Betty draper - Jezebel

posts about #bettydraper more →
Mad Men: Ain't That A Kick In The Head?
Mad Men: "Dick? Is That Your Name?"
Age Progression With Betty & Don Draper
Mad Men: "Enjoy The World As It Is. They'll Change It, And Never Give You A Reason"
January Jones On Ex-Boyfriend Ashton Kutcher
Mad Men: Everyone Is Disappointed
Mad Men: Drinking, Dancing, & Screwing
Mad Men: Blood, Sweat, And Tears
It's A Boy! Eugene Scott Draper: June 21, 1963
Mad Men: Ann-Margret Gives Master Class In Womanly Arts

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Remedios Varo can't see no huevos.
03:38 PM

In reply to Mad Men: Ain't That A Kick In The Head?
The only full season of Mad Men I've seen is the first one. I really wish I could I skip over the second season because the third looked amazing. #madmenseasonfinale
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redqueenmeg
02:56 PM

In reply to Mad Men: Ain't That A Kick In The Head?
I don't get why everyone is saying the Peggy-refusing-to-get-coffee thing is so freaking momentous. It was funny, sure, but it is not the first time she has had to refuse a request like this, despite everyone playing it up like it is, and it will NOT be the last time. #madmenseasonfinale
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stacyinbean
02:21 PM

In reply to Mad Men: Ain't That A Kick In The Head?
Any thoughts on why they chose Pete instead of Ken? #madmenseasonfinale
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HilliardTortoise
02:30 PM

@stacyinbean: I think what Don said about him is correct, that he is always ahead of the curve. They are going to need that sort of person in a start-up business more than they needed another guy (Roger Sterling) with nice hair and the ability to schmooze clients.
Also, they probably knew he was pissed off at not getting the promotion (missing work, not showing up at the wedding, etc.) and guessed that he might be getting his clients together in order to jump ship anyway. Though Roger did call him a little shit at the bar in offended tones, which was awesome!
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thelastsara
02:38 PM

@stacyinbean: I get the feeling that Pete works harder. Ken does a good job and doesn't seem to worry about his work, but Pete pours himself into his accounts and stresses about them. It seems that for Ken his job is just that, but for Pete it's his whole life. That's something that Don can recognize. #madmenseasonfinale
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Lymed
02:41 PM

@stacyinbean: Pete has proven his loyalty when he informed Don of Duck's intention to become President after the first sale. Also, Pete and Trudy move in the right circles to build an agency. #madmenseasonfinale
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katie.scarlett.o'hara
02:44 PM

@stacyinbean: Pete is great at his job and he has fresh, interesting ideas. Maybe he also had bigger accounts than Ken? #madmenseasonfinale
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Zombie Ms. Skittles
03:07 PM

@stacyinbean: What everyone else said, but ALSO! TLo actually pointed this out, Pete has Trudy. There are 5 partners (Pete is a partner, he just doesn't have his name on the door yet): Don and Bert are single, Roger's married to Jane who I don't see being the kind of wife who would be good at schmoozing, and Lane has a good company wife but she's bitter about being stuck in NY. Ken is also single. But Trudy is a happier, more urban version of Betty. She's beautiful, she's dedicated to Pete's career, and she'll throw dinner parties for clients. Jane and Lane's wife (I hate calling her that, but what the hell is her name?) will attend the parties and be supportive, but Trudy is going to be essential to making clients trust them.

They may not have consciously recognized that, but it's definitely going to be a factor in their future success. #madmenseasonfinale
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Eric Northman is mine
02:08 PM

In reply to Mad Men: Ain't That A Kick In The Head?
The critiscism of the Feminine Mystique applying to a certain demographic of women was sort of highligthed in this episode when Betty jets off to Reno and leaves Carla behind with her kids. I don't know if it was explicity stated on the show but I've always assumed Carla is married. What about her kids and family? After a long day of work, Carla and other women who didn't have the option not to work, have to go home and still be in charge of running the household/catering to her husband. For this reason, I've always emphatized a lot more with Carla (next fav is Joan) than any other woman on the show.

