*To address a question that I've been getting a lot* - I'm sorry if this disappoints, but I do not plan to make any more videos on Mad Men. This is a topic I always wanted to do because I love the show, love the episode and love Pete, and I felt like I wanted to make this video because I felt I had something to contribute, and the passion was bursting out of me for it. Now, I've done that, and I feel satisfied and don't have anything else about the show that I want to talk about. I am very happy that this video has gotten much more attention than I expected it to, and I'm glad that people are enjoying it. However, I simply don't have anything that I feel I NEED to talk about in the way I felt about Signal 30 and Pete. I appreciate and acknowledge the questions and requests from people asking that I do more Mad Men content, but I just don't have any plans for it. I don't want comments and viewers dictating my content, because I feel like that's a slippery slope, which is why the only requests I consider are compromises that I discuss with Patrons for which I feel like I have enough interest and passion in the topic to put out a good video on it. As such, I'm going to continue with the channel as I always have done - just talking about whatever I feel interested in talking about. A lot of times it'll be anime, sometimes video games, and once in a while, a live-action one like this. I hope that's understandable. HOWEVER, something that is important to note is that the response to this video has made me more open to potential Mad Men stuff. What I mean by that is that while I don't have any plans for it, if I'm suddenly struck with the temptation to cover another Mad Men topic, I'd definitely be more willing to make a video than I would have been if not too many people were interested. So your words of support have definitely impacted my feelings on the topic, and thanks for that. TL;DR - While it isn't impossible, and while it is encouraging that this video has gotten a decent reception, I don't have any plans to make any more Mad Men videos. So please don't expect any, and I wouldn't recommend subscribing if that's all you want to see from me. I will continue with the same approach to my channel as I always have done. Thanks! In addition, two things: - Firstly, in the upcoming videos, you may hear some peaking or inconsistency with the audio quality. They’re definitely listenable and I’ve done my best to fix the problems, but my mic is getting old and there are a few problems cropping up here and there in production. In this video in particular, I didn't notice the issues until post and as such obviously couldn't compensate during recording. So if you hear anything that sounds off in this video or any of the coming videos, that explains why. I want to get a new mic, but COVID shutdowns make it difficult at the moment unfortunately. This is the first video for which I first started having problems, and this is the video for which the problems are most noticeable, so I figured I’d mention it here. Hopefully you don’t have any major issues with it that detract from the experience by a huge margin. For that reason, I'd recommend listening to this video specifically at a lower volume. - Secondly, thanks so much to the Patrons for the month of May! RicardoG, The Unknown Otaku, Jon Mundle, Christopher Brown, Andrew Eddy, Hunter Hess, Shmak95, Jamie, Shak, Omar Alrawi, Thomas Mitchell, Edgar Gallant, Tyke, Beatriz, Dhaval Kale, Alihissan Dansoko, BitMuffin, Gabriel Nieves-Ponce, Hayashii, Jan Zurfluh, Joshua Adams, John Koehn, NiveousDP, KhainTCore, EndlessTurtle, Pukdee Vandyleuam, Gurneel Kang, Nightbringer, Rabe E Al-Silwadi, Paul Chabanon, Nasty Frank’s BBQ, Ramil Khairullin, Alexander Krois, Salrain, Chris Catignani, Melanie Lopez, The Anime Dude, Geazaki Cosplay, Juan rodriguez, Gray, GosuPikachu, Achyut Dwivedi, PatronGuy, Federico Matteoni, Kamimmun, Anthony, Mugil Malai, Luke Khouri, thecristian1409, Arthrimus, YEURIEL E MARTINEZ, KinoChasingPerspective, Marie, Sam Nicholls, Lukas Bauer, Goldy Wang, Voracidus, Tony delatorre, Matt, Seh Hui, Muraragi, Jean La Fontaine, Lukas, Walter J. Zenon, Trang Nguyen, Ali Motamed, FateSteelTayloy, Bluur, Erik Lomonaco, Sheldon Angst, An Anemic Android, Mozilla Fennekin, Eric Chou, Lukas Grunder, Haanse, Thomas, Winter S0ul, Michael Feiber, Daniel, Obi, Ine Airlcana, Thors, Mubarak Patel, omar el amrani, SHISUI, General Jaeger, Luc Taylor, Rinoq Natoblix $10+: Basil, TsuSeika - Emilia, Gurinryo, Jan Wohlfart, Frog Pagliacci, ThxNitroRad, Sarkhan of Artaka Dragon, Mama Pose, Jeremy Line, Flarbu, eessae, Merlindchan, christopher karas, YellowSubmarine, Morning Haze, GoldenExperience, Buster Beetle, Helios00 Cheers, and hope everyone is staying happy and healthy!
Aleczandxr. It would legitimately mean the world to me if you would make a character analysis for Lane. This is one of my favorite tv shows of all time and Lane Pryce is my favorite character. It would mean a lot to me if you would consider it!😁
This is a show I didnt get into when it was still running. Got into it when they put it on netflix and got into the 2nd season and then they took it off netflix. Which sucks because this show was actually really good and not at all what I expected it to be.
@@syntheticreality549 This is probably going to be a one-time thing (this topic is the one thing that I've always wanted to cover from the show) but I'm glad you enjoyed it! Thank you. I'm sorry that I won't be making more. Lane is an amazing character though, I love him too.
Or that I would be so happy Trudy took him back!!! I loooooved Trudy, and I normally wouldn't have wanted her to take him back, but they really made me hopeful for his redemption and them starting anew
@@heythere6789 I know she was too good for him and he really didn't deserve her. Pete redeems himself by loosing his weasel like personality and by being a good father, also they are adorable together. I never once felt bad for Don though when his relationships went badly.
@@BestBuzzHoneyBees *Shocked gasps as they bounce off the office walls*. I feel like the creators didn't expect the show to be as timeless and quotable as it is. My mom and I always crack up when we find the right time to say "she loved the sea..."
As Roger said as Pete and Lane were rolling up their sleeves, "I know that cooler heads should prevail, but am I the only one that wants to see this?".
My favorite thing about Mad Men is its consistency. I clicked on this video and genuinely didn’t know what episode it was going to be. Maybe The Suitcase, or Shut The Door Have A Seat, or The Wheel. Then, once you mentioned Season 5, I thought “Oh, maybe it’s Far Away Places, or The Other Woman, or Commissions and Fees.” Then you mentioned Pete Campbell, and I thought “Oh, it’s either Lady Lazarus or Signal 30.” The fact that Mad Men genuinely has so many near perfect episodes that I didn’t know for sure which episode you were going to talk about until you actually said Signal 30 speaks to the quality and consistency of a show like Mad Men.
Ratchet Achenbach Well, I didn't love the Waitress storyline. But that was 2 episodes out of hundreds, for 7 seasons of near-perfect television. Would love to see a spin-off of some of these characters (e.g. Joan's fledgling ad agency), but then again, anything following this exquisite series would likely be a let down.
Pete has always been one of my favorite characters on Mad Men. Despite his flaws, I found him to be incredibly sympathetic and human. The only difference between him and the other characters is that he wears his insecurities on his sleeve. Even the person he looked up to and admired, Don Draper, had insecurities of his own, which he drowned in alcoholism and sex. The irony is that Pete's longing for attention accentuates his obvious fragile ego and flaws, drawing him further away from his goal of being admired by others. I think there's a bit of Pete in everyone, in that we all search for validation in something. Great analysis on one of the best tv shows in history!
You have to also consider how apparent the writers made it that petes own parents didnt really believe in him, respect him, or give much of a shit about him. Definitely plays a role in pete's longing for acceptance and control
upon watching this video, i realized that he was in driving school (lol idek where i thot he was). one thing continually associated with pete throughout the series is the fact that he can't drive. to me, this is another symbol of the point you made that pete is not in control of his life. he has destinations he wants to reach, but is not able to be the one to control how to get there. nice vid m8
I looked up how to fix a leaky faucet after the scene where Don is over for dinner and the faucet explodes, and he busts off his shirt and fixes it in like 3 seconds, all the ladies goin' wild. Now I know how to fix it should the problem ever occur. Still waiting for my time to shine...
Another key is the sexual metaphor barely hidden in the kitchen sink scene. Trudy: “I turned it on and it just blew in my face!” On a separate and related note, I’ve read elsewhere that the girl in the Driver Ed class looks similar to a young Peggy, the one he let get away. Also, he’s beaten up by Lane who, in the sixties or now, would be considered a nerd, right after Pete referred to him as “a homo” in an attempt to humiliate him.
Breaking Bad is the only other show that comes close to the caliber of Mad Men. Both about totally flawed anti-heroes on TMC, I think they aired back to back at some point?
Pete's jealousy of Ken also manifests at the end when he tells Roger about Ken's writing, knowing Roger will tell Ken to stop (Roger says "a little birdie told me" but it's obvious who it was). Pete and Ken's one-sided competition was always fascinating to me and I wish they explored it more. Just thought I'd add it here.
There were some rumors that the actor who played Salvatore had some conflict with Matt Weiner. And that kinda makes sense. Sal was swiftly dismissed. It seems like the arc they were going for with him was rushed. And unlike almost every major character who left the show, he was never seen again on the show or even brought again in conversation.
"Pete feels taken on a ride that is his life, cursed to constantly follow his instincts about what he believes will make him happy, only to never find it." . Damn. This really resonates with me. I've got some new material for my therapist next week!
I fully relate, Mad Men is so underrated, when you can sit through the dull yet realistic pacing, it’s interesting and shows us a different perspective of life. Plus I just finished a degree in marketing consumer psychology and would love to be in Don Drapers shoes
I don’t know about it being underrated. It won four drama series Emmys in a row and is one of the most acclaimed shows ever. Seasons 6, 7a and 7b didn’t do much of anything for me. So, I can’t place on my top tier of shows with The Sopranos, The Wire and Deadwood. But it definitely cracks my top eight.
It's interesting to juxtapose all of Pete's insecurities and grievances which r so evident in this episode with the moment at the derby where he and Trudy basically were the life of the party when they were dancing together and just being very cute and fun loving and everyone enjoyed looking on.
Pete's arc is one I think about constantly. He goes on this shallow journey of what could be misconstrued as self-actualization. He finally has an an epiphany at the end, but by you're never sure if he's learned to be honest with himself and his needs. It's tragic and relatable.
Pete has been a consistent favorite of mine since the first season. I see so much of myself in him in his need for external validation, struggle to find happiness in his career and personal life, and even in his petty jealousies of those around him. I've always understood his character for better or worse, and yet I did not see how much he was hurting throughout this episode. Phenomenal analysis. It left me in tears!
Every time I watch this series, I think Pete and Don had a brotherly relationship. They fight, they confide, they mock, yet when shit is hitting the fan, they back each other up (most of the time, haha). The fact that Don paid for Pete's part of the Partner's sum when the company was in danger, and Pete protected his secret. I also think it's noteworthy that their bond was created around the time that Don's real brother reappeared, was pushed away, and killed himself. It's almost as if Pete slipped into that place.
They bonded over Dons secret identity, when Don "dared" Pete to go tell "daddy" (Cooper). And Cooper first said "Who cares" then went on with "You never know how loyalty is created". And Pete let it go because he owned a part of Don. From that moment on, they really became brothers though it was always clear who was the kid brother....
All these times rewatching and I never made the connection of their relationship developing in the midst of Don losing his brother. Gave me chills just reading that. I swear I could watch this show a million times and still always find a new layer upon a rewatch (or reading/watching other analyses).
@oreonighthawk One of the best things to come from the pandemic- working from home and watching the entire series from the beginning on my lunch hour each day when it was available for free. My all time fav drama.
Wonderful analysis. I loved watching the Pete character over the course of the series. One character trait I've never seen explored is how Pete was the only character who was consistently repulsed by the casual racism of the time.
I didn't finish the series but that's one thing I remembered. In fact he was the first to notice their spending power. He was a POS in the first few seasons, glad to hear he becomes decent lol
that’s one of the only (good) things i appreciated about pete before the seventh season. it was interesting to see the three generations of men: roger, don and pete, and their responses to racism at the time. roger was casual about his racism, don wasn’t overtly racist or against it-he just seemed to accept the general thinking of the time, and pete was open about his disdain for it. i found it really interesting to see them represent the change in thinking of society during different eras.
@@icedmochafiendI think the scene of Roger doing blackface at his party and Don and Pete’s reactions to it is one of the clearest example of these positions. Roger performing an overtly racist act, Pete looks disgusted as everyone around him is laughing, and Don just walks away from it. There’s plenty of other examples in the show (how each responds when their lobby is filled with black job applicants responding to the equal opportunity employer “ad” comes to mind.) Also, lest we praise Pete too much, I think his “progressive” thinking was more pragmatic (seeing $$$) than altruistic. But whatever the motive he was clearly written as a character better able to “evolve” with the changing times than Sterling or Draper, and was still beautifully flawed in his attempts to do so (i.e. badgering the poor elevator operator with questions about his tv purchase and claiming to be an authority on black consumers, while not noticing how CLEARLY uncomfortable he’s making the poor man who, before that day, he has barely ever spoken to or taken note of)
I always felt that Pete’s arc throughout the show was as interesting as Don’s, Peggy’s Joan’s, etc. We always didn’t like him, but in the end we’re glad things worked out for him. The show also did a great job of aging Pete. Even in this you see such a difference from the clips from season one to five....whereas Ken pretty much looks the same....his hairline is not receding, face isn’t getting puffier, etc, Pete’s internal struggles show on his outside as he is aging.
I was more glad that things worked out for Trudy, who was one of the few genuinely good people on Mad Men. Pete didn't deserve her, really, but it was good that he came to his senses in the end.
Mad Men is so good at fleshing out their characters. It's what makes the show so great. A lot of tv shows should take from it. Great video you did an awesome job at dissecting such a good episode. Pete is an example to learn from when watching the show that we should be grateful for what we have and not rely on external validation in order to be fulfilled in life.
