Mad Men 'The New Girl' - Episode 5

Last night explained everything…how Peggy is how she is, how she is so loyal to Don and that weird air between them. What an amazing, perfect piece of television. As soon as the shot panned over his shoulder at Peggy's hospital bed, I knew it was Don but I just couldn't believe it. There is so much more to the man then he wants us to know and he's a wonderful character. However, last night Don not only lost control of the car but he seems to be losing control of everything...plus he's off salt. 

Weiner and co are pretty good at creating female characters too as we saw this week with Peggy, Betty, Bobby et al.

For the first time ever I could see what brought Pete and Trudi together, besides her parent's money. There they sat in the Doctor's office, trying to work out why, after eighteen months, they can't conceive. They were barely able to keep eye contact when the Doc asked if they knew and understood the principles of conception, how the sperm and egg came together, before Pete quipped in with: "Yes, although if you'd like to show us some films!" They really are so young. Also I couldn't help thinking of how traumatic the whole process is for a couple and perhaps even more pressurising in the 60's where society tried to insist that a woman's place was barefoot and in the kitchen.

The new girl of the title, Jane is some find and is going to make mince meat of the office boys now that Joan is engaged. Although the feisty red head did have a longing look in her eye when talking to Sterling which her fiancé wouldn't be too happy about.

What's all this about the Fat Farms? They actually existed? Also isn't it amazing that husbands and wives disappeared for days on end with only a phone call as an excuse for their philandering, perhaps that's not a concept exclusive to the 60's!

Taragh Loughrey-Grant

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