Mad Men Season Finale: What Men Want
Yes, I've held my tongue recently -- not out of any disappointment with the buildup to last night's finale, but because the show seemed to be leading me into a string of thoughts that couldn't really be completed until the season itself was completed. Now, in an effort to remain spoiler-free, I want to suggest simply that this season has left the impression that men really or ultimately want women who can be good mothers to their children.
And I don't mean 'good' as in functionally competent. I mean deeply good (in a way we can maybe talk about some more).
Admittedly, even as it's presented, it's an idea on shaky footing. There are plenty of counterarguments scattered across this and other seasons. And, as the show presents things, it's painfully unclear even whether what men do really want has a durable enough influence on what they do. Nevertheless...
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Jun '10
Re: Mad Men Season Finale: What Men Want
American Exceptionalism speaks to our fundamental WholeSumness as a people. The creation of our experiment in freedom and liberty was first and foremost a recognition of the self-evident morality involved of life, liberty, and the freedom to pursue our happiness according to our own consciousness. Later, Marvel added Truth and Justice, and Summed those qualities to the Whole: The American Way. or, what we might call WholeSumness, or colloquially: Goodness.
WholeSumness is the driving force behind everything that has made America the shining light in the world.
If men want children, they want wives who are WholeSum, and will raise WholeSum kids. How much more American can you get? I can't see much better.
May '10
Re: Mad Men Season Finale: What Men Want
I heard a major caveat to the conclusion in the accusation from the jilted girlfriend: "Does she know you only like the beginnings of things?"
Also a major theme capped last night was doofus men, all knowing and wise female figures... except for ex-wives who are crazy.
Re: Mad Men Season Finale: What Men Want
I suppose that could be the conclusion. "I'd like a woman in my life who doesn't freak out when my daughter spills a milkshake and looks like a super sexy French Au Pair." But frankly I felt the whole episode was way off kilter. As if there were several key scenes missing that made the whole plot turn plausible.
As for Trace's "doofus men" comment: Interestingly, I have several female friends on staff who remain mum about working for the notoriously demanding Matthew Weiner and some very talented male writers who couldn't stomach it. No inference made by me. But since he wrote AND directed the show last night I can be very sure there were few questions lobbed as to the credibility of turning Don Draper into a dewy-eyed love addict. Still his narcissism stayed intact. Don Draper's, I mean.
Re: Mad Men Season Finale: What Men Want
Denise: consider the last shot. Don's awake, stone-faced, not exactly beaming with the newfound knowledge of Life's Wonderfulness. He looks out the window to the apartment across the alley. There's no one there. You could read the scene however you like, but I took it to mean that someone will walk into that room, someday. He can't stop looking for the next thing, and as the euphoria wears off, he knows it.
Re: Mad Men Season Finale: What Men Want
Yes, James, I suppose it's similar to the last shot of "The Graduate." The "what the hell do we do now?" shot. I don't have any problem with Don in the situation he now inhabits, I just thought it jumped there within the episode. In fact, when he asked his secretary to marry him both my husband and I thought we were in a dream sequence. But, hell, maybe it was just the weird mushrooms I put in the quiche last night.
Sep '10
Re: Mad Men Season Finale: What Men Want
We are getting a bit of cold mountain-ism I fear where all men are scum and all women are of the angelic orders but as Trace says, Crazy Betsy is the antidote. Hope we see her develop more. For me the show skirts that didactic liberalism and the attention to detail allows us to see how vastly richer we are today without realizing it. I think it was season one when they experienced the heat wave without air conditioning. Don asks about the 48% capital gains tax.