Mad Men Season 5, Episode 11: The Other Woman

‘The Other Woman’ suggests that no matter how much or how little money someone makes, or already has, there’s always more wealth to be accumulated; it’s simply a matter of what people are willing to do, or sacrifice, to acquire that which they desire.

For Peggy (Elisabeth Moss), more money also means the possibility of more respect, and more freedom with another agency. Despite all the work she’s done over the years and how far she’s come, Peggy is just always going to be the girl on the outside looking in. While the men are at the table searching for a way to convey the message that Jaguar is the other woman, she’s on the other side of the glass, pitching laxatives while Don and the boys are treated to lobster. And after she successfully pitches an idea on the fly to Chevalier Blanc, Don gives it to Ginsberg because it’s his account. When Peggy complains, Don throws money in her face, accusing her of only wanting to go to Paris.

For his part, Don gets hit with the realization that Megan’s acting may mean months away from Manhattan, which results in yet another spat between the couple. Thankfully, he’s not entirely privy to the lascivious call back she’s forced to endure, which suggests that no matter Megan’s talent, the men who can decide her future are simply searching for a very specific thing, an object that will look good on stage. At the same time, Don catches wind of Joan’s deal and rushes to tell her that no account, not even Jaguar, is worth signing over her character for a five percent stake in the company.

Then, in a rather well executed segment, Don pitches Jaguar while Joan is wooed, used and dismissed by Herb. Only later do we learn that Don’s appeal came after the fact, which he learns when Joan is amongst the partners as they announce they’ve landed Jaguar. Uninterested in celebrating such a win, Don and Peggy go to his office so she can tell him she’s leaving SCDP for CGC. Don’s response is a mixture of anger and venom, but when offered, he takes Peggy’s hand and kisses it for an extended length of time, as if pulling the tear from Peggy’s eye. Then he simply dismisses her.

Peggy leaves the office while Joan has consigned herself to them forever. She stands in front of the elevator and as the doors open, the music kicks in and Peggy smiles to herself, a free woman.

Edited from: screenrant.com