Review: Mad Men "In Care Of"

Non Spoiler Review:

In Care Of brings the sixth season to satisfying end as Don's conflicting identity reaches some closure. There is plenty of change afoot at SC&P with the Sunkist account promising new opportunity in California. Peggy struggles with her feelings for Ted. And Don's penchant for making decisions for everyone catches up to him.

It's been an arduous journey following Don along his increasingly despicable path, so there was some expectation in how he would end up. I enjoyed the ending and some of the sense of consequences for his actions. Whether we will see a renewed Don next year or not remains to be seen, given we've watched this character slide back and forth so many times now. We could see a very different firm next year, as well, given the expansion of the business to the west coast, and plenty of changes happening in the lives of so many.

Spoilers Now!

As Thanksgiving approaches, Stan wants the Sunkist account because he'll operate out of the new satellite office in Los Angeles. Don warns him his expectations may be too high for California. Roger gets a visit from his daughter and her husband. She snaps at him for not taking him up on his investment and uninvites him from Thanksgiving. Ken and Jim are excited that they're pitching to Hershey and Don needs to take the lead on it.

Roger finds Bob giving Joan a gift for Kevin. Roger isn't impressed and calls him in to give him a performance review, accusing him of having a hand in every rung, and being involved with Joan. He warns Bob he's keeping an eye on him.

Don is forced to call Sally at boarding school because she has to give a statement regarding the burglary and needs to be free December 21. Sally concedes she doesn't want to do anything immoral by missing the summons, but maybe Don could just tell them what she saw, and hangs up.

When Royal Hawaiian shows up at the office, Don is in a bar so Ted has to deal with them. Don is chatted up by a religious man who declares Martin Luther King Jr and the Kennedys weren't true believers, prompting a flashback to the brothel when a drunk preacher was thrown out of the house. Don wakes up in jail in the drunk tank. He's told he punched a minister, and to sleep it off. 

Don has to explain his whereabouts to Megan and admits he's gotten out of control. He also realizes he doesn't want to be there anymore—he wants to move to California. Megan is dumbfounded. She has opportunities in Hollywood but had never considered it. He would have his own small team for Sunkist and he reminds her they were happy there. She breaks down and agrees.

Don reveals his plans to the partners and welcomes them to vote on the matter, leaving them to discuss it. Jim tells Ted this is good for him. Stan goes to talk to Don, who assures him he might be able to get him out there eventually. But Stan says no.

Pete is getting established travelling to Detroit. He gets a shocking telegram that his mother is lost at sea, having fallen off her ship. Pete finds out Manolo and his mother got married on the cruise. On their way to the airport to Detroit Pete confronts Bob about the situation, accusing him of being an accessory to murder. At Chevy, Bob arranges for Pete to drive the show car around the room. It's a standard, which Pete can't drive, and he proceeds to back over a display. Bob assures them they'll pay for that, but they call Pete out for not being able to drive a stick.

Peggy heads out early because she has plans. She goes home to find Ted waiting in her building, needing to talk. She admits her date was terrible. He confesses he doesn't want anyone else to have her and they end up kissing. He loves her and is going to leave his wife. Later, in bed, he promises they won't have to sneak around, but she doesn't want a scandal. She can wait.

Don gets a late night phone call from Betty informing him Sally is suspended for buying beer. She needs him to go get her the next day. Don can't but Betty is at a loss and breaks down that Sally needs more than she can give her. Don concedes and tells her it isn't her fault. 

Pete is back to the office early, admitting he's done in Detroit. His secretary says his brother has been trying to reach him. Pete is outraged even though the cruise is trying to track down Manolo, who is now aware that she had limited financial resources. He and his brother decide that an extended and costly investigation won't bring her back and  let it drop.

Ted sits down with Don to explain he wants to go to California. He wants Don to stay and let Ted go. He needs to start over. With Peggy, Don adds. With his family, Ted corrects. It's his only chance to save his family and he can't throw it all away by remaining in New York. Ted pleads with him to help him put 3000 miles between him and Peggy or his life is over. But Don needs it too and they're already writing Megan off her show. It's too late. 

At the Hershey meeting Don makes his pitch that the chocolate bar is the currency of affection, telling a made up story of his childhood. Don notices Ted is looking lost, and realizes his own hand his shaking from not drinking so much. He abruptly confesses he was an orphan who grew up in a whorehouse and read about Hershey in a magazine. He would go through the johns' pockets and if he got more than a $1.00 she would let him buy a Hershey bar. It was the only sweet thing in his life. Ted, Roger and Jim are astounded and Hershey admits it's quite a story. Ted and Don are left alone, and he tells Ted he wants him to go to California.

Roger asks Don if any of that is true. Don goes home to Megan, and he fills her in on what's happened. She's furious, given she already has a bunch of meetings out there. She tells him she doesn't know why they're fighting for it anymore. They don't have kids. She used to pity his children but realizes they're all in the same boat. He tells her he can be out there all the time with her. She storms out.

Ted breaks the news to Peggy that he's leaving. She learns Don gave up his spot for him. He admits he needs to hold onto his family or he'll be lost. He loves her that deeply he can't be around her. Peggy tells him to get out. 

Pete visits Trudy to say goodbye before he leaves for Los Angeles. She tells him he's free of everything now.

Don is called in to a partners meeting on Thanksgiving. They confront him about his recent behaviour and he gets defensive. The verdict has been reached, Bert says. They think it's best he takes a few months off from the firm. Bert can't give him a return date, and they admit they're all in agreement. Don walks out. At the elevator he runs into Duck and Lou Avery, on their way to meet with the partners. 

Joan has Roger over for Thanksgiving, only to find Bob there. She tells him she's inviting Roger into Kevin's life, but not hers. Stan finds Peggy settled into Don's office.

Don picks up all the kids and takes them to an old house in a bad neighbourhood, telling them that's where he grew up. He and Sally share a look as they stand in front of the decrepit house, as she gets the first insight into her father's past.

The Verdict:
In Care Of was certainly a cathartic end to Don's season-long self-destruction. I'm excited to see where we meet him next year, given it appears (for the moment, anyway) that the Don Draper persona has been shed and we'll find Dick Whitman again. It's likely come at the cost of his marriage to Megan. His meltdown with Hershey was one of the best moments in a long time. It was definitely a surprise that the Sylvia affair didn't play at all in the finale, and chances are when next we see Don he'll have moved out of his building.

Pete's mother and Manolo has been a confusing storyline, and I don't know what we're to take from it—is Bob involved in it? Was it a scheme all along? Or just an accident. But it looks like Pete could be making his own move out west, which felt tacked on at the end.

I'm happy that Ted and Peggy did not work out and we'll be seeing him less next year. She needs to stand on her own two feet, and finding her in Don's office at the end was quite a pivotal moment for her.

So there was no big death, no reveal about Don's affair, but he received a welcome intervention by his fellow partners (including Joan). We'll see what happens in the final season as Mad Men finishes out the tumultuous sixties.

Review: Mad Men "The Quality of Mercy"

Non Spoiler Review:

As Don continues to suffer the guilt of his indiscretions, Sally has had enough and wants to go to boarding school. Don finds a target to direct his self-loathing, creating further tension at the office. Meanwhile, Pete gets some surprising news and an opportunity.

While it's been hammered into our heads all season that Don is a monster, he gets told as much in The Quality of Mercy. As an interesting contrast, Pete continues to evolve, and is faced with a familiar choice this week hearkening back to season one.

I enjoyed Quality of Mercy, not for the Don stuff, but for the increasingly interesting Pete and some further revelations about Bob Benson. There was also a fantastic laugh-out-loud scene with Joan, Don, Ted and Peggy that was worth the watch. I really have no idea what will happen in the finale next week, unless it stems back to the Rosens, but I hope we get some cap on the all the development (or rather, regression) of Don this season.

