Episode 4.7 "The Gorilla in the Room"

Mad Men Episode 4.7 "The Suitcase"

It's already the 7th episode of this season with out a rudder, seeming to go no-where but in circles. That's likely the whole point. Don, without his wife and family, IS rudderless, and is circling the drain, going down into the abyss of drunkenness and depression. Just look at Duck to see where this leads.
Another review called this episode "heavyweight fights".

I call it "The Gorilla in the Room".
This episode was framed around 3 events:

1. Muhammad Ali-Sonny Liston bout.
Liston was often called 'the big gorilla' cuz he was so ugly, dumb, big and lumbering.
Don bet $100 on him? That's NOT what 'forward thinking' Don would do!
It's yet another example of how every decision he's made since his divorce has been wrong. And how his attitude towards everyone and thing has been that of an asshole. He's even thrown clients out of the conf. room. He used to charm them every time. He's lost his Mojo, his groove.
That's the REAL Gorilla in the room on Mad Men all this season.

He's literally screaming at poor Peggy this episode. She's dying for a kind word, a pat on the back, a reason to stay at this lousy job. (aren't we all?) She puts up with it, like she feels she deserves punishment.(for; see below) Great relationship! Don later finding out Peggy 'Fucked the Duck', just seemed to piche his interest in her. Turning to Peggy for 'comfort' (as in sex) will be his next big mistake.

2. The Samsonite suitcase ad campaign deadline.
Everyone knows that Samsonite has ONE ad that it has been making and re-making in many variations since, well, the 60's. It's of a guy throwing a suitcase into a Gorilla's cage at the zoo. The Gorilla proceeds to bang it all over the place, while the voice-over says stuff that equates airport baggage handlers to gorillas. I've also seen the opposite version; where baggage handlers are shown at work with the sounds of a Gorilla screaming over them.

Don and Peggy mentally dance around in their efforts to find this 'perfect ad', but don't quite get it yet. By the end, Don settles on a stupid 'his suitcase can beat up your suitcase' idea inspired by the big fight that was just on, and it's world famous photo of Clay standing over Liston.
The suitcases don't even have arms to fight with!?

The drawing he did looked more like a grave with a suitcase headstone. (I'm sure it was intentional, since Don's 'real wife', Anna, had just died, and he sees her spirit heading off to heaven carrying a Samsonite...hey that would've been a great Ad!) Peggy said it was 'very good'...Peggy wants to keep her job, and she DOES love Don very dearly.., that's The next Gorilla in the Room.

3. Peggy's Birthday.
No one seems to care about it. Peggy is very sentimental at heart, but tries not to show it. Her BF, "Nerd-boy who thinks she was a Virgin", has planned a big surprise party at a NY rest. for her. But the real surprise is that he got all her family members (that she can't stand) to be there. Somehow Don senses and he makes Peggy stay late to work on the suitcase ad with him; ruining her 'party'.

Was he just lonely or was he doing her a big favor? They eariler had talked about morality, told others that she doesn't sleep with him. the mention of her illegitimate baby (that Don is the only person besides Pete the Dad knows about).

That's the next Gorilla in the Room....Peggy's secret sex life in her recent past.
The guilt kills her. She had a baby after her first sex; with Pete in his office. She 'Fucked the Duck', a lot, and loved it. Who knows what else with the pot-smokers?
Then she tries to find a 'nice boy' that thinks she's as 'nice' as he is and lets him keep thinking it.
Livin' a lie?
Now Don knows about Duck, he knew the rest already. He doesn't seem to care. This makes Peggy fall in love with him all over again! They hold hands, for the first time ever. This is huge...maybe...?

Turning to Don for 'comfort' (as in sex) will be her next big mistake.