Mad Men 4x13 Reaction
Added 2025-12-06 19:31:39 +0000 UTCand thus concludes the best season of mad men so far
Comments
I think a lot of Don falling in love with Megan is that she immediately filled a hole that Anna Draper occupied before she died. The one person that made him feel good about himself, and always told him he was a good person, trying his best. He was looking for that in someone while grieving Anna and Megan made him feel that way. Megan gave him hope and optimism while Faya made him think about the work it would take to be better like the girls said.
Mack
2026-01-19 08:14:51 +0000 UTCI think in shows like this, ones with tortured protagonists who can't properly process their feelings, the presumptive character arc is that they will eventually learn how to do that, and therefore they are "supposed to" find a partner who helps them do that -- and, if follows, it's wrong (for the character, who is supposed to grow) to leave that person if they find them. We want Don to stick with Faye because it will push him towards a character resolution. You're right though, Don doesn't (and shouldn't) care about that.
Mike
2025-12-08 00:09:25 +0000 UTCDon didn't have to tell Faye but he did. That's obviously the far bigger and more significant step. And he did because as he told her, he was so tired of carrying this secret. I think that without the huge step of willingly opening himself to someone on that score for the first time, he never would have brought the kids there. The confession to Faye unlocked a degree of freedom from his past that enabled him to slightly open that door for his kids.
Julien
2025-12-07 23:42:53 +0000 UTCDon did Faye dirty, that's something no one can deny. But I don't understand the commonly held notion that he should have stayed with her because she was good for him. You don't date and marry people because they are "good for you." You do that because you love them and want to spend the rest of your life with them. Faye is great but Don just doesn't feel that way about her. I'm sure most people with some dating experience have met potential partners who looked great on paper and even in person but ultimately that they couldn't love. I know I have, many times (to the befuddlement and frustration of my friends). That's Faye for Don. And that's OK. Relationships are not medicine. If the feeling isn't there, it isn't there - no matter how wonderful the person is and how lucky anyone would be to have her.
Julien
2025-12-07 22:13:52 +0000 UTCMy jaw was on the floor when Milena first brought up that she could see Joan getting pregnant and that the father will be Roger. Especially since you predicted this at the same time you figured out it was Johan in a skirt (monster) immediately. Milena at her peak haha
petitcorbeau
2025-12-07 17:14:27 +0000 UTCSomething I don't think anyone has talked about is Don (very slightly) letting Sally & Bobby into his secret about Dick Whitman. I don't think he was planning to reveal anything about "Dick" when he brought them with him to meet Stephanie, but he also did bring them with him to meet Stephanie. He was caught of guard when Sally asked about the painting on the wall, but that was the most honest he has ever been with them about the secret. In an episode where he basically rejected the honesty and hard work required for introspection and self-improvement (i.e. Faye) in favour of easy street with Megan, that decision still feels like an massive (first) step towards reckoning with his past.
Mike
2025-12-07 16:38:32 +0000 UTCI’m glad the Carla stuff came up in this episode because in the last one they said, “children for her are her prison. She had no help from anybody, it was all on her.” And I was kinda like HUH? Lol It’s natural to over-empathize with certain characters but as they made clear before, sometimes the Betty generosity is a defense mechanism born out of a need to combat what a callous audience might think of her (Skyler PTSD). I know they always point out that Betty is bad too, but I think she could slap Sally across the face and go to her therapist and say “I just didn’t know what else to do” while lighting one up and they would never say “oh poor you” at her.
Jamie
2025-12-07 16:00:08 +0000 UTCReminders for good measure! 1. Netflix autoplay can be turned off 2. The S5 premiere is in two parts, if you want to time it so those two are watched on the same day it's probably ideal
Kev
2025-12-07 15:38:01 +0000 UTC"There is no fresh start! Lives carry on!" - Henry summing up the episode. I've always liked this episode for how they make the time in California feel idyliic. Like a family holiday from your past that you cherish, where the memories feel warm and fuzzy around the edges. I can understand why Don would throw himself into this fantasy that those good times can continue, of a fresh start over facing real life. I like how Roger immediately sees through it, this bemused look of 'oh I see how it is now, who's making a fool of themself now?' Don is childish in this episode in a way that's similar to Roger. He cracks under the pressure of expectation and fear of change in a way that I find very relatable. Faye's quote about 'only liking the beginning of things' has stuck with me over time. When I feel myself getting cold feet about something it'll pop in my head in some capacity as a reminder not to immediately assume the worst. Don and Betty saying good bye is a nice ending to the episode too. This is my favourite season, but there's plenty more great episodes to come.