Spoilers Now!

Don is a mess. Megan wakes to find him in Sally's room. He didn't want to wake her when he came home. She doesn't know what's going on but advises he pulls back on the throttle a bit. Making breakfast, Don pours some vodka into his orange juice as Megan asks him to stay home and sleep it off. Meanwhile...Ken is off hunting with the Chevy boys. When one swings his gun around to shoot, he hits Ken.

Don does stay home, switching channels, which ranges from a Nixon ad to Megan's soap. Betty phones to chat about Sally. She's refusing to come visit him again. Betty suggests it could be the burglar, or the fight she had with Julie after the model UN, but she wants to go away to a boarding school. 

Megan gets home, happy to see Don looking better. He gets a phone call from Harry in California who is excited that Sunkist is interested in a huge television campaign. Don warned him to drop Sunkist and explains they can't conflict with Ocean Spray. Megan wants to spend the day with him, so they take in Rosemary's Baby, but have a surprise run-in with Ted and Peggy, who claim they were getting inspiration for the St. Joseph's Aspirin campaign. It's a bit awkward, but Megan invites them to join them for dinner. Peggy says she has a date. Megan and Don return home and remain curious as to why the two of them went to the movies in the afternoon. Don realizes he needs to call Harry.

Ken gets into the office wearing an eye patch, explaining to Pete that Chevy shot him. He hates Detroit, cars and guns and declares Chevy is killing him. His wife is going to have a baby, and he wants out. Pete says he would gladly take his place with Chevy and confesses he and Trudy are separated. 

Roger and Don meet with Ted and Jim with big news—Harry's deal with Sunkist. Ted brings up the conflict with Ocean Spray but Sunkist doesn't seem to mind. Ted is dreading calling Ocean Spray and points out their word as an agency means nothing anymore. The right hand doesn't know what the left hand is doing. Don admits they're right and must work closer together. No more surprises, Jim agrees. But he's excited about Sunkist himself, which means millions. Ted thinks Peggy should be on it.

Pete is excited about the possibility of Chevy and goes to meet with Bob, Ken, Bert, Jim and Roger. Ken admits he just can't be on the ground in Detroit but can remain on the business in New York. Pete is anxious to step in. Bob will be a big help with the transition, they tell him. Pete wants to bring in his own team but Jim and Roger point out continuity is essential to maintain the level of service. Bob excuses himself so they can discuss it freely. Jim and Chevy like Bob and if Pete doesn't like Bob, they'll find someone who does. Pete acquiesces and thanks them all for their trust. Later as they shake hands, Pete tells Bob he's sick. Bob points out he only expressed his admiration and wasn't making a sexual advance. He cares about Chevy. And he warns Pete to watch what he says about people. 

Betty drives Sally to her boarding school interview. Betty remains curious why she wants to go but Sally isn't forthcoming. She wants to be a grown up, she answers. Betty drops her off for her overnight stay. 

Pete tells Duck he's not looking for a new job anymore. He brings up they need to get rid of Bob and wants leads to offer him in order to push him out the door. Duck is happy to help as long as he gets paid. Meanwhile, Bob is on the phone speaking to Manolo.

Don walks in on Joan, Ted and Peggy choosing photos for the St. Joseph's campaign. The three of them act out the ad for Don, but he can't help but notice Ted touching Peggy's waste. After they leave, Joan tells Don that they're over budget with this particular campaign. Later, Pete's mother comes to see him with her new nurse Josephine. She's planning on traveling and Manolo told her he's upset how he's treating his friend Bob Benson. 

Sally finds out from her two roommates she's supposed to look after them given her acceptance hinges on their recommendation. That night Glen climbs in through the window with a friend, Rolo. He's brought a bottle and something to smoke. Sally picks up that Glenn and Mandy might know one another. She thinks they've met. She takes him away to read her diary, leaving Sally and Rolo. Rolo moves in for a kiss but Sally isn't into it. She tells Glen to come out and Glen berates Rolo that Sally is like his sister. Sally tells them Rolo tried to force her so Glen proceeds to beat him up. Rolo storms out and Glen goes off to follow, ensuring Sally is all right. Sally apologizes. Mandy thinks Sally likes trouble.

Ted is furious with Don when their casting was interrupted by a phone call from St. Joseph's to stop it, thanks to Don sending over the budget. Peggy's heart was set on it and Ted is disappointed he has to give her the news. Ted asks Don to back him up on it in the morning when they meet with the client. 

Duck phones Pete that he'll need more on Bob Benson. He doesn't even know if the name is real. The previous job Pete referred him to led to a Bobby, a rube from the south who served as a manservant to a senior vice president and then disappeared with their Christmas card list. His only job opportunity has been with someone who doesn't ask any questions, which is SC&P. Duck admits he's never seen anything like this before. Pete says he has.

At the St. Joseph's meeting the next morning, the client likes the idea, but thought they paid a lot less for it. Ted says the cost is a fraction of what it will deliver. St. Joseph's maintains that they agreed on a budget and have to stick to it, despite Ted continuing to urge him to the contrary. The client gets angrier given he had to justify the budget. Don interjects that the reason he wants is a reason why they are pushing him like this. Don admits the reason is very personal. Ted doesn't know what he means. Don answers yes he does, and Ted looks at Peggy, mortified. Don assures him it's okay and he can tell them, and so Don does...It's hard for Ted to say, but it was Frank Gleason's last idea. Ted slowly agrees and admits to being overly sentimental. The client acquiesces to up the budget a bit more but can't go the whole cost. After he's shown out, Peggy is furious, asking Don if that was really necessary. Ted asks she leave them alone.

Don tells him that was the best he could do. Ted isn't thinking with his head and is embarrassing himself. Everyone sees him pining over Peggy and his judgement is impaired. He leaves him to consider that. 

Pete goes into Bob's office confronting him about his previous profession. He asks what he does when he's found out, and who hired him. He says Pete did. Bob asks him for a day's head start. But he doesn't believe Bob is going to run and is afraid what he can do in a day. Pete explains he will benefit from the fact Pete's been in this position before and has learned not to tangle with his kind of animal. He surrenders. Pete wants him to graciously accept his apologies, work alongside but not too closely. Pete is off limits. And he wants him to get Manolo out of his mother's life. Bob says Manolo doesn't like women. Pete tells him to make sure.

On the ride home Sally maintains her silence with her mother. Betty says she got in if she wants it. Sally opens up more and Betty gives her a cigarette. She admits her father has probably given her a beer. My father has never given me anything, Sally says.

Peggy wants to see Ted but he went home. She instead goes to rail against Don. She tells him to stop hiding behind the ad and knows what he did. He hates that Ted is a good man. Don tells him Ted's in love with her. She fires back that Don killed Ted and the ad. He can stop now. He's just looking out for the agency, he protests. Peggy calls him a monster and walks out. Don curls up on his couch in the fetal position.

The Verdict:
A Quality of Mercy had its share of humorous moments—Ken getting shot (well, it was funny after we learned he survived), Megan's reaction to Rosemary's Baby, and Don's wah, wah bit. I'm struggling to see where the season is going to end up next week unless it ties together Don's affair with a final conflict with Ted.

Good for Pete for learning from the past and opting to handle Bob differently than the mess he made with Don in season one. I'm a little more impressed with Benson's backstory now that it ties in with Don's made up past and how both men have managed to succeed by rewriting their history. It's an added twist that he appears to be gay, which draws interesting comparisons with both Don and Sal, as he's not afraid to strike back if he's pushed in a corner (unlike Sal).

Review: Mad Men "Favors"

Non Spoiler Review:

Arnold and Sylvia's problems spill over into Don and Megan's household while Sally is in town for a visit. SC&P continues its growing pains. Pete finds out his mother's nurse might be too good for her.

With Viet Nam weighing heavily on this season, it at last directly impacts Don and Megan, leading to a series of events that bring a long running plotline to a head (at last). Meanwhile, Ted and Don continue to hash out their territory, which reflects the greater rivalry within SC&P as a whole.

This one was relatively mediocre for the season, with an odd Peggy side story, and an attempt to flesh out Ted's home life. But it regained its legs at the end with an unsettling shocker. Apparently there's an internet rumour that Megan is going to die at the end of the season (given Don's Sharon Tate related hallucination in A Tale of Two Cities). We'll see about that, but there certainly is a sense of build up that something is going to happen in that apartment building.

Spoilers Now!

Roger let's Don know they've acquired Sunkist. Pete's mother arrives at the office with her new Spanish nurse Manolo. Pete goes into speak with him leaving Peggy to sit with her. She explains she's pleased to see she and Pete reunited for the good of the child they have together. A shaken Peggy realizes she thinks she's Trudy, but his mother goes on to say how happy she and Manolo are together. 

Don comes home to find Sylvia and Arnold's son Mitchell talking to Megan. He leaves, and Megan explains he's in a lot of trouble—he's 1A, having sent his draft card back in protest, so he was reclassified. He wants to run to Canada. Don advises her to leave it alone. Mitchell can't spend the rest of his life on the run, and it's not their problem. 

Pete, Peggy and Ted are out for dinner and drinks to celebrate Ocean Spray. Ted is happy to have the agency he's always wanted—ambition, brains and beauty. Ted goes to check in with his wife, and Pete picks up on the looks between she and Ted. Peggy knows, but nothing can happen. Pete is happy to have an account, and he tells Peggy at least one of them ended up important. He asks that Peggy not pity him, because she really knows him. She does really know him, she says. Peggy then tells him about her conversation with his mother. She thinks she's making love with Manolo. Pete is shocked to learn they're sleeping together but enjoy a laugh at the thought of it, and when Ted returns he notices their chemistry.

Arnold shows up at Don's home. He apologizes for Mitchell's visit, as his son told him, too. He and Don go out for a drink and Arnold admits he never even knew Mitchell had left school, but has noticed that Sylvia is lying about things, as well. He asks Don what he would do. Don explains Korea was very different. He wanted to go. Arnold thinks his son is soft and likely won't survive Viet Nam. 

Ted comes home to his wife who is chagrined he missed dinner with his family. She thinks he's working too hard but he's also obsessed with it. 

Don meets with Pete to ask if he still has a friend at the Department of Defense. He needs someone who can really pull strings. Pete is a little annoyed and reminds Don he's meeting with General Motors, so he can try asking them, given they're a large defense contractor. Pete then learns that they acquired Sunkist, which conflicts with Ocean Spray. Ted snaps at Don that he should read a memo once in awhile. 

Betty is dealing with Sally's mini university field trip to Manhattan with her friend Julie. In the city, Mitchell meets Sally and Julie in the lobby of Don's building. Julie tries to flirt with him. Sylvia comes down berating him for not getting their cab. Later the girls are both infatuated and make a list of things they like about him.

Pete's mother visits him at home and he points out Manolo is her nurse and she might have misconstrued his attention for affection. She informs him she's entitled to the pleasures of love. Pete declares they will have to let him go, which prompts her to call him a sour man who has always been unlovable and goes home. 

At the Chevrolet dinner, Don takes the opportunity to bring up Mitchell's 1A situation. Ted is uneasy at the direction he's taking the conversation and the table grows awkwardly silent about talk of the war. Roger saves the day by changing the topic. 

Peggy finds rats in the apartment and phones Stan in the middle of the night. He tell her he's not her boyfriend. She realizes he has a girl with him and Stan suggests the rat will be dead by morning, and hangs up.

Ted confronts Don the next morning about the evening's conversation, especially since he said he wouldn't involve himself with Chevy. Don admits he doesn't know what to do about his friend's kid. Ted considers it and says his flying teacher is a general in the National Guard, who is always looking for pilots. He'll call him, but first Don has to stop the war he's waging against Ted. They're going to get Ocean Spray, so he'll need to drop Sunkist. Don thanks him and shakes his hand. Ted reminds him the handshake is a binding contract. He suggests the kid should write a letter about his childhood dream of being a pilot, and goes off to make the call.

Don phones Arnold, but gets Sylvia, and explains the favor he's called in. Sylvia is very grateful but Don warns her they have to act fast. Sylvia breaks down and tells him she hopes he knows she was just frustrated with him. She didn't want him to fall in love and doesn't want to go through it again. He was better to her than she was to him.

Pete berates Bob for referring him Manolo and insists he fix it. Bob assures him that he doesn't think Manolo's interests are that way. More important, he points out Pete even admits she seemed happy. And when it's true love it doesn't matter who it is, Bob says. His knee touches Pete's. Pete pauses and then says he will given Manolo a month's pay, and asks Bob to tell him it's disgusting. 

As the girls get ready for their mini university, Julie informs Sally she slid their letter under Mitchell's back door in order to set them up. Sally rushes home and asks the doorman for the keys given she lost hers. She heads up to the Rosen apartment and listens at the back door, knocking lightly. When she hears nothing she opens it, but finds the letter isn't on the floor. It's on the counter and she takes it. She turns and sees Don having sex with Sylvia in the maid's room and drops the keys. Don is shocked to find her standing there. Sylvia freaks out as he dresses and runs after her. Don nearly breaks down in the elevator. The doorman tells him he helped her get a cab, explaining she lost her keys. Still in a fugue, Don goes outside.

Pete comes home to his quiet apartment. Peggy watches television with her new cat. Ted arrives to spend the evening with his family but his wife is asleep on the bed.

Don sits in a bar and finally goes home drunk to find Megan having dinner with the girls. Sally sends him a look and remains silent. Don goes to lie down but Megan insists he eat. Arnold and Mitchell show up and Sally tries to excuse herself. Mitchell thanks him for pulling some strings, and Arnold fills in Megan what he did for them. Arnold tells him he owes him. Sally announces her father makes her sick and runs to her room. Don goes off to talk to her.

Standing outside her door, Don explains he was comforting Sylvia. It's very complicated and he asks if she understands. Sally finally answers okay and Don goes to his room.

The Verdict:
In hindsight it was inevitable that it would be Sally to stumble upon Don's affair. Of course Don wasn't over it, and how much of him helping Mitchell was with the intent that it might make Sylvia love him and take him back? I doubt this ends here. Arnold remains the wild card that's been hovering in the background, and surely he and Megan have to find out by the end of the season.

Poor Sally. Again she's seeing adults behave in an adulterous fashion (At the Codfish Ball), and that time it was Megan's mother. She is definitely going to be as screwed up as her father when it comes to relationships.

Bob's pass at Pete seemed to come out of left field, given he has been courting both male and females at the agency. It doesn't add up that Pete is the final object of all his work, though. I got the impression that Manolo was gay and that's how Bob knew of him, but it was unclear if he was really sleeping with Pete's mother or not. Whatever the case, it felt very anticlimactic.

Peggy's rat infestation was a B plot that went nowhere, but her scene with Pete was quite effective and really shows how far these two characters have come. And of course it raises questions as to where their child is (and if we'll ever find out).

