Wow, Matt, I'm really surprised to hear that about Betty. I was really hoping that Betty still loved Don and wanted to work things out. Now you're saying she's just trapped because of her pregnancy. Of course, people did stay together at that time and divorce was not at all common, especially when there were children involved. It seemed to me that Don was touched and thrilled to hear about the baby. It looked like he had tears in his eyes, and I thought they were tears of joy. He's hoping that the new baby will bring them closer together, isn't he?

I loved the way he held out his hand to her, as if to say, "I'm here, if you want me . . . I love you." And she immediately put her hand in his, as if to say, "we're married . . . for better or for worse. We'll get through it somehow. We're not going anywhere."

I would be very sorry if they got divorced, although in "real life," a couple like Betty and Don probably would get divorced somewhere in the 1970's. It's heartbreaking though; they once had a great love.

Gail, I also thought I saw a lot of emotion in Don's face when Betty told him but I can't help thinking that Don is a little afraid of the new Betty and isn't sure just what to say or do. Will he be man enough to be there for her now during this new challenge or will his libido continue to get in the way? Can this type of man really 'change' and continue to be successful?
I can't tell you all enough how this series has mirrored my life and the Big-W is so right-on about the third pregnancy making a woman feel trapped. When this happened to me, in reflection, the only thing that held my marriage together was that we both had a strong foundation together. Before we married we became good friends and our lives were an open book to each other. Betty was devastated by Don's indiscretion, wait until she finds out about "Dick Whitman"! They both carry such heavy emotional baggage but Don's is so much heavier. It would take a small miracle for them to stay together.
Mr. W continues to amaze and surprise us with his stunning plot twists and turns as he time-skips into season three, and the waiting will be torture! Good thing we have this forum to keep the dream alive.

Well, now we know there WILL be a third child, that between now and next season Betty won't miscarry. Boy or girl? Let the baby pool begin!

I think how she feels about Dick Whitman will depend on how she finds out, and at what stage their relationship is. It doesn't hurt that Dick/Don is now worth a cool half million more.

Meanwhile, I have a hard time feeling sorry for Betty. If she had no husband AND no money and no job skills, maybe. But she does have a husband, at least in name - and he does love her as well as he's able to, I believe - and she has material possessions way beyond what most folks of the era would have. With some college, she is educated at the level of or slightly above her peers. And she has a luxury most mothers of the period did not have - time (and Carla.) My mother and father raised 9 of us, with no help beyond the occasional grandma time.

Yes, some folks are more maternal than others but I do tire of Betty feeling put-upon as she sweats over a hot stove, gets the kids off to school and vacuums the living room - oops, that's Carla. Betty gets her hair done, rides her horses, lunches with the girls. She makes it clear it's an effort to make something other than grilled cheese for the kids or spaghetti for Don. What a tough life she has.

Auburn Annie, I say (as to your baby pool) it's gonna be TWINS: a girl and a boy!

Oh, but Matt already said she was going to "have 3 children"...oh well...

I assumed that Betty's longing look into the store window--seeing her own reflection of what her life had been and what it would no longer be--meant that she had "accepted her fate" in the gilded cage of suburban wealthy motherhood. The young girl in the beauty parlor also forced Betty to think about "the children" and not just herself. Two styles of parenting were presented before her, and Betty wanted to reject both, to continue to be the "princess" she thought she was supposed to be, to try to figure out a way to resolve her "problem." But the store window scene crystalized her life for her. I thought that scene perfectly explained the reason for her bar encounter, and why she never told the man her name, because at that moment she knew that she was now trapped--her attempts at "undoing" the situation would not come to pass. This was the hand she'd been dealt and she was going to have to play that hand. Life might end tomorrow (so eat, drink, and be merry without any thought to the consequences) but if life continued, it would not ever return to her "princess" days.

