Breaking Bad - Ozymandias - Walt's Fake Angry Phone Call

Read it. Its obvious Walt is playing the abusive husband to absolve Skyler of any criminal liability:

Walt: "Are you alone? No Police?"
Skyler - No, no Police. 
[Obviously,  Walt knows the police are listening. Otherwise why call the house land-line at the that time? And why call to berate and threaten her? Walt has already decided to return the baby and 'disappear'. ]

"What the hell is wrong with you?” Why can’t you do one thing I say? This is your fault. This is what comes of your disrespect. I told you Skyler. I warned you for a solid year — If you cross me, there’ll be consequences. What part of that didn't you understand?"
[Walt plays the abusive husband.  Establishes that Skyler had been threatened with losing her child or worse, for over a year if she disrespects or 'crosses'  Walt.]

Skyler - You took my child. You bring him back. 

 "[I took your child] because you need to learn! Maybe now you’ll listen. Maybe now you’ll use your damn head. You know, you never believed in me. You were never grateful for anything I did for this family. ‘Oh no, Walt, Walt you have to stop! You have to stop this! It’s immoral! It’s illegal! Someone might get hurt!’
[Establishes that Skyler has been against Walt's criminal activity thinking it immoral, illegal and might end in violence.  Also, that Skyler had been against it from the start.]

"You’re always whining and complaining about how I make my money, just trying to bring me down while I do everything! And now, now, you tell my son what I do? After I told you, I told you to keep your damn mouth shut? You stupid bitch! How dare you?”
[Establishes that Walt did all the criminal activity - Skyler nothing.  Walt has told Skyler to tell no one not even their son.]

Skyler:  I'm Sorry. 
[Skyler finally understands what Walt is doing and plays along - although this has a double or even triple meaning]

"You had no right to discuss anything about what I do. What the hell do you know about anything? Nothing! I built this – me. Me alone, nobody else. "
[Again, Walt is responsible for all the criminal activity Skyler did nothing and knew little.]

 Skyler:  Right. You're Right 
[Again Skyler plays the abused wife, taking orders.]

"You mark my words, Skyler, toe the line. Or you will wind up just like Hank."
[ A death threat so that Skyler can claim she went along out of fear for her life.]

Skyler: Tell me what happened. Where is Hank? Please. We need to know.”

"You'll never see Hank again.  He crossed me.  You think about that! Family or No. You let that sink it.”
[ Restates the death threat. Note: Walt does not say he killed Hank.]

Mad Men - A Little Kiss

So Mad Men returns after 17 months and I can't say I cared that much. It wasn't a bad episode and was amusing in many places BUT it simply highlights the mistake the Producers made at the end of Season 3. Basically, after Season 3 MM had two ways to go, it could stay in the 1960-1965 time-frame and develop the characters - as originally conceived -  or it could go beyond that point and rely on new characters and new situations to continue the fan interest.

Sadly, MM made the second choice.  So, the while characters we know from Season 1 are still there (except for Betty) all  the dramatic tension is gone.  Don is no longer the disgruntled "Organization Man" with a secret;  his marriage with Betty is over, and he's at the top of the world professionally.  Joan, Pete, Roger and Peggy are no longer  life-like people with thwarted ambitions and unrealized dreams who somewhat dislike and attack each other,  but more or less comic "frenemies" who've left S&C to be with their best buds.

Even worse is the prospect of our characters 'growing' as they accept that "times are a changing" and that sexism, racism, and homophobia have no place in new America.  Or being shown as bigots and chauvinists bitterly clinging to their out-moded beliefs.  No doubt Roger will end as a bitter old coot in a rocking chair railing against Hippies and women's lib.

But who knows, maybe I'm wrong and the producers will surprise me.  Time will tell.

The Fugitive Episode Guide - Season 3 Part 2

Grade A

1) Ill Wind (John McIntire & Barry Morse) Gerard captures Kimble while working with a gang of migrant workers, but a Hurricane puts all their lives in jeopardy. A well acted, action packed episode. Flaws: the villain is the standard “white male bigot” and once again Kimble has to save Gerard’s life.

2) Wife Killer (Janice Rule & Kevin McCarthy) The one-armed man is caught in a police magnet and Kimble and Rule kidnap him to exact a confession. A good episode except - AGAIN - St. Kimble has to save a man who’s wronged him. Not Gerard this time, but the one-armed man!

3) This Will Kill You (Micky Rooney & Nina Talbot) An ex- comic (Rooney) on the run from the mob hopes to reconnect with his former wife. More of a standard drama than usual. The acting by Talbot (as the amoral ex-wife)and Rooney make this an “A” episode.

4) The 2130 (Melvyn Douglas & Barry Morse) A prominent doctor contacts Gerard about Kimble. He's convinced a computer can predict Kimble's every move. Another suspenseful, well acted episode. But its a little unclear as to how Gerard has so much data on Kimble’s where abouts or how the computer could predict his next move any better than a human. The old timey computer (2130) is a real hoot, occupying a whole room with punch cards and a staff full of nerds. Its computer power probably didn’t exceed an 1986 IBM PC.

Grade B

5) Shadow of the Swan (Joanna Pettet) While working at a Veterinarians office, Kimble gets mixed up with a troubled, beautiful girl. More of a drama/character study than a Fugitive episode. Joanna Pettet shines as the guest star.

6) Echo of a Nightmare (Shirley Knight) A Policewomen with a violent past tries to take Kimble prisoner but finds the tables turned. Throughout much of the episode Knight and Kimble are handcuffed together. Knight is excellent but her character was too smart to stupidly handcuff herself to Kimble.

7) Chinese Sunset (Laura Devon) Kimble tries to educate a bookies girlfriend while working at a Beverly Hills Hotel. A comedic episode that works.

8) With Strings Attached (Donald Pleasance) Working as a Chauffeur, Kimble begins to suspect his employer (a violin prodigy) is plotting murder. A somewhat silly story made entertaining by Donald Pleasance as the bald, bug-eyed Max and Rex Thompson (a complete Ham).

