I haven't been this happy in a long time! Nine more Season 3 episodes to look forward to plus the promise of a whole new season- this is stuff that a Maddict's dreams are made of. Thanks AMC

I wouldn't be too concerned about Peggy's smoking pot because Don tried it in S1, inhaled, and did not turn into a drug addict. Remember Don's words, "Move forward." The show is doing exactly that period wise.

As for the Joan/Jane interchange, it is classic Matt Weiner understatement. It is all in the facial expressions and body language. Despite Jane's cattiness, Joanie wins hands down, and I bet she is back in Roger's bed by season's end.

My feelings, exactly, kathiemarie. Loved that long exhale of cigarette smoke as Joan contemplated Jane, then that so cool "run along, girls, I'll catch up with you later."...you know she was seething inside. I am still wondering if she delegated any of the "girls" to run down and flag down Jane's driver or if Jane had to do it herself! I'm betting she conveniently forgot.

Me three!

Oh yeah, zabadu. Joan "forgot." = )

@imamarilyn: Although I am extremely flattered to be confused with Zerelda, I am in fact, not Zerelda!!

Up until your recent episode, September, 2009, I have had nothing but admiration for your depiction of "our" capitalistic heyday of modern '50's American with its ill-regard for health, gender respect and social alcohol addictions. Your 1st week airing with the Al Jolson black face appalls me as an educated black man. Certainly you're depicting the times, but this is where your millenium respect for modern ethnics and civil minded Americans yet runs amuck. Still you yet to hire black actors, other than the one maid, who has to stand and eat while even the children sit at the dinner table. Up until now you had me--finally a decent piece of performance art the people can learn from--never to socailly replicate. But, actors on screen are working people, eating, living actors yet you yet fail to recognize black existence yet now. Like your depictions have poignantly displayed yesterday's hedontic ill-behavior and indulgences, you will years from now regret you failed to employ other ethnic groups even in these modern millenium times. Yes, even today you remain Mad Men falling--aptly so.

Oops, spell check version:
Up until your recent episode, September, 2009, I have had nothing but admiration for your depiction of "our" capitalistic heyday of modern '50's American with its ill-regard for health, gender respect and social alcohol addictions. Your 1st week airing with the Al Jolson black face appalls me as an educated black man. Certainly you're depicting the times, but this is where your millennium respect for modern ethnics and civil minded Americans yet runs amuck. Still you yet to hire black actors, other than the one maid, who has to stand and eat, while even the children sit at the dinner table. Up until now you had me--finally a decent piece of performance art the people can learn from--never to socially replicate. But, actors on screen are working people, eating, living actors yet you yet fail to recognize black existence yet now. Like your depictions have poignantly displayed yesterday's hedonic ill-behavior and indulgences, you will years from now regret you failed to employ other ethnic groups even in these modern millennium times. Yes, even today you remain Mad Men falling--aptly so.

How long have you been watching? Season One, episode 1 - Don asks advice of a black waiter (Mark McGann),and defends him from his white employer. Carla (Debra Lacey)- that's the Draper's housekeeper - is not MADE to stand and eat while children sit at the dinner table. Household help, black or white, did not commonly eat with family members.

If you are old enough to remember (if not, Google it) there was an old TV show called "Hazel" in which the (white) maid/housekeeper played by Shirley Booth, kept house and cooked for the Baxter family. She didn't share meals with them. I can't be sure but possibly Mrs. Livingston (played by Japanese actress Miyoshi Umeki) may have shared a sandwich with Eddie but this was a decade or more later.

There have been other black actors in other episodes: Paul's girlfriend Sheila and her friends, the Hofstadts' Viola (aloma Wright), the elevator operator Hollis (La Monde Byrd) at Sterling Cooper etc. I expect there will be several more as the decade progresses, soone rather than later, but remember the milieu is still what it is for its time.

@NobleGriot

I think I understand your sentiment at the infamous "blackface" scene. However, this is an AMC original series in the same vein as HBO and Showtime not an ABC family show.

"As an educated black man" I think you're being a bit too sensitive. What I love about the shows of the first three above-mentioned channels is the fact that, though different in style and execution, they tell unadulterated and often challenging stories. When everything is politically sterilized you're left with an empty shell of what a moment, scene, or any work of art could be.

Roger in black-face said in a minute what might have taken many scenes to convey in entirety and frankly as a black individual, I laughed at his gusto and unwitting tastelessness. Don and Pete's faces are priceless. The rest of the crowd were mixed between those thoroughly enjoying it and those that put on a polite but strained smile or short chuckle. The audience knows they are watching the slow and ugly death of the old guard.

Lastly, America has a huge issue with race, and it is on display now more than ever in recent years with a president of black and white ancestry. If we can't talk about where we as a society have come from and where we are going with any frankness how else can we reach the collective American psyche?

I applaud Matt Weiner’s commitment to his fine storytelling and John Slattery's willingness to make the scene as powerful and telling as it could be(John Slattery is amazing! I still get sad about the cancellation of Jack & Bobby). There are many who would have said "no way" or who would have succumbed to the pressure of corporate sponsors when something this controversial is put in front of them.

I look forward to episode 4!

@NobleGriot

I lived in Kentucky during that time and only a jerk would have done such a thing. Don was the moral compass here as he walked away.

Roger would look at us with surprise if he were real and we called him on it. That's just Roger.

Though I am sorry you were offended, I am surprised you were shocked at a man born to wealth not understanding he was being crass in 1963. Look at the elavator man being nonexistant, though needed. The people talk in front of him as if he was not there. Betty and Don have a "girl" that helps out at home. It was a different time. I sincerely hope you will not let this keep you from enjoying what I call Smart TV.

Dapper, super post! Since I have never been black and can not relate no matter how hard I think I can, I thank you for your post.

Bravo Auburn Annie!!! Your comments are right on! I'm so glad this show is back and I can't wait to see the characters evolution.

Oh, I see, Noble. You didn't have a problem with a woman being raped on the show. That doesn't seem to have bothered you but, black face does. In case it escaped your attention (even as an educated man), women weren't exactly respected either and they show that clearly on the show. However, every week on "Mad Men" when I see women treated like crap by men at every turn, I just remember that's how things were, whether we like it or not.

I'm a big fan of the REAL "World's Greatest Entertainer," Al Jolson (of course) and any reference to him that is not demeaning or mocking gives me a thrill.

I remember a time when Jolson was still revered as the King of Show Business, and the quintessential entertainer. This episode takes place during a time when there was a mini-Jolson rennaissance that most, I'm sure, will not remember. You see, there was a television show comprised simply of showing films three or four times a day--it was called Million Dollar Movie and was syndicated around the country. Well, in 1962 or 63 they got their hands on the fabulous (and higly neglected) musical bio-pic of Jolson called, "The Jolson Story." Suddenly kids who never heard of him were buying his records and imitating him (really Larry Parks) at parties. I remember it well.

This fits neatly in with Roger's blackface performance of "My Old Kentucky Home," on one knee, as Jolie might have done.

Great stuff.

THanks for sharing
whole life insurance

Just three episodes into Season 3, Mad Men got a pick-up order from AMC.
Nice show.