This episode touches on a lot of different points that the show usually doesn't touch on.
The episode was great in the sense that it made us feel like Betty Draper, and I think that was their intention. The trip to Rome seemed a lot shorter than it was. It seemed short and sweet. We almost WERE Betty Draper in this episode. All good shows do that once in a while. Whatever emotions a character feels, the viewer feels. It's not a story being told, it's an experience.
This episode wasn't particularly suspenseful, or exciting, but it was very articulate. In case you're wondering what the "theme" I mentioned in the title to the review is, it's a kiss. "Mad Men" has always been a sex-oriented show, like "House of Cards" or "Game of Thrones." But never before has there been so much in so little time as there was in this episode. And it's not even sex, either; it's a sexual overtone that the episode is wrapped in. For one, it's based somewhat in Rome, a heavily romantic city. Betty has a near-affair, and then sleeps with Don, in addition to being cat-called by some hilariously stereotypical Italian men. Sally kisses Ethan (I think his name is Ethan). Peter has an affair, then sleeps with his wife again. Never before have I seen so much of that in forty minutes of television. Now, I'm not quite smart enough to figure out the point that the theme is trying to make. I'm just smart enough to realize there's a theme.
Overall, it isn't one of the show's best, but it's certainly great.
The episode was great in the sense that it made us feel like Betty Draper, and I think that was their intention. The trip to Rome seemed a lot shorter than it was. It seemed short and sweet. We almost WERE Betty Draper in this episode. All good shows do that once in a while. Whatever emotions a character feels, the viewer feels. It's not a story being told, it's an experience.
This episode wasn't particularly suspenseful, or exciting, but it was very articulate. In case you're wondering what the "theme" I mentioned in the title to the review is, it's a kiss. "Mad Men" has always been a sex-oriented show, like "House of Cards" or "Game of Thrones." But never before has there been so much in so little time as there was in this episode. And it's not even sex, either; it's a sexual overtone that the episode is wrapped in. For one, it's based somewhat in Rome, a heavily romantic city. Betty has a near-affair, and then sleeps with Don, in addition to being cat-called by some hilariously stereotypical Italian men. Sally kisses Ethan (I think his name is Ethan). Peter has an affair, then sleeps with his wife again. Never before have I seen so much of that in forty minutes of television. Now, I'm not quite smart enough to figure out the point that the theme is trying to make. I'm just smart enough to realize there's a theme.
Overall, it isn't one of the show's best, but it's certainly great.