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Mad Men - The Milk and Honey Route - Review: "Making Peace with the Past"

12 May 2015

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With one episode left to go in “Mad Men’s” run, Matthew Weiner is still surprising viewers. Much of the content in “The Milk and Honey Route” was unexpected. While I was not surprised to see Don continuing his road trip, I was shocked at Betty’s horrible cancer news. I was also pleasantly surprised to see Pete declaring his love for Trudy again. I had to let this episode sink in a bit to absorb it all. But when I did, aside from Betty’s sad fate, I really enjoyed where things ended.

Once again we see how much Pete and Betty have both grown. Their development forces us to ask if Don is growing as well. Will he learn from his mistakes? Can he come to terms with who he really is? By the end it’s clear: Don is making peace with his past. He has learned from his life. He is finally accepting the choices he made, allowing him to become the man he wants to be. This trip was part of his journey to the land of milk and honey. The title is a biblical reference from Exodus 3:8 where God recognizes the Israelites’ suffering and tells them he will rescue them from being the Egyptians’ slaves, promising to bring them to “a good and spacious land, a land flowing with milk and honey.” Don is getting to that place himself. He could only do that by acknowledging his past and letting go of the guilt so he can prepare for a better future.


Embracing the Inevitable

It was so sad to see an excited, proud Betty finally going after what she’s wanted, just to have life knock her down. But as hard as this was to stomach, it made sense to the story. It gave us a chance to see how far Betty has really come. When faced with the most awful news one can imagine, she goes from being upset and shocked to thinking about her family. She thinks of her children and what she will tell them. And she thinks of Henry and how he will deal with her death. She is worried about everyone else and wants to take care of them. She is no longer thinking mainly of herself.

Her discussion with Sally comes earlier than she expects, thanks to Henry. But once Betty gets over her initial anger and betrayal, she is very calm and firm as she gives her daughter a “Betty version” of a pep talk. I loved this scene. Sally thinks her mother isn’t choosing treatment because she’s being a drama queen. But that’s not actually the case. Betty shows herself to be strong, brave and wise. She doesn’t want Sally to watch her suffer any longer than she has to. Betty watched her own mother die and now she is looking out for her daughter. She says she’s learned to believe people when they tell you it’s over. The statement clearly refers to her marriage with Don, and so do her later statements. She tells Sally she’s not quitting, saying she has fought for plenty in her life. She sees that experience as a gift that taught her when to keep fighting and when to move on. This is a very mature way to look at the end of her marriage. And it shows she learned from that experience. It took her awhile to gain her footing but Betty eventually became a caring mother, better wife and happy woman – unfortunately just as everything is taken away from her. Life is cruel, but at least she became the woman she could be before she died. She reminds us it’s not how you start but how you end that matters. Whatever time Betty has left, she’s at peace with her own life and what she achieved for herself and her family. And she did truly love that family.

She proves this with the letter she leaves for Sally, filled with encouraging, inspiring words that show her pride in her daughter. After acknowledging she worried about Sally marching to the beat of her own drum, she admits she now knows that is a good thing because Sally’s life will be filled with adventure. With these words, she encourages Sally to be herself, supporting her and letting her know how much she loves her. She wants her daughter to have a good life. They may have had a strained relationship, but Betty wants Sally to know how much she cares.


Taking a Risk on a Second Chance

Pete is another character who impresses us with his development in this episode. He has a history of constantly acting like a schoolboy with something to prove. But suddenly he sees life with a new perspective. Simply put, he has grown up. We see it in his conversation with his brother, where he says he doesn’t understand why they are always looking for something better. He knows cheating feels good for a while, but it doesn’t ultimately satisfy.

I was so impressed with Pete’s new outlook. His unexpected job opportunity forced him to examine what he really wanted out of life. And Pete realized that was a fulfilling life with his family. Just like Betty, it took him a while to reach the point where he could be the type of husband and father they needed. But it’s clear he now appreciates Trudy. And he has gone from the type of father whose daughter was scared to be around him to a hands-on dad who heals his daughter’s injuries. He is finally at a place where he is ready to offer them a real life together.

