Betty in Mad Men season one...

[lurcherlover]

Re-watching all of Mad Men, and loving it. What's the deal with Betty and the bizarre relationship with Glenn (her neighbour's child) - when she gives him her hair, and cries to him in the car park? Is it that she's essentially a child herself so can only confide in another one - she's been infantilised? I assume she's not meant to actually be a child molester...

[BunnyLebowski]

I've never been able to figure Betty out. She's just unpleasant and cold. I love the rumour that her character is so terrible because Matthew Weiner hates Januray Jones. That'd explain a lot.

If you think the Glen storyline is weird just wait till Season 6 when she has a conversation with her husband that makes her sound like a true psychopath

[MarshaBrady]

I love Betty. And the line about the art of conversation. She appears cold because she is restrained, pretty much brought up to think everyone talks too much.

The Glen bit is a bit strange but ok, she's just really lonely.

But yes Season 6 is just way off and can't be explained. Really bad writing!

[lurcherlover]

Ooo, don't tell me! I've only watched 1-4 previously. Really noticing this time what an utter shit Pete Campbell is, too. And Joan is more bitchy than I remember!

Also, why does Joan send Peggy to get the pill in episode one, when she clearly thinks she's a complete loser? Who does she think she'll be sleeping with?

[Chivetalking]

I'm not surprised she implodes from time to time given the way she's treated by Don.

No idea what the Glen thing was about. Maybe to illustrate how emotionally stunted she is?

[GetOrfMoiLand]

I have started watching the lot recently, and went from loathing it and everyone in it to loving it.

I do remember thinking everyone was horrible in it, I couldn't see any redeeming feature in anyone. I thought Joan was a bitch, Peggy a drip, Don a bullshitter (right on that one), Pete insufferably ghastly, Roger a misery and Betty a cold fish.

Betty has turned out to be my favourite character. She takes a turn to the dark side though in series 4 (where I still am).

I have never enjoyed a TV show as much. My dd has just discovered it so I am starting to watch the whole lot again - watched episode 1 again today and bloody HELL the difference between the appearance of Don Draper.

[GetOrfMoiLand]

I don't blame Betty for being so miserable, looking at when Don just buggered off when he was supposed to be picking up a birthday cake amongst other assorted crimes.

And I watched earlier his trying to seduce Rachel Menken, and coming out with all this horseshit. And then going home to Betty and playing happy families. Yuk.

I don't know what the Glen thing was about. Probably desperate for any attention from anyone. Plus I think she felt a bit sorry for him.

[FairPhyllis]

I think the thing about Betty and Glen is partially about how she is quite emotionally shut down and stunted, and looks for male approval where she can get it. But then none of the relationships in MM are simple.

I found her totally opaque and baffling when I first saw season one. It would be interesting to go back and rewatch it. I didn't really "get" her until about season 3.

I suppose Joan knows that someone will inevitably try it on with Peggy just by virtue of her being the new girl in the office so she thinks she is doing her a favour by getting her the pill.

[KikeriFreedomCastle]

I remember reading at the time that it was just that she was flattered and lacking in attention, as was he (Glen).

I too am a fan of Betty. I liked the latest episode, Season 6.

[ShinyPenny]

Oh I love Betty. I think she is fantastic as a portrayal of a mother. Maybe my favourite mother on television. Because she is flawed. But she's not evil.

Like real mothers, who might make mistakes, or competitive with their kids, or unable to express love... Or have an awful husband driving them loopy...

She's quite a bad mother. I find it refreshing.

[MarshaBrady]

She looks incredible again in Season 6. And she says the best line about Don.

[Gigondas]

Which one Marshall?

[Gigondas]

Or Marsha even.

[MarshaBrady]

Ha I've had that before

I best not say too much for spoilers! But when she says not to love him as when you do it doesn't work. She's really happy and confident in that episode, free from his angst.

[ShinyPenny]

I didn't like it when she was AWOL. I think she really adds to the show.

What do up-to-daters think of her hair? I can't get used to it!