Matthew Weiner once said “Mad Men” is “about the conflicting
desires in the American male, and the people who pay the price for that—the
women.” Consider “Shoot” Exhibit A of that concept. Though the plot of this
episode revolves around Don being courted by a much larger agency, it’s really
about Betty’s self-respect and self-worth, or lack thereof. This is one of the
series’ best episodes focusing on Betty, as it shows all sides of a character
that is much deeper than people give her credit for—both the people on the show
and those watching at home.
Best Scene: Certainly
the final shot of the episode is the most famous—Betty firing a pellet gun at
the neighbor’s pigeons with a cigarette dangling from her mouth, teeth bared
like a feral lioness. But for me, the scene that steals the show comes right
before, when Don and Betty sit down to dinner—after she’s been let go from the
fake modeling job at the rival agency—and Don affirms for her how important her
role is as a mother to their two children. I’ve watched this scene maybe a half-dozen
times, and I still can’t decide whether Don’s being genuine … or if he’s just
making a pitch to a client who wants to hear what he’s selling. Maybe he
doesn’t even know.
Best Line: Betty
to Don, about Sally: “Did you see those big tears? I really want to get a picture
of her crying one day.” The way she says it—all happy and proud—is
super-creepy.
Grade: B+
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