relationship.  Rizzo had ignored and belittled her from before the episode even started, and she had beaten him at his own game.  If you notice, that final scene is the first time we see him doing any actual work, and his shoulders are even stooped as he sat at the table.


I think Don vs. Roger even ties into this theme.  Roger tries to take credit for his genius in hiring Don, when we see clearly that he had hired him only because Don got him drunk.  Then we see Don actually do two pieces of real work - he facilitated the resolution of the Peggy vs. Rizzo conflict in two ways - first by suggesting that she find a way to work with him, not the other way around, and when that failed, by drunkenly arranging for them to be locked in a hotel room.  I doubt he had any idea what would go on in that room but he instinctively knew that Peggy would resolve the problem somehow.  Secondly, he was sober and clear-headed when he hired Danny... we don't know how that will work out but I think he liked Danny's ambition.  I suspect that Danny will continue to find ways to make himself useful down the road.

I really feel for your analysis of the Ken-Pete relationship. I thought it was a very interesting sitdown they had in this episode, and Pete handeled it quite mature indeed.

Funny you say that 'he instinctively knew that Peggy would resolve the problem somehow'. I think Don really is the kind of person who thrives on a very good gut feeling in his professional life. I just remember the conversation he had with Conrad Hilton when the latter was calling him in the middle of the night. Hilton asked him something like: 'Why do people the things they do?' and Don answered within a second: 'Instinct'. I would not be surprised if Danny will be quite a good contribution to the company either!

Rusty – Great observations.

A tip for any boardroom confrontation, and Pete did it, always secure the seat at the head of the conference table.   It seems obvious, but it establishes you as the person who is in control.  Even when you meet with your boss try and sit an innocently as possible at the head of the table before everyone sits down.  If they are hyper sensitive it will back fire, if not it gives you a subtle edge.   It gave Pete a big one.

I don’t think Don got passed Danny’s dopiness to be impressed with his ambition.

Right. The only reason Don hired "his little friend" was so he wouldn't have to admit he inadvertently plagiarized his idea to the Quaker Oats guys. Jane's cousin is a schlub.

from MY point of view, peter acted like the smug, privledged, obnoxious, snot nose lil' shit that he will always be.

he was insufferably snide and arrogant, as he will always be.

i do enjoy when don and sterling slap him down to earth!

ken did well to swallow peter's shit and not bitch slap him.

The subplots make me realize how much less interested I am in any that don't involve DD.

yeh, becky...DD is DA MANNNNNNN on this series!!

rnch,  Don has been defending Pete against Roger, because he represents the future and is open to change.  I agree with the others that Pete acted appropriately with Ken.  Pete is a partner, and Ken will not be.  Pete had to establish that boundary at the out set.  Clearly, he and Ken's relationship is not the same as it was at SC, even though Ken stated when he sat down that it was.

Don's a great character but, man, I'm really bored with all the DD talk. 

"do you think he's drinking too much?"  "Gee, he might be"

"OMG, that waitress called him 'Dick'!"

over and over and over.

There's nothing left to ponder when it comes to Don lately.  We just have to wait and see.

Don's a great character but, man, I'm really bored with all the DD talk.



Poor Rusty! I think your analysis of the subplots is great, and i really enjoy a lot of other things in the show but i think you can't deny MM is a kind of a DD-show. I think DD is one of the most intriging characters on television at the moment and there's plenty of room for further speculation. Maybe we can open a DD topic so you can avoid opening that one

No need.   90% of the AMC board is devoted to him and his continuing downward spiral every Monday.

Pete is a partner now and Ken isn't. In the conversation Ken said nothing had changed in the balance of powers between the two of them. Pete had to react and can't do that in a way Don can because he's Pete. And beside a privileged background (which has kept him in the firm but doesn't do a lot for him in his relationships with his co-workers) Pete does not have a lot going for him: He's not funny, not charismatic, not extremely talented. I can't help feeling a bit sorry for him.

Rusty - I would love to hear your thoughts about tonight's episode, The Suitcase.

Thanks...

DD's growing alcoholism must be going somewhere.  I was curious why time was spent on the "mouse" bit.  AT first I wondered if DD was having dt's, seeing mice, vermin, etc.  I wonder if that is being suggested.

The mouse was a scurrying creature who didn't belong in the office... perhaps a symbol of Duck? 

It may have also just been a plot device to break the stalemate between Don and Peggy, get Don literally onto the floor, and to cause him to admit to Peggy that he grew up on a farm.  Often an unusual event can bring people together, I think the mouse helped Don and Peggy begin their bonding.

Back on the topic of subplots, I doubt I'll be the first one to notice there were two fights in the episode - both ended quickly and decisively, and with somewhat unexpected results.  Duck fought in WW2, making him considerably older than Don.

Don reminded me last night of a functioning alcoholic I used to work with. He would get absolutely sh**faced almost every night. I mean crawling on the floor drunk. And the next morning, he would come to work as bright-eyed and chipper as can be.
I wonder if Don is close to rock bottom? That will probably come when he loses a big account. Could he get liquored up and expose Lee Garner in front of everyone?

I think it was interesting that DD saw the mouse once, and then (later) invited Peggy into the office.  He then says he wants to catch the mouse in the suitcase and drop the suitcase out the window--slamming Peggy's ideas in the process. I don't remember the actual elephant commercial--did it get scarred by a mouse and then trample on luggage that did not break?

Anyway, back to body language verses words. Peggy is up on the chair, and Don is down on his hands and knees.  That pretty much sums up why Don is so hard on Peggy.