Grade C

9) A Taste of Tomorrow:(Fritz Weaver) Kimble meets a fellow fugitive and tries to convince him to forgo revenge and turn himself in. Fritz Weaver is excellent as the sick, hate-filled man who’s been wronged. But the episode lacks suspense and believability. Michael Constantino seems very out of place as a Western sheriff.

10) Running Scared (Joanne Linville) When Kimble's father dies, a neglected politicians wife arranges a reunion between Kimble and her Sister. Another curiously un-involving Kimble-visits-his-family story.

11) The White Knight (Steven Hill) Kimble rescues a politician and his mistress from a small plane crash. Kimble tries to remain anonymous but they draw him in to their sordid affairs. A little over-the-top and somewhat silly at times. Steven Hill does well with a character that is a little too evil.

Grade D

12) Not with a Whimper (Laurence Naismith) A visit to his former mentor puts Kimble in the hands of a madman who’s planted bomb. At the end, when cornered by the cops, Kimble pretends he has a bomb, and the cops absurdly let him escape. An underwritten episode. The last 20 minutes are drawn out and padded as Kimble runs around the factory trying to defuse a bomb. The whole episode lacked suspense and was full of gimmicks. The acting is good. A weird conversation at the end that somehow planting a bomb wasn't that bad because Naismith's cause was good. It made me think of the left-wing bombings of the 60s and early 70s.

13) In a Plain Paper Wrapper (Lois Nettleton). Kimble starts a relationship with a young waitress unaware that her nephew and teenage friends are out to capture Kimble. A lackluster episode full of bad child actors.

14) Coralee (Antoinette Bower) .A young diver is drowned and Kimble has to deal with a Boss trying to cover up the accident and a young waitress who’s considered a jinx. A dull episode where everyone -except Kimble- behaves like an idiot. Kimble makes another implausible escape – this time by scuba diving. Also, S.O.P, the “bad guy” is small businessman, the “good guy” a women who falls for Kimble's Basset-hound looks.

15) Stroke of Genius (Telly Savalas & Barry Morse) Tragedy strikes when Kimble hitches a ride with a small town pastor. Telly Savalas is the father of Beau Bridges a troubled young man who snipes at passing cars. This episode had promise and Gerard shows up to add some interest but Savalas is miscast and unbelievable as a simple country tow-truck operator. Also, Bridges overacts & his character is cliche.

The Fugitive Episode Guide - Season 1 Part 1

Grade A

1) Fear in a Desert City (Brian Keith & Vera Miles) Kimble is an innocent man accused of murdering his wife. The first episode which introduces us to Kimble. Keith shines as the nasty Sheriff.

2) See Hollywood and Die (Brenda Vaccaro) Kimble is taken hostage by two trigger happy hoods. A very taut, well written, well acted episode with Kimble pretending to be crook and killer in order to escape.

3) Never Wave Goodbye-part 2 (Barry Morse) A match is the only thing standing between Kimble and permanent freedom. Kimble tries to find the “one-armed” man but finds only Gerard is hot on his trail. Once again Gerard is so intent on getting Kimble he never even removes his tie, despite almost drowning.

4) Nightmare At Northoak (Barry Morse) Kimble's heroics during a school bus accident may cost him his freedom. While the supporting “Small Town” actors are mediocre at best, this episode was suspenseful and provides us with some background on Gerard thinking.

Grade B

5) The Other Side of the Mountain (Sandy Dennis & R.G. Armstrong ) Kimble teams up with a young girl in a dangerous mountain trek. The episode is rather patronizing and unrealistic regarding West Virginia but Dennis and Armstrong are both excellent in their roles. Morse shows up and comically Armstrong asks him if he ever takes off his tie.

6) Never Wave Goodbye-part 1 (Robert Duvall & Susan Oliver) Kimble tries to hook the one-armed man in Los Angeles. This is the first part of a two part series. The second part is stronger. I would’ve rated it higher but Lee Phillips is simply awful as the "kindly old immigrant" in a wheelchair while Duvall’s ‘Norwegian’ accent is even worse. The writing and Susan Oliver, however, are very good.

7) The Girl From Little Egypt (Pamela Tiffin) A freak automobile accident puts Kimble's secret in jeopardy. This episode flashes back to the murder of Kimble’s wife and the one-armed man. It also includes a rather excellent story about a young girl having an affair with a married man.

8) Decision in the Ring (James Edwards & Ruby Dee) Kimble lands center ring when he gets involved with an ailing boxer. Some excellent acting by all concerned. One of those 60s TV shows where blacks are shown as white middle class people with dark skin. A good show that makes subtle propaganda points in favor of Civil Rights.

9) Smoke Screen: (Beverly Garland) A forest fire turns up the heat for Kimble. Again we get the subtle liberal propaganda sandwiched into a good drama. The illegal aliens are shown as “good people” who just want to work and be good Americans. An excellent story where Kimble has to choose between helping someone and risking exposure.

10) Glass Tightrope – (Ed Binns & Leslie Nielsen) The wrong man is accused of murder and only Kimble can clear him. Another show where Kimble must choose between doing right and risking being caught. Ed Binns is good as the tough amoral detective, Nielsen shows he was better than average at drama.

Grade C

11) Ticket to Alaska – Geraldine Brooks Kimble is aboard a luxury liner for murder on the high seas. More of a Agatha Christie “whodunit” than the typical Fugitive Episode. A murder occurs aboard ship, and the Captain must find the culprit. Kimble has plenty of screen time but its more of an ensemble piece.

12) Home Is The Hunted (Andrew Prine) Old family loyalties could mean the end for Kimble. He returns home to visit the old man who’s sick. Seeing Kimble’s family was interesting, but the episode is curiously slow and un-involving. Somewhat Soap operaish.

Grade D

13) Fatso (Jack Weston). Kimble finds friendship on the run with a kind. A Fugitive episode where Kimble plays social worker and tries to Fix a dysfunctional family. A soap opera.

14) Terror at High Point (Jack Klugman) A construction boss tries to patch up his marriage with Kimble's help. Klugman is miscast as the macho Utah construction boss. Kimble plays the liberal hero trying to protect a mentally challenged kid from a lynch mob. Boring.

