Don liked Megan because she wasn’t Betty and then grew frustrated with Megan in their marriage because she wasn’t Betty. I think as much as we see characters like Megan as a representative of the broken promise of progress, the male characters show why this progress was so stunted: they were attracted to the novelty of more “modern,” liberated women but did not want to give up their own ideals and mindsets regarding gender to actually evoke change.
@@rosieposie4372 Ew Megan was insufferable. She made everything about her. Don doesn’t like big parties so she throws him a big surprise party knowing he’ll hate it but does it anyway bc it’s what she wants. Don doesn’t like embarrassing public scenes so as his “birthday gift”she makes an embarrassing public scene by singing off key and doing a rhythm-less burlesque show in front of all his co workers? When Don finds out Betty might be sick Megan whines about him focusing on Betty and tells him he needs to go to the beach with her and her friends literally two mins after he gets off the phone with his ex wife who thinks she might have a cancerous tumor (only a sociopath would want to frolic on the beach and giggle and splash in the ocean while waiting on test results to see if the MOTHER OF THEIR CHILDREN was dying). Megan was an immature insecure brat and a rebound / distraction for Don he never loved her. She was obnoxious and immature and not very talented or charismatic (her own mother said she wasn’t a real artist and had no talent). She provided distraction for about a year until Don got bored with her and started cheating again. The Only woman he every truly loved was Betty. Final episode of the series he all but admits this as he sobs on the phone to Peggy (about Betty and his kids and his regrets). The Coke commercial at the end was an ode to Betty. She was the “coke girl” in season 1. What Don was seeking all along (genuine connection and love) he had in season 1 with his family and he threw it away. That’s the tragedy of the series and that’s why Don gets worse and worse and more depressed and addicted to sex and booze as the seasons continue bc he’s straying further from what matters (Betty and the kids).
I always felt for bad for Betty. Everytime she tried to break away from standards set upon her, she would get penalized for it. I remember when she bought that yellow swimsuit and she look so happy wearing it. Yet, Don shamed her for it. The same thing happens again when Betty expresses her own political views. Henry shames her because it made him look bad.
Agree! Betty catches alot of flack for not evolving like the other women, but look what happens when she tries. I feel like she isn't given the same room to grow.
Agreed. I would loved for her to be a rich divorcee going after her goals sans husband. Although from a writing standpoint, setting up Henry as her saviour, only for him to be just as sexist, was compelling. I also like that she was beautiful on the outside but inside, she was falling apart.
@@MickeyGreenEyes213 Yet even after being diagnosed with terminal cancer, Betty had the uber fortitude and idealism to continue to self~apotheosize, live her best life plan, evolving herself as by continuing with her postgraduate studies. That is "true grit"; despite a hopeless outcome, she would not quit, kept seeking her "impossible dream."
This is going to sound incredibly morbid, but it feels like Betty is dying on the inside when her wardrobe transitions over the years. The colours increasingly become more muted, she shows less skin, her hair is toned down...the life is slowly draining from her, and it's awful to witness. Coupled with the fact that she is so childlike - children need stability in order to form a sense of self, and maybe Betty was misguidedly looking for that by subscribing to societal expectations that seemed to fit. It's like society was the third unhappy marriage that Betty was stuck in and arguably her REAL marriage, and it literally killed her.
It killed her mother as well. She was raised by her mother to be beautiful and be praised by men in order to get fulfilled emotionally and she died the way her mother did.
Betty is one of my favorite Mad men characters. Specialy when you see her dark side starting to show. You can see how she actualy trying her best to be the ideal she wants to be and not understanding why she doesnt get what she was promised by the culture of the time. Don obvs loved her but also found her boring in a way. And its ironic coz that ideal image she plays is the boring one, not the real Betty. It reminds me of "Gone girl'. Both parthers pretend to be somethig they are not. And thats why they are perfect for each other. I love her always perfect style, but my favorite her outfit is nightgown dress with bb gun and a cigarate as accessories lol.
it did feel like Don and Betty were complementary and loved each other, but the harsh standards of the time wore both of them down. Betty was better at keeping up with them than Don but sustained more psychological damage in the process
Betty never got over the humiliation to which Don subjected her. She was a perfect, devoted wife, and she didn't deserve the infidelity or worse, the deception over his very identity. Unfortunately, her children were the casualties of her righteous anger. The upside of this storyline was the revelation that is Kiernan Shipka, who at 15 was the best actress on the greatest television show ever.
Megan in New York is unparalleled. I get that her in LA feels truer to her as a character, but goddamn if her mod dresses and miniskirts in NYC aren't absolutely gorgeous
The most striking thing about these 2 amazing ladies is that they're not that different deep down. Both aspire to be glamorous and admired,even famous (model/actress),both of their mothers obsess over their own looks and even compete with their daughters, both come from upper middle class families of intellectuals where they were their "daddy's little princess , both appear frivolous but seek deep emotional connection care and attention,although they're not sure how to ask for it. Both are somewhat childish and good with kids, but not motherly. And,ofc.both are the THE fashion icon of their times. There is a scene where joan comments on don&megan. She concludes with: did you know that betty was a model? That's the type he marries."
There were 2 Hollywood blonde types. Marilyn Monroe and later Jane Mansfield being the bubbly stereotypical dumb blonde and Grace Kelly and later Eva Marie Saint being Alfred Hitchcock's famous icy blonde that he used in many of his movies. Betty is a dead ringer for Grace Kelly. Then with brunettes you had Liz Taylor, considered by many to be the most beautiful woman of her time and of course the iconic Audrey Hepburn. Then we could also get into the exotic Europeans like Brigitte Bardot, Sophia Loren, Catherine Deneuve, and Claudia Cardinale, but there's just too much for me to write on here.