I love how Carla is portrayed but I wish they would show more of her outside the Draper household, i know i know she's not a main character but still. I get that they dont show much of her because she's supposed to be invisible but this is one character I would really love to know more about. #madmenseasonfinale
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Steve Holt's Mother Part Deux
02:18 PM

@Eric Northman is mine: You're right. We need to see Carla in a "To Kill a Mockingbird," storyline where the kids go to church (or in this case maybe home) with her.
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Edited by Steve Holt's Mother Part Deux at 11/09/09 2:19 PM

Slim
02:44 PM

@Eric Northman is mine: Absolutely. Aside from race, economically Carla (and Joan too!) is much more representative of the "average middle-class woman" in my opinion. I know my grandma was working her ass off for four kids, not smoking with Francine and jetting off to Reno. I'd love to see Carla and Betty/Don run into to each other in the community to see how they'd interact.

While I read and agree with a lot of parts of the feminine mystique, I'd be more inclined to sympathize with Betty's "quiet desperation" if she hadn't played favorites and taken only the baby. I mean Carla's already practically living with the Drapers, why not just leave the baby? #madmenseasonfinale
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Lymed
02:45 PM

@Eric Northman is mine: My theory on Carla and other black characters on Mad Men is that they often represent the audience. They are outsiders watching, and judging, all the craziness. There are many times when you see a look that makes it clear Carla or the elevator opera sees through all of the bullshit and lies. This was particularly strong in the first season. #madmenseasonfinale
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Eric Northman is mine
03:03 PM

@Lymed: God, I'd love to know what Carla thinks of the Drapers or at least voice her thoughts/opinions on the show. I doubt she thinks highly of them #madmenseasonfinale
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SmillaSnow
03:40 PM

@Lymed: Wow, I've never thought of that before, and I think you're absolutely right. I love Hollis's reaction shots in the elevator; his expressions usually mirror mine exactly. #madmenseasonfinale
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Lymed
03:51 PM

@SmillaSnow: The first time that elevator opens in season 1, Hollis is in the center of the screen. As the camera pans out, Hollis ends up at the side of the screen. Also, Season 1 opens with Don stopping a black waiter to ask him about why he smokes his brand of cigarettes. #madmenseasonfinale
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willwriteforfood
02:03 PM

In reply to Mad Men: Ain't That A Kick In The Head?
I didn't realize until last night's ep that Don probably shouldn't be married. Or at least, not to one person. He should be single and having flings that he can quit when he feels like it.

He is one of those people who is married to work b/c it's where he's always in control, where he always has an answer for every problem and he's always the go-to guy who's sitting on top. Even in the scenes when Peggy, Roger and Pete were trying to humble him by making him ask them for things (instead of him just demanding and everyone hopping to it), he had dignity and strength and was cocksure because in the end, he knew he'd get what he wanted. At home, he's lost and angry and sad because nothing is turning out the way he expected them to. #madmenseasonfinale
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deeemer
02:23 PM

@willwriteforfood: Actually, I think that Pete and Peggy and Roger succeeded in extracting their pound of flesh from Don. He was humbled, and took to task when he really wanted the end result. But with really important things - like his relationship with his wife and children - he's incapable of doing anything for them. Perhaps he and Connie are more alike than he'd like to admit. #madmenseasonfinale
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willwriteforfood
02:55 PM

@deeemer: You characterized the interaction as "extracting their pound of flesh" in another thread on this post and I thought that was a very apt description. Well put!

Don can be humble (even though I think he dies a little whenever he has to humble himself) when it's politically expedient for him. He wanted Pete, Roger and Peggy's buy-in on his idea, he was willing to step up and apologize.

