tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8256060.post8658583393273207625..comments2024-03-17T10:11:46.952-04:00Comments on Film Experience Blog: Mad Men at the Movies: 'Adieu, Adieu, To You and You and You-ooo'NATHANIEL Rhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11597109147678235399noreply@blogger.comBlogger37125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8256060.post-86074620330927481492011-03-31T17:33:41.621-04:002011-03-31T17:33:41.621-04:00Betty really can't help herself. She's mis...<i>Betty really can't help herself. She's miserable but continually perplexed by her own misery, unable to see her own culpability in it.</i><br /><br /><br />You've described just about every major character on this show. Even Peggy is perplexed by her own misery, despite her so-called growth. Why is Betty the only character being described this way? Because she had an emotional breakdown this season and took it out on her husband, ex-husband and kids? Gee. As I recall, Sally took out her own anger on Betty, Don and brother Bobby. No one is calling her out on her bullshit. Why? Because she's a kid.<br /><br />I wish someone would wake up and realize that all of the characters are screwed up in different ways.The Rush Bloghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13667282586023023623noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8256060.post-57039439663857148482010-12-21T13:28:12.293-05:002010-12-21T13:28:12.293-05:00Betty was warm with her kids in Season 1 . . . unt...Betty was warm with her kids in Season 1 . . . until, she discovered that Don was cheating on her with Bobbie Barrett, he left her high and dry while in California, she had to deal with an unexpected and unwanted pregnancy, her father died, she became secretly attracted to Henry Francis but didn't want to get into a messy affair, discovered that her husband had been lying to her for the entire decade of their marriage and filed for divorce.<br /><br />I'd like to see how long Megan will remain a "warm mother" until the shit (known as Don Draper) starts to hit her fan.<br /><br />And screw Matt Weiner for giving in to the Betty haters and turning her into a one-note villainess.The Rush Bloghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13667282586023023623noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8256060.post-85706173087979788952010-10-22T11:08:16.259-04:002010-10-22T11:08:16.259-04:00Oh, I agree Nathaniel. I'm just not ready to m...Oh, I agree Nathaniel. I'm just not ready to make the leap that Betty was abused as a child by Gene yet (or what was suggested last season that Gene abused Sally). Betty's major issues might stem from elsewhere. Maybe the next season will clarify this.P-Cnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8256060.post-22024807650371072362010-10-22T10:08:06.717-04:002010-10-22T10:08:06.717-04:00JX -- agreed. i don't get how quick people are...JX -- agreed. i don't get how quick people are to forgive all the other characters but not Betty. I actually think one of the most interesting things about the show is actually that nobody is really that likeable even if we all like them. If you really examine the way Peggy & Joan behave and speak to people and such, well, they aren't exactly "warm" or altruistic characters -- in fact some times they're bullies themselves like Betty -- and yet everyone loves them.<br /><br />P-C -- Team January. thank you. But i don't think it's a leap that childhood abuse traps people in patterns of childish paradigms. From the very first season it was clear that Betty idolized two parents who were not exactly the best partents.NATHANIEL Rhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11597109147678235399noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8256060.post-59093648843371864502010-10-21T13:18:07.723-04:002010-10-21T13:18:07.723-04:00Do we know that Betty was abused as a child though...Do we know that Betty was abused as a child though? Many have hinted at an idolized mother and Gene possibly abusing her as a child, but none of that's really come out yet has it?<br /><br />I can accept her having pent-up anger toward Don and lashing out that anger on those around her (Carla, Sally, Henry, Don, etc.), but it's a big leap that she's stuck in these childhood regressions b/c she was abused as a child. <br /><br />She just has unrealistic expectations about being a wife and mother in a time where those were the ideals for women over having a career. See the struggles that Joan and Peggy (her peers) are facing as they sacrifice family for careers (more or less). <br /><br />I hope that Betty gets a job next season and really start to embrace the budding feminism that's surely to wash over the show as it enters the late 60s. She needs a place to channel her energies again. Be a temp somewhere. Model again. Anything. <br /><br />And I'm on Team January Jones always!P-Cnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8256060.post-51510972581480820182010-10-21T13:09:58.088-04:002010-10-21T13:09:58.088-04:00It's baffling to me how "fans" of th...It's baffling to me how "fans" of the show are ready to stake Betty on a pike, while they continue to forgive Don's ever-growing transgressions season after season. The guy is certainly a talented "ideas man," but Don is also a huge con man and a serial adulterer. Don will stick his dick into any female that gives him the time of day. Betty's certainly not without her faults as a wife and mother, but there's good in her than can be eased out with the right storylines. What Betty did to Carla was low, but that last scene in the kitchen with Don showed me some signs of her humanity, something that I've tried to see in Don but rarely get. He's one of the vilest characters I've come across, and he's constantly being given pass after pass b/c of his looks and charisma. (And this is all surely not a diss against Jon Hamm. Guy's brilliant and should have multiple Emmys on his mantle by now.)JXnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8256060.post-73603204560526065092010-10-20T20:20:32.315-04:002010-10-20T20:20:32.315-04:00In my opinion the cold firing of Carla was undoubt...In my opinion the cold firing of Carla was undoubtedly harsh, but right in line to the pathos of where Betty's character has been heading. Like in the article that anna posted said, Betty had nothing but pent up anger for the first three seasons of this show. And when she could finally let out that anger on Don because of his misgivings, she couldn't stop. She became a bully, pretty much. Once again, I'm quoting the article again, but when she no longer the one being abused (physically from her childhood and emotionally, pretty much, from her relationship with Don), she became the abuser to pretty much everyone around her. It's a sad, vicious cycle.<br /><br />Whoever said that she's a beautiful version of Mary Jones really hit the nail on the head, I think.Robnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8256060.post-44244498990841035742010-10-20T19:01:40.605-04:002010-10-20T19:01:40.605-04:00Yes, the Sound of Music parallels are pretty strik...Yes, the Sound of Music parallels are pretty striking...it made me recall that the last time I watched SoM (fairly recently), I found myself sympathizing with the Baroness, certainly much more than I did as a little girl. LOL. Similarly, here: I don't dislike Meghan and understand to some extent why Don fell so suddenly for her, but my heart bled for Faye.<br /><br />I'm glad you continue to defend Betty, Nathaniel, if only because I no longer have the stomach to do so. Until this season, my sympathies were staunchly arrayed with her; I never really understood why so many viewers cut Don, who to my mind was much more culpable than she ever was, so much slack, and Betty so little. Too many fail to realize just how mentally trapped she is, or that she's as much warped by her upbringing as Don is by his. <br /><br />However, she lost me this season, and for this I blame the writers. (Not January Jones - I may have doubts as to her range as an actress, but her portrayal of Betty is pitch-perfect.) A friend of mine who hates her e-mailed me after the finale asking me if I was finally able to see that Betty = evil incarnate. I still don't concede that, but there's no doubt she's been made into a monster, or at least some kind of horrible overgrown baby, this season. It's as if the writers have been listening to the legions of Betty-haters (or that awful psychologist of hers from season 1) and doing their best to demonize her. And the finale just capped that trend. <br />Would Betty from previous seasons have fired Carla without so much as a letter of reference? I think not.<br /><br />More generally, the finale set my teeth on edge because it was frustrating seeing so many terrible decisions being made, one after the other, and not being able to prevent them...or their unintended consequences.<br /><br />But I'm still in it for the long haul, and I'm glad there are still a few viewers left in Betty's corner!lylee2https://www.blogger.com/profile/10072174471565738658noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8256060.post-22860698018382191052010-10-20T14:51:54.778-04:002010-10-20T14:51:54.778-04:00January Jones is an excellent actress. At least on...January Jones is an excellent actress. At least on "Mad Men." Her potency with Betty shouldn't even be disputed.Tednoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8256060.post-82259058994529779532010-10-20T14:05:45.912-04:002010-10-20T14:05:45.912-04:00Great post Nathan and insightful comments as alway...Great post Nathan and insightful comments as always... as far as key moments I'd add the slow fight against instinct in Don't eyes and demeanor after Sally asks "who is Dick?" when seeing the names on the wall. Don gradually changes his mind on just lying as usual, and tells her, gently, almost moved by his own willingness to treat Sally like an adult - "that's my old nickname" or whatever..<br /><br />And of course the spilled milkshake and Megan's calm reaction.<br /><br />As someone who is about to take a huge chance with a much younger girl named Meghan, I'm pretty thrilled that once again, it's all about me!!Erich Kuerstenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02850572368098319317noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8256060.post-47767417838434954062010-10-20T13:18:32.653-04:002010-10-20T13:18:32.653-04:00Great post, Nat! A couple of thoughts on the final...Great post, Nat! A couple of thoughts on the finale and the season as a whole.