That scene where Trudy brings their crying baby into the kitchen; that sincere adoration in all 4 guest's eyes of that perfect adorable picture, even clearly visible with Don, that's exactly the heart-warming moments that make the many cynical moments with Don and Pete bearable for me as a viewer.
I cant remember who said this but it's been pointed out that each of the men turn into an older version of each other over the course of the show. Sterling turns into Cooper, a product of an older age who's more of a figurehead in his own company. Don turns into Roger, bitter and twice divorced and nowhere nearly as important as he used to be and Pete turns into Don, dissolutioned and womanizing and superficially successful but unhappy
the episode where Pete talks to a recently electroshocked Beth in her hospital bed was, in my opinion, his best acting on the show. he is so damn good as Pete! god i miss this show
Pete beats up Ken. Lane kicks Pete's ass. Lane's decrepit father kicks Lane's ass. This means Lane's decrepit father has one of the highest power levels in this show.
This is one of the best damn video essays I've ever seen. Mad Men is my favorite show and I was only able to watch it through once before it was sadly taken off of Netflix. When I watched the episode I thought that I had understood the symbolism shown through Pete, but this made me realize that the only symbolism I really understood was the girl at the driving school. Pete is my favorite character because I relate with him a lot as a man hoping to chase the American Dream but never really feeling content at any turn. I see that Aleczandxr said that he doesn't intend on making more Mad Men content, but if it is posted in the future, it will be a top priority of mine to watch it. Learning more about the fantastic writing of this show through thorough analysis like this is just oh so perfect.
My favorite episode has got to be The Suitcase. I know it's regarded as the best episode by almost everyone, but that back and forth between Peggy and Don when she says "You never say thank you." And Don yells "That's what the money is for!" Ugh just so awesome lol
@@snodrod420 Same. I had such high expectations about that episode that I feared I was going to be disappointed, but in the moment when Peggy said: "Open or closed?", Don replied: "Open" and "Bleecker Street" started playing, I knew it had become my favorite episode of the show.
This came out of nowhere, but its every bit enjoyable. Loved Mad Men, glad you share the taste for this modern masterpiece. The writing afforded to Pete Campbell is stellar and delivered in equal measure by Vincent Kartheiser. Great one, Aleczandxr.
i've watched mad men all the way through about 6 times and this episode has always stood out to me, i've always wanted to do/see someone else do a video essay on it! you nailed it
I have never watched this show but this Pete sounds like the most relatable person ever that i even felt this video was a personal attack, nice video as always
The male ego is a strange thing. I used to work in an office similar to Mad Men. I am a Pete Campbell, not in a talent sense but in a sense that I am not a powerful personality or charismatic etc. I come from a country background similar to Don but the office was full of people who were privately schooled. I accept myself for what I am for the most part and take confidence from that. I experienced some intense jealously from all these guys who were trying to impose themselves as alpha/Don types because I had a better working relationship with coworkers. I think my coworkers, women especially felt more comfortable working with me rather than the guys would try creep on them or who were trying to pretend to be something they are not. Charisma is a hard thing to fake. Basically my point is that there is a great power to just being yourself even if you feel you aren't very impressive
You can do nothing in this world if not for yourself, and only by finding your true self can you ever know what you truly want as well as your own situational weaknesses.
Oh my gosh!! This was the most wonderful break down of a series and episode I’ve ever seen. This is better than even the director’s /cast’s commentaries. Thank you for this. Please do more
Vincent just poured his soul into the role,much like all the other artists.exceptional cast;each and every. A milestone in television.have very fond memories.
Surprising to see you covering something like this but I'm all for it now and in the future. Your insight in general is why I'm here so do whatever you want! It's also amazing
Mad Men is such a compelling show of character studies. I certainly feel drawn to Pete, above all for his vulnerability. Loathing the things he does does not conflict with compassion for this character.
I always felt that I identified pretty strongly with Pete’s character in so many ways. Your analysis of Signal 30 really locked that in for me though. It’s a tough pill to swallow, because Pete is quite a mess, but I have to accept that there are so many parallels between Pete and myself. So glad I came across your explanation of this much-loved, exceptional show.
When the penny drops....I’m a Pete Campbell. Initially disliked his character and then couldn’t understand why I was intrigued by his character, ultimate loved his character by the end of the show.
Like all the characters in this show, Pete was sooo well written. I can’t imagine how hard it would be to write a character who was initially so hate-able and end up being someone you’re happy for and really like. Amazing! So sad when this show ended, I think it’s my favorite.
One of the greatest shows of all time, it’s up there with the best of them.
4 года назад
This video is brilliantly put together and the analysis is flawless. Congratulations! That was the most impactful Mad Men's episode to me too. It circled around my head for a while after I've first watched it.
I know right? I was only on season 3 for re-watching and then when I found out it was going to be taken off I decided to skip to the last episode the night before it was taken down
This videos have less views than the anime ones, but I have to say that I LOVED this one!! Really liked Pete's character on Mad Men, this episode was so good, but you made it even better with your essay, I missed some points that you mention at its time. Congratulations!!
If you liked this video you would absolutely LOVE the "We Are All Pete Campbell" by Screen Prism (now called The Take) it really delves into Pete's character arc over the series and how he becomes a better person and less needy (and, also considerably less obnoxious.) They have a whole bunch of Mad Men analysis besides Pete they do Joan, Roger, Don of course, Betty, Megan, Peggy, even Sally (who's one of my personal favorites) and they also analyze the ending as well.
I love you for this, I’ve waited for an analysis of this episode for so long...I have chills...unbelievable to watch this, thank you from the bottom of my heart.
Still my favorite TELEVISION show. I know it's cliche to mention that The Suitcase is my favorite episode of the show and probably my favorite episode of television, but I've seen it so many times that I can't help but show my love for it
Thanks you for this, I feel a very accurate study of the episode - it supports my own perception of this episode and Pete's character. I have just finished watching the series for the second time and enjoyed it even more than the first. The show is such a work of art, I'm mad for good dialogue and it's here in spades. And subtle.
It would be pretty meta if somebody now made a video titled "How Aleczandxr Crafted The Perfect RUclips Video." Beautifully done, sir. Love this season/episode. Pete trying to find happiness by showing off his home and possessions to Don & Ken only to end up even deeper in despair...peak television. Arguably the best character arc of my all-time favorite show.
I like the point you made about this show's consistency . Few quality dramas keep it up for the whole length of their series. I couldn't even pick a favourite season , let alone episode.
@@nathanpenick9454 no i totally get that too but later on, he has moments that surprise me. I was referring to moments like when he wanted SCDP to do ads for African American magazines like Ebony and everyone said it was a bad idea... moments like that
@@izzybitsyspider03 He did that for financial gain though. He knew the market for blacks was untouched. Just like corporations do it today with LGBT ads.
What a brilliant analysis! You are an amazing writer. Your insight to character and plot is incredible. You should create a series…..you really have an intelligent grasp on the characters and how they weave into the entire thematic concept. Fantastic!