I think Betty declined treatment to avoid growing old. I think in some ways, she was relieved to die young and beautiful. Hence her acceptance of her fate and her final instructions to Sally. It shows Betty's vanity, self absorption, and her disappointment with the way her life turned out.
Yes, but I also saw it as her last attempt of showing agency for her life. In a way, it's her happy ending because she's choosing her fate literally and can finally have some independence with how she's going to live the last months of her life.
@@jamesbailey5350 I disagree, I think it's more about her watching her mother die and not wanting to spend the rest of her time in a hospital trying experimental treatment.
As a Canadian, I think they did such a great job of capturing the 60s Montréal spirit in Megan. It was a treat to get to see that portrayed so well on a “big” TV show.
You should watch The Marvelous Mrs. Masiel. It’s really funny and set in the (late) 50’s, so I think that you would love the clothes. They are beautiful.
This was everything I wanted and more, the editing remains top notch and the analysis on both the characters and social commentary was chef's kiss. As others have suggested I'd love to see further exploration of the rest of the women from the main cast but I wouldn't mind one of the men's style either.
I felt bad and like I was the only one. I’d like to offer honest criticism to her too. She’s too close to the mic and is too breathy. I couldn’t watch the video because of it.
Please do a video on Joan next! Joan is my ultimate girl crush. She's literally everything i aspire to be. Hardworking, intuitive, critical, and womanly.
As a viewer I would never have characterized Megan “the modern woman”. She is simply Younger, it’s not that she changed with the times. Peggy and Joan are much more revolutionary.
Don't take this the wrong way. I appreciate the effort this video took but the intonation could really use some work. It's too raspy and read out, it's a bit distracting.
I don’t see how. She always wore miniskirts and bold stuff. Back then women used to dress like women, not like girls when they were 25. It wasn’t like it is now.,
@@mgdkns6678 You lack understanding. You don't know what you're looking at. Megan dresses like a goomah for Don's clients, associates, and their wives. She was posing, projecting an image she would have them believe Don had cultivated. It made the men believe they could pull off a Megan, and was non-threatening to the women. Don't contradict me, and then offer your vapid observations and generalizations. If you're watching Mad Men out of nostalgia, you just don't get it.
Megan dressed the same way I did as a kid, super short dresses, weird funky stuff, but it was Betty that I looked up to. I wanted the fine suits and princess gowns, but childishness is what was being sold to the boomers, eternal child-likeness.
@@jamesbailey5350 Gosh your comment was funny! 🤣”Don’t contradict me”?! Stalin, is that you?! 🤣 I studied history of costume and fashion in university, so yes, I can actually very well contradict you. Your rage is hilarious though. Ego inflammation at it’s “finest”. 😂
I was born in 1963 and Megan reminds me SO MUCH of m y mom! Their styles are so darned similar. I think of this pair or earrings that my mother had---they were dangling orange lucite cubes of graduating sizes. Ultra mod and stylish for that era (about '66 or '67) Megan really made me feel like my baby home still existed and I loved Mad Men for that.
It’s that vocal fry and downward speaking pattern that the Kardashians made popular! It’s so insanely annoying, the video was well done but I had to check out part of the way through because I couldn’t listen to the narrators voice!
@@ringwe you don’t get to decide that. And she also has no reason to be forcing it and there’s factors that may go into why she speaks that way (she’s mentioned before she’s not a native English speaker) either way I’m kinda tired of having to defend the way she speaks and I’m sure people are tired of watching her videos if they hate it so much, so there’s always the option of clicking off of the video.
Hi Michelle 🙏 thank you for creating this video, it is one of my favourites from your channel! ❤ Mad Men was a huge influence on my style and this video perfectly encapsulates the stylistic differences between Betty and Mega n, as well as symbolising the societal & gender changes occurring during the 60's 👗 The 2 scenes you referenced with Betty coming down the staircase and Megan exiting the car in the blue dress are 2 of my favourite fashion moments from the series! 🥰 I adored Betty's style especially during the earlier seasons (and Joan's too)... so classic and feminine. And sad to see how her character remained unable to change with the times 🙈 This gives me food for thought to consider my own style and how I adapt to change & evolve personally....🤔 Brilliant video and thanks again! 😘
The way they show portrays Betty really bothers me. On the one hand she's shown as being trapped and left behind by her own outdated ideas of beauty and femininity, but on the other hand she's one of the most vilified characters in the show because she doesn't live up to another traditional ideal - that of being a great mother. Don is an equally bad parent, but the show still plays him as sympathetic and he's rewarded by getting a glamourous interesting life. Meanwhile Betty's lack of nurturing nature is shown to be one of her ugliest and weakest traits and the show punishes her by not allowing her to have any positive growth and eventually kills her off with lung cancer.
I have difficulty listening and knowing the intonation isn't natural. Especially if you compare it with earlier videos. It's a shame because it distracts from the video content.
I know you said it's fine but if half the comments I was getting were about how everyone hates the sound of my voice I'd feel like my hard work was being overlooked so, there's nothing wrong with your voice in my opinion. It has a different rhythm but it's also very clear and fits the tone necessary for the topic being discussed, its perfectly fine.
