17 June 2012

"Pragmatism Refreshed" ends: so does Lane Pryce

Final entry for this blog. From this day forward, I'll be blogging at Jamesian Philosophy Refreshed, and the URL will be http://jamesian58.blogspot.com/ So for now, let's say something about Mad Men, which has also of late been about endings!


Episode 12 will be dominated in the mind of most viewers by the death of a character who has been a mainstay of the show since the beginning of the third season, Lane Pryce, as played with uniform greatness, by Jared Harris.


This death, a suicide, happens as most of the office continues to float on a sense of elation about landing a big automotive account: Jaguar.
The writers bring these two facts: Lane’s despair and his co-workers’ elation, into several layers of collision. We see for example that the Jaguar of the time was mechanically a rather shoddy piece of work, and this in fact dooms Lane’s first effort to kill himself, by asphyxiation. He can’t get the ignition to work when he needs it to!      


When Lane does manage to kill himself, it is with a noose, in his office, and after typing out what should have been a suicide note but was in fact just a “boilerplate” letter of resignation.


Why not pills, Lane? The thing about pills is: they leave some room for doubt. The coroner may call it an accidental overdose rather than a suicide, which may make a difference to grieving relations and their insurers.  A noose, though, doesn’t leave any doubt. So does that mean that a real suicide note would have been, in methodical Lane’s eyes, redundant?
Also, the events leading up to the suicide are designed to leave Don feeling as guilty as possible. Don demanded that resignation, after discovering Lane’s embezzlement. He thought that Lane would and could recover from this and make a new life for himself back in England. Indeed, he said as much. “I’d had to start over a couple of times in my life. This is the worst part,” he assured Lane.
Well, no. Don is not Lane and neither of his start-overs seems analogous. Don learns how badly he had misjudged the matter with that chipper assurance only when he sees the body.
Likewise episode 13, the season finale, will likely be dominated in many minds by one scene – that in which Don encounters Lane’s widow, Rebecca. Indeed, the title of this episode is “The Phantom,” indicting I think that the writers meant for Lane to hang over the whole of it. Except of course there is another “phantom” involved. The titles always have multiple meanings. Don thinks he sees his dead brother.   
But let’s get back to Don and Rebecca. He gives her a check meant in effect to buy out Lane’s share of the partnership. She accepts it, but wants Don to know that however this may alleviate his own sense of guilt, it does nothing to make matters square between them. She blames the agency for giving her husband “ambition.” She appears to see him as always having been a frail reed, always best shielded from ambition and other potentially sharp things.
Also, it is in the course of this confrontation that Rebecca discloses she found the photo of a mystery woman in Lane’s wallet.  The photo brings us back to the start of the season.
I’ve wondered through this season why the writers would introduce that photo (and the trouble to which Lane went to keep it, and the single phone call he made to the woman it represents) without doing more with it than they have. I still wonder.  Will Rebecca start looking for her? Is that one respect in which Lane’s phantom will continue to hover next season?
Strong season over-all. The series' best since but not inclusive of its first.  

39 comments:

propecia for sale no prescription said...

Let bygones be bygones

Anonymous said...

top [url=http://www.001casino.com/]casino games[/url] hinder the latest [url=http://www.realcazinoz.com/]online casino[/url] autonomous no set aside hand-out at the foremost [url=http://www.baywatchcasino.com/]baywatchcasino.com
[/url].

Anonymous said...

irpebktps www.newdiscountlouisvuittonhandbags.com crhfyyfnc [url=http://www.newdiscountlouisvuittonhandbags.com]louis vuitton purses[/url] bmgbdavxw
vhmmnukoy www.louisvuittonhandbagson-sale.com deyjhfjmr [url=http://www.louisvuittonhandbagson-sale.com]louis vuitton bag[/url] myffaeers
nakcvhbyf www.louisvuittonhandbagsdiscountsale.com makdklcec [url=http://www.louisvuittonhandbagsdiscountsale.com]louis vuitton handbags cheap[/url] jfdgvivid
ktjdkvcid www.louisvuittonreplicbagsonline.com srvzigygj [url=http://www.louisvuittonreplicbagsonline.com]louis vuitton handbags cheap[/url] ohqndradm
vpzlcsfua www.louisvuittonluggageonline.com utciihjpd [url=http://www.louisvuittonluggageonline.com]louis vuitton bags on sale[/url] iaxazwfyd

Anonymous said...

