If I had too few quotes last week, I have too many this week. We got to see three really rough meetings this episode: the first between the Creative Team, the second with the client and the third between Account and Creative.
The ongoing plot line this season involves Sterling Cooper working with Conrad Hilton, who happens to be a VERY demanding client (calling Don at home on multiple occasions). Don is not happy with the work his team brings him and feels that it's not hitting the mark:
Draper: The tag is flat.
Peggy: Well that one is yours.
Draper: That doesn’t make it good. If it’s bad don’t use it.
Ouch.
Then when they finally get a campaign they feel is solid and present it too Hilton. The tycoon is unimpressed and asks for the room to be cleared so he and Don can talk one on one:
Draper: This is a good campaign, one of the best. It’s witty, it’s modern, it’s eye catching. It will change your business.
Hilton: Calm down. I’m going to be very honest with you. I don’t think folks do that often. Probably scared.
Draper: Or they trust my work.
Hilton: You want me to just say yes to everything you do?
Draper: Most ad men believe that clients are the thing that gets in the way of good work. I’ve never experienced that.
Hilton: You did not give me what I wanted. I’m deeply disappointed Don.
Draper: This is a great campaign.
Hilton: Fine. What do you want from me love? Your work is good. But when I say I want the moon, I expect the moon.
Double ouch.
Finally, Sterling gets wind of the meeting with Hilton and confronts Don:
Sterling: I heard Conrad Hilton left this building in a huff yesterday.
Draper: Who told you that?
Sterling: You’ve got your face so deep in Hilton’s lap you’re ignoring everything else.
Draper: Everything’s under control
Sterling: You won’t even let me meet the man. What do you think Accounts does, besides limit your brilliance?
Draper: I’d tell you, but I don’t want to hurt your feelings.
Once again, all of these words could be uttered in many meetings that I am in every day. It is shocking how things have not changed.
I especially love Sterling's line about limiting creative's brilliance. I have to find a way to work that into a conversation.
Really? One scene in the office?
OK, no ad related scenes = no ad related quote from FAU.
Sigh.
I suppose this show had to have a crappy episode at some point.
Still, there were two interesting non-ad related lines:
- "There is an old rule in politics, if you can't win, delay."
- Betty telling Sally that every kiss with someone is a shadow of the first one.
Oh, and did they really have to make Pete even MORE of a creep?? Seriously, not all Account guys are like that.
Overall, this one get's an F.