Review: Mad Men "A Tale of Two Cities"

Non Spoiler Review:

Discord is flowing freely at SCDPCGC, as A Tale of Two Cities takes Roger, Don and Harry on a California adventure to meet with Carnation. Meanwhile, Jim wants to secure the firm for his own people in their absence and Bob finds an opportunity. Joan strives to solidify her position as a contributing partner which upsets the hierarchy—and Pete.

As anti-war riots rage outside, the characters are in the midst of their own turmoil. The world feels completely off kilter and everyone is struggling to work it out for themselves and find their footing. While A Tale of Two Cities wasn't top notch like last week, it did bring another great Joan/Peggy team up, and settled the ongoing question of what the newly merged firm will be called.

Having just rewatched the first episode, I'm continually struck by how much the look and feel of the show has evolved over the nearly 10 years of Mad Men time. The music was effective, and the ongoing world events running alongside the storylines continue to add to the experience.

Spoilers Now!

It's late August and the news of the day is the Democratic Convention. Don wants Megan to go with him to California, but she can't get away, though the two of them appear to be much closer than they've been.

Chevy continues to be a problem for the agency, but Ken believes he met the man responsible for their travails, so Ted plans to meet him personally. Jim brings up the contentious issue of the firm's name and the ongoing difficulty it is dealing with clients who don't know what to call them. They can't come to a decision, so opt to discuss it later, leaving Jim irritated.

He goes on to get into a political argument with Ginsberg. Michael flies off the handle and calls him a fascist. Bob steps in to defuse it, prompting Jim to order him to get back upstairs. Jim finds Ted and suggests they fired the wrong employees. He wants to remove the rest of SCDP's people while they're away. Ted reminds him it's not our people and their people, and Jim needs to start holding hands with creative, especially since he'll be taking Michael with him the next day to meet with Manischewitz.

Bob later apologizes to Jim for intervening, explaining he hates disrespect. Jim ignores the matter and wants him to come along with Jim and Michael. Bob welcomes the chance to shine. Later, Michael has a panic attack and calls Bob because he's too nervous to make the pitch. Bob gives him a pep talk and tells him to pull himself together. 

Joan is out for dinner with Andy from Avon, on the recommendation of her sister. He's looking for advice on how to deal with ad agencies. She thought it was a date, but Joan realizes he's looking to her to pitch her agency. Pleased, she picks up the bill.

Joan confides in Peggy about her client meeting. She needs to set up another meeting before Andy leaves. Peggy takes her in to chat with Ted. He thinks Peggy and Pete will be perfect for Avon, but Joan wants to be there. Pete dismisses the idea, despite Joan explaining that Andy will be expecting her. Peggy agrees, but Pete explains that's not how it's done. 

Depressed, Joan watches the ongoing protests around the Democratic Convention which erupt into violence. Don is watching it as well, and gets a phone call from Megan. She's equally upset with the political situation and tells him to be careful. 

Joan calls in Peggy for a breakfast meeting with Andy, explaining Pete couldn't make it. Peggy apologizes for how Ted handled it, but Joan explains Pete actually wasn't invited. It's just the three of them, and Joan wanted him to meet Peggy. Andy confesses sales are flat and women are working and hippies don't wear makeup. Joan attempts to talk up Peggy's creative genius.

When they return to the office Peggy is apprehensive about Pete finding out. Joan wants to know what Peggy is planning to do. Peggy knows how much Joan wants the account but now she can't have it, reminding her she's not in accounts. Joan knows she can do this. Peggy points out she needs to work her way up like she did. Joan implies Don carried her along, forcing Peggy to counter that she never slept with Don. Joan snaps that she's just like them. 

On the flight to California, Roger urges Don to be a slick big city ad man when they meet with Carnation. Harry meets them there and as the riots weigh heavily on the meeting, Roger inadvertently puts his foot in his mouth by commenting on Nixon. Both Carnation executives mention their New York City attitude.

Afterwards, Harry takes Roger and Don to a party in the hills. They run into Danny Siegel (now a successful movie producer) and Roger takes pleasure in insulting his height. Don joins in a group doing hashish. Roger and Danny later vie for the same girl and Danny punches him in the stomach and walks away with her. Don makes out with the host but gets tapped on the shoulder by a very hippie Megan. It's California, she tells him. It's cool. She thought she'd surprise him. She lives here. She quit her job and she's pregnant. It's their second chance. She leads him through the house and says everyone is looking for him. Then PFC Dinkins (The Doorway) lights up his cigarette. He's missing an arm. He's dead, he explains. Dying doesn't make you whole. You should see what you look like, he tells Don. There's a scream outside and Don looks down at his body in the pool. Then he regains consciousness choking up water with Roger having pulled him out.

On the flight home Roger reminds a sick Don he caught a cold in California. And New York is the center of the universe. 

Ted and Jim are elated that Chevy signed off on the creative. Unfortunately Bob arrives to say that Manischewitz is putting them into a review. They haven't liked the work for months. Jim had opted not to go. Jim tells Bob to familiarize himself with Chevy. After he's gone, Ted berates Jim for splitting the place, and not in half. 

Pete summons Joan to the conference room when Avon sends over a box of samples. Furious, Pete wonders when she had a breakfast with Avon. She explains Peggy didn't know, just as she walks in. Joan adds that the point is making Avon happy, to which Pete adds that he bets they're very happy. Better than being screwed by you, she says. Peggy offers to handle Ted. Ted returns with Pete and wants to know if she purposely excluded him. Pete sends Peggy out, so she goes next door and listens on the intercom. 

Pete explains she's breached the fundamental rules of the business. Joan is silent but is interrupted by the secretary who (courtesy of Peggy) informs them Avon is on the phone for Joan. Joan joins Peggy and the two listen to Ted remind Pete they're all working together, and all agency business is his business. Joan is grateful, but Peggy says she'd better hope Andy really calls.

Pete catches Roger and Don as they arrive back in the office. But Ted, Bert and Jim interrupt before he can rant about Avon. Pete adds that they don't need to get Joan for their partners meeting. Chevy was a success, Ted explains, and Joan got Avon, and Jim adds that they've lost Manischewitz, but that really doesn't surprise Roger. Jim's real reason for assembling them is because he wants to call the agency Sterling Cooper and Partners. They're willing to do it given it's equally offensive to all. It's agreed upon.

Pete is the only one who throws a fit to Don after they leave. Pete declares it's a gravestone to their resistance, and it's not the same business anymore. Don tells him if he doesn't like it it's time to get out of the business. Pete heads into creative and takes a joint from Stan, sits down and smokes it as a girl in a miniskirt walks by.

The Verdict:

A Tale of Two Cities shared several similarities to previous travelling and drug episodes. We see Don and Megan appear to be making inroads to reforging their relationship, but it's apparent the real thing that will matter to Don is if she quits her job and has a baby. There's further death imagery, including the appearance of Dinkins, though it seems odd if this will be the only reminder we get of him in Don's head, rather than something more tangible. Does this all mean that someone is still going to die by season's end?

The ongoing theme of the roles of women brings another terrific Peggy and Joan scene. I've mentioned it before, but seeing these two working together without Joan's sense of rivalry is always a pleasure. I was concerned that Andy might actually have designs on Joan, but it was a relief to see it was a genuine client opportunity for her. Unfortunately Joan's struggle to define her place at the agency forced the two into conflict, but at least Peggy rescued a possible slide backwards with some quick thinking.

As for Ginsberg, I'm shocked that the man wasn't fired. I guess being a creative type in the 60s came with a big allowance for insubordination. But I wouldn't have faulted the conniving Jim for kicking him out right then and there. Pete's looking more like he might be on the way out. Unless he's just decided to relax and join in on the craziness of SC@P from that final awesome fadeout.