Pete Campbell always been my favorite character on Mad Men from the 1st episode. Idk why I connect with his character so much like it’s my life on screen
Excellent video and analysis. I'd like to point out that the specter of the Father hangs over every major character in this show, mostly as an absent father (Pete, Peggy, Don, Joan) or overpowering one (Roger, Lane, Betty, Ginsberg, Don again-- curiously), and often these characters that are in the role of father (Don, Roger, Pete, Lane, Ted) are dealing with the need/desire to be absent. When Pete's father dies, Pete's reaction is shallow confusion, knowing that he should be upset but discovering that he's not ("I wonder if I'll cry."). He goes to Don. Don is his father figure and Pete is constantly trying to topple him or win his approval. Later when Don fears that the government will discover the lies in his security documents that Megan signed for him, he tells Pete, "You can run the company without me." This is the father telling Pete that he should prepare to be alone without him, again, and Pete freaks out, then immediately changes his tone from "I'm still dealing with your shit" to "You can't leave!". His disappointment at Don after the bordello is that of the child who has done everything he can to impress his father, to be loved by his father, to find that connection to his father, and this is the moment when he's closest to becoming that father, but is still met with disapproval. This show could be called Disappointing Dads. I fucking love it.
Excellent job as usual, man. You really did this episode justice. For someone as slimy as Pete, this was the season that got me to care about him the most. He finally gets everything Don had- a wife, child, home in the suburbs, an important position at work- but in the end it still made him feel hollow. I’d love to see you do more videos on Mad Men. It’s one of my favorite shows.
Brilliant... absolutely brilliant! I subscribed to your channel because of anime but I'm wonderfully surprised to see we share a common love for my favorite show Mad Men
I watch MM every few years at a different age. First in the late 20's - every time I see something new in it. It's a masterpiece along with breaking bad.
We're all a Pete Campbell. Proud, wanting to fit in and be recognised, outwardly confident and satisfied, but ultimately insecure, resentful and jealous.
Having been Pete most of my life, you are to be heartily congratulated on hitting every nail on Pere's head. I'm finally where I can see it all. This just helped. Thank you.
I liked your video, it's an interesting point about the faucet. I had always thought the faucet dripping is time always ticking by, counting the moments of our mortality. Pete knows he's running headlong toward his grave, and he feels "What have I accomplished?" His encounter with the coed talking about the increasing entropy in her life makes me think the faucet was meant to connect to this symbolism. Good thing I love this episode, now I have to watch it all over again from your view point.
I'm very glad that you enjoyed! Unfortunately I don't take requests from comments, sorry about that - You won't like what you read, but can check the pinned comment for my feelings re: additional Mad Men content. Thanks very much for checking out the video!
i have never seen this serie, but man.. you just hit some deep part in me that i didnt know i was carring. thanks a lot for make me feel understood. maybe i should see this serie.
Excellent analysis of this episode. It’s not one of my favorites, but definitely a strong one in the repeating theme of the misery of wanting something out of reach that repeats throughout the series. Also, I hadn’t realized just _how damn significant_ Cosgrove’s casual hairstyle at the dinner party was until now.
*To address a question that I've been getting a lot* - I'm sorry if this disappoints, but I do not plan to make any more videos on Mad Men. This is a topic I always wanted to do because I love the show, love the episode and love Pete, and I felt like I wanted to make this video because I felt I had something to contribute, and the passion was bursting out of me for it. Now, I've done that, and I feel satisfied and don't have anything else about the show that I want to talk about. I am very happy that this video has gotten much more attention than I expected it to, and I'm glad that people are enjoying it. However, I simply don't have anything that I feel I NEED to talk about in the way I felt about Signal 30 and Pete. I appreciate and acknowledge the questions and requests from people asking that I do more Mad Men content, but I just don't have any plans for it. I don't want comments and viewers dictating my content, because I feel like that's a slippery slope, which is why the only requests I consider are compromises that I discuss with Patrons for which I feel like I have enough interest and passion in the topic to put out a good video on it. As such, I'm going to continue with the channel as I always have done - just talking about whatever I feel interested in talking about. A lot of times it'll be anime, sometimes video games, and once in a while, a live-action one like this. I hope that's understandable.
HOWEVER, something that is important to note is that the response to this video has made me more open to potential Mad Men stuff. What I mean by that is that while I don't have any plans for it, if I'm suddenly struck with the temptation to cover another Mad Men topic, I'd definitely be more willing to make a video than I would have been if not too many people were interested. So your words of support have definitely impacted my feelings on the topic, and thanks for that.
TL;DR - While it isn't impossible, and while it is encouraging that this video has gotten a decent reception, I don't have any plans to make any more Mad Men videos. So please don't expect any, and I wouldn't recommend subscribing if that's all you want to see from me. I will continue with the same approach to my channel as I always have done. Thanks!
In addition, two things:
- Firstly, in the upcoming videos, you may hear some peaking or inconsistency with the audio quality. They’re definitely listenable and I’ve done my best to fix the problems, but my mic is getting old and there are a few problems cropping up here and there in production. In this video in particular, I didn't notice the issues until post and as such obviously couldn't compensate during recording. So if you hear anything that sounds off in this video or any of the coming videos, that explains why. I want to get a new mic, but COVID shutdowns make it difficult at the moment unfortunately. This is the first video for which I first started having problems, and this is the video for which the problems are most noticeable, so I figured I’d mention it here. Hopefully you don’t have any major issues with it that detract from the experience by a huge margin. For that reason, I'd recommend listening to this video specifically at a lower volume.
- Secondly, thanks so much to the Patrons for the month of May!
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Cheers, and hope everyone is staying happy and healthy!
Aleczandxr. It would legitimately mean the world to me if you would make a character analysis for Lane. This is one of my favorite tv shows of all time and Lane Pryce is my favorite character. It would mean a lot to me if you would consider it!😁
This is a show I didnt get into when it was still running. Got into it when they put it on netflix and got into the 2nd season and then they took it off netflix. Which sucks because this show was actually really good and not at all what I expected it to be.
There is a lack of Mad Men essays in this website
@@syntheticreality549 This is probably going to be a one-time thing (this topic is the one thing that I've always wanted to cover from the show) but I'm glad you enjoyed it! Thank you. I'm sorry that I won't be making more. Lane is an amazing character though, I love him too.
I don’t even watch mad men, but I truly did enjoy this p:
this episode was directed by John Slattery (Roger Sterling), which proves that he's also good as director like he is as an actor
I noticed a lot of the best episodes were directed by slattery
Sterling and Pete are my favorite characters.
@@JoseBYOB same
"What is and always will be, my greatest creation...is you."
Screenplay is what crrates the story of the episode, not directing.
I never would have thought I would come to really like Peter by the end of the show.
Or that I would be so happy Trudy took him back!!! I loooooved Trudy, and I normally wouldn't have wanted her to take him back, but they really made me hopeful for his redemption and them starting anew
Same man! I hated him early on..
@@heythere6789 I was surprised that even divorced. I thought they were the perfect couple of that show.
SAME
@@heythere6789 I know she was too good for him and he really didn't deserve her. Pete redeems himself by loosing his weasel like personality and by being a good father, also they are adorable together. I never once felt bad for Don though when his relationships went badly.
