In “The Wheel,” the season finale of the first season of the American television drama series Mad Men, secretary-turned-copywriter Peggy Olson gives birth to a child fathered by Pete Campbell.
Growing up in a very strict Catholic household in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn, New York, the employee at Sterling Cooper Advertising Agency portrayed by Elisabeth Moss did not know she was pregnant.
The American actress discussed the shocking pregnancy in an interview with The Sydney Morning Herald in March 2012.
It’s difficult to look back and think how could that happen. As women we’re so aware of our bodies. Part of it is entertainment; you know, it’s a great storyline. The way Matt (Weiner) explained it to me, she has a deep, deep psychological disconnection from her body and her femininity.
Peggy Olson gives birth to a child fathered by Pete Campbell in The Wheel (Mad Men: Season 1, Episode 13)
Peggy grew up in this very strict Catholic household, has probably never had a conversation about being a woman with her mother. We all know what her mother is like and I doubt they had that talk.
It’s not that she didn’t know that sex gets you pregnant. I think there’s a deep psychological disconnection and that whole season one she’s constantly being abused verbally, or being come onto, or sexually harassed in that office.
Peggy Olson refuses to look at the baby and later gives the child up for adoption
So she begins to socially disengage from being a woman and I think that denial is so powerful and severe she wants nothing to do with her body. She’s gaining weight, so that gets kind of confusing.
I think it’s a leap, but I think it has more to do with telling a story of a woman’s reaction to sexual harassment and how you might deny your sexuality to the extent of denying being able to bear a child. Denial is a powerful thing.
Airing on October 18, 2007, “The Wheel” was the first Mad Men episode directed by Matthew Weiner, who ended up winning three Golden Globe Awards for Mad Men.
Refusing to hold or look at her healthy baby boy, Peggy Olson later gives him up for adoption. When Pete confesses his feelings for her in the Season 2 finale, she tells him about the pregnancy and adoption.
It’s the last time Peggy and Pete’s baby is mentioned in Mad Men.
Peggy Olson informs Pete Campbell that he fathered a child with her in Meditations in an Emergency (Mad Men: Season 2, Episode 13)
In May 2015, Elisabeth Moss attended the Film Independent at LACMA for a special screening of the final episode of “Mad Men” held at The Ace Hotel Theater in Los Angeles.
Elisabeth Moss wears her blonde hair down at the Film Independent at LACMA as she attends a special screening of the final episode of “Mad Men” on May 17, 2015, at The Ace Hotel Theater in Los Angeles
The then 32-year-old American actress donned a black and white dress from the Romona Keveza Fall 2015 collection.
Her halter-neck frock features a black upper half and a white lower half and was cinched at the waist with a sparkling belt.
Elisabeth Moss shows off her natural makeup on the red carpet
Elisabeth styled her simple dress with a pair of sexy suede Jerome C. Rousseau “Bryant” pumps boasting a heel hook.
Elisabeth Moss wears a black-and-white Romona Keveza dress on the red carpet
She was joined by castmates Jessica Pare, Jon Hamm, Vincent Kartheiser, John Slattery, Kiernan Shipka, and Christopher Stanley, along with creator Matthew Weiner.
Elisabeth Moss’s feet in bright orange Jerome C. Rosseau pumps
Her pumps seemed way too big, and even though the bright orange was a great way to break up her otherwise-monochrome ensemble, we think she should have picked a different color.
What do you think?
Jerome C. Rousseau ‘Bryant’ Peep Toe Pumps, $595
In other shoe-related news, the then 15-year-old Kiernan Shipka attended the same event in a charming dress from the Valentino Pre-Fall 2015 collection styled with Kwiat jewelry and a lovely pair of silver sandals.
Kiernan Shipka attends the Film Independent at LACMA for a special screening of the final episode of “Mad Men” held on May 17, 2015, at The Ace Hotel Theater in Los Angeles
Can you help us identify her shoes?
Kiernan Shipka wears a white Valentino dress on the red carpet
Kiernan Shipka’s feet in embellished silver sandals
Credit: WENN / Brian To