We confess, our love of Mad Men extends from Sunday night all the way through the following weekend when we get our fix again. Yes, the cinematography is moody, the plot lines are appropriately subtle and the characters are complex. But, it’s the authentic style of the mid-60s that gets our juices flowing every time. Every Tuesday, we present a Style Recap after each new episode premiers, with our editors’ favorite looks from the show, and a little colorful commentary thrown in for good measure.
What a long, strange trip Sunday night was! Titled “Far Away Places,” the Scott Hornbacher-directed episode was all about trips — both literally and figuratively. Divided into thirds, the hour focused on our three anti-heroes of the series, Don, Peggy and Roger.
Let’s start with Peggy who wakes up on the wrong side of the bed the morning of her Heinz pitch. When her boyfriend, Abe, feels neglected, he suggests an after work viewing of the movie The Naked Prey (talk about foreshadowing!). Peggy’s sporting a silk slip, taking her hair out of curls, and changing into one of her many cutesy bow-adorned blouses when it dawned on me how she begrudgingly holds onto to the past, all the while struggling to break through the metaphorical Corningware glass ceiling. Can’t Peggy take some style cues from our beloved Megan and her colorful Marni-esque dresses?
Speaking of Megan, Don pulls her out of the Heinz pitch meeting to run away to that luxe roadside resort that is Howard Johnson’s for a little marketing research. Our lovely doe-eyed Megan shows up sporting an orange and cream chevron cardigan layered over an equally sweet dreamsicle orange dress. The sunnies that she later loses in the parking lot after a disastrous and somewhat high school fight were also fab. Another thing we noticed is how Mr. Draper is starting to show a preference for small tie pins instead of the sterling tie bars that have become a perennial wardrobe staple. Anyway, back at the Howard Johnson restaurant where the pair are treated like royalty, Miss. Megan orders pie for dessert, but Don insists they have orange sherbet instead. She claims it “tastes like perfume” then shovels it into her mouth when Don suggests she’s trying to embarrass him. They continue arguing until Don storms out. He orders her into the car. She refuses, yelling “Get in the car! Eat ice cream! Leave work! Take off your dress! Yes, master.” Don drives away. Make a note to never order orange sherbet around Megan.
On to Roger and his stunning wife Jane. She convinces him to accompany her to her therapist’s apartment for an adult dinner party. Did you notice Jane’s amazing earrings and equally fab braid? Who knew the lady from Jaws III (Bess Armstrong) would be married to the Doctor Timothy Leary who encouraged everyone to “turn on, tune in, drop out”? And that’s just what the couples did. I mean, it is 1966, so I guess it’s no surprise that instead of pineapple upside down cake for dessert, a tray of LSD is served. In one of the strangest, most awe-inspiring scenes in Mad Men history, Roger and Jane take a trip that actually makes them closer for once. In the midst of their other-worldly adventures, and laying on the floor in a beautiful silk caftan, they agreed to divorce. If only all separations were so fun. Until next week… —Michael Fisher
See also: “Mad Men” Episode 5
