Episode 8: SouvenirWell! What a fascinating episode!
To anyone watching it for the first time it would have looked like a dull cross between 'Stepford Wives' and 'Desperate Housewives'!
However, it was suffused with all the usual, almost subliminal nuances.
The main angle it came from was to scene shift from the office to the 'burbs. You could foresee a snore-fest after the last episode. How wrong could you be!
To me it became a stark contrast between Don's waning moon and Betty's rising moon. And in the same way there was the echo of Pete's belief he could control matters out of the office as well as he feels he does in SC. Again, how wrong could he be?! He was given a real dressing down by the aupere's boss, given no time to respond. He was afraid and ended up grateful... and ran back into the arms of Trudy.
Similarly, Don was put in his place. We see Betty realising she has muscles too. I think she is initially attracted to Henry for his power, and maybe his sexuality. But it wakens in her that she too has abilities. She starts to work feverishly in defence of the reservoir whilst at the same time understanding she can also use her sexuality. Remind you of anyone? Yep! Joan! How ironic!
Cut to Rome. Betty and Don in Rome. She speaks (and can flirt) in Italian! (I never saw that coming!). The Italian men rush to light her cigarettes. Betty mistranslates to Don what they are saying... I think it was like that. Either way, she realises she is powerful in her relationship. She then seduces Don in the hotel room... did you ever see Betty in sexy underwear like that?!
So back to the US. Nightmare scenarios playing out with Sally and Bobby! As soon as they arrive home the nanny hands baby Gene back to Betty and tries to explain to Betty about Sally's hideous behaviour. Betty calmly and lovingly takes the baby in her arms, barely listening to the news whilst Don runs away like a frightened animal! Bloody hell! He's clearly realised he's out of his depth with his wife already! The next morning, when she picks up her cig and reaches for her lighter... Don rushes to light it with his one, like the Italian men had done!
Niggle point: Bobby always has the same dirty T-shirt on.
But my good friend pointed out it could be because he feels so unloved and uses it as a security blanket. She's smart, my friend...
Oh boy! There is so much more to say as well, I know!