15) The Witch (Pat Crowley) A Vicious child's play could cost Kimble his life. An overheated melodrama. Boy those small towns in the 60s sure liked to form lynch mobs. Good thing people like Kimble were around to stop ‘em.

Mad Men Season 3 - Shut the Door and Have a Seat

Synopsis
Its December 1963 and S&C is to be sold to McCann. Don doesn't want to go - and convinces Bert and Roger to set up their own firm of "Sterling Cooper Draper and Pryce". At home, Don and Betty agree to a divorce and Betty goes with Henry to Reno to finalize it.

The Good

• Its Good to have Joan back
• Divorce was the best resolution to the Betty-Don Relationship
• Betty & Don telling the kids - well acted scene
• A fast-paced plot-driven episode
• Don to Pete -"There's not going to be a lobby"
• Sally expresses her hatred of Betty
• Don kicks in the door - keys are for wimps.
• Pryce to Mr. Moneypenny - "Very good. Happy Christmas"
• Sneaky Pete - "I'm not really sick"
• Roger to Harry - "Yes, we're kidding. Happy Birthday!"
• Don talks Peggy into joining him - damn he's good.
• Hilton is gone or reduced to a very minor character

The Bad

• The Betty Don confrontation was cut short. These two had a lot more to say to each other
• Betty leaving the kids at Christmas to go to Reno
• Ken, Lois, and Paul get left behind.

Other Matters
While an exciting "caper" several points about starting SCDP puzzled me. First, why would St.Johns give Pryce the power to fire Bert or Roger? Sounds like too much responsibility for Pryce considering his position and unnecessary. Second, was the "theft" of S&C documents legal? They not only took their stuff, they took S&C and PPL documents.

The divorce of Betty and Don seems rather rushed. As stated above, the scene where Kinda Drunk Don confronts Betty seemed cut short. Betty had a lot to say and logically would have said it. It should have been a big scene, but was sandwiched into the caper plot.

For Betty, a divorce makes sense. Don left the key and kept a "secret Drawer" because he wanted her to find it. Which was the end for Betty, She found out about the big lie, that Don had been shutting her out and lying for years, that he was really someone else, that he'd been married before, and was a deserter It emphasized - in a biggest way possible - Don's real failure in the marriage. His failure to be honest, to open up, to make her part of his work life, to be there. That's what Betty wanted, and Don refused to give it to her, except at the end. She had to find out about his past life by "accident", she found out about his contract dispute from Roger, and recently Don was absurdly leaving in the middle of night to go visit "Hilton" - even when there was no phone call. Not to mention his other affairs. Don was really the "Man who wasn't there". So, once Henry showed up - it was goodbye Don. And I don't blame her.

And that brings up Don. Don's attitude toward Betty has been so changing and contradictory its slightly unbelievable For example, why would Don leave documents for Betty to find, then be shocked and collapse into a tearful confession when discovered? And his actions at the end contradict his actions in Seasons 1 and 2. Then Don really didn't care that much about his marriage and felt trapped. So, why the shock at Betty asking for a divorce or the attempts in previous episodes to be the loving husband? The change from Season 1/2 to the end of Season 3 was simply unbelievable in many ways.

One can say the same about Bert and Roger. Is it really believable that Bert and Roger, one year after semi-retirement would desire to buy back the firm at 12 percent over the payment price? You can argue that -like many- they just *thought* they wanted money and ease, then realized they missed the action. But if so, why were they so reluctant at to go with Don? It seems the plot was really driving the characters.

Overall Rating -
An excellent episode to close Season 3, probably the best.

Thoughts on Season 3: Overall this was enjoyable but a definite cut below Seasons 1 and 2. I have doubts about where the show is headed, The original dynamic of the show is gone, and it seems that everyone at SCDP are now old chums. A few episodes ago, Roger and Don weren't speaking - now Bert/Don/Roger are the 3 Amigos. One moment Pete is full of resentment at Don and S&C, the next he's off with the 3 Amigos and new firm.

And Season 3 really tread water in many respects. Peggy disappeared, Pete did nothing except cheat on Trudy and be unhappy, the British takeover never amounted to much, and neither did the school teacher or Hilton. Further, Joan left and now is back.

I hope Season 4 is better. Can Mad Men continue without turning into a Soap Opera? Time will tell. Episode 13 ****stars; Overall Season 3 - ***

Good Sites

What is Alan Watching
Basket of kisses
Salon

Mad Men - Season 3 - The Grownups

Synopsis
Its November 22, 1963 and we all know what that means. At work, Pete gets the bad news, he's lost the promotion to Ken and he doesn't take it well. Peggy and Duck continue their affair and Roger continues the wedding despite the assassination. At home, Betty tells Don she doesn't love him, Mr. Rockefeller asks Betty to marry him.


The Good

• Both Hamm and January do a good job of showing their changed relationship
• Roger knows how to make a speech
• Pete going home sick after getting the bad news
• Duck unplugging the TV so Peggy won't be "distracted"
• The terrible artwork on Peggy's Desk - yes, Sal is missed - good touch
• The kids sensing somethings wrong when Mom doesn't say goodbye to Don
• Roger and Joan's telephone call - those two have chemistry baby

The Bad

• Too much time spent showing Walter Cronkite and our characters watching the TV.
• Betty telling Don she didn't love him came out of nowhere.
• Everyone's a little too broken up about Kennedy.

Other Matters
Having everyone on Mad Men watching Walter Cronkite and being devastated by the assassination was bad TV and a little over-dramatic. The fact is, in 1963 a lot of people didn't like Kennedy or just didn't care about politics. Others were saddened by the news - but didn't obsess over it and got on with their lives. My mother, for example, was scandalized that many of her friends complained about the endless "boring" assassination TV coverage - they wanted to watch their soaps!

Its looks like Don and Betty are headed for divorce court. Probably a good thing, since the Don-Betty relationship had nowhere else to go. Given how Don has behaved a divorce is really quite reasonable. Don has constantly cheated on Betty, he lied to her about who he is and he's shut her out of his life at work. Other than money and the kids why would Betty want to stay with Don? On the plus side, a divorced (or separated) Don will be able to play the field more openly - which should be interesting.

