Live-blogging this episode NOW over at www.newcritics.com - be there, folks!

I think it hurt that they took a week off. Anyone else feel this way?

Incredible. I love the Sopranos, but I'm afraid Tony & Co. were just a dry run for Mad Men.

this episode made at least two reference to 'the best of everything.' one 'the slush pile' and two 'shalimar' both allusions to the 1950s movie anyone catch this

This is the best written, most evocative and intelligent show on TV. My grandfather was an ad man in Chicago and may father a sales executive at his prime during the time period of this series. Now I have a glimpse into worlds that were shielded from me as a boy.

Wow! Great episode except I think Don needs to calm down a tad. Who new that these Man-Hoe's existed back in the 60's...he's really giving us regular guys a bad name.

A powerful episode. I cheered Peggy when she stood up to Pete. She is no doormat. And Joan's roomate!!! I didn't see that one coming. Not that anything about Joan would make me think she would respond positively to her friends advances, I notice that she avoids real feelings, conversations and sharing her real feelings. Joan did seem pretty upset when she learned about Roger.

And Don and Rachael, well it was only a matter of time before he fell into an affair with her. Don is growing, starting to face who he is but I can't see that affair going anyplace positive.

Was Peggy being straight with Pete? Was she giving him the brush off, or was she letting him know he would have to try harder to get her on the couch again?

Stupid Betty drove Don to Rachel when she was going on about her father onb the phone and all he wanted was someone with a brain to talk to - he's told Rachel things he's never told anyone.

Roger was a heart attack waiting to happen I knew it and that thing with Joan and her creepy roomate was just plain annoying. Joan did play that part with Cooper well - she kept it together. And then the elevator - brilliant!

They also got screwed on Nixon - they didn't anticipate Kennedy coming out with an attack ad and he did - Pete's smirk with that was gratifying.

Best line of the night - when Don tells the girl he can't even get it out of the garage - those girls were butt ugly!

Peggy was calling Pete out on his hypocrisy - he's soo married and in love but it's confusing and all that bull - she pretty much made it clear to him to never use that line with her again.

Peggy was calling Pete out on his hypocrisy - he's soo married and in love but it's confusing and all that bull - she pretty much made it clear to him to never use that line with her again.

Don comes off like a total wus with Rachael. As much as we keep hearing about men that can't show their emotions - we sure are getting a heathy dose from Don. I doubt if Rachael will tolerate this for long..I hope she doesn't become too gushy herself. This could deteriorate into soap-city

I was hoping Rachel would stick to her guns, but she fell into the Draper pool like all the rest. What a shame!

At least we got to hear more about Drapers past. Wow.

He for some unknown reason feels he can open up to her and reveal things to her - he said to her "You know me" and she was like "No I don't"

It also strikes me as Don being a man who can not handle being out of control in any way - he flips when he lost the account and he flips when his best friend has a heart attack - I don;t think he can deal with things in a healthy way

And Betty just confirmed her Dr.s diagnosis - she is obssessed with childlike petty things and she thinks it's all about her - I had respect for her for shooting at the birds but now I can't stand her again

"When God closes a door he opens a dress" Roger Sterling - Hilarious!

Weak dialog in the love scene with Rachel.

Yeah - I have to agree - I didn't feel the passion like I thought I would - it was kind of a let down.

That scene with Roger and his family was touching. He always talks about them and it's always been obvious he loves them - health crises always put things into perspective

Roger got some bad karma. Give him a couple of episodes, he'll be back to his old self.

It looked like Peggy was wearing my grandma's old curtains. Too bad they didn't give her more air time.

I agree those twins were a little plain. Where they really going to use them in the ad?

Kudos to Peggy for strait talking Pete. Too bad she had to give that sycophantic jackass the goods in the first place when she should have showerd him with roundup that night he brought his drunk ass to her door. What a deplorable @ss licker Pete is.

This show is just bursting with surprises.

Hmmm...a hooker's kid goes to live with his dad? I'm having a hard time believing that one. Unless Dad miraculously had some feelings for the mother, he would have simply denied paternity when confronted and moved on.

Joan's roomate is quite smitten. I wonder if Joan suspected anything before the moment that the roomate confessed her attraction. The roomate obviously does any and everything to make Joan happy.

Roger Sterling is a freak. Does his powerless role at the agency cause him to seek out cheap thrills or what?

I'm liking Peggy more and Betty less. Peggy has backbone (scene with Pete) while Betty just whines too much about everything.

I'm disappointed with Rachel. I had hoped that she would have turned Don down despite her attraction to him. She was thinking and speaking rationally but caved at the end.

Overall good episode with some angles that left me wondering where do they go from here.

Mmm, very good episode, but that whole lesbian roommate thing - as well as trying to get the two twin sisters to kiss was too much. What I don't get is why TV shows always need to take one theme and have everyone experience all within the same episode? Is this how all modern 1 hour TV show scripts are written? For me, doing that is too forced. I mean, what are the chances - the probability - that there would be 2 different groups of people and that both would be faced with a lesbian laced incident within the same day? I mean, come on, does that really happen? That is, that on the night of the first day of Labor Day weekend (Friday), everyone just goes lesbo all of a sudden?

Did I really hear Rachel say "Please, thank you" when Don asked her if he should continue? Never heard that response before.

"Stupid Betty drove Don to Rachel when she was going on about her father onb the phone and all he wanted was someone with a brain to talk to - he's told Rachel things he's never told anyone."