Mark M
2025-12-07 13:14:07 +0000 UTCjust watched the post-discussion A little too generous to give Betty an out for her current circumstances. In many ways, she's a reflection of Don. They both refuse therapy, for example. And in naming other examples, you'd be led to conclude that what connects them both is an investment in maintaining the status quo. The benefits outweigh (in their pov) the accompanying inner/outer turmoil. For Betty, this is evident in her last scene with Carla. In my reading, Carla is fired because a teenage boy humiliated Betty in front of her. To regain face, Betty callously utilizes the power she has in the 'domestic realm' to abruptly upend Carla's employment. Importantly, the humiliation destabilized the racial hierarchy. The act of firing reinforced it. While they're both women subject to structural patriarchy, Betty reminds Carla that doesn't mean they're equals. In their last scene, Betty soothes her ego at the cost of reproducing unjust racial dynamics. And then it gets worse. Betty refuses to give Carla a letter of recommendation, further emphasizing her active choice in inflicting racial malice. Betty knows that refusing to write a LOR jeopardizes Carla's ability to find employment. Diving more into the differences between Betty and Carla unravels the extent of Betty's complicity and her responsibility for crucial aspects of her circumstances, namely her emotional immaturity and corresponding parenting gaps. Despite having the time, freedom, and money to afford a mental health professional, Betty refuses their service. More broadly, Betty has the time, freedom, and money to indulge in any number of activities while having three children at home. She has the option to be a mother when she pleases. In contrast, Carla cannot just stop working. Given that she doesn't have time to parent her own children (Betty ruthlessly reminds her), it's doubtful she has money or time for a therapist. And yet, in spite of these differences, Carla is still significantly more emotionally mature and a better parental figure. Like Don, Betty actively chooses to remain stagnant both as a person and as a parent. She doesn't want to put in the work to change even when it leads to reinforcing systemic injustices. A trusted nanny of 10+ years fired on a whim w/ no LOR. this one i wrote lazily and w/o too much care. hopefully it makes sense
on crip ...
2025-12-07 09:16:14 +0000 UTCrename this show to The Tragedy of Heterosexuality (by Jane Ward) why won't ppl let it go when it just brings misery, let it go ! it's time for something new
on crip ...
2025-12-07 07:09:18 +0000 UTCI was taken off-guard my first watch but it seems very obvious on rewatch yeah, it's even hard to talk about without accidentally confirming the setup will obviously be paid off. I think it's nice to be reminded what it must have been like for Betty to have been courted by a genuinely in-love Don Draper. His earnestness, his quiet voice saying all the "right" things. It makes you feel like the big strong mysterious handsome knight in armor persona has a crack in his armor just for you and only you. It's a compelling story from the show's best story-teller.
Kara
2025-12-07 03:28:18 +0000 UTC“We all try… we don’t always make it” There are a lot of little things I’ve forgotten about this show since I first watched it, but this is one of those episodes that is seared into my brain. Unlike you guys, I was completely caught off-guard by the Megan of it all. I saw the setup coming all season and simply thought she was just the next one in line. Even when they got together the first time, I chalked it up to Don just being Don. The cringe I felt during that proposal is just something that cannot be forgotten. Honestly, probably the only time in the show I was truly disappointed and/or shocked by Don. It was so hard to watch him *seemingly* find everything he needed/wanted in a partner and just… let it go. Faye deserved better. But like Betty said in that last scene, I don’t know why I was surprised… On Betty I also agree 100%. Because like yeah… Betty sucks. But her sucking is exactly why she’s such a great character. Just outstanding character work, that perhaps more than any other in the show truly encapsulates the time period. And unlike some, I think January Jones did a great job with the character. Just a perfect season of television. A true all-timer. Also, since it’s been brought up in several reactions, I think you’re misremembering the context of what Don said to Roger about Jane. Don said that in response to Roger accusing him of being jealous of his “happiness”. Don didn’t necessarily have a problem with Roger marrying Jane. Don was upset with Roger at the time for Roger essentially telling Mona it was his idea.
JJ
2025-12-07 02:23:24 +0000 UTCDefinitely healthier… but like Don said, “and then what?”
JJ
2025-12-07 02:00:38 +0000 UTCJokes on UuuUuu :P
Robert
2025-12-07 01:36:29 +0000 UTCLol David Chase is so cool
Mike
2025-12-07 00:14:23 +0000 UTCThese are really great videos. Unfortunately they're not getting the full Mad Men experience without also watching the completely opaque "Next week, on Mad Men..." previews as well.
