I agree, Peggy is without a doubt the most interesting character on the show. I look forward to every story arc that includes her. I really hope she takes home the Emmy this year for her role on Mad Men.
There’s so much smoking in this show that I didn’t even notice Draper’s wife smoking while she was pregnant. 
I don’t think Peggy is really trying to be like Draper, but I think that’s what’s happening. What I think she was trying to do was be “normal,” whatever she thinks that is.
With the exception of the lie, I’d say she’s acting more like Red.
She realized that she didn’t really want marriage and kids and all of those things women her age are supposed to want, or at least she doesn’t want them as much as she thinks she should. It was odd that she came into work the next day dressed a little more conservatively than before. Overcompensation? But she was typing, when she could’ve gotten someone else to do it- so she’s trying to be more like the other women in the office, in a way? Moving away from the general socially-accepted version of normal to the metropolitan version of normal, for a young woman. She’s pretty interesting.
I dunno, I see her as idolizing Draper and in a way, wanting to be sort of like him. He’s both sexy to the opposite sex and successful in his career. I think she desires both.
I think she respects Draper, but doesn’t idolize him. She’s definitely owes him quite a bit, and I think what’s happening to her is the need to feel empowered, while still remaining feminine. Her actions being congruous to Draper just seems like a eventual coincidence due to the type of occupation she has, and the male-dominated workforce she’s trying to compete in.
In short, anything she does that proactive (i.e. agressive) will be juxtaposed along with her male peers.
I dolizes may have been the wrong word. It doesn’t fit her personality to idolize, but I guess respect to the highest order…I’m very interested to see where they take her character this season…
loved the episode, especially betsy’s smoking and drinking
Is it just me, or did this episode feel much longer than normal?
Mad Stuff
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-Joan is a woman of the world, I hope mr.rapist-fiance-doctor can get over his severe inferiority complex to recognize the catch he’s caught.
-I really expected the grandpa to whoop that girl’s ass for taking his money.
-Peggy is responsible for an influential part of advertising history. Whodathunkit?
-The future mrs.sterling hasn’t even eloped and she already has an air of pretention.
-I like that secretary, it took me half an episode to realize that she wanted to make Peggy Olson into the women she hoped to be.[/details]
the joy/joan stare down was fun. i wonder if mr. rapist is still…well a rapist, it looks like joanie kinda has him under control or at least has compartmentalized his aggression in a manageable way.
don’s wife is by far the most complex character imo, everyone else has tangible issues (gender in teh workplace, double lives, rapist husband, etc…) that they’re dealing with but she’s a headcase…dumb hot though.
i guess that’s the best thing about the show, so many layers.
Betty is a tough cookie to figure out. They have always left these small hints about her personality but never come out and explained her. If I wasn’t all loopy on sleeping pills, I’d go into this more. To be continued tomorrow…
Peggy. I love Peggy.
Joan and the hubby are dancing. She feels like she’s in control now, but I have a feeling it’s ultimately not going to make a difference.
I love that line of hers though-
Him: Look, I don’t want to argue about this.
Her: Then stop talking. 
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[details=Spoiler]Sterling’s young new wife is a ticking time bomb.
Draper’s daughter straight looked like she was going to burst into tears. I was afraid the maid was gonna get fired.
Pete dancing with his wife was interesting. Clearly they had to practice that so Pete could impress people.
Oh yeah…blackface. …
And I love Betty and how emotionally damaged she is. I’ve always loved that about her, I don’t know why.
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[details=Spoiler]Yeah, the blackface part was a little uncomfortable.
Betty has always showed signs of seeking some sort of attention from other men. She doesn’t seem to want it to be more than attention, but she is always giving off the vibe of a cheater. Well, it was more than a vibe once, but who knows where she is willing to take it.
Joan is so fucking gorgeous it’s out of control.
“I’m Peggy Olson and I want to smoke marijuana.” I fucking died.[/details]
Best Betty scene was from the 1st season when she was shooting at the neighbors pigeons with a cigarette hanging from her mouth.
[media=youtube]d7ov7STa_Ik"[/media].
This most recent episode is the only one where I saw Joan as being sweet. Part of her deal was a powerplay with the husband, but part of it was sincere, and it was sort of a change for her.
The show is so insanely well written…I forgot about the Glenn storyline. This show just takes so many risks with so many interesting story arcs and turns, I love it.
[Spoiler=] I’ve always suspected the dad did something to Betty when she was younger. That scene where he forgot where he was and started hitting on his own daughter out of nowhere raised my suspicion.
It’s funny how selective they are with Joan’s casual wear. Her body is so damn powerful they have to try hard to cover up her unbridled voluptuousness so that viewers will actually focus on the scene.
It’s strangely interesting how during moments of discrimination, Draper seems to want to dip or won’t “out” the individual. The blackface scene pretty much solidfied his anti-discrimination sentiments. Well, and Sterling was being a complete jackass.
Peggy is starting to remind me of a lot of girls I’ve known throughout high school and college. Plain girls who have a certain inconspicuous charisma that makes you wonder.[/details]
Yes, Don seems to be a very progressive thinker, but without flaunting it like beard-guy does.
The discussion about whether or not Peggy idolizes Don reminded me of a question I had while watching episode 3.2:
Peggy was clearly going to Don to vindicate her disdain for the “Bye Bye Birdie” clip, but Don gave her a reality check (“Leave some tools in your toolbox,”). Later in the episode, when Peggy is making conversation with the boy at the pub, she said something along the lines of “I work for a jerk.”
Did anyone else hear it this way? I thought I heard it wrong because the line seemed uncharacteristic of Peggy or anyone else who would be under Don’s command. But if that is in fact what she said, that would definitely be a defining moment in Don and Peggy’s relationship.
I always read that line as Peggy fitting in to the stereotype, along the same lines as her saying she was a secretary…
Me too. She also copied a line from Joan, “it’s so crowded in here, I feel like I’m on the subway” She was practicing social skills.
don is definitely more progressive, but i feel like he was trying to dip out of the party while roger in blackface more bcuz he’s not a fan of the country club atmosphere, as stated when he’s talking to that random guy at bar.
btw am i the only one that thought don might’ve been hallucinating that guy and conversation at first? i thought don was seeing himself in the future or something, not sure why; will probably have to go back and watch that scene/episode.
peggy had some choice quotes, “i am so high right now!” had me dying though. they really captured that first high experience.