Why The Most Liberated Woman On Mad Men Is Don Draper's Wife

Did you notice the other night on Mad Men that the men were whining? The 60s were rough on everybody, except maybe the hippies who were all stoned. But I think we are seeing that Don Draper and the other male characters in the show are beginning to feel a little put upon. A little trapped. They got what they wanted–power, unlimited booze, women, a wife and a house in the suburbs (except Don who doesn’t want one of those). But now as we inch along historically into the 1960's, the men are dissatisfied. Is that all there is? seems to be the show’s thematic refrain as of late. Roger dropping acid, Pete flirting with adultery and Don listening to Revolver are only hints at the iceberg below the surface of the ad men’s angst.

Nothing highlighted this more last night than when Don’s young wife, Megan, decided to quit her job at the agency and pursue her dream to become an actor. Everybody had an opinion. Joan, the "because I have to" career woman, betrayed cynicism at Megan's choice. She’ll fail, Joan says. Peggy, whom we have come to admire for her spunk (and recently, her desire to inhale a bit), is more generous towards Megan. Peggy was bothered at how she had to spend many hours training Megan, but the feminist-sisterhood that is Peggy wants and believes Megan will succeed at her dream.

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