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Discussion: Season 3 Finale Discussion!
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amy_c |
Season 3 Finale Discussion!
Nov 8 2009, 9:42 PM EST
Tonight's the night and I'm sad to say goodbye to season three already! Let's discuss after the show. :)Do you find this valuable?
Keyword tags:
mad men
season finale
season three
shut the door
sit down
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ITG |
1. RE: Season 3 Finale Discussion!
Nov 8 2009, 11:40 PM EST
Watched the finale, and watching the encore now. Phenomenal episode. The tension between characters is electrifying, the digs and reconciliation between the characters- there are going to be a whole lot of different dynamics next season. You know a show is good when you're on the edge of your seat in excitement in anticipation of how the main characters' new business is going to work out. And definitely a good call bringing Joan on board. From a meta perspective, she brought a lot of character to Sterling Cooper and both facilitated and elicited many of the interactions that gave the show its atmosphere. From an internal perspective, she not only knew how to run things, but I think when she was Harry's assistant, we saw she had a flair for account management and relations that can serve the fledgling company well, and given their preference for Peggy, I think we could see a promotion for her in the near future, as while they still have the characteristic 60's sexism, all the people on board recognize real talent and skill when they see it. Re: Betty, the whole divorce dynamic was easily foreseeable, but still no less exciting. I think it fits perfectly in with her character, because while she's seen a lt of growth, she DOES have a rather childish, undeveloped and one sided view of the world. The situation with Henry seems to me like she views him as a knight in shining order, coming to rescue here when her life becomes too complicated for her to deal with. Let's face it- we've seen they've had limited interaction, and she really doesn't know anything about him, and neither do we. He's a total x factor for next season. I think though we're going to see more growth in Betty, and she'll realize how poorly thought out her choices were. Apparently, the rest will be in a following post... and I can't believe I already hit nearly 2000 characters. Do you find this valuable? |
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amy_c |
2. RE: Season 3 Finale Discussion!
Nov 8 2009, 11:53 PM EST
I agree, it was a fantastic episode and I was happy to see Don feeling a bit better by the end. This is what he loves to do -- sell and wiggle out of hard spots. This new business, while stressful, will actually keep him sane during the divorce. I was a bit surprised to see Betty to go through with it, but so glad she did. As for Henry, he certainly seems sincere about taking care of her, but does he realize what he has cut out for himself? The glamorous Betty Draper certainly has her mood swings and comes with three kids in tow. Ack! This was such a brilliant way to bring back Joan and possibly even Sal next season! But what about poor Kinsey? Not the irreplaceable genius he thought he was, huh? I do hope we see him again. So many changes going on. I wish we could warp into the future and watch season four already! Oh, and my favorite part? Peggy telling Roger, "No" when he asked her to fetch him some coffee. Ha! 1 out of 1 found this valuable. Do you? |
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ITG |
3. RE: Season 3 Finale Discussion!
Nov 9 2009, 12:01 AM EST
(And that's mostly because I was thinking "words" not "characters")Anyway, I personally think that both Betty and Henry will realize that they're not right for each other, and I think we'll see this overflow to the children.I don't think that Betty will end up back with Don, but I don't think she'll end up with Henry in the end either. Combined with the new SCDP company, they've given us a whole new show for next season. Plus, we're going to see a whole different perspective on Don's relationships with women. They don't necessarily have to be secret affairs anymore. Is he going to go back to an earlier affair? I think we're going to see Don get a lot more devastating and successful next season. As a quick side not on Peggy, one has to wonder how Duck will react to learning she DID leave Sterling Cooper- to go with Sterling, Cooper, Draper and Price, and not with him. Especially in light of Peggy's line "If I say no, you'll never talk to me again" to Don, it makes me think Peggy and Duck together is definitely not long for this world. Anyway, look at me ramble. I hope everyone enjoyed this episode as much as me, and since I'm new, I'm sure most of this stuff wasn't anything new to anybody. I was just so excited about the episode, I had to talk somewhere about it. But they're torturing me with the short seasons and long breaks between them. But if that's what it takes to produce a show of this caliber, then I'll take it with a smile on my face. Do you find this valuable? |