I always loved Pete's character but god was it satisfying to see Lane beat the shit out of him.
"Noooo, You're a Grimy little pimp"... Pete looks at the others for help
@@BestBuzzHoneyBees *Shocked gasps as they bounce off the office walls*. I feel like the creators didn't expect the show to be as timeless and quotable as it is. My mom and I always crack up when we find the right time to say "she loved the sea..."
As Roger said as Pete and Lane were rolling up their sleeves, "I know that cooler heads should prevail, but am I the only one that wants to see this?".
@D2 E2 you made me go down a Sopranos rabbit hole.
the punch sound effects 😂
My favorite thing about Mad Men is its consistency. I clicked on this video and genuinely didn’t know what episode it was going to be. Maybe The Suitcase, or Shut The Door Have A Seat, or The Wheel. Then, once you mentioned Season 5, I thought “Oh, maybe it’s Far Away Places, or The Other Woman, or Commissions and Fees.” Then you mentioned Pete Campbell, and I thought “Oh, it’s either Lady Lazarus or Signal 30.” The fact that Mad Men genuinely has so many near perfect episodes that I didn’t know for sure which episode you were going to talk about until you actually said Signal 30 speaks to the quality and consistency of a show like Mad Men.
This show doesn't have a single bad episode.
Ratchet Achenbach Well, I didn't love the Waitress storyline. But that was 2 episodes out of hundreds, for 7 seasons of near-perfect television.
Would love to see a spin-off of some of these characters (e.g. Joan's fledgling ad agency), but then again, anything following this exquisite series would likely be a let down.
The suitcase is my favorite episode of television.
It's very genuine how Pete tries to be witty and smile through the pain you can see in his eyes. Kartheiser portrays this incredibly.
Pete has always been one of my favorite characters on Mad Men. Despite his flaws, I found him to be incredibly sympathetic and human. The only difference between him and the other characters is that he wears his insecurities on his sleeve. Even the person he looked up to and admired, Don Draper, had insecurities of his own, which he drowned in alcoholism and sex. The irony is that Pete's longing for attention accentuates his obvious fragile ego and flaws, drawing him further away from his goal of being admired by others. I think there's a bit of Pete in everyone, in that we all search for validation in something.
Great analysis on one of the best tv shows in history!
Great analysis yourself.
He had the best progression in my opinion. Mad Men is about the pursuit of happiness. Pete embodies that more than anyone else.
I'm fairly certain that you stole the "we are all Pete' from another but overall good observation
@@gracehaven5459 We don't want to be Pete, but we are.
Don's insecurities exploded all at once and burnt him. Better to wear on sleeves then
“Don is satisfied and disinterested in cheating on his wife at this point in his life”
Ooh son you just added the mother of caveats to that statement
Well it's the age-old what the characters know vs what the audience knows.
You have to also consider how apparent the writers made it that petes own parents didnt really believe in him, respect him, or give much of a shit about him. Definitely plays a role in pete's longing for acceptance and control
«You were always unlovable». God, I despise his parents.
Pete's dad was a grade A turd
Finally, someone who truly understands the beauty and high art of Mad Men.
Right?
upon watching this video, i realized that he was in driving school (lol idek where i thot he was). one thing continually associated with pete throughout the series is the fact that he can't drive. to me, this is another symbol of the point you made that pete is not in control of his life. he has destinations he wants to reach, but is not able to be the one to control how to get there. nice vid m8
Cheers.
.. why did you spell thought like thot? A thot is a word for a promiscuous woman 😅
Good observation though
That`s an interesting point considering his arc ends with him having 'landed' a job with a private aviation company.
@@gracehaven5459 it started out as a joke and now it's ingrained in my vocab. it sounds the same so nbd to me
holy cow! I completely forgot so much happened in this episode! really great analysis.
I looked up how to fix a leaky faucet after the scene where Don is over for dinner and the faucet explodes, and he busts off his shirt and fixes it in like 3 seconds, all the ladies goin' wild. Now I know how to fix it should the problem ever occur. Still waiting for my time to shine...
Your time will come lol
Another pro tip, become friends with geeky nerdy guys who can't fix things, and just hang out with them at their houses.
Another key is the sexual metaphor barely hidden in the kitchen sink scene.
Trudy: “I turned it on and it just blew in my face!”
On a separate and related note,
I’ve read elsewhere that the girl in the Driver Ed class looks similar to a young Peggy,
the one he let get away.
Also,
he’s beaten up by Lane who,
in the sixties or now,
would be considered a nerd,
right after Pete referred to him as “a homo”
in an attempt to humiliate him.
Did you find a time to fix a leaky faucet?
Best show ever made, in my opinion. The writing and character development are nearly unmatched.
It's the last series that I really cared about watching.
i am totally in love with the sets! cant get enough mid-century modern!
Breaking Bad is the only other show that comes close to the caliber of Mad Men. Both about totally flawed anti-heroes on TMC, I think they aired back to back at some point?
@@pamelalansbury94 Mad Men started in 07 and BB in 08
What episode is he talking about? I don’t want to watch the video if it contains spoilers since I’m not done with the series.
Mad Men will always be the finest show ever made.
It is a great show, but have you watched the Sopranos?
@@joevines3428 Yes. His statement is still correct.
I second that.
@@insuranceavailable Easy. Watch the first episode
@@joevines3428 Matthew Weiner created Mad Men and wrote quite a bit for the Sopranos... both are best best shows ever made
Pete's jealousy of Ken also manifests at the end when he tells Roger about Ken's writing, knowing Roger will tell Ken to stop (Roger says "a little birdie told me" but it's obvious who it was). Pete and Ken's one-sided competition was always fascinating to me and I wish they explored it more. Just thought I'd add it here.
I always thought it was Peggy that did it.
Ken was very multi talented….
Peter could be so incredibly petty and nasty....
I was so disappointed in Don when he fired Salvatore Romano and couldn't believe he NEVER appeared on the show ever again.
Yep, I was always expecting him to come back. At least a cameo in the final episode.
The interesting thing about Sal is that at the start of the show he comes across as Don's equal. I agree it's sad we didn't get to see more of him.
Sifat Shams that scene broke my heart, because that happens too often in real life
There were some rumors that the actor who played Salvatore had some conflict with Matt Weiner. And that kinda makes sense. Sal was swiftly dismissed. It seems like the arc they were going for with him was rushed. And unlike almost every major character who left the show, he was never seen again on the show or even brought again in conversation.
Sifat Shams yes I did not forgive him either ,
I just finished mad men last week and now this comes out
"he has achieved but his achievements are not as noteworthy or sexy as being a writer or being Don Draper."
Perfect
"A thing like that..." I love his signature line.
"Pete feels taken on a ride that is his life, cursed to constantly follow his instincts about what he believes will make him happy, only to never find it."
.
Damn. This really resonates with me. I've got some new material for my therapist next week!
Sir. Mad men, is in my top 10 shows of all time. I loved your anime stuff, but this hits a special place in my heart.
