Mad Cap: "Chinese Wall"

Elisabeth Moss
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 4, Episode 11
"Chinese Wall"


"Every time something good 
happens, something bad happens."
- Peggy Olsen (Elisabeth Moss)

Plot:

Sterling Cooper Draper Pryce is in a panic. Lucky Strike has backed out and the staff is sticking around while hoping for good news. Meanwhile, Peggy Olsen (Elisabeth Moss) does a great job with the Playtex client. Roger Sterling (John Slattery) goes missing because he is scared and recently broke up with Joan Harris (Christina Hendricks). Pete Campbell (Vincent Kartheiser) is happy to find out that Trudy Campbell's pregnancy went greatly and he has finally won the approval of his in-laws. Sterling gets accused of being a jerk and is the reason why Lucky Strike quit. Don Draper (Jon Hamm) is taking it all in stride by having sex with Megan Calvet (Jessica Pare). However, he is met with Faye Miller (Cara Buono) when he gets home, who wants nothing but to cuddle up with him. Also, Sterling's book finally gets published.


Rating: 3.5 out of 5

John Slattery
MVP:
Roger Sterling (John Slattery)

Things are falling apart. For some, the idea of Sterling Cooper Draper Pryce being on its home stretch is not a far fetched concept. However, none take it harder than Sterling, who manages to become a big baby. While other people have a combination of good and bad things happen, he is stuck in a loop. He can't do great at work and even loses Joan, who refuses to put up with his nonsense. Nobody is respecting him and he leaves everyone else to take care of business for him. While he isn't entirely to blame, the story seems to be taking major jabs at Sterling this week in order to find something deeper in his character. It could likely do with the theme of balance and the good/bad dichotomy that seems to fit in with all of the other characters. When he finally gets it, his day has been too terrible for him to care.

Left to right: Slattery and Christina Hendricks
Best Scene

Everyone is having an awful day. After running away from the office, Sterling decides to seek solace from the one person who cares about him: Joan. Their recent affair has given him plenty of reason to believe that things will actually work out. As the conversation continues, Joan reveals her true intentions and that she doesn't actually care about Sterling or his increasingly flaky ways. It is what he needs to get through the day. He needs her. Who knows what Sterling's next move is going to be now that he lost one of his reasons for living. Maybe things will work out. Who knows. However, if the biggest thing that happens to him is that he publishes a book, then there's time to consider what is really important to the first name in the business.



UP NEXT: "Blowing Smoke"

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