A huge dick in my pussy,a new warm wet tounge up my personal arse and
cum and pussy juice all over me. Fuck, ozzy

my web-site: hcg injections

Anonymous said...

rz, niejaki ѕрośгód naјtęższych ρomiędzу chrześcіϳanami relativistically mocaгzу.
.. - Niе

słyszałem. Dompteur smoków rozgląԁał się sρośród roztаrgnienіem po izbie.
Raptem jego wzrok znieгuchomiał, zatrzymаwѕzy

się na spоśród.

Anonymous said...

Hi there to every body, it's my first go to see of this website; this web site includes awesome and in fact fine material in support of visitors.

Here is my webpage ロレックスコピー

Anonymous said...

Way cool! Some extremely valid points! I appreciate you
writing this article plus the rest of the site is very good.


My blog post ロレックスコピー

Anonymous said...

Pretty great post. I simply stumbled upon your weblog
and wished to say that I've really loved browsing your blog posts. After all I will be subscribing to your rss feed and I hope you write once more very soon!

Feel free to visit my weblog: ロレックスレプリカ

Anonymous said...

Excellent article. I will be facing a few of these issues
as well..

Feel free to visit my homepage: ロレックススーパーコピー

Anonymous said...

Nice post. I was checking continuously this blog and I am impressed!
Very useful info specially the last part :) I care for such information much.
I was looking for this particular info for a very long time.
Thank you and best of luck.

Here is my webpage - プラダ 財布

Anonymous said...

Pretty nice post. I just stumbled upon your weblog and wanted to say that I've truly enjoyed browsing your blog posts. In any case I'll be subscribing to your rss feed and I hope you
write again very soon!

Also visit my blog; cheap air max 2013
My site :: cheap air max

Anonymous said...

Thanks for finally writing about > ""Pragmatism Refreshed" ends: so does Lane Pryce" < Liked it!

Here is my web blog; air max 2013
Also see my site :: cheap nike air max 2013

Anonymous said...

Good post. I learn something new and challenging on sites I stumbleupon every day.
It's always interesting to read through content from other writers and use a little something from other sites.

my blog post: how to Make Easy Money online for free

Anonymous said...

Just wish to say your article is as astonishing.
The clearness in your post is just excellent and i can assume you're an expert on this subject. Well with your permission allow me to grab your RSS feed to keep updated with forthcoming post. Thanks a million and please continue the gratifying work.

Here is my web-site - free money for women starting a business

Anonymous said...

My spouse and I stumbled over here by a different page and thought I should check things out.
I like what I see so i am just following you.
Look forward to checking out your web page for a second
time.

Stop by my website ... wepostalot.com

Anonymous said...

I'm not positive the place you're getting your information, but great topic.
I must spend some time learning more or figuring out more.
Thank you for magnificent information I used
to be looking for this information for my mission.


my webpage: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JoRWJriSgKc

Anonymous said...

Wow, awesome weblog layout! How long have you
been running a blog for? you make blogging glance easy.
The full glance of your web site is fantastic, let alone the
content!

Have a look at my web page http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Al2XPf2DgwE

Anonymous said...

Hey there are using Wordpress for your blog platform?
I'm new to the blog world but I'm trying to
get started and set up my own. Do you require any html coding expertise to make your own blog?
Any help would be really appreciated!

Feel free to surf to my weblog - best ways to make money online from home

Anonymous said...

My programmer is trying to persuade me to move to .net
from PHP. I have always disliked the idea because
of the costs. But he's tryiong none the less. I've
been using Movable-type on several websites for about a year
and am worried about switching to another platform.
I have heard excellent things about blogengine.
net. Is there a way I can import all my wordpress posts into it?

Any help would be really appreciated!

My page :: handy house training golden retriever material

Anonymous said...

Hey there would you mind sharing which blog platform you're working with? I'm planning to start my own blog soon but
I'm having a tough time deciding between BlogEngine/Wordpress/B2evolution and Drupal. The reason I ask is because your layout seems different then most blogs and I'm
looking for something completely unique. P.
S Sorry for being off-topic but I had to ask!

Here is my webpage: click for source

Anonymous said...

Thoes 3 カタログ 財布 シャネル に属している 共通。 サーファー 覆いを取られた つま先 になる ホット 急速に 後 入れて これらの上 靴。。正しい 次 すべて、シャネルs です 色んな、 トレンディな とすべてで行く 並べ替えます 衣装の。 調達 ペア シャネル 財布のあなた 子供 です かなり ハード。

Anonymous said...

I think the admin of this web site is in fact working hard
in favor of his web page, since here every data is quality based information.


Feel free to visit my web-site :: awesome labrador golden retriever mix info

Anonymous said...

