Ep 5. The New Girl

In "The New Girl," the fifth episode of Mad Men's second season, tension fills the air as the advertising agency Sterling Cooper welcomes a new employee. Peggy Olson, who joined the team as a secretary and worked her way up to become a copywriter, feels threatened by the arrival of a young woman with big ideas and a different perspective on advertising.

As Peggy struggles to maintain her position, other characters are dealing with their own issues. Don Draper, the agency's creative director, is trying to juggle his work and personal life as he deals with his estranged wife's attempts to regain custody of their children. Meanwhile, Roger Sterling, one of the agency's partners, has some health problems that cause him to reflect on his past and future.

Throughout the episode, the tension between Peggy and the new girl, named Lois, increases. Peggy feels that Lois is encroaching on her territory, and she is increasingly frustrated by Lois's lack of knowledge and experience. Peggy's frustration boils over when Lois makes a mistake that threatens to ruin one of the agency's most important accounts.

Don Draper, who has taken an interest in Peggy's career, tries to help her by giving her some tough love. He reminds her that she has worked hard to get where she is, and that she has the skills and experience to compete with anyone. He also encourages her to be more assertive and confident in her ideas.

As the episode goes on, it becomes clear that there is more to Lois than meets the eye. She has a troubled past and a complicated relationship with her family, which explains some of her behavior. Peggy begins to see her in a different light and realizes that they may have more in common than she thought.

The episode ends with a powerful scene in which Peggy delivers a pitch to a client that shows off her creativity and talent. She proves that she belongs at the agency and that she can compete with anyone, including the new girl. The future looks bright for Peggy, and it's clear that she won't let anyone stand in her way.

Overall, "The New Girl" is an engaging and thought-provoking episode of Mad Men. It deals with issues of gender, power, and competition in a nuanced and compelling way, and it showcases the talents of the show's talented cast. Fans of Mad Men will surely appreciate this episode for its complex characters, intricate plot, and stylish visuals.