Review: Mad Men "The Better Half"

Non Spoiler Review:

The Better Half finds Peggy caught between Don and Ted's creative rivalry, while at home the rising crime in their neighbourhood is causing tensions with Abe. Visiting Bobby at camp, Don and Betty reminisce about the old days. Roger finds his parenting skills are not welcome. Pete decides to seek some career advice.

One of the best of the season, The Better Half fired on all cylinders—every storyline was interesting enough in its own right—Joan, Pete, Roger, Bob, Ted, Peggy, Abe, Betty, Don, Megan—that's been a rarity. Don's arc remains the primary focus, but it didn't overshadow so much of the episode as it's been doing this season. Well overdue is some attention to Betty. While she's a very love her or hate her character, she's lacked a lot of focus this year, but here she plays a critical role in whatever transition Don is undergoing.  

Spoilers Now!

Don and Ted continue to debate the margarine campaign. Pete recommends they direct their creative on the taste alone while Ted is more about the price. Don calls in Peggy to ask her opinion, and admits she would decide based on the price. Peggy wonders whose opinion she's supposed to go with, but Ted acquiesces that they go with Don's. Don replies by telling him to go with what he's most comfortable with. After they leave, Pete notes the exchange. Harry doesn't care. He's still bent on being a partner once the dust settles but that doesn't mean he hasn't been putting out feelers to other agencies, something he recommends Pete do, as well.

Don pops into Peggy's office, subtly hinting she should offer an educated opinion when asked. There is a right and there's a wrong. There's you and there's him, she counters, and she's not in charge of turning the merger into a collaboration. Ted's interested in the idea, while Don is interested in his own idea. Ted never makes her feel that way. Don says Ted doesn't know her like he does.

At a campaign fundraiser, a very fit Betty waits on Henry to make a phone call, but she's propositioned by one of his colleagues, Stu. Henry rejoins them and they leave. In the car Henry is angry that everyone seemed to be watching Betty through the evening, including Stuart flirting with her. Betty claims she didn't notice, but he asks what he said. Betty confesses his proposition. Henry ends up kissing her.

Peggy comes home to find Abe was stabbed on the subway. The police officer tells her his story is lacking detail. He sends the police on his way, leaving Peggy to ask him what happened. Abe is irritated they're looking for an excuse to round up blacks and Hispanics and he wonders why she's siding with the police and the fascists over him. Peggy suggests he might be in shock, but he gets angry. She admits she's sick of living there and wants to sell, and goes off to bed.

On the set, Megan is now playing twins, but is having difficulty making them different. At home, Megan and Don share dinner. While she's worried about her part, Don tells her tomorrow is another day.

Pete meets with Duck about some potential job prospects. He already got Bert Peterson a job. Pete wonders why he didn't get himself a job if he's so successful with others. Duck points out Pete has no place in the management structure, and he wonders what happened with Vicks. Duck admits he was very much like Pete in the past, and was desperate. Duck learned his family is the source of his confidence, so Pete had better manage his, or he won't manage anything.

Don is off to visit Bobby at camp, and at a gas station finds Betty, who is lost. Henry is coming the next day. Don suggests she follow him. Don watches Betty and Bobby, who is elated to have them both together. 

In the evening, Don finds Betty sitting outside her room and shares a beer with her. They discuss Sally, and Henry says she reminds him of Don. Bobby reminds her of her father. All the teenagers are in revolt, Don muses. Betty admits when she saw him she forgot how mad she was with him. She goes inside, but leaves the door open. Don follows. He says he's waiting for her to tell him to stop, but they spend the night together. She's as beautiful as the day he met her, he tells her.

They wake up in the night, and Don admits he missed her. She's happy in her life, and just wants to enjoy the moment. She can see how different he is. She loves how he looks at her when he's like this, but she can only hold his attention for so long. For him sex doesn't mean he's close to someone. He would have felt just as close if they had just lied there together. She asks if it's the same with Megan. "That poor girl," she says. "She doesn't know that loving you is the worst way to get to you." Don wakes up to find Betty gone. He goes in to the dining hall and sees Betty sitting with Henry. Don says hello and leaves them to sit by himself. 

In the Fleischmann's presentation, Peggy touched Ted's hand when she passed him the board in front of the client. He makes an issue of it with her afterwards, and she tells him she thought they had forgotten about the kiss. He admits he hasn't, and she does too. But they can't act on it. She never realized he felt that way. 

Pete talks privately with Joan asking her advice about his mother. He asks if his attention to business has been waning. He confesses his personal life is a mess. He doesn't want to put his mother in a home. 

Megan has her co-star Arlene over for wine and admits that since she's started succeeding, Don's had issues with it. He's gotten used to her not being around. She feels very lonely. Arlene kisses her, but Megan tells her that's not how to make her feel better. Megan suggests she's taking advantage of a private moment. Arlene's husband is her boss and she wonders if she'll be punished for it now. Arlene persists again, calling her a tease, but ultimately decides to leaves. She tells her to just learn the lines and let the wig do the work. No hard feelings. 

Someone threw a rock through Peggy's window. Abe tries to minimize it but she wonders if they saw him talk to the police. She's scared and doesn't think Abe is able to protect her. He admits she's right and tells her to put the place on the market. 

Margaret leaves her son with Roger for the day, but the next morning Roger gets an irate phone call from her, who thinks it's outrageous he took her son to Planet of the Apes. She calls him a child and tells him his grandfather days are done. She'll only let him see him if her mother is there.

Joan is off to the beach—with Bob. They discuss Pete and she admits he's the only one who hasn't broken a promise to her. She tells him about Pete's mother. Roger shows up, creating an awkward moment. Joan tells him they're leaving for the beach, and whatever Roger wants can wait until Monday. He leaves. Bob didn't realize they were friends.

Peggy is woken up by more breaking glass. She gets out of bed and goes to the window with a spear, only to be surprised by Abe, whom she stabs in the stomach. On the ambulance ride Abe is in a fugue, but tells her she's a scared person who hides behind complacency. Despite her apology for the accident, he goes on to say her activities are offensive to his every waking moment. She will always be the enemy. She asks if he's breaking up with her. She gave him a great ending to his article, he says.

Don comes home to find Megan on the balcony and tells her he missed her. She misses him all the time. She doesn't know where he's gone, but she's here. She keeps trying to make things as they were but she doesn't know how. Something has to change. Don admits she's right. He hasn't been there.

Back in the office on Monday Roger gives Joan the present for her son. He can't drop in on her, she says, and it's too confusing for Kevin. His father is Greg—everyday Greg is some hero out there, and she'd rather he be the man in Kevin's life. She thanks him and sends Roger on his way. 

Bob tells Pete he's learned he may be in need of a nurse for his mother, and he gives him a reference for an army trained registered nurse who brought his own father back to full health. Pete takes it. Bob asks him not to blame Joan. He has his well being at heart.

Peggy goes in to explain to Ted that Abe got stabbed, though he'll be fine, but it's over between them. Ted's sorry to hear that and assures her she'll find someone else who will be lucky to have her. Taken aback by his reaction, she thanks him. He asks if she's ready to get to work. It's a brand new morning. He walks out and says good morning to Don, who asks how Fleischmann's went. Full speed ahead, Ted replies. Both shut their doors, leaving Peggy alone.

The Verdict:
I really loved this one, and I wish there were more like it in that so many characters had their moment in the sun. Ted and Don's rivalry has Peggy in the middle, and her struggle to balance everything out between the two men in her life spilled over into her personal life, to a hilarious end of her relationship with Abe. I almost thought she might have killed him, but that would have thrown way too many complications into her storyline for the writers to have to deal with. It was sufficient to have him betray his true thoughts about her as he languished from his wounds. It all ended with a beautiful parting shot of broken Peggy being cast aside by the two important men in her life. At least her options are wide open now (though I just had a horrible thought that Pete's are, as well).

