Mad Men Season 6 (Episode 6): For Immediate Release

Why Mad Men Episode 6 (Season 6) Worked:

• The opening scene about SCDP going public.  Great interplay between Joan and Pete (we rarely see that).  Good mix of sexual banter and business.  And Joan perhaps making $1 million in a public offering finally enabled her to get excited about something.
• Roger shagging the flight attendant who oversaw the business class lounge for midwestern flights.  And dig that groovy outfit she wore.
• The business dinner with the Jaguar client.  The wife was way too over-the-top but Don really grew a pair when he told the client basically to stuff it.  He was as cold and cutting as only Don can be and it was a welcome change for the show.  He's been too distant and remote (I know...I'm sounding like Megan.)
• Pete's outburst to Don when he learned that Don fired the Jaguar client.  As usual -- as we've said many times on these pages -- the show works best when the focus is the work.  Joan really capped this scene with her own blast at Don and it was nice to see her show some from-the-belly emotion.  She's usually tightly wound.
• Don's hail-Mary pass conversation with Ted at the bar in Detroit about merging agencies.  It made sense and the way that it came about was masterful.  The viewer never saw the details or the pitch to Chevy....it was all presented the next day as matter-of-fact in Ted's office with Don there as Peggy walked in surprised.  That's first-class writing at work.

Why Mad Men Episode 6 (Season 6) Didn't Work:

• Peggy's relationship with Abe.  Bogging down and tonight's episode showing her and Abe in her new, noisy apartment was poorly written and had extremely cheesy set design (surprising for a show that gets most of those details so right).
• Pete's hairline.  Don't mean to be mean but yikes!  Can't the "Mad Men" makeup department do something?
• Joan's bustline.  It seems to be growing as fast as Pete's hairline is receding.  

Overall Grade for Mad Men Episode 6 (Season 6):  A.  The show was in top form with this episode.    There was a lot of drama, some good plot shifts, and key characters really spread their wings.  Can't wait to see what next week brings.