The Gold Violin

I don't know why I felt the need to come and write a review for a specific episode of Mad Men, but damn, this episode hits all the marks. I won't spoil anything but every segment of this episode has great performances, drama and writing. So many interesting themes packed into one episode it's insane.

He plays the coffee company owner they play the jingle for. Tom Ormeny. Anyhow, having gotten over what the horrible Duck did do his dog in the last episode, this one is pretty good, more lightweight. Kinda wish more of these episodes had more to do with the ads being sold. Either way it's an entertaining non-filler.

What makes this a great episode is the dinner between the closeted Sal and Ken, the tall handsome writer (who doesn't look like a writer, but oh well). Also the showdown with the comic Jimmy and the Drapers. Good stuff.

(And hey, the co-founder of Grey Matter works as a car salesman... Love seeing an actor from the two best cable movies ever, Mad Men and Breaking Bad!!!)

(And OH MY GOD, as far as litterbugs go, The Drapers are a SWARM!!!)

The Gold Violin is a strong episode with standout moments.

I like the imagery and references to aesthetically pleasing yet dysfunctional concepts like various forms of art, Don Draper's identity, and Sal's marriage.

The writer uses characters like Don, Betty, Jimmy, Bobbie, Sal, Ken, Joan, Jane and Roger very well. Certain moments are quite unexpected and these for me are the highlights. I like the picnic scene, particularly how it links to an exchange of dialogue that happens near the end of the episode.

There is a good focus on Sal that follows on well from The Hobo Code. The awkwardness in his scenes are excruciating at times. It makes you feel sorry for both Kitty and him.

I like the development of the character Jane. This works well with the established arcs of Roger and Joan. It makes you interested to find out if any fireworks are coming as a result of the situation.

For me it is an 8.5/10, but I round upwards.