I fully relate, Mad Men is so underrated, when you can sit through the dull yet realistic pacing, it’s interesting and shows us a different perspective of life. Plus I just finished a degree in marketing consumer psychology and would love to be in Don Drapers shoes
I don’t know about it being underrated. It won four drama series Emmys in a row and is one of the most acclaimed shows ever. Seasons 6, 7a and 7b didn’t do much of anything for me. So, I can’t place on my top tier of shows with The Sopranos, The Wire and Deadwood. But it definitely cracks my top eight.
It's interesting to juxtapose all of Pete's insecurities and grievances which r so evident in this episode with the moment at the derby where he and Trudy basically were the life of the party when they were dancing together and just being very cute and fun loving and everyone enjoyed looking on.
Pete's arc is one I think about constantly. He goes on this shallow journey of what could be misconstrued as self-actualization. He finally has an an epiphany at the end, but by you're never sure if he's learned to be honest with himself and his needs. It's tragic and relatable.
We all want to be Don, but really we are Pete.
Mad Men was such a brilliant show and still hasn’t been matched for character study. I miss it and keep hoping another will come along.
If you love Mad Men, please watch HBO's The Wire
@@HEAVYDIAPER and the sopranos
Pete has been a consistent favorite of mine since the first season. I see so much of myself in him in his need for external validation, struggle to find happiness in his career and personal life, and even in his petty jealousies of those around him. I've always understood his character for better or worse, and yet I did not see how much he was hurting throughout this episode. Phenomenal analysis. It left me in tears!
Every time I watch this series, I think Pete and Don had a brotherly relationship. They fight, they confide, they mock, yet when shit is hitting the fan, they back each other up (most of the time, haha). The fact that Don paid for Pete's part of the Partner's sum when the company was in danger, and Pete protected his secret.
I also think it's noteworthy that their bond was created around the time that Don's real brother reappeared, was pushed away, and killed himself. It's almost as if Pete slipped into that place.
Good observation. I think you're right on the money there. I've got them all on DVD. Why am I not rewatching this?
They bonded over Dons secret identity, when Don "dared" Pete to go tell "daddy" (Cooper). And Cooper first said "Who cares" then went on with "You never know how loyalty is created". And Pete let it go because he owned a part of Don. From that moment on, they really became brothers though it was always clear who was the kid brother....
All these times rewatching and I never made the connection of their relationship developing in the midst of Don losing his brother. Gave me chills just reading that. I swear I could watch this show a million times and still always find a new layer upon a rewatch (or reading/watching other analyses).
@@oreonighthawk100%
@oreonighthawk One of the best things to come from the pandemic- working from home and watching the entire series from the beginning on my lunch hour each day when it was available for free. My all time fav drama.
Wonderful analysis.
I loved watching the Pete character over the course of the series. One character trait I've never seen explored is how Pete was the only character who was consistently repulsed by the casual racism of the time.
I didn't finish the series but that's one thing I remembered. In fact he was the first to notice their spending power. He was a POS in the first few seasons, glad to hear he becomes decent lol
It’s SHAMEFUL. ITS A SHAMEFUL, SHAMEFUL DAY!!!
that’s one of the only (good) things i appreciated about pete before the seventh season.
it was interesting to see the three generations of men: roger, don and pete, and their responses to racism at the time. roger was casual about his racism, don wasn’t overtly racist or against it-he just seemed to accept the general thinking of the time, and pete was open about his disdain for it. i found it really interesting to see them represent the change in thinking of society during different eras.
@@icedmochafiendI think the scene of Roger doing blackface at his party and Don and Pete’s reactions to it is one of the clearest example of these positions. Roger performing an overtly racist act, Pete looks disgusted as everyone around him is laughing, and Don just walks away from it. There’s plenty of other examples in the show (how each responds when their lobby is filled with black job applicants responding to the equal opportunity employer “ad” comes to mind.) Also, lest we praise Pete too much, I think his “progressive” thinking was more pragmatic (seeing $$$) than altruistic. But whatever the motive he was clearly written as a character better able to “evolve” with the changing times than Sterling or Draper, and was still beautifully flawed in his attempts to do so (i.e. badgering the poor elevator operator with questions about his tv purchase and claiming to be an authority on black consumers, while not noticing how CLEARLY uncomfortable he’s making the poor man who, before that day, he has barely ever spoken to or taken note of)
I always felt that Pete’s arc throughout the show was as interesting as Don’s, Peggy’s Joan’s, etc. We always didn’t like him, but in the end we’re glad things worked out for him. The show also did a great job of aging Pete. Even in this you see such a difference from the clips from season one to five....whereas Ken pretty much looks the same....his hairline is not receding, face isn’t getting puffier, etc, Pete’s internal struggles show on his outside as he is aging.
I completely see what you mean but Ken literally lost his eye.
@@SomeBF 😂
I was more glad that things worked out for Trudy, who was one of the few genuinely good people on Mad Men. Pete didn't deserve her, really, but it was good that he came to his senses in the end.
Who remembers watching the Pilot and the Finale in real time? I had never been so excited about watching a Tv series! Damn, I miss this show
Mad Men is so good at fleshing out their characters. It's what makes the show so great. A lot of tv shows should take from it. Great video you did an awesome job at dissecting such a good episode. Pete is an example to learn from when watching the show that we should be grateful for what we have and not rely on external validation in order to be fulfilled in life.
Ive been waiting for an essay such as this for so long, Pete's journey was one of madmen's most compelling and well written arcs
That scene where Trudy brings their crying baby into the kitchen; that sincere adoration in all 4 guest's eyes of that perfect adorable picture, even clearly visible with Don, that's exactly the heart-warming moments that make the many cynical moments with Don and Pete bearable for me as a viewer.
I cant remember who said this but it's been pointed out that each of the men turn into an older version of each other over the course of the show. Sterling turns into Cooper, a product of an older age who's more of a figurehead in his own company. Don turns into Roger, bitter and twice divorced and nowhere nearly as important as he used to be and Pete turns into Don, dissolutioned and womanizing and superficially successful but unhappy
True true! The same thing happens with characters in ‘the wire’.
I wonder who takes Pete's place then?
@@simonster-9094harry maybe idk hahah
@@mattkarydaswe talking about the kids in season 4?
the episode where Pete talks to a recently electroshocked Beth in her hospital bed was, in my opinion, his best acting on the show. he is so damn good as Pete! god i miss this show
Pete beats up Ken.
Lane kicks Pete's ass.
Lane's decrepit father kicks Lane's ass.
This means Lane's decrepit father has one of the highest power levels in this show.
This is one of the best damn video essays I've ever seen. Mad Men is my favorite show and I was only able to watch it through once before it was sadly taken off of Netflix. When I watched the episode I thought that I had understood the symbolism shown through Pete, but this made me realize that the only symbolism I really understood was the girl at the driving school. Pete is my favorite character because I relate with him a lot as a man hoping to chase the American Dream but never really feeling content at any turn.
I see that Aleczandxr said that he doesn't intend on making more Mad Men content, but if it is posted in the future, it will be a top priority of mine to watch it. Learning more about the fantastic writing of this show through thorough analysis like this is just oh so perfect.
