TV Review: Mad Men 3.4 – The Arrangements

Posted by Josh Radde (josh@filmschoolrejects.com) on September 7, 2009

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

Synopsis: Gene continues to bond with the Draper kids; Sal gets put in charge of directing the “Bye Bye Birdie”-themed commercial; Peggy decides to move to Manhattan and begins looking for a roommate.

Review: Time to spooj all over another installment of the best show on television. Last week’s episode was great, but this one returned to the usual Mad Men, splitting most of the scenes between Sterling Copper offices and the Draper residence.

I loved the joy on Sally’s face when Gene let her drive the car and Kitty’s terrified face when she saw her husbands true colors. Also, a lot of great humor in this episode, which makes me think of the three Mad Men seasons, this might be the funniest so far. The prank call made to Peggy was genius, the scenes between Peggy and Joan have also become some of my favorites, and Gene had some really funny lines. I also was dying during Sal’s coming-out moment, because he’s so stereotypically gay, except this is before those stereotypes were made. My girlfriend even pointed out “for Christ’s sake he even has a pinky ring!” Ha, poor Kitty.

The direction was wonderful, and it’s something I feel like I don’t talk about enough on these reviews. Michael Uppendahl directed this episode and what’s great about him is how he captures the slice of life moments, like when Sally on the floor and Don is framed in the background. The moment spoke volumes to the development of Sally, and if it were framed it would hang in my apartment. He’s also great at capturing perfect reaction shots, like when Peggy gave Don a “told-ya-so” look after the Patio cola promotion failed. Uppendahl is also directing two more episodes near the end of the season.

Spoiler alert: Gene died before the end of the episode, breaking Sally’s heart. His presence this season has really given us some great development with Sally and we’re finally seeing this little actress flex some muscle. Sally did not know the Gene that Betty and Don knew, so his death and the subsequent reaction by her parents could drive Sally into a rebellious phase. It’ll be interesting to see how Gene’s death affects the Draper women.

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