"Mad Men," Season 4, Episode 5 – Review

"Mad Men," Season 4, Episode 5

Television Review

By our guest blogger, Gita Gupte

With each new week, the four season of "Mad Men" grows darker and darker. This week the show focused its lens on the pursuit of the Honda Motors account and on Sally Draper, whom we’ve seen get noticeably more sinful since the passing of her grandfather and the divorce of her parents.

Let’s start with the lighter of the two storylines, the race to represent Honda. Sterling Cooper Draper Pryce met with the heads of the Japanese company to bid against other ad agencies for a slice of pie. Roger Sterling being a WWII vet, does not believe in running after Japanese money – but when push comes to shove it is revealed that his real issue is with Pete Campbell and Pete’s being a more talented account director than him and his fear of becoming obsolete. Long story short, Roger finds a way to offend the Japanese and the agency doesn’t get their business. But Don being the brilliant Ad Man that he is, figures out a way to gain the respect of the Honda Motors leadership team, even if he can’t land their business. All that really emerges from this is my increased liking for the character Peter Campbell – who has certainly become funnier as his confidence has grown.

Next we have Don’s night with the kids. This is an ironic turn of events because he is always saying that he doesn’t see his kids enough, but when he finally does, he hires a babysitter and leaves to go on a date. The babysitter turns out to be the nurse next door with whom Don has a mild flirtation. As the trio watches TV, Sally slips into the bathroom and cuts her hair. Mortified, the babysitter asks why she did it. 10-year-old Sally replies, "Well you have short hair, and daddy likes you." She then goes on to inquire whether or not the babysitter is having sex with her father – which literally made me cringe and left the babysitter dumbfounded.

Clearly Sally knows about sex, but as the episode progresses, her behavior continues down the road of disturbing. It is no surprise to us that Sally has been acting out lately; this was something that was showcased in the third season with her stealing money and pretending she hadn’t done it. But this week we find her at a sleepover, watching a movie with her friend, and masturbating. When she gets caught, she is taken home and what does Betty do upon hearing the news? She slaps her across the face. Not necessarily mothering at its best. She then goes on to voice her distaste and embarrassment about the situation and continues to exhibit self-centered behavior. Steering her focus back to her daughter is Henry, the new husband, who tells Betty that therapy was something that helped his own daughter deal with divorce.

Finally doing something in her daughter’s best interest, Betty contacts the children’s school to get the name of a doctor. When meeting the doctor for the first time, Betty starts rambling on about her life and her problems and it is quit clear that perhaps Betty too needs therapy. When Dr. Edna suggests this, Betty quickly says “no,” so the doctor subtly suggests that Betty meet with her once a month purely to assess “Sally’s progress."  But we very well know that this is going to turn into a therapy routine for Betty and later in the season we will find out some deep, dark secrets.

I’m not sure where this plotline is going, but all I know is, this show could use some comic relief!