It’s fine since I don’t expect everyone to like my voice, but yes I do feel that way at times since I put a lot of time and work into my content. Thank you so much, I greatly appreciate it! My voice suits me and I feel that it suits the tone of the topics I cover. That means a lot as I wouldn’t want to make light of such serious subjects by trying too hard to be entertaining when I could just speak naturally with respect
Such a wonderful analysis ❤️ I adore both Betty and Megan; truly complex and misunderstood characters wronged by the patriarchy. PS I love Betty's 'Jackie Kennedy' style the most 😍
Hi, I just would like to tell you how much your videos made me reevaluate fashion. I’m a guy who always saw the ugly side of the industry: a business aimed at producing an unhealthy ideal of beauty; a project for rich and vain people to demonstrate power through expensive products; the apex of our shallow society. Well… as you can see it was not a favorable view. I don’t think that I was entirely wrong, because the fashion industry is really problematic. For example, there are fashion ads that are so sexualized that ends up being objectification of the human body, especially the female one, and in some instances those ads even romanticizes sexual assault. However, I always loved movies and TV shows which, I have to admit, are also a problematic industry and, in truth, goes hand in hand with fashion. What you made me realize with your analysis is that fashion, like movies and TV shows, is also art. As any form of art, it's subjective, problematic and deeper than I thought. I’m not a very fashionable person, I don’t care much about expensive clothes, I still prefer to expend my money on different things. However, you certainly made me more interested in the subject and made me realize that fashion is also art. Maybe it’s not my favorite form of art, after all, art is subjective, but still, like it or not, it is art. So, thank you!
This is such a good analysis of these two characters. It also shows how fashion, whether in art or in life, can mask a woman's truth or symbolize the changes they are going through at any given time.
I absolutely LOVE your voice and the way you narrated, I hate the way most youtubers talk because they talk in a very loud and hysterical (high tone) way because that's how teenagers act and that's is the fanbase they are trying to achieve. I really appreciated how you lead your videos, it's so asmr ish. It's more subtle and relaxing
Or you know, she could just speak normally? She sounds like she's talking for an erotic line and she is forcing herself to sound sexy and disinterested. It's awful.
Wow! YOUR esthetic selection in this symposium was absolutely captivating... Loved it. First time here Thank You for your hard work to standout and present beautifully
Hey, not trying to be mean, but you might want to reconsider your speech delivery. As absolutely fantastic as this video was, I struggled to get through it, and I have been unable to finish some of your other videos because of the voice-over. Nothing personal, it may be just the natural way you talk, but it sounds affected and creepy. Most public speakers have to change their speaking style a bit, in order to communicate what they want to without being distracting or giving the wrong impression. Look at Joe Biden, he used to stutter. You can see how that would have worked against him as a politician. You are a scholar. Your voice sounds robotic and, frankly, like you are trying to be seductive. Not saying you are, it just sounds that way. Stay the same and you will still be brilliant. Change your delivery a little & you will just save yourself some aggravation in life, possibly receive more opportunities.
I never thought about this, but perhaps one of the reasons Megan wasn't a well liked character had to do with her constant changing style. She was a chameleon and audiences didn't like that. Barefoot in the kitchen cooking, successful copywriter, soap opera actress and then a west coast mod actress. It's like she was always playing, never showing her true self and became more and more insecure as time went on. I also feel that she blamed Don for her lack of success when all he did was support her - financially and with opportunities. He didn't stray until their relationship broke down (except for the upstairs neighbor - but I feel that was a psychological reaction to his childhood).
I never really warmed up to Megan. I have re-watched the series several times, but something about her has always been a little hard for me to accept. I liked Faye, but she was trying to change Don, and I guess he felt threatened by her getting into his head. Don was a traditionalist, and so too was Betty. That is why I liked Don and Betty more than I liked Don and Megan. The former just seemed to be a better match than the latter.
Great video, beautifully edited and a really in-depth look at the characters. Ignore what people say about your intonation, your voice is your own and it's unique. Keep it up!
This is an amazing analysis of historical ideal women!!! I love your professional analysis of fashion in popular culture!! Everything is so clean cut and well-researched!!! That being said. Can you also analyze the fashion in Élite and Penthouse: Life is War? Both shows have very famous brands of clothing, beautiful visuals, and well-written characters!!
Good video, but hardly survived till the end due to the voice of narration. Felt like she’s trying to seduce somebody and not to convey important information….
I love this analysis. It's smart, indepth and insightful. But please reconsider the style of the voiceover. It sounds robotic, strange and repetitive in tone and inflection, and to be frank, it's a turn-off. (Also, vocal fry)
this might just be me, but the narrator's scratchy vocal fry is making it really hard for me to get through this video. i love the production quality but idk it's just nails on a chalkboard yk
Thank you for pointing out Megan's entitlement. I found it to be her fatal flaw. Obviously Don was a shit husband but Megan never married him for love. That became clear when she screwed over her friend for the commercial using her husband's connections. She had every right to pursue her dreams but she expected everything to be easy. She was used to working in Don's world where she shone and was handed opportunity. That being said, she deserved better than Don as a husband. She was flawed but hardly a monster. I'm glad she left him but she was quickly becoming one of my least favourite characters. Behind Pete, still mad Trudy forgave him.
I get that Meghan was the most progressive when she came in, but how was she like in the 50s and the early 60s? I noticed with some of the characters, they evolved throughout the series. Aside from Meghan, I'd say Peggy was the most progressive adult. I distinguish adults from the children, because they were a different generation and definitely growing up.
Amazing analysis! They are two of the most fleshed out and interesting characters in TV history, and Megan is my personal favorite character of Mad Men! You did a fantastic job showing the depth of what their style means to their characters and the show. And don't let the other comments get you down, I personally love the tone of your voice, as I feel like it allows the words to be the focus instead of the poppy narration. God bless 🧡
I don’t think Betty was an “international model”. She was a model in New York City. When she was a student (studying anthropology) she did a year in Italy and was a designer’s muse (interestingly she did twig that the guy in question was gay, the audience assumes anyway). You’re making her out to be a lot more successful than she really was. Even she admits it wasn’t really a big deal.
