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Discussion: Episode 4.5 - The Chrysanthemum and the Sword

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amy_c	Episode 4.5 - The Chrysanthemum and the Sword Aug 23 2010, 12:10 PM EDT Let's discuss the fifth episode of the season here! Post reply Do you find this valuable? Keyword tags: None
anniepic	1. RE: Episode 4.5 - The Chrysanthemum and the Sword minute by minute Aug 23 2010, 2:27 PM EDT Okay kids, it’s time for another mad minute-by-minute Mad Men Recap of last night’s episode “The Chrysanthemum & The Sword” also known as “Shame, Blame and Gain,” or “Roger takes no Jap-Crap.” 10:01: What’s a 14-letter word for Don’s new secretary? MRS. BLANKENSHIP! (Dig that she does the NYT’s crossword puzzle in pen. Did you check out that snap on/flip up magnifying windshield attached to her tortoise shells?) 10:02: Carol of the Bells in Don’s office as Mrs. B can’t figure out phone system. Love Mrs. B’s retort to frustrated Don: “You’re always asleep in here!” Mrs. B’s classic Carol Burnett as Mrs. Wiggins intercom interruption while Don on phone with NYT “YOU HAVE A PARTNER’S LUNCHEON.” For full recap http://anniepic.blogspot.com/2010/08/mad-men-recap-chrysanthemum-and-sword.html Post reply 1 out of 1 found this valuable. Do you find this valuable? Do you?
amy_c	2. RE: Episode 4.5 - The Chrysanthemum and the Sword minute by minute Aug 24 2010, 1:21 PM EDT I think Don's new (old) secretary has a very short shelf life. She's funny, but Don doesn't need her bumbling around. Also, something I noticed about this episode was that Henry and Betty seem to be getting along a bit better. Henry handles her very well and since the show never seems to have throwaway moments or lines, I thought it was interesting that they were getting frisky or cozying up to each other several times during the episode. The show seemed to imply some marital strife at the beginning of the season, though. Do you think Henry and Betty will make it? Sally is clearly acting like a normal girl her age who is going through a huge transition with the divorce. Rather than giving her the attention she so clearly needs, Betty sends her to a shrink... and she doesn't even take her. She sends Carla! Ack. Don continues to be his best only when he's working. Just like negligent Betty, he sticks the kids with a sitter on the rare night he has the kids. So annoying! I loved Sally's response to his date's name: "I don't like that." Since when did Pete become the nicest guy on the show, btw? When did that happen? Ha. Oh, and I will never watch The Man From U.N.C.L.E. again without feeling really uncomfortable... Post reply Do you find this valuable?
JohnnyHands	3. RE: Episode 4.5 - The Chrysanthemum and the Sword minute by minute Aug 25 2010, 3:13 PM EDT "Okay kids, it’s time for another mad minute-by-minute Mad Men Recap of last night’s episode “The Chrysanthemum & The Sword” also known as “Shame, Blame and Gain,” or “Roger takes no Jap-Crap.” 10:01: What’s a 14-letter word for Don’s new secretary? MRS. BLANKENSHIP! (Dig that she does the NYT’s crossword puzzle in pen. Did you check out that snap on/flip up magnifying windshield attached to her tortoise shells?) 10:02: Carol of the Bells in Don’s office as Mrs. B can’t figure out phone system. Love Mrs. B’s retort to frustrated Don: “You’re always asleep in here!” Mrs. B’s classic Carol Burnett as Mrs. Wiggins intercom interruption while Don on phone with NYT “YOU HAVE A PARTNER’S LUNCHEON.” For full recap http://anniepic.blogspot.com/2010/08/mad-men-recap-chrysanthemum-and-sword.html" I thought that was one of the funny parts of the previous episode 4.4: Joan picks the old lady to be Don's new secretary, so Don won't be tempted to wham-bam-thank-you-ma'am. Post reply Do you find this valuable?
amy_c	4. RE: Episode 4.5 - The Chrysanthemum and the Sword minute by minute Aug 26 2010, 12:34 PM EDT "I thought that was one of the funny parts of the previous episode 4.4: Joan picks the old lady to be Don's new secretary, so Don won't be tempted to wham-bam-thank-you-ma'am." LOL, Joan is probably the smartest person in that office. I have a feeling the old lady won't be around forever, though. Maybe they should try a male assistant next? I guess they didn't really have any of those in the typing pool, though. Don might end up with a rotating assistant like Murphy Brown. Post reply Do you find this valuable?
anniepic	5. RE: Episode 4.5 - The Chrysanthemum and the Sword minute by minute Aug 26 2010, 11:09 PM EDT I really feel that up until this season, the era (as depicted by the show) was still very rooted in the 50's. This season has turned the curve and not only are they working in a new firm, but in a new world and the changes are reflected in every show. Don trying to dance to Jan & Dean; the mentioning of civil rights issues, divorce, drugs, Warhol, Sally wanting Beatle records for Christmas. And in this episode the introduction of a non-American client trying to break into the American Car market emphasizes the nuances in the fusion of cultures. And Matthew Weiner and his staff of writers do it so subtlely that it's brilliant. Post reply Do you find this valuable?