Overall Rating
Mixed. But after watching a 2nd time better than I first thought Some good moments - January did some good acting - however, seeing our characters watch TV and talk about the Kennedy assassination was kinda boring. On the plus side, the episode set us up for some excitement ahead *** stars.

Mad Men Season 3 - The Hobo and the Gypsy

Synopsis
Betty shows Don the contents of his "Secret Drawer" and asks questions. After a stiff drink, Don provides the answers, and tells the truth, mostly. At the office, Roger meets an old flame but remains true to his child bride, and then helps Joan out with a new job. Finally, Dr. Butterfingers joins the army and the schoolteacher cries when Don ends their affair.


The Good

• So, that's why Betty didn't get a locksmith
• So, that's why Don put all his secret papers in desk drawer, thanks writers.
• Hamm acts up a storm
• Roger and Joan's telephone call
• January acts up a storm
• Excellent Don-Betty confrontation - Betty doesn't give him any room to run
• Roger gets more than a couple one-liners
• Joan hits her husband with a vase
• "Casablanca, that woman got on a plane with a man who was going to end World War II, not run her father's dog food company."
• Hendricks looked really hot this episode
• Don leaving the schoolteacher in the caddy - then forgetting her

The Bad

• Betty takes the baby trick or treating - give me a break. They're wealthy by the standards of 1962. they couldn't get Carla to stay late?
  

Other Matters
The lawyer seem mistaken in so many ways. First, it'd be easy for Betty to prove adultery, secondly in the 60s the wife always got the kids, third, Betty would have gotten a good alimony settlement. Why the writers had the lawyer lie is puzzling.

Both Roger and his old girlfriend need to watch Casablanca again - Ingrid didn't get on a plane with anyone.

Overall Rating
Most excellent. The best episode this far and will probably will earn Hamm an Emmy nomination. The show is always at its best when it focuses in on Don. Where does the show go from here? I have no idea - and that's great. **** stars.

Good Reviews:
Whats Allan Watching?

Mad Men - Season 3 - The Color Blue

Synopsis

Betty opens Don's "Secret Drawer" and discovers Don isn't who she thinks he is. Don continues his affair with the School teacher and meets her brother. At the office, we learn the Brits plan on Selling S&C, while Paul gets a great idea - but then loses it..

The Good

• No Conrad Hilton
• Peggy coming up with a Campaign on the spot. Paul realization that Peggy really better than him was well-acted.
• "Does Mona know about?"
• Paul's getting an idea, then losing
• "Who told you I was Vain? Please, its obvious."
• "Churchill rousing or Hitler rousing?"
• Betty calling Mr. Rockefeller Aide & being shot down
• Betty NOT having a cliched confrontation with Don - excellent
• Don and the Teacher on the train

The Bad

• The Hokey way Betty finds out about Don's past.
• The Selling of S&C - so the whole Brit takeover was a shaggy dog story?

Other Matters

My biggest disappointment was the WAY in which Betty finds out about Don's past. I mean, a secret drawer?! If Betty wanted to open that Drawer - all she had to do was call a locksmith. You can argue Don WANTED Betty to find out, or didn't care. But if Don really wanted to keep a secret its unbelievable that he'd put all his secret documents in desk drawer with a wife who has nothing to do all day. Safe Deposit Box anyone?

Whether free Spirit or kook, the teacher-Don relationship seems fated to end badly. Another Don misjudgment - but in character.

Will the sale of S&C open the way for Sal and Joan to get back and will the Duck be involved?

Overall Rating Only a few episodes left this season and things are finally moving. There were so many good things about this episode. Good thing the focus is back on Don and his juggling act. Looking ahead, the story possibilities are endless. It'll be interesting to see if the MM writers can keep up the quality and stay away from cliches. **** stars.

Good Reviews:
Tim Goodman
Whats Allan Watching?

Mad Men - Season 3 -Wee small hours

Synopsis
Betty wants, then doesn't want, to have an affair with Mr. Rockefeller aide. Sal gets fired. Don starts another relationship - this time with the schoolteacher while disappointing Conrad Hilton at work.

The Good

• January gets another chance to show her acting ability
  
• We're back to the old Don - focused on work
  
• Sal's Firing brought some needed drama to the office.

The Bad

• Another Don affair with the wrong woman. Predictably, Don had no trouble getting another one - whose next after this one - Liz Taylor?
• Too much Conrad Hilton.
  

Other Matters
Don's gotten a lot of heat from fans for firing Sal and saying "you people" but he really had no choice. As stated, Lucky is a $25 million dollar account, and Sal's a replaceable employee. And of course, we know the truth about the incident but Don doesn't. We know Sal is the victim, but Don doesn't. He just knows he told Sal to "Lessen your exposure" and now he's in some kind of Gay Sex thing with Mr. Lucky Stripes. He probably wondered why Mr. Lucky Stripes even knew Sal was gay, no doubt he thought Sal did something, hence his comment "You People". And how exactly could he have defended Sal to Roger or Bert? Lets see, "Gee guys, Sal's gay -and he has sex with bell-boys - but he's the victim, because he doesn't put out for just anybody. We need to take his word over the client." I bet Roger would have been very sympathetic.

No doubt if Don had cried and raged against the homophobia of 1963 and then fired Sal , most of the critics would like him better, but the end result would be the same.

Finally, the main villain at S&C isn't Roger/Don but Harry, who should have immediately told Roger or Pete when the call was made to fire Sal. Above all, Harry should have excluded Sal from the meeting. Why was he there? If you're going for "he'll forget in time" then keep him out of sight!

Overall Rating
The Sal firing and Bettys affair made this show enjoyable. I dreaded the Teacher-Don affair, and Conrad Hilton is becoming a tiresome bore... *** stars.

