Episode Report Card Couch Baron: A+ | 441 USERS: B+ YOU GRADE IT Parting Really, Really Is Sweet Sorrow...
By Couch Baron | Season 1 | Episode 13 | Aired on 2007.10.18
Duck comes into Don's office with the boys in tow. Well, except for Harry, who's presumably rinsing out his handkerchief in the men's room sink. Duck says that the Kodak people called from the lobby and announced that they'd canceled their other meetings, so congratulations are in order. And there's more good news: Pete's father-in-law called and said he'll be in for a meeting before Christmas. Drinks go all around, but Duck refuses his, which I'm guessing will be Important Later. Much, much later, thankfully -- I'm worn out here! After everyone (except Duck) raises their glasses for a toast, Don gets An Idea and says he knows how Pete can parlay his good fortune into a home run -- since Clearasil appeals to young girls, they should take advantage of the fact that they have a female writer in Peggy. Pete tries to kibosh this thought by playing the dismissive card, but he's quite predictably alone here -- while the boys may or may not like her, they certainly respect her work. Pete opines that his father-in-law will walk away if they give him "some little girl." Don: "You'll have to give back that copy of Ayn Rand." Heh. It's the proto-"Make it work." Pete should concede this battle, but he's too worked up, spitting that Peggy's not even a copywriter, so Don summons her and promotes her to junior copywriter on the spot. I'm not convinced that Don knew how Pete would react in advance, but once Pete started bleeding all over the water you could hardly expect a shark like Don to act otherwise. Peggy at first is disbelieving, prompting Paul to snit, "Don't act surprised." I think we've got a topic for Paul's next one-act play. Of course, once the shock wears off, Peggy's thrilled, and she promises to do her best as she shakes Don's hand like, well, a man. Don says that Pete will brief Peggy after the holidays. And given the way Pete stomps out of the room, maybe he's the one that should be writing the Clearasil copy. What a pissypantsed little baby. Peggy seems unfazed by Pete's attitude, thankfully. Although given imminent events, if that outlook changes you'll hardly be able to blame her.