Slate.com ran an open letter yesterday from Mad Men writers Andre and Maria Jacquemetton regarding Sunday night’s incredibly sad, but very well done episode featuring the suicide of Sterling Cooper Draper Pryce partner Lane Pryce:
Killing Lane is the most agonizing thing we’ve ever done, both emotionally and professionally as writers. Jared Harris has been, and indeed still is, a beloved member of our Mad Men family. He is an incomparable actor and friend. Just wrapping our heads around and committing to his suicide took months. We spent weeks in the writers’ room debating the merits and consequences, and hours in his office choreographing the deed. Every detail was meticulously mapped out—from the placement of the rope and body, to the application of the make-up, to the suicide note (we actually wrote six).
In the end, all we can say is that the experience is not over. There is still one more episode to digest and consider. And what a brilliant one it is from Matthew Weiner. A season-finale glimpse into Lane’s (and Don’s) tortured soul awaits. We don’t think anyone will be disappointed.
The letter in its entirety, over on Slate, is a cool insight into the inner workings of the show, and some tidbits about what next week’s finale of Season Four may look like.
What did you think of Sunday’s Mad Men episode? Do you feel the portrayal of Lane’s desperation and suicide was accurate for men of that era? Did it seem relevant to men of today?
In what ways do you feel Don Draper is becoming more of a “good man”? Or is he still the same old Don?
Is there any element of Lane’s suicide for which Don Draper is responsible?