In S1, Joan observes Don never makes a move on her, saying he's so handsome he can find someone outside the office. Re-watching it seemed clear another reason is he's both ambitious & anxious about being found out, so he keeps boundaries to demarcate work and personal identities.
Matthew Weiner on the benefits of having a largely female writer's room, and how that influenced Betty's response to Don's infidelity. wsj.com
A very Pete Campbell speech from the Mad Men show runner.
The book "Games People Play" by Eric Berne could be seen in a blink-and-you'll-miss-it moment of an episode of Mad Men that took place in 1965.
Matthew Weiner: βDon likes strangers. He likes winning strangers over. And thatβs what advertising is, appealing to strangers. But once Don wins you over, he doesnβt like you anymore. Thatβs why he chooses Megan over Faye.β podcasts.apple.com
"many Mad Men fans seem to think the point is to find Don suave and cool. But in fact Don is a depressive liar and alcoholic who can't stop setting fire to his life and hurting everyone around him. There's nothing admirable about him but his crisp suits" freddiedeboer.substack.com
My conversation about Don Draper, masculinity, and Mad Men with @gregaveryowens: youtu.be
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