I went off of her character biography, international as in well traveled and studied which was rare for women of the time. I’m not saying she was hugely successful and a famous model who gave up everything- that is not the point, just that she was able to embrace herself more during this period in her life because it was the only time between her two home lives that she could decide who she was/how to be for herself
@@CleverAndChic. I’m sorry but the the script spells it out “Betty - a former international model”. This literally states she was a model who worked internationally. You’re suggesting something slightly different in your follow up (above) - that she was a cultured, educated and cosmopolitan person (all true). And of course you’re right, this was not the norm for most people at this time...But none of this takes away from the fact that this is a great video (I couldn’t do anything of this quality!). I learned a lot, thank you! 🙂 One thing though, around the 2:20 stamp you refer to the costume designer as “the late Janie Bryant”?! She hasn’t passed away has she? Did I mishear that? Ps best Betty Draper look - her Italian go-go dancer style outfit plus the hair and make-up to go with it. Just perfect!!!
I honestly was going off the character bios! It referred to her time modeling in NYC and Italy so it's what I went with, but without any elaboration I definitely see how that could come off differently. Thank you so much, I'm glad that you were able to enjoy and learn from the video. Oh no, a mishear- she is very much well and alive! Yes, I love her look in that scene! She was so gorgeous and the outfit was amazing
video looks interesting, but as many have said, the voice is a problem. Tried to watch at 1.25 speed, but that didn't help either. The monotone of it is unbearable. Even a computer reading is somehow better. Getting some misophonia from it. I'm sure there is plenty of material online that goes into how to read out loud to an audience. You want to capture them, not irritate them.
Idek why people are acting like this in the comments, like this is worse than normal. The video is awesome, very well written and the audio narration ads to the unique aesthetic.
❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️ I’d love to see you make a video what you would say are timeless women fashion and style pieces, cross referencing cinematography over years they way you do so fantastical well.
Don liked Megan because she wasn’t Betty and then grew frustrated with Megan in their marriage because she wasn’t Betty. I think as much as we see characters like Megan as a representative of the broken promise of progress, the male characters show why this progress was so stunted: they were attracted to the novelty of more “modern,” liberated women but did not want to give up their own ideals and mindsets regarding gender to actually evoke change.
Don was just lazy. Megan made the wrong choices for Megan.
Betty was fucked up, Megan was perfect. It was Don that disappointed and embittered his marriage to Megan.
What of Peggy then ? Who was she stunted by ?
@@rosieposie4372 Ew Megan was insufferable. She made everything about her. Don doesn’t like big parties so she throws him a big surprise party knowing he’ll hate it but does it anyway bc it’s what she wants. Don doesn’t like embarrassing public scenes so as his “birthday gift”she makes an embarrassing public scene by singing off key and doing a rhythm-less burlesque show in front of all his co workers? When Don finds out Betty might be sick Megan whines about him focusing on Betty and tells him he needs to go to the beach with her and her friends literally two mins after he gets off the phone with his ex wife who thinks she might have a cancerous tumor (only a sociopath would want to frolic on the beach and giggle and splash in the ocean while waiting on test results to see if the MOTHER OF THEIR CHILDREN was dying). Megan was an immature insecure brat and a rebound / distraction for Don he never loved her. She was obnoxious and immature and not very talented or charismatic (her own mother said she wasn’t a real artist and had no talent). She provided distraction for about a year until Don got bored with her and started cheating again. The Only woman he every truly loved was Betty. Final episode of the series he all but admits this as he sobs on the phone to Peggy (about Betty and his kids and his regrets). The Coke commercial at the end was an ode to Betty. She was the “coke girl” in season 1. What Don was seeking all along (genuine connection and love) he had in season 1 with his family and he threw it away. That’s the tragedy of the series and that’s why Don gets worse and worse and more depressed and addicted to sex and booze as the seasons continue bc he’s straying further from what matters (Betty and the kids).
They "did not" or "do not"?
I always felt for bad for Betty. Everytime she tried to break away from standards set upon her, she would get penalized for it. I remember when she bought that yellow swimsuit and she look so happy wearing it. Yet, Don shamed her for it. The same thing happens again when Betty expresses her own political views. Henry shames her because it made him look bad.
Agree! Betty catches alot of flack for not evolving like the other women, but look what happens when she tries. I feel like she isn't given the same room to grow.
Agreed. I would loved for her to be a rich divorcee going after her goals sans husband. Although from a writing standpoint, setting up Henry as her saviour, only for him to be just as sexist, was compelling.
I also like that she was beautiful on the outside but inside, she was falling apart.
And then she died of cancer. It was too sad.
True women have more freedom now these days.
@@MickeyGreenEyes213 Yet even after being diagnosed with terminal cancer, Betty had the uber fortitude and idealism to continue to self~apotheosize, live her best life plan, evolving herself as by continuing with her postgraduate studies. That is "true grit"; despite a hopeless outcome, she would not quit, kept seeking her "impossible dream."
This is going to sound incredibly morbid, but it feels like Betty is dying on the inside when her wardrobe transitions over the years. The colours increasingly become more muted, she shows less skin, her hair is toned down...the life is slowly draining from her, and it's awful to witness. Coupled with the fact that she is so childlike - children need stability in order to form a sense of self, and maybe Betty was misguidedly looking for that by subscribing to societal expectations that seemed to fit. It's like society was the third unhappy marriage that Betty was stuck in and arguably her REAL marriage, and it literally killed her.
Nicely said.
It killed her mother as well. She was raised by her mother to be beautiful and be praised by men in order to get fulfilled emotionally and she died the way her mother did.
I never liked Betty. She was cheerless and sour.
@@talmoskowitz5221 Is it wrong of me to be really impressed by that choice? 😮
@@kristalcampbell3650 true, but there was some growth. re: college classes, finally "showing up" for sally.
