Okay, so, can we just… talk about Mad Men Season 7 Episode 9? "New Business." Seriously, my coffee is still vibrating from the sheer energy of that one. Like, what even happened? My brain is still trying to catch up, you know? It felt less like an episode and more like a perfectly poured martini – smooth, strong, and with a kick that sneaks up on you.
Remember how we were all on the edge of our seats after that cliffhanger last week? Peggy's big pitch, Don’s… well, Don being Don. This episode just dove right in, no gentle easing back in. It was like walking into a party where everyone’s already deep in conversation, and you just have to lean in to get what’s going on. And honestly, I’m all for that kind of immediate immersion. No time for preamble, let’s get to the good stuff!
First off, Peggy Olson. My girl. My absolute queen. She’s trying so hard, isn’t she? You can feel the pressure. This pitch was her moment, right? Her chance to really step out of Don’s shadow and prove she’s got the chops. And you know what? She did. Mostly. The whole dynamic with Ginsberg was… tense. Like, fingernail-biting tense. Did he really mean to sabotage her? Or was he just… Ginsberg? That guy is a walking question mark, always has been. His whole “I’m going to blow up the world” vibe is getting a little much, though, don’t you think? A little too dramatic for my taste, even for a Monday morning. Though, I guess when you’re dealing with advertising, maybe a little drama is par for the course. It’s not exactly a quiet afternoon of knitting, is it?
And that scene with Don and Peggy in the office? Oh. My. Gosh. The air between them was so thick, you could have sliced it with a steak knife. You know they have this unspoken thing, this… respect, mixed with all this history and unspoken baggage. He’s her mentor, her nemesis, her… well, something. And seeing him actually acknowledge her talent? It was HUGE. Like a golden halo appearing above her head. When he says, “You’re the best,” I swear I teared up a little. Don Draper, admitting someone else is the best? That’s like a unicorn sighting, folks. A very well-dressed unicorn, but still.
But then… there’s that other thing. Don’s personal life. Or lack thereof. He’s just… drifting, isn’t he? Wandering around with that haunted look in his eyes. And then he bumps into her. Phoebe. The widow of the guy from that last big pitch. Talk about awkward. Or, you know, peak Don Draper. He’s drawn to the edge, to the danger, to the complicated. And this woman? She’s definitely complicated. You could see it from a mile away. The way she looked at him, the way she spoke. It wasn’t just grief; it was… something else. Something a little bit dangerous, a little bit exciting. Is this going to be another one of his… episodes? I have a feeling it might be. He’s like a moth to a flame, that guy. And the flame is usually made of trouble.
And that final scene with Don and Phoebe? Chills. Seriously, the whole “I don’t want to be alone” line. So raw, so vulnerable. You almost feel bad for him, don’t you? Almost. Because you know, deep down, that this is going to end in tears. Or, at the very least, a very dramatic advertising campaign. It’s just his MO. He’s always searching for something, for someone, to fill that hole. And it never seems to work out the way he hopes. It’s like he’s stuck in a perpetual loop of self-destruction, disguised as charisma. A very stylish self-destruction, I’ll give him that.
Let’s not forget Joan. Our Joan. She’s having such a rough time, isn’t she? Trying to keep things afloat, trying to be the sensible one. And the dynamic with Lou Avery? Ugh. That guy. He’s so… smug. Like he knows all the answers, and the answers are always about how great he is. I wanted to reach through the screen and just… shake him. Joan deserves so much better. She’s got that business sense, that killer instinct. She’s a survivor. But sometimes, it feels like she’s just running on fumes, trying to keep up with the boys’ club. And the way Lou dismisses her ideas? It’s infuriating. He’s got no idea what he’s dealing with. She’s a force of nature, that woman. He should be careful.
And what about Betty? Still the frosty queen of the suburbs. She’s got her own little dramas going on, hasn’t she? That whole scene with Sally and the creepy friend. Yikes. Betty’s still got that coldness, that distance. Even when she’s trying to be a mom, it feels… performative. Like she’s playing a role. You can’t help but wonder if she’s ever going to thaw. Or if she’s just permanently set in her ways. She’s so beautiful, and so… unapproachable. It’s a shame, really. You see glimpses of a softer side, but then it’s gone. Back to the perfectionist façade. She’s a tough nut to crack, that one.
The whole episode felt like it was building to something, didn’t it? Like a slow burn that’s about to explode. You can sense the shifts happening. Don’s getting pulled back into his old ways, Peggy’s finally getting her moment in the sun (or at least, the fluorescent office lights), and the rest of the team is just… trying to survive the madness. It’s that feeling, you know? When you know things are about to change, but you don’t know how. It’s exciting, and terrifying, all at once.
And the music! As always, the soundtrack was spot on. It just adds another layer to everything, doesn’t it? The perfect song at the perfect moment, amplifying the emotion. It’s like they have a secret weapon, and that weapon is a killer playlist. I’ve definitely added a few tracks to my own personal “staring out the window mood” playlist, courtesy of Mad Men. You know the one. The one you listen to when you’re contemplating life, the universe, and whether you should have that extra slice of cake.
The pacing of this episode was just chef’s kiss. It wasn’t rushed, but it wasn’t dragging either. It was like a perfectly timed dance. Each scene flowed into the next, building the tension, revealing character. They’re masters of their craft, these guys. You can see the meticulous planning, the attention to detail. Every glance, every pause, every line of dialogue – it all means something. It’s why we’re all still here, talking about it months later. It’s just that good. It’s art, people!
I’m already dreading the end of the series, you know? It’s like having a favorite book and knowing you’re getting to the last chapter. You want to savor it, but you also want to know how it all ends. And with Mad Men, the ending feels like it’s going to be a big one. A real gut-punch, or a glorious triumph. Or maybe… a little bit of both. Because that’s just how life is, right? Messy, complicated, and rarely a neat and tidy conclusion. And that’s what makes it so compelling.
So, yeah. "New Business." A strong episode. A very strong episode. It’s got me thinking, it’s got me feeling, and it’s definitely got me wanting more. Bring on the next one! I’m ready. Are you?