Good Reviews:
Basket of Kisses
Whats Allen Watching

Mad Men - Season 3 Souvenir

Synopsis
Betty wins the Reservoir fight and goes with Dan to Rome. Pete meanwhile stays in the City alone and cleans a dress, meets Jane managing a dress shop, and has a fling with the nanny next door. Sally kisses a boy then beats up her brother.

The Good

• Finally a show that shows Betty in a good light, now we know why Don married her.
• The shot of Sally and Betty in the same mirror was great.
• January looked great (except for the beehive) the entire episode
• Pete and Jane's encounter, well-written and acted
• Betty's look when Mr. Rockefeller aide kisses her.
• Pete's look of guilt and terror when the Nanny's boss confronts him
• Pete shifting the blame to Trudy for his infidelity

The Bad

• No Roger
• Betty's Beehive hairdo - ugh.

Other Matters
Jane's now working as a manager in a dress shop and tells Pete her husband is thinking of Psychiatry. Good - you can't kill a patient with a pad and pencil.

Pete and Trudy seem to following the script from "Seven Year Itch" where all the wives leave New York in August while the men continue to work. Of course, most New Yorkers in 1963 couldn't leave for the summer- only the middle and upper classes.

Overall Rating The show takes a break from the office and focuses on only 3 characters: Don, Betty, and Pete. An above average show which shows Betty (in a good way) and gave January some time to shine. Pete was his usual bad little boy self. ***1/2 stars.

Good Reviews
Tim Goodman
Basket of Kisses
Whats Allen Watching

Mad Men - Season 3 - Seven-Twenty-Three

Synopsis
At the office, Conrad Hilton signs with the Agency resulting in Roger/Bert pressuring Don to sign a 3 contract. Meanwhile, Peggy sees both a part of Duck usually hidden from his co-workers and the bad side of Don. At Home, Betty meets with that Handsome Rockefeller aide to save a reservoir and explore other possibilities. And Don -feeling trapped takes another drive on the wild side.



The Good

• Archie's joke was good.
• Bert: "After all, when it comes down to it, who's really signing the contract, anyway?"
• Betty hanging up on Roger when he calls about the contract.
• The Duck making the move on Peggy
  
• The show focusing on Don again.
  
• The School teacher shooting down Don.
  
• Peggy wearing the same clothes the next morning after her encounter with Duck
  
• Don's chewing out Peggy - Don can be a real bastard sometimes.
• The whole Betty-Henry Francis interaction was well done. In fact, this was the first episode (this season) where Betty isn't shown as a childish bitch. As shown in Season 2, Betty wants to help Don at his job and expects Don to confide her - but he won't.
  
• Bert: (on Connie) "I met him once. He's a bit of an eccentric, isn't he?" - pot meet kettle.

The Bad

• The Hitchhikers talking about the Draft/Vietnam seemed out-of-place. The draft was at a low point in 1963 and while Vietnam was becoming more prominent in the news, no one was discussing sending more troops. In 1963, it was just military advisers.
• Don's going to motel room with the Hitchhikers. Yes, Don had been drinking but Don is nobody fool and is street smart. The only incentive would be to have sex with the girl, but the hitch-hikers story/behavior makes that unlikely. So why did he go there, except to advance the plot?
  
• Seeing Duck and Peggy in bed - a discreet fade out after the kiss would have been sufficient, thank you very much.
  

Other Matters
Don is incredulous when a father tells him at school that he "runs" everyday. People forget that even as late as the early 70s people thought you were a "health nut" if you jogged or ran. I think it was Dr. Cooper with his book "Aerobics" and Jim Fixx who really made jogging popular.

Would Roger really call Betty to get her to pressure Don about the contract? I don't see that as a good idea from any angle. I think Roger would have been smart enough to know that.

Overall Rating
An excellent show, almost all drama, which focused on 3 of the 4 main characters - Peggy, Don and Betty. Don was more of a dis-likable character in this episode -which is good. He was turning into a liberal hero. And Don's locked in to 3 more years at Sterling and Cooper - so the show will stay at S&C till 1966. **** stars.

Good Reviews
Basket of Kisses
Whats Allen Watching

Mad Men - Season 3 - Guy Walks into an Advertising Agency

Synopsis
The Brits come to visit and leave something for the Mad Men to remember them by. Don and Roger kiss and make up - Joan meanwhile, has a going away party and learns her Husband won't be a Surgeon - just a MD. At home, Sally gets a new Barbie Doll and learns babies aren't ghosts.


The Good

• The cobra as a gift.
• Kinsey & the whole beard/guitar/marxist shtick - what a poseur.
• One of your greatest qualities is you always do what you're told
• "I'm being punished for making my job look easy"
  
• "I feel like I've been to my own funeral, and I didn't like the eulogy"
  
• Cleaning the blood off the glass- nice touch .
  
• "It looks like Iwo Jima in here"
• Peggy fainting and Pete catching her
  
• Poor Guy, women drivers -'nough said.
  
• Joan springing into action.
  
• Sally screaming at the Barbie (needs to watch less Twilight Zone)
  

The Bad

• Betty just gets more and more bitchy. The writers are overdoing it.
  
• Is that a new kid actor playing Don's Son? He doesn't look anything like him.
  

Other Matters
As a practical matter, wouldn't be rather difficult to run over someone's foot with a Small JD tractor? You'd have to hit them at just the right angle, otherwise they' d get bumped first or would jump out of the way. And how do you get a JD tractor into a large Manhattan office building all the way up to the 20th floor. Ken must have some hidden talents.


The Profumo Scandal

Joan Harris: Well, we can hire some prostitutes. I know your prime minister enjoys their company.

John Hooker: Secretary of war. You do best not to bring that up tomorrow.

Little did Joan know that JFK liked prostitutes too -lots of them. Those and Gangsters girlfriends and Marilyn Monroe. According to Harold Macmillan JFK stated he had to have sex every day otherwise he got headaches.

Overall Rating
Another comic (well, black comedy) episode highlighting the office. And Joan gets some excellent screen time. Probably the best episode this season, although it looks like the writers are adrift in portraying Don's homelife. The lawnmower bit was a gimmick - but still fun.
**** stars.

