‘Mad Men’: A Conversation

Swedish Way of Love Aaahhh, it was ever thus. Betty Draper is a good example of this instinct. The wonderfully uxorious Henry Francis just doesn’t seem to inspire the passion of her ne’er-do-well ex, Don Draper. And young Sally seems to be following in her mother’s footsteps. Will this show go truly creepy as Sally and Betty compete for Glen? If that happens, I could bail and opt for watching “Brady Bunch” re-runs on Sunday nights. (What Freddy Rumsen says of Roger Sterling’s swirling modernist painting is, however, equally true of my attitude toward this season: “I feel like I’m getting sucked into that thing.”)

Compelling darkness continues on the set of “Mad Men,” even when it is brightly lit with Christmas tree lights. The best relationships go unconsummated (Roger and Joan; Peggy and Don) or go awry professionally (Peggy and Freddy whose scenes tonight were wonderful). The worst relationships make unfortunate progress, or at least, “forward movement.” (Glen and Sally; Peggy and her boyfriend; Don and his secretary). Toril, what do you make of the boyish boyfriend who tries to persuade Peggy to follow the example of the “Swedish Way of Love”? Evangeline, just how bad was Don’s behavior with his secretary? (I’m betting that was her resignation letter we saw her typing after exiting Don’s office with her bonus).

Tonight’s new character is Dr. Faye Miller, a motivational researcher. Her appearance is timely: this was the period when, for better or worse, psychology was making its imprint in many fields. In a wonderful example of art anticipating life (or at least life on “Mad Men”), the blog McSweeney’s Internet Tendency has a wonderful send-up by Jim Stallard in which he imagines Sigmund’s daughter, Dr. Anna Freud, consulting Sterling Cooper about her desire to “reposition” her father’s work. This excerpt can only capture a bit of the flavor: