1.02 Ladies Room

Summary and spoilers

Betty (Don’s wife) is exhibiting signs of stress. Her shaking numb hands at first appear to be a symptom of a night of too much drinking while trying to impress Don’s boss Roger. But when it happens again while she is driving the car, and the kids end up on the floor of the back seat after she drives up the curb, she visits a new doctor. This doctor tells her she should see a psychiatrist. The stigma attached to such a visit is just lifting, Betty tells Don. Don isn’t so convinced, and argues that there is no reason for her not to be happy, and certainly no need for her to have to talk to a stranger. This makes perfect sense coming from a man who never shares his life history or has revealed details of his childhood – not even to his wife. When Betty stress continues to grow, Don concedes that maybe she should see a psychiatrist. He leaves the choice up to her, and she chooses to do so. Her session consists of her lying on a comfy couch, while the doctor sits out of sight behind her, taking notes. She is not encouraged to talk or prompted to do so, but talk she does, including sharing something that we learned near the beginning of the episode: that her mother passed away three months ago. Later that night, unbeknownst to her, Don calls the psychiatrist to get a complete run-down on what his wife said and what the doctor feels her problems might be (we are not privy to the details of this conversation).

Peggy’s office experiences are exhilarating and frustrating. She’s pleased to have survived two weeks and is proud of her first paycheck. She’s not so happy about being constantly hit on by every man in the office. There’s no subterfuge about it; at a social lunch, they even admit there is a bit of a betting pool going on who will be the first to sleep with her. Paul, one of the seemingly nicer guys, gives her a tour of the office and buys her lunch from the ‘cart’ a couple of times. But when he gets her alone in his office, he kisses her, then suggests they barricade the door and make love. She only escapes by claiming that there is ‘someone else’. And perhaps there is: back at her desk, Peggy steals a glance at the postcard that Pete has sent from his honeymoon at Niagara Falls. It was sent to the office and posted on the bulletin board, but Peggy has co-opted it and now keeps it as a personal treasure in the top drawer of her desk.

Meanwhile, the copywriters are tasked with selling the newest unique sensation: Right Guard deodorant in an aerosol can. They suggest the space-age angle, with various ads depicting an upside-down astronaut, and tag-lines like, "It works in my suit or in yours." But Don is going for a more basic angle. Assuming that women will be buying this product for their man, he asks the question: what do women want? Unfortunately, he is met with a gallery of blank stares.

Don has also been asked to assemble a team (and that team must include Pete Campbell) to handle Nixon’s run for President against Kennedy.

Comments

This episode is all about the women – how they are trapped, unfulfilled, limited – yet how they are encouraged to be happy with their lot in life. This encouragement comes not only from men but also from other women stuck in the same situation. For the women, today’s often well-developed sense of solidarity is non-existent. Twice, Peggy enters the office toilet to find another women crying. The first time, she makes an effect to talk to the woman, but stops when Joan suggests that she just keep walking. The second time it happens, Peggy is already desensitized, and barely glances at the other woman.

Mad Men Quotes

Betty: Do you think I need a psychiatrist?
Don: I always thought people saw psychiatrists when they were unhappy, but I look at you, and this, and that, and that, and then I think, are you unhappy?
Betty: Of course I’m happy.
Don: Well, that’ll be 35 dollars, you’re welcome.

Paul: Submitted for your approval: one Peter Campbell, a man who recently discovered that the only place for his hand…is in your pocket. You watch it? Have you seen it, The Twilight Zone?
Peggy: I don’t think so, I don’t like science fiction.
Paul: I’m gonna pretend you didn’t say that.

Don: Let me ask you something: what do women want?
Roger: Who cares?

"I keep thinking…not that I could have killed the kids, but worse – Sally could have survived and gone on living with this…horrible scar on her face and…some long, lonely, miserable life…"
- Betty

Don: I can’t decide if you have everything…or nothing.
Midge: I live in the moment [kisses Don]. Nothing is everything.
Don: Sounds more like you live in the Village.

Don: What do women want?
Midge: Well, one of the things has to be not to be asked something like that.
Don: What do women want? You know better than to ask. Give me a pen. [writes] What do women want? Any excuse to get closer.
Midge: Oh god! There’s that ego people pay to see.

Don: [on phone] Hello. Sorry to bother you so late. It’s Don Draper.
Psychiatrist: Oh, hello Mr. Draper. No, no, it’s not too late at all.
Don: Glad to hear that. Well?
Psychiatrist: Well, I had a very interesting hour with your wife this afternoon. She’s a very anxious young woman. I think you’re doing the right thing.