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| Left to right: January Jones and Jon Hamm |
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 3, Episode 10
"The Color Blue"
"The truth is, people may see things
differently, but they don't really want to."
- Don Draper (Jon Hamm)
Plot:
Things are starting to crumble. When Don Draper (Jon Hamm) gets home early from work, Betty Draper (January Jones) begins to become suspicious. At Sterling Cooper, Roger Sterling (John Slattery) and Bertram Cooper (Robert Morse) are celebrating their 40th anniversary with a party commemorating Don's achievements. Don is meanwhile trying to keep everything afloat throughout the office. Betty continues to have an affair with Henry Francis (Christopher Stanley). Don is continuing to see Suzanne Farrell (Abigail Spencer) and befriends her brother Danny Farrell (Marshall Allman), whom he decides to drive to enlist in military. When Danny backs out, Don randomly drops him off somewhere. Betty gets a phone call from a mysterious person who hangs up without identifying, which tips her off to Don's affair. Paul Kinsey (Michael Gladis) loses a great idea and goes into a panic, only to feel safe when Don doesn't chastise him. As everyone is getting ready for the party, Betty begins to worry about her feelings towards Don, though choosing not to express them during his moment of accomplishment. Lane Pryce (Jared Harris) discovers that Sterling Cooper is going to be sold and all of the employees will go with them.
Rating: 3.5 out of 5
MVP:
Don Draper (Jon Hamm)
Once again, the smooth work of Don is starting to fade and he is growing a little forgetful in his older age. He isn't dating someone far away this time. He is seeing someone who has connections to his family and even lives very close. It's almost like he doesn't care and is overwhelmed by passion. However, as he becomes caring of the Farrell family, he also begins to slip. He gives out his number to a person he barely knows and doesn't put much effort to hide it. By comparison, Betty is a saint who chooses to hide her feelings in order to hide her own affair. Don is continuing to even become thickheaded at work as he gets awards and the feeling of accomplishment for things that are arguably not his. Yes, this is the Don who is going up when his company is going down.
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| Left to right: John Slattery and Hamm |
Best Scene
While it does have a familiar vibe to it, the ending of the episode seems to be a turning point for the Draper family. Betty is well aware of Don's affair and must consider what her next move is. Does she go for Henry and leave Don behind, especially now that this is the second time? Meanwhile, he hides any of his flaws with a great suit and a confidence to back it up. It is a tragic moment that only hints at what's to come. Who was that phone call from and why is Betty so quick to accuse Don? Have all of those nights on using work as an alibi finally catching up with him? There's so much that can be said in his giving false modesty in order to appeal to his peers. Don is the backbone of Sterling Cooper at the moment, even if that isn't going to be lasting for much longer. His reputation, company and marriage, feel like they are about to get a massive change.
UP NEXT: "The Gypsy and the Hobo"
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