Episode Report Card Couch Baron: B+ | 10 USERS: C+ YOU GRADE IT Equal Opportunity Idiot
By Couch Baron | Season 5 | Episode 2 | Aired on 03.25.2012
Peggy and Megan then discuss Joan's appearance, and when Peggy opines that she didn't look great right when she was about to pop, Megan wonders why she didn't tell her that. "You seem to say whatever's on your mind." Oh shit. Peggy asks if something's wrong, but Megan says no before handing over some Vicks coupons. "I know you thought you were the only one working this weekend." Oh shit! Peggy, as you might expect, tries to apologize but doesn't quite stick the landing, setting Megan off about how they're all so cynical, and they smirk instead of smiling, and "who wouldn't want a surprise party?" Of course, she's just blurted this to the very person that warned her about Don's probable reaction, but Peggy is genuinely sympathetic instead of superior; nevertheless, Megan stands and says she's not feeling well, and asks if she's allowed to go home. She looks rather heartbreakingly hurt, and Peggy makes a far better second try at an apology, which Megan maybe sort of accepts before heading off. Peggy kind of looks like she'd go home too, if, you know, she ever did.
Joan is taking notes as Pryce tells her about some issues they're having with cash flow, and after a bit of this Joan can't take any more and asks if he's getting things in order so he can eliminate her job. Pryce, of course, is aghast at the very idea, and after a quick explanation of the intent behind the fake ad, tells her that the books have practically "been held together with spit" in her absence. Joan, uncharacteristically starting to go to pieces, asks about Clara and Scarlett, and Pryce's voice rises as he opines that the two of them together couldn't operate a parking meter. "They're imbeciles!" Maybe Meredith has a chance to climb the ranks after all. Joan bursts into tears, and then as Pryce sits with her, she apologizes, saying she's been like this since the baby came, and it's not him -- she's just missed the goings-on at SCDP so much. I sympathize, Joan, but NOW YOU KNOW HOW THE REST OF US FELT. Also, it's obviously an interesting change in her character; she always, particularly to Peggy, claimed that she could make a clean break with the job, and I think there was a time when that was true, but obviously not anymore. She expresses her fear that SCDP is leaving her behind, but Pryce does a terrific job of consoling her by saying he's "terribly adrift" without her, as it's just a matter of time before people find out he's a sham. Joan recovers a bit, but complains that no one came to visit her; however, Pryce finishes the job of cheering her up with this in regard to her visit: "There would have been a cake, but you weren't here to arrange it!" This gets a genuine laugh from Joan, but she confesses that Greg has been gone for a long time, and even with her baby and mother there, she feels alone. And even though she prefaced that by saying she didn't expect Pryce to understand, maybe we know him a little better, so I'm not surprised when he expresses empathy for her feelings.