| TIME JUMP We left the characters in October of '65 and rejoin them just after Memorial Day weekend, 1966, about 7 months later. Betty was totally absent; we see the outside of her new home and that's it. (Echoes of the pilot, in which Betty also wasn't featured.) Does this feel a bit like a reboot? A lot of the big concerns of last season - Don's relationship with Dr. Miller, Betty's crumbling marriage, the potential for SCDP to go under entirely - are no longer a pressing concern. Now we're exploring new relationships in a new era. BIG THEME: WE'VE SHIFTED FROM '50s TO '60s MODE Evident in everything from the clothes (much more mod, especially now that the younger Megan is a main character) to the musical references to the cultural references. Pete's new anti-smoking shift and exclamation of "no more drinks!" Roger now completely out of place, but refusing to leave. Hints of civil rights playing a larger role this season. (Perhaps with no Carla on the show, this is Weiner's way of introducing a new black character?) THE SURPRISE PARTY Ken goes to "smoke some tea" on the terrace with the band. Reintroduction again of pot as demonstrative of characters exploring outside their comfort zone. Ken, the eternal optimist, isn't threatened. (Implication that the whole party may have got stoned, in Slate Magazine's blog post. Leading to Harry's paranoia, Peggy's loose tongue, etc. Thoughts?) Megan gives "her own present" to Don: a rendition of Zou Bizou Bizou. The song was ... |