Betty is one of my favorite Mad men characters. Specialy when you see her dark side starting to show. You can see how she actualy trying her best to be the ideal she wants to be and not understanding why she doesnt get what she was promised by the culture of the time. Don obvs loved her but also found her boring in a way. And its ironic coz that ideal image she plays is the boring one, not the real Betty. It reminds me of "Gone girl'. Both parthers pretend to be somethig they are not. And thats why they are perfect for each other. I love her always perfect style, but my favorite her outfit is nightgown dress with bb gun and a cigarate as accessories lol.
The bb gun is one of my favorite mad men moment!
it did feel like Don and Betty were complementary and loved each other, but the harsh standards of the time wore both of them down. Betty was better at keeping up with them than Don but sustained more psychological damage in the process
Betty never got over the humiliation to which Don subjected her. She was a perfect, devoted wife, and she didn't deserve the infidelity or worse, the deception over his very identity. Unfortunately, her children were the casualties of her righteous anger.
The upside of this storyline was the revelation that is Kiernan Shipka, who at 15 was the best actress on the greatest television show ever.
gone girl: mad men edition would be veeerryy interesting
@@The0neWomanShow Haha! A 1970's mad men would also be incredible! I need more of that quality show.....
I feel like it’s not about how these women failed, it’s about how Don seems to drag down everyone he’s romantically involved with
AND he drops those that don’t conform. Much to Rachael and Faye find out.
--don-- men
Megan in New York is unparalleled. I get that her in LA feels truer to her as a character, but goddamn if her mod dresses and miniskirts in NYC aren't absolutely gorgeous
The most striking thing about these 2 amazing ladies is that they're not that different deep down. Both aspire to be glamorous and admired,even famous (model/actress),both of their mothers obsess over their own looks and even compete with their daughters, both come from upper middle class families of intellectuals where they were their "daddy's little princess , both appear frivolous but seek deep emotional connection care and attention,although they're not sure how to ask for it. Both are somewhat childish and good with kids, but not motherly. And,ofc.both are the THE fashion icon of their times.
There is a scene where joan comments on don&megan. She concludes with: did you know that betty was a model? That's the type he marries."
Betty isn't good with kids.
@@snusnu39she was before the divorce.
YESSS I've been waiting for this ❤️
PLSSSS DO A MAD MEN VID
in Mad Men they compared Jackie and Marilyn to eachother, saying women are either one or the other, that’d be and interesting video idea ✨
I think Jackie, Marilyn, and Audrey were an interesting group of women during this time!
@@danicemarielobrin the really thought we were just stuck to one particular persona and cannot be multidimensional 😂🤡
they*
There were 2 Hollywood blonde types. Marilyn Monroe and later Jane Mansfield being the bubbly stereotypical dumb blonde and Grace Kelly and later Eva Marie Saint being Alfred Hitchcock's famous icy blonde that he used in many of his movies. Betty is a dead ringer for Grace Kelly. Then with brunettes you had Liz Taylor, considered by many to be the most beautiful woman of her time and of course the iconic Audrey Hepburn. Then we could also get into the exotic Europeans like Brigitte Bardot, Sophia Loren, Catherine Deneuve, and Claudia Cardinale, but there's just too much for me to write on here.
@@winnienguyen4420 yes!!!
I think Betty declined treatment to avoid growing old. I think in some ways, she was relieved to die young and beautiful. Hence her acceptance of her fate and her final instructions to Sally. It shows Betty's vanity, self absorption, and her disappointment with the way her life turned out.
In an earlier season Betty did say she would rather just disappear than grow old and lose her beauty
Yes, but I also saw it as her last attempt of showing agency for her life. In a way, it's her happy ending because she's choosing her fate literally and can finally have some independence with how she's going to live the last months of her life.
@@Lilagrace326 It's the analog to an adolescent girl developing an eating disorder: A self-destructive attempt to assert control.
@@Flora-ix3os Your statement made me think of Marilyn Monroe.
@@jamesbailey5350 I disagree, I think it's more about her watching her mother die and not wanting to spend the rest of her time in a hospital trying experimental treatment.
As a Canadian, I think they did such a great job of capturing the 60s Montréal spirit in Megan. It was a treat to get to see that portrayed so well on a “big” TV show.
i am so in love with megan 😍
her outfits are the reason I got into the show - they're to die for 😍
i guess im the betty in this friendship omfg 👀😳
We're in love with your channel
Same
You should do a video on Mad Men!! Please please pleaseee, I'd love to see you make an analysis of the series🥺🥺🥺
Megan is now one of my inspirations for 60s fashion alongside Beth Harmon
It’s funny to hear that because I’m inspired by Betty’s style. Classic look, beautiful indulgent fabrics, iconic designers.
You should watch The Marvelous
Mrs. Masiel. It’s really funny and set in the (late) 50’s, so I think that you would love the clothes.
They are beautiful.
same
Please do a video on Peggy and Joan!!!
Seconded.
Great idea!
Agreed!
bullSHIT.... Joan will blow off Peggy BY FAR.....
With different narrator, PLEASE
I can't stop hearing the vocal fry from the narration
This was everything I wanted and more, the editing remains top notch and the analysis on both the characters and social commentary was chef's kiss. As others have suggested I'd love to see further exploration of the rest of the women from the main cast but I wouldn't mind one of the men's style either.
Incredible how this is the best character analysis on these characters I've seen and it's done through the lens of style
Right??? I felt the same way
I really like this video but it’s kind of hard to follow bc of the way you pause between phrases like where do sentences start and end
Agreed plus a little emotion never killed anyone! It sounds a tad robotic to me. But otherwise great video! Thank you so much for this great analysis
I sped up the video a bit to make it easier to follow
@@daryllepedrosa692 i will try thst
I felt bad and like I was the only one. I’d like to offer honest criticism to her too. She’s too close to the mic and is too breathy. I couldn’t watch the video because of it.
@@juliakay6204 i sped it up to 1.25 and it was way less distracting!
