This is my first time on this blog, so I'm jumping right in!

First, I wanted to say that, as I recall, Roger's daughter's wedding is scheduled for Saturday November 23, not the 22nd. Which pretty much seals the deal that the wedding is not going to happen.

Also, commenting on the last scene, where the neighbor asks Don and Betty "who are you supposed to be?" I had a flash, just seeing them there on the front steps with Betty holding the baby, of Joseph and Mary and the scenario of "no room at the inn", which ties in with the whole hobo/gypsy/orphan theme. The writers have used a organized-religion idea before, when Peggy does the Popsicle ad that is a veiled reference to the communion ritual.

The writers are awesome.I have seen Jon Hamm in other shows - and one movie - and I haven't been able to bear watching him smile, because smiling is so NOT Don Draper (except for when he gets his $5000). But after this amazing script where Don expresses such a wide range of feeling, maybe I'll be able to handle seeing Jon smile from now on.

Nice to meet you!
Hands down best episode, acting, writing, directing of the season so far. I cannot wait until next week because traditionally, episode 12 has been a doozy!
Love the stills, they go straight to my "My Pictures folder so I will have fresh additions to my MM slideshow.
For a really insightful review go to The Watcher at the Chicago Tribune. Columnist Maureen Ryan is a great fan of the show and a great TV critic. Sorry I don't have the link, but it is easy to find.

Thanks for the tip, kathiemarie, re. the Ryan review. The performances are so nuanced and the writing so rich, there is much to dig for in every MM episode.

My heart was braking for Don as he confessed his past, his shoe box of riches and sad family photos exposed. I loved the reluctant flutter of Betty's hand on his shoulder when he broke down