Ep 6. Guy Walks Into an Advertising Agency

In Mad Men Season 3 Episode 6, entitled "Guy Walks Into an Advertising Agency," the Sterling Cooper Advertising Agency is shaken up when a British company buys them out. The episode begins with the agency preparing for a Visit from the British company PPL, which has just purchased Sterling Cooper. The employees are nervous about their job status, and morale is low. Joan prepares to give a tour to the PPL executives, while Pete and Don attend the actual meeting.

Meanwhile, a group of Sterling Cooper staff members enjoy a leisurely day at the office. Joan, Peggy, and Harry are throwing a going away party for a beloved employee, Lois. With the tension around the office, the group is happy to have some celebration. They even decide to have a fun competition in the office's parking lot.

The office party, however, is cut short when a man named Guy MacKendrick is hired to be the new head of Sterling Cooper’s London office. The employees gather around the man as they try to make small talk and introduce themselves. Guy is put through the wringer as the group makes a few small jabs at his accent and choice to join Sterling Cooper. Suddenly, a freak accident occurs, and Guy's foot is maimed by a lawn mower riding over his foot.

The event sets forth a series of unforeseen circumstances. Staffers do their best to help, triaging the situation by calling in medical attention, but the mood of the party is instantly shattered. All in attendance are shaken by the gory events that unfolded, despite Guy's professionalism.

The aftermath of the incident brings Guy to question his choices and begin second guessing himself. While he sees the empathy and care that his American coworkers present to him in the face of tragedy, he's ultimately left with the feeling that the Sterling Cooper office is unsavory. Meanwhile, as the British executives continue to plot Sterling Cooper's destiny, many of the American staff begin to question their job security.

As the episode comes to a close Joan is left to clean up the mess left by the office party. Peggy stays to help her, the two women making a point of reminding each other to stay strong. Peggy later returns to her desk to find an unexpected bouquet of flowers from Don, with nothing but a note that reads "thank you."

In Season 3 Episode 6 of Mad Men named "Guy Walks Into an Advertising Agency," the show's creators play on themes of tension, uncertainty, and tragedy. This installment gives viewers a unique insight into the paranoia that comes with corporate takeovers as well as the fallout from accidents that occur on the job. Yet, throughout it all, we see the ways in which individuals respond to adversity and the difference that empathy and kindness can make. Overall, this episode is another enjoyable chapter in the Mad Men series, with plenty of drama and intrigue.