Mad Men: Very Good. Happy Christmas!

It seems almost counterproductive to write up a review of this third season finale of Mad Men. Just like nearly every other episode of this show, it was so well-written, so well-acted, and so polished to perfection in every aspect of production that words can’t fully express its richness and the explosive potential that looms ahead for season four.

I think it is safe to refer to this episode as a game-changer and I might as well give the spoiler warning now because if you haven’t seen it yet (shame on you), there’s very little to discuss that doesn’t give it all away. There were essentially two primary emotions that I felt while watching this episode: pure, unadulterated glee and heartbreaking sorrow.

Let’s start with the happy one first, which resided in the storyline that created Sterling Cooper Draper Pryce as a new agency. I think it was apparent all season long that Sterling Cooper as we knew it was coming apart at the seams. So to see the four power players of Don, Roger, Bert, and Lane come together to decide to bail the company, take some clients with them, and steal all relevant documents was a pure treat. And to watch them try to convince others to join them was equally enjoyable because we finally got to see Peggy standing up for herself and then be rewarded by Don of all people! Even Pete, who makes me nervous no matter what scene he’s in, gets a happy comeuppance with the switch to the new company.

But most importantly, the new company required the assistance of my personal favorite character of the series: Mrs. Joan Holloway. She just kind of swooped in and took charge in a way that only Joan can and I can’t wait to see her managing the goings-on of the hotel suite office next year.

For every smile that this episode produced though, there was an equal amount of pain as the relationship between Don and Betty finally disintegrated to a breaking point. From Don learning about Betty’s relationship with Francis due to a slip of Roger’s drunken tongue to the devastating scene where they tell the poor kids that daddy is moving out, the writing and execution of the show has never been sharper or more somber.

There is one shot in particular that will linger in my mind forever. It occurs when Don arrives home from the bar to confront Betty about her affair. As he holds her close he gazes deep into her seemingly innocent face and says, “You’re a whore.” The camera holds on them for what seems like minutes and the emotions hit you like a tidal wave. Their eyes show more pain, anger, shock, and sadness than anything I’ve seen on television in ages. To say that Jon Hamm and January Jones deserve Emmy awards for this scene is a vast understatement.

Many people I talked to didn’t think that the show’s creator, Matthew Weiner, would have the guts to actually end the marriage of the show’s lead characters but he has once again proven us wrong and I can only imagine what surprises will be in store for us when season four rolls around next year. Will some old friends be left out of the new ad agency and off the show forever? Will Betty marry the silver fox politician? Will Roger pledge his love to Joan? Will Sally finally go postal? Only time will tell and it’s a guarantee I’ll be watching but for now, I think Lane Pryce summed up this episode best right after he was fired for the new gang’s traitorous actions -”Very Good. Happy Christmas!” Indeed.

For another take on this episode, check out Don’t act like a stranger. We’ve got tea. by Robin Reed.

Season 3, Episode 13: Shut the Door.  Have a Seat (originally aired November 8, 2009)

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Photographs courtesy of AMC and Carin Baer