JohnnyHands	6. RE: Episode 4.5 - The Chrysanthemum and the Sword minute by minute Aug 27 2010, 1:37 AM EDT "I really feel that up until this season, the era (as depicted by the show) was still very rooted in the 50's. This season has turned the curve and not only are they working in a new firm, but in a new world and the changes are reflected in every show. Don trying to dance to Jan & Dean; the mentioning of civil rights issues, divorce, drugs, Warhol, Sally wanting Beatle records for Christmas. And in this episode the introduction of a non-American client trying to break into the American Car market emphasizes the nuances in the fusion of cultures. And Matthew Weiner and his staff of writers do it so subtlely that it's brilliant. " You could say that about American culture as well, I'd say. The early 60's were still in the era of the 50's, but the 60's really began with Kennedy assassination, the Beatles (and other new music), and the Vietnam, to name just a few. And that pretty much coincides with Mad Men Season 3 and Season 4, with a little overlap. So I guess you could be saying the Mad Men people got is just right, to which I would agree. Post reply Do you find this valuable?
amy_c	7. RE: Episode 4.5 - The Chrysanthemum and the Sword minute by minute Aug 27 2010, 3:43 AM EDT Yes, comparing the early 60s to the late 60s is night and day, huh? They move ahead at breakneck speed on this show -- a new month is represented with each episode! Can't wait until Roger starts bitching about hippies and how women aren't wearing makeup anymore! :D Post reply Do you find this valuable?
Greg1835	8. RE: Episode 4.5 - The Chrysanthemum and the Sword minute by minute Aug 28 2010, 12:22 AM EDT "Do you think Henry and Betty will make it? " No I don't think they'll last. If you look at last year with Joan, with her gone most of the season you had to know she'd be back with the gang, or else they'd have to write her out of the show. My feeling is the same thing with Betty. She's too intrinsic to be now a fringe character. I thought the first two seasons had an underlying tryptic of Don, Betty and Peggy. (but I think it's unfortunate they seem to have gotten away from that). So you can't have Betty just peppered in now and then like JOan was last year. So Betty has to return to a more prominant role. What I think will happen is that Henry will tire of her, it'll end, and Betty in desperation or maybe her own bout of lonliness like Don seems to be in now, will let Don come back home. And that's how Betty comes back into the show. Otherwise they would have to just write her out. You can't have a Mad Men episode centering on Betty with very little Don. The show is about Don. It has an ensemble cast, but it's not an ensemble show like Cheers, Friends, etc. Betty is too important to remain on the fringe all season so they have to have her come back to prominance somehow, so I think they'll both be back in co-habitation. And it will be absolute hell. Post reply Do you find this valuable?
JohnnyHands	9. RE: Episode 4.5 - The Chrysanthemum and the Sword minute by minute Aug 28 2010, 1:48 AM EDT \| Post edited: Aug 28 2010, 5:09 PM EDT " No I don't think they'll last. If you look at last year with Joan, with her gone most of the season you had to know she'd be back with the gang, or else they'd have to write her out of the show. My feeling is the same thing with Betty. She's too intrinsic to be now a fringe character. I thought the first two seasons had an underlying tryptic of Don, Betty and Peggy. (but I think it's unfortunate they seem to have gotten away from that). So you can't have Betty just peppered in now and then like JOan was last year. So Betty has to return to a more prominant role. What I think will happen is that Henry will tire of her, it'll end, and Betty in desperation or maybe her own bout of lonliness like Don seems to be in now, will let Don come back home. And that's how Betty comes back into the show. Otherwise they would have to just write her out. You can't have a Mad Men episode centering on Betty with very little Don. The show is about Don. It has an ensemble cast, but it's not an ensemble show like Cheers, Friends, etc. Betty is too important to remain on the fringe all season so they have to have her come back to prominance somehow, so I think they'll both be back in co-habitation. And it will be absolute hell. " That's a insightful prediction, Greg, and I wonder if there will be something Betty does that is so outrageous to Henry, that it's the straw that breaks the camels back for him. Or maybe Betty will, for whatever reason, decide she's tired of Henry. Should be interesting. One thing: "tryptic?" an adjective for 'a digestive enzyme that breaks down proteins in the small intestine?' My thesaurus said it origin was from "trypsis", the Greek word for "friction." Is that what you had in mind? (Or maybe I've just ignorant on that one.) Post reply Do you find this valuable?
patcholi1961	10. RE: Episode 4.5 - The Chrysanthemum and the Sword minute by minute Aug 28 2010, 4:46 PM EDT You have to remember the scene between Peggy and the previous secretary to understand this fully. The secretary says (after leaving the Pond's focus group in tears), "I don't know how you can be around him after what happened (between you)." , assuming that Peggy had slept with Don. Office gossip being what it is WE can assume that Peggy shared the encounter with Joan off camera. Post reply Do you find this valuable?
Greg1835	11. RE: Episode 4.5 - The Chrysanthemum and the Sword minute by minute Aug 28 2010, 6:32 PM EDT Tryptic the art term as in 3 pieces that make up one artistic whole. 3 panels of one painting etc. I always thought that was one part of the many things MM is about, a flowing or interweaving exploration of those 3 as one of a central basis of it all. Post reply Do you find this valuable?
JohnnyHands	12. RE: Episode 4.5 - The Chrysanthemum and the Sword minute by minute Aug 28 2010, 7:55 PM EDT "Tryptic the art term as in 3 pieces that make up one artistic whole. 3 panels of one painting etc. I always thought that was one part of the many things MM is about, a flowing or interweaving exploration of those 3 as one of a central basis of it all. " Oh, I see, they're spelling it differently in Wikipedia. They spell it "Triptych" instead - not to say the alternate spelling isn't valid - I wouldn't know. Post reply Do you find this valuable?
lmariottix7	13. RE: Episode 4.5 - The Chrysanthemum and the Sword Sep 9 2010, 4:05 PM EDT \| Post edited: Sep 9 2010, 4:05 PM EDT It is March of 1965 and in this week’s episode of Mad Men, “The Chrysanthemum and the Sword,” we welcomed back the Draper girls with open arms. Everyone and their brother seemed to be dreading the fact that Betty was returning to the screen this week, but not me. Continue reading from this website.... http://download-mad-men.sequd.com/ Post reply Do you find this valuable?