With Betty, not so much. I think at heart he just doesn't respect her or see her as a woman with an interior life. He did seem to love her when they were just married - as he told Anna - but no more. And he doesn't realize he doesn't love her any more than she loves him. She's just the person who's there to take care of his physical needs and his children. His emotional needs, he fulfills elsewhere. #madmenseasonfinale
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deeemer
03:04 PM

@willwriteforfood: Thank you. I tend to repeat myself when I think I've hit on a good description. It's why I'm leery of writing a novel. :-)

I like how you mentioned political expediency. And you're right that Don doesn't love Betty any more than Betty loves him. But change is always hard, and it's particularly difficult because now Don sees it more like his wife has rejected him for another man, rather than Don leaving her (emotionally) for another woman (the teacher). I'd like to think that Don finds it especially difficult because of the emotional damage wrought to the kids, but that would be attributing too much good parenting to Don. #madmenseasonfinale
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TransFat
02:03 PM

In reply to Mad Men: Ain't That A Kick In The Head?
For such an uneven season I think that season finale may be my series favorite. The only way it could have been better was if Jane was found dismembered in the trunk of Ken Cosgrove('s), cipher...I mean accounts, Chevy. Unnecessary tonal shift yes, but so so satisfying.
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Edited by TransFat at 11/09/09 2:03 PM TransFat was starred TransFat was unstarred

rowingrowingrowing
03:43 PM

@TransFat: Thank you! This is the episode I have been waiting all freaking season for. Sharp writing, beautifully acted, and directed with a strong, singular focus. I don't know why we had to wait so long for such a good payoff, but I was happy I stuck around (instead of bailing when Don took up with the teacher). I hope the focus continue to be a bit tighter next season. #madmenseasonfinale
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Steve Holt's Mother Part Deux
01:56 PM

In reply to Mad Men: Ain't That A Kick In The Head?
I LOVED the anti-corporate message in the episode. Nobody puts Don Draper in the corner office. #madmenseasonfinale
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MargaretMoony
01:53 PM

In reply to Mad Men: Ain't That A Kick In The Head?
The real losers are the oldest Draper kids. I want a flash forward and see how they're doing (and what kind of crap retirement home their parents are in). #madmenseasonfinale
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Lymed
02:50 PM

@MargaretMoony: I keep wanting the Drapers to work it out, in large part for the kids. Yet I'm a child of a divorced and I had a much better childhood because my parents divorced. Perhaps the difference is that both my parents divorce resulted in 2 happy households and 2 amazing step-parents, and I just don't see that down the line for the Drapers. If anything, I fear Sally and Bobby will be left behind emotionally by Betty and something will keep Don from spending quality time with his children. #madmenseasonfinale
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The Queen of No
01:47 PM

In reply to Mad Men: Ain't That A Kick In The Head?
Such a great finale. Did anyone else notice how pristine the sound quality was? When Don was hugging Bobby, I could hear like every starched piece of their shirts crinkle; it was kind of unsettling, also the scene with Don and Peggy in her apartment.

I can't even extrapolate on how fun it was to watch the new team of Sterling, Cooper, Draper and Pryce organize and start over. I want to devour those scenes over and over.

I can't wait for next season, it can't come soon enough. Gah!
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Edited by The Queen of No at 11/09/09 1:52 PM The Queen of No was starred The Queen of No was unstarred

heliotrollop
01:12 PM

In reply to Mad Men: Ain't That A Kick In The Head?
I laughed out loud when Don told Betty she "hadn't been [her]self." The ultimate in pot/kettle moments! #madmenseasonfinale
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deeemer
01:01 PM

In reply to Mad Men: Ain't That A Kick In The Head?
I don't get why everyone's comparing Trudy to Lady Macbeth. Lady Macbeth was willing to do anything corrupt for the sake of power. Trudy is realizing what's important to her husband, and giving valuable, SENSIBLE advice about getting it and making himself happy.