<br /><br />First, regarding movie references, I can't take credit for noticing this factoid, but there's a less obvious movie shout-out in the final moments of the show: "I've Got You Babe" is the song that wakes Bill Murray's character up each repeated day in "Groundhog Day" -- I have no idea whether or not this reference is intentional, but it does fit. Is Don going to have to make the same mistakes over and over and re-live them until he finally gets it right?<br /><br />Re: Betty -- I have had frustrations with the character that are less about the portrayal and more about how she's written. I feel like they aren't showing enough shades. The reason Don is awful but people forgive him is that we get to see Don's good side, while we rarely see Betty's. She comes off as more one-dimensional and less-human. I can think of only a couple of times this season where they let her open up - 1) her reaction to Don getting the Beatles tix when she smiled and laughed for a change and 2) that final scene with Don. I feel like they could do so much more with this character, but with the focus mostly on the work side of things, I think she's a bit underwritten. We get to see a lot of HOW Betty is to her kids, to Don, to Henry, but we don't get enough of WHY. I'm hoping that the show will begin to really explore that next season. I think young Glenn got it right when he said, "just because you're so sad, doesn't mean everyone else has to be." -- but actually, it does. <br /><br />Finally, when I really think about it, I think Betty's more sympathetic than Don. Think about it-- he's actually self-aware, but still makes the choice to run from his demons (even if, in the case of Megan, he may be running to a more reasonable and caring person). But regardless of whether or not Megan is good for Don, it's doubtful that an unchanged and fearful Don will be good for Megan. She may be sweet and kind and open now, but how much will marriage to Don change that? Betty, on the other hand, is completely out of touch with who she is and her feelings. She isn't disregarding them like Don is, she's so cut off that she doesn't know they exist.<br /><br />Definitely looking forward to seeing where both characters go...SusanPhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09247068663993460537noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8256060.post-82402320609342467202010-10-20T13:18:21.180-04:002010-10-20T13:18:21.180-04:00This comment has been removed by the author.SusanPhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09247068663993460537noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8256060.post-43112511740851705432010-10-20T12:39:47.003-04:002010-10-20T12:39:47.003-04:00anna, that link is a fantastic read. Thanks.
I es...anna, that link is a fantastic read. Thanks.<br /><br />I especially love the the part about how Betty has always been this angry and everything has been leading up to this. It's why I don't get people who don't understand why she was the way she was this season.Robnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8256060.post-31566488405863186362010-10-20T12:10:39.885-04:002010-10-20T12:10:39.885-04:00Good to see some Betty love. Have you read this?
...Good to see some Betty love. Have you read this?<br /><br /><br />http://tigerbeatdown.com/2010/10/18/no-ones-ever-on-your-side-betty-draper-francis-still-needs-your-love/annnanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8256060.post-56856652875304071202010-10-20T11:55:02.231-04:002010-10-20T11:55:02.231-04:00And we heart you.And we heart you.Roberta Lipphttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12441870564869415663noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8256060.post-45492615270822203192010-10-20T11:54:35.216-04:002010-10-20T11:54:35.216-04:00oh good point. OOPS. sorry anna ! you were the onl...oh good point. OOPS. sorry anna ! you were the only woman who ever knew Don/Dick.NATHANIEL Rhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11597109147678235399noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8256060.post-14767599025933517792010-10-20T11:44:58.992-04:002010-10-20T11:44:58.992-04:00Nathaniel--wonderful post, and it was great (as al...Nathaniel--wonderful post, and it was great (as always) that you were able to join us.<br /><br />But I can't rest (see what I did there?) without mentioning that your <i>In Memoriam</i> section was incomplete. <br /><br />DICK + ANNA '64.Roberta Lipphttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12441870564869415663noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8256060.post-1206605792529719982010-10-20T11:32:53.985-04:002010-10-20T11:32:53.985-04:00@Alex: I whole-heartedly disagree that the quality...@Alex: I whole-heartedly disagree that the quality of season four didn't match that of last or any previous season. There were several episodes that I thought were among the series' best. My only frustration with the 2010 year will come next August or September when the television academy finds yet another excuse to ignore this fine group of actors. <br /><br />Speaking of which, if there is any justice in this world, the supporting actress category will see Moss, Hendricks, Jones, and Shipka all represented. I mean, let's face it -- despite the fact the show is called "Mad Men," the women have always been (at least, from my point of view) the most fascinating aspect of the show.<br /><br />And I co-sign with Michael Parsons, Rob, and adelutza regarding Betty Draper and January Jones's portrayal of the character. Here it is 2010, and we still want to give cold, detached men a pass while their female counterparts receive our disdain. The fact that Betty regularly receives my sympathy and frustration speaks volumes about the potency of both character and actress.Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04521208512678472596noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8256060.post-48762074769767258872010-10-20T10:49:49.597-04:002010-10-20T10:49:49.597-04:00I didn't like that finale at all. Big surprise...I didn't like that finale at all. Big surprise since I adored their other three. I'm still reeling from seeing it. Don marrying Megan? Ugh, I hoped that was all a dream. He's becoming the new Roger just as sure as day. But the season rocked though. The season 5 premiere can't come soon enough!Dawsonnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8256060.post-65664031972824317612010-10-20T03:23:14.898-04:002010-10-20T03:23:14.898-04:00Best Moment: Joanie & Betty's sympatico gi...Best Moment: Joanie & Betty's sympatico giggle at their shared career-woman persona.<br /><br /><br />You mean Peggy :P<br /><br />season 4 wasn't as good as season 3. No more Emmy wins for Best Drama, unfortunately.<br /><br />but still highly enjoyable. I hope for more Betty next season.<br /><br />i also won't be surprised if we'll have 3 Mad Men ladies fighting for Supporting Actress at next year's emmys. We all know what Miss Moss is submitting, the birthday episode.Alex Constantinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09940311552608814201noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8256060.post-61833549989497748612010-10-20T00:37:38.715-04:002010-10-20T00:37:38.715-04:00@Richter Scale ...Betty is sick as in mentally ill...@Richter Scale ...Betty is sick as in mentally ill.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8256060.post-67435661377972172142010-10-19T23:45:38.720-04:002010-10-19T23:45:38.720-04:00Loving reading this column and the comments. I'...Loving reading this column and the comments. I've never seen so much Ken love and Sally love and Betty love written about so eloquently.<br /><br />And that final scene with Betty was amazing. Not saying that Bitchy Betty isn't amazing to watch, but when she talks calmly and look at her surroundings and situation, it makes her sound so intelligent. That's the Betty I see, unlike what the haters say.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8256060.post-11579481671348112352010-10-19T22:05:13.699-04:002010-10-19T22:05:13.699-04:00I don't watch Mad Men regularly (don't lik...I don't watch <i>Mad Men</i> regularly (don't like coming into shows like this after they've already begun), but there was a Fathom event of <i>The Sound of Music</i> tonight. It was amazing seeing that movie on the big screen!Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05723441382492805800noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8256060.post-19652463463728503482010-10-19T20:46:33.642-04:002010-10-19T20:46:33.642-04:00I know it's really early for this, but I'm...I know it's really early for this, but I'm going to be pulling for John Slattery to finally win an Emmy for this season. He's always been a scene-stealer, but this season he was amazing. Roger Sterling is a spoiled rich kid who has had his life handed to him and has always thought it gave him the right to be irresponsible. Now he actually has a job to do, and the one major responsibility he has in the company, he blows it. That scene where Lee Garner Jr. tells him that Lucky Strike is leaving, that alone should give him an Emmy this year, but he has so much to choose from this season. I don't really like Roger all that much but it was fascinating to watch the character dealing with so much crisis this season.<br /><br />I also agree that Sally is an MVP this season. Kiernan Shipka is a marvelous young actress. I've always loved Sally, and the reason I've always hated Betty (not January Jones, I think she's doing wonders with a character I often fill like throwing off a cliff) is because she's so mean to Sally and she doesn't even want her in her life. You can see it by the way she treats her. Betty may be sad but that does not excuse any of her behavior. And it also doesn't excuse Don for not paying more attention to the fact that Sally needs to get out of that house. Alas.<br /><br />And, of course, Jon Hamm and Elisabeth Moss nail it every season and this was no different. They are both amazing as always.Richter Scalehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09820925728032551527noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8256060.post-39098750920684716402010-10-19T20:14:12.183-04:002010-10-19T20:14:12.183-04:00This may not be a movie reference, but the gang th...This may not be a movie reference, but the gang thought it humorous that the model's name was Carolyn Jones ... "like Morticia."Rosshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01387309753296381310noreply@blogger.com