Episode Report Card Couch Baron: B | 3 USERS: A- YOU GRADE IT White People Problems
By Couch Baron | Season 6 | Episode 5 | Aired on 04.28.2013
...and then Ginzo is waking his father up and telling him the news. In a silent gesture I loved, Papa Ginzo wordlessly pulls his blanket up over his face, and I'd imagine that he's seen enough tragedies in his life to have hoped not to have to witness too many more. Ginzo puts the TV on - it comes to life with that dot expanding into a line and then into a full picture, which I remember from when I was a kid...
...and then we cut to a different TV, which announces the spread of violence between cops and "Negroes," and Don looks especially stricken when he hears about incidents in D.C. Meanwhile, via the telephone, Megan sort of chews her father out before hanging up and telling Don that he "said he applauded the escalation of decay," and she's so sick of his "Marxist bullshit." Hear, hear. Megan wonders if "your secretary" is okay, but Don doesn't answer, instead pointing out that Sylvia and Rosen are in D.C., like I don't know if this is meant to be touching, but you'd think in the face of this tragedy Don could stop thinking about his side action for five minutes. Megan complains that her father hides behind his intellect so he won't have to feel anything, and when Don suggests they withdraw to the bedroom to watch, Megan silently agrees. When she puts the phone down on the couch, a close-up reveals her award sitting there, and boy, I hope they exempted the winners from having to give speeches this year.
Don enters his office, bringing his Rolodex in with him to let us know Dawn isn't present. He picks up the phone, but Roger enters and offers, "The man knew how to talk. I don't know why, but I thought that would save him. I thought it would solve the whole thing." You can see where that point of view would be appealing to Roger. Don doesn't have an answer to that, so Roger starts to leave, but turns back to tell him that Walsh wants to come in that afternoon. Don doesn't react at all, so focused is he on calling Rosen's service and asking if they have any news of him. The answer appears to be negative, and after Don hems and haws a bit, he declines to leave a message. I know the world is going to be off its game today, Don, but still: Real smooth, there.
Peggy enters her office and is surprised to find Phyllis, who apologizes for not being out doing reception. Peggy's like, it's not that - I just didn't expect you to come in at all. She goes on that she kept calling her number but no one answered, so Phyllis explains that she, her mother, and their family went out to her sister's in Newark. Peggy tentatively offers, referring to the violence, that Abe told her things could have been a lot worse, but then, realizing how inadequate that sounds, adds a heartfelt "I'm so sorry." Phyllis's face starts to break, so Peggy stretches out and embraces her in as heartfelt a gesture as I've seen on this show in some time. Still in Peggy's arms, Phyllis says she knew it was going to happen, and so did Dr. King, "but it's not gonna stop anything." Her own words giving her some strength, she breaks the embrace and adds that "these fools running in the streets - it's exactly what he didn't want." Peggy tells her she should go home. "In fact, none of us should be working." Phyllis thanks her and leaves, but Peggy still looks rather shaken.