True, but Don is the one who chose her for a wife. All he wanted was a trophy, something to put on display, and then he's dissapointed when he realizes how little depth their relationship has? LOl, he cant have his cake and eat it too. Betty is not the useless airhead that she comes off to be. She just acts that way because its expected of her, shes a product of her enviroment.

All the same , i was sorely dissapointed that Racheal gave in to Don. I wish she had stood her ground and maintained her self respect.

Im not sure why peggy had an attitude with Pete. She did sort of make her own bed. I mean come on, loosing your virginity to a drunk man before his wedding night? How did she expect him to treat her?

And Joans reaction to her roomate was kinda scary. Someone confesses that they have been watching your from afar, stalking you, and becomes roomates with you just to get closer, and your answer is, "You've had a hard day, lets go out and forget about it" Huh? Definetely want to see how this plays out in later episodes.

This show is an excellent series and I was quite dissapointed with break in season last week.

What is up with the gal who expresses her love to ol' Red? This show plays an interesting take on gay relations of the sixties. Although Red is pretty sexual.

Sterling obviously loves his wife. Seeing him cry in that bed and making the statement that he did not want his daughter to see him like that is interesting. I think he realized how much his family means to him and that those gal he messed around with eairler in the night was beat!

Don is still the man.

Rachel - I cannot figure out...

Betty - If a child has a pet bird, it's name should be Betty.

what's up with this episode and its homosexual tendencies?

Who is the actor who plays Rachel's father?

I seem to remember him from soaps in the 60s. And what are we to make of

Roger telling the girl he wants to suck her blood and eat her skin?

At last , two great things showed up in this series , and Joan Holloway had both of them .

That Roger is flying his freak flag! I think we're just getting a taste at how perverted he really is.

I liked it that Don was uncomfortable with that whole freaky situation with those (UGLY) twins.

When Don was on the phone with Betty, I thought he was going to realize how important she is to him and say he loved her, but Betty screwed that up with her whining about her dad. Not uncommon when one's parent takes a new love interest, but bad timing on Betty's part to bring it up.

Thought the lezbo think with Red's roomie was interesting. Joanie didn't flat turn her down. I think she secretly was flattered by it.

This show is GREAT! Can't wait for more!!

Get over the homosexual overtones people!!!!!

There were MANY dirty girl on girl paperbacks in the 50's / 60's. And it's a classic man fantasy.

What's with those blonde twins? They were about as cute as Laura Dern's ugly cousin!

I was slightly surprised that Joan didn't go for the sexual diverse opertunity being the ho that she is, however, can the blonde pay the bills? So the "lets pretend I didn't hear that you're my stalker" thing makes more sense in the end.

Betty? She's not stupid, just has mommy dearest issues. Draper would have gone to Rachael regardless of what Betty driveled I think.

As one who lives and breathes ephemera, I must say this is my show. I love the modern Philip Johnson/Herman Miller-type sets, but I wish there were more outdoor scenes. I am a car guy, perhaps there will be a car buying or some type of real-life product placement (Chevy Impala?) worked into the script. Hey I wouldn't mind if it were integral to the usual great story line.

If I had the credentials, I would be thrilled to be a researcher for the show. Like The West Wing that I always watched on Marathon Mondays on Bravo in '05, this is a show about decisions made under stress. Happy viewing.

So when is Peggy going to realize she's preggers and what's going to happen to her??? You know that little pischer Pete won't do the right thing by her.

What does Don mean when he says to Rachel "this is it...this all there is"? Does he mean the only thing in life is sex?

This is the most amazing show on tv now. It is so much more intelligent, cinematic and sophisticated. The art direction is perfect and the acting is incredible. I am sold!

finally, something that feels authentic! it's sometimes hard to relate to the period as a woman--thank God for progress--but overall, a very good series. you hate them, you love them, you root for them...

damn don draper is a hottie in that polished cary grant kind of way!

i'm a big fan of rachal, joan and peggy. pete's a dick, and sterling--well, comic relief.

let's lose the lesbo stuff...over-played in tv these days. at least joan is voluptuous to make men and women want her...

the other good show to watch is brotherhood on showtime...

Is there a dialogue consultant in the house? Joan talking in the mirror: "1960 I am SO over you." Good God NOBODY talked like that in 1960 -- not the "SO" part, and not the "over" part, and not the cynical, hyper-self-aware "1960" part.

Great episode!

I feel that Don revealed his true identity to Rachel because, in the earlier meeting with her and her father, she strongly commented that her Grandfather started the business as an immigrant and that he "came from nothing." Don felt that only she could understand him coming from nothing.

I loved the Cartwright Doublesided Aluminum casting call. Only a drunk like Freddy could come up with that one.

Don is attracted to Betty as the mother he never had, and loves playing the field for women like dear old mom the hoe......WOW, no wonder this guy is seriously screwed up.

I agree with the comment above..if Don was taken in by his biological mothers John, why would the same man do this act of kindness, and then turn around and tell his son his mother was a prostitute?

Now that's a little too swisted!!!

On a lighter note - exapnd the scene with Salvatore and Red getting together - discover their latent homo tendancies - then stay in the closet after breaking up with secret gay affairs......all with "Twister" games at after hours parties at the firm!!!! Gay is great.

Madmen is the best show of the season.

I love it....

Can someone please shed light on the following?

Don revealed tonight that his father died when he was 10. He tells Rachel that soon afterwards, his father's wife married another man - I assume that was the mean and heartless fellow in the Hobo Code episode.

But here's the part that confuses me. Several episodes back, Don flashes back to the day his half-brother Adam was born. "He's not my brother", says the young Don/Dick. "Yes he is. You have the same father", the man in the room tells Don.

