Blowing Smoke
Encyclopedia
"Blowing Smoke" is the twelfth episode of the fourth season of the American television drama series Mad Men
, and the 51st overall episode of the series. It aired on the AMC channel in the United States on October 10, 2010.
meets with a representative from Heinz, to discuss the potential move to Sterling Cooper Draper Pryce, but is dismayed when the potential client says he will hear ideas from SCDP in six to eight months, as he has doubts about the agency's immediate future. At the office, the partners talk with an advisor, Geoffrey Atherton, who recommends they get another tobacco account to replace Lucky Strike
, and says he will try to arrange a meeting with Philip Morris
, although this is revealed to be a negotiating ploy on his part. To provide funding to make up for the drop in revenues from losing Lucky Strike, Lane asks each of the partners to loan money to the firm.
Don runs into his old flame, Midge Daniels (Rosemarie DeWitt
). She confesses that she and her husband are addicted to heroin, and that she tracked him down so he would buy one of her paintings, which in turn would enable her to buy more heroin. Don buys a painting out of pity, starts to throw it out, and ends up staring at it all night, seemingly in a trance. He seems to draw a parallel between his old lover's addiction and his own company's long dependence on tobacco accounts.
Without consulting the other partners, Don writes a full page ad, which he places in the New York Times, to publicly say that he is relieved to no longer be advertising a product he knows will kill people, and that tobacco accounts are no longer welcome at SCDP. The other partners are livid at Don, Lane being the only one who fully appreciates what Don is trying to do. An angry Cooper abruptly resigns. The other partners also agree to dismiss most of the staff. Don meets with Peggy, who fears that she is being let go. Instead, Don wants her to approve a list of the people in the Creative Department who need to be dismissed. In the midst of the firing, SCDP receives a call from the American Cancer Society
, inquiring about launching an anti-cigarette campaign. The episode ends with various partners ushering employees into their offices to be terminated.
Betty learns that Sally and Glen have been talking in private, after hearing from Sally's psychiatrist that Sally is making excellent progress. At the dinner table, Betty suggests to Henry that they move to another town, and Henry agrees. Sally runs up to her room, heartbroken.
Mad Men
Mad Men is an American dramatic television series created and produced by Matthew Weiner. The series premiered on Sunday evenings on the American cable network AMC and are produced by Lionsgate Television. It premiered on July 19, 2007, and completed its fourth season on October 17, 2010. Each...
, and the 51st overall episode of the series. It aired on the AMC channel in the United States on October 10, 2010.
Plot
Don DraperDon Draper
Donald "Don" Draper is a fictional character and the protagonist of AMC's television series Mad Men. He is portrayed by 2008 Golden Globe winner Jon Hamm. Until the third season finale, Draper was Creative Director of Manhattan advertising firm Sterling Cooper...
meets with a representative from Heinz, to discuss the potential move to Sterling Cooper Draper Pryce, but is dismayed when the potential client says he will hear ideas from SCDP in six to eight months, as he has doubts about the agency's immediate future. At the office, the partners talk with an advisor, Geoffrey Atherton, who recommends they get another tobacco account to replace Lucky Strike
Lucky Strike
Lucky Strike is a brand of cigarette owned by the R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company and British American Tobacco groups. Often referred to as "Luckies", Lucky Strike was the top selling cigarette in the United States during the 1930s.- History :...
, and says he will try to arrange a meeting with Philip Morris
Philip Morris
- Philip/Phillip Morris :*Altria Group, conglomerate company previously known as Philip Morris Companies Inc., named after the 19th century tobacconist**Philip Morris USA, tobacco company wholly owned by Altria Group...
, although this is revealed to be a negotiating ploy on his part. To provide funding to make up for the drop in revenues from losing Lucky Strike, Lane asks each of the partners to loan money to the firm.
Don runs into his old flame, Midge Daniels (Rosemarie DeWitt
Rosemarie DeWitt
Rosemarie DeWitt is an American actress. DeWitt played Emily Lehman in the Fox television series Standoff, co-starring her now husband Ron Livingston, from 2006 through 2007, and played Charmaine Craine on Showtime's acclaimed original series, United States of Tara...
). She confesses that she and her husband are addicted to heroin, and that she tracked him down so he would buy one of her paintings, which in turn would enable her to buy more heroin. Don buys a painting out of pity, starts to throw it out, and ends up staring at it all night, seemingly in a trance. He seems to draw a parallel between his old lover's addiction and his own company's long dependence on tobacco accounts.
Without consulting the other partners, Don writes a full page ad, which he places in the New York Times, to publicly say that he is relieved to no longer be advertising a product he knows will kill people, and that tobacco accounts are no longer welcome at SCDP. The other partners are livid at Don, Lane being the only one who fully appreciates what Don is trying to do. An angry Cooper abruptly resigns. The other partners also agree to dismiss most of the staff. Don meets with Peggy, who fears that she is being let go. Instead, Don wants her to approve a list of the people in the Creative Department who need to be dismissed. In the midst of the firing, SCDP receives a call from the American Cancer Society
American Cancer Society
The American Cancer Society is the "nationwide community-based voluntary health organization" dedicated, in their own words, "to eliminating cancer as a major health problem by preventing cancer, saving lives, and diminishing suffering from cancer, through research, education, advocacy, and...
, inquiring about launching an anti-cigarette campaign. The episode ends with various partners ushering employees into their offices to be terminated.
Betty learns that Sally and Glen have been talking in private, after hearing from Sally's psychiatrist that Sally is making excellent progress. At the dinner table, Betty suggests to Henry that they move to another town, and Henry agrees. Sally runs up to her room, heartbroken.
External links
- Official episode guide at AMC