3) Shut The Door. Have A Seat (Season Three, Episode Thirteen)
Written By: Matthew Weiner and Erin Levy
Directed By: Matthew Weiner
Unfortunately, for some, Mad Men is a difficult show to begin watching because of its leisurely pacing and more character-driven sensibilities. It is not a throttling, thrill-a-minute series like the best of Homeland or Breaking Bad. Instead, AMC’s drama is more akin to a collection of short stories or chapters from a larger book about the life of an advertising agency. However, there are some episodes that build momentum with breakneck pacing and plotting. Few hours of the show, if any, have been as thrilling as “Shut the Door. Have a Seat.”
The season three finale begins with some dire news, straight from the mouth of Connie Hilton. McCann is going to buy Putnam, Powell and Lowe, and Sterling Cooper. Don, Roger and Bert discuss buying the company back, but the creative director has an ever better idea: fire the best and brightest and, with them, begin a new agency. Why be, as Bert says, “mid-level cogs at McCann?”
The whole thing then moves like a heist film, with Don as the Danny Ocean of the group trying to bring his best staff aboard. Sure, he has to give Pete and Peggy the best compliments they could ask for so they don’t jump ship. Still, as soon as they are on board, the whole gang getting together to gather their Madison Avenue belongings is pure crackerjack fun. (Plus, it also gives Lane the chance to smile after being delegated to a mere crony of PPL for most of the season.)
Still, despite the rejuvenating start of the new agency – and, boy, is it ever swell when Joan answers the phone with “Sterling Cooper Draper Pryce” – there is a sour end to Don and Betty’s marriage. He finds out about Henry, she forces him to get a divorce lawyer and then they have a painful, emotional chat with Sally and Bobby. One family of employees forms as an actual family dismantles. Weiner and Levy deftly mix the fun and the friction, the bouncy pace of the episode’s latter half with bittersweet goodbyes.
Best Scene: Lane’s firing is a hoot and Joan’s return is a blast of oxygen. However, the best part is Don pleading (and pitching) to Peggy to come on board to SCDP. It adds nuance to one of the great relationships in modern television. “I don’t think I can do it alone,” he begs. “I will spend the rest of my life trying to hire you.”
Line of the Hour: Roger, to Peggy: “Get me some coffee, will you?” Peggy, to Roger: “No.” (Metaphorical mike drop.)