And he’s not afraid to take that risk. I loved Pete’s speech to Trudy. It was so heartfelt and earnest. He wasn’t arrogant in expecting her to answer a certain way. He told her he knew he could lose her love. But he still let her know how he felt about her. He took a risk when she did not seem receptive, laying out his feelings and then waiting for her response. That took guts, but Pete is a pretty fearless person. He always thought he could do anything. But this time he used that drive and desire to win back his family. Because he was open and vulnerable and willing to show his growth, he achieved the impossible.

It was interesting how this new job materialized out of nowhere, but it didn’t feel forced to me – maybe because Pete wasn’t interested at first. He didn’t pursue it; he didn’t even want it. He’d been completely happy at McCann Erickson, being “the mayor,” as Duck puts it. But suddenly a new opportunity just dropped in his lap. Once he thought about it, he couldn’t deny the benefits it would give him – a chance to have a suburban white-picket-fence life with Tammy and Trudy. This is not the type of life Pete used to want. But his priorities have changed. He makes a purposeful, conscious decision to grab this opportunity for a second chance. He likes this picture of his future. And he can’t pass it up.


Making Peace with the Past

As Don heads on his road trip across the country, we see him coming face-to-face with his past. We start the episode with Don’s fears manifested through a dream. As he drives in his car, a police officer pulls him over and tells him they’ve been looking for him. “You knew we’d catch up with you eventually,” the officer tells Don. The statement reveals Don’s fears that his past will catch up with him and people will find out what he did.

So it’s significant that when Don is invited to an American Legion meeting with a lot of veterans, he goes. This is not the type of environment Don typically embraces. He doesn’t like to talk about his military past. But here he has no choice. The veterans ask him specific questions about his military history. At first he lies and tells him he was a lieutenant (taking on Donald Draper’s persona). But then the men start telling stories. Suddenly he realizes they have war ghosts just like him. The old man killed a group of Germans that wanted to surrender. They all did horrible things to try to survive and get out of a bad situation. And they’re all haunted by their pasts. Don is not alone in his guilt – everyone did what they had to do to come home from war. And that realization prompts Don to confess his history in Korea. Instead of being disgusted or shocked at how Don’s commanding officer died because of him, the men embrace him because they can relate. It’s a turning point for Don. He shares his guilt with people who have their own. They don’t blame him; they understand. In that moment he feels a part of them. Though what he did was wrong, it’s in his past and he has to move on.

After that bonding moment, it was sad to see those same men come to beat him up, thinking he stole their fundraising money. Don knows exactly who took the cash – the young kid who cleans his room. And Don confronts him when the boy comes by. Don is angry at being set up. But he is also angry at what the boy is doing with his life. Don acts like a stern father trying to set him straight. The boy doesn’t understand why Don cares, but we do. The boy’s actions remind Don of his own life. He tells the kid, “I know you think you know how to hustle, but this is a big crime, stealing these peoples’ money. If you keep it, you have to become somebody else. And it’s not what you think it is. You cannot get off on that foot in this life.” He equates stealing the veterans’ money with Dick Whitman stealing Don Draper’s identity. He became somebody else, and it wasn’t as easy as he’d thought. He had to come to terms with what he did – and it was a long, difficult process. You get the impression that if Don had the chance, he would do things differently now. His actions caused painful consequences in his life. And he doesn’t want someone else making that same mistake.

So he gives the boy his car, offering him an opportunity to start over. But that leaves Don on the side of the road with no car and no way to get anywhere. Yet in that moment I love that Don smiled to himself. He isn’t upset by his situation; he seems truly happy. Right then he doesn’t need anywhere to go or someone to be with. His life has been as fast as a roller coaster, like Buddy Holly’s closing song says. But he took time to make peace with that ride. Not only did he save someone from his own fate, but he released himself from the hold his past had on him. And that frees him to move forward. The question is, where will he go now that he’s free?


Additional Observations

- I was so happy that Don hasn’t picked up a woman along his journey. He clearly still has those urges as he checked out the lady at the pool. But he needed time on his own to get right with himself. He has always relied on being with someone else to fill that void in his life. But when you’re alone you have to face things you otherwise wouldn’t.