I also assumed that she finally called Don home because she accepted that she believed that she had no other option rather than being emotionally touched by his letter. She isn't the "princess" anymore and isn't "in love" with her prince whose armor isn't as shiny as she once thought. She understood that her children (all three) would need Don in their lives. Being a single mother of three--becoming a version of Helen Bishop--when she doesn't even enjoy being a mother at all is too much for her to carry on her own, so she swallows her pride and tells him to come home. Her halting at the kitchen table--deciding what to tell Don--was about choosing whether or not to try to hurt Don with the bar reveal or to try to find a way to at least maintain her gilded cage so that these other people would not be hurt by the fallout.

She essential "grew up" and put her children's needs above her own, which we'd seen hints of earlier during the season, especially with Glen. I didn't think that the kitchen table scene indicated Betty had "forgiven" Don or even that she "loved" Don; rather, I guessed that Betty's decision to reveal the pregnancy was her admission of surrender against a battle she thinks is lost.

Peggy also "grew up" this season since her denial was finally dealt with in a way that allowed her to be free. I assumed that at some point off camera she would tell Father Gill that she had "confessed" and she might even accept the tradition of priestly confession now that she had confessed to the human person she'd "sinned against" and to God. It would be a "formality" for her, but I thought she would understand the formality as just that--a formality--and then re-enter the parish as a full member who could partake of the sacraments. Father Gill would probably allow her a "brief" confession without details since he seems to be more concerned with her soul than formality, and he would "formally" grant her the status of repentent child who could now fully partake of family life. Peggy's mother would also know that Peggy had "confessed" and so would Anita because of the restored "family" issue of communion.

I though Mr. Weiner's contrast then between Peggy's family life and Betty's family life was brilliant--Peggy is freed while Betty is trapped.

Auburn Annie speaks the truth!

--Visan

I think that the emotion we saw between Betty and Don was part pregnancy, the beginning of life, and the feeling of the Cuban Missile Crisis' doomed feeling, the end of life.

Poor Betty doesn't have the right to choose. This third baby is the "make-up" baby. By the way, it will be a boy named........... Dick!!!

Thank you Matt Weiner! This show is so incredibly intriguing! I know it must be difficult for you to have so much read into the show by us Madman addicts, instead of us focusing on what was put before us. I just want you to know that in my 50+ years of television viewing, I have never found a show so fascinating. Thank you so much and to the writers, cast and crew and all involved. Bravo!

Should we start a baby pool? Or a Name the Baby Contest?

I say GIRL.
Name: Karen

Not sure which it'll be but
if it's a girl - Anna
if it's a boy - Adam

(old family names, lol)

I have to agree with some of the other posters, that the last scene of Don and Betty was a surrender to the consequences of fate (pregnancy) and not necessarily a willing and enthusiastic renewal. It's the long-haul road now with a baby on the way.

Though I think the tables are turned, and Don feels more love for Betty than she does for him these days, depending on Betty's state-of-mind/change of heart in the future, for all intents and purposes, it may end up being a marriage of appearances and duty rather than a mutually deeply loving relationship. Betty would have to fall in love with Don again, and I don't know that she can or will.

When "Pink Human" used the phrase, "gilded cage", my memory kicked in....didn't Don call Betty "Birdie"? (I hope I'm not wrong here) but now I'm remembering an old song, "She's Only A Bird In A Gilded Cage, a beautiful sight to see..." and folks in the MM time line would certainly have knowledge of it. This Birdie was trapped too.

You know, it was very hard to have kids back then. We still boiled bottles even if we used formula. Mothers were strongly urged to breast feed (remember the Doc telling Betty she was blessed with a resilient body?) If we could afford it, we had "diaper service" for our cloth diapers. Babies were pretty high maintenance then and very hard on mothers.

I agree with Auburn Annie, Betty has a girl and Don asks her to name it, Anna.

How do all you devoted MMfanatics think Betty will find out about Dick? I'm thinking revenge from one of Don's old flames, especially Bobbie. Didn't he do a quick-zip exit out of their love nest? And what about that sucker punch to her hubby? That 'comedian' would have made her life miserable after all that. What goes around, comes around.

I love reading all your posts, makes my day! And since I'm not up on all episodes in season two, corrections welcomed!

