"What? I'm an asshole! That's the whole point! What show have you been watching?"
So hey, remember the past couple weeks when we liked Don cause he was all "I'm gonna comfort my daughter!" and "I'm gonna flirt with my hot smart wife and remember that she really actually is my dream woman after all!" Well, it's time for one of those episodes whose driving purpose is to remind us that Don is a complete tool. Roger, who is somehow capable of being full of shit and right about everything at the same time, says it: "You're in over your head." That Season 3 logo is making more and more sense. And what does Don do when things slip out of control? He bullies his way into bed with Sally's old teacher, who is initially reluctant but ultimately totally caves. Betty also gets annoyed when she doesn't get what she wants, even when it's pretty much exactly what she wanted. Sort of like her entire life. Throw in a few of the first rumbles of the Civil Rights Movement - the inspiring bits and the horrifying bits, which tended to come one after the other - and more references to Dallas as Autumn of 1963 settles in, and you have yourself one hell of a depressing episode. Also, Sal gets thrown under the bus, which seriously pisses me off.
3.09 Wee Small Hours. More dreaming. Lots of dreaming this season. Betty's lying back on her fainting couch, which can't be all that comfortable considering all the relevance and symbolism and metaphor stuffed in there. Someone's taking her dress off, and gross, it's Henry Francis. I thought we were done with that guy. Anyway, she and Don and the baby are all jolted awake by an indecently late phone call from Connie Hilton, apparently not the first of its kind. He's been praying, and he's been inspired, and he trusts his visions, because he's a wacky lovable folksy old coot, and also, he's clearly kind of insane. Don scribbles as Connie waxes philosophic. "We have an impulse and we act on it. How do we decide, Don? How do we decide to do something?" "Instinct?" Don guesses. "So you're telling me you're just like a dog?" Connie counters. "I'm telling you to get to the goddamn point already, it's the middle of the night, do I look like freaking Smithers here?" Don wants to say, but doesn't. The point is, Connie wants Don on his international hotels too. He wants Hiltons all over the world. He wants a Hilton on the Moon! "That's where we're headed!" Yes, sure, whatever, oh my god don't you have some meds or something you should be taking? When he finally hangs up, Betty comes in, comforting and feeding a wailing Baby Gene. "I want what I want when I want it!" She says on his behalf, "kind of like someone else I know," she finishes. At first I thought she was talking about Don, but apparently she's talking about Connie. And also maybe a little bit about Don.
"Is it just me, or is my Bohemian eccentricity starting to get just a little creepy?"
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Comments (6)
Loula, remember, in Episode 1 of this season, Don saw Sal getting a handjob from a bellboy at that hotel in Baltimore, so Sal can't claim (to Don, at least), that he's some kind of innocent or wronged party that would never have sexual contact outside of his marriage. Had Don not seen Sal doing that, he might have believed Sal and went to bat for him with Roger and the higher-ups. I also think his "you people" comment wasn't per se referring to gay people, but to people who deny their urges and true nature. I hate Don, but I can see his point on this one. even though it makes him look homophobic and prickish.
1 of 6 | Posted by slutty_whore | Posted on October 16, 2009 6:52 AM
Loula you had me worried there for a minute! I was looking forward to this recap all week and as usual you delivered!
This was the episode where nothing good is going to come from the choices that were made no matter the intention. For all good intentions:
-Sal tries to keep the closet door closed and locked, he gets fired.
-Harry tries not to panic and still makes the wrong decision, almost loses a $25 million account.
-Don is trying to be an account man and is failing.
I think the only reason why Betty called it off with Henry is because she felt "tawdry" early on after being caught in Carla's eyes. When Betty let Henry in didn't she say "my girl" will be home any minute? And sure enough that "girl" walked in with a smile that dissolved to the perfect "oooh I know what's going on and I'll stand here and be embarrased for you" look that got Betty scampering up the stairs quick, fast and in a hurry!
Carla's a steady presence in the Draper home cool, calm but no push-over. I bet she goes home every night and after tending to her own family puts her feet up has a drink and doesn't give them a second thought.
Don and schoolteacher...I see shades of "Fatal Attraction". Attractive, independent woman, athletic flirts like she can take and leave it, can get close to the kid and BAM! You can smell the rabbit boiling in the pot but in this case the playhouse Don built Sally a season or two ago is smashed to a small woodpile when Don comes to his senses yet again and ends it.
I was checking the teasers too and in one shot Betty looks distraught, maybe she finds out about Don's latest sooner than we think.
2 of 6 | Posted by 1woman | Posted on October 16, 2009 9:02 AM
I know, I wish I could get them up earlier. Stupid "real job" ruins everything! I promise you want me to have that extra day or they'd be twice as long and half as funny.
slutty whore, I guess what pissed me off was that Don didn't seem to believe Sal at first. And then treated him like "well, obviously you'll do it with any bellhop you see, so why not whore yourself out for this guy?" The assumption that everyone, especially a "homo", is as much of a whore as Don is, so what's the big deal taking one for the team? It was really disrespectful for a guy who's been so loyal and done such good work for so long, especially when it was very very clear that Sal thought he was doing the right thing, being professional.
1woman, I got those same Fatal Attraction vibes! It's a bad idea, they both know it, and I'm thinking it's a lot harder to avoid a Woman Scorned when she lives in your neighborhood and teaches at your kids' school. Manhattan is pretty anonymous - Ossining not so much. It really shows a huge weakness for both of them - Don has to feel powerful any way he can, and if a woman resists him he wants her even more and has to prove to himself that he can do it. She knows it's a terrible idea, spelled it out for him, but she's apparently lonely and sort of sad so she couldn't help herself. This will not end well!
You're right about Don thinking he can do everyone's job. When they left Roger off the organization chart a few weeks ago, he said "I'm being punished for making my job look easy," and it looks like he was right. Harry screwed up and Don is getting in over his head with Hilton, and both of them were trying to do Roger's job.
3 of 6 | Posted by loula | Posted on October 16, 2009 9:48 AM
Loula, you're probably right. Don's frame of reference is to sleep with whomever whenever and if I remember correctly, didn't he sleep with the Jewish woman who was that department store client in the first and second season? Don's assumption based on what he knows of Sal was wrong, but I kind of gave him a pass (odd, I know!), because I've jumped to conclusions with friends, even when I shouldn't have.
Take your time with the recaps, also. They are thoughful and provide explanation for many of the episodes that I don't understand or pick up on all of the symbolism.
4 of 6 | Posted by slutty_whore | Posted on October 16, 2009 11:12 AM
Hopefully Don hid is car well while he was messing around with the teacher. How horrible would it be for Sally to either see his car there, or to run to the teacher she liked (she mentioned not liking the new one) and find said teacher and Daddy in bed? First Granpa Gene and then Daddy screwing teacher .. could her little heart take it?
5 of 6 | Posted by Quean CeCe | Posted on October 16, 2009 1:40 PM
I LOVE!LOVE!LOVE! your recaps! the humor and insight are invaluable! Thanks so much!
6 of 6 | Posted by yadda-yadda-yadda | Posted on October 25, 2009 2:10 PM