[Review & Recap] Mad Men: Season 5 Episode 10 “Christmas Waltz”

“Surprise, there’s an airplane here to see you!” – Joan Harris (Holloway?)

Aptly titled “Christmas Waltz” the characters in this episode do an elegant dance around the obvious. Don misbehaves when he should be confronting Megan about his expectations of her as his wife who no longer works in his office. Joan blows her lid over the end of her marriage but buries the fact that she and Roger have a child together. Harry enables an old friend instead of being upfront. Lane gets caught in his own web of lies which may be to the agency’s detriment. Sometimes an object (or hand) is thrown before they snap out of it.

Brief Recap

Lane’s phone rings. His British attorney has remedied his tax problems and all he needs is the equivalent of $8000 in two days to close the case. He’s at a loss for where he’ll find it and complains about the amount. His legal counsel reminds him of the alternative – prison. His wife Rebecca awakens, asking why he’s up and what he’s looking for. He commands her back to bed.

At SCDP Harry Crane’s secretary reminds him that a Mr. Kinsey has been calling repeatedly and wants to meet for lunch. He seems unwilling, but agrees to meet for coffee. Lane enters inquiring about the media predictions for the following year. Although they’re favorable, Harry provides a voice of reason: “They’re predictions. Derived from reality but they’re hopes and dreams.” Still Lane takes that information straight to the bank. Literally. He asks SCDP’s bank account manager for an advance of $50,000, claiming that commitments are solid but clients are not paying their bills on time.

Peter and Roger are in the midst of a conversation in the hall. Apparently he hasn’t let go of his Jaguar dreams after the Edwin Baker incident, and now that he’s left the company he’s poised to swoop right back in for the win. Don, who has walked in on the conversation notes that be take a lot of work to close by the New Year. Pete takes a dig at Don’s new work ethic, or lack thereof. “You might have to stay past 5:30.”

Harry meets up with Mr. Kinsey, and lo and behold, it’s Paul Kinsey from the old Sterling Cooper! He’s enveloped in a bizarre Hare Krishna scene. Paul introduces Harry to a woman he calls “Lakshmi” and they chant. Meanwhile Lane calls a meeting to let the partners know there’s a “surplus” of $50,000. He suggests that for the first time in three years they distribute Christmas bonuses. Partners get the lion’s share of the money and he’d like to give them out as soon as possible. Don argues that the bonuses should wait until Christmas. Pete attempts again, in vain, to garner some excitement about Jaguar. Bert calls the cars lemons that never start, much to his chagrin. –Next Page–More Recap