What a phenomenal episode of television. Where we ended could be seen as ground zero for Dick Whitman and Don Draper. He took his kids to the whore house where all his problems started; he mistreated women because of the lessons he learnt at the whore house, he ran away to Korea because of that house, he stole the real Don Drapers identity, etc.
Everything that is wrong with Don can be traced back to that house and I was so happy that he took his children there. If Dick Whitman's terrible life started there and caused all the pain and hurt he has inflicted then maybe it was only fitting that Don Draper would end there and accept how damaged he is and he can start fresh.
What gives me this hope?
That Hershey's meeting was just fantastic from top to bottom. The original pitch was fantastic and when Don started to reveal his true self....wow, just fucking wow! That is the first indication that maybe he was willing to stop this rot.
The second thing that gave me hope, he gave Ted his get out of jail card. He refused to run away and chose to meet his kids for Thanksgiving. Don runs, he just runs when shit hits the fan. but not doing that and accepting the damage he was doing to kids (via and excellent phone call with Betty reminding him that they are being damaged) shook him up and he finally chose to love these kids and try and heal some of the damage he has done.
Just wow, fucking about time and did I say WOW!
The comic relief fell to Pete in this episode and boy did he deliver. His "Not good Bob!" was wonderful. As was the moment when he and his brother realized that mother is better off in the water - cheap bastards! Pete got fucked even though he knew how dangerous Bob was, yikes. I have a feeling that Pete will bounce back, I hope he does, I really do.
Roger Sterling finally got to know his son and maybe he can find some more happiness then he has had with his money grubbing bitch of a daughter.
Joan showed some real compassion there but on the flip side...her look to Don when the partners were Freddy Rumsening him spoke volumes...she can give a cold stare...whoa.
Burt Cooper still commands fear and respect...Don did not even try to fuck with Burt in any way. When Burt said the verdict was reached...the verdict was reached! I now see why they have kept Burt around all this time, when the agency needed someone to rein Don in...he was the only one who could. Don cannot outmaneuver Burt like he can do with anyone else, even the people who know his secrets.
Bob Benson? Go fuck yourself!
Megan? Go fuck yourself!
I love you Peggy!
I love you Stan!
I hope Peggy and Stan can finally get together and do what they have to do...they just work, they get each other, they really do.
This season has had its ups and downs for sure. But I have enjoyed it more that season 5, this ending really does point to a break from this vicious cycle the show has been stuck in since season...since the beginning. The cat is out of the bag, Don finally showed a part of Dick Whitman to the agency and to his children.
I cannot begin to tell you just how emotional I got when Don finally opened up to the clients and his colleagues and revealed the truth...so wonderful. Don had to let the Hershey people know just how important their chocolate was to his sad and lonely existence living his childhood in a whore house. His beaming smile when he recollected how it was the only thing that made life worth living said it all....the fact that the article he read made him long for a life he would spend his entire adulthood searching for, beautiful. So much pain and hope...
If they can spend season 7 with Don fixing his life and fixing his children and just trying to be a better human being, then maybe we can receive some well earned catharsis, that would be excellent.
God speed Don Draper, God Speed brother.
Grade A+.
Season Grade A-.
Shawn Mahone