- I was really happy to see Don talking to Sally on the phone and mentioning he’d be calling his sons. He is clearly becoming a better father. He talked to Sally like a dad who cared about what she was doing. And she knew exactly where he’d been and where he was going. You could feel their bond and the impact it made in Sally’s life.

- Sally is growing up fast. Of course, she doesn’t have much choice with what she’s had to face. But she is really coming into her own. She shows concern for her mother, her brothers and even Henry. I love how she comforted Henry when he visited her. I have great faith in the woman Sally would become.


- I loved “The Graduate’s” Mrs. Robinson reference when Betty was at the doctor’s. She was a good sport as she recognized what it meant.


***All photos courtesy of AMC.


How did you like "The Milk and Honey Route?" Were you shocked by any developments? Do you like where the characters are ending? What's been the biggest surprise for you? Let us know in the comments below.


About the Author - Tonya Papanikolas
Tonya Papanikolas is an online, print and broadcast journalist who loves covering entertainment and television. She spent more than 10 years as a broadcast news anchor and reporter. Now she does everything from hosting to writing. She especially loves writing TV articles and reviews for SpoilerTV.

13 comments:

  1. Great review! I absolutely loved this episode. I was so excited when we saw Betty at school, and damn did that turn around quickly. What a fantastic episode and send-off for the character though. Betty has always been at a disadvantage, talked down to and looked down at.. and she ends the series as the most mature, wise, brave character of the whole bunch. I hated how she had to wait for Henry to come, it felt like back when Don used to call her therapist. Watching her face while the doctor explained her diagnosis to Henry was awful. I loved her scenes with Sally, and the foreshadowing of Sally having to sit in her mothers chair with the boys. I hope we see Don step up in the finale, but I wonder if Henry will be left with the kids (mirroring Don being raised by his father's wife.) The shot of Betty walking up the stairs at the end of the episode was among my favorite shots of the entire series. Still, part of me is bitter that Megan got a million dollars while Betty and Rachel got cancer but that's the way life goes.

    So great to see Pete come full-circle too. Who would have thought I'd be so happy to see him get a happy ending. He's changed so much though, from marrying Trudy for her money / business connections (her father) and immediately and constantly cheating on her, to wanting to love her for the right reasons. Here's hoping they don't get any grim twists in the finale. Speaking of the finale..

    I'm wondering if we've wrapped all of our characters except Don. Have we seen the last of Joan and Roger? I'd be truly sad if they don't pop up even briefly in the finale, but with Mad Men you never know. I'd also be shocked to have a finale without Peggy but I could see how that last shot of her last week would be a great wrap-up. I really have no idea how they intend to wrap Don, but I have faith that it will feel as logical as most of these stories have.

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  2. I thought the way January Jones read that letter was beautiful. One of the best pieces of acting she's done and we didn't even see her.

    This is one of the saddest episode of TV I've ever seen. Seriously was close to tears several times. So often throughout the show Betty and Pete were 2 characters I was rooting against because I just did not like them. And it's amazing how much that has evolved now to the point where Betty's news had me tearing up and I was sitting there hoping that Trudy would say yes to Pete's proposal. Bravo, Matthew. You will be missed.

    The final scene could have been the finale. Dick smiles, ready to take whatever his life has coming next.



    I'm starting to get nervous now.
    Thank you so, Tonya. Loved your review as always :)

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  3. Justin Baptista12 May 2015 at 16:12

    I love your review. It's better than the one I read at AV Club and Polar Bears Watch TV. I especially enjoy how you described Pete's journey this episode. In the beginning of the series, I hated him. I thought he was an arrogant bastard that need to be taken down a few pegs though he was over the course of the series like when Peggy revealed her pregnancy to him, when Lane beat the crap out of him, and when Trudy left him after having enough of his crap. But my feelings for Pete slowly changed from hatred to hated mixed with pity to some sympathy. That was because of Pete's growth as a person. He became less arrogant and more aware of what is truly important in life. I saw that awareness in him this episode and I'm glad it's paying off.
    I have to admit I secretly hoped that Pete and Peggy got back together as an actual couple and not some affair, for them to have reached a place which they can romantically move past the baggage of that part of their relationship. But the show not taking that direction is fine by me. If it wasn't meant to be, it wasn't meant to be.

