Mad Men Recap

Episode Four, “The Arrangements”, begins with Grandpa Gene, Betty Drapers goofball dad, taking the kids for a drive. However, the person driving was the Draper’s oldest child and bartender, Sally, who is 10 years old, If there is going to be a shocking moment in “Mad Men” most likely it will involve Sally, for someone who is constantly whiny, is also constantly ignored.

Down at the office, Pete Campbell has landed this biggest sucker in the history of business. One of his old college chums wants to take his money and create a Jai Lai League. This is even too dumb for Don, who in the past few episodes has developed something of a conscience and ethics.

Later, it is learned that the director of the Patio ad has dropped out. Don taps Sal to direct. This leads to Sal working late at home with his wife, whom it can be said, “Hubba, Hubba”. A man that wouldn’t find this woman attractive must be….well we found out that answer a couple of weeks ago. To confirm it, Sal recreates the ad for his wife and did everything that except a Paul Lynde imitation.

Meanwhile, Grandpa Gene, when he is not giving driving lessons to Sally, decides to talk to Betty about his burial and his “arrangements”. Betty is her usual glum, narcissistic self. If this was in the late 90’s, she’d dress as a Goth.

Peggy has decided to move into Manhattan to ease her commute time. Two hours a day, sometimes late at night. This has no effect on her mother, who informs Peggy that she’ll get raped if she moves to Manhattan. Nothing like good old encouragement for Ma. But, she’ll keep the TV Peggy bought her.

Back at Casa de Draper, Grandpa Gene is bragging about the Germans he killed and the “clap” he defeated. I think it would have been cool if he had killed “fiddy men” like Cotton Hill. Anyway, he lets Sally eat ice cream before dinner and pays attention to her, which had to be a new to Sally. The only time dear old mom and dad pay attention to her is when she is making a Bloody Mary.

This being “Mad Men” nothing real and normal can last too long. Grandpa Gene dies at the supermarket. Betty’s brother and sister-in-law come down to finalize the burial for Gene. Someone laughs, Sally overhears and freaks out. In her maternal way, Betty tells her to shut up and watch TV. Sally goes and tries to come to terms with death and dying by watching the evening news that features a story of a Buddhist monk sitting himself on fire. Do you see a commune in her future?