“Who is Don Draper?”
The first episode of season four starts with a question that all MAD MEN fans have asked. And, true to form, Mr. Draper is hesitant to answer. Yet, throughout this episode, we see where/what Don is now that his wife has left him and his job has changed drastically. Season four is all about change, unwelcome and uncomfortable. Episode one definitely proves it’ll be both of those.
So, who is Don Draper? A single father, living in a respectable but not awe-inspiring apartment in the city? An expert ad man leading a fashionable up-and-coming advertising firm? A fan of being slapped around in bed? Oh, Don Draper is all these things and that’s why we love him.
Season four starts nearly a year after season three’s conclusion. As you would have assumed, Don’s wife Betty has moved on (but not out) with her new husband, Henry Francis. Don is now living it up in an apartment by himself, where he spends his days watching TV and shining his shoes (I’m sure he actually does more than that). Work is going fairly well, aside from the fact that Sterling Cooper Draper Pryce (nice name guys, can’t wait to type that all season long) is tightening its belt and still attempting to make a big splash in the advertising world. Don’s personal life doesn’t seem that bad. Sure, he’s divorced but he’s got a job, a sassy housekeeper, a prostitute who will have sex with him when he pays. Things are coming up Don! Yet, Don seems uncomfortable in this new life he has, as if something’s missing. I can’t say I blame him, paying for sex is only fun for so long (I mean…um…)
Other notes of interest: Peggy is loud and proud, making her opinions known and taking no prisoners (plus, new haircut. Good looking out, Pegs). Harry Crane, back from securing an ill-fated Jai Alai special on TV, is sunburnt as all hell. Joanie is practically running the entire office and Roger is still drinking…although maybe more than usual (and that’s saying a lot). There’s an air of unease at Sterling Cooper Draper Pryce. No one knows what the future holds for the budding firm. To the characters, that’s a lot of unwelcome drama. To us, it’s great TV.
Episode one, like all season premieres, was mostly about getting you ready for what’s to come next. The stage has been set. Don’s relationship with his ex-wife Betty is strained (to say the least). His children hardly see him and his job isn’t going as smoothly as hoped. So things are a little shaky for ol’ Donny D (as I like to call him. I’ve never called him that). It’s good to see him in and everyone on the show in this awkward growing phase. Too often shows get comfortable and start repeating themselves, but not MAD MEN.
Best moment of the night? Surely Don’s verbal smackdown of both Betty and her new husband. Cathartic for all of us, am I right? Cathartic like a slap in the face by a well paid hooker.
