Ep 8. Lady Lazarus
- TV-14
- May 6, 2012
- 47 min
-
8.2 (2,300)
The episode Lady Lazarus in season 5 of Mad Men takes place in the summer of 1966, and centers around several characters dealing with personal and professional struggles.
The episode begins with Don Draper and his wife Megan hosting a dinner party for several guests, including the advertising firm's newest client, Raymond Geiger. Megan is eager to make a good impression on Geiger, but Don becomes increasingly frustrated with her when she tries to show off her French language skills and her acting career. The tension between the couple comes to a head as they argue in front of their guests, leading to Megan storming off in tears.
Meanwhile, Peggy Olson is struggling with feelings of insecurity and inadequacy in her role as a creative director. She feels overshadowed by Don and frustrated with her lack of recognition from her male colleagues. She seeks out advice from her former boss, Ted Chaough, who encourages her to take more risks and trust her instincts.
In another storyline, Joan Harris is dealing with the aftermath of her decision to sleep with a client in order to secure his business for the company. She receives a visit from the client's wife, who confronts her about the affair and threatens to ruin his business and reputation. Joan is forced to navigate the tricky situation while also dealing with the judgment and gossip of her coworkers.
The episode also delves into the personal lives of several supporting characters, including Roger Sterling, who is struggling with feeling irrelevant and out of touch at work and in his personal life, and Betty Francis, who is dealing with the aftermath of her cancer scare and feeling neglected by her husband, Henry.
Overall, Lady Lazarus is a complex and nuanced episode that explores themes of identity, power dynamics, and the challenges of navigating personal and professional relationships. It features strong performances from the talented ensemble cast and highlights the show's ability to tackle difficult and uncomfortable subject matter with honesty and depth.
