Mad Men 5x09 Reaction
Added 2026-01-08 00:04:59 +0000 UTC
Comments
When Jane was Don's secretary she bought him shirts from Menkens, the Jewish department store (e.g Rachel Menken). Obviously non-Jewish folks can shop there but it's another thing on the pile, she was written as "non-Jewish passing" Jewish person even back then I think.
Kara
2026-01-09 07:46:52 +0000 UTCim gonna have to steal the drip. these sweaters in last few reactions have been dope af
on crip ...
2026-01-09 05:09:52 +0000 UTCOh, to follow-up on the reveal that Jane is Jewish, it's been VERY LIGHTLY hinted throughout her tenure, but was only confirmed a few episodes ago (After their LSD trip). Her last name (Siegel) is not a "Jewish name", but it is a name that a lot of Jews in the USA have. Strictly speaking it is a German name, and a lot of Jews in America changed their names to German names during the immigration process (to sound "more American"). Her cousin that briefly worked at Sterling Cooper was "Danny Siegel". "Daniel" as a name is used by many peoples and doesn't necessarily indicate somebody is Jewish, but the name's origin is Hebrew, and again "Danny Siegel" is a 'Jewish sounding' name. There's been a lot of minor things things like that. Nothing to prove she's Jewish, but to people "in the know" it gets them to tilt their head and go "Wait, is she...." The first actual "proof" is when she started speaking Yiddish during the LSD trip, and said she was quoting her father (And specifically denied speaking German). So this episode is "confirmation" after it was revealed a few episodes ago.
JBK405
2026-01-09 02:32:03 +0000 UTCI think the point is that it's a total non sequitur, and that Betty (in typical fashion) reads as being about her, i.e. she is the flip-side of "lovely Megan".
Mike
2026-01-08 22:41:09 +0000 UTCGurl ner qrsvavgryl tbaan arrq gb gnxr n oernx nsgre Gur Bgure Jbzna. V'q or fhecevfrq vs gurl znxr vg cnfg gung rcvfbqr.
Taya
2026-01-08 22:14:38 +0000 UTC13:45 My guess would be that Don read Moby Dick to the kids.
Gaboxxy
2026-01-08 20:26:50 +0000 UTCI think the genius of the 'I don't think about you at all' moment is that Don is both flexing his power while also revealing his insecurities. Ginsberg knows he's lying, and Don knows that he knows, but it doesn't matter. Don has the power and the reputation and Ginsberg can't fight that, and Don's dangling it in his face. But it's also very petty and revealing that Don knows the Don Draper invincibility cloak is fading. He has to work harder than ever just to get his idea over the line ahead of the new guy's. He can't put his ego aside for new talent, which is a glaring weakness as he gets older and finds it harder to connect to the younger generation. Especially someone who was desperate to work for him and very complimentary of him.
Mark M
2026-01-08 15:14:11 +0000 UTCGinsberg’s ad represents the much more progressive, anti-establishment verve of the 60s youth which is why it’s “better” but Don’s Devil ad is fucking great and proof that he IS a great Ad Man underneath all the drinks and philandering
Isaiah Bryant
2026-01-08 14:40:03 +0000 UTCOk but Don’s ad w the Devil is so good
Isaiah Bryant
2026-01-08 14:37:34 +0000 UTCAbsolutely. Feel like only Jewish writers could’ve made such a great subtle joke
Isaiah Bryant
2026-01-08 14:36:27 +0000 UTCbetty is the worst
Josip
2026-01-08 06:51:38 +0000 UTCIt's almost jarring how covertly cruel Sally has learned to be, no doubt from her mother. I can't help but laugh in that final dinner scene when Bobby tells Betty to say what she's thankful for before eating, and Sally sweetly says "She's hungry, Bobby". She knew exactly what she was doing.
Kev
2026-01-08 06:16:12 +0000 UTCI completely forgot this but you're right, S6 episodes 1 and 2 are a two-parter.
Kara
2026-01-08 06:01:17 +0000 UTCOr getting so mad at Don for raising his voice at Megan out of anxiety but just kind of sighing at what Betty did in general. I’m not even a Don Defender but the reaction differences to him in particular are funny. They really can’t stand that man (but “love his character," I know).
