Mad Men 'The Jet Set' - Episode 11

This week we had the best seats in the house to see how the other half lived. The long lunches of the Sterling Cooper past were nothing to the long days by the pool that Don enjoyed this week. As usual Pete was looking on longingly from the sidelines, although this time around he wasn't alone.

Popping the Question
Moments before he popped the question to Jane, Roger blurted: "I've to keep you in line or I'll loose you!" It's clear where his motives for proposing lie. He really has put Mona through the wringer in the past, given his string of other women, lead by Joan and his heart attacks - it's little wonder she's reluctant to be traded in for a younger model or settle for a 'modern relationship'. Its scenes such as this one and men such as Roger and his divorce lawyer that helped spawn the sexual revolution. I nearly choke on my cuppa with shock and disgust when I heard that lawyer say: "I have to warn you, women in this situation become extra irrational!!" Nice.

Bob the Builder
It was magical to listen to Kurt talking to Peggy about Bob Dylan (my mature side told my immature side to ignore Kurt's choice of wording: "When you hear him, he plays with himself"). As Kurt shared his musical and sexual views with Peggy you could almost see him build the foundations for her growing liberal opinion.

Rocket Man
Meanwhile while the office crew are on the doss, Don and Pete's plan was to recruit new clients at the Californian 'American Aviation and Rocket Convention'…Pete at least made a good stab at it. As usual 'Mad Men' brings us side by side with the current affairs events of the day and it was fascinating to re-experience the space-war argument and talk of 'Total annihilation' as it may have been introduced to the public at the time.

When Don has Done
Then Don did what Don does and despite his mini-breakdown will probably still manage to survive unscathed professionally but personally? His nine lives are running out – I didn't think he'd make it through this week. While Joy (Laura Ramsay) may have originally appeared as a dangerous little devil, she turned out to be a little angel in disguise. Of course, her whole bo-ho rich kid lifestyle is a little unsettling, not to mention her dad arranging her 'dates'. Now that he has started 'seeing' Betty (the similarity was uncanny) perhaps it's only a matter of time before he apologises? His familiar, yet naked, arm on the couch - so familiar from the opening credits - could suggest he's ready to open up about his life.

Ducking Out
Love Sterling's business chat and Duck is right, he is candid. He's certainly trying to earn his stripes before going before the board, although I'm not sure I trust him? Duck isn't the only unnerving character, Cooper's "Let them open the Kimono first" was a tad spooky.

What did you think of the episode? Share your thoughts below.

Taragh Loughrey-Grant

'Mad Men' is on RTÉ One, late night Mondays. Episode 12, the penultimate episode in Season 2 'The Mountain King' on Monday 22 June at 11.35pm on RTÉ One.