Sheesh. Next we'll be calling Betty Ophelia. #madmenseasonfinale
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Diziet_Sma
01:03 PM

@deeemer: She's ambitious for her husband and is ballsy about getting involved with his rise to power (success in his career) - she's a great ally. Granted, the overall tragedy of Macbeth is "vaulting ambition, which o'erleaps itself", but I think most people think of the rise of Macbeth when Lady Macbeth is referenced, rather than his fall; that was his own doing, not hers.
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Edited by Diziet_Sma at 11/09/09 1:09 PM Diziet_Sma was starred Diziet_Sma was unstarred

deeemer
01:08 PM

@Diziet_Sma: Lady Macbeth isn't a very nice character. She wasn't a great ally - she's a greedy, vicious woman who wanted power at all costs.
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Edited by deeemer at 11/09/09 1:08 PM deeemer was starred deeemer was unstarred

Susan B.
01:09 PM

@deeemer: Actually, I wrote a whole paper once about how Lady M was just looking out for her husband. I think it's a good comparison--Trudy sees Pete's career as her own, or sees herself as part of his career, or something. It's kind of like a President/First Lady situation, really: her job is to be his wife, but that's an active job. Unlike with the Drapers, she's involved in the daily goings-on of his life, and she loves it. I loved seeing her there with the sandwiches, I think she's thrilled to get to be a more active part of things now that they're striking out on their own. #madmenseasonfinale
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Diziet_Sma
01:15 PM

@deeemer: Well, in that case, I can see why the comparison rankled; although I completely disagree with your characterization of her. #madmenseasonfinale
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Vivelafat says Sweep the leg, Johnny.
01:29 PM

@Susan B.: I disagree that Lady Macbeth is just looking out for her husband. She wants, above all, to be her husband. She desires to be "unsexed"; to be filled with cruelty; to smash her child against the floor if it gets in the way of her unbridled ambition. This does not seem like Trudy at all, who instead is aiming to support her husband in the role he chose, instead of pushing him to a role he doesn't want.
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Edited by Vivelafat says Sweep the leg, Johnny. at 11/09/09 1:30 PM

Diziet_Sma
01:34 PM

@Vivelafat says Sweep the leg, Johnny.: Yeah, but that is not what is generally meant by a Lady Macbeth comparison. #madmenseasonfinale
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Susan B.
01:41 PM

@Vivelafat says Sweep the leg, Johnny.: Ooh, I like that. I'm a theatre person, so to me it's often a case of "you could play it this way" more than "it is definitely this way." I just think traditional/popular understandings of Lady Macbeth completely ignore the text in favor of misogynistic archetypes.

@Diziet_Sma: Yeah, which is why I rankled at first. But Tracie has, after all, been around for past debates on Lady M. #madmenseasonfinale
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Vivelafat says Sweep the leg, Johnny.
01:45 PM

@Diziet_Sma: I guess what is meant by a "Lady Macbeth" comparison would hinge on how one views Lady Macbeth. She is extremely complex, and very much ahead of her time however I have never thought that a comparison to Lady Macbeth was a good one. #madmenseasonfinale
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Triana Orpheus
01:52 PM

@deeemer: I actually think Harry's wife is more like a Lady Macbeth. #madmenseasonfinale
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Susan B.
01:59 PM

@Triana Orpheus: How do you mean? #madmenseasonfinale
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Susan B.
02:00 PM

@Vivelafat says Sweep the leg, Johnny.: Agreed! Though we definitely get into Shakespearean shorthand. Calling someone a Hamlet or a Romeo or King Lear instantly brings somethingorother to mind, doesn't it? #madmenseasonfinale
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Triana Orpheus
02:03 PM

@Susan B.: Well, Trudy pushes Pete, but Pete wants the power. Harry's wife pushes him into things he doesn't even think of. And I will never forget her storming off when Pete and Trudy upstaged them on the dancefloor. #madmenseasonfinale
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Vivelafat says Sweep the leg, Johnny.
02:09 PM

@Susan B.: Yes. I had a drama prof once who explained that the beauty of Shakespeare was in the lack of total directorial control. He isn't like Simon, where you've got the name of the books that should be on the bookshelves in Felix's and Oscar's apartment spelled out.
In Shakespeare the director is free to interpret as he wishes. It keeps Shakespeare modern, but it also leads to a difference in interpretation when one discusses the characters. (some more so than others, as I think Lady M is especially complex) #madmenseasonfinale
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Diziet_Sma
02:11 PM

