November 8, 2009

Why we cheered for Don Draper in the end

I believe it all boils down to this quote from Don:

“I want to work. I want to build something on my own. How can you not understand that?”

I think many of us can identify with that statement. This comes after Don hears from Conrad Hilton that the company’s being sold. Connie tells Don that he and he alone built everything he has and acts as the catalyst for Don to realize what steps he needs to journey forward. From here on out, Don’s going to be self made.

That quotation above, directed at Bert Cooper is at the very core an American idea. Immigrants came here, started this nation and made it their own — away from the meddling hands of the countries they left behind.

I couldn’t help but think of the Revolutionary War while watching the episode. Tired of being squeezed by the British to “turn a dollar into a dollar-ten,” the colonials banded together and declared their independence, helped by a turncoat along the way.

I think until this season’s finale, Don had the version of the American Dream that he was selling to the American people: material objects, escapism and picket fences. But in the end, he finally realized what meant something to him. He had to be there for his children. He had to let Betty go and find happiness for herself. And he had to build his own colony — something to call his own.

Today, he finally got his name “in the lobby,” but there wasn’t even a lobby there and his name isn’t alone. He realized he couldn’t be a lone ranger, but needed the help of others to accomplish his dreams. He doesn’t have to stand alone and he’s no longer afraid of losing it all.

That’s why I cheered for Don in the end. He’s finally become an American Hero.