This was originally on my Tumblr, but I liked it enough that I am posting it here.
Since the age of 12, I have been absolutely engrossed by television story lines where a romantic relationship ends in the crosshairs of a career and the responsibilities of life. From the writing off of the Vicky character on Full House where the character prioritized an anchor job over moving to San Francisco, to Dr. Lewis and Dr. Greene’s tearful recognition of the relationship that could have been on the train platform as Dr. Lewis moved to take care of family on ER, I have always found myself haunted by those scenes that expose the idea that despite the fairy tales we’ve been read, sometimes love doesn’t conquer all.Sunday’s Mad Men season finale offered another one of these scenes that offered me pause and a sinking pit in my stomach.
(Spoiler alert!)
Ted Chaough has to face Peggy Olson and tell her that despite their overwhelming chemistry, he has decided to honor his marriage and personal and professional reputation and will move his family to California instead of going there with her.
(To watch it, go to the five minute mark here, or just press play below, sit through an ad and go to the five minute mark.)
Watching it was gut-wrenching. Immediately I felt that awful chest clenching aura that one gets before they cry. The acting was impeccable, the writing was outstanding, but the truth of it is what impacts you the most.
Making the right choices in life often means a lot is left unsaid, and situations that should be left for several reasons are stayed in for other, more overarching ones. And kudos to the pieces of art (and all TV is art, even if it’s brainless) who make the difficult choice to avoid the easy to tell fairy tale and show us just that.