The best ad agency in the world....

I watched Mad Men last night- the subtexts on that show are outstanding and so much fun to think about after a viewing. Nothing on the show is simple, although the action and plotline can move like syrup that's great for those of us who love complicated and well-written stories and that unfold like yummy little surprises after weeks of watching.
I love the character of Pete- he's a jerk but a complicated one. He pitches fits like a whiny spoiled brat and openly shows his true colors like on last night's episode where he asks his wife why can't he get everything at once- the true symbol of a person who believes he is entitled and wants instant gratification. He's the person, that today, would sneer at the lower class peers but would have no problem taking handouts from mama Gov't, because, after all- it's "owed" to him. A true "limo liberal" in the making. That's not why I love him- i like the way his character is so vulnerable yet he finds his way through the political sphere of MM like a chihuahua in a pinball machine- nipping at heels, yelping at anyone in his way, simpering the corner with a Scotch after Don Draper puts him back in his place.
My favorite scene with Don and Pete ( I think season 1) was the one in which Pete thought he could use his newfound information on Don's past to threaten Don's job status, and in a tense but lovely showdown with few words and lots of closeup facial shots, Pete ultimately gets shot down by their mutual boss. The boss simply doesn't care about Don's shady past, because Don gets his job done well, and that's all the matters in their world of lateral moves and shifting moral values. Pete's face when he realizes he never thought of that angle is priceless- he actually thought someone would care!
Of course every character on the show is so rich I always wish they could all get more air time each episode (Joan, Peggy and Bets being the most interesting women on cable in a long time). I love Joan's underlying intelligence, she's dismissed by those who don't know her well, yet respected by the office pleebs who realize how much power she actually has. Her only problem is that she doesn't use that power in her private life- ahem- letting your fiance rape you in your boss's office isn't exactly a show of confidence in yourself. But then you see her the next episode swaggering around in her red lipstick and hourglass dress like everything is just fine...and as the audience, we haven't yet gotten into her head about that rape- yet anyway. The writers are so good about saving nuggets of storylines for later, savoring the moment of now, and letting you wonder for a while when or if the characters are going to get their revenge, their absolvement, their moment of truth, or if they will just continue to live like most of us do today- letting some dark secrets lie in the closets forever while their spirits affect how we treat our loved ones, how we see ourselves and how well we sleep at night.
Ahh- Mad Men...a true symbol of America at it's best and it's worst.