Harry doesn't need any more reasons to add to the list of why we hate him, but throwing out the dumb as Peggy comment didn't help matters at all. I hope one of the surprises at the season's end is him being fired rather than achieving partnership as he seems to think.

Pete had a lovely little moment with Joan, and even his exchange with Duck wasn't that acerbic as it might have been a few years ago. It was interesting to see Duck again and more at peace with himself. Added to the mix was Roger's outreach to Joan that was quickly rebuffed in favor of Bob. On this count I'm on Roger's side as far as his daughter's ridiculous over-reaction to Planet of the Apes. But what is Bob's game with everyone? I still don't know if I trust him now, given how he moved to ingratiate himself with Pete, unless he's trying to get into everyone's good books for job security. But I could be reading far more sinister motives than he warrants.

It was great to see Betty back in a position where she's happy and has regained so much that she lost. She completely held the power in her encounter with Don, and she can certainly be the woman she's been wanting to be with Henry in his campaign, a role she always wanted with Don.

Betty has learned plenty about her failed marriage and expressed how difficult it is to love Don. It was a pleasant, nostalgic moment, particularly the two of them with Bobby. But Betty drew the line with how far it was going to go, which was another reminder that he can't control everything anymore. For the moment it seems it's pushed him back to reality with what he has with Megan. Hopefully that will last, but I remain skeptical if Don has changed these last few episodes.

Review: Mad Men "The Crash"

Non Spoiler Review:

The Crash is this season's experimental episode, as Jim's doctor arrives to give everyone a boost to handle a weekend creative session on the Chevy campaign. Don continues to pine for Sylvia, which completely diverts his energies from the account, leaving Sally to babysit her brothers while Megan runs off to a play.

Despite the breakup, Sylvia continues to weight heavily on Don (and the show). This week's episode started out odd and grew increasingly bizarre to the point that I was ready to throw in the towel. But the second half really saved it by showing some great moments among creative, further Don flashbacks, and a scary moment for Sally and her brothers.

The Crash wasn't one of the best by any means, but it shows some transition in Don and the consequences those around him are beginning to feel as a result of his affair. It's still unclear where we're going to end up at the finale, but now Mad Men at least feels like it's going somewhere.

Spoilers Now!

Don hovers outside of Sylvia's apartment, listening to them inside and leaving his cigarette butts on the floor. He later sits in a meeting with Ted, Jim and Roger. Ken arrives, walking with a cane as a result of a drunken joyride Chevy took him on after dismissing the new creative for the campaign. With nerves fried, Ted and Don berate him despite that he nearly got killed. It appears the agency has signed up for three years of endless creative with Chevy. Jim just likes the fact they're paying them.

Dr. Rosen is on the phone for Don. It's actually Sylvia, angry with him for loitering in the hallway after Arnie saw all his cigarette butts. Arnie thinks she's smoking again. She asks him to just try and be happy that he got away with it. She wants to be able to trust him now that it's over, but now she wonders how she ever trusted him at all. If he ever cared, he has to stop. Don is feeling emotions too and just wants to talk about a few things, but she won't hear of it. Sylvia tells him he loved Megan once, and hangs up.

Don throws the phone, then begins coughing. He flashes back to a similar coughing fit when he and his stepmother were living in the brothel. They order him to sleep in the cellar until his fever breaks, but one of the prostitutes, Amée, takes him into her room to care for him instead.

Jim interrupts Don's nap to let him know Frank has died. As a result Ted won't be able to work with creative over the weekend to come up with a new campaign for Chevy. Peggy wants to attend the funeral but makes herself available. Jim brings his personal doctor to the office to check over everyone, including Don, and give out some shots—his specialty energy serum, which he explains is a complex vitamin dose. Jim Cutler tells him they need 72 hours of uninterrupted creative focus. 

Afterwards, Don begins coughing again, and while on the stairs spies Peggy consoling Ted in her office, with her hand on his arm. Don starts to lose his grip on reality, thinking he knows Ted's secretary from somewhere other than work. He goes on to tell Ken that he needs to be in the pitch meeting to deliver it. Ken, wired on the shot, begins tap dancing and declares he's just Chevy's toy, then walks away without his cane. Don returns to the creative meeting where the majority of them, aside from Michael and Peggy, are high on the doctor's vitamin juice. Don gives them a pep talk but Peggy isn't buying it. 

The memory of Amée seems to inspire Don. He returns to find everyone back from the funeral. There's a young girl named Wendy reading their fortunes. Peggy asks Don if he's slept, but he wants her to remember a soup account they did at Sterling Cooper in 1959, but she doesn't remember. Don realizes it's Saturday. Peggy tells Jim he's made a mess of him.

Don goes to his office to find Wendy in there. She explains he was getting some ice for their drink to watch the sun set. He tells her he's on a deadline. She listens to his heart with a stethoscope and says it's broken. 

The kids are with Megan for the weekend as Don calls to advise her he's still at work. She has to leave, as she is supposed to be at a play. He promises to be home soon. Megan asks Sally to babysit her brothers. 

Don returns home but only hovers outside Sylvia's door again and lightly knocks. He hears music inside from the radio and falls asleep with his ear against the door.

Stan is wounded in some office shenanigans, so when Peggy tends to him in her office he starts making out with her, despite her asking him to stop. She protests she has a boyfriend, but the two begin kissing. He explains his cousin was killed in action. She suggests he has to let himself feel loss, not dampen it with drugs and sex.

Sally comes out of her room to find a black woman in the house who tells her she's just visiting. She informs her she's her grandma, though not really. She just raised her daddy. She was looking for a serving plate to make him fried chicken. She calls her over to give a hug to her grandma Ida and wants to know who else is in the house. Sally has never heard of her. Ida asks if her father is Donald Draper. Sally goes over and gives her a hug and tells her her little brothers are there too. Ida asks when they'll be home. 

Don finds the soup campaign he was looking for in archives, and it mirrors Amée giving him soup when he was sick. His fever had broken and she asked if he liked girls. She then proceeded to seduce him, telling him not to worry, she'll do everything. The soup campaign says "Because you know what he needs".

Ida is rummaging through the house as Bobby comes out asking who she is. Sally explains it's grandma Ida. Ida says she once gave Don a gold watch, and she got him a new band for it. Bobby tells her there are several in the drawer. While she's gone Sally calls the police but Ida grabs the phone and explains they were playing a joke. Ida tells her she hurt her feelings and she's going out for some air, and when she comes back they had better be sleeping. 

Don types up a new pitch and calls in Peggy and Michael to hear it. His message is what holds people together—a history. If the strategy is successful, he says it's way bigger than just a car. It's everything. Peggy wonders if he's been working on Chevy at all. He has to go and leaves. Peggy finds Jim at the door of Stan's office, watching Stan have sex with Wendy. Peggy says she's going home.

Don arrives at the apartment, muttering the lines he'll pitch to Sylvia. But he finds Megan, the police, Betty, Henry and the kids. Betty tells him he left his children at home while an elderly negro woman held them hostage and robbed him blind. She came through the back door, which was left open. She robbed a bunch of places in the building, but the police think they caught her and need him to ID his things. Betty continues to berate him. Don collapses.

In his flashback, Dick witnesses Amée berated by her pimp for holding out on him, and she admits she took Dick's virginity. His stepmother proceeds to beat him and calls him disgraceful. Don wakes up. Megan empathizes with his reaction and apologizes for leaving Sally with the kids. In the morning Don heads down in the elevator, only to have Sylvia get in at her floor. She asks how he is. Busy, he replies. They say nothing the ride down and he gets out. 

