Sterling Cooper David Steve

I apparently note how people are horrible a lot when we record these. The episode is all about prisons, both real and metaphorical.  It's also about systems and how they reinforce those real and metaphorical prisons. It's time for the baby to come! Looks like Ms. Farrell is making a move. Pete runs into reality. Kenny is doing well. Duck's back, though not doing as well as before.  He's head hunting Peggy and Pete.  He sees them as a package deal, which, considering the past, is an interesting take. The civil rights movement is now hitting the show, though tangentially.  That said, it's there. How would you react to Lisa Simpson being your nurse? mp3 download

A transitional episode about transitions. Lots of Catholic guilt at Peggy's Mom's place. Gene lets Sally drive the car.  Ride Sally ride. Hoho the jai alai guy makes his first appearance.  He's read a book by Oh Gli Veey.  The thing is, America is never going to understand that J, and, it's like Polish handball. Gene tries to give Bobby a dead man's hat to quote Don. I think Kitty now suspects Sal's secret. Over there, over there, the Yanks are coming, three years late, but the Yanks are coming.... mp3 download

This episode starts out with a content warning, as it should. Blackface is horrible. Jane is drunk. Pete and Trudy do the Charleston. Don meets the mysterious Connie.  They have a drink together. I got a new computer, which has nothing to do with the podcast. Joan plays accordion. I'm Peggy Olson, and I want to smoke marijuana. We all knew Kinsey was a poseur, now we're sure. mp3 download

OK, this clever title was easy to come up with.  I guess that means it wasn't that clever. I will say I'm more excited that Steve will get to see next week's episode, but we have to do this one too. I spot more dramatic irony! Ann Margret, the hot virgin. The Prices and the Drapers out to dinner was pretty great. 'You ever get three sheets to the wind and try that thing on?' Pregnant and stressed?  Wine and smokes should help. Is Don doing something nice for Betty?  What? mp3 download

We're back! So, season 3, episode 1, where Don tells us to limit our exposure. Sal is having an awakening. I spotted more dramatic irony. Steve meets Lane.  I think Steve will like Lane.  We both like Jared Harris a lot. Imagine growing up having been told that story about your birth. The woman Don is with in this episode is a lot more like Betty than like his other mistresses. Sally is taking to Don's tools like a little lesbian. Limit your exposure. mp3 download

We had a free form discussion about history, about portrayals of history, and of course about my (I'm not sure about Steve, I mean he likes it, but he's pretty into Columbo) show. History gets portrayed in art all of the time. What are the upsides? What are the downsides? Wait, what even is history? What are the consequences of doing it incorrectly? Nostalgia is often bullshit.  (As Don knows). Tradition is also often bullshit (As Peggy and Betty know). Plus, I get some predictions from Steve about Season 3. mp3 download

I apologize for the title, which Steve had nothing to do with. Hey it's the finale of Season 2.  We'll have a Season 2 wrap up and then a short hiatus (it's the end of term here and we're both about to go insane). Emergency indeed, the world is about to end. The world almost did end. Our PM's handling of the crisis actually was an issue in the next federal election, which he lost. Does Don love his family? Does Don love Betty? Does Don love Don? Was Don's letter sincere? I'm pretty sure I spotted some of that dramatic irony the kids are all talking about. mp3 download 

This one as well was difficult to come up with a title for.  Man, that's the most poorly constructed sentence I've ever typed. Hey Don becomes Dick!  Wow, can Jon Hamm face act.  He looks younger as Dick. Back in New York, PPL is going to buy Sterling Coo! Bert's sister is Alice.  Alice Cooper.  She seems to enjoy the company of women if you get my gist. Dick is watching Mad Men along with all of us. Sally is smoking, Betty is severe, and just plain mean. Steve drops a really nice bookend near the end of the podcast connecting the title, Ibsen and Don. Oh and Isabelle drops in for a bit.  Check out her art. mp3 download

Hello, this is Dick Whitman This was one of the harder ones as far as coming up with a dumb title. Don is off to the Hotel California! I'm not sure any episode has a better mid century feel than this one (at least up to this point). The first time I saw this episode back in 08 I thought to myself 'is this just a dream or something?'  Steve asked himself the same thing in his first time through. The whole episode has this ethereal quality that I really like. That presentation on MIRVs was really something, I'd probably hop in a car with a stranger too. Jet Setters were (and are) a real thing.  Meanwhile, Duck is selling the agency, fuelled by Tanqueray gin. There's also the matter of fact self outing of Kurt.  That hit Sal, but Peggy got a haircut out of it. This is one of my favourite episodes.   mp3 download

I just wanted to say, Happy Birthday One more episode until California!  (Look, I love the two upcoming episodes, though this one has some great stuff). Grandpa Gene has had a stroke, and he's had them before.   Gene is not a fan of Don, because, HE HAS NO PEOPLE. Betty's brother is a dweeb. Joan's still a racist.  Kinsey is still a poseur.   We get a lot of insight into Betty this week.  I you were brought up that way you'd probably be an emotionally stunted person too, and throw in early 60s sex roles... Telstar by the Tornadoes is an amazing song. I wonder if there's any dramatic irony this week?  (I write these things before we talk). Oh, I just wanted to say, Happy Birthday. mp3 download