mind. blown.

[verbicide]

My mind has sploded, so just a bunch of random incoherent thoughts:

Even after all this time, Mad Men amazes me with how much it can sincerely amaze me in a single hour.

I thought this episode was a fantastic example of how and why Don Draper is such a fucking compelling character.

I kept shrieking names at the television: DON! PEGGY! LANE! JOAN! FUCKING PETE!

As much empathy as I have for the women on this show, sometimes Megan pisses me off. I wouldn't assume that I could swan off to Boston for three months without having a sit-down discussion about it with my partner. I don't think it's wrong for Megan to be willing to travel for her job, but to not discuss it even? Just to assume that Don would be totally fine with it? Shitty. Not that she hasn't put up with plenty of shit behavior and assumptions from Don, though.

And DON. In a single episode, he kept whipping me into a rage and then making me sad for him. I was so fucking pissed when he treated Peggy like shit--once again--and then when faced with losing her, started oozing charm. And omfg I almost threw something at the tv when he said, "Let's assume for a minute that I'm not the reason for everything good in your life." FUCK YOU, DUDE. Yes, he gave her a shot, and I thought her giving-notice speech was beautiful and gracious. But, damn. That girl's talents are all her own and she busted her fucking ass for all that is good in her life. And I thought Freddy was dead-on when he said that, 'That's what Don would tell you." Damn. SO spot on. I was so pissed at him during that scene where he flung money at her face--especially after she nailed that account. And yet I totally cried with Peggy--and for Don--when he kissed her hand and let her go. I was so worried he was going to say something awful. (You know, beyond the earlier quote.)

Though creepy Teddy Chaough. Ewwww. He better treat her as well as he promises to.

I felt so bad for Kosgrove. I know Peggy was just post-humiliation, but I was disappointed with how she treated him.

Also, man. I... can't even function at the thought of no Peggy. Is Moss leaving the show? She's always been what Mad Men is all about for me.

Trudie and Pete. Pete's such a fucking asshole, that every week I just want to stab him in the eyes. And yet, I do wonder about these women who want to land a man who will set them up in a country home, and expect them to live half their lives in Manhattan. If you don't want to live in the country, tell the woman up front. Or don't move to the country if you hate it. Also, Pete naturally wants a bang-pad in the city like his gross buddy on the train.

And Joan. Man. I don't even know what to say. I love that it was Don who was the only one of them who was adamant about Joan not prostituting herself. Though at least Lane figured if she was going to do it, she shouldn't sell herself short (even if it was self-motivated for him in part, I think he also cares for Joan). I was so irritated with Roger for not being more repulsed, but then that's Roger for ya. I'm pissed on her behalf that the partnership--deserved for so many reasons--was offered under such shitty conditions--and that basically the other partners will know what she did to get it. But, hopefully it'll offer her security in a time when she badly needs it. And can Greg please die and Joan get some money out of it?

I'd wondered if the scene with Joan in her robe was going to prove to be the aftermath, and I was right. Ugh. I felt nauseated watching that scene unfold.

Ginsberg continues to irritate me, but it's interesting to see Don's anxiety at his continued home-runs. Although frankly, with Ginsberg being such a raving lunatic, it's not like he could ever sell a campaign the way Don does. They still need his face and savoir faire.

Damn. What an episode. I don't know how many are left this season. Was this the finale? It felt very wishing-on-a-monkey-paw with the win of a car campaign and the loss of Peggy. And of course the whole Joan thing.

Just. Wow. That was amazing.