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ITG |
4. RE: Season 3 Finale Discussion!
Nov 9 2009, 12:17 AM EST
I don't know if we'll see Sal back any time soon, at least not officially. Their biggest account they were able to take with them was Lucky Strike after all. I do hope that Sal comes back though- he was an interesting character in his own right, and his being closeted was not only a good story device, but also a poignant reflection on the way of life in the world they live in. I think sometime next season we might see Sal come back as an art consultant, especially since I feel that he and Don had a lot of creative chemistry.Not only will it keep him sane, but I think we're going to see new heights from him next season. During this season, I feel Don's work was suffering a bit from everything else going on in his life. Everything that Hilton said at the beginning of the episode reminded Don of where he's from and why he got away, and what he wants to be. SCDP is going to have some tough times, but they're going to be a monster by the end of next season. And I liked that line too. Although we still saw it at the end of the episode when Trudy remarked to Peggy that it was "all so exciting," I think more than anything else Peggy's greatest weakness was how she still has a bit of the conception that she's out of place with what she's doing, that it's not what women are supposed to do. I think this is more due to her seemingly very traditional upbringing and family, and I think that her line to Roger showed that she's finally realized that she can be someone in the business. First Duck wanted her work, but I think she saw that more as Duck wanting to get back in some way at Sterling Cooper and even that he thought she would be an easy mark. Now that the Head Honchos at Sterling Cooper chose her as the only real creative to take with them, she knows that she can actually be a player and not a pawn. Do you find this valuable? |
lori-in-irvine |
5. RE: Season 3 Finale Discussion!
Nov 9 2009, 2:37 AM EST
So sad this season is over, this series has provided me with such absorbing high quality entertainment, kudos to MW and the entire production staff for creating this gem of a show.I predicted that Betty would leave Don, I thought a legal separation instead of a full blown divorce but it looks like she means business. Henry is infatuated with her but the reality of raising 3 kids, plus Betty's shallowness and ice-princess airs of entitlement may weigh heavy next season. Also, I think that Henry's daughter will resent Betty greatly. Love the fact that SC has come full circle now reinventing itself as SCDP, with all the original key players, I'm so glad Pete will have a significant role I just love his character and it's great to have Joan back! Do you find this valuable? |
Green-Arrow |
6. RE: Season 3 Finale Discussion!
Nov 9 2009, 12:35 PM EST
Wow, what a great finale.The moment that the conspirators are at SC late at night trying to figure out what to steal, and realizing they don't know where anything is, you KNEW they were going to have to call in Joan. A brilliantly crafted method of bringing her back into the fold. I love that Peggy was the hardest one to land, and rightly so. Don had to lay it out on the table for her, tell her all the things she should have heard from him long ago. And huge points to Trudy for her contribution -- calling out from the kitchen to keep Pete's mind on track, beaming with pride at Pete for his courage (a rare trait for him), and even showing up with sandwiches and cake. Of the eight characters who joined the new firm, Pete is by far the most unlikely to take that kind of risk, and I think we have Trudy to thank for his coming around. (No small thing that Don and Roger chose him over Ken.) I actually find it something of a relief that Betty's on her way to Reno. Their marriage was a mess, and I think Betty's trading in one disaster for another, but maybe Henry will be the storybook husband she thinks she needs. (Not very likely, is it?) And then there's Lane... the hero of the day. I'm loving this guy, and his phone conversation with St. John ("You're fired!" "Very good. Happy Christmas!") was fantastic. Do you find this valuable? |
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mn_me |
7. RE: Season 3 Finale Discussion!
Nov 9 2009, 2:31 PM EST
Wow, great finale. The whole thing was just sizzling - truly the best episode of the season. It's frankly a relief to see Don and Betty divorcing - they make each other miserable, though the scene with the kids was painful. Interesting discussion with Betty's divorce lawyer - "New York doesn't like people to divorce". Yes there was a time when it was difficult to obtain a divorce and was not a common-place event. Even though Betty is turning to Henry, I get the sense that he won't make her happy either... Betty is so out of touch with herself - how can anyone else "make" her happy? Loved the Don-Peggy interactions. Peggy gave Don a nice little smack in the nose. I think that intrigued him. who knows, maybe Don & Peggy will hook up? And i loved it when Roger asked Peggy to get him a cup of coffee and she told him No, politely, firmly, but No. Didn't quite expect Lane to be part of the revolution, but that makes it all the more interesting for next season, now doesn't it? And while I sort of love to hate Pete, I'm glad he's "in" - now we need Sal back... Who didn't just love it when Joanie walked in and helped the "helpless" men get their ducks in a row while pillaging SC? Who else could find them movers on a Sunday night with no advance notice? What are we going to do till next August? Do you find this valuable? |
redhotkarma |
8. RE: Season 3 Finale Discussion!
Nov 9 2009, 2:55 PM EST
This finale was INCREDIBLE! I just loved the setup; kudos to the writers for their brilliance!Don has completely decomposed this season. Next season should be a rebirth for him with the end of his marriage and the beginning of Sterling, Cooper, Draper and Pryce. BTW, Jon Hamm deserves an Emmy. Period. The scene between Don and Betty was intense. The fact that he called her a ***** was terrifying. Those poor kids though! If Betty's going to be in Reno, why can't Don watch the kids? I love that Pete and Peggy are sharing a desk. I also love that Joan is back. I wonder what sort of relationships we'll see spark up or suffer next season. What about Kinsey & Cosgrove? Maybe they'll get canned and seek work from SCDP. I predict Sal will definitely be back. And so folks, we wait another 9 months for our questions to be answered! Do you find this valuable? |
