Episode Report Card Couch Baron: B | 407 USERS: B+ YOU GRADE IT That's Some Great Business Sense!
By Couch Baron | Season 3 | Episode 2 | Aired on 2009.08.23
Roger shows up to the restaurant late, although not as late as the clients, and Don somewhat disdainfully asks what the hell else he even has to do that day. "What else do you have to do all week?" Heh. Roger bitches about his familial situation, but then sighs, "I made my bed, I should lie in it, right?" I'd imagine that was kind of the point of marrying a girl barely out of college, yes. There's a bit of a questioning tone in his voice, though, like he's wondering whether Don's still mad at him, and Don, a hard edge in his voice, replies, "Your words, not mine." Asked and answered! Roger nods, but chooses not to engage Don here, instead bitching that it's all Mona's fault. "All of a sudden I could give two craps about that wedding. All I want to do is win." Before Don can express further disapproval (and it's duly noted that it would be easier to get fully behind him were we unaware that he's still cheating), their meeting arrives, and it's just the oldest guy (Ed Raffitt is his name), which strikes me as a little odd since he seemed the most put off by Paul. He literally isn't even going to sit down until Roger cajoles him into it, so I'm thinking Don's going to need some Kodak-level inspiration here, particularly after Roger makes a joke about Yetta Wallenda that has "too soon" written all over it. Don takes the reins and, after ascertaining that the demolition plan's detractors can't stop it from going forward, points out that the guilty conscience they're betraying with their concern over public opinion isn't doing them any good. He goes on that change is neither good nor bad, but merely is, and it can be greeted with terror, by throwing a tantrum about wanting things the way they were, or with joy, with a dance that celebrates the new. It's a good speech and in fact lays out the main theme of the episode -- exploring the characters' different responses to change -- but thanks to SNL all I can see now when Don makes one of the speeches is that damned hula hoop with the straps. However, he continues, "If you don't like what is being said, change the conversation," and when the guy reaches for a menu, they know they've got him even as he asks what that conversation is. Don brings up his trip to California, saying that it's clean and new and hopeful (and broke!), while New York is in decay. "Madison Square Garden is the beginning of a new city on a hill." So the Felt Forum was an ugly suburb? The guy tells Don if he comes to SC, he doesn't want "that kid" on his account. He could just as easily be talking about Pete as Paul, but when he clarifies, "The Communist. The radical," Don says he'll handle it personally. I have to admit I thought this meant Paul was getting the Burt Peterson treatment, but then I wondered: Does he even have a Rolodex?