Mad Men: The Benefactor

January 25th, 2009

Season 2, Episode 3

Synopsis

Comedian Jimmy Barrett is filming a television commercial for Utz potato chips. During a break, his brash humor finds an inappropriate target in the company owner’s wife, Mrs. Schilling.

At the stables, Betty and Sara Beth are introduced to Arthur’s fiance Tara. Arthur is a handsome man whom they sometimes see there.

At Sterling Cooper, Harry accidentally opens Ken’s pay check envelope and learns he’s underpaid. He scrambles to find a replacement envelope. His wife tells him to ask for more money, and Sal says he shouldn’t have told her anything.

Don is late because he was watching a movie. Ken and Roger assign Don to clean up the Jimmy fiasco. Don fires is secretary, Lois for not covering for him (she’ll return to the switchboard).

Harry calls a contact at CBS about job openings. There aren’t any, but he learns of a controversial abortion episode of a law show that is having trouble attracting advertisers.

Joan will temp as Don’s secretary. Don meets with Bobbie Barrett, Jimmy’s wife — and manager. He asks what can be done to get Jimmy to apologize to the Schillings. Bobbie says Don must become a fan and play along with Jimmy’s desire to seduce his wife. Don gives Bobbie a ride home — and they kiss in the car.

Upon arriving home, Don quickly cleans himself in the kitchen to cover his tracks. Betty surprises Don with a new watch as a present.

Betty goes riding without Sara Beth, and is confronted by Arthur. He says things aren’t all well with his fiance, and expresses feelings for Betty. Betty turns him down, but as she walks away it’s clear Arthur has gotten to her.

At the office, Harry tries to match Belle Jolie lipstick with the law show. They decide abortion is too controversial a subject, but Roger is impressed by Harry’s efforts. He promotes Harry to the nonexistent position of the television department head along with a raise. Harry is taken aback by his sudden good luck.

Don and Betty have dinner with Jimmy, Bobby, and the Schillings. Jimmy does his usual shtick, flirts with Betty, and an apology doesn’t seem forthcoming. Don confronts Betty in the restroom, grabs her by the hair, and orders her to get her husband in line. Not soon after, Jimmy apologizes to Mrs. Schilling.

On the car ride home, Betty tells Jon she is happy and they make a great team.

Thoughts

Then And Now

• Homosexuality: One of the Belle Jolie representatives is Elliot, who made a heavy pass at Salvatore last season.
• Abortion: There is much controversy around this subject in regards to the television show. Today, it’s such a common dramatic convention it hardly bears mentioning.
  

Advertising

Utz is a real potato chip brand that dates from 1921. The slogan Jimmy Barrett uses is “Utz are better than nuts.”

The law television program is The Defenders which was real, and ran from 1961 to 1965.

Developments

Two new characters are introduced, Jimmy Barrett and his wife Bobbie, who come to some prominence in the next few episodes. Both are presented to Betty and Don respectively as potential affair candidates, and it’s pretty clear cut who will get away with cheating on their spouse and who will resist. Don strayed for all of season one, while Betty still holds back. Her and Sara Beth find temptation in Arthur at the stables. While Betty resists (note her shaking hands as she lights her cigarette), Don takes advantage of his opportunity for personal pleasure as well as business gain after he meets Bobbie Barrett.

Don’s treatment of Bobbie is unusually aggressive, perhaps driven by sexual power politics. Bobbie is unusually forward and also acts as Jimmy’s business manager. This probably offends Don and turns him on at the same time. In some sense, he sees it as a challenge to put her in her place.

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