Don calls Sally to tell her he's okay. He assures her Ida fooled plenty of adults too, but Sally realizes she doesn't know anything about her father given how easy she believed her. She did everything right, he says, and Don confesses to her he left the door open and it was all his fault. 

Don and Jim go in to see Ted, who is back in the office. Don learns Wendy was Frank's daughter. Ted is irate at the Chevy work from the weekend which is mostly gibberish. Don tells Ted he'll need to do this himself. Every time they get a car this place turns into a whorehouse, he says, and leaves.

The Verdict:
The Crash was messy and awkward, but I'm assuming that was the whole point. I'm left very confused by the overall craziness of it—from Ken's car accident and the unusually nonchalant way the others dismiss him when he could have been killed, to Sally's bizarre encounter with Ida, which could have been as much drug-inspired as everything going on at the agency.

Don's loosening grip on reality got a jolt with the entire office being high on speed. He's far more wrapped up in Sylvia than I thought. Did the threat he put his children under break through to him at last? Probably not. I don't really get the cold shoulder he showed Sylvia in the elevator as any more than Don exerting his authority rather than actually moving forward.

Stan and Peggy's scene was a nice acknowledgement of their attraction for one another. Whether this goes anywhere, though, is doubtful. Peggy seems hooked on the idea of staying with Abe.

Are we to take anything from Don's persistent coughing? Is he going to be diagnosed with something potentially life threatening in the finale? Either that, or the affair will be blown wide open, as well, as Sylvia made a valid point—Don should be happy that he got away with it.

Review: Mad Men "Man With A Plan"

Non Spoiler Review:

Man With A Plan juggles the integration of CGC into the SCDP offices, prompting Don to fluff his feathers like a peacock and assert his dominance at work and home. In the midst of all the jockeying for power, Joan and Pete suffer their own crises.

I enjoyed seeing the mish-mash of characters put together, the new faces and interesting pairings—Jim and Roger for one—and everyone in fear for their jobs. Don was outright nasty, but at least he was put in his place several times and anyone hoping for a bit of payback for how he's treated people won't be disappointed.

It was a pretty decent episode, but one thing Man With A Plan lacked was any mention whatsoever about fallout from either Don or Ted's arbitrary decision to merge the firms. Are we to believe no one had issues with it? Mad Men has gotten a shot of adrenaline the likes of which we haven't seen since Sterling Cooper fell apart. As we enter the final stretch of the season there's bound to be another shocker lurking, but unless it deals with Don and Sylvia's infidelities, the direction still eludes me.

Spoilers Now!

Don overhears a major blowup between Sylvia and Arnold as he goes down in the elevator, noticing Arnold's suitcases packed at the door. SCDP is in chaos as CGC moves in. Peggy and Ted arrive together. She introduces him to Stan and Mike, as well as their coworker Margie, but the latter is certain she's going to be fired. Joan attempts to organize all the new employees with their secretaries. All the creatives are in one office on a temporary basis and Joan's alternate from CGC, Moira, attempts to work with her and doesn't appear to respect her superior position. As Joan shows Peggy her office, both are genuinely happy to work with one another again. However Joan begins suffering a pain in her side.

At the new partners meeting, discussions begin on their excess personnel and the merging of accounts from both firms. Jim and Roger have acquired Fleischmann's Margarine. Meanwhile, Pete, Ted and Don decide to fly out to appease Mohawk Airlines who don't want them working on a competing highway campaign. Ted is a pilot and offers to fly them out. 

Pete gets an urgent phone call from his landlord. His mother is at his apartment demanding to see his father. Pete goes home and reminds her he passed away, but she's suffering from dementia and remains confused. After he calls in his brother, he's informed it's now his turn to look after her, so she's forced to stay with him.

As creative prepares to meet over margarine, Don gets a call from Sylvia who wants him to come over. She needs him, so he meets her at a hotel. Sylvia rants about Arnold and their son, but Don doesn't want to hear about them. Instead he dominates her and orders her to look for his shoes, get back into bed and not to go anywhere while he leaves for work. Sylvia is intrigued enough to play along.

Meanwhile, the integrated creative department waits on Don for their margarine meeting and Peggy explains his secretary won't say where he is. Don shows up forty minutes late just as it's wrapping up, so he's annoyed Ted proceeded without him.

In bed, Sylvia gets a call from Don asking if she's still there. He tells her she won't know when he's coming back and she'll wait there. He has a new dress sent to the room. Don then goes to offer an olive branch to Ted and discuss the merger themselves, only to get him drunk. Ted can't handle his alcohol, and Peggy is perturbed with Don.

Joan thinks she has food poisoning, so Bob offers to escort her out so no one will know. He waits with her at the emergency room. She starts worrying what's going to happen to her son if it's serious. She knows it's not food poisoning. Bob gets creative and gets her seen quickly by the doctor.

Sylvia is wearing the dress when Don finally shows up. Continuing his domination, he informs her they're not going anywhere and to take off the dress.

Ted goes to visit with Frank in the hospital, confiding that Don seems more interested in him than the work. Frank suggests Don will tire himself out and Ted should be patient.

In the morning, Peggy sees Don in confidence. She had hoped that Ted would rub off on him, not the other way around. He could have just tried to hire her back, she says, though Don shoots back that the merger wasn't about her. She tells him to move forward.

Pete is worried about his job as the staff cuts continue, but Harry assures him he'll be fine. His mother demands his attention again and calls him away as he prepares to head to the Mohawk meeting. His secretary informs Ted about the rescheduling, but Ted is furious everyone takes their meeting times so lax. Don agrees and decides both will go, despite a rainstorm that Ted assures him is no problem for flying. Ted gets the plane above the clouds and tells a nervous Don to relax. Don took Sylvia's book and tries to read rather than appreciate the view, and adds that no matter what he says to Mohawk, Ted is the guy who flew them up in his own plane. Pete returns to work to find that Don and Ted are gone and the meeting went very well. Furious he was left out he berates his secretary.

Bob shows up at Joan's home to see how she's doing, with a gift for Kevin. She's fine, as it was just a cyst on her ovary, so he leaves them. Her mother thinks he's adorable. Joan suggests he's worrying about his job. Her mother reminds her every good deed is not a part of a plan.

Don returns to the hotel to find Sylvia getting ready to go home. She tells him it's time it's over. She dreamed he died in the plane, Megan cried on her shoulder and she went back to Arnold and told him she was home. Don suggests that means she missed him, but she says it means it's time to really go home. It's over between them. Don tries to change her mind, but she leaves. They ride the elevator up and she gets out on her floor without a word. 

Roger and Jim continue to negotiate who goes and stays. Bob is elected to be fired, but Joan stands up for him and points out he knows a lot of accounts. They opt to keep him and move on down their list.

Pete's mother wakes him up to tell him they shot the Kennedy boy. He thinks she's confused and means John F. Kennedy. At the Drapers, Megan weeps at the news reports of Bobby Kennedy's assassination as Don stares off into space.

The Verdict:

I enjoyed Man With A Plan only because Don got some overdue payback. Had he continued on without this dressing down, it would have made for a frustrating episode. I think Peggy's curt admonishment will have far more effect on him in the long term than Sylvia's brutal dumping and Ted's scare tactics. Hopefully this will mark a renewal for the character as the season comes to a close. But on a positive note, this could mean no more Sylvia (fingers crossed).

With Bob hanging around the background for so long, is his ultimate purpose to be a love interest for Joan? I was pleased to see she's softened enough to subtly repay his kindness by sticking up for him. And her brief exchange with Peggy was quite satisfying, seeing these two women back together and in no way competing with one another.

