Mad Men -- Season 3 Finale -- "Shut the Door, Have a Seat" -- 11/08/09

[DJariya]

Synopsis:

Spoiler:

In the third-season finale, Don has a pivotal meeting with Connie (Chelcie Ross); Betty is the beneficiary of some interesting advice; and Pete has a serious sit-down with some clients.

Can't believe 13 weeks is already up. It was really enjoyable watching the show live for season 3.

[Buttmunker]

I'm on the fence as to whether I want to watch this. I fell asleep around nine last Sunday and missed "The Grown Ups," and although I've read about what happened, I'm upset that I couldn't catch it anywhere on the internet. It's a week-old show, and it should be available on the AMC website......it's not like DVD sales are going to be spoiled by having a week-old show available for one week. Pisses me off. Plus, our dumb Verizon Fios takes forever to air old episodes of Mad Men (or anything). Their On Demand is still only up to episode 10!
And what's wrong with airing repeats of the show before the next on Sunday night - early? They act like Man Men is some racy show that needs to air at ten due to content! It's not the Sopranos. There's nothing wrong with airing the show at nine. Just my opinion.
But, if I'm up, I guess I will watch.

[scott1598]

wow!

[Lemdog]

Omfg!!!!!!

[Axeramm]

Loved every moment of this episode. Cant believe Betty made Don move out then left for 6 weeks herself.

[Nefarious]

Somehow they topped last year's finale which is no simple feat.

[bluetoast]

Wow did not expect this at all...but what a great episode it was.

[Lemdog]

What about Sal?

[MrX]

"Peggy, get me a cup of coffee"

"No"

Great episode. Joan is back, though since Lucky Strike is coming with them it will be interesting to see if Sal comes back. Hilton will probably be back as well.

Poor Kinsey

The Don and Peggy scenes were fantastic

Even though it wasn't a big part of the episode, I thought the Draper family would have been better off finished last week and left out of this episode. The story with the new agency was just so good I thought the family stuff felt out of place.

[Lemdog]

Originally Posted by MrX

Even though it wasn't a big part of the episode, I thought the Draper family would have been better off finished last week and left out of this episode. The story with the new agency was just so good I thought the family stuff felt out of place.

I'm going to have to agree with you there.

[MrX]

Watching the replay and I'm amazed about how many great one-liners were in this episode.

Don snapping "I'll let you go back to sleep" to Cooper was awesome

[Drav3n]

Originally Posted by Buttmunker

I'm upset that I couldn't catch it anywhere on the internet.

i missed last weeks but found it online on "sites that are not able to be mentioned on here." haha

but wow, what a season finale!! im glad they brought joan back, now i hope they bring sal back!

[Merkin Muffley]

Holy crap that was amazing. One of the greatest TV episodes I have ever scene. I never thought I would describe a "Mad Men" episode as thrilling, but it sure as hell was.

And again, the Don/Peggy scenes are the series's strongest.

I have to watch that again.

[Patman]

The disintegration of the American home life (the Draper divorce), paired with Don finding out who comprised his real business family made for a grand hour of TV.

Don and Peggy's scenes were right on the nose. Great line with "I'll spend the rest of my life trying to hire you." ranks up with "You had me at "Hello"". Heh.

Don knows what it was like to lose a father at a young age, and the impact of a divorce would produce similar feelings for his own children. Heartbreaking stuff.

Glad they found a way to bring Joan back.

Trudy cracked me up when she was eavesdropping and asked Pete to come talk to her during the pitch. Good way to break the tension.

"Peggy, can you get me some coffee?" "No." LOL!

[SonOfAStu]

Mr. Whitman's demise was pretty shocking. Wow.

[malichai]

Really fantastic episode. I'm once again completely riveted and excited by the show. I hope we get a renewed focus on the business side of the show next year, and that the Draper family stuff takes a backseat.

[Jadzia]

I was laughing so hard at that scene where everyone in the new agency was hard at work in the hotel room. but Roger was sitting there reading the paper!

And I loved Price's "Happy Christmas!" on the phone.

[slop101]

This shows been mainly about two things: Don's home and Don's work - both are now completely gone/changed. That's a pretty balsy move - not even the Sopranos shaked things up that much.

[Thrush]

I think that was the best episode of Mad Men since its been on the air.

Loved how everyone was hard at work in the hotel room and Roger was on the sofa leisurely reading the paper. In other words, doing what he normally does, nothing.

Wonder if Don will end up with the School teacher.

[Fist of Doom]

Joan is back! Me so happy.

This episode was just about perfect. Kudos to Peggy and Pete for standing up for themselves. Don's marriage is dying and he had to basically get on his knees to Roger and Peggy; yet, at the end of the episode, he looked genuinely happy and at ease for the first time I can remember.


The scene where Don and Betty broke the news to the kids was sad, but I cracked up at this:

Boy: "What did we do wrong?"
Betty: "Nothing."
Boy: "Then why are we in the living room?"

[Fandango]

It reminded me of a new detail being put together on The Wire.

[gmanca]

Originally Posted by Thrush

Wonder if Don will end up with the School teacher.

Yeah, I would have liked it if she was shown in some capacity.

Great season finale!

[Buttmunker]

I wonder if the show is letting go the actors who were left behind on the sinking ship (Kensey, Ken, etc)? Don was willing to leave his kids in Season One when Pete threatened to tell Cooper about his past, so I don't see why Don should particularily care now for his children, but character archs have been known to change through the seasons, so I'll buy it.

Guess what Pete knew isn't that important anymore. Cooper knows (doesn't care), Betty knows (she does care - why, I don't know), Roger don't know - but does that really matter now since Don is an equal to the man?

[Buttmunker]

P.S. I see Don ending up with Peggy. You can see a mutual respect from Don to Peggy, and Peggy is obviously ga-ga over Don....seems like a match. By Season 5, they may even adopt back Peggy's baby? (SOAP OPERA!!)

[Buttmunker]

p.p.s.

I'm sorry to see the early dynamics of the show disappear so quickly. I believe this happened to "Dallas" after season 3 as well - after Jock died and new characters were introduced. I think we've seen the best of "Mad Men," dare I venture say (I did venture).

Come Season 4, we have a new office, new corporation, different homelife...............I think they should have played on the "Father-In-Law living with daughter's family" bit longer - it would have made great TV drama, and it was a big thing in the 60's - taking in your spouse's parent. Nowadays, we know that that is just a recipe for disaster....back then, they thought it was noble.

too much change will make for a different show, of sorts. Trust me, I'm in for the haul, but I'm sad to see the essence of the show change dynamics. I feel it has ruined shows in the past.