Episode Report Card Couch Baron: B+ | 755 USERS: A- YOU GRADE IT Something Interruptus
By Couch Baron | Season 3 | Episode 1 | Aired on 2009.08.16
Harry's babbling to Paul about how taxes are a disincentive to hard work, but before I start to think of warm sandy beaches, Burt loudly announces to his "fellow companions in mediocrity" (i.e., everyone currently on the open floor) that they can all fuck off. He knocks some stuff off a few desks on his way toward his office while Harry repeats some misinformation about Burt's plans, Pete smirks, and Paul wonders if the firings aren't starting again. On cue, Hildy tells Pete that Pryce wants to see him, and Pete almost shits his pants right there as Harry and Paul walk away with "There but for the grace of Brits go I" written all over their faces. Pete stomps off to take his medicine, or so he thinks...
...while John Hooker gets snarled at by Burt: "Drop dead, you Limey vulture!" After Burt enters his office and continues to rail loudly and incoherently and Hooker's all "Well, I never!" for a moment, Joan approaches and snits that she's going to have to dispense psychotherapy to the girls in the typing pool, thanks to his mishandling of the Burt situation. Hooker condescendingly says that "you Americans" can't handle their emotions, but Joan, unbowed, reiterates that Peterson's wife is sick, and if Hooker had merely spoken to his girl, she would have informed him privately, "and if you had talked to me, I would have been waiting with his coat and his Rolodex." Hooker tenuously takes this mention of "decorum" to transition into asking that he be addressed formally by the girls on the switchboard: "I am not 'Jaahn.'" Joan faux-innocently replies that that's how they address the secretaries, and John steps up the condescension as he starts to say that as he's explained, in England...Joan: "A truck is a lorry, and an elevator is a lift. I've got it, Mr. Hooker. Despite your title, you are not a secretary." She just gets more awesome, although so does her dress size. What's with all the padding? Is she still shedding maternity weight? Or is she pregnant again? (For that matter, did she actually have the baby? Don't want to assume anything after that first scene, and I'm thinking if she actually had, she might not still be around, especially given her comment to Peggy later.) He acidly replies that he's "Mr. Pryce's right arm," not his typist. Joan sunnily agrees: "I assume you will let him know when Mr. Peterson has left the building." I appreciate the final slam on Hooker, but unless Pryce is very deaf I think he'll have a handle on that one all by himself.