As a die-hard “Mad Males” fan, I’d argue there isn’t any “worst episode.” Though, if you are going to rank every episode, one thing has to have the bottom rating — even when it is not significantly low. On IMDb, similar to with films or whole tv collection, you possibly can price particular person episodes on a scale of 1-10, and the scores are then aggregated, with the general rating primarily based 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 just the second episode of the primary season, receiving a 7.5 ranking primarily based on 4.3K votes.
I am shocked it is not an episode from one of many later seasons, particularly season six the place Don Draper’s “Dante’s Inferno”-like hell of repeating unhealthy habits turns into considerably tedious to look at. What, precisely, disconnects viewers from “Women Room”? Maybe it appears underwhelming after following up on the most effective 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 second after one other, 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 youngsters. Nonetheless, there’s numerous benefit to “Women Room” — particularly for a second episode — that makes its ‘worst episode’ label appear too harsh.
Lays an awesome basis for the feminist themes
“Some tv reveals wrestle to craft an id of their preliminary season, however ‘Mad Males’ knew what it needed to be in its first episode,” /Movie author Liam Gaughan shrewdly observes in his season rating, and we will say the identical about “Women Room.” The episode instantly establishes “Mad Males” as a novelistic slow-burn that it’s essential to pay shut consideration to, one that’s considering finding out the psychological nuts and bolts of its characters. “Women Room” just isn’t as dramatically enthralling as among the future episodes, however the little particulars we uncover are necessary 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 necessary to the narrative. “Mad Males” will likely 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 factor of “Women Room” is that it ends with the trendy tune “Stunning Mine” by RJD2, which feels like an digital lullaby. This might point out how Don typically views her with childlike innocence, anticipating her to be nothing however a contented housewife. Whereas “Women Room” did not make my listing of one of the best “Mad Males” episodes, it is nonetheless a really stable one that does not deserve the “worst episode” label.