In this episode of MadMen we primarily follow Pete Campbell, one of the men working in the finance department at the ad company. Pete's wife surprises him at his work and takes apartment shopping, which he is put off about since she decides to go for a property outside of their means. He goes to get financial help from his family but that goes nowhere and later on his wife gets her family to support them in that way. Pete doesn't like that she is taking control of things and getting what she wants but he doesn't know what to do about it. Also, Pete tries to make an impression by pitching to one of the ad companies customers behind his bosses' backs. This ends with him being very nearly fired, but thanks to his families very reputable name he gets a second chance at the company.
MadMen has been plagued by the issue of alcohol since the first episode, something that is definitely evident in the historical period that this show is based in. Alcohol is used constantly in this show as a means of coercion, coping, and relaxation. There is alcohol involved in every major scene in this show and Pete is constantly drinking throughout this episode. When he gets "fired" for a moment he immediately goes to his office and starts drinking right away. There is so much alcohol abuse that its just surprising that no one has gotten hurt, or killed by it yet, and we're only four episodes in.
This show also shows the disconnect between men and women in this society. The entire time that Pete is with his wife are together you see just how much one of them is trying to get something from the other. Pete's wife wants to have the life she's dreamt about forever, probably, and Pete just wants a better job and an obedient wife who dos what he asks of her. Neither is getting what they want exactly but they don't know how to communicate their needs.
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