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  4. I am loving how this series is wrapping up. For heavy smoker Betty to end up with lung cancer is sad, but completely appropriate. The two women did some wonderful acting in this part of the story. I loved Sally, when she covered her ears after Henry told her. I wasn't happy when Betty brushed past Sally in a snit because Henry disobeyed her command to let her tell the children: but that was Drama Queen Betty and Sally has accepted her mom for who she is. On other sites, I'm surprised that reviewers take issue with Betty's directions to Sally on how to dress her body for the funeral. That is kinder than it is vain. My sister and I had to go through Mom's closet and make that decision ourselves. Not easy. I thought that entire letter showed a belief in Sally to take over, to be in control, and to make her way in life to the best of her ability. It was completely affirming, and a wonderful message to leave.

    Weiner is showing us how all the main characters will fare going forward. I'm happy for Pete and Trudy. I was surprised she took him back, but they always did love each other. And they were a great couple when he wasn't screwing the neighbors.

    I trust Dick/Don to call Sally again, as he has been doing, and to hear the news. I don't know how he'll get back home, but I guess he'll find a way. Other critics are making something of the way he lectured Sally on mismanagement of money, and then he gave away his Caddy, so there's that. But he loves his children and he'll be there for them. I'm glad his (probably) last words to Betty were, "Go get 'em, Birdie."

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  5. Tonya Papanikolas13 May 2015 at 02:13

    Thanks, Max! So glad you loved the episode. Yeah, Betty's situation really did turn around quickly, didn't it? But I agree - it was a good send-off for the character. It's pretty funny that crazy immature Betty has become one of the wisest of them all. Very strange - yet fitting somehow. I love it! Great point about how she had to wait for Henry to come to get the news. How ridiculous! It was like when Don used to call her therapist, wasn't it? Those scenes with Sally were great. Yes, you can envision her having to take her mother's place. So sad. I would also love to see Don step up with them in the finale but it seems more probably they'd stay with Henry. Hmm. Not sure though. I love that Betty went back to school, as hard as it was to climb those stairs, she did it! Brave Betty. Good for her. I know what you mean about how Megan got a million bucks and poor Betty & Rachel got cancer.


    Pete really has changed so much. He used to drive me nuts! Now I've grown to like him. I forgot he married Trudy for her money/business connections!


    I also wondered if we'd seen the last of Joan and Roger. And Peggy. I hope we get to see them all once again. But you're right - that last shot of Peggy could be a good end for her character. I'm still curious about what Joan does after she took the money and left. But you could be right - the finale could be Don-centric. We'll see. But I hope they all pop up, too. I don't know how they will wrap Don, either. But you're right - these stories and the character endings have really felt very logical. I've loved it. So I also have faith Don's will, too. Thanks for your great comments! I appreciate them. :)

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  6. Tonya Papanikolas13 May 2015 at 02:20

    Hey maplewhite1912! Thanks so much for your kind comments! I love reading your thoughts. The letter-reading really was fantastic! It was so meaningful and wonderful without being emotional. Perfect Betty. Jones was great!


    At first take I also thought the episode was quite sad. Betty's news really upset me too. But when I thought about it and re-watched it, I saw a lot of hope in it. And that made me happy! But still - Betty's situation was awful. And I know what you mean about Betty & Pete being characters you used to root against. They both were selfish to the core. I almost can't believe how far they've evolved!! Weiner really did such a fantastic job with them. Bravo is right!


    Oh, you're right - that final scene could have been the finale. It would totally make sense.


    I'm starting to get nervous, too! Haha. I hate the anticipation! I can't believe there's only one more! So bittersweet.

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  7. OMG... it's Tuesday and im still Crying over that episode... before season 7 started, i predicted that Don was going to get cancer and Die in the finale... and it turned out to be Betty... i was so Sad cause unlike many people that watched MM and didnt like her... i LOVED Betty all these years... and she looked so Beautiful this season..... im hoping that's the ONLY Death we will have....


    as for Don... i think we know his future... he has to go back to NY and take care of his kids with Betty gone... so i hope he didnt lose his millions he left in NY and can pick himself up and be there for his kids... this Finale is really getting me so sad that it's ending... it has me all worked up... Weiner better not disappoint us, lol...