Good Reviews
Basket of Kisses
Whats Allen Watching

Mad Men - Season 3 - The Fog

Synopsis Betty has a baby and some drug hallucinations, At work, Don battles the "Penny-wise Pound Foolish" Brits while Pete tries to sell some TVs. Other subplots: Sally's teacher seems interested in Don. and the Duck returns and asks Penny and Pete to join him at Greys.

The Good

• Peggy asking Don for Raise.
• The Return of the Duck.
• Pete to Peggy "Your decisions affect me"
• The whole Pete Admiral TV subplot
• Paul quoting Marx - arch-typical 60s liberal behavior
  
• Betty having a baby, well done
  

The Bad

• Sally's teacher coming on to Don - I know he's a babe magnet, but really.
  
• The prison guard in the Delivery waiting room. Why do TV shows have such a hard time writing believable, likable, blue-collar types? The whole character seemed phony to me.
  
• Betty's overly whiny behavior. This is her third baby, I think she knows the drill by now. And isn't she a WASP? As a part-WASP I can tell you we do "stiff upper lip" rather well.
  
• The reaction of the Admiral TV execs to advertising their TV's to "Negroes" was incredibly overdone. One Admiral exec actually asks Pete if its "legal" to have Blacks/Whites do commercials together, Simply unbelievable. Blacks/whites had been on TV shows together by 1962. Nate King Cole had his own show in 1956, and Belefonte won an Emmy in 1960.
  

Other Matters
To make up for the lack of Black characters, Mad men usually shows its occasional black character in the best light. This time its the African American elevator operator who comes off as classy and informed vs. the clueless, naive Pete.

Overall Rating
The show has stopped treading water and the story is finally advancing - although Don is still in the background. But there's still time to get back to Don Draper, (Season 4 was picked up). ***1/2 stars.

Best Review

SF-gate Tim Goodman

"See, the entertaining part of "Mad Men" looking back at who we were and how we acted resides in all those scenes we never really saw anywhere else (and if they were attempted, they weren't quite as good). You know, like when the Draper kids are playing with that dry cleaning bag but get lectured about messing up the clothing. Or the lack of car seats... "Mad Men" does that extremely well. But talking about race and gender - few series can pull that off without looking like an ABC "Afterschool Special" or some other kind of obvious civics lesson. It's a pop culture millstone. We've seen it too often. There is no element of surprise to it. Even in the best series on television, I'm not sure the treatment can rise above passably good. Since "The Fog" was so much about race - Medgar Evers was as importantly prominent in this episode as references to John F. Kennedy were in last week's episode - and also about gender issues, there was a tone to it that had a somber lecture-heavy "importance" stamped on its figurative forehead.

That's not where "Mad Men" is going to do its best work. Obviously, the changing times MUST affect Sterling Cooper, Don Draper and others. But the danger that "Mad Men" faces, the one I've dreaded for two seasons and four episodes prior, is in the handling of the telling of what we already know. Too much of the "Hey, there sure is a lot of racism out there" or "What? Women get paid less than men? That's outrageous!" will lead down a too-familiar path. There is a delicate balance, to be sure - and we still have so much to discover, timeline-wise, and then to have the characters marinate in those discoveries. But "Mad Men" (despite what some people want it to prod at), never really came to life as a fictional assessment of turbulent times. It sprang to life as an examination of the weird emotional cocktail inside Don Draper's skull."

Mad Men - Season 3 - The Arrangements

Synopsis
Another not much happens episode. We say goodbye to Gene, who goes to that Big Dough-boy Parade in the Sky. Meanwhile, Peggy decides to move to Manhattan and searches for a new roommate, while Sal makes the move to TV director and his wife uneasy. Oh, and Pete takes a rich old college friend to the cleaners.

The Good

• The whole Jai Lai subplot was well done and funny.
• Joan telling Peggy how to write a Roommate wanted ad.
• Gene letting Sally drive (Brings back memories)
• The prank phone call to Peggy (Hilarious)
  
• The Bye Bye Birdie Video ( it was off wasn't it?)
  
• Peggy's smirk to Don after the Video aired.
  
• Gene and Betty's Conversation about his Death.
  

The Bad

• Don's comment about a "Dead Man's Hat". After his obvious distaste for Roger's Black-face, is Don running for liberal prig of the year?
• Sally's little speech at the end "Why are you laughing"? The thrust of the speech was good - but the words and reactions were simply too advanced for a little girl of eight.
  
• Peggy's mother's reaction to her moving to Manhattan. Yes, I"m sure Ma never thought her Daughter "The Big Ad Exec" would ever, ever, move to Manhattan - a whole 1 hour away (Sarcasm off) The whole scene struck me as overdone. Are Irish Mothers really this dramatic? Maybe I'm too much of a cold-blooded Protestant.
  

Other Matters
Gene digs out an old WWI German Helmet and gives it to Draper Junior. He tells Grandson that he personally killed the German (not likely) and the that hole in the helmet is where Gene shot him and the gunk around the hole is "Dried blood". (45 year old blood -Ha). Problem is, the helmet, is a Prussian "dress" or "parade ground" Helmet - not a Combat Helmet. Any German soldier in a combat zone would be wearing the famous steel "Coal-shuttle" helmet, Was that a goof, or was it another detail to show Grandpa as a teller of tall tales?

And yes, some Norwegians marry Catholics and either (1) convert or (2) are perfectly happy to raise the kids as Catholics.

Overall Rating
Except for Gene's death, a lighthearted almost comic episode. Not bad. But enough treading water, lets get the story moving.. *** stars.

Good Reviews
Basket of Kisses
Whats Allen Watching
Slate

Mad Men - Season 3 - My Old Kentucky Home

Synopsis
Not much happens. Its Saturday, and Roger and Jane's country club hosts a Kentucky Derby party invitees include Betty, Don, Pete, Trudy, and an aide to Governor Rockefeller who'll probably appear in future episodes. Meanwhile, Joan is throwing her own party for Dr. Greg and boss, while Peggy, Paul, Smitty, and the new secretary Olive, are working at the office and (excluding Olive) smoking MJ. At the Drapers, Sally steals $5 from Gene but eventually gives it back. The laid-back episode seems designed to give the principals (Hamm and Jones) a break and give minor characters like Joan, Gene, and Paul more air time. We also see Pete & Trudy dance and Paul, Roger and Joan sing.

