Six Emmy’s strong, “Mad Men” returns with “Six Month Leave”

By Lindsey McElroy
DePaul Critic

Coming off of a one week hiatus, and a winning night at the Emmy’s, “Mad Men” returned last night with its ninth episode of season two, “Six Month Leave.” It would seem only logical that the newly crowned Outstanding Drama would climb in the ratings, but for the gang at Sterling Cooper, fame hasn’t changed a thing.


Episode eight, which originally aired Sept. 14, 2008, brought in 1.87 million viewers while last night’s episode averaged only 1.6 million. But loyal fans shouldn’t believe everything they read because “Six Month Leave” delivers.


In an episode featuring a grown man wetting himself and one of the best sucker punches ever, “Mad Men’s” writers gave those of us who have been around since the beginning a little award of our own.


News of Marilyn Monroe’s death serves as obvious symbolism in an episode dealing with identity, morality and mortality. Leave it to the elevator man to tell us all we really need to know, “some people just hide in plain sight.”


Don’s new hiding place is the Roosevelt Hotel. It was questionable whether Betty would allow him to return home but now it’s clear she does not plan to make things easy on him. Don’s cold, stern attitude is a far cry from the apologetic grand gesture Betty wants. “I thought you could talk anyone into anything,” she says. Instead of being ridden with guilt about his infidelity, Don is tortured by his sense of relief.


So without a wife and family to answer to, what else is there to do besides drink, smoke and lament with Roger Sterling. Classic. The underground world of gambling and womanizing is Roger’s hiding place. With two coronaries and too many affairs to remember in his past Roger becomes an unexpected mentor to Don. “Do you want to be right, or do you want to be married,” he asks. “Marriage isn’t a natural state but you do it.” If only he had listened more closely when Joan warned him that someday he would lose someone who is important to him.


Hidden inside her glittering suburban bubble Betty wrestles between the shy, obedient girl she was and the assertive, rebellious woman she wants to be. Free of her wifely duties, Betty finds time to clean the refrigerator, line the cabinet drawers, read a book, everything but care for the children. Her fashionable day dresses have been replaced by nightgowns, with a cigarette in one hand and a cocktail in the other to complete the uniform. The question is whether she will choose forgiveness or revenge.

With all the dirt the writers dished this week it’s no surprise they left some stories untouched. We are no closer to uncovering the sins of Peggy’s past – what happened to her baby, whether Pete Campbell will be exposed as the father. The only thing we do know, and have always known, is her dedication to Sterling Cooper.


So forget fame and ratings, in “Mad Men’s” game of hide and seek this episode makes you believe you’re getting warmer.