Hi there, just became aware of your blog through Google, and
found that it's truly informative. I am going to watch out for brussels. I'll appreciate if you
continue this in future. Many people will be benefited from your writing.
Cheers!

my website; More Bonuses

Anonymous said...

Hi there, just became aware of your blog through Google,
and found that it's truly informative. I am going to watch out for brussels. I'll appreciate if you continue this in future.
Many people will be benefited from your writing.
Cheers!

Also visit my page: More Bonuses

Anonymous said...

I am really thankful to the holder of this site who has shared this great article at here.


my website :: Useful Link

Anonymous said...

彼女は今いくつかの時間を私の好きな​​デザイナーの一人であった

Feel free to visit my web page バーバリー 財布 メンズ

Anonymous said...

I will immediately snatch your rss as I can not find your email subscription hyperlink or e-newsletter
service. Do you've any? Kindly permit me recognize in order that I may subscribe. Thanks.

Feel free to surf to my website :: Get The Facts

Anonymous said...

Hello there, You have done a great job.
I will definitely digg it and personally recommend to my friends.
I'm confident they'll be benefited from this web site.

My web site - useful platinum golden retriever content

Anonymous said...

Fantastic blog! Do you have any Helpful Hints for aspiring writers?
I'm planning to start my own site soon but I'm a little lost on everything.

Would you recommend starting with a free platform like Wordpress
or go for a paid option? There are so many options out there that I'm completely overwhelmed .. Any suggestions? Thanks a lot!

Anonymous said...

Today, I went to the beachfront with my children.
I found a sea shell and gave it to my 4 year old daughter and said "You can hear the ocean if you put this to your ear." She put the
shell to her ear and screamed. There was a hermit crab inside and it pinched her ear.
She never wants to go back! LoL I know this is completely off topic
but I had to tell someone!

Stop by my webpage ... more bonuses

Anonymous said...

The information were very helpful for me, I've bookmarked this post, Please share more information about this
Thanks

Anonymous said...

Hello, i think that i saw you visited my blog so i came to
“return the favor”.I'm attempting to find things to improve my web site!I suppose its ok to use a few of your ideas!!

Look into my blog; check my source

Anonymous said...

Saddle bags are hands down worn across each body and have a very western seem to them.
Louis vuitton Italy is each eminent brand every one over world.
Louis vuitton handbags are the most desired bag through women forever.
Yet, it is actually among the of the almost any loved possessions of ladies.
http://forum.ee.ncu.edu.tw/userinfo.php?uid=14831

Anonymous said...

This post will assist the internet people for setting up new blog or even a weblog
from start to end.

Feel free to surf to my website labrador retriever golden

Anonymous said...

Keep on writing, great job!

Also visit my blog :: good adopting golden retriever puppies material

Anonymous said...

The right professionally designed symbol carries its person weight in a lot of acts of communication.

Since then Air jordan shoes have come a long way. The young star, Jill McGill sports her gowns.
The price is a good solid staggering $50.00 even more compared to Nike's equivalent, a huge $249.00. http://ar.ae/f/bookmarks.php/houstonashton

my site - nike air max 90

Anonymous said...

online interracial dating service jewish single http://loveepicentre.com/map/ ukrainian dating
is nat dating rosilina [url=http://loveepicentre.com/map/]fresno dating[/url] asheville nc dating service
top dating sights [url=http://loveepicentre.com/success_stories/]who is kim murphy dating[/url] 7 minute dating [url=http://loveepicentre.com/user/nen001/]nen001[/url] in relationship dating ashley website

Anonymous said...

html dating membership website http://loveepicentre.com/faq/ 100 percent free online dating site
speed dating glen cove ny [url=http://loveepicentre.com/advice/]bakersfield adult dating[/url] top 10 online dating sites
campbell river dating site [url=http://loveepicentre.com/advice/]dating services for married[/url] hitwise dating sites [url=http://loveepicentre.com/user/stel12love/]stel12love[/url] etiquette of dating

Blogger said...

According to Stanford Medical, It is really the one and ONLY reason women in this country get to live 10 years more and weigh on average 19 kilos lighter than us.

(And really, it has totally NOTHING to do with genetics or some hard exercise and EVERYTHING about "HOW" they eat.)

P.S, What I said is "HOW", and not "what"...

Tap this link to uncover if this little questionnaire can help you decipher your true weight loss possibility

Knowledge is warranted belief -- it is the body of belief that we build up because, while living in this world, we've developed good reasons for believing it. What we know, then, is what works -- and it is, necessarily, what has worked for us, each of us individually, as a first approximation. For my other blog, on the struggles for control in the corporate suites, see www.proxypartisans.blogspot.com.