Ep 1. For Those Who Think Young

Mad Men season 2 episode 1, titled "For Those Who Think Young," picks up where season 1 left off. Don Draper is still struggling with his past and trying to keep his personal life separate from his career at Sterling Cooper Advertising Agency. The year is 1962, and the world around them is changing.

The episode opens with a scene of a group of young women entering an office building, eager to start their new jobs at Sterling Cooper. They are greeted by Peggy Olson, who has been promoted to Junior Copywriter, and she leads them to their new offices. Peggy has come a long way since season 1, and this promotion is a testament to her hard work and talent.

We then see Don and his wife, Betty, in bed together. Don is reading a book while Betty is sleeping. It's clear that their marriage is still strained, and Don is struggling to connect with her emotionally. He eventually gets out of bed and heads to work.

At the Sterling Cooper office, we see the characters we've come to know and love. Roger Sterling is his usual charming self, cracking jokes and flirting with the secretaries. Joan Holloway is still the queen bee of the office and is now engaged to a doctor. Harry Crane is now head of the television department and is dealing with the stress of producing a successful ad campaign.

One of the main storylines of this episode revolves around the agency trying to secure the Clearasil account. They are up against some tough competition, but Roger thinks he has an in with the client, who happens to be an old flame of his. He arranges a meeting with her, and they all head to a restaurant to discuss business.

It's clear that there is still a spark between Roger and this woman, and Don picks up on it right away. He cautions Roger against getting too close to the client, but Roger brushes him off. Later in the episode, we see that Roger has slept with the woman, and Don confronts him about it. This is just one example of the complex relationships and power struggles at play within the agency.

Another storyline in this episode involves the introduction of a new character, Paul Kinsey. Paul is a young copywriter who has recently returned from Mississippi, where he was working on a voter registration campaign. He is passionate about social justice and brings a fresh perspective to the agency. However, his ideals clash with Roger's more traditional approach to advertising.

We see the two of them butt heads over the Clearasil campaign, with Paul advocating for a more youth-oriented approach. This leads to some tense moments, but also some humorous ones, as Paul tries to explain his ideas to the older, more conservative members of the agency.

One of the quieter moments in the episode involves Betty and her neighbor, Francine. Francine invites Betty over for lunch, and we see that Betty is struggling to find meaning in her life as a housewife. She is envious of Francine's job as a travel agent and yearns for something more. It's a poignant scene that highlights the limited options available to women in this era.

Overall, Mad Men season 2 episode 1 is a strong start to the new season. It sets up several interesting storylines and introduces new characters who will play important roles in future episodes. The themes of social change and generational conflict are still at play, and the show continues to explore the complexities of human relationships in a world that is rapidly evolving.