TV Review: Mad Men 2.11 – The Jet Set

Posted by Josh Radde (josh@filmschoolrejects.com) on October 13, 2008

Mad Men Airs Every Sunday at 10/9c on AMC

Episode: “The Jet Set” (Season 2, Episode 11)

Synopsis: On a business trip to Los Angeles, Don becomes acquainted with some exciting new friends. Peggy looks for romance at work. Duck starts thinking about the future of Sterling Cooper. Pete Campbell does some poolside business in La-La Land.

Review: Even though it looked like it was going to be a continuation from last week’s episode, “The Jet Set” has three brand new storylines and no appearance by last episode’s star, Betty Draper. This week sees Pete Campbell and Don Draper getting a little alone time in L.A. at a conference. At first Don berates Pete for wanting to put his bathing suit on a day before they have to do work, but it’s not long before Don decides it’s time for him to have a change of conscience. Upon meeting a pretty lady named Joy, Don is seemingly all of a sudden a carefree swinger who will watch people have sex. The usually reserved Don is pretty open to all of it, and even an elder man calls him “beautiful” which actually pleases Don. Even though this plot line seems like a getaway for Don, he makes a crucial phone call at the end of the episode that can drastically change things for him from here on out.

Back in New York, Roger proposes to Jane who proclaims that their “souls are the same age.” I hate to tell her that Roger Sterling is very much still a little boy, as he spends most of the episode trying to get his lawyer to save more than half of his possessions in the divorce. Peggy also eyes the Europian Kurt in the office to go on a date with her to a Bob Dylan concert. Kurt reveals that he’s gay to the office, to mixed response, and ends up giving Peggy a makeover instead of a date. This whole plotline, I believe, will expedite the “Sal coming out of the closet” moment which has become more and more inevitable with Sal’s knowing glances towards other men. Also, poor Peggy. She tells Kurt she always picks the wrong guys. Near the end of the episode, her and Pete have a moment, and even though they’re in a room with others, and Campbell behaves like his normally awkward self, it’s a neurotically romantic moment. They’re definitely going to have the relationship that will stay interesting throughout the remainder of the show.

Also, stop the presses, Duck Phillips becomes relevant. The character whose been given some things to do here and there is all of a sudden made much more interesting. When confronted about his lack of productivity, Duck consults his former bosses and tells them it may be to their advantage to buy Sterling/Cooper. They seem interested and when Duck tells Roger and Bert, they agree to give Duck’s colleagues (GE?) five days to woo them. One of Duck’s conditions is that he gets Don’s job, and with Don out on the west coast having a mid-life crisis, there isn’t a better job for Duck to swoop in and nab it. So, even though we know Don will make it back to New York and fight for his job within the next two episodes, having Duck reveal himself as the antagonist for this season sure spruces things up a bit.

Up Next week: “The Mountain King”–Don meets with an old friend. An account hangs in the balance when Pete’s personal life presents problems. Joan brings her boyfriend to the office.

For more coverage of your favorite shows, check out the Control Freaks Archive.

Did you catch this week’s episode of Mad Men? If so, please feel free to discuss is below.


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  • Tenika
    The last few minutes revealed some interesting stuff but overall I was fairly underwhelmed with this episode. For one I thought Don and Pete were gonna get into some craziness together in l.a. and that would have made my life. I know good stuff is being set up but I really didn't care for this episode, is that weird?
  • I've missed a couple of episodes this season, including last week's, but I was on board the whole way through. Every week I'm amazed by the quality of this show. It's very rare that I watch anything these days and wonder aloud, "Wow! Who writes this stuff?!" and it's not a diss.
  • Tenika--

    I too, was a little disappointed, especially since Pete and Don set up such an interesting dynamic last season, which I thought would lead to a power struggle this season. That's been my main complaint, especially in regards to Duck (who obviously supports Campbell), who all of a sudden makes moves to nab Don's job. It's a little off and I hate when TV shows don't build on great plotlines and settle for fodder.
  • I must quote the mighty, mighty Dan Akroyd and say:

    "Josh, you ignorant slut."

    Give the Duck/Don/Peter dynamic five more episodes. I have no foreknowledge except to say that I think it won't be long before you totally change your opinion. I mean, unless somehow this show goes totally off the rails. I have a feeling we're going to see awesome things come of these relationships.
  • BobbyH
    This was actually one of the best episodes of the season! What are you thinking Josh?!
  • WHAT?! I really liked this episode. How is this a bad review? I LOVE the fact that they made Duck an antagonist, when we all saw it coming for awhile.
  • Tenika
    He never said he didn't like the episode. I believe he was just commenting on how it would have been cool to see more scenes between Don and Pete while in L.A. That was my only complaint. I've always felt like there is some tension between them and I wish more time could be devoted to that on the show.
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