Damn y’all went HARD on the editing it looks so beautiful
Thank you so much 🖤
Please do a video on Joan next! Joan is my ultimate girl crush. She's literally everything i aspire to be. Hardworking, intuitive, critical, and womanly.
As a viewer I would never have characterized Megan “the modern woman”. She is simply
Younger, it’s not that she changed with the times. Peggy and Joan are much more revolutionary.
This might be one of the best analyses I've ever seen of Betty and Megan, and I love that it's done through fashion.
That baby blue dress look Megan had while meeting Don at the airport was LiFe!!💙
The big bow at the front was not it
Don't take this the wrong way. I appreciate the effort this video took but the intonation could really use some work. It's too raspy and read out, it's a bit distracting.
This video would be great if they could get a different voice over.
I like it. The unusual cadence keeps my attention and I think the “raspiness” is just her voice 🥰
In half the featured scenes, Megan is dressing like an older woman to distract from the age difference from her husband.
I don’t see how. She always wore miniskirts and bold stuff. Back then women used to dress like women, not like girls when they were 25. It wasn’t like it is now.,
@@mgdkns6678 You lack understanding. You don't know what you're looking at. Megan dresses like a goomah for Don's clients, associates, and their wives. She was posing, projecting an image she would have them believe Don had cultivated. It made the men believe they could pull off a Megan, and was non-threatening to the women.
Don't contradict me, and then offer your vapid observations and generalizations. If you're watching Mad Men out of nostalgia, you just don't get it.
Megan dressed the same way I did as a kid, super short dresses, weird funky stuff, but it was Betty that I looked up to. I wanted the fine suits and princess gowns, but childishness is what was being sold to the boomers, eternal child-likeness.
@@SB_McCollum you should check out vintage stores! sometimes there are great deals! even 90s/early 2000s is considered vintage now apparently lol
@@jamesbailey5350 Gosh your comment was funny! 🤣”Don’t contradict me”?! Stalin, is that you?! 🤣 I studied history of costume and fashion in university, so yes, I can actually very well contradict you. Your rage is hilarious though. Ego inflammation at it’s “finest”. 😂
please do a video on marilyn monroes style and the impact it has had on pop culture and society to this day
I was born in 1963 and Megan reminds me SO MUCH of m y mom! Their styles are so darned similar. I think of this pair or earrings that my mother had---they were dangling orange lucite cubes of graduating sizes. Ultra mod and stylish for that era (about '66 or '67) Megan really made me feel like my baby home still existed and I loved Mad Men for that.
nice video but why is the narrator talking like that
because that's her natural voice??
omg I was thinking the same lol so confused
It’s that vocal fry and downward speaking pattern that the Kardashians made popular! It’s so insanely annoying, the video was well done but I had to check out part of the way through because I couldn’t listen to the narrators voice!
@@Thekawaiiasian101vid There's nothing natural about this voice, it's so forced.
@@ringwe you don’t get to decide that. And she also has no reason to be forcing it and there’s factors that may go into why she speaks that way (she’s mentioned before she’s not a native English speaker)
either way I’m kinda tired of having to defend the way she speaks and I’m sure people are tired of watching her videos if they hate it so much, so there’s always the option of clicking off of the video.
I’ve never watched Mad Men, but I really enjoyed this one! Speaks to me on a different level
Hi Michelle 🙏 thank you for creating this video, it is one of my favourites from your channel! ❤
Mad Men was a huge influence on my style and this video perfectly encapsulates the stylistic differences between Betty and Mega n, as well as symbolising the societal & gender changes occurring during the 60's 👗 The 2 scenes you referenced with Betty coming down the staircase and Megan exiting the car in the blue dress are 2 of my favourite fashion moments from the series! 🥰 I adored Betty's style especially during the earlier seasons (and Joan's too)... so classic and feminine. And sad to see how her character remained unable to change with the times 🙈 This gives me food for thought to consider my own style and how I adapt to change & evolve personally....🤔 Brilliant video and thanks again! 😘
Excellent piece. Would love analysis of Peggy and Joan. I love the reading that this show is the story of the women
Barbie and Skipper or maybe more Batman and Robin in the physical sense, not so much in the career/power dynamic sense.
i love how fashion and style can communicate so much about a person and their values, your analysis was amazing
The way they show portrays Betty really bothers me. On the one hand she's shown as being trapped and left behind by her own outdated ideas of beauty and femininity, but on the other hand she's one of the most vilified characters in the show because she doesn't live up to another traditional ideal - that of being a great mother.
Don is an equally bad parent, but the show still plays him as sympathetic and he's rewarded by getting a glamourous interesting life. Meanwhile Betty's lack of nurturing nature is shown to be one of her ugliest and weakest traits and the show punishes her by not allowing her to have any positive growth and eventually kills her off with lung cancer.
People still have to conform to gender norms they still expect girls and women to be quiet and not speak their mind
Yes and then I get called "outspoken" because I dare have an opinion when really that's not a compliment. I notice men never get called outspoken.
@@Lilagrace326 agreed! the whole "boys will be boys" mentality. why do they expect women to be goody goody? sometimes you must speak up
is Nobody put of by the weird voice and intonation?
that’s just her voice wtf is wrong with you
@@nes9667 ...and it IS a very annoying and unpleasant voice.
Definitely
Intonation is a little idiosyncratic but her voice is fine.
I have difficulty listening and knowing the intonation isn't natural. Especially if you compare it with earlier videos. It's a shame because it distracts from the video content.
I know you said it's fine but if half the comments I was getting were about how everyone hates the sound of my voice I'd feel like my hard work was being overlooked so, there's nothing wrong with your voice in my opinion. It has a different rhythm but it's also very clear and fits the tone necessary for the topic being discussed, its perfectly fine.
