Ep 4. The Rejected

As advertising agency Sterling Cooper Draper Pryce tries to secure a new client, Don Draper struggles with his personal life in Mad Men season 4 episode 4, "The Rejected."

The episode begins with the team at Sterling Cooper Draper Pryce pitching to a potential client, Dow Corning. However, their presentation falls flat, and the client decides not to work with them. Frustrated with the loss, the team realizes they need to step up their game to win over future clients.

Meanwhile, Peggy Olson struggles with her personal life as well. She is dating Abe, a journalist, but their relationship is rocky, partly due to the contrasting backgrounds they come from. Abe is a political activist, while Peggy is completely committed to her job as a copywriter. Abe wants Peggy to join him in his activism, but she is hesitant.

Don Draper's personal life is also in turmoil. He is still dealing with the aftermath of his divorce from Betty, and his relationship with his new wife, Megan, is strained. Megan, an aspiring actress, is often too caught up in her own life to give Don the attention he needs. As Don tries to deal with his own issues, he becomes particularly focused on one of the agency's clients, Fillmore Auto Parts.

The company's owner, Herb, is a sleazy businessman who seems to have his eye on Joan. Don is outraged when he finds out that Herb has propositioned her, and he becomes determined to put a stop to it. He and Joan come up with a plan to get rid of Herb, but it may come at a cost.

The team at Sterling Cooper Draper Pryce also has to deal with the fallout of their recent loss. Peggy, frustrated with her own career stagnation, comes up with an innovative solution to their problem. She pitches a new campaign to Fillmore Auto Parts, and her idea is met with enthusiasm by everyone except Don.

Don is still focused on getting rid of Herb, and he's not interested in any other distractions. However, when the team realizes they need to come up with something quickly to secure a new client, they turn to Peggy's idea and decide to use it. As they begin work on the new campaign, tensions rise between Don and Peggy.

"The Rejected" is a standout episode of Mad Men, as it explores the personal and professional struggles of the show's characters in an engaging and relatable way. The series is known for its attention to detail and its ability to capture the essence of the 1960s, and this episode is no exception.

The performances in the episode are particularly strong, with Jon Hamm and Christina Hendricks delivering standout performances as Don and Joan, respectively. The chemistry between the two characters is palpable, and their scenes together are some of the highlights of the episode.

Overall, "The Rejected" is a must-watch episode for fans of Mad Men. It expertly weaves together the personal and professional lives of the characters, and it leaves audiences on the edge of their seats wondering what will happen next.