Well she obviously hasn't managed to get that locked desk drawer open yet, or if she did she found nothing incriminating in it. I mean really, she could have called in a locksmith ("silly me, I've lost the key and my husband is away on business" .)

Don probably has a safe deposit box in the city near the office, for stashing quick getaway cash and relics of his past. Betty's been cashing his paychecks and presumably has seen the checkbook - apparently there are no checks made out to "Anna Draper," no regular, if odd, withdrawals in the monthly statements.

I wonder if he'll tell her exactly how much he's going to clear on the PPL merger. Doubtful, as he is of the generation where money was the male's domain, as childrearing and home decorating were left to the ladies. Finance, beyond buying groceries, was considered far too complicated for women to comprehend (women like Alice Cooper notwithstanding.) I'm thinking a healthy chunk of it disappears into his "start a new life if I have to" fund. Unless Roger spills the beans, Betty's unlikely to hear any specifics from folks at SC, not that she sees most of them socially anyway.

Thanx MW for restoring my confidence in TV. I've avoided the airwaves for a long time because it's been soooo banal. I am thrilled to see that I'm not the only Maddict and love reading all the thotful comments.. It's almost like book club!!!
When Don offered his hand across the table to Betty, she put her hand in his but they did not envelope .. that open gesture signals to me that they have a tacit understanding but a long way to go before either of them feels joined as a single unit...They have a lot of work to do before nxt Monday when Don may or may not return to SC.I'd love to hear some of that conversation, perhaps a quick getaway to the west coast and an introduction to Anna. It may be the avenue toward healing . Anna, as a Californian now, with her obvious artist's openness and insight, may be able to reach Betty in a way that explains all and gives Betty an understanding of Don that nothing else can. This approach will be very difficult for her, but I want to believe that she has the capacity.. With the exception of her empathy toward Glen Bishop, which I admit, perplexes me mightily, Betty is as superficial as she was raised to be. Let's see her grow to meet the challenge.."The times, they are a changin"...

I have been facinated with the parallel between Don and Peggy.. that she bypassed the priest and made her confession to Pete showed me again how much she trusts her own judgement. As a protestant, it seems simple to me, but I can see that her faith and guidence by church teaching is still a conflict for a strong willed young woman .
I'm happy to see that she is beginning to be able to open up a bit . At her Steelcase desk in her own office she says "I've been sleeping with Don, it's really working out." lets us know she gets it...

Yeah, Laurie B., a baby pool/name the baby!

My prediction for the baby is:

Twins: a girl and a boy, Debbie and Michael

(I posted twins on another thread but without the names)

I agree. Karen was a popular sixties name. Also Lisa, Debbie, Beverly

Me and some of my co-workers thing that there might be some sexual tension going on between Peggy and the Priest. I think Don should keep Betty in the dark about his affairs for a while. The show is so stylish I am addicted. I wish there would be some more sixties background music. Ella Fitzgerald, Billie Holiday, Mitch Miller. Oh maybe Don and Betty can get away and go to the the "CalNeva" and see Frank and the boys.

I have to say that I am puzzled by MW's lack of understanding regarding the joys of being a mother as well as the drudgery. Is all this "trapped-ness" really accurate regarding most women in the 60s? I know he is setting up the explosion of the women's movement.. but that movement did not and does not represent all women in the suburbs then or now!

Yes, it's not as interesting to watch happy moms -- but could we have one neighbor-mother who was snuggling a baby? or laughing with her kids? I don't think that is so far-fetched! Children of the 60s opine! Was there one mother in 1962 who is had fun playing with, talking to, or snuggling her children?

As a mom of 2 little ones, yes -- it is tough and mind numbing at times, but also they are funny, full of love and life, and you are their mother and they need you! I want to say, "Betty - snap out of it!"

Newsflash to MW -- most women DO like babies .. especially their own.