It’s fine since I don’t expect everyone to like my voice, but yes I do feel that way at times since I put a lot of time and work into my content. Thank you so much, I greatly appreciate it! My voice suits me and I feel that it suits the tone of the topics I cover. That means a lot as I wouldn’t want to make light of such serious subjects by trying too hard to be entertaining when I could just speak naturally with respect
Such a wonderful analysis ❤️
I adore both Betty and Megan; truly complex and misunderstood characters wronged by the patriarchy. PS I love Betty's 'Jackie Kennedy' style the most 😍
Hi, I just would like to tell you how much your videos made me reevaluate fashion.
I’m a guy who always saw the ugly side of the industry: a business aimed at producing an unhealthy ideal of beauty; a project for rich and vain people to demonstrate power through expensive products; the apex of our shallow society. Well… as you can see it was not a favorable view.
I don’t think that I was entirely wrong, because the fashion industry is really problematic. For example, there are fashion ads that are so sexualized that ends up being objectification of the human body, especially the female one, and in some instances those ads even romanticizes sexual assault.
However, I always loved movies and TV shows which, I have to admit, are also a problematic industry and, in truth, goes hand in hand with fashion.
What you made me realize with your analysis is that fashion, like movies and TV shows, is also art. As any form of art, it's subjective, problematic and deeper than I thought.
I’m not a very fashionable person, I don’t care much about expensive clothes, I still prefer to expend my money on different things. However, you certainly made me more interested in the subject and made me realize that fashion is also art. Maybe it’s not my favorite form of art, after all, art is subjective, but still, like it or not, it is art. So, thank you!
Loved both of their style but yes, both characters represent the broken promise of both eras, the 50s and the 60s.
So early! This was wonderful. Beautiful analysis and depiction of these characters' contrasting nature.
I loved the Paris episode because Betty dressed so different there than she did in New York. I feel like she was her truest self there
It was Italy. She speaks Italian.
They were in Rome Italy 🇮🇹
@@lyramaria1067 damn you’re right
This is such a good analysis of these two characters. It also shows how fashion, whether in art or in life, can mask a woman's truth or symbolize the changes they are going through at any given time.
I love the content of the video, but the editing is so daamn GOOOD 🔥🔥🔥
the way your analysis are always so on point
damn joan always spitting out facts since before everyone knew
The way the narrator speaks is just so confusing for non native English speakers 😩😩 too bad considering this is a great vid
This is genuinely wondrous. Kind of theoretical and artistic review at the same time. Plus, the voice provides a rather original touch. Keep it up
I love both women style and this video showing me a bigger out look on it
I absolutely LOVE your voice and the way you narrated, I hate the way most youtubers talk because they talk in a very loud and hysterical (high tone) way because that's how teenagers act and that's is the fanbase they are trying to achieve. I really appreciated how you lead your videos, it's so asmr ish. It's more subtle and relaxing
Or you know, she could just speak normally? She sounds like she's talking for an erotic line and she is forcing herself to sound sexy and disinterested. It's awful.
@@ykMMD OR her mother language is different? because not everyone in the world natively speakers English? Use your head, dumbass
You should make a video of princess Margaret from England! I waiting for this a lot
The fact that I was just watching The Crown lolllll
@@therese1246 well let's hope for that video then
Loving this video so far! I didn’t realize how much my values actually align with Betty😆
Great video analysis, however, I would lower the volume of the background music and raise the volume of the narration.
I think it would be kind of up your alley if you did a video on Truman Capote’s swans
Can the narrator please pick up her feet when she's talking ugh
been waiting for this one!! thank u so much for this ❤️
Love this video!! Could you possibly do a video on Elektra from the tv-show Pose??
Wow! YOUR esthetic selection in this symposium was absolutely captivating... Loved it. First time here
Thank You for your hard work to standout and present beautifully
I enjoyed this very much! I haven't seen the show in ages but it never stopped being haunting.
Amazingly thorough...keep it up!! Currently marathoning through all your vids :)
Hey, not trying to be mean, but you might want to reconsider your speech delivery. As absolutely fantastic as this video was, I struggled to get through it, and I have been unable to finish some of your other videos because of the voice-over. Nothing personal, it may be just the natural way you talk, but it sounds affected and creepy.
Most public speakers have to change their speaking style a bit, in order to communicate what they want to without being distracting or giving the wrong impression. Look at Joe Biden, he used to stutter. You can see how that would have worked against him as a politician. You are a scholar. Your voice sounds robotic and, frankly, like you are trying to be seductive. Not saying you are, it just sounds that way.
Stay the same and you will still be brilliant. Change your delivery a little & you will just save yourself some aggravation in life, possibly receive more opportunities.
Sooo looking forward to this video! 😍
I never thought about this, but perhaps one of the reasons Megan wasn't a well liked character had to do with her constant changing style. She was a chameleon and audiences didn't like that. Barefoot in the kitchen cooking, successful copywriter, soap opera actress and then a west coast mod actress. It's like she was always playing, never showing her true self and became more and more insecure as time went on. I also feel that she blamed Don for her lack of success when all he did was support her - financially and with opportunities. He didn't stray until their relationship broke down (except for the upstairs neighbor - but I feel that was a psychological reaction to his childhood).
I never really warmed up to Megan. I have re-watched the series several times, but something about her has always been a little hard for me to accept. I liked Faye, but she was trying to change Don, and I guess he felt threatened by her getting into his head. Don was a traditionalist, and so too was Betty. That is why I liked Don and Betty more than I liked Don and Megan. The former just seemed to be a better match than the latter.
This is such a well written and edited analysis.
put on mute and turn on captions. you're welcome.
close the video and watch someone else's Mad Men analysis if you dislike her voice. you're welcome.
Proud to be a new subscriber! Thanks for your hard work!
Good content but I find the narrator too sleepy
Great video, beautifully edited and a really in-depth look at the characters. Ignore what people say about your intonation, your voice is your own and it's unique. Keep it up!