Mike
2025-12-06 23:54:59 +0000 UTCThis episode is fascinating to me because it tries (and succeeds imo) to have it both ways: We the audience, and many of the characters (Peggy & Joan especially), realize that Don is careening into this way too fast and out of nowhere. It's a monumentally silly decision, for sure, and the show knows it. But! Megan is also so absolutely charming in this episode, and with the moments with the kids signing in French, or cleaning up the milkshake spill at lunch, the show also really sells how and why Don would fall for her. We know Don's psychology and we understand why he is making these choices, but I think they land the plane perfectly in a situation where we can acknowledge that the shotgun proposal is ridiculous *and* believe that hey, maybe Don is right? (Credit to Jessica Pare. She is great this season, and in this episode in particular.) And while I think I've already said this about 3 or 4 other scenes this season, I have to say it again here: "I hope she knows you only like the beginnings of things” is one of the most devastatingly perfect lines of dialogue ever. Incredible stuff. Edit: also lol at these comments about how Lola & Milena are too good(?) at predicting the show. I don't mean that they aren't savvy viewers (they are), but a character literally tells Don -- and us! -- in the second episode that he'll be married within a year. Cara Buono didn't ad lib that and secretly edit it into the episode.
Mike
2025-12-06 23:42:39 +0000 UTCLove the way this season mirrored Don & Betty. They both started showing the potential for growth in 4x8, only for them to both totally crash by the end. The season concluding with them sharing a drink is absolutely perfect.
Father of the Year
2025-12-06 23:15:44 +0000 UTCKen and Henry are absolute top husband picks
bondbond53
2025-12-06 23:13:18 +0000 UTCHenry is as good as a Republican will ever get
bondbond53
2025-12-06 23:09:21 +0000 UTCi dont get what you want us to do exactly, if they pull out a ring and we think don is gonna propose do we not say what comes to mind immediately and just pretend we didn’t think about it?
LM Reactions
2025-12-06 22:31:22 +0000 UTCForgot that AMC has Inside the Episodes starting season 4. Here the one for Tomorrowland for anyone interested: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VL2GvZVl_O4
Eric Viola
2025-12-06 22:30:18 +0000 UTCThe Audacity. THE AUDACITY
bondbond53
2025-12-06 22:20:33 +0000 UTCPerfect thumbnail. The horror. The horrorrrrr.
Scott
2025-12-06 22:17:05 +0000 UTCI'm reminded of a comment earlier in this season about how this season is where Mad Men starts for them, specifically how the 60s vibes are more pronounced. I think it also shows in Don’s choice of Megan as his new wife. She represents the emerging beauty standards of the 60s, contrasted with Betty, who embodies the archetypal beauty ideals of the 50s. There’s even a Season 1 episode where Betty gets rejected because “the Grace Kelly look is out, they want European, Audrey Hepburn, tan looks.”
IanJ
2025-12-06 22:10:40 +0000 UTChaaaaaaaaaaate betty
Josip
2025-12-06 21:51:52 +0000 UTCThe constant accurate predicting of literally everything that happens before it occurs actually undermines the viewing experience of Lola and Milena's reactions tbh. And it occurs in every show they watch. I always like the post-watch analysis (I wouldn't have subbed to this Patreon otherwise), but the non-stop Nostradamus-ing of everything can get frustrating. The channel is still good overall though of course.
