Mad Men (TV Series) The Inheritance (2008) User Reviews

Introduces a New Plot

[borowiecsminus · 8/10 · 6 August 2016]

For everyone who's seen a lot of "Mad Men," it can be difficult to remember what happens in which episodes. So fear not, I will explain. This is the episode where Betty's father has a stroke.

It's the end of the Season Two Mid-Game, and in the next episode ("The Jet Set"), the Endgame kicks off. So naturally, there are some things worth noting about this episode.

There is nothing wrong with this episodes. Just, some things are more right with it than others.

The highlight of the episode was absolutely the acting. Don and Betty are undergoing a crisis. The natural question to ask is, "Will this bring them together?" The answer is no. It will take a lot more than that to re-unite them, and I'd say more, but any more is a spoiler. The acting props in this episode, go mostly to January Jones, and actress that was greatly under-appreciated at the Emmys. She's fantastic, and this is one of her episodes. And as usual, Jon Hamm and Elizabeth Moss do great work as well.

The episode reminds us that problems more important than the marriage and the agency still exist in "Mad Men."

California dreamin'

[jotix100 · 8/10 · 9 March 2010]

The trip to California is a way for Don to send representation to the big convention in Los Angeles for the aerospace industry. He figures all the important people will be in attendance. He has decided to have Paul go with Pete Campbell to drum business for the agency. Trudy Campbell is not happy about her husband leaving her behind, but he is determined to leave her behind. Trudy has decided to put herself on a list a respected adoption agency, something her husband thinks it's appalling.

Gene, the father of Betty, suffered a stroke. She has to call Don at the Roosevelt to tell him. Don will take the time to go with her. What they find when they get there is something Betty was not expecting. Her father appears to be on the first stages of Alzheimer's. He even takes his daughter to be his late wife. The situation is complicated with Betty's brother William, and his wife at the house. Betty is none too happy with the way Gloria, her step-mother is handling her father. Gene, has a conversation with Betty in which he tells her about not trusting Don because he has no family.

Pete Campbell and his brother Bud get together with their mother about some legal matters. Dorothy Campbell is dead set against Pete and Trudy adopting a child. She reckons the baby will not be his own. Dorothy even goes to threaten Pete to leave him out of the will if he so much as goes for the adoption.

At the office there is a baby shower for Harry, whose wife is expecting a baby. Don, who has gone with Betty back to the house, was told to leave again because 'nothing had changed' according to his wife. When he meets Joan he tells her to notify Paul he is not going, instead, he will be taking the trip to Los Angeles with Pete. Joan can't wait to go back to tell Paul in front of the whole office about Don's decision.

Betty surprises Glen Bishop in her backyard. Glen is clearly smitten about the beauty of Betty. He has a big crush, but of course, Betty tries to discourage the boy from coming again. When his mother Helen goes to see Betty about the incident, she is assured nothing had happened, while at the same time she tells her friend Don is not living at home anymore.

Matthew Weiner, the creator of "Mad Men" co-wrote the script of this episode with Lisa Albert and Marti Noxon. He also directed this chapter of this excellent series. Excellent acting is one of the things Mr. Weiner gets from all the principals and the supporting cast. Paying attention to detail also is a big plus for the program at it takes a look at a not too distant past.

Return of Peter "Glen Bishop" Lorre

[TheFearmakers · 7/10 · 6 September 2023]

When you look at some of the casting choices for siblings... Pete's brother, and Betty's brother... you wonder if the producers know that, in real life people actually resemble their relatives... The funny thing is, Betty's brother and Pete's brother look like brothers... Oh it's getting too confusing...

This episode is a kind of... not really filler but a moment to relax after two really good back-to-back episodes...

Something about Betty's dad is really scary, like anything can happen at any time... Now THAT is good casting...

This show has a way of giving you the creeps, which is a good thing... Both Mad Men and Breaking Bad are similar in that both center on awkward situations... like being stuck in an addictive purgatory...

And that's also what soap operas are like, but binging shows take the best aspect of soaps, add great actors and stories, and an entirely new generation of addicts are born... and am very glad to be one...

Oh no, no... not Glen again... I keep expecting him to say, "Dawd" (aka "Dad") in a Valley Girl accent like Sofia Coppola in The Godfather 3, but he's even worse...

"I... don't... like... ham..."

He's like a robot. I get it; he's supposed to be troubled and a bit creepy... And he's attempting a Summer of 42' thing with Betty, but, he simply doesn't seem part of the same show as everyone else...

And now I have to wait to see him as a teenager... I guess nothing is perfect, and Matthew made sure of that.

I really love this series...

[sawznhamrs-1 · 10/10 · 19 August 2022]

The sets, the costumes, the cars. The acting and plots are superior. I must confess the story line with Glen is a bit disturbing and would be even today! What were they thinking? I am just not sure where they are going with that!

Wills

[vivianla · 9 June 2020]

Trudy talks to Peter while they are in bed of being on a list of an adoption agency. Peter does not want to adopt, saying it is not natural.

Don and Betty are still separate. Betty calls Don one night to tell him her father had a stroke. Don says he will come tomorrow.

The Drapers leave their kids with Francine and go to Betty's father's home where they also are greeted by Betty's brother and her father's partner. Betty steps in wearing a beautiful white top and a white chiffon skirt with a gold belt dangling from the waist.

The Drapers do not share a bed. Don strips to his white underwear and takes the blanket to sleep on the floor. Betty takes off her dress to reveal white underclothes. Betty is lonely and Don has helped her through this time with her dad's illness. She chooses to plop on top of him and they make love.

Peter Campbell and his brother go to meet their mother to deal with legal papers. His mother asks him about his baby plans, telling him he has to "keep trying". She does not want an adopted grandchild saying it works for some but really you are just picking from the discards.

Later Betty is wearing a different top, same skirt and belt. They are at dinner and Betty's father mistakes her for his late wife, telling her they should go upstairs. He meant sex and he squeezes Betty's breast in front of everyone in the home. This includes his partner, Betty's brother, Don.

Peggy talks about the upcoming business trip to California, saying she has heard it is hard to do work there because of the weather.

Harry has a baby shower in the office. It is a celebratory mood and I really like the vibes here. Harry is given Playboy magazines with nude girls on them as a gift. Peter thanks Peggy for something.

Betty follows Polly to the dollhouse and finds Glen in there. He has been there for a few days. He looks at Betty like he loves her and finds her attractive. They hold hands while watching television and Betty seems to enjoy the comfort of being appreciated for her services.