Yes, GardenLady, there was at least one loving, huggy, kissy mom in the 60s (and I suspect many more!) and she was mine. My brother and I were hugged raw and our cheeks were often smeared with Revlon "Cherries in the Snow" lipstick from my loving, affectionate mother's impromptu kisses. She was a very demonstrative mother, not that moms who are not so demonstrative do not love their children just as much. Some moms just show it less physically, I think.

Garden Land & SCfan,

I think Betty's friend, Francine, is the happy mother you are looking for, but she has a supporting role on the show, probably for the very reason you suggest GL-- the show is going to explore the women's movement and how the feelings of being trapped helped that movement become a force to be reckoned with in later years. Spending lots of air time developing that idea--happy motherhood--doesn't suit the overall story. Yes, there were women during that era did enjoy motherhood, but Mr. Weiner's story isn't about the happy moms of that era. It's about the women (and there were lots of them) who were unsatisfied with the options available to them, with the limitations imposed on them by their gender, and the the "myth" that motherhood is automatically fulfilling to every woman.

Think of the show as you would a novel. You might not notice a lack of happy moms in a novel because you don't spend years reading a novel. You move along the through the plot and see how the details were there to support an overall thesis. Most fictional novels set in the 1960s are not designed to be a diary of all the events that took place during that era but to capture an overall theme of the times. My guess would be that Mr. Weiner's "novel" is designed to highlight the culture that produced the one we live in now.

The "unhappy" women of the 1960s forged the path for today's women to be thought of outside the box of "wife" and "mother" which seems to be Peggy's , and to a lesser extent Joan's, position on the show. Peggy actually isn't interested in either of those things being her sole definition, and without women like her, there would be no women in the work force the way they are now.

Joan is about ten years older than Peggy, so there is still this idea of "wife" she holds onto as part of her definition of self. We've already had foreshadowing that her role of "wife" will not make her happy, however, since her doctor is anything but a "keeper" or the fairy tale Prince Charming. We may see in future seasons the "dark side" of being trapped in a marriage where the man is threatened by a woman who isn't a child. (BTW, Don isn't threatened by Betty, who has been very childlike up to halfway through season 2, but he seems to have respect for intelligent, strong women--Peggy & Anna being good examples--so Betty isn't the character to use to show how men behaved when threatened.) Joan seems to function as the bridge between Betty's character and Peggy's because Betty has the "wife" and "mother" definition and hasn't found either satisfying while Peggy has neither definition and actually is satisfied.

Betty's pregnancy will probably be used to highlight that being only a "princess" isn't just boring, but may well be akin to a slow death. Or Mr Weiner will surprise us and Betty will embrace motherhood, but I rather doubt that since she hasn't already, and her search for fulfillment will take the audience into the world of wealthy suburban women who self-medicated to deal with the emptiness of their lives. We've already seen hints that Betty is prone to this sort of behavior, so it isn't unreasonable to think she'll suddenly strike out on a new path. Joan? Perhaps. (Can't you see the scene where Joan burns her bra????) But if Betty doesn't go the Valley of the Dolls route, she may become an activist, a la Helen Bishop, as a way to be "all that she can be" during that era. A bra-burning Betty would be a fun plot element since she would have the money (once she finds Don's hidden executive accounts, which I'm sure exist) to become a real force within the Women's Movement.

So, to sum it up, the lack of happy moms on the show may be less a lack of understanding of the joys of motherhood on the writer's part and more about the overall story he is telling. He is making choices about what to include and what not to include in his story based on how those things fit within his overall story arc. Mad Men isn't about a family but about a culture. Just think what would happen to this "novel" if Mad Men focused on Francine's happy motherhood experience rather than Betty's unhappy one--and how it affects her children--Mad Men would be a totally different story.

As the story moves further into the 1960s, I would guess that the unrest within the culture--from all sorts of people, not just women--will become more and more of a focus in order to explain the mindset of those who parented the Baby Boomers and Gen X and the so on. Francine actually was used to highlight this in the finale during her speech about parenting. That scene put forth two very different views of how to raise children, and those different views each helped create the next generations of children who then went on to parent their children. I would expect more and more clashes between the Helen Bishop style of parenting, the Francine style of parenting and Betty's style of parenting. And that will generate lots of "discussion" online and around water coolers since everyone will be evaluating his or her own experience of being parented or of being a parent as those clashes show up next season. Add in the other clashes that are coming--youth, sex, drugs, race, religion, etc. --and this show may raise some really thorny issues about things people have very specific opinions about.

