page_title: The Suitcase
section_title: Writing
hierarchical_section_title: The Suitcase / Production / Writing
caption_attribution_description: English: Matthew Weiner at the 2011 Time 100 gala.
context_page_description: "The Suitcase" is the seventh episode of the fourth season of the American television drama series Mad Men, and the 46th overall episode of the series. It aired on the AMC channel in the United States on September 5, 2010.
  This episode is centered on the characters of Don Draper and Peggy Olson, and the relationship between the two. It was widely lauded by television critics; in subsequent years it has often been cited as one of the greatest episodes of the series. The end of this episode marks the halfway point in the series.
  Jon Hamm and Elisabeth Moss both submitted this episode for consideration due to their nominations for the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actor and Actress in a Drama Series, respectively, at the 63rd Primetime Emmy Awards. At the same ceremony, Weiner received a nomination for Outstanding Writing for a Drama Series.
context_section_description: Matthew Weiner compared Peggy's standing at Sterling Cooper Draper Pryce to his own standing while working under David Chase on The Sopranos. Jon Hamm commended the writers for adding in the conversation that references the child Peggy gave away, calling it "heartbreaking" for Peggy. Weiner said, "they can acknowledge that that happened. Even though they had sworn to never talk about it together, this is the place that they can talk about it. I also think that Don’s interest in it is really a big part of it." Weiner elaborated on Draper's dislike for Duck, attributing it to Duck's "lack of understanding of creative" and "his alcoholism", while citing Duck's sexual relationship with Peggy, who Weiner said could be Don's daughter figure in that moment.
  On the subject of Don's vision of the deceased Anna Draper, Weiner said, "Once the suitcase was in Anna’s hands, which was the last thing that was added to that script, you realize that it’s probably in Don’s mind because what is on his mind is his job. But it’s so symbolic… Every single person has heard some version of this story… when someone important has died, they have had a sense of premonition or visitation."
caption: Series creator Matthew Weiner wrote the script for "The Suitcase"
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