Jamie
2026-01-08 04:28:20 +0000 UTCPSA since your next recording session will likely finish off S5: Season 6, like this season, begins with a two-parter. Your choice if you want to watch the first two episodes together or not, but there's the info.
Kev
2026-01-08 04:23:56 +0000 UTCThe "I don't think about you at all" is indeed from this show and is one of those things that has had its meaning changed as the context is stripped from it. Most people who have seen that line probably don't know that Don is lying and he does think about Ginsberg. There could be another show with a similar line, or you could be half-remembering the "I don't even know who you are" meme from The Avengers which communicates a similar sentiment (it's also funny that Peggy says "Don doesn't even know who you are" to Joey after firing him in S4).
Kev
2026-01-08 04:04:02 +0000 UTCIt is funny comparing the difference in their reaction between Don leaving behind Ginsberg's idea, and Betty callously manipulating her child just to get one over her ex's husband's new wife. I feel like what Don did is bad and petty, but only because of the underlying motivation. His position as creative director means technically he can pick which idea he thinks is better, he is meant to do that. He just let his feelings get in the way of the decision. However what Betty does is inexcusable, and I say that as a fan of Betty who often defends her and thinks she is one of the more underrated characters. This is, to me, a mother who simply does not love her kids. Sally's feelings are only important to her because they are a tool she can use to bludgeon Don and Megan's happiness. Arguably Sally is cared about more by Megan than by her own mother.
Kev
2026-01-08 04:00:25 +0000 UTCWhen you mentioned the episode being one of the weakest a couple weeks ago I looked it up and saw the shot of Megan and Betty talking to each other, and knew then that it would at least be a good reaction. I didn't recall the whole episode having such a strong theme of envy.
Kev
2026-01-08 03:54:47 +0000 UTCOrgu fnlf "V sbetbg lbh" va Crgr'f qernz.
Kev
2026-01-08 03:53:01 +0000 UTCFINALLY after 7 MONTHS I can share the meme we post on discord when the Mad Men reaction is delayed by 10 minutes: https://files.catbox.moe/p318zi.png
Kara
2026-01-08 03:34:39 +0000 UTCWeight watchers (Betty's diet system) and Manischewitz are both real. After this episode came out I saw a bunch of conflicting responses from people saying that the WW meetings are EXACTLY like we see here, or are NOTHING like we see here. I'd actually FORGOTTEN about Pete's fantasy with Beth showing up at his office. So for a brief moment I also thought it was real and got really confused before my mind caught up with what was actually happening. Don was saying that Peggy was "buried" with Heinz, meaning that she was overloaded doing their work. He made that remark since he didn't want to admit that Ginsberg was GOOD, just that Peggy wasn't available and that's why his name was on everything. Because Peggy was his protege so he can still claim "credit" for her work that he can't do with Ginsberg, even if it's just in his own mind. "Sno-ball" is a kind of cold treat made from ice (essentially an alternative to ice cream). So they're marketing candy, which is why they're thinking about jokes and humor for kids. Betty's manipulation of Sally is one of the worst single things she's done in the whole series. She's DELIBERATELY trying to use Sally against Don, which is the #1 thing parents aren't supposed to do during a divorce. Spoilers: Gur gjb bs gurz ner tbvat gb SYVC jura Gehql xvpxf Crgr bhg. V'z nyernql vzntvavat vg.
JBK405
2026-01-08 03:09:50 +0000 UTCBetty's feelings are very understandable, although it's low to hurt other people because of your own problems and insecurities. But I never really saw a saving line for her, even though Henry is a nice guy I always watched everything as if her current life wasn't enough I never actually thought she stopped loving Don. For me, one of her biggest problems is that she couldn't live a healthy life with him and it's hard to overcome the feeling of something you really wanted to achieve.
Bernardo
2026-01-08 02:44:10 +0000 UTCArkg guerr rcvfbqrf ner (nabgure) zheqreref' ebj. Jung n frnfba.
