Ep 4. Three Sundays

Set in the 1960s, Mad Men is a television drama series that showcases the lives of advertising executives during the golden era of advertising. With its well-written storylines, excellent character development, and impeccable attention to detail, Mad Men has become a classic must-watch show for everyone.

Season 2 Episode 4 of Mad Men is titled "Three Sunday" and portrays various characters on their third Sundays over the summer of 1962.

The episode begins with the Draper family getting ready for church on the third Sunday of that summer. Don Draper’s young son, Bobby, asks his father why they go to church. Don answers politely, “To start the week off right,” but does not seem overly interested in faith. The family looks picture-perfect on the way to church, but one can sense the underlying tension between the couple.

On the other hand, Peggy Olson has invited Father Gill to her apartment for dinner on the third Sunday. After the dinner, Peggy opens up to Father Gill by admitting that things have not been easy for her of late. As she expresses her feelings, it becomes clear that Peggy is grappling with issues of her identity and faith. It is a well-acted and emotionally charged scene.

Meanwhile, at Sterling Cooper, politics is the order of the day. Harry Crane, an executive in the company, is elated and cannot stop talking about John F. Kennedy’s candidacy. He goes around announcing that he intends to bring JFK’s message to the people and wants his colleagues to join in the support. The announcement is met with mixed reactions from the coworkers, with not many showing enthusiasm.

Back at the Draper household, Betty Draper is on edge while her husband is at work. It becomes evident that her frustrations stem from her husband’s absences as well as her lack of independence. Betty’s mood starts to affect the kids, who have no idea how to help their mother.

Elsewhere, Don Draper is having a tough day at work. After showing a pitch to his team, one of the executives keeps questioning Don’s idea, which significantly frustrates him. He tries to hold back his frustration but ends up losing his composure. The scene is an excellent example of Jon Hamm's acting skills.

As the episode progresses, we see the couples in the show struggling with their relationships. Don’s boss, Roger Sterling, confides in him about his own marital issues. The scene is touching, and the chemistry between the two actors is very engaging.

Towards the end of the episode, we see Betty finally taking steps towards independence. During a dinner with her family, she picks up a newspaper job advertisement and marks some positions she is keen on and tells her husband that she intends to start working. Don's reaction is not encouraging, leading to an argument but one can see the spark in Betty's eyes, and it is heartening to see her strive to be more than just a housewife.

The episode ends with the voice-over of Peggy, assuring us that if it is one thing we can count on, it is the fading of memories. The line resonates as it speaks to the human experience, and it leaves us with much to ponder upon.

Overall, season 2 episode 4 of Mad Men is a well-crafted episode with well-thought-out storylines. The characters are well-developed, and their performances are remarkably engaging. The show manages to successfully depict the politics, social dynamics, and the struggles that come with human relationships. So if you're looking for a show that has a good story, excellent characters and lots of drama, then Mad Men is the show to watch, and Season 2 Episode 4 Three Sundays is no exception.