@Vivelafat says Sweep the leg, Johnny.: "I have never thought that a comparison to Lady Macbeth was a good one" That is a fair point. But is that because we have been taught to view her as a villain? I guess I tend to try and view her through a feminist lens - as a strong woman who has been maligned for her ambition. Because I am so used to thinking this way, when I think of her I think of her positive traits - strength, ambition, loyalty; so I could be guilty of downplaying her shortcomings. I think it's interesting that she is often perceived as the architect of Macbeth's downfall, as if he were some hapless child at the mercy of fate and feminine wiles.
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Edited by Diziet_Sma at 11/09/09 2:14 PM Diziet_Sma was starred Diziet_Sma was unstarred

The HZA.
12:53 PM

In reply to Mad Men: Ain't That A Kick In The Head?
I'm glad the season finale was solid because the last few episodes just weren't doing it for me.

Also, it was nice seeing Miss Holloway being the crucial piece in the dismantling of the company. Joanie, I've missed you. #madmenseasonfinale
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TransFat
01:48 PM

@The HZA.: When Don and Peggy walk up and see Joan and Don says something like, "you brought Joan, that was a good idea" I couldn't stop laughing because it was just so true. Joan is always a good idea. #madmenseasonfinale
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deeemer
12:52 PM

In reply to Mad Men: Ain't That A Kick In The Head?
Two things I didn't get:
1) Why was Peggy teary when Don gave her his final sales pitch? It seemed somewhat more dramatic than just satisfaction at making her mentor ask for her to join him. The vibe seemed more romantic, which I really didn't like.

2) I think I'm dumb, but couldn't get the joke behind "Four guys just shot themselves in the foot". #madmenseasonfinale
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Understater
01:01 PM

@deeemer: 1) Don alluded to Peggy's pregnancy and how she gave up the the baby for her own betterment, analogous to Don giving up his real identity for a ostensibly perfect life. I believe that's where Peggy's emotions came in. #madmenseasonfinale
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Dodgergirl
01:11 PM

@Understater: I agree. Also, I think we've seen Peggy is a very... not necessarily lonely, but singular person. No one else really understands her, she doesn't have very many friends, she doesn't seem to really connect with very many people. But Don understands her, at least better than most people. He knows her better than maybe anyone else in the world. And all year, he pushed her away, was ridiculously hard on her, etc. etc. But here he is telling her he knows he's done that, and he's sorry, and he values her a great deal. I think all of those things swirling around together, that's what got her to the point of tears. #madmenseasonfinale
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Sunshineyness
12:51 PM

In reply to Mad Men: Ain't That A Kick In The Head?
The second Joan walked through the door all I could think was "YES! The band's back together!" #madmenseasonfinale
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randomnessish
12:57 PM

@Sunshineyness: Haha, me too. There were so many changes this season among the main characters, and seeing this was like as if the Beatles came back together. Or, like, the A Team. #madmenseasonfinale
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Loungist
01:39 PM

@randomnessish: When Kinsey sees that Peggy's office is also vacated, you get a real sense that all the cool kids were chosen for an elite team. It almost makes me feel sorry for him for the first time, ever. #madmenseasonfinale
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randomnessish
03:17 PM

@Loungist: My thoughts exactly...when he sees that he's been left behind for *gasp*, Peggy, who he's been trying to one-up all season, by Don Draper, who he's been trying to impress all season--it was just priceless. Not like I don't like Paul, but we all know he's second tier. And the scene where everyone comes in to the ransacked office, and Lane Price smugly gets sacked by St. John (which is hilarious, because that's just exactly what he wants him to do)...it was just the best moment of the series. Definitely badass. #madmenseasonfinale
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rodmanstreet
12:47 PM

In reply to Mad Men: Ain't That A Kick In The Head?
This was a fantastic episode. You know what else was a fantastic episode? When Ari staged a coup on Entourage to form the Miller Gold Agency. I'm thinking we should see more professional office coups. Who's next? Lemon and Hornberger? Will the Jays pack their smizes and start their own Top Model? #madmenseasonfinale
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