The Many Faces of Mad Men’s Ted Chaough
The sixth season of Mad Men saw Don in deep decline. Peggy found herself pulled in a lot of lousy directions; Pete continued not to get what he wants nor want what he got; and Roger seemed and felt increasingly obsolete. But two things really broke out this season: One, Stan’s beard. Good God, what a majestic specimen! And two, Mr. Ted Chaough, former borderline villain and RFK-impersonating antagonist. This season he was Peggy’s boss and love interest — a dangerous combo, Pegs! Beware! — and he served as sort of a mirror for Don, one that bounced back a pretty unflattering reflection. The best part about Ted (well, about Kevin Rahm, who plays Ted), though, is his utter lack of stoicism. Don is so unreadable; Burt is a walking mystery. Joan has mastered the art of people-pleasing, and Betty thinks detachment is next to godliness. But Ted? Ted is the most expressive Mad Men character ever. He’s all raised eyebrows and agape jaws, bouncing from elation to exhaustion in a single scene. Here are some of the highlights from this season.
Oh, Ted. Always so incredulous.
And yet gently amused, particulary when Peggy's around.
When Ted raises his eyebrows, he RAISES HIS DAMN EYEBROWS.
Do not anger a man in a turtleneck.
Peggy, great. Ted, great. Third guy, what is your deal.
When Don stares into the distance, you don't want to know what memory he's conjuring. When Ted stares, he's probably thinking about how great Peggy is...
When Don stares into the distance, you don't want to know what memory he's conjuring. When Ted stares, he's probably thinking about how great Peggy is.
Oh, hi, Abe! I am so happy to see you! Genuinely! Am I in your seat? Let's all agree to read absolutely nothing into that! Cheers! Oh, this lady over ...
Oh, hi, Abe! I am so happy to see you! Genuinely! Am I in your seat? Let's all agree to read absolutely nothing into that! Cheers! Oh, this lady over here is my wife.
For someone who's pretty high up, Ted seems constantly surprised by what other people tell him.
Surprised and crushed.
Surprised and crushed and intrigued!
Even in Peggy's fantasy, Ted is pleasantly smirking.
This is Ted's default expression when looking at Don.
Staring off, thinkin' Peggy thoughts.
What? Me? I wasn't just thinking Peggy thoughts, I was thinking about ... juice.
Your typical post-Don befuddlement. Don't worry, Ted, that's how Pete looked for eight years.
Why does Don like screwing with Ted so much? Because he knows it's working. Don spent years married to Betty, working with Roger, mentoring — Ted's th...
Why does Don like screwing with Ted so much? Because he knows it's working. Don spent years married to Betty, working with Roger, mentoring — Ted's the only one you can really read.
Because he makes the best faces in the whole world.
The whole world.
Again, more surprise. The man lives in a world of surprise!
And passion!
Even his partner Jim Cutler surprises him.
More Peggy thoughts.
Lying-down Ted is the most vulnerable of all Teds.
It's not that he's short-tempered. It's that everyone he works with is outrageous.
Except for Peggy.
How are you always so surprised, Ted?
More Don shock.
Ted is probably not great at playing poker.
But his love confessions feel extra special. (And thus his betrayal cuts even deeper. Jerk.)
Photo: Weber, Lindsey