One behind as always! Watched Lost Horizons last night. I'm loving these last episodes, not least because of their visual beauty, only spoiled by the knowledge there will be no more
The change from the personal and freethinking Stirling Cooper into the corporate McCann was held up to see how our guys fit in and surprise surprise the clash of cultures is extreme. From open plan to narrow corridors and multiple floors and milling people. From relaxed dress back to shirt and tie. From the workers to the bosses, there was open communication, now there's layers of management.
Joan has been able to create her own world inside SC, she had the respect of her colleagues because she's put in the hard work to get where she is. However out in the big bad world of McCann her boss sees her as prey and the big boss can barely hold back his disgust at a woman being where she is. Even the women with their 'womens club' show Joan where it's at from a gender work point of view. Roger is right to tell her to take the money. No idea if we are to be shown what happens to her, but I want her to go and use that money to start her own business, and make a success of it. She would never fit in McCann. I liked the little touch of history with her mention of the 1970 Womens Strike for Equality - that sort of thing anchors timelines.
I'd be surprised if Roger even takes up a role within McCann, he's just not going to be able to take it seriously!
Not sure how long Peggy will last either over there. She does have her straight side, so she will be able to fit in if she puts her mind to it, but if she's treated badly because she's a woman or her creativity is stifled she's going to walk. She now has the confidence - the walk down the corridor with the shades, the ciggie and the tentacle porn pic was absolute class - must've brought a massive smile to fans faces, it did mine!
I know Peggy and Joan haven't always got on, but they do complement each others skills and I do think they work well together even if theres a personal spikiness there. Could be Joan starts a business and asks Peggy to join? I'd like the thought of that
Now Don. When he approached that window in his new office put his hand up and felt the draught,a chill went through me. The reference to the intro, the thought of his suicide, let's not have it end like that! I hope this was just a touching reference and maybe the winds of change?
Throughout the whole series, Don has never been happy. He's seen happiness and can recognise the times he felt it. A nice touch him going back to pick up Sally, and having that tiny tender moment with Betty. Betty seems content too, accepting Sally's independance and doing her own studies. There was no surprise he couldn't or wouldn't cope within McCann, that first meeting was a catalyst in confirming his state of mind. I don't think even he knew what he was going to do if he found Diana. She's just another dream. It's the skill of the writers that we have no idea how Don is going to end up. Pretty sure it's not going to be a happy ending though, and will we even see him back in NY again?
There's loads of things I've liked about this last series. Meredith, Don's current secretary comes across like a dizzy girl, but look at her storyboards for Don's new apartment. Those surreal scenes in the empty office with Peggy and Roger - absolutely loved that! Betty looking happy and calm. The underdevelopment of Joan's new boyfriend - who is he? is he something dodgy, is that why we don't know any more? Shirley leaving and telling Roger with such self confidence she doesn't need the job anymore. Roger's snarky conversation with Harry. Loads more.
I'm going to miss it. I love it almost as much as The Sopranos.