As a die-hard “Mad Males” fan, I’d argue there is no such thing as a “worst episode.” Though, if you are going to rank every episode, one thing has to have the bottom rating — even when it isn’t significantly low. On IMDb, identical to with films or total tv sequence, you possibly can fee particular person episodes on a scale of 1-10, and the rankings are then aggregated, with the general rating based mostly on the median. Taking all of the scores for each episode, the lowest-rated episode of “Mad Males” finally ends up being “Women Room,” which is barely the second episode of the primary season, receiving a 7.5 ranking based mostly on 4.3K votes.
I am shocked it isn’t an episode from one of many later seasons, particularly season six the place Don Draper’s “Dante’s Inferno”-like hell of repeating dangerous habits turns into considerably tedious to observe. What, precisely, disconnects viewers from “Women Room”? Maybe it appears underwhelming after following up on top-of-the-line pilots of all time, “Smoke Will get in Your Eyes,” which launched us to the good-looking, discerning advert man Don Draper. There’s one unforgettable moment after another, from Don summing consumerism and promoting as a balm for happiness to the gobsmacking ending when he returns house from boozing, smoking, and West Village trysts to his doting spouse and sleeping kids. Nonetheless, there’s loads of benefit to “Women Room” — particularly for a second episode — that makes its ‘worst episode’ label appear too harsh.
Lays an amazing basis for the feminist themes
“Some tv exhibits wrestle to craft an identification of their preliminary season, however ‘Mad Males’ knew what it wished to be in its first episode,” /Film writer Liam Gaughan shrewdly observes in his season ranking, and we are able to say the identical about “Women Room.” The episode instantly establishes “Mad Males” as a novelistic slow-burn that you will need to pay shut consideration to, one that’s fascinated by finding out the psychological nuts and bolts of its characters. “Women Room” will not be as dramatically enthralling as among the future episodes, however the little particulars we uncover are vital and can blossom in later episodes.
“Women Room” units up Don’s secrecy as he avoids questions on his childhood, however primarily establishes that the feminine characters are simply as vital to the narrative. “Mad Males” might be equally involved with how they navigate a patriarchal world. Peggy should navigate the minefields of her lecherous co-workers, their incessant advances slowly chipping away at her naiveté. The scenes the place Betty attends psychoanalysis are a bit prolonged, however they assist articulate her suburban ennui and jealousy of the just lately divorced Helen’s freedom and a stronger sense of self. But, this confessional is not even a secure area for her ideas and feelings, as the ultimate scene reveals that her psychiatrist discusses her classes with Don over the telephone.
One odd aspect of “Women Room” is that it ends with the trendy track “Lovely Mine” by RJD2, which seems like an digital lullaby. This might point out how Don typically views her with childlike innocence, anticipating her to be nothing however a cheerful housewife. Whereas “Women Room” did not make my list of the best “Mad Men” episodes, it is nonetheless a really stable one that does not deserve the “worst episode” label.
