Episode 7
This Week in Mad Men #7 – “The Suitcase”
Mondays at 7pm PT
This week the hosts break down key issues, topics and controversies from Episode #7 of Mad Men.
Panel
Lon Harris
Jaime Fox
Jason McIntyre
Janie Haddad Tompkins
Introduction
Was this the best episode of “Mad Men” ever, as some fans and critics have implied? The panel agreed it was definitely up there, at least in the Top 3. Definitely the highlight of this season so far, and the culmination of the Don/Peggy relationship that has fascinated viewers since the first episode.
Discussion of “Mad Men” Season 4, Episode 7: “The Suitcase”
ALI/LISTON II
- The fight that provides the structure for the whole episode.
- Called the “phantom punch” fight, because Liston seemed to go down without actually being hit
- All-time lowest attendence for a heavyweight fight, and only heavyweight fight held in Maine.
- Even Ali was unsure whether or not he had hit Liston; he asked “Did I hit him?” after the match and had actually stood up over Liston and yelled “Get up and fight, sucker!” There was talk afterwards that Liston owed the Mafia money and took a dive, or that he feared retaliation from Black Muslims. (Years later, Liston said he intentionally lost because he feared the Nation of Islam.)
- Ali perhaps not getting his due, the same claim made by Peggy?
- Don’s on the wrong side of history both in terms of Cassius Clay AND Joe Namath. He just generally seems to be threatened by youth. (However, he does recognize Clay’s allure post-victory, with the iconic post-knockout image making it into his Samsonite campaign.)
DON VS. PEGGY
- Interesting parallels from their fight to Liston/Clay. Experienced veteran vs. cocky young upstart. (Don, of course, backs the veteran Liston because he finds Clay arrogant…)
DON AND PEGGY BONDING
- Don definitely sees himself in Peggy, and the more down on himself he’s feeling, the harder he is on her.
DON VS. DUCK
- Yet another parallel to the boxing match. This sloppy, ugly brawl was comic and also tragic at once.
- Like Ali-Liston, it’s a rematch that’s over quickly.
TRUDY AND PEGGY
- Trudy has allowed her pregnancy to make her patronizing. She has what she always wanted, and now looks down on those who continue to struggle.
ANNA’S GHOST
- Carrying a suitcase? Too on the nose? What’s in the suitcase? Don sees a vision of Anna leaving, holding a suitcase. She’s leaving. But Peggy’s the one here who’s holding him.
QUICK HITS
- So Jane’s cousin IS a Jew! I was right! “You’re such a Jew.”
- James Bond “met a girl underwater.” Thunderball was released in December of ’65. Is this anachronism or did I miss a previous Bond film in which he meets a girl underwater?
- Sterling’s drinking whiskey with Don when they talk about going to the fight
- Don feels that endorsements are lazy. But didn’t he preside over the Utz campaign? With comedian Jimmy Barrett?
- The restaurant where Peggy was supposed to meet her boyfriend and family was Forum of the Twelve Caesars, a “theme” restaurant that opened in 1957 and that was entirely Roman-themed (even the food). Note that the diner Don and Peggy wind up in has a Greek theme. She has definitively chosen Don and their bond over her boyfriend and her family.
- Sterling on recovering alcoholics: “And they’re self so righteous.”
- Think Peggy will get to go on an airplane this season? Seemed like a set-up to me.
- The “Lyle Evans MD” reference from “The Crysanthemum and The Sword” is explained!
- Closing song: “Bleecker Street” by Simon and Garfunkel:
Sterling Cooper’s Greatest Pitches
The panelists each picked their favorite Sterling Cooper pitch of all time:
LON:
Mohawk Airlines
Episode: Season 2, Episode 1: “For Those Who Think Young”
Lon liked how this was an early collaboration between Don and Peggy. Don had originally suggested using sexy imagery to sell the airline, then disliked it when Peggy followed his advice. Together, they devised the slogan: “What did you bring me, Daddy?”
JASON:
Bethlehem Steel
Episode: Season 1, Episode 4: “New Amsterdam”
Jason highlighted this pitch because it included a reference to his hometown of Pittsburgh. This pitch was rejected by Bethlehem, who ended up going with a suggestion tossed off by Pete Campbell: “Bethlehem Steel is the backbone of America.”
JAIME:
Playtex
Episode: Season 2, Episode 6: “Maidenform”
Jaime’s favorite Sterling Cooper campaign was based around all women being labeled a “Jackie” (as in Kennedy) or a “Marilyn” (as in Monroe). The Playtex executives love the pitch but reject it, opting to stick with their present, more conservative style.
JANIE:
Jantzen
Episode: Season 4, Episode 1: “Public Relations”
Jantzen wanted to advertise their two-piece bikini without “playing in the gutter.” Don came up with an ad that was fun and a bit suggestive at the same time. When the Jantzen executives still balked, it led to one of this season’s most memorable confrontations.
Clip from Season 4, Episode 8: “The Summer Man”
