Mad Men Blog 'Maidenform' - Episode 6

Bras, bras and more bras
The battle of the sexes continues as the boys and girls fight over bras. Kenzie's "Jackie Kennedy or Marilyn Monroe – every single woman is one of them" comment opened the can of worms that the others were keen to join in.

The real Marilyn Monroe
He got one thing right: "Well, Marilyn's really a Joan, no doubt about that". Cristina Hendricks has not only revealed the essence of the 60's sex bombshell but in so doing she has also reintroduced the curvy figure to modern audiences, knocking size zeroes off their pedestals with every swish of her pencil-skirt hugging hips.

Iron Maiden
I sat nervously, watching and waiting knowing that Peggy couldn't be pigeon holed into either box and waited for her to come through and she did: "I don't think all women are a Jackie or a Marilyn…maybe men see them that way."

Bras are for Men!
Kinsey's ridiculous retort: "Bras are for men. Women want to see themselves the way men see them." Ridiculous but sufficient with this bunch. As they compared Peggy to everyone from Gertrude Stein to Irene Dunne and muscled her out of the bra casting-calls it was clear the boys club won this battle…if not the war. As harsh as it sounds, Joan was spot on with her advice re Peggy's fashion sense being the armour she'll need to get back in the game. And boy does she. However while she's paving the way for future generations of women, her career is coming at a high price to her personal life.

A True Hero?
The image of Sally looking up adoringly at her daddy reminds us that Don has a chequered history that he's very uncomfortable with…no doubt more will be revealed over time. We had another glimpse of his dark side when he revealed his green eyed monster when Arthur chatted up his wife. If only Don took a leaf out of Betty's innocent book: "As we used to say in college, 'Let's be friends'". Not if Don has anything to do with it. Although as soon as Arthur sees Bet's kids, he looks shocked and stunned, so there's nothing to worry about anyway.

Daffy Duck
Duck's clan is the perfect analogy for 'Mad Men': Behind all the 'mommy's, 'daddy's and pretty perfect looking nuclear families, lies a much darker, sinister reality. His wife, whom he obviously still adores is about to marry another man, his kids are growing up faster than he can dish out hot chocolates and after accustoming himself to the absence of his beloved dog, he finds out none of his family wanted him anyway! Then again, he's his own worst enemy: "Dogs are much better than wives, never a problem communicating!" Then he goes and makes it worse by walking out on his pouch. His job is next in the line of fire if he doesn't face his alcoholism. Don putting him in his place probably hasn't helped his day either. When he or anyone else tries to play with the big sharks he gets badly bitten - a clear message never to do it again but he just doesn't learn.

Devil in Disguise
Looking at Don and Bobbie in bed, all I could think about was mind the ash! Don showed his devilish side once again by making his loyal Bets feel guilty about relenting to the needs he himself has created in her. Calling her "desperate" was a cutting lie, as proved by the lingering camera shot.

Philandering Pete
How spooky and fantasy spoiling was his new pal's mother interupting their illicit rendezvous, still it didn't seem to stop them. Poor Trudy…not only does she have a cheating hubby but Pete is rubbing her fertility struggles in her face by impregnating, or trying to impregnate, every girl in Sterling Cooper who'll allow him.

Taragh Loughrey-Grant

P.s. Bryan is right when he commented last week about how brilliant it was to bump into Don's former infatuation, Rachel Menken who appears to be happily married now. Drop us a line and share your thoughts below.

'Mad Men' is on RTÉ One on late night Mondays.