As a die-hard “Mad Males” fan, I might 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 notably low. On IMDb, identical to with motion pictures or complete tv collection, you’ll be able to charge 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 “Girls Room,” which is just the second episode of the primary season, receiving a 7.5 score primarily based on 4.3K votes.
I am stunned 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 observe. What, precisely, disconnects viewers from “Girls Room”? Maybe it appears underwhelming after following up on among the best 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 residence from boozing, smoking, and West Village trysts to his doting spouse and sleeping youngsters. Nonetheless, there’s a number of advantage to “Girls Room” — particularly for a second episode — that makes its ‘worst episode’ label appear too harsh.
Lays a terrific basis for the feminist themes
“Some tv reveals wrestle to craft an identification of their preliminary season, however ‘Mad Males’ knew what it wished to be in its first episode,” /Movie author Liam Gaughan shrewdly observes in his season rating, and we are able to say the identical about “Girls Room.” The episode instantly establishes “Mad Males” as a novelistic slow-burn that you need to pay shut consideration to, one that’s excited about finding out the psychological nuts and bolts of its characters. “Girls Room” just isn’t as dramatically enthralling as a number of the future episodes, however the little particulars we uncover are essential and can blossom in later episodes.
“Girls Room” units up Don’s secrecy as he avoids questions on his childhood, however primarily establishes that the feminine characters are simply as essential to the narrative. “Mad Males” will probably 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 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 periods with Don over the cellphone.
One odd component of “Girls Room” is that it ends with the trendy tune “Lovely Mine” by RJD2, which seems like an digital lullaby. This might point out how Don usually views her with childlike innocence, anticipating her to be nothing however a contented housewife. Whereas “Girls Room” did not make my record of the very best “Mad Males” episodes, it is nonetheless a really strong one that does not deserve the “worst episode” label.
