Mad Men: Ladies Room

Mad Men: Ladies Room
AMC
July 26, 2007
Historical Drama
DVD
C

New cast:

• Talia Balsam (John Slattery's real-life wife) as Mona Sterling
• Anne Dudek as Francine Hanson
• Maxwell Huckabee as Robert Draper
• Mark Kelly as Dale
• Robert How to Succeed in Business without Really Trying Morse as Bertram Cooper
• Kiernan Shipka (the voice of Jinora on The Legend of Korra) as Sally Draper
• Darby Stanchfield as Helen Bishop
• Arne Starr as The Artist
• Andy Umberger as Dr. Arnold Wayne
• Marten Holden Weiner as Glen Bishop

Also, Liz Pellini is a nameless, uncredited Secretary for the first of three times, while Sarah Jannett Parish is listed as uncredited for Secretary but later Donna, for eleven episodes total.

I had higher hopes for this episode, partly based on the title, but unfortunately either January Jones is a really bad actress (her role on Last Man on Earth wasn't exactly challenging, or dramatic), or the character of Betty Draper is so poorly defined, that I was unhappy that she was on the screen so much.  I still might've gone with a C+*, but what started out as a sweet interaction between Peggy and Paul (Michael Gladis in a different role than the pilot) turned sour.  Also, why is Peggy so hung up on the now married Pete?  He was rude to her in the first episode and I just don't see the appeal.  I really hope she snaps out of that soon.

*This is the 100th show I've given a C.