This is an amazing analysis of historical ideal women!!! I love your professional analysis of fashion in popular culture!! Everything is so clean cut and well-researched!!!
That being said. Can you also analyze the fashion in Élite and Penthouse: Life is War? Both shows have very famous brands of clothing, beautiful visuals, and well-written characters!!
I love both Betty and Megan style. I actually have a black dress like Megan wore for Dons birthday. Great view❤️❤️❤️❤️
Sorry... I tried to watch this as I find the topic fascinating but I couldn’t get past the monotone narration and had to stop.
Good video, but hardly survived till the end due to the voice of narration. Felt like she’s trying to seduce somebody and not to convey important information….
Love the review! Would you consider doing a video on the fashion of and female characters of Chicago or The Great Gatsby?
hey. this video was awesome - truly a pleasure to understand. thank you for articulating your thoughts about this!
Add video content good but the vocal fry of the speaker 😣, please consider improving that.
This was so well done!! Love the style break down of both women and how they mirror each other #teambetty
I love this analysis. It's smart, indepth and insightful.
But please reconsider the style of the voiceover. It sounds robotic, strange and repetitive in tone and inflection, and to be frank, it's a turn-off.
(Also, vocal fry)
I've watched Mad Men series more than once and the time period is 1960 - 1970/71
Yess please do one on Joan too
I'm so happy I just discovered this channel
this might just be me, but the narrator's scratchy vocal fry is making it really hard for me to get through this video. i love the production quality but idk it's just nails on a chalkboard yk
Thank you for pointing out Megan's entitlement. I found it to be her fatal flaw. Obviously Don was a shit husband but Megan never married him for love. That became clear when she screwed over her friend for the commercial using her husband's connections. She had every right to pursue her dreams but she expected everything to be easy.
She was used to working in Don's world where she shone and was handed opportunity.
That being said, she deserved better than Don as a husband. She was flawed but hardly a monster. I'm glad she left him but she was quickly becoming one of my least favourite characters. Behind Pete, still mad Trudy forgave him.
I get that Meghan was the most progressive when she came in, but how was she like in the 50s and the early 60s? I noticed with some of the characters, they evolved throughout the series. Aside from Meghan, I'd say Peggy was the most progressive adult. I distinguish adults from the children, because they were a different generation and definitely growing up.
Amazing analysis! They are two of the most fleshed out and interesting characters in TV history, and Megan is my personal favorite character of Mad Men! You did a fantastic job showing the depth of what their style means to their characters and the show. And don't let the other comments get you down, I personally love the tone of your voice, as I feel like it allows the words to be the focus instead of the poppy narration. God bless 🧡
As always, well done.
IM SO EXCITED!!!
This has become my comfort video
I don’t think Betty was an “international model”. She was a model in New York City. When she was a student (studying anthropology) she did a year in Italy and was a designer’s muse (interestingly she did twig that the guy in question was gay, the audience assumes anyway).
You’re making her out to be a lot more successful than she really was. Even she admits it wasn’t really a big deal.
I went off of her character biography, international as in well traveled and studied which was rare for women of the time. I’m not saying she was hugely successful and a famous model who gave up everything- that is not the point, just that she was able to embrace herself more during this period in her life because it was the only time between her two home lives that she could decide who she was/how to be for herself
*She didn’t twig...
Sorry typo! 🙂
You’re fine! I got what you were saying anyways 🖤
@@CleverAndChic. I’m sorry but the the script spells it out “Betty - a former international model”. This literally states she was a model who worked internationally. You’re suggesting something slightly different in your follow up (above) - that she was a cultured, educated and cosmopolitan person (all true). And of course you’re right, this was not the norm for most people at this time...But none of this takes away from the fact that this is a great video (I couldn’t do anything of this quality!). I learned a lot, thank you! 🙂
One thing though, around the 2:20 stamp you refer to the costume designer as “the late Janie Bryant”?! She hasn’t passed away has she? Did I mishear that?
Ps best Betty Draper look - her Italian go-go dancer style outfit plus the hair and make-up to go with it. Just perfect!!!
I honestly was going off the character bios! It referred to her time modeling in NYC and Italy so it's what I went with, but without any elaboration I definitely see how that could come off differently. Thank you so much, I'm glad that you were able to enjoy and learn from the video. Oh no, a mishear- she is very much well and alive! Yes, I love her look in that scene! She was so gorgeous and the outfit was amazing
video looks interesting, but as many have said, the voice is a problem. Tried to watch at 1.25 speed, but that didn't help either. The monotone of it is unbearable. Even a computer reading is somehow better. Getting some misophonia from it. I'm sure there is plenty of material online that goes into how to read out loud to an audience. You want to capture them, not irritate them.
God this video seemed interesting but I couldn't listen to the stupid vocal fry after one minute.
THIS VIDEO IS AMAZING!!! Keep up the good work! Hopefully we'll get a Peggy/Joan style analysis!! ;^D
I’m barely listening. The editing is beautiful! OK, I’ll pay attention after I post this.
loved this! I was wondering what happened to your Blair Waldorf style analysis? I really loved it!!
Same
Idek why people are acting like this in the comments, like this is worse than normal. The video is awesome, very well written and the audio narration ads to the unique aesthetic.
❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️ I’d love to see you make a video what you would say are timeless women fashion and style pieces, cross referencing cinematography over years they way you do so fantastical well.
i've never clicked on a video so fast i'm obsessed 🥰🥰
Please find a narrator who has a pulse.
Why are you talking in a whisper/ uptalk?
Very well done analysis...fascinating !
8:48
Omg, is that the coat they used in the queen's gambit as well
Wow this was so incredibly detailed and concise also I’m in love with your voice so lush and sensual!