Mad Men: I called "dibs!" on Joan's pregnancy...

Just last week, I stood at the door of the sole officemate who watches Mad Men (well...the sole one I like to talk to about such things) and said to her: "Joan is going to get pregnant because of her little tryst with Roger..." or words to that effect). And lo and behold last night in the very first scene, Joanie announces to the Silver Fox, "I'm late."

I'm constantly amazed at the little subtleties and absolutely unpredictable nature of Mad Men. I think the pregnancy scare was one of the few instances where something was even remotely predictable (they had laid the groundwork for it early on this season, with a visit to Joan's gynecologist). But I kept waking up last night with one thought stuck in my brain: On last week's episode, the minute Joan's wedding ring was gone from her hand--she and Roger were mugged in the streets of New York--she gave in to Roger. It's like once that symbol was stolen away, it was okay. She had resisted Roger's advances up to that point. Maybe she just wanted to feel wanted or desired, with her husband away in boot camp on a decision he made without consulting her. And maybe it was the stress of the moment--that mugging--the adrenaline rush of having survived and being alive, that caused Joan and Roger to do it right there, pressed up against the barred wall of a brownstone as a woman walked up the steps behind them.

Last night's best moment? Don utterly losing it when the two strangers showed up in his apartment building's hallway, looking for someone. Second best: Sally utterly losing it when Don told her he was taking her to see the Beatles at Shea Stadium, and Betty actually smiling and sharing in her daughter's joy. (Producers and writers...please don't blow this one. Don't have Don go on a bender or get arrested...send them to the damn concert! Or maybe Megan, Don's new secretary who finally strayed into his laser sights at the end of the show last night, ends up playing surrogate chaperone?)

And for the record...I don't think Joan had an abortion.

Comments

[Kitchen Encounters]

WOW! You've done such a good job with this commentary tonight! There is no where for me to continue, except to say I agree with what you've written and don't have the expertise elaborate quite so eloquently, but here is my best shot:

~ Don's second look at his new secretary at the end is going to matter. SHE'S THE ONE!
~ I too do not think Joanie had an abortion. When the woman in the doctors office asked her how old her daughter was and Joan replied, "15", she made up her mind not to do it and I think she got her ass out of their fast. There's more to this... Joanie doesn't love the guy she is married to. She'll cry at the funeral and that will be that.
~ Sally has always adored her dad and now he adores her back. Whatever 'Betz giveth (in a moment of heartfelt weakness) 'Beth taketh away... and she will take!
~ Who gives a shit if Don is a deserter? Not me, but Pete Campbell does!
GOD THIS SHOW IS SOOOOOO GOOOOOD!!!