MAD MEN: THE WHEEL {SEASON ONE FINALE} (TV)
Summary
One in this drama series about the goings-on at a New York City advertising agency in the 1960s, centering on high-level executive Don Draper.
In this episode, Tom gives professional advice to Pete at a family dinner, then makes a pitch for a grandchild. Later that night, Peter tells Trudy that he can't afford a child on his salary. Elsewhere, Betty makes plans for a Thanksgiving dinner at her brother's home in New Jersey, then bemoans why Don won't consider joining them. Staying overnight in his Sterling Cooper office, Harry begs Jennifer to let him come home.
The next day, Bert tells Don that, according to Abraham Menken, Rachel will be out of touch for three months. Suspecting the truth, Bert warns Don not to mix business and pleasure. Duck lays down the law to the Sterling Cooper staff about bringing in new accounts, after which Don echoes his sentiments. Peggy and Ken interview candidates for a commercial, with Peggy ultimately winning out on her choice. Back in Westchester, Francine goes to see Betty and seeks counsel about Carlton's philandering. After she leaves, Betty questions if Don is faithful to her.
Duck tells Don that Kodak wants to uses "a wheel" to project slides as part of its new advertising campaign. After talking with Harry, Don considers using family photos as part of his workup. Seeing an old shot of himself with Adam, he calls Adam's lodging house and finds out that Adam killed himself. After trying to coax a winning vocal performance from the women she selected for the commercial, Peggy finds she was wrong in her initial assessment and coldly fires her.
Betty goes shopping and sees Glen in a car, waiting for his parents. Glen quickly tells Betty that he's been instructed not to talk to her. Betty seeks comfort regardless and breaks down. When subsequently visiting her therapist, she admits to being sad, and says she's "an ostrich" in regards to Don's affairs. At Sterling Cooper, Pete tells Don that he landed the Clearasil account after his father-in-law pulled strings. Don suggest that he work with Peggy for advertising strategies. When Pete balks, Don immediately promotes Peggy to the position of junior copywriter. Later, Joan warns Peggy about her new responsibilities.
Meeting with the Kodak clients, Don explains that he'll use nostalgia to sell the Kodak Carousel. He then employs home photos of himself with Betty, Sally, and Bobby to show the emotional power of connecting with memories of familial love. The clients quickly give their account to Sterling Cooper. Later, Peggy goes to the hospital complaining of stomach cramps. To her shock, Peggy is told that she's about to go into labor, then gives birth to a baby boy that she refuses to hold. Finally, Don returns home and fantasizes that he's decided to join Betty and the kids for their Thanksgiving celebration. In reality, he sits in his dark, empty house staring into space. Commercials deleted.
Details
- NETWORK: AMC
- DATE: November 30, 1999 10:00 PM
- RUNNING TIME: 0:51:53
- COLOR/B&W: Color
- CATALOG ID: 107429
- GENRE: Drama
- SUBJECT HEADING: Drama; Advertising; New York City
- SERIES RUN: AMC - TV series, 2007-2015
- COMMERCIALS: N/A
CREDITS
- Matthew Weiner … Executive Producer, Director, Created by, Writer
- Tom Palmer … Co-Executive Producer
- Andre Jacquemetton … Producer
- Maria Jacquemetton … Producer
- Lisa Albert … Producer
- Scott Hornbacher … Producer
- Blake McCormick … Co-Producer
- Robin Veith … Writer
- David Carbonara … Music by
- Jon Hamm … Cast, Don Draper
- Elisabeth Moss … Cast, Peggy Olson
- Vincent Kartheiser … Cast, Pete Campbell
- January Jones … Cast, Betty Draper
- Christina Hendricks … Cast, Joan Holloway
- Bryan Batt … Cast, Salvatore Romano
- Michael Gladis … Cast, Paul Kinsey
- Aaron Staton … Cast, Ken Cosgrove
- Rich Sommer … Cast, Harry Crane
- Maggie Siff … Cast, Rachel Menken
- Robert Morse … Cast, Bertam Cooper
- Anne Dudek … Cast, Francine Hanson
- Katherine Boecher … Cast, Annie
- Alison Brie … Cast, Trudy Campbell
- James Keane … Cast, Night Manager
- Mark Moses … Cast, Herman "Duck" Phillips
- Joe O'Connor … Cast, Tom Vogel
- Sheila Shaw … Cast, Jeannie Vogel
- Andy Umberger … Cast, Dr. Arnold Wayne
- Gregory Wagrowski … Cast, Dr. Oliver
- Aaron Hart … Cast, Bobby Draper
- Deborah Lacey … Cast, Carla
- Lisa Lupu … Cast, Lisa Grady
- Ross Mckenzie … Cast, Joe Harriman
- Mandy McMillian … Cast, Rita
- Kiernan Shipka … Cast, Sally Draper
- Maura Soden … Cast, Nurse Wilson
- Jonathan Walker Spencer … Cast, Victor Manny
- Marten Holden Weiner … Cast, Glen Bishop
- Richard Willgrubs … Cast, Lynn Taylor
- Sarah Jannett Parish … Cast, Donna
- Kate Powers … Cast, Radio Audition Lady
- Eve Curtis … Cast, Bertram Cooper's Secretary
- Dawn Marie Anderson … Cast, Secretary
- Candice Cunningham … Cast, Secretary
- Emelle … Cast, Secretary
- Britt Hysen … Cast, Secretary
- Jennifer Sims … Cast, Secretary