Mad Men "The Suitcase" (Season 4, Episode 7)

 

Television can really get deep into our feelings and thoughts, showing us how people live and deal with their problems. One great example of this is "Mad Men," especially in its episode "The Suitcase" (Season 4, Episode 7). This episode uses how things look and sound to make us feel what the characters are going through, like their ambitions, struggles, and need for approval.

"The Suitcase" uses what's called "mise-en-scène," which is just a fancy way of saying how everything looks in a scene, like the set, the lighting, and what the characters are wearing. Let's break down how it works:

How Things Look: Most of the episode happens in the office, and the way it's filmed makes it feel tight and tense, showing how stressful work can be. The dim lighting adds to the mood, making it feel even more intense.

What People Wear: Pay attention to what Don and Peggy wear. Don's fancy suits show how he wants to look successful, while Peggy's changing style shows how she's trying to find her place in a man's world.

The Office: The office itself feels like a character, messy and full of old stuff. It helps us understand the characters and their struggles better.

Character Relationships: The episode focuses a lot on Don and Peggy. The way they talk and act shows how complicated their relationship is, and the actors do a great job of making us feel what they're feeling.

Now, let's talk about some questions:

1)How does the office setting show us what the characters are going through? 

2)What do you think about Don and Peggy's relationship in this episode?How do they make you feel? 

3)What do you think the stuff in the office tells us about the characters and the story? If you've seen other episodes of "Mad Men," how does this one compare? What parts did you like the most?