The Good

• The Joan Party subplot including her playing the accordion.
• Pete and Trudy dancing the Charleston
• Roger singing ( I think he's trying to mimic Al Jolson - unbelievable though)
• The Joan/Jane showdown
• Learning Don is a good bartender
• Betty's encounter with the Rockefeller Aide
• Betty and Don's embrace at the end
• Peggy's little speech at the end about how "she knows everything will be OK"

The Bad

• The entire Peggy/Smitty/Paul subplot was boring. Further, the buying and smoking pot in the office was simply unbelievable given the times (1963). I don't think they would dared do it, and if they had... "Olive" (Peggy's secretary) instead of expressing disapproval probably would have called the police. Further, Olive's reason for being there on Saturday was weak - no reason for a secretary to be there except it served the plot. Olive herself seems to be a rather unbelievable character - but we'll see.

• The Gene and Sally "where's my $5?!" subplot was flat and overlong. Frankly, I didn't care. This incident may have ramifications - but it wasn't well written or directed.

Other Matters
Once again, we see Pregnant Betty smoking and drinking like there's no tomorrow despite the fact (a) she's a college graduate and (b) by 1962 the AMA was advising mothers to neither drink nor smoke while pregnant. And of course, no one says a word to her. Like Roger's unexplained (and unbelievable) use of "black face" this seems another heavy-handed "aren't we so much smarter than people back then" moment that the Producers insert in the show. Ugh!

Overall Rating
Probably the most uneven Mad Men episode ever and the first that had me bored most of the time. Scattered throughout were some superb moments but the episode had 4 subplots going and only 2 were mildly interesting. *** stars.

Good Reviews
Whats Allen Watching
The House Next Door

Columbo Season 2 - Episode Ratings

Most Excellent (A)

1. ETUDE IN BLACK (John Cassavettes)
Co-stars Blyth Danner and Myrna Loy. One of the best Columbo episode ever.

2. MOST CRUCIAL GAME (Robert Culp)
An extremely well-acted episode that ends too quickly. This one could have been twice as long and & remained interesting. Some think the killer's motive is missing. But its there, its just not obvious. Culp kills Wagner because he wants Mrs. Wagner (who likes or loves him) to own the team, not Mr. Wagner, an unstable, alcoholic playboy whose threatened to fire Culp and seems to dislike him.

3.-STITCH IN CRIME (Leonard Nimoy)
A fast paced, well acted episode. The cold, intelligent doctor is played well by Nimoy.

4.-MOST DANGEROUS MATCH (Lawrence Harvey)
Harvey shows why he was nominated for an Oscar. He plays a killer similar to (the occupation is different) Nimoy's but Harvey brings a whole range of emotion to the part that Nimoy does not. Nimoy along with De Forest Kelly have to be two the luckiest actors ever. Both were incredibly limited but got cast in a popular TV series/movies with roles that fit them.

Good (B)

5. GREENHOUSE JUNGLE ( Ray Milland)

6. REQUIEM FOR A FALLING STAR (Ann Baxter)
Not bad, an unusual Columbo - we don't know who Baxter was really trying to kill and why till the end. Baxter and Falk has some great scenes & Columbo is genuinely star-struck at the seeing the great "Nora Chandler".

Average (C)

7. DOUBLE SHOCK (Martin Landau)
Landau plays twins.

8. DAGGER OF THE MIND (RIchard Baseheart)
Columbo finds himself in England helping Scotland Yard solve a murder. Richard Baseheart isn't bad, but the murder and solution are secondary to having fun with tourist Columbo.

Columbo Season 3 - Episode Ratings

Most Excellent (A)

1. Any Old Port In A Storm (Donald Pleasence)
One of the best Columbo episodes. Donald Pleasence is very good and one of the most sympathetic killers in the series.

2. Double Exposure (Robert Culp)
Can you say, double your pleasure? Robert Culp is great as "Doctor" Kepple, a highly-organized marketing and motivational researcher The story itself is very good: subliminal cuts, mind games, and beating the killer at his own game. An excellent ending.

3. Publish Or Perish (Jack Cassidy)
Jack Cassidy plots a quite clever murder. Cassidy's partner in crime is one of the creepiest and well acted supporting characters in Columbo. Cassidy himself is on fire the whole time, playing a great drunk in one scene and a charming gentleman in another. Interestingly, the series ends with no arrest or real rebuttal from Cassidy - just "gotcha" and then fade out.

Good (B)

4. Swan Song (Johnny Cash)
Johnny Cash does a great job as a former convict that kills a rather unlikable wife. The murder is clever and so is Columbo's ploy to catch him. Cash is very sympathetic, and Columbo actually looks sad when realizes that Cash committed murder. The only demerit is there is no reason to suspect murder but Columbo does. A small plane crashes and the pilot survives. To Columbo this means only one thing: Homicide! Of course, if Cash hadn't been caught red-handed with the parachute, Columbo would have had no case.

5. A Friend In Deed (Richard Kiley)
Columbo nabs his boss. Kiley is fantastic as Commissioner Halperin. Once again, a killer makes the mistake of planting evidence.

Average (C)

6. Lovely But Lethal (Vera Miles)
Has some great moments. And who can deny Vera Miles her beauty, charm, and sophistication?

7. Candidate For Crime (Jackie Cooper)
Jackie Cooper makes an excellent Columbo killer, as well as a great politician! He schmoozes everyone, including his wife and girlfriend, like a pro.

Below Average (D)

8. Mind Over Mayhem (Robert Walker)
A rather weak episode but Robbie the Robot is very good.

Columbo Season 1 - Episode Ratings

Most Excellent (A)

1. Murder by the Book (Jack Cassidy)
Jack in one of a number of memorable turns on the show plays one half of a successful writing team...the untalented half. When his partner makes it known his intentions to break up the team, Cassidy's character makes sure he regrets that decision.

Good (B)

2. Blueprint For Murder (Patrick O'Neal)
Forrest Tucker makes a brief but memorable turn as an obnoxious Texas developer who gets the short end of the jerky stick when his architect murders him to keep a proposed building project from being axed.

3. Ransom for a Dead Man (Lee Grant)
A lawyer (Grant) kills her husband for the insurance money and makes the whole thing look like a kidnapping. It never hurt the Columbo series that most of the guest stars were actors or actresses every bit as talented as Peter Falk himself.

4. Suitable for Framing (Ross Martin)
Ross Martin kills his uncle for a valuable art collection and tries to pin the whole thing on said uncle's first wife. Full of 70s atmosphere - man what big cars they had. Don Ameche is the special guest star - he looks about 10 years younger than he is.

5. Death Lends a Hand (1971)
Robert Culp guests as the owner of a powerful detective agency who murders a client's wife. An unplanned murder, and some clever detective work by Columbo. Ray Milland is the special guest star & does an excellent job.

Average (C)

6. Lady in Waiting (Susan Clark)
A woman kills her brother in order to take over the family company. She attempts to make it seem like a case of mistaken identity thinking he is an intruder. Leslie Nielsen guest stars as her non-bumbling boyfriend.

Below Average (D)

7. Dead Weight (Eddie Albert)
To cover his tracks, a retired General (and war hero) murders his partner in defrauding the government. An odd, rather dull episode that tries something different and fails. Usually, the show focuses on Columbo and the Killer. Here we get away from the usual cat-and-mouse game to focus on a 3rd person - the murder witness played by Suzanne Pleshette. Pleshette gets almost as much airtime as Eddie Albert. Further, the murder is unplanned, Killer's post murder actions are unbelievable, and the ending seems rushed and rather obvious. Finally, Albert is simply too amiable and lacks the charisma of the typical Columbo killer.

8. Short Fuse (Roddy McDowell)
While good as an ape - McDowell simply doesn't have the star power to play a Columbo Villain and the story itself is average.

Season 1 overall
Compared to later seasons, Season One focuses more on the killer and the special guest star than Colombo. For example, in "Blueprint for Murder" Colombo doesn't show up until 20 minutes in, and a lot of attention is paid to the "Special Guest Stars" which include Forrest Tucker, Ray Milland, Don Ameche, Suzanne Pleshette, and Leslie Neilson. Further, the killers are usually caught because of their post murder behavior and traps set by Columbo - as opposed to simply analyzing the evidence. Cassidy kills a witness, O'Neal decides to move the body, Grant pays off her daughter to keep silent, Culp goes back to retrieve evidence, Matin kills a 2nd time and plants evidence, and Albert stalks and romances the potential witness to the murder. Falk is much more bumbling and less arrogant in the early shows.

Rating Columbo Episodes

After watching 4 seasons of Columbo on DVD; I think there are six qualities that make a good episode:

1) The murder must be clever and well planned
2) Columbo's solution to crime must be logical, smart, and believable
3) The Villain is sympathetic and/or interesting and well acted.
4) The cat-and-mouse game between the Killer and Columbo must be interesting
5) The other elements of the story (supporting characters, comic relief ) must be done well
6) The direction and script have to be tight - not padded or slack.

I've called the murderers "villains" but most of them aren't. Columbo (and me) like them. Some of them are so sympathetic or interesting its too bad they couldn't be let go.

Probably the most common mistake is having Columbo latch on to the killer for no good reason. In the best episodes, Columbo either has a good reason to suspect the killer at the start or quickly finds evidence that leads him to suspect. Usually a murder has occured and the Killer is an obvious suspect except he has a seemly "airtight" alibi that Columbo has doubts about. Or Columbo decides an "accidental" death is really murder at which time the Killer becomes an obvious suspect. In the poor ones, Columbo simply decides on little or no evidence that the killer with an airtight alibi is guilty. The other mistake is having the killer do something illogical and stupid thereby allowing Columbo to arrest him. In these weak stories, the killer will allow Columbo to solve the crime by trying to kill someone else, plant evidence, or worst of all, try to kill Columbo himself.

Columbo Season 6 and 7 - Episode Ratings

Most Excellent (A)

1 Murder Under Glass (Louie Jordan)
2 Catch me if you can (Ruth Gordon)
Jordan is an excellent villain and the final scene with Falk cooking him dinner is one of the best in the series. Also, in a change of pace, Columbo makes it clear he really don't like this killer OTOH, Gordon is a delight and her interactions with Falk are a highlight of the series. She's the one killer I thought Columbo might let go.

Good (B)

3 Fade Into Murder (William Shatner)
4. Bye Bye Sky High IQ Murder Case (Thomas Bickel)
Both shows have good scripts and well planed murders but are let down by the guest star actors. Shatner is miscast as a William Powell/Nero Wolfe type TV detective - the role obviously called for a Jack Cassidy type. Bickel is simply too stoical and laid back as the bearded CPA.

5. The Conspirators (Clive Revill)
A little padded with an obvious solution to the murder - but still good.

Below Average (D)

6. How to Dial a Murder (Nicol Willamson)
Williamson is an excellent actor but the story & script are too perfunctory and paint by by the numbers. Columbo figures the whole thing out in the first 10 minutes & the killer is never a match for Columbo. Further, Williamson's character is rather dull. Too bad - with a better story Williamson could have been one of the best Columbo villains.

7. An Old Fashioned Murder (Jo Van Patten)
A rather slack episode with good 15 minute opening that meanders and then peters out. The episode seems padded even at 73 minutes & has two weak supporting roles. Celeste Holm is unfunny as the comic relief and Jeannie Berlin is hysterical and obnoxious as the niece.

8. Make Me a Perfect Murder (Trish Van Devere)
At 100 minutes this episode is 30 longer than the usual Columbo episode. But there's nothing in the story that justifies that length. Van Devere is adequate as the icy villainess but her character -and the supporting ones - are dull and unpleasant. Further, the murder itself is unremarkable and there's too much padding.