It should be interesing. Very interesting. :-)

Sally tells Daddy that Mommy doesn't like to eat, but she sure like her wine and smokes. This can't be good for the baby she's carrying. About this time, everybody discovered tranquilizers and it's not hard to figure out why. The bra-burning era may have a new dawn for women but it certainly was gut-wrenching for society, and I'm hoping Mr. W doesn't get bogged down in all this conflict on how to raise children, or women screaming for justice, or the most sad time of all: the Kennedy funeral, but instead stays with the rich characters he's created and how it all affects their lives.

Chelsea, I couldn't agree more; where is the rat pack anyway? Surely, at one of those cocktail parties they all loved back then, there would be some connection there, right?

And the male-dominated church fought hard to keep their control over women (and men too I suppose), but it was the women who paid attention more and got the brunt of "...or you'll die and go to hell!" It was sufficating and infuriating to this gal (and Peggy?) and the road way from it all was hard but satisfying eventually. If the priest does feel a pull toward Peg, what a great story line that will be.

The entire direction of season three will be just how far ahead in time Mr. W takes it. He's already hinted that he could skip over this entire time line entirely and I'm sincerely hoping he does.

What could we could find then is far more interesting to me; Peggy and the priest madly in love? Pete searching for the child he can't have with Trudy, making Peggy's life miserable and winding up in his office alone and hated just like Don had predicted? Joan the biggest (cough) bra burner of them all? Don with his own competing ad firm speciallizing in TV advertising (oh no!) and on the domestic front, carrying Betty's homemade cookies to the divorce' down the street? Roger having another health incident that leaves him with a disability the new trophy wife can't deal with but the old reliable one can? Betty happily swimming in a fog of alcohol and drugs interviewing yet another Nanny for the kids because she's become so unpleasant she's turning the entire family against her.

There's so much richness of character here other than the raising of children. A woman may stay in a marriage for her children but Betty isn't that kind of person - too self-centered. Don might though, since he was so affected by his own lonely and heartbreaking past as a child. Yes, he just might be just that kind of Dad.....but can he tame those beautiful wandering eyes of his? To be or not to be (faithful) will always be the question.

BTW, what was Betty's Mom's name?

Probably "Mother" lol. To be serious, I don't remember it being mentioned but maybe someone can review the DVDs from Season 1.

For some reason I'm reminded of one of the more poignant scenes from M*A*S*H where Hawkeye is frantically trying to find out if his father is dying or not and Charles, privy to what's going on, revealing - and somewhat wistfully - says that while he (Charles) has a father, Hawkeye has a dad. I sense the same lack of warmth in Betty's family that Pete has had in his. Don is trying to be a dad for his kids, not just their father, however imperfectly he has behaved with their mother, because Don knows the difference from painful personal experience between a father (or stepfather) and a dad.

"Mother" ! ROTFL....{; )

Excellent analogy AuburnAnnie, I think I remember that episode myself from that wonderful show, and how happily we all urged Hawkeye on when he tweeked ole' stuffed-shirt Charles. These little nuggets of wisdom do stay with one. I also agree that there are many similarities between Charles' and Betty's insufferable sense of priviledge but for the life of me I just can't see Charles in any kitchen at any time for any reason. I wish I knew more of the dynamic between Betty and "Mother". Maybe it wasn't so bad since Betty does seem to have a softer side at times. It's still scary when she stays so in control and keeps her voice so modulated.

Do you remember the look on Don's face when he saw that little boy (he was in CA with Joy). I think he was sitting on some steps, (by the pool?). A father brought both his kids for some reason that escapes me and Don seemed to zero in on the boy who looked kind of sad and lost. Then he went to Anna's.

When he came back to Betty he wanted to make contact with the kids and on his first visit with them they all had such fun eating burgers on the hotel bed. He looked genuinely happy. In retrospect, I'm seeing a different side of Don that I didn't notice before. Warm and fuzzy - and I really like it.

Didn't the women's movement get started more by your upper white class bored women? They wanted to have careers. Whereas your lower class and minority women had to work and didn't have time to be bored with shopping, horseback riding and afternoon martini lunches.

I just hope MW holds off on all the burn your bra stuff for a while. Because I enjoy watching this time period. Probably because of the cloths. When they start showing men with the long side burns and plaid suits... yuck. So I am hoping the shows stays in this era for a while. The flashbacks to Don's past in 40's and 50's also makes it interesting.

I thinks the whole Betty bored with children just plays into here situation. Upper class and not having to work. Anyone could get bored at home.

I agree there is something brewing between Peggy and the Priest.

My only complaint is the season is too short!!

..........either the gremlin-cyber-thieves were here or I had another senior moment, because some of my post above just ...vanished........Just a quick observation about Pete's backround in comparison to Betty and M*A*S*H's Charles - isn't he basically broke now? Didn't his ditzy mummy lose it all? And why did I think he had thoughts of matricide looking at her? I know I did. Pete has some real women problems; his mummy, wife Trudy, and now the love-of-his-life, so he says, Peggy, have all "betrayed" him. All he has left is his gun and lots of dark thoughts.

Chelsea, we not only have to worry about the ugly sideburns, what about the white belts and matching shoes? And the oh-so-cool fizzy high hair? Men actually got permanents so they could fizz up their hair! How about the MM office boys going to a disco and doing a Travolta in tight pants? But, that's if Mr. Big takes the show that far ahead. He could title one episode, "MM Horror Show"...could become a cult classic.

I just remembered -- Betty's mother's name was Ruthie. Remember her father called her "Ruthie" at his house?

I believe there are far more metaphors going on here than are being discussed. The contrasts in the handling of pregnancies is obvious (although I wish Betty would have done slightly more investigation on the abortion front - she's extremely fragile and complex); staying with Don could be her complete downfall (her breakdown). Flip to the business side, the merger of Sterling Cooper, birth of a new business with unknowable consequences, but still a birth of sorts. Whether either birth will cause characters to pull together or pull apart has yet to be seen. I don't see the season finale's ending scene as Betty succumbing to her future. As mentioned above, the scene before the glass windows and her brief, but certain infidelity at the bar made her recognize her own ability to control her life. What was she thinking standing in the light of the refrigerator eating a chicken leg? Deciding her future? No, there was evident anger there; but also acceptance. Now that she recognizes her own power over her life (she could have had an abortion and never told Don about the pregnancy) have given her a new sense of self. As for fear of becoming the divorced neighbor, Betty was the only one of the lot to show any sympathy (or empathy) for the woman's situation without making any rash judgments. Betty's outside world has collided with her inside psyche; we're going to witness a transformation. One of the type her husband is not capable of facing, he has to run away without solving or facing problems. In the final scene, Don's hand was up, exposed. Betty slid her hand palm down on top of his, she's going to be in control of the marriage even if she can't control her husband. As for her response to Don's letter, she desperately wants to believe the words he's writing (and I'm not sure can't persuade herself to believe them), but she realizes it's still Don, zipper up or down. He can't or won't change. She must change to survive, or she'll go mad. She's not the fragile piece of glass that she was depicted as being in the first season, just as Don discovered that the "other women" weren't a viable solution for him. He recognized her as his truth (even though he's living in a glass house). This parallels the "merger" plot-line which will have some fall-out, literally. Both of these events brilliantly juxtaposed with the Cuban Missile Crisis was genius stroke of authenticity as we were watching the false worlds our characters have created either face crashing down or morphing into a reality. Every character on the show now has a choice; a role in how their future plays out. With the Cuban Missile Crisis angle, it added urgency to the choices these characters make. The one pregnancy I was expecting was Joan's from the "office floor" date rape incident. That would have given us some truly difficult moral waters to navigate. Who knows, it still may happen.

One other comment after reading your posts again. Don's job is making tobacco and alcohol products seem glamorous without mentioning the potential (some known, some not at the time) side effects - i.e. birth defects, etc. Wouldn't it be ironic if Betty and Don's perfect world comes crashing down because their third child is born with a "defect" that would be reflective of the flaws in both of them. Betty could blame Don for not warning her smoking might be hazardous to health at any time, not just during pregnancy. Or perhaps the child should be born with syphilis and that's how Betty finds out about Don's numerous indiscretions. How hollow would that make the apparent tenderness at the end of season two's finale? Of course Don would blame Betty for doing the drinking and smoking because he is above fault and had to bring home the paycheck. Maybe Betty's not cold, she has Carla, rides horses, etc at Don's request to show her off as his prize, but also as his status symbol? Not say she doesn't enjoy these perks, but someone in the neighborhood who represent the "Jones'" that everyone else will need to keep up with - considering the timeframe and Don's upper mobility in his chosen field, he would want Betty to only have the best - to boost his ego further - showing the neighbors' how well he can provide for "the little woman" who is about to roar in response! I'm afraid I'd go for Betty if she gets smart and dumps Don's sorry, philandering butt. The guy in the hotel didn't seem to take much coaxing.

Peggy and the Priest. For as much as it creeps me out, I got the same vibe. He wants her to confess to him so that he can use it against her; his feelings run deeper than he suggests (in other words, his interest is not merely in her soul). And it felt good to see Pete get slammed by her revelation. You could see the burden lifting from her shoulders as that two ton weight was making itself comfortable right on his shoulders. With the added insult of "I could have shamed you Pete. I could have made you stay, but I didn't want to." Why? I think it has more to do with Peggy's values. For as much as she "wanted" more with Pete, she wanted him fair and square, not by entrapment. Let him spend his time, effort and energy searching for a child she gave up willingly (hoping for a better life for the child).

And Pete thought money bought happiness. He married it; and he loathes his wife. His selfishness is the only reason he made those revelations to Peggy; she was wise to shut that shallow "boy" out of her life.

Dear Mad Fan: your indepth observations are truly amazing and a delight to read. For some reason I'm thinking that Betty will miscarry due to her not eating, excessive smoking and drinking....and spotting. I just don't see a baby at all in season three but time will tell.

Imagine Don's surprise if Betty got a STD from the stud in the bar and that causes a miscarry! Good story line here too. Men usually passed those things around back then, them being more "adventurous".

I totally agree that the "tenderness" between Don and Betty in the last scene was too staged and not that sincere at all. As for getting an abortion; It was very scary at that time to get one - even at a doctor's office if that was even possible. I knew a woman who couldn't have any children after one and that kind of news traveled very fast underground.

I always thought girls like Peggy who attended the best secretarial schools back then were kind of whimpy with their little hats and pocketbooks - so prim and proper. Well, Peggy is looking to be the really strong female at MM. Priests back then liked to talk like that to females who were like little children to them, easily manipulated. Peggy is a challenge to the father. He may like it......! I can't tell you how many priests had women on the side back then and sometimes children. The Church knew it and ignored it just like they did with child abuse. When the public finally got wise to it all, lots of priests had to leave the church.

Just before the incident of Joan and the Doc getting rug burns at the office, when they were in bed, didn't she tell him basically that he was the first.....just after getting on top which sent off bells in the doc's head? As far as sex is concerned, back then it was, well, pretty simple for women and "puritanical". It was a "slam, bang, thank you ma'm". Today they tear up the sheets and take videos, searching for the right "spot" etc.,...not back then! Glen knows she lied and punished her on the office floor and I'm kind of convinced he'll call the whole thing off.....when he's finished with her. Of cource, if she does get pregnant from the floor quickie, well, he is a doctor.!

As far as outside influences back then, well, I would add that the race conflicts in the south had a much larger impact on the country. I found it odd that SC would accept Paul's girlfriend so easily with no behind-the-back talk at all.

Pete is an enigma - he could go in any direction.

Remember how Roger broke down and weeped when Mona and Margaret came to him after the first heart attack? Now he wants to dump them for a 'second chance' at a life he never had? I hope he never gets it.

Do you think Don will tell Betty about the half-million?

O.K., I'm kind of going nuts, is there a date yet for the first episode of season 3?

I'm very flattered that you enjoyed my comments and insights in to the show and it's complex; somewhat intricate interpersonal and intrapersonal relationships. I'm watching the first season for the third time. It's like peeling an onion to discover layer upon layer upon layer and each time, each episode reveals more about each character; each plotline, but it's mystique lies in its ambiguity.

I know that obtaining abortion in the context of the show's timeperiod was extremely difficult and dangerous; but Betty could have explored the option more thoroughly. At least illuminated what or how an abortion would have impacted her life, but it could be that if she would have had the procedure, it would have been seen as retaliation for Don's indiscretions. I don't think Betty is nearly as simplistic or superficial as the other posters on this site do. Betty is deeper than we see; this is intentional to keep us interested while leaving options open for her to expand or explore her avenues. Don on the other hand is simple, reflexive, compulsive and unable to control his urges. He's weak and projects his weaknesses on his wife.

There is far more going on with the priest. He wants her and eventually, he's going to go for her. He would probably be willing to give up the priesthood for her; but she would be guilt ridden over the entire affair. She'll walk around with resuming the mantle of guilt that she carried with her through most of season 1 over Pete. I hope the producers don't waste their time on that repititous exercise in futulity.

Yes, Don will tell his wife about the $500,000. He wants to keep her and is shallow enough that money could keep the bird in the gilded cage. She's dying, absolutely dying to spread her wings and find herself. The third child creates an obstacle, but not ones that can't be overcome. You're absolutely right about he final scene being seemingly filled with emotion but effectually hollow. They'll stay married, but for all the wrong reasons. She'll keep the baby, but again for all the wrong reasons.

Betty was intrigued by her hotel encounter. It wouldn't surprise me if she does it again. She doesn't want to be "owned," or "kept," but she does appreciate what money does for her. She'll make the necessary adjustments to keep it all.

God, I have so much more to say; but I'll save it.

Again, thanks for the compliment and I hope you continue to enjoy reading my posts.

Besides watching the season one DVD, I would recommend listening to the voice over commentaries by the stars....very entertaining. I couldn't agree more: everytime I watch an episode I find some new idea to explore....this is a truly amazing show. I also was intrigued by Betty's handsome Bar-Guy, far more than Don's good time gal encounters, it was so much more daring for good girl Betty. And didn't she relish that chicken leg!

Check out my posting on Telling A Story Through the Wardrobe............

I have been faithfully watching the show from the second season. I caught some old shows from the first! Any way, I see Betty as a very liberated character on the show. She wants to show Don, who is in charge! She will not be a door mat for him. I liked the way she used Don just for sex and moved on.She will accept Don on her terms only! I see her as a very intelligent woman who knows that she is attractive and a good catch for anyone.But she loves Don and is willing to take him back but will gradually make him want her totally! The trouble with men is that the chase is more exciting than the kill!! So once he knows he has her, he will start fooling around again!

Dear Kusum- couldn't agree more; it all comes back to Betty - her transformation and coming to terms with her wandering hubby who she thought she loved.........but maybe didn't completely. Those shaky-hands she had came from some realization in the back of her mind. She thought Don was working long hours at the job for her and her family so she played her part. Then she found out, in a real cruel way, he was cheating on her. Then we see her pensive and thoughtful, looking for ways to escape the pregnancy. What I've learned over the years myself, is that if a husband is devoting long hours to the job; he better be doing just that or his goose is really cooked! Now Betty's trapped in another pregnancy.

I'm really praying for a third season for no other reason than to watch what happens to Betty's life, and like a lot of other gals out here, I'd like to see a little revenge against Don in the mix! Like a lot of men in that time, they were smug and selfish.