I cannot remember. Was the man who said that to Don/Dick his father? I remember people in this forum saying that man was his "uncle" -- that is, the man who married Don's real father's wife after he died. This does not make sense. Because if Adam was just born in this episode, obviously he was the child of this "uncle". And he and Don did not share a father. Can someone please clear this up for me?

Thanks.

I think sometimes the writers include modern sayings on purpose such as the "1960 I'm SO OVER you." It is so obviously a contemporary statement that there's no way they could have overlooked it. Sort of like a "wink" to us similar to Hitchcock appearing in his own films.

I've watched each of the last 10 episodes and noticed, while you've chosen to cast African Americans in "generally expected" roles for the period (elevator operator and sandwich vendor) I wonder if the fundamental rule of story development will apply; characters should advance the plot, or are these characters simply unimportant props.

It would seem story lines about these fictional characters paired with the musical soundtracks you are already using would serve to enrich Mad Men's visceral appeal. After all the 60's were both a dangerous and exciting decade for African Americans. Remember?

I hate that idiot Pete more with each episode. I've known lots of entitled trust fund punks like him. I wish Don would give him a swift kick in the junk. I can't wait for the next episode. The way that Pete snapped at the secretary in the preview will cause him problems. Anybody who's ever worked in an office knows that you don't mess around with the secretaries.

Good on Peggy for standing up to Pete. I'm positive Don called her in for ideas just to spite Pete. Don has a way of always letting everybody know he's the Alpha male.

The Joan roommate thing was really sad. Instead of listening to her Joan engages in whorish behavior to hurt her roommate's feelings. It was painful to watch.

Rachel couldn't resist Don but I think that in the next episode she's going to call it off. She's too smart to play second fiddle to Betty.

Trey, I have to agree with you. Hopefully that will happen as the second season starts up; if not, the producers have really goofed, certainly in terms of opportunities to depict some vibrant new characters. (Most of this bunch is already getting old.)

I actually think that it's bold of the producers not to fall into a PC trap. By not showing African Americans in artificial positions they illustrate the brutal discrimination faced by them in the period before the rise of the Civil Rights movement. When shows rewrite history they create more damage because it gives people an unreal sense of the past. A story arc about an African American character would be interesting, but if it's done right it'll create an illusion about opportunities that discriminatory practices closed off to non-whites. Sometimes the absence of non-white characters can better illustrate discrimination than their inclusion.

Joe Nada I think you missed the point of that post. Nobody was talking about magically promoting elevator operators to account execs for this series; the point was to delve into their lives, too.

Sterling Cooper comes across as having a "Business as Usual" type of outlook for such a vibrant a time as the transition from the Atomic Age to the cultural revolution that dominates the sixties. They may be in danger of losing their top-tier position to up-and-comers. This is evidenced when Don's men are asked if they even watch current tv and the ads. There seems to be a level of complacency and resting on one's laurels.

With a major client deserting them, I wonder if the clients they do land turn out to be duds anyway? November 30, 1960 the DeSoto division of Chrysler Motors stopped production forever. It would be very interesting to parallel the possible direction of the fictional company with the outcome of DeSoto by having them land a campaign for a company with nails in its coffin.

Chrysler would want to sell as many cars as it can, but at the same time they won't dump a lot of money into the project, so Sterling Cooper could be asked to fight a losing battle.

In this epsiode, they flashed a lot of the Kennedy ads -- some trashing Nixon. The election is heating up. Don says essentially that he identifies with Nixon. Pete clearly identifies with Kennedy (even if he is not their client). The election "should not be this close." At the same time, Don's career seems to be taking a turn for the worst: his mentor had a heart attack, he lost a big account, etc. Where is Don headed? Will he ultimately suffer the same fate as Nixon -- another man with many secrets? Will he lose everything that he worked for? Will he lose out to Pete?

Tonight's episode was disappointing, especially after waiting 2 weeks for it. Someone new must be writing. Too many misses for one episode: no chemistry between Don and Rachel although it was expected based on prior episodes; the twin scene was too long and bizarre; the lesbian scene superfluous. I love the show so I'll chalk this one up but let's get back to the world of advertising, 60's housewives, office romance, and leave the "sensational" silly stuff to the broadcast networks. Their new season is "so over" already and we're only in the first week! Congratulations on the renewal.

"Posted by: Rara Avis | September 27, 2007 at 11:33 PM

Who is the actor who plays Rachel's father?

I seem to remember him from soaps in the 60s."

He used to play Dave Siegel on One Life to Live. He was one of the original cast members, on from 1968 - 1972.

This is the most incredible episode i've seen yet. I love it and the seen with the Heart attack was awsome! Keep it coming I am so sold!

The actor who plays Rachel's father is Allan Miller. I remember him from a soap I used to watch in the 70s called "How to Survive a Marriage".

"I agree with the comment above..if Don was taken in by his biological mothers John, why would the same man do this act of kindness, and then turn around and tell his son his mother was a prostitute?"

I'm gonna speculate that being fanatically religious, his step-mother forced his father to take Dick/Don in. Also, from the way she acted in the flashbacks, she was not the type of person to let his father forget it either. I think she said something about the family not being as Christian anymore. I forget the exact quote.

Dick was probably treated badly by both parents growing up, but for different reasons. That's probably why he wanted to get away. Just a guess.

For those of us who were kids during this time, we are seeing the 1960s up front and personal...This is the best thing to hit TV since the remote.

When Don said "This is all there is," my husband and I didn't think he was talking (just) about sex. He was having a heavy existential crisis: we live our lives and then we die and everything's gone. That's it. He was reaching out to Rachel for comfort in a very primal way, and I think she sensed that, which is one reason that she consented. Another reason is that she's said before that she's highly attracted to him).

I watched the scene with Carol coming out to Joan with a certain amount of terror, not knowing how Joan would react to the knowledge that her roommate was in love with her *and* basically stalked her all the way to Manhattan. Joan let her down very gently, with more grace than I would have expected. She's worldly enough that I wonder if she had an inkling already.

The scene with Roger and the twins really did leave me with my jaw on the floor. We've seen Roger be obnoxious, we've seen him be needy, but I don't think we've ever seen him this sexually crass before. I think he was, in part, trying to get back at Joan. The whole "I want to suck your blood, like Dracula," was REALLY disturbing, and the whole thing felt like it was heading for disaster. Roger was a terrified man in the hospital. There was a lot of raw emotion, and Don was both attracted and repelled by it.

What was Joan doing back at the office with her one night stand? Was she hoping to run into Sterling so she could rub his nose in it? I would say the episode was a little disappointing. It seemed uncharacteristic of Don to open up the way he did to Rachel, without provocation.

Is Roger gonna die? Because it seems like he has only been temporary because of his "guest star" billing. And next week ep has the weasel pete talking as if Roger Sterling is already dead, in refererence to Don becoming a partner? This was such a great episode. And Cudo's to Don for not dropping his pant's for the skank twin's. At least he is smart enough to know not to shit where he eat's. And I gained alot of respect for his character when he had the balls to slap sterling and tell him "NO! YOUR WIFES NAME IS MONA!' in a hushed tone of course. That was great. I lost respect for Rachel for falling for the sympathy card with Don. But hey, what the hell, I've played that card before and it works good if u play it smooth like Don did. When he asked her if she really wanted "it" (cock), she said "yes please" , What a sexy bitch she is. She really looked good tonite. Yeah!!! Baby!! Yes please may i have another? Tonite was great, and OH what about that Bull Dagger scene with Joan? Joan is really smooth to. I couldn't tell if she was gonna freak or go for it, and she finnessed it great with an "I said maybe and that's final" response. I don't agree that pete is better equiped that Don for the ad business. I've know alot of punks like him and you can always smell them. They are the "suck asses" who talk about everyone behind they're back after they smile at you. What a big pussy. I hope Don kicks his ass (metaphorically speaking) and pulls his covers in front of everyone. Great ep, and can't wait til next week.

Ero - The cruel man from The Hobo Code WAS Don's father. The other man you're referring to in the birth scene was "Uncle Mack." Don's father obviously died while his wife was pregnant with Adam.

Amazing performances tonight by John Slattery, Christina Hendricks, and Jon Hamm. They all brought their A game and really displayed a wide range of emotion and intensity. I think Joan was as surprised as I was to learn she has feelings for Roger.

ero-re:Don/Adams father. Possible that Dons stepmother was pregnant with Adam when their father died. Don told Rachel that the stepmother "took up" with another man after his father died and that he was raised by those two. That still leaves unanswered, was the man in the Hobo epi, the real father or the step father.

(Is it possible with this convoluted plot that even the writers might get confused on a small detail)?

THOMAS: It seems that Dons father would not be the one to tell him about his infidelity.

I would think it more likely that Dons stepmother told him that his mother was a prostitute and labeled him a "whore child".

I can imigine that she would agree to take this other womens child in as the "christian thing to do" and then hold it over her husbands head. Don did not give the impresson that she was a warm and loving step mother.

Ditto re: Rachel and Don. I was hoping she would be the one woman who didn't melt for Don. Would have made her character more complex but alas he was mighty vulnerable in that scene.

About the Hobo Code episode. I only saw it once but something has bothered me. Does anyone think Adam and the Hobo shared a physical resemblance? Didn't Adam and the Hobo have red hair and similar features? I'm thinking perhaps the Hobo came back after being stiffed by Don's father--raping the stepmother and killing Don's father ("the dishonest man" symbolized on the fence).

Something even more traumatic happened to Don than a bad upbringing. Maybe he witnessed such a crime and that was why Adam seemed to repulse him. It appears Rachel is the only one he confides in--should be interesting if their affair continues.

What a weird episode! What was up with Roger? The went alittle overboard with the heart attack scene. Why did they throw that in with Joan's roomate? ANd bringing them creapy man back to there pad? Kinda strange, and one of the most boring episodes. This is just my opinion, though. Best part when Peggy put Pete is his place. Was it just the outfit, or was she bigger? Liked that Don spilled his guts to Raquel. Hmmm, that will be a cliffhanger in the end!

Poverty, neglect and what the hobo called 'death' was all around Don/Dick's childhood home. He grew up in a home of despair and lies with no primal connection to his first family -- a drunk and a prostitute for parents. That is pretty traumatic -- even before he goes to Korea and runs away to New York with nothing.

I do not think there is evidence that anyone was raped. Adam repulsed him becuase he was a ghost from the past in his office. It was a threat to undermine everything he worked for. Don's life is built on lies and he knows it.

I liked this epi. Liked the way all the characters were experiencing the same predicament in different contexts. All were faced with new and intimidating social situations and were woefully inept at handling themselves. For example, I don't think Joan was smooth at all when confronted with her roommate's feelings. Can't blame her--in 1960 that just wasn't a situation most women were accustomed to dealing with. So Joan handled it as she would any other awkward social situation: she put up a block and pretended it didn't happen. She didn't know how to be honest and forthright with her roommate, so she used the two businessmen as an in-your-face rejection of that whole conversation. Joan's message couldn't have been more clear: never bring this up again.

I've never cared for Joan, but I liked her better when I saw she was actually saddened to tears by Roger's heart attack. She looked so brave, sitting there at that teletype machine, taking direction while trying to hold it together.

The twins: how uncomfortable to watch that, not only for Don but for the viewer. When Roger came through the door riding on the girl's back....ick, full body shudder.

I don't think the twins scene was gratuitous at all. I think it was meant to repulse the viewer, meant to illustrate how depraved Roger can be, how troubled he is by the disconnect with his daughter, and lastly, to force Don to face this huge mid-life crisis he's experiencing. While a romp with twins is the stereotypical male dream, for Don it seemed to represent how meaningless this whole "success" package has become. So the scene accomplished a lot.

I agree with all of you that Betty failed Don. Don wanted to open up to her and came very close. Then Betty, like a compass pointing North, ignored the edge in his voice and brought the conversation back to herself and her own petty issues. I wish Betty would get over herself.

I too am disappointed in Rachel. At the pinnacle of his crisis, Don ran to Rachel because he has unfairly assigned her the "fix my head" role. She was honest; she didn't pretend to understand him. It would be more in keeping with her character to resist him, especially since he was so obviously in the midst of an emotional crisis. I was surprised she caved, and more surprised that the chemistry that's been so palpable between them in the past just dissipated when they finally came together. The "Yes, please" comment was odd and unappealing.

Pete continues to repulse me. Every time I watch a scene with him I want to bathe my eyes in disinfectant afterwards.

I was touched by Sterling's reaction in the hospital room. As sombody who has experienced a minor attack (escemia) I can relate it puts things into perpective in the moment. Sterling's sorrow and teror is palpable and real. Although he will probably fall back to his ways after recovery. Don's "This is all there is" with Rachel signifies his own existential crisis. It is illuminating that he calls Betty, but her response alienates him to the point that he has nowhere to go but Rachel's place (remember he broke up with his mistress/girlfriend previously). As far as his father/step father deal, I'm of the mind that his father took him in, then died while his wife was pregnant with his brother. Then his mean step father came into his life, which is why he left home. And it is probable that his mother let him know his history out of spite. Joan is so different than the women you see on teevee now. She is sensual and voluptuous compared to the Tweegys we see today. And she is a multi-layered character. I also was stopped by the "over it" comment. But maybe she was the first person to ever use it! How does new language evolve? But the timing is probably twenty years to early. This show is so much better than any of the new fall offerings, which can't compare in terms of the philosophical depth of the writing, IMO. BTW, since the show will jump two years next season, it will be interesting to see how black characters evolve. It will be 1962, at the first glimmerlings of the civil rights era, the Kennedy's asassination and Vietnam. I remember in 62 black speakers on the SF state college campus raising important issues to very mixed reviews, drugs and Hippies, the Beatles. The man in the grey flannel suit was going the way of the Edsel. Whoi will be experimenting with what? So much good stuff to mine.

How wonderful for AMC that "Mad Men" is appealing to a larger, younger, more delightfully modern demographic, judging from many of the posts here. (Hey, anybody seen "Idiocracy"?)

Let's talk about Joan's boobs and lesbo roommate and those butt-ugly twins!

This is the way of all quality now. Just think of what will happen when the ad men of AMC realize they're capturing that coveted mass-market demo. Dumb it down quick, keep their butts on the sofa long enough to sell them some more product.

Could it be happening already?

The other day I watched episode 106, where Midge and the Dude take Don to the Gaslight. That may have been the peak of the show's literacy.

I hope not.

Two last notes: Dead-on accuracy: did you catch the rail-thin twin sister wearing a girdle? Back then all women wore girdles, regardless of their shape. Makes me think of the movie "Anatomy of a Murder" with Jimmy Stuart and Lee Remick, a controversial movie that came out in 1959. Lee Remick has been raped. Her own attorney (Jimmy Stewart) questions her morals because she wasn't wearing a girdle on the night of the rape. And if you were a lady with any kind of morals, you wore a girdle every minute you were awake.

Second question: what's going to become of Joan if Roger is out of the picture? Her stature in that office is due almost entirely to his "sponsorship." Don has never warmed up to Joan; Cooper has shown no interest in her sexually. It will be interesting to see how she does on her own.

Only had time to watch the first twenty minutes of the show but...

People wondered about the writing of this episode? It had four writers as against just Matt Weiner.

In the episode 5G Don tells Adam that Adam's mom never let him forget what he was. So when told she was dead, he responded "Good." Real father (such as he was) gone, stepmom never liked him, who would want to go back into that life if he had a choice? Adam was the only one who remembered Dick Whitman as a family member and Dick was ten or more years older than him.

Don also may have given away more than he knew after watching the Kennedy/Nixon promos, saying it was easy for him to identify with Nixon - coming from nothing, a self-made man. Regarding the Nixon ad, he hated it - "Message received and forgotten."

Don also doesn't like the idea of attack ads. He's into promotions, showing the benefits, not downgrading opponents. To him it would be like putting together a campaign for GM saying how bad Fords are.

I didn't care for this episode. It was down right creepy w/the Bobbsie twins and what's w/Joan's sweaty unhealthy looking roommate? Is she ill?

The reason why Roger broke down @ the hosp. was of fear and guilt and relieved of a 2nd chance.

Don was beside himself but still his approach in Rachel's apt. was too forward and rude.

I just love this show - the only thing worth watching on TV. There is just so much going on you can't take your eyes off the TV for a second.

Last night's episode was an odd but powerful mixture. Rachel now knows more about Don than Betty does. I don't think Rachel's giving in to Don was weak - she is intensely attracted him but I don't think she'll settle for some tawdry affair (as per next week's preview).

Peggy tell Pete off - you go girl!

Joan's reaction to the news about Sterling was some mighty fine acting. It was all in her face.

And anything Don Draper does in fine with me - he's complex, sexy, smart, flawed - I'm in love!

Is Peggy pregnant? I know she is on the pill but.....The comment/ question stated by Pete " Are we holding precious cargo?"

seemed a bit suspect. (just before she stood up for herself)

I have a non plot-related question. Who is the audience for this show? It sounds like plenty of younger people are watching and it amazes me that they can relate. I was in NYC at an advertising agency around this time so I lived in this world and this era and "remember it well". I can relate but how do all of you? Or do you see it just as an interesting TV drama (and a great one at that)? The thirtysomethings I know are not the least bit interested in this world so I guess I'm asking -- who are you?

I feel strongly that the reason Rachel and Don finally hooked up last night was to show how much Don has fallen for her. We all have seen it and felt it- they have wonderful chemistry! For him to arrive there, all emotional and raw, ready to tell her everything, was all about his character development. It was a big thing for him to tell her those things. He needed to feel close to her physically to match what he was feeling emotionally. He feels like she can "see" him while she feels like she doesn't know him at all.

And for what it's worth, women have sex for pleasure too. I do not find Rachel "giving in" to Don disappointing. Just look at him! Who could resist! The woman has needs too. It is always a bummer when the chase is over so I hope the writers do something complex and interesting with their affair.

Peggy is not pregnant. Remember she went on the pill?

While I loved all the character development in this episode, I felt that the writing was at times hit-or-miss. I found Don's conversation with "his" twin completely weird and Roger's heart attack was a welcome relief.

Similarly, Joan’s roommate’s impassioned and awkward monologue, followed by the inanity of their double-date conversation, was only relieved by the totally AWESOME scene where she is taking the dictation late at night in the office with the big boss. That scene and the scene that followed in the elevator were stunning.

As much as I am not rooting for a Don-Rachel romance, I am thrilled with the side of him we see when he is around her: maybe he’s the Missing Piece to her Big-O.

And speaking of Shel Silverstein – the scenes that took place in the Village featured a more homogenous collection of New Yorkers – including a black woman among the guests of Midge’s stoner party. I don’t care for Midge’s character in the least (I find Peggy, Joan, Betty et al much more interesting) but her crowd evokes the halcyon days of Greenwich Village – when it was full of real artists and intellectuals rather than its current legions of rich Hollywood types and Eurotrash trust-funders trying to look bohemian.

Yes, I agree with the statement "I am so over 1960" being purposely included. When I first heard it, it jarred me because it is such a contemporary saying, and I couldn't understand why the writers would have let it go, as the show is so incredibly well-written and true to the details of the time. But of course it must have been done on purpose - I love this show! Absolutely the best, and how great is it that there will be a second season?

I'm 44, female, black (non-American), married. I like this show simply because it's awesomely good. The characters are interesting, not one-dimensional,and varied and the dialogue is oh so smart. I love the use of language; the pace; the look (and looks, esp. Jon Hamm).

I also agree that there is not much chemistry between Rachel and Don after all. I think there will be a lot of bitterness and drama surrounding them in the future. It's possible that the non-chemistry is there to show how the relationship eventually turns ugly.

I believe Betty's inability to show real emotion when talking to Don is just a defense mechanism. In order for the marriage to maintain its status quo inner turmoil must be kept at bay. They keep their private demons to themselves. Only external conflicts are acceptable to discuss. I do believe Betty and Don will one day discover just how much they love and need each other.

I thought Roger's scene in the hospital with Mona was overdone. He doesn't seem the type to be that emotional especially with Don observing.

Joan looked absolutely beautiful in her black dress with her hair down. Loved the elevator scene with Joan realizing how much she and Shirley McLaine's character had in common.

I think Don's "This is it!" comment to Rachel is right up there with Tony Soprano's "I get it." line in the dessert in that it can be interpreted many ways.

I took that line as well as the other one(and I am ad libbing because I have seen the episode once)"all of these feelings are slipping through my fingers..." to mean that he understands what true love feels like now.

When he and Rachel meet up in the restaurant the first time he says that there is no such thing as love. Men like him make it up to sell stockings (or something like that). Whereas Rachel was the more romantic one. Anyone remember that?

Fast forward to Don watching his boss cry and hold his family. Don gets sentimental. He misses his family. He calls Betty and realizes, while she is talking, he feels nothing. The woman he wants to talk to is Rachel.

Light bulb moment for Don.

He wakes up.

When he arrives at Rachel's door his hair is dry w/out Brill cream, he has been roaming the streets, perhaps. He looks messed up- a far cry from how he looked in the hospital.

He was telling her that he gets what these feelings mean. He can put a word behind it now even though he can't say it.

It is love.

He is gushing.

He is breathless.

He wants her.

He needs her.

It is the first time he has ever felt this.

It was a fine performance from Jon Hamm and I was impressed with his layers and his vulnerability.

And that is my interpretation of that one line: "This is it."

To: I Remember it Well

I'm thirtysomething and I absolutely love this show! I love it because even though it takes place in 1960, all these things still happen today. Maybe some of the sexist comments don't take place directly in front of the women but they STILL HAPPEN. Men will be having affairs with women in the city and then going home to their wives in Connecticut until the end of time! You can't politically correct human nature!

Oh yes! Someone finally noticed! I think Peggy is pregnant as well! She looked a little chubby in the face and the outfit she was sporting (and in the preview of the next episode)smacks of - "Yep! The waistline is the first thing to go!" Although, I do wish the full-figured gal was still in vogue. This is the only show I watch on TV. I love every minute of it - even the tid-bits attached to the commercials!

regarding Peggy pregnant or not. She had just been prescribed the pill when she had that first night with Pete. That doesn't mean she was protected and there are a lot of people walking around out there who were concieved when their mother's were on the pill. If you look at the way they have changed her figure from the beginning to last week and then this, that is not just a young woman putting on some weight.

I thought the scene in the hospital with Sterling was excellent. A man who has so sharply faced his own mortality puts in perspective what matters. He obviously loves his daugther as he talks about her with everyone, Don, Joan and homely little Mirabelle.

Joan's reaction to the roomate was very real. She is faced with a situation that she is not expecting and doesn't know how to respond so she reponds the only way she knows and that is to pretend that it didn't happen.

I loved this episode although I found the twins thing a little wierd but saw it's purpose. Pete I find creepier every scene he's in and talk about a smarmy kiss ass who will mostly agree with whatever he thinks will win him point with the big boys or the clients. I almost cheered when he almost got fired

The "1960 I'm SO over you" didn't strike me as being implausible argot for a New York sophisticate in 1960. I did not find it particularly jarring. I can't offer evidence to the contrary as I was only 8-years-old in 1960 and don't actually recall anyone saying that, but I think it's possible.

Did they say what college they attended? I was wondering if maybe they were Bennington Girls.

At first, I thought this episode was a little flat, but on reflection, I don't think so. The show just keeps on getting better. I can't remember a tv drama I have enjoyed more (not even the Sopranos).

Among the many wonderful things about this show is that the characters are multi-dimensional, and every episode seems to bring out a different aspect of their personalities. Tonight, we saw Joan and Roger, both bon vivant types, showing different sides. Joan's all about keeping cool and not letting anyone see her sweat (remember her comment to the roommate about not using the dress shields and the way Joan danced The Twist with Paul in the earlier episode with an almost imperceptible sway of the hips). Her comment to the roommate "You've had a hard a day" was so "Joan" -- brush it off, keep going, keep it light, there's nothing that night on the town can't fix (remember Don's comment in Episode 1 that advertising is all about happiness). Yet, she is far from superficial. We see Joan coming into the office in the middle of the night (on a holiday weekend no less) to help Mr. Cooper and the tears in her eyes as she types the telegram. She is devoted. Not only to Roger but to Sterling Cooper institution and all that it represents. What is also interesting to me is that we learn in the episode that she went to college. She is an educated woman with alot of street smarts. Is she frustrated by the career limitations that were faced by women at the time? And as for Roger, he has lived like there is no tomorrow, yet he cries like a baby when facing his own mortality. I would guess that for some period of time, Roger may "reform" and cut down on his drinking, smoking and womanizing, but for the sake of the show, I hope we get the "old" Roger back before too long. Besides, he gets all the best lines. Example: "We need to cut back...let's go fire someone."

And as for Don, I think him showing up looking disheveled at Rachel's apartment is indicative of the "oh sh**t" panic he probably felt at the sight of his boss/mentor/friend/older version of himself lying pasty faced in the hospital. Don wonders: if Roger kicks off, what happens to me? To Sterling Cooper? And am I going to end up like that in 10-15 years? But instead of pausing to reflect, he gives in to the panic.

For "I remember it well"

I was 8 years old in 1960 so as I watch I have a lot of "oh, yeah" moments. Some details I do remember personally, others are more like vaguely recalling the essence of something. Obviously I was not hanging around an advertising agency in Manhattan but I do recall the attitudes, mysterious to me as a child, the overheard comments and looks that I didn't understand then but do now.

It really is a kind of time travel. I can conjure up the tinkle of cocktail glasses and laughter downstairs late at night when my parents entertained friends, overflowing ashtrays and the smell of lighter fluid (and pipe tobacco for a few years), martini kits, hostess aprons, Arpege perfume, etc.

And the acting's wonderful, storylines are good too. What's not to like?

Well, I'm going to give myself a little pat on the back for bringing up Kitty Genovese and her roommate-lover just before this episode aired. LOL

And Roger -- choosing butt-ugly twins over the luscious Talia Balsam, who I have had a major crush on since seeing her in the Kent State movie (1980?)? For shame Roger!

Not the best ep IMHO. Very choppy.

I've enjoyed every eposiode and am glad to see that AMC renewed it. Growing up in the 70s (I'm 40), this was a generation we all looked back on and wished we had been born a bit earlier.

Excellent show last night with many new twists opening up new plot possibilities. I imagine some of the seemed foreshadowing of past episodes will come to light soon (ex. - Pete's creepiness w/gun; Don wanting him fired; much more). I also hope to see more flashbacks to clear up a couple of questions - like the father in the hobo episode... is it his father or stepfather. If I had to guess, it is his stepfather. We knew the mother was the stepmother because when he denied his brother, the uncle stated they had the same daddy, but made no mention of the mother. Also, in the hobo episode, he introduced himself as a whore child.

I hope the writers continue to develop Don into someone we can not only like, but respect. Due to the time development, his affairs and life will probably come to light by more and more people. I hope that he protects his children in the series...

I could write/talk all day about what I liked in each episode and speculate about what I hope happens. I'm just glad the show is running. It's the only show that I look forward to seeing regularly and this point. In some ways it reminds me of "Twin Peaks," in that it's familiar in some ways but that familiarity can shock you. I hope, though, that the writers don't go overboard in later seasons like they did on Twin Peaks.

Note to "Irememberitwell" about who we all are. I'm a 41-yo Caucasian woman, happily married, no kids, pretty good career. My mother is "Penny321." I go to her house on Thursdays to watch MM with her and I have become fascinated with this show, and with my mother's life and the world in which she carved out her career. She won't tell you this, but she is an attorney with a specialty in Constitutional Law (semi-retired now). The restrictions on women and minorities in 1960 are what led her to pursue a career in which she knew she could directly implement change. Ever since I can remember she has told my sister and me, "Don't complain about the world unless you're prepared to make it better."

OK anyway, here's my comment about Don. We kind of laugh about mid-life crisis, but it's a milestone in almost everyone's life. It usually happens at the point when you've achieved all the goals you set for yourself early on. Then you say to yourself, ok, I made it. I've got everything I wanted. Why aren't I on top of the world? And where do I go from here?

Don Draper has it all--the career, the trophy wife, the social status. But none of those things have provided him with spiritual or emotional fulfillment. I think he's drawn to Rachel because he sees her (rightly or wrongly) as the woman who's going to fill that big hole in his life.

I was so moved by the last scene with Roger and his daughter. He has mentioned in almost every episode how bothered he is by the gap between them. Her coming to him when he was in such a weak and vulnerable state may be the turning point in his life.

What Peggy said to Pete was what we call in French "remettre les pendules à l'heure" i.e. "setting all the clocks to the correct time". She just reminded him of the facts. I get the feeling just having a secretary talking back to an executive is extraordinary.

Funniest line of the episode : Don to Rachel "This is it!"

Yes, Don can relate to Nixon. It's hard for people today to fully understand the dynamic of Nixon and Kennedy. Today, everyone hears the name Nixon and thinks Watergate and Kennedy is this tragic figure who has become larger than life in his death. Kennedy was from a wealthy family and there was a lot of resentment about that in this country. Today, people hero worship the children of the wealthy. Nixon was truly a self-made person and he also had been the vice president.

My father was Don Draper's age in 1960 and had the same basic history of the Korean War, horrible childhood, etc. My dad worked for IBM and I loved the episode where the guy referred to it as International Business Machines, not IBM. Even though my dad passed seveal years ago, he told me liked Kennedy b/c he felt he got the country energized and excited. I have a feeling my dad was probably also skeptical when he first saw Kennedy and I doubt he voted for him.

I love this show!! Please forgive me for a longish post--blame it on enduring a rerun last week and Mad Men Withdrawal Syndrome...

Ep. 10 was worth waiting for...so much rich subtext for these characters:

Don--cracks in his veneer of success and confidence, his insecurities revealed

Rachel--her emotions and attraction to Don overcoming her wisdom and common sense; knowing she and Don have that bond of exile (even though I don't think Don is in any way Jewish)

Roger--finally suffering the consequences of extended "shore leave"; will the reality check for this troubled 'family man' be temporary or permanent?

Cooper--a wise old owl, very 'zen'--undertands the human complications of the office, as well as the business itself

Joan-- so sexy, as to attract both men and women ala Dietrich or Garbo...yet her vulnerabilities were beautifully revealed in this episode--she most embodies the 'zeitgeist' of 50's-early 60's, in that she wasn't quite ready to confront her feelings and 'issues'--usually, she just moves along (and will she continue to do that?)

Peggy--wanting to be like Joan in the beginning of the series and gradually moving away from that, as she asserts herself professionally and socially (and finally communicating clearly to Pete)

Pete--his Kennedy to Don's Nixon..we all know how that turned out (at least, in 1960)

Betty--a bit blind to the real Don and herself, not fully a grown-up, even with two children

It's a tribute to the writers and actors that I would loooove to know what happens to these characters (and Sal, Fred RUMson, Trudy, Mona, Margaret, etc.)about 10, 20 years later...fun to speculate.

did anyone catch the two references or allusions to THE BEST OF EVERYTHING? the 'slush pile' and 'shalimar' since they mentioned other films directly, most notably THE APARTMENT, anyone catch these references?

I don't get why most people on this messge board hate Pete so much. I mean, I understand how you would hate him if you were a character in the show, but as an audience member, I like him. I feel that he is not just your packaged "rich kid." He is smart and has good ideas for the advertsing agency. The problem is that he is also socially inept and not satisfied with how his life has become. He is probably very angry, sad, and frustrated about his inability to get people to like him. I wouldn't hate him for coming from wealth because he is trying to make a life and name for himself outside of that (or else he wouldn't be tryint to work at all). I will say that he is a weird one and has some perverse sexual fanatasies, but no, I don't hate him. I don't think he is a saint either, but he is definitely a man of no less moral character than the other men he works with (which doesn't say that much, but whatever). Also, yes he treats Peggy rudely, but that is just because he doesn't know how to act with people - even with people he loves. I believe he loves Peggy very much actually, but that he just doesn't know how to interact with people. I also believe, that, for whatever reason, Peggy loves him very much as well. They will come together some time again, but their relatiohship will be shown as one of many up, down, and sideway turns with a lot of arguments, fights, etc. But really, they both are very much into each other.

The people bashing Betty -- I gather none of you are married or