Episode Report Card Couch Baron: C- | 13 USERS: B- YOU GRADE IT Through the Looking Glass
By Couch Baron | Season 6 | Episode 8 | Aired on 05.19.2013
...which takes us back to the Best Little Coughhouse in Pennsylvania. Don is carrying his sad Bedroll of Illness when a blonde employee invites him into her room. She listens to his breathing without the benefit of a glass, and as she's doing so, Don notices a photo of a baby stuck to her mirror and asks if it's her. Without elaborating, she says no -- this, at least, was a nice subtle moment -- before telling him that she's seen a lot of consumption, but he merely has a chest cold. She has him lie down as she comments that his mother doesn't know how to take care of anyone, to which Don reflexively replies that Abigail isn't his mother. The woman just regards him appraisingly, speaking of reflexive reactions.
Back on the stairs, Don continues to stare to the point where I'm surprised a crowd hasn't gathered to see why he's catching flies, but thankfully Moira shows a little discretion and closes the door before uncertainly asking Don if she can help him. Don's eyes are glazed, though, and he dreamily asks if they know each other. She's eventually basically like, I'm just going to go over here now. After another several moments with echoing sound effects and rando close-ups of Moira's face, he jauntily heads to his office. Ladies and gentlemen, I'm not sure exactly what the "it" is, but I think it's fair to say that whatever it is, it has kicked in. [Note: "It" is speed, basically. -- Rachel.]
In the Creative area, Stan and Mathis can't stand still. Peggy asks where "Ed" is, so I guess we've got the name I was wondering about earlier. After some "serum"-related bullshit answer, Ginzo tries to get everyone on track with a new general concept; he's sweaty enough that he could be high too, but it's a lot harder to tell with him that with most of these open books. A passing Pete asks the group if they heard about Gleason, and when Mathis laughs that dreams do come true, Pete tells him he thinks that's in poor taste. This may also be hilarious coming from him, but unlike Don, he's got a leg to stand on here. However, Mathis tries to get Peggy to tell Pete what a bitter pill Gleason was, but Peggy declines, telling Pete she liked him. Pete then leaves Creative to it, whereupon Stan starts babbling ideas and gets mad when Ginzo chimes in, and Ginzo avers that he is not, in fact, on the same trip as the two other boys. I applaud his discretion, but I do admit I'd like to see him in some altered state before the series is over. This goes on for a while...