Mike
2026-01-08 02:23:33 +0000 UTCThe way “I’m thankful that I have everything I want. And that no one else has anything better.” made me CACKLE. Don’s “I don’t think about you at all” becoming an out of context “badass” meme over the years is so funny considering the aura farm fail it actually is. Last episode has Megan telling Don to listen to Tomorrow Never Knows; a harbinger of the future. This episode has Sweepin’ The Clouds Away from 1930 playing over Betty’s outro; a relic of the past. Another excellent use of music by the show. Bu ybeq V whfg erzrzorerq jung gur arkg rc vf. Gur qlanzvp qhb! Va zber jnlf guna bar.. fcbvyrevat guvf rira gubhtu gurl nyernql fnj vg va pnfr crbcyr pbzr sbe zr.
Jamie
2026-01-08 02:05:44 +0000 UTCFiddler on the Roof - audience or cast? An all-timer, nearly as good as Hitler getting whacked by the Sno Ball
Scott
2026-01-08 01:53:42 +0000 UTCIt was a good idea, but Ginsberg's was better. (And Don was definitely right that you shouldn't bring two ideas. He's said that before about other pitches.)
Mike
2026-01-08 01:53:35 +0000 UTCI don't care at all about my weight but I know some people that would rather die than step on a scale in front of everyone, especially having to then compare it to a previous point in time, what an intense thing to have to do.
Nina
2026-01-08 01:52:33 +0000 UTCThis or "that's what the money is for" are both on the podium, for sure. But the biggest meme from the show is still to come. Abg terng, Obo!
Mike
2026-01-08 01:50:57 +0000 UTCYeah, in my mind, this was one the "weaker" episodes of the season. Imagine my surprise when I rewatched this weekend and it's totally incredible. The Don/Ginsberg rivalry is fascinating, because it kind of comes out of nowhere. But when you consider that Don lost his office fuck-buddy/protégé when Megan retired last week, it makes perfect sense that he would refocus at the office (and discover that the creative process is not just like riding a bike). Of course he's feeling insecure. Of course he wants to crush someone, just because he can. I've said it before, but I love how this season can pull stories like that out of thin air, without a ton of set-up. There isn't a big, season-long arc that everything is in service to -- they're just working (and progressing) these characters that we now know so well. Character is plot and plot is character, as they say. It's a minor beat in the grand scheme of this episode, but I love that Peggy be that direct with Roger, calling him selfish. (Someone else noted last episode that she flat-out told Don to shut up at the Cool Whip pitch.) A great example of showing, not telling: She's not looking over her shoulder, wondering if she can do the job anymore. These guys are her equals.
Mike
2026-01-08 01:44:59 +0000 UTCI think Don choosing his own idea was definitely all about his own ego but the idea itself was actually good/clever. Stan laughing at it was genuine. The account guys finding it amusing was genuine and the client bought it. I also would find it not believable if Don groveled when Ginsberg (who also has a big ego) tries to confront him in the elevator lol. Him acting condescending, snarky was more believable (Don has a big ego and is his boss) and entertaining.
Eric Viola
2026-01-08 01:43:36 +0000 UTCThe "I don't think of you at all" meme indeed came from this episode. I think it might be its most famous meme even.
Nina
2026-01-08 01:30:31 +0000 UTCMerry Christmas 🎄
Alex
2026-01-08 01:15:45 +0000 UTCMerry Christmas girls!
bondbond53
2026-01-08 01:07:13 +0000 UTC😑
PIG
2026-01-08 00:34:46 +0000 UTCand now we have 5 seasons to go
LM Reactions
2026-01-08 00:20:44 +0000 UTCI don't think about you at all. It's the most popular meme from Mad Men, it's all over the internet so you've probably come across it at some point!
Taya
2026-01-08 00:17:39 +0000 UTCWe time travelled back to season 2!
Jay Craig
2026-01-08 00:11:06 +0000 UTCWhoa, i checked for the first time in two days and it was uploaded a minute ago. Some good timing
Alex Bernier
2026-01-08 00:07:27 +0000 UTC
