I love Mad Men.
Last night’s season finale was brilliant. (Spoiler alert!)
Don Draper is flawed and he can be mean and he’s a cheater and he’s an alcoholic and he can be cold and manipulative and selfish. In other words, he’s human.
And in his humanity, he can also be giving and kind and charismatic and loving and generous. He can be fun and romantic and he’s incredibly charming and sexy.
He’s broken. Just like the rest of us.
I can get overly excited about TV and movies and books and characters that people just make up in their heads that aren’t real. Some of you may never go down this road and wonder why is she talking about Don Draper like he’s a real person?
I believe art is an expression of life. I am inspired when people write authentic characters and dialogue. When we watch good television like Mad Men, it is like a mirror into our own lives…our own light and our own very real (sometimes not recognized or acknowledged) darkness.
I loved last night’s episode because things are starting to change as Don is starting to change. It’s time. He can’t keep running. He is awakening.
He finally told his story of his childhood in a whorehouse and his longing for love. Although it was during a business meeting and his boss told him he “shit the bed” in there and it got him fired, I believe it was the first step on his road to freedom. Many people will distance themselves from truth tellers because they don’t want to have to face their own truths. Don wasn’t supported by his peers because they are not ready to look into the mess of their own lives. Don is going to face this alone. (Of course, God is with him but since he just went to jail for punching a preacher, I’m not sure that he’s “down with that” right now.) It will be messy but he is going to have to do the hard work of facing his demons.
We are only as sick as our secrets.
See, God encourages us to CHARGE THE DARKNESS. To boldly declare what is on our hearts. To admit where we have failed, to share our struggles, to ask for what we need and to bring all things into the light. We’ve all got stuff. That’s part of life, figuring out our stuff and shining a lot of light on all of it. Accepting and moving on. This is our journey.
When we do this, we will be free.
And we do not stand alone in this. God will stand with us. Proud of us. Watching and protecting and saying, “YES…put it out there…you are safe with me…you are free.”
Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them. – Ephesians 5:11
Some may think Don blew it last night. I think he took the first step on the road to saving himself.
At the end when he stood with his kids and showed them the house where he grew up, I said out loud, “Good for you!”
I want to see Don face his demons. I want to see him charge the darkness of his past because then I know he is on the road to wholeness. Wholeness is what I want for me and what I want for all the people I love.
Who knows what will happen? I will continue to watch because I believe Don is in the middle of a transformation, I believe that he is coming into the light and into freedom and that’s really exciting. And, plus…I kind of love him.
©2013 Sue Bidstrup, Great Big Yes™ All Rights Reserved photo of Don Draper from www.esquire.com, quotes by Dr. Robin Smith from www.oprah.com
Great reflections! And I love the transformational energy behind your honesty: “our own very real (sometimes not recognized or acknowledged) darkness.” If we can’t see, acknowledge and own up to our errors and sins we are being dishonest with ourselves and can’t move into light. Thanks 🙂
I have only watched a few episodes of Mad Men, but Don Draper is so handsome that he makes me nervous! I am glad he is transforming, because he needed to! Love the quote “We are only as sick as our secrets.” I am going to share that on Friday with the group who is studying “Breaking Free” with me. We are charging the darkness and breaking chains as God leads us to freedom in him! Good stuff.
Sue-
Once again I am scared at how my thoughts echo yours.
I absolutely LOVE Mad Men and I am totally fascinated with Don Draper. I have to say, he was almost losing me as he was getting so dark but last night I was totally reeled back in. He really had hit rock bottom from a spiritual and moral perspective. He was bad in so many ways-most of which were not the least bit appealing. What was it that kept me hanging on, I wonder? Was it hope? Was I waiting for a sign that he could turn it around and be a good Dad, a faithful husband, a caring boss? I’m not sure but I think that this is what so resembles real life. It’s the rawness, the truthfulness and the authenticity of his situation that make him seem so real! I don’t think people chose a good time to share their story and bear their souls. Truthfulness like that always surprises and scares people. Can’t wait for next season!
Love this Stephanie! “Truthfulness like that always surprises and scares people” So true – because it’s so rare! He was at rock bottom which makes me think of the quote by J.K. Rowling: “And so rock bottom became the solid foundation on which I rebuilt my life.” AMEN! So excited for next season!
I’m with you. When he arrived at his childhood home and looked at Sally it felt
like the light went on. The meeting when he started to reveal his true self ; WoW.
Yep, right there with you- reacting and responding like Don Draper was a neighbor. The way he talked about that sweet chocolate Hershey’s bar.
He’s broken but it seems like he’s finally delving into the wreckage that is his life.
Holly…I know, when he looked at Sally…it was heartbreaking but so hopeful too, like here we go – let’s get real. And when he was on the phone with Betty and he said “I’m sorry” – the way he looked and sounded. It was so real and so good! Love that show!
I cannot tell you how much I LOVE this post! You told the truth brilliantly!
I woke up yesterday morning focused on what someone thought of me because I stayed in my truth when I heard a voice that said, “Give it to God and get the hell over yourself!” I did and feel so free!
I’ve always wondered why we are so ashamed of being human. I don’t watch Mad Men but I am in full admiration of Don’s strength right now.
Great message… Sue!
Davis – Yes…why are we “so ashamed of being human”? Authenticity will set us free! People pleasing and hiding and performing will not. So glad you liked the post! Thanks for the encouragement. Keep on truth telling! (P.S. Have you read Daring Greatly by Brene Brown? SOOOO GOOD!)