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paloma876 |
9. RE: Season 3 Finale Discussion!
Nov 9 2009, 10:47 PM EST
amazing amazing fianle -------how could betty not realize that agreeeing to be financially dependant on yet another man leaves her and her children in the same spot !and when will all the guys@SCDP realize how valuable joanie really is and what about don finally realizing he never really saw himself working at a place like SC-----anybody have any ideas on what meant Do you find this valuable? |
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mn_me |
10. RE: Season 3 Finale Discussion!
Nov 9 2009, 11:23 PM EST
"and what about don finally realizing he never really saw himself working at a place like SC-----anybody have any ideas on what meant "I'm guessing Don doesn't think he deserves as much success as SC represents - he's still carrying around all that "stuff" from having been the offspring of a prostitute, and having been raised by an abusive, alcoholic father (or step-father). Thus all the flashblacks to those days - and the drive to make something better of himself. jmho. Do you find this valuable? |
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redhotkarma |
11. RE: Season 3 Finale Discussion!
Nov 10 2009, 12:36 AM EST
"and what about don finally realizing he never really saw himself working at a place like SC-----anybody have any ideas on what meant "I think he meant that he doesn't see himself working for the company that Sterling Cooper has turned into. As they are leaving, SC is not what it used to be. It's their time to start over again and be apart of something they acually believe in. Do you find this valuable? |
AudriusVilnius |
12. RE: Season 3 Finale Discussion!
Nov 10 2009, 7:29 AM EST
| Post edited: Nov 10 2009, 7:30 AM EST
Well, what a deja vu. I've been in the situation almost exactly like this -- I guess, in Peggy's shoes. And then I've left that company with other colleagues in Don's. Here's to moving on, and come what may! Do you find this valuable? |
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AudriusVilnius |
13. RE: Season 3 Finale Discussion!
Nov 10 2009, 7:31 AM EST
p.s. they're still short of an art director :) Do you find this valuable? |
BevAnneS |
14. RE: Season 3 Finale Discussion!
Nov 10 2009, 3:36 PM EST
"Which is exactly why Sal will be back. Do you find this valuable? |
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Green-Arrow |
15. RE: Season 3 Finale Discussion!
Nov 10 2009, 5:04 PM EST
"Which is exactly why Sal will be back."Unfortunately 2/3 of their new business is the mammoth Lucky Strike account that Roger brought with him... and that's the client that got Sal into trouble in the first place. So you have to wonder if they'd risk losing their #1 account by bringing Sal back in. Do you find this valuable? |
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setharmstrong |
16. RE: Season 3 Finale Discussion!
Nov 10 2009, 7:26 PM EST
"The moment that the conspirators are at SC late at night trying to figure out what to steal, and realizing they don't know where anything is, you KNEW they were going to have to call in Joan. A brilliantly crafted method of bringing her back into the fold."I thought so too. I wondered how they were going to do it. Do you find this valuable? |
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setharmstrong |
17. RE: Season 3 Finale Discussion!
Nov 10 2009, 7:29 PM EST
"Unfortunately 2/3 of their new business is the mammoth Lucky Strike account that Roger brought with him... and that's the client that got Sal into trouble in the first place. So you have to wonder if they'd risk losing their #1 account by bringing Sal back in."They would have to keep him out of sight, and keep his name off everything. I wonder, is Sal so good at what he does, or could they easily go with someone else? Do you find this valuable? |
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setharmstrong |
18. RE: Season 3 Finale Discussion!
Nov 10 2009, 7:41 PM EST
"I was a bit surprised to see Betty to go through with it, but so glad she did. As for Henry, he certainly seems sincere about taking care of her, but does he realize what he has cut out for himself? The glamorous Betty Draper certainly has her mood swings and comes with three kids in tow. Ack!"By the time Henry figures out what a loopy nutbar Betty is, it will be too late, and while Don's a bit bummed right now he might end up feeling relieved. But I too was surprised that she went through with it. Don was right in what he said when he confronted her about Henry: she wouldn't have had the courage to make a move if she couldn't be pretty sure he'd be there as her safety net. Do you find this valuable? |
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amy_c |
19. RE: Season 3 Finale Discussion!
Nov 10 2009, 9:00 PM EST
"By the time Henry figures out what a loopy nutbar Betty is, it will be too late, and while Don's a bit bummed right now he might end up feeling relieved. But I too was surprised that she went through with it. Don was right in what he said when he confronted her about Henry: she wouldn't have had the courage to make a move if she couldn't be pretty sure he'd be there as her safety net."He seemed to be relieved already by the end of the episode. The scene with the kids was very sad, but does he really love Betty? He just didn't want to break up the family unit. Do you find this valuable? |