I love Mad Men so much that I don't even have a favorite episode or even season. I love it that much.
Same. It’s almost entirely consistently excellent . At worst the last season hinted at dropping to ‘very good.’ So it was the time to end
My favorite episode has got to be The Suitcase. I know it's regarded as the best episode by almost everyone, but that back and forth between Peggy and Don when she says "You never say thank you." And Don yells "That's what the money is for!" Ugh just so awesome lol
@@snodrod420 Same. I had such high expectations about that episode that I feared I was going to be disappointed, but in the moment when Peggy said: "Open or closed?", Don replied: "Open" and "Bleecker Street" started playing, I knew it had become my favorite episode of the show.
Season 5 was the best
@@CElle572 Season 4 for me.
This came out of nowhere, but its every bit enjoyable. Loved Mad Men, glad you share the taste for this modern masterpiece.
The writing afforded to Pete Campbell is stellar and delivered in equal measure by Vincent Kartheiser. Great one, Aleczandxr.
i've watched mad men all the way through about 6 times and this episode has always stood out to me, i've always wanted to do/see someone else do a video essay on it! you nailed it
I have never watched this show but this Pete sounds like the most relatable person ever that i even felt this video was a personal attack, nice video as always
Do yourself a favour and go ahead and watch it, it’s an absolute gem
@@ck891 where can we watch it? I didn't find it on Netflix.
@@wiswc your name is making me jelly, i am become pete lol
Matthew Weiner, the creator of the show once said, "we are all Pete Campbell."
Pete’s arc in the show is everyone’s life, to somehow become yourself, and happy with that. No other grass can be yours, ultimately.
Pete’s development as a character throughout the show is masterful stuff.
The male ego is a strange thing. I used to work in an office similar to Mad Men. I am a Pete Campbell, not in a talent sense but in a sense that I am not a powerful personality or charismatic etc. I come from a country background similar to Don but the office was full of people who were privately schooled. I accept myself for what I am for the most part and take confidence from that. I experienced some intense jealously from all these guys who were trying to impose themselves as alpha/Don types because I had a better working relationship with coworkers. I think my coworkers, women especially felt more comfortable working with me rather than the guys would try creep on them or who were trying to pretend to be something they are not. Charisma is a hard thing to fake. Basically my point is that there is a great power to just being yourself even if you feel you aren't very impressive
You can do nothing in this world if not for yourself, and only by finding your true self can you ever know what you truly want as well as your own situational weaknesses.
to me Pete is just another guy using insecurity as an excuse to cheat, which he does a few times in the show.
You never had the makings of a varsity athlete.
The hags in HR will cut any man down to size.
one of my fav little details in this episode is the style of boxing each character uses represents them
Madi how so ?
Weak stance vs a stance that's shallow and insecure
I think Lane's stance is just british style
aayush kumar traditional british (marquess of queensbury) and traditional American
Oh my gosh!! This was the most wonderful break down of a series and episode I’ve ever seen. This is better than even the director’s /cast’s commentaries. Thank you for this. Please do more
I'm so glad you enjoyed, but this is likely to be the only Mad Men video I make. Sorry about that! See pinned comment for more details.
@@Aleczandxr I see those comments now. : - ) You are very good at analysis from a psychological perspective. Very engaging.
Vincent just poured his soul into the role,much like all the other artists.exceptional cast;each and every.
A milestone in television.have very fond memories.
Surprising to see you covering something like this but I'm all for it now and in the future. Your insight in general is why I'm here so do whatever you want! It's also amazing
Pete had so much growth over the years and ended up being a solid guy in the end. Who knew? Those jackets at the dinner are crazy!
I’m old enough to remember those jackets
Mad Men is such a compelling show of character studies. I certainly feel drawn to Pete, above all for his vulnerability. Loathing the things he does does not conflict with compassion for this character.
I always felt that I identified pretty strongly with Pete’s character in so many ways. Your analysis of Signal 30 really locked that in for me though. It’s a tough pill to swallow, because Pete is quite a mess, but I have to accept that there are so many parallels between Pete and myself. So glad I came across your explanation of this much-loved, exceptional show.
this guy has the best taste in Media
ok..
I can't believe all this fits in one episode
I’m glad to see this episode get this much praise and a spotlight.
The ending sound effect always gives a chill...
Uma das análises mais brilhantes sobre séries ou filmes que já vi. Parabéns.
When the penny drops....I’m a Pete Campbell. Initially disliked his character and then couldn’t understand why I was intrigued by his character, ultimate loved his character by the end of the show.
Like all the characters in this show, Pete was sooo well written. I can’t imagine how hard it would be to write a character who was initially so hate-able and end up being someone you’re happy for and really like. Amazing! So sad when this show ended, I think it’s my favorite.
This is the greatest thing I've ever seen. Thank you for putting in the time to make this. It's excellent.
One of the greatest shows of all time, it’s up there with the best of them.
This video is brilliantly put together and the analysis is flawless. Congratulations! That was the most impactful Mad Men's episode to me too. It circled around my head for a while after I've first watched it.
They pulled it off Netflix !
What a disgrace
WHAT
Still on Netflix for me.
I know right? I was only on season 3 for re-watching and then when I found out it was going to be taken off I decided to skip to the last episode the night before it was taken down
Yeah it's gone:(
it's on Stan in Australia now. Thinking of giving up Netflix and making the switch
This videos have less views than the anime ones, but I have to say that I LOVED this one!! Really liked Pete's character on Mad Men, this episode was so good, but you made it even better with your essay, I missed some points that you mention at its time. Congratulations!!
Glad you enjoyed so much!
I think this is one of the best RUclips videos I have ever watched, great job man!
Thanks!
Don is fractured while Pete is underdeveloped. Ken is the most well adjusted which is why his toxic job takes such a toll on him
If you liked this video you would absolutely LOVE the "We Are All Pete Campbell" by Screen Prism (now called The Take) it really delves into Pete's character arc over the series and how he becomes a better person and less needy (and, also considerably less obnoxious.) They have a whole bunch of Mad Men analysis besides Pete they do Joan, Roger, Don of course, Betty, Megan, Peggy, even Sally (who's one of my personal favorites) and they also analyze the ending as well.
I love you for this, I’ve waited for an analysis of this episode for so long...I have chills...unbelievable to watch this, thank you from the bottom of my heart.
You're very welcome!
Still my favorite TELEVISION show. I know it's cliche to mention that The Suitcase is my favorite episode of the show and probably my favorite episode of television, but I've seen it so many times that I can't help but show my love for it
Thanks you for this, I feel a very accurate study of the episode - it supports my own perception of this episode and Pete's character. I have just finished watching the series for the second time and enjoyed it even more than the first. The show is such a work of art, I'm mad for good dialogue and it's here in spades. And subtle.
My pleasure!
One of the best Don lines when he’s pregaming for the party: “I want to hit the doorbell with my chin” lol
Man, you are amazing. Thank you for all your videos, I can't comment them all but Im so glad RUclips Recommended your Content !
Pete had the best and most attractive wife in the whole show.
And the only character on the whole show that never smoked.
trudy owns.
