Mad Cap: "A Tale of Two Cities"

Left to right: John Slattery, Jon Hamm and Rich Sommer
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 6, Episodes 10
"A Tale of Two Cities"


“Accutron, it’s time for a conversation.”
- Peggy Olsen (Elisabeth Moss)

Plot:

The company decides to change its name in order to have more of a fluid sound. Meanwhile, Joan Holloway (Christina Hendricks) is excited to finally be getting her own client. However, she quickly loses it to Pete Campbell (Vincent Kartheiser) when others believe that she can't do it. Peggy Olsen (Elisabeth Moss) tags along with her and ends up doing it behind her back anyways. Michael Ginsberg (Ben Feldman) gets nervous before presenting the Manischevitz Wine pitch. Don Draper (Jon Hamm) goes to Los Angeles with Roger Sterling (John Slattery) and Harry Crane (Rich Sommer). Their scouting is a bust, but Don ends up passing out at a party and hallucinating about hippies. When he returns, everyone is furious about Joan's choice to go behind their backs. Pete is especially mad, as he felt that his title dictated that he was in charge of acquiring the client. Pete begins smoking. Bob Benson (James Wolk) gets positive remarks from his coworkers


Rating: 3.5 out of 5

Christina Hendricks
MVP:
Joan Holloway (Christina Hendricks)

Poor Joan. All she wanted was to prove her merit at the company. She has been stuck doing secretary jobs for the most part her entire career. Who knew that things would go wrong when she tried to land AVON on her own? She is confident and wants to do better in the world, but there's nobody giving her a chance. Still, it is great to see her hold her ground and finally take some stands. She may still be the unassuming desk girl to most, but she is starting to prove that she is actually a partner and not just a glorified secretary. It's also great when she and Peggy get together, if just to watch them fight it out.

Elisabeth Moss
Best Scene

Never mess with Joan. This is a lesson that comes up time and again. However, things go strangely when Peggy decides to interfere. She may not be as experienced as Joan, but she has acquired more success in her short time in the business. When she tries to interfere during their dinner with AVON, things quickly turn sour and Joan asks her to watch her place. To watch Peggy get destroyed is a fascinating insight into the two female characters who started off almost as partners in the beginning of the series. Still, it captures Joan's desperation and Peggy's cockiness so perfectly that it creates a beautiful, confusing turf war.



UP NEXT: "Favors"

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