The Bobby Kennedy angle came as a surprise at the end, as it didn't dominate the episode as I would have expected. But coming on the heel of Martin Luther King Jr.'s assassination, I guess the writers thought it could stand on its own as an appropriate cap to Don's vexing day. 

Review: Mad Men "For Immediate Release"

Non Spoiler Review:

For Immediate Release seriously shakes up the series as Don is summoned to a dinner to repair the hard feelings with Herb at Jaguar. Meanwhile, Roger has been using a stewardess to get information on potential clients and comes up with a doozy. Pete finds himself in an extremely awkward situation. Peggy's new apartment prompts daydreaming.

After last week's lacklustre episode, For Immediate Release was a return to some of Mad Men's classic storytelling. Mad Men's plot twists generally sneak up on me, and this was no exception. The hints were all there for the astute observer.

Aside from the game changing plot developments, the pacing was much more even, there were some memorable scenes, including one of Joan's best, and the series really feels like it picked up momentum.

Spoilers Now!

Pete, Bert and Joan are in negotiations with the bank to take the company public. Pete and Joan chat about it afterwards, revelling in the knowledge her own piece of the company will be worth a million. But both worry what Don will say. 

On the Sunday morning of Mother's Day, Pete crawls into bed with Trudy, but is quickly rebuffed. She's noted his efforts so Pete teases her that big things are on the horizon.

Megan's mother Marie is visiting. Arnold pops in for a visit to borrow wrapping paper, which prompts an introduction. Marie offers up the flowers Megan gave her for Arnold to regift to Sylvia. Megan later confesses to her that she and Don have grown distant. Her mother points out it's very hard to stand next to someone giving an autograph, and suggests she not dress like his wife.

Roger informs Don that Herb from Jaguar wants a private meeting to smooth things over, excluding Pete. Roger suggests they bring Marie along. Herb brings his wife, but Roger ends up not showing. The women leave Herb and Don to discuss business. Herb called the meeting because he wants Don to look at some of the work one of his employee's has done, believing it might help the campaign. Don instead gives him the name of the man handling his account from now on, raising Herb's ire. Don tells him to buy him one last meal as he's tired of taking it out of their account. Herb declares he's finished with all of them. 

Feeling his oats for telling off Herb, Don is turned on by Megan's sexier attire. Roger calls the house to talk urgently to Don, but Marie answers. She's annoyed he never showed and she had to endure the tedious evening. Marie hangs up on him twice.

Bert informs Pete they may get $11 a share, so they share a drink in celebration. Pete and Bob visit a brothel, but Pete has an awkward run in with his father-in-law, who is emerging with a black prostitute. The next day he tells Ken what he saw. Ken suggests he won't say anything because it's damaging to both—mutually assured destruction. Ken then gets a call from Jaguar.

Pete storms out to confront Don in front of the office about his behaviour that resulted in them losing the account. Their public offering is ruined, which comes as news to Don. Joan escorts both inside the board room. Don is equally furious he wasn't aware of their dealings. Pete reminds him he had tried to tell him. Roger comes in with more news—they're giving a presentation on Chevy's top secret new car (a contact he made courtesy of a stewardess he's been sleeping with). Don gloats to Pete and tells him to box up Jaguar, then instructs Joan to get creative into his office. She snaps back to get it himself. If she could deal with Herb, he can. Was it all for nothing? Just once she would like him to use the word we, she says, because they all root from him on the sidelines deciding what's right for their lives. She storms out.

Don gets creative in with Roger to hear the job. CGC is also pitching. Roger is beaming for scoring new business.

At CGC Jim and Ted are having a partners meeting. Ted is informed by his partner/artist Frank he has pancreatic cancer, which means they will have to buy him out when he cashes out. Ted is shaken but tells him he'll beat this thing. Peggy comes in to find Ted worried about losing the foundation Frank has provided all these years. She gives him a pep talk and he kisses her, but he apologizes. She goes home for the evening. 

In the elevator, Arnold announces to Don he just quit his job given he's been unable to practice medicine as he wished. Don tells him to make his own opportunities. Later Megan tells Don she loves him when he's fearless and proceeds to seduce him. The next day at the airport Don and Roger wait to fly out to Detroit to their pitch to Chevy, along with their rival agencies, one of whom makes a joke about SCDP having no cough syrup.

At SCDP Joan and Pete try to get a hold of Roger to inform them Vicks is dropping them. Bert is sure Roger will handle it. Furious, Pete charges in to see Tom, who berates him for cheating on Trudy and can't bear to think of him around his granddaughter, then throws him out. 

Abe and Peggy have moved into a rundown apartment that he's busy fixing up. Peggy isn't pleased with the noise and craziness of their new neighbourhood. She finds herself fantasizing about Ted.

Unable to sleep, Don goes down to the bar for a drink only to have Ted walk in and join him. Ted realizes they brought SCDP in at the last second, and both  are too small to get the account. Chevy will take their creative and give it to a larger firm. Don sees his point. They commiserate and deliver their pitches to each other. Don gets the idea that their firms should merge, and given their partners aren't sitting in the bar with them, he and Ted conspire to pull something together. The next day CGC and SCDP go in to make their pitch together.

Trudy comes home to find Pete, who needs to talk, informing her her father pulled his business and ruined their public offering. When she tells him not to criticize her father, he admits he caught him in a mid-town whorehouse with a negro prostitute, and tells her to ask him herself. And he left him no choice. Trudy announces they're done and sends him out.

Peggy is surprised to learn Ted is back, but Don is waiting in the office to tell them they won Chevy. Ted explains they went in together. They've merged. Peggy is confused. Don admits he did this wrong before. He tells her how great it will be and she can decide if she wants to come along as copy chief. They want her to write the press release and ask her to make it sound like the agency she wants to work for. Peggy returns to her office, shuts the door and begins writing.

The Verdict:

Mad Men does it again. The subtle threads of the climax have been sown the last several episodes, leading to the merger of SCDP and CGC. It should have been obvious in hindsight, given the attention the latter agency was getting and the introduction of more characters

Joan gets the prize for the perfect snap to Don, summarizing everything that every person at SCDP must think. It obviously didn't get through to him given he went ahead and merged the company without consulting the other partners anyway.

I'm interested to see how Pete reacts to this, in particular. He's quickly become more likable than Don, and the poor twist of circumstance that put him face to face with Tom derailed not only his trajectory in reconciling with Trudy, but the public offering for SCDP (though that is likely back on). He's completely burned his bridges with Trudy. It's ironic that the public offering was handled by the three partners who never get any respect, while the merger was conducted by the two who act whenever they think they know best.

It's certainly an exciting development plotwise, especially when Peggy's flirtation with Ted is brought into the mix. While it's early to judge, this merger doesn't look like it's a match made in heaven. Ted is struggling to fill the void he feels is going to be left with Frank's departure, and he sees that in Don. In his own way, Don seems to think he's making amends for firing Jaguar when he's just running roughshod over Pete, Joan and Bert as he always does. The one person he appears to be doing right by is Peggy, asking her to join them rather than just assuming.

Interesting that Don finds renewed spark with Megan just when this crisis is unfolding. But he handles clients just like his relationships. Last year Jaguar was the jewel in the crown, just like Megan, but he dropped it the moment Herb didn't worship him. That has me wondering (given Arnold's announcement and Don's encouragement that he make his own fate) that Sylvia might suddenly find herself out of a husband. With no safety net of marriage between them, I would guess Don would drop her just as quickly.

However it unfolds, I'm excited to watch it happen, with so many character dynamics thrown together—Jim and Roger, Ted and Don, Peggy back with Michael and Stan. Something tells me Don and Ted both might regret their decision, even if it takes until next season.