    Thank You Tonja for ur fantastic reviews... u really know how to put ur words together so well and it's been a pleasure every week reading them... now, let me go find another box of tissues, everytime i talk about this episode, my tears start coming down... :-(

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  8. wow, that was one emotional ep. even though betty smoked, i didn't expect her to pass away from it, considering she's only in her 40's. poor Sally too, she's been through so much already and now this. she's been forced to grow up fast. the one light, funny moment for me was when Don was checking out the coke machine. the irony of that moment, considering he worked on the coke account, was great not to mention creative. in mulling over all the possibilities for the series ender, the one i'm most curious about is the timeline. if you recall, the season trailer featured "Love Hangover", a song from '76. was that a hint that the show will conclude in the bicentennial year? that would be a jump of some 6 years. but maybe that way, we'll get an even better idea of what fate has in store for the characters, than if the show wrapped up in normal time.

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  9. Tonya Papanikolas14 May 2015 at 03:30

    Thanks so much for your kind comments, Justin! You made my day. :) I used to hate Pete, too. He was indeed an arrogant bastard that needed to be taken down a few pegs. And he was, like you point out. But then he slowly started to change and grow. I like how you describe your changing feelings for him. And I think you're absolutely right - he became more aware of what is truly important in life. I think a lot of people wished for that Pete and Peggy reunion. But it doesn't look like it was meant to be. You weren't alone, though! I'm so glad you left your comments. Fun hearing your thoughts!

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  10. Tonya Papanikolas14 May 2015 at 03:39

    Hello! I'm glad you're loving how the series is wrapping up. I am, too! I know what you mean about Betty's lung cancer being sad but appropriate for a smoker. Wasn't that great how Sally covered her ears at Henry's news? Great point about Sally accepting Drama Queen Betty. Haha. I also had no problem with Betty's directions to Sally on dressing her body. I totally agree w/ you - those are hard things to deal with and I thought Betty was taking care of every detail for her daughter so she wouldn't have a hard time with it. I love how you say the letter showed a belief in Sally to take over, be in control and make her way in life. That's so true!


    I love how we're seeing how all the characters will fare going forward. Your statement about Pete made me laugh. You're right - Dick/Don will hear the news from Sally. We'll see if he comes back home for the funeral. (Or if the next episode will be further in the future.) For some reason it didn't bother me that Don lectured Sally on money and then gave his Caddy away. I saw it as him teaching her the value of money. As the parent, he gets to do what's right for him. It worked for me. I'm glad you pointed out his last words to Betty. They were perfect!

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  11. Tonya Papanikolas14 May 2015 at 03:45

    Lostie, thanks for your really sweet words about my reviews! You brought a huge smile to my face! What an episode this was, right? How sad that your prediction for Don came true for Betty! I also loved Betty all these years. I know many people hated her. But even when she was crazy and manipulative, I liked her. She was so fascinating! She is definitely a beauty. I'm also hoping that's the only death we will have. No more tears!!


    You make me wonder if Don really will go back to NY now. I can't decide. He will definitely be there for his kids. But will he have them full time? I don't know for sure. I can see that you might be right, though. It would really show his maturity. Ahhhh. I don't know what's gonna happen. And it's getting me worked up, too. Lol. You're right - Weiner better not disappoint. :)

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  12. bk66 oh my gosh, i never thought i'd see you use one of the "B" words! hee hee! i failed to mention, there was one other little thing that made this an emotional ep for me. you see, Don has always reminded me of my father from a "profile" view. the shot of Don's profile, while sitting on the edge of the bed with Diana, is a great example. but the real kicker is the fact my dad drove a '66 cadillac just like Don's--same color even. i can still remember getting car sick in it as a kid due to the smooth, "ship like" ride.

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  13. Tonya Papanikolas16 May 2015 at 06:29

    Haha. Nope, I'm not afraid to use some "B" words once in awhile. Lol. Oh my gosh Don reminds you of your father from a profile view? Wow - that's amazing. That would definitely make it emotional (added on to everything else, especially). And your dad had the same color '66 Cadillac? That's so cool! I love how this show stirs up memories for people!! Thanks for sharing yours!

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