Ep 3. Marriage of Figaro

In Mad Men season 1 episode 3, titled "Marriage of Figaro," we see Don Draper and his team working on a new campaign for a client, Right Guard. The campaign aims to promote the new aerosol deodorant to consumers through a TV commercial. Meanwhile, Don's personal life is unstable as he struggles to balance his affairs with his wife and mistress. Don's wife, Betty, seeks counseling with a psychiatrist to deal with her issues with Don's infidelity and her past traumas.

The episode revolves around the theme of infidelity and its consequences. Don is seen juggling his marital responsibilities with his extramarital affair with Midge, an artist. Despite being happy with Midge, he tries to salvage his marriage with Betty. However, Betty is aware of his infidelity and is not willing to forgive him easily. Their marriage seems to be falling apart, and Betty's session with the psychiatrist shows her deep resentment towards Don.

Meanwhile, Don's team at Sterling Cooper is working on the Right Guard campaign. They aim to create an image of masculinity and strength with the tagline "Confidence aerosol." Don is not satisfied with the initial idea of showing a man spraying the deodorant, and he decides to take a different approach. Inspired by his conversation with Midge about the social changes in the 1960s, Don comes up with a new idea for the commercial, which showcases a man conquering his fears and taking charge of his life.

The episode also shows the struggles of Peggy, a new copywriter at Sterling Cooper. She faces discrimination from her male colleagues and is assigned to work on the "women's products" campaign, which she finds degrading. However, she proves her competency by coming up with a tagline for the campaign, which impresses Don and secures her position in the team.

Overall, Mad Men season 1 episode 3 is a thought-provoking exploration of the conflicts and complexities of relationships, both personal and professional. It highlights the challenges of balancing personal desires with societal expectations, and the consequences of ignoring one for the other. With its strong characters, powerful performances, and nuanced storytelling, the episode is a testament to the show's profound impact on television audiences.