Sterling Cooper David Steve

As we have seen in past seasons, this show runs its finales over a few episodes. Stop me at three, this is one Hey everyone, welcome to Don Draper world, where you and all of your friends have at least one really big secret! Megan is making a move maybe?  Hey, pretty good use of alliteration there Dave, why thank you Dave. People don't take you seriously because you've never taken yourself seriously.  Bert gets the best lines. Peggy and Abe, sitting in a tree. Stan is a pig. I think Jane really loves Roger.  I think Roger has completely lost interest in Jane. RAY WISE.  You know that character is coming back, you don't hire Ray Wise for a one off.  Also, I want to go back to Missoula Montana!  (Look it up). Pete's a dad!  It really is a pretty special thing when your kids are born.  Trudy's dad is a dick. mp3 download

I'm somewhat proud of this week's title. This season, so far, has had a lot of loose plot threads.  Well, they're tying together now. Don has a panic attack, brought on by a background check. Sally is going to see the Beatles at Shea. Lane's father is not a nice man. Joan at the abortion clinic (which it certainly wasnt' called then) was heartbreaking. Oh and Lucky is leaving. When you think about it, the show does this all the time, the last few episodes of each season are like a long finale. mp3 download

Some of these titles write themselves. This one is all about the women in Don's life.  They all represent something different. Kiernan Shipka is amazing in this episode. Dr. McRapeyson is off to the 'Nam.  Enjoy your time with Charlie. There's a lot of Petula Clark this week, and I am for it. Abe is earnest, earnest Abe.  He's not wrong about a lot of stuff.  He's just, annoying really. Megan is great with Sally. Faye, well, she's no child psychologist. Roger can't get his book published. Stan is getting to be less of a caricature.  mp3 download

 Hey this is the episode during which I was born!  I mean, I'm not a character in the show, and it's about a 1521 km drive away, but I like to think I'm in this one, off in the distance. Don is trying to take control. Joey is a pig. Bye bye Joey. Stan isn't much better, but he seems to know the line. Peggy and Joan are pioneers, but being a pioneer is hard, because you don't know the rules. Joan knows the old rules.  They don't quite work any more. Henry might be Lindsay's campaign manager in 72! mp3 download

I've said this before (when we talked about the Chrysanthemum and the Sword) but I really am looking forward to talking to Steve about this one.  (As I've also noted, I type these things up before we record). We're at the halfway point of the series, and of the Podcast. Duck has PTSD. Don is really unravelling, but he still can 'spruce up'. The whole episode is framed by the Ali Liston fight, so we talked some Ali. Let's go somewhere darker. All the good cooks stayed in Greece. THAT'S WHAT THE MONEY IS FOR. I love watching Don open up. I don't really love watching Duck try to take a poo.  Even the music has changed. mp3 download

I may not mention this in the podcast (I write these things before we record) but this might be my favourite run of episodes of the show.  Mid season 4 is amazing. Hey, we get Don's origin story, as far as being hired goes.  Was he hired?  Or did he just weasel his way in assuming Roger forgot everything past his jar of olives? Boy is Don falling off the edge in this one.  His drinking problem is now a real problem. Danny's here!  He's the cure for the common minor character. Roger has some great lines this week.  Especially 'I told him to be himself....' Peggy calls Stan's bluff, I love it. Pronouns are a big thing this week. Don tells a woman, off camera, that his name is Dick. Did you notice who was in the fur ad? Oh and we see Duck again. mp3 download

I like this one because it’s a caper!   Wow Roger is racist, but funny.  The war was obviously very tough on Rog. There is probably a Roger at every firm. Oh also happy birthday Steve. We talk a lot about WW2 vets and PTSD, etc. Ted Chauogh, is that how you spell it?  It's like he's trying to offer sheet Jesperi Kotkaniemi. Is there anything cooler than Peggy on a bike? mp3 download

 Lots of good stuff this week. We see a bit more of Megan. We meet Ida. We meet Joyce. Me meet Abe. Peggy finds out who Malcolm X is. IT'S A RAID! Did you get pears? Plus, we talk Alan Alda, Clint Eastwood and gender. mp3 download

This clever title was easier to come up with. We start with a brief discussion about the escalating war in Vietnam.  We will probably come back to it now and then, and we'll. likely, now and then, drop other little mini history discussions at the start of an episode when warranted. Don spends a bit of time as Dick in California with Anna et al.  Then he becomes Don again and bunglingly tries to seduce Stephanie.   She drops the Big C news. Lane and Don he to the movies. and hilarity ensues. Lane and Don get hookers, and really, just all around sadness ensues. Shout out to the gang at 'Out to Lunch With Roger Sterling'. mp3 download

Rough title, I'll admit it. Steve hates Conga lines.  I hate them as well, the whole forced participation is no fun. This episode could have been entitled 'Transactional Sex!' Poor Allison. Steve points out that the women seem to be getting dumber, and I can't really argue with that. Lane seems to be going through something. Lee Garner Jr. is a horrible person. Roger is hilarious. Freddy is back!!! mp3 download