Ep 4. Mystery Date

The episode "Mystery Date" from season 5 of Mad Men explores the themes of guilt, fear, and violence. The episode opens with a scene of Don Draper, the protagonist, driving through the city as radio reports of the brutal murder of eight nurses play in the background. The news of the murder horrifies the characters, and its effects reverberate throughout the episode.

The episode centers around two storylines. The first follows Don, who struggles with guilt over his infidelities and past transgressions. He has a nightmare in which he murders an old flame, and the dream catalyzes a series of flashbacks to his childhood. Through these memories, we learn about Don's traumatic upbringing and the source of some of his inner demons. The flashback scenes are particularly well-executed, and they add depth to Don's character.

The second storyline centers around Sally, Don's daughter, who is staying with him for the weekend. Sally is growing up fast and is beginning to encounter the harsh realities of the adult world. She develops a crush on a boy from school and sneaks out to see him at a museum. However, the museum proves to be a dangerous place, and Sally's experience there is quite unsettling. The museum scene is one of the most intense sequences in the episode, and it gives us a glimpse into the kind of violence that is lurking just beneath the surface in the mid-60s.

One of the aspects I appreciated most about this episode is how it explores the ways in which society often tries to ignore or downplay the existence of violence against women. The murder of the nurses is sensationalized in the media, but the show reminds us that these kinds of atrocities are not new and that women have been targets of violence for centuries. The episode also explores how men's attitudes towards women can contribute to this violence. In a particularly chilling scene, a male colleague of Peggy's makes a joke about the nurses' murders, revealing his callous disregard for women's lives.

Overall, "Mystery Date" is a well-executed episode that underscores many of the show's central themes. It shows us that violence can take many different forms, and that we don't always know what dangers lurk underneath the surface of seemingly safe spaces. It also reminds us that our personal histories can shape our present-day actions and attitudes. Finally, the episode serves as a commentary on the pervasive sexism and misogyny of the mid-60s. While it's not the most action-packed episode of the series, "Mystery Date" is a thought-provoking and engaging installment that will keep you on the edge of your seat.