Only the most surface reading of Mad Men would suggest that it's The Don Draper Show. His (forged) identity is, like most identities at some point or another, a prison. But it's also a prism and if there's a single best thing about the show it's the way in which he is reflected in his protege Peggy Olson (Elisabeth Moss) and, to varying lesser extent, in the vibrant supporting cast. So it felt like a total gift when Mad Men's writing team chose to set their final scene (season?) together in a movie theater. Just for us, surely!
Don has had a rough week and heads there for solace only to find Peggy, who has recently flown his Sterling Cooper Draper Pryce coop already there. Don suggests it's far too early in her new job to be ducking out from work. To which she responds.
Just knocking out the cobwebs. Someone told me this works."
Movies to recharge, comfort, and shake out the writer's block? No wonder we can't get enough of this show.
Peggy and Don have one of the show's (bitter)sweetest, briefest checking-in-with-each-other conversations and then the lights fade and the movie begins. What movie I do not know. I Shazam'ed the intro music which is "CASINO ROYALE THEME" So are they there to see the 1967 James Bond spoof... or was that theme music used elsewhere?
After the sensational past couple of episodes, the finale, was bound to feel "small" in comparison but next year from the looks of it we'll have: new sets (!) with SCDP expanding thanks to Joan "Jaguar" Harris; new divorces (?) for Pete Campbell who continues to drift away from Mrs. Pete (a.k.a. Trudy...the show's sweetest character bar none. Even Don Draper likes her!); old marital dischord since Don may return to his cheating ways (the finale line, from a pretty woman in a bar, "Are you alone?); and maybe even a broader take on the advertising world if they opt to follow Peggy's new job closely.
Best of Mad Men Season 5...
Best Episode: Gold - "The Other Woman"; Silver - "Signal 30"; Bronze - My initial thought was the recent "Dark Shadows" episode but I'm giving it to the haunting early season 5 episode "Mystery Date" which may well be the key if atypical episode of S5 what with its Peggy Star is Born'ism foreshadowing and the queasy sensationalism of female victimization (the Chicago nurse killings and Don's own ladykiller nightmare) played against the powerful latent arcs of Mad Men's compelling women.
Best Cases for Janie Bryant's Costume Design Emmy and Can You Believe She's Yet To Win For This Series?: Gold - "Signal 30"; Silver: "A Little Kiss"; Bronze - "The Other Woman"
Best Plot Surprises: Gold - Peggy's Exit; Silver - Fat Betty; Bronze - Continual Fist Pumellings for Pete Campbell
Best Recurring Non Regulars: Gold - Julia Ormond as "Marie Calvert" (2 episodes); Silver - Kevin Rahm as Ted Chaough (2 episodes); Bronze - Christine Estabrook as "Gail Holloway" (4 episodes)
Best Moments in Music / Musical Scoring: Gold - "I am sixteen..." played over Betty's Sundae eating; Silver - "zou bisou bisou" ♪ ♫; Bronze -"Tomorrow Never Knows" in Lady Lazarus
Best Moments in Sexy: Gold - "zou bisou bisou" ♪ ♫; Silver - Mr and Mrs "Don & Joan" play acting; Bronze - Peggy's exasperated boytoy. I ♥ Abe.
Best Moments in Child Rearing: Gold Silver and Bronze to Betty Draper Francis, Parent of the Year in Perpetuity. She'll even finish your ice cream sundae for you and (tentatively) hug you through your first period. Once she realizes she's supposed to.
Season 5 Grade: An unequivocal A. This show just never coasts. Bless Matthew Weiner!
Further reading in case you're already missing Mad Men...
Slate Don Draper does not exist
USA Today the self-inflicted sadness of Don Draper
Basket of Kisses "feel better" gloom, doom, electroshock therapy