hasty rewrite
2025-12-06 21:46:51 +0000 UTCthere's an interview with Matthew Weiner where he says he pitched the arc of this season to David Chase, his former boss on The Sopranos, telling him "I want Don to get so close to breaking through, being a better person and accepting who he is, but then the business falls apart and he just abandons it, sells out" and when he asked if Chase thought that sounded interesting he just replied "well it's only the basis of western thought"
Hugo Sinclair
2025-12-06 21:46:28 +0000 UTCI started watching when this season was already over so I was spoiled about the fact that Megan became the new Mrs. Draper. During the course of the season I kept expecting them to have more meaningful interactions and basically forgot about it until... bam this episode. It was so absurd and comedic, I basically had the same reaction as everybody else around Don lol
jerry
2025-12-06 21:44:49 +0000 UTCRemember that episodes 1 and 2 of season 5 should be watched together
Juanma88
2025-12-06 21:37:54 +0000 UTCWith regards to Don's story this season, and particularly his love-life, it played out like a song. It hit all the beats along the way and knew exactly where it wanted to start and finish.. It was almost written in a similar style to a murder mystery, except the mystery was: Who will Don end up marrying this season?.. Faye even predicted it right at the beginning of the season with something along the lines of "don't worry, you'll end up married again within a year". Starting off recently divorced, we see him dating Bethany, using Allison, having something incredibly healthy with Faye, very briefly engaging with his ex, and all throughout, Megan's character is becoming more prominent. It was written in a way to keep you guessing (at least before it became clear how it would end up).. Not to mention how this all tied into his decisions in the business, which seemed directly linked to all of it
windyMelon
2025-12-06 21:31:08 +0000 UTCGirls I was RIGHT THERE WITH YOU troughout this entire episode. When you said you didn't even want to watch the scene with Don & Faye I actually paused the video (I paused it because I had to do something else on my system right then, but still). I love how Peggy & Joan's relationship has evolved. The two of them commiserating together would never have happened in season 1 & 2, and not even last season, but now they can explode together and understand one another. Even laughing at how they lie to themselves. I think Henry's true shine is not that he's a Perfect Man, but that he's a GOOD man who actively TRIES. You could meet somebody this good in real life, it's possible, and it's something more men should strive to be like. He doesn't need to be Perfect, he just needs to continue to be good and I will continue to love him. For once I'm on Don's side when it comes to watching his children: He DID need help for this trip. Supervising three kids (one of them an infant) while traveling is extremely difficult even if you're a good parent, even without taking business meetings into account. For this one trip he was right to want help, and it's not just him being neglectful.
JBK405
2025-12-06 21:05:53 +0000 UTCHenry's "Nobody's ever on your side" reminds me of Kim's "Jimmy you are ALWAYS down."
Nina
2025-12-06 20:45:50 +0000 UTCThe way these two reactors accurately predict what will happen next ("Is Don going to propose now?") is actually annoying. FFS 😅 I really feel for Faye but yeah she dodged a bullet. Also, I'd forgotten that Betty can be so petty - refusing to give a letter of recommendation for Carla is diabolical. Henry is too good for her. Looking forward to the iconic season 5 opener...
Chidi.
2025-12-06 20:43:40 +0000 UTCI'll say it again in case you guys missed my previous comment. The season five premiere is a two-part episode meant to be watched together: A Little Kiss part 1 & 2
Taya
2025-12-06 20:34:04 +0000 UTCI just rewatched it and yep, agreed. It's a perfect season of television and easily tops season 4 for me.
Taya
2025-12-06 20:32:14 +0000 UTCThe feeling Megan must give Don reminds me of his Lucky pitch from the pilot, "YOU ARE OKAY". Megan comforting Sally when she fell, telling Sally Miss Blankenship "went away for a while", her cleaning up the spilled milkshake acting as if it was no big deal. It's that comforting, complacent feeling that Don constantly wants that makes it easy to fall for her. He chooses that familiar, safe feeling rather than the uneasiness that would've come from being with someone who wants him to confront his past. Unfortunately, the latter would've been much healthier!
Eric Viola
2025-12-06 20:18:37 +0000 UTCAwesome thumbnail
Clay F
2025-12-06 20:17:49 +0000 UTCIt's fun isn't it? We have a whole episode of characters making strides for good or ill to what they want, and it's all caught up in the maw that is Don Draper's life. Betty's buyers remorse and Peggy's career success is totally encompassed by Don deciding to marry his secretary. Then we have Joan on the other hand who gets a brand new title with no new responsibility and no pay raise, all the while she's holding on to a secret about her child that would probably uphend a lot of people's lives in a more real way than Don announcing his decision. What a great season.
Griffen Rosado
2025-12-06 20:17:18 +0000 UTCDouble (triple??) facepalm is crazy yet entirely warranted
Julien
2025-12-06 20:15:11 +0000 UTCLMAO the thumbnail
Nina
2025-12-06 19:45:05 +0000 UTCI love the moment when Don reacts to Megan brushing off the drink spill as being totally trivial. It's the complete opposite to how Betty would have dealt with it, and being a parent with her for so long, he can barely comprehend anything else. It's like a total culture shock for him.
Damien Fenton
2025-12-06 19:42:28 +0000 UTCSeason 5 is one of the most perfect and tightly written seasons of television I’ve ever seen. I think it was also the peak popularity for the show too. You’ll be able to tell by the budget increase.
Alfie Harrison
2025-12-06 19:35:30 +0000 UTC