@Dr.'sorders I was the same way! She got on my nerves the first time I watched but on re-watch I was "Damn I want a wife like her."
She was HOT.
Jane was the hottest especially in the earlier episodes and then it was Meghan
everyone wants to be don, then find out more relatable to Pete, damn
Pete is okay. I feel like Ginsberg sometimes.
Yeah thats kinda the point. When you think of it, Don doesn’t even know who he himself is.
Beautiful analysis. Heartbreakingly relatable
It would be pretty meta if somebody now made a video titled "How Aleczandxr Crafted The Perfect RUclips Video." Beautifully done, sir. Love this season/episode. Pete trying to find happiness by showing off his home and possessions to Don & Ken only to end up even deeper in despair...peak television. Arguably the best character arc of my all-time favorite show.
Cheers!
Think is an excellent analysis of one of my favourite characters from an outstanding TV show.
I like the point you made about this show's consistency . Few quality dramas keep it up for the whole length of their series. I couldn't even pick a favourite season , let alone episode.
Pete had a lot of progressive ideas in the series too. I only realized and appreciated that when I watched the series a second time lol
Could you expound on that a bit? I honestly don't see that at all. Even a bit. He's actually one of the most sexist characters from what I can see.
@@nathanpenick9454 no i totally get that too but later on, he has moments that surprise me. I was referring to moments like when he wanted SCDP to do ads for African American magazines like Ebony and everyone said it was a bad idea... moments like that
@@izzybitsyspider03 Yes, not to mention the grocery store fight he had chalked up for shock publicity. Stuff like that would become commonplace later.
@@izzybitsyspider03 He did that for financial gain though. He knew the market for blacks was untouched. Just like corporations do it today with LGBT ads.
@@Jinars. i can agree with that but I still think it's ahead of its time...
What a brilliant analysis! You are an amazing writer. Your insight to character and plot is incredible. You should create a series…..you really have an intelligent grasp on the characters and how they weave into the entire thematic concept. Fantastic!
Pete Campbell always been my favorite character on Mad Men from the 1st episode. Idk why I connect with his character so much like it’s my life on screen
I was poking around YT and started watching MM clips. Never seen any before. This is GREAT analysis. Well done.
Excellent video and analysis. I'd like to point out that the specter of the Father hangs over every major character in this show, mostly as an absent father (Pete, Peggy, Don, Joan) or overpowering one (Roger, Lane, Betty, Ginsberg, Don again-- curiously), and often these characters that are in the role of father (Don, Roger, Pete, Lane, Ted) are dealing with the need/desire to be absent. When Pete's father dies, Pete's reaction is shallow confusion, knowing that he should be upset but discovering that he's not ("I wonder if I'll cry."). He goes to Don. Don is his father figure and Pete is constantly trying to topple him or win his approval. Later when Don fears that the government will discover the lies in his security documents that Megan signed for him, he tells Pete, "You can run the company without me." This is the father telling Pete that he should prepare to be alone without him, again, and Pete freaks out, then immediately changes his tone from "I'm still dealing with your shit" to "You can't leave!". His disappointment at Don after the bordello is that of the child who has done everything he can to impress his father, to be loved by his father, to find that connection to his father, and this is the moment when he's closest to becoming that father, but is still met with disapproval. This show could be called Disappointing Dads. I fucking love it.
Great catch. Never thought of this before actually. Good points...
Excellent job as usual, man. You really did this episode justice. For someone as slimy as Pete, this was the season that got me to care about him the most. He finally gets everything Don had- a wife, child, home in the suburbs, an important position at work- but in the end it still made him feel hollow. I’d love to see you do more videos on Mad Men. It’s one of my favorite shows.
Thanks! Although I don't have any plans for more MM content - check pinned for more info. Sorry about that!
@@Aleczandxr I read it! I was just saying it in the off chance you change your mind.
Europe: *I think our system is better than yours*
The USA: *I don't think about you at all*
And still has the audacity to call themselves the best...
@@Eric-kh7rx *Looks at the rest of the world.* Haha, no. I'm staying in the U.S.
The Mos Eisley Cantina is safer than the rest of the world.
Damn I love that line, such cutting indifference . I hope to say it to someone who really deserves it one day.
Brilliant... absolutely brilliant! I subscribed to your channel because of anime but I'm wonderfully surprised to see we share a common love for my favorite show Mad Men
Awesome, thank you!
Mad Men was and is the best show on American Television
This show got better every season and left me completely satisfied. 🙏🏽 So good!
I watch MM every few years at a different age. First in the late 20's - every time I see something new in it. It's a masterpiece along with breaking bad.
We're all a Pete Campbell. Proud, wanting to fit in and be recognised, outwardly confident and satisfied, but ultimately insecure, resentful and jealous.
hitting on high school kids....
if we were all that way then wouldn't every other character in the show be Pete Campbell?
Well, may be there's a bit Pete Campbell in all of us? He redeems himself a little in the end I guess.
@@p.b.4464 Well, may be not that part of Pete. I guess the insecurities and fallibility we all have at some point in life is what I meant.
@Dr.'sorders Sorry, I forgot that there are absolute perfect flawless human beings that lead absolute flawless perfect lives out there in the world.
Excellent video and analysis. And also the creeping realization I was hearing Final Fantasy music in the background...gold.
Very good analysis!!! This was incredible!
Thanks!
Having been Pete most of my life, you are to be heartily congratulated on hitting every nail on Pere's head. I'm finally where I can see it all. This just helped. Thank you.
The beating Lane out on Pete was just the medicine Pete needed.
I liked your video, it's an interesting point about the faucet. I had always thought the faucet dripping is time always ticking by, counting the moments of our mortality. Pete knows he's running headlong toward his grave, and he feels "What have I accomplished?" His encounter with the coed talking about the increasing entropy in her life makes me think the faucet was meant to connect to this symbolism. Good thing I love this episode, now I have to watch it all over again from your view point.
Glad you enjoyed it!
One of the best shows ever in my opinion
I've watched the episode numerous times but still your analysis brings a lot of things to light for me!
He specially wanted to be recognised by Don much more than anyone else
Wow! This was so insightful!!! I have watched the series 3 times and you taught me so much, please make more of these about MadMen !!!
I'm very glad that you enjoyed! Unfortunately I don't take requests from comments, sorry about that - You won't like what you read, but can check the pinned comment for my feelings re: additional Mad Men content. Thanks very much for checking out the video!
I like to call this episode the complete emasculation of Pete Campbell
Totally.
i have never seen this serie, but man.. you just hit some deep part in me that i didnt know i was carring.
thanks a lot for make me feel understood.
maybe i should see this serie.
You’re very welcome. And you should give it a try! At least the first episode, especially if it sounds like it appeals to you.
Excellent analysis of this episode. It’s not one of my favorites, but definitely a strong one in the repeating theme of the misery of wanting something out of reach that repeats throughout the series.
Also, I hadn’t realized just _how damn significant_ Cosgrove’s casual hairstyle at the dinner party was until now.
Cheers, glad you found it valuable!
This is a comprehensive and very insightful video. Thanks opening your mind to us.