Mad Cap: "The Benefactor"

Patrick Fischler

Welcome to Mad Cap: a daily rundown of every episode of the acclaimed AMC series Mad Men. During this time, I will be compiling my thoughts and highlights as we travel through every moment and season of the Emmy-award winning drama that has come to define modern TV. The goal is to be a refresher on every moment for Don Draper and his band of advertisement executives leading up to the final season. Stay for all of the shocking moments and the brilliant acting performances, and make sure to chime in with your thoughts and criticisms on why the show means something to you.

Season 2, Episode 3
"The Benefactor"

"You don't cover for me, you manage expectations."

- Don Draper (Jon Hamm)

Plot:

While filming an ad for Utz Potato Chips, comedian Jimmy Barrett (Patrick Fischler) insults the brand owners, who threaten to drop Sterling Cooper. When Don Draper (Jon Hamm) discovers that Lois Sadler (Crista Flanagan) failed to inform him that the owners were on set, he goes and talks to Bobbie Barrett (Melinda McGraw), which quickly turns into a sensuous relationship. Meanwhile, Betty Draper (January Jones) has some free times with horse rider Artur Case (Gabriel Mann) and slowly devolves into giving him marital advice. Harry Crane (Rich Sommer) accidentally receives a different coworker's paycheck and begins to worry that he is being undervalued. He gets promoted to head of the TV department. Lois is fired and Joan Holloway (Christina Hendricks) momentarily takes over as his secretary. Meanwhile, they are trying to determine if The Defenders episode "The Benefactor" (which features heavy use of the word abortion) is acceptable for the company, which they pass on. At dinner that night, Don, Betty, Jimmy, Bobbie, and the Utz Potato Chip owners decide to try and talk things out. Bobbie tries to persuade Don into giving them the money, though Don uses his suave moves to convince her otherwise. Don and Betty drive home, happy to have had a great night out.

Rating: 4 out of 5

Jon Hamm

MVP:

Don Draper (Jon Hamm)

Always focus on business. Even when things get a little sticky and there's potential for the company to lose money, it is important to act professional. For the most part, this is an episode about a series of diversions, most involving Don. He fires Lois and saves the Utz Potato Chips clients from spending a lot of money on a mediocre comedian. He does it all with grace and a little persuasive sexuality. Maybe his disconnect and shameless ability to swoon women helps his case, though it also just means that he isn't as safe as things seem. He will use his power to get his way, and it may become a dangerous factor as the episodes roll on.

Left to right: Hamm and January Jones

Best Scene

Everything is about to belly up. Jimmy is continually causing a scene and insulting his guests. It's time to play hardball. As Bobbie decides to take a break from the table at dinner, Don follows and gets into a tough corner. Bobbie knows the contract and will likely use it against him if necessary. What is Don to do? He may be out of $25,000 if he's not careful. He's listening to her talk and using legal mumbo jumbo. Then his smoothness kicks in and he harasses her with male dominance, forcing her to listen to every word he says. In the course of an episode, their relationship went from kissing in hail to breaking up over a bad deal. It is quite an experience and Don plays it cool through the entire thing. No overacting or getting panicked. He simply controls the situation and shows just how serious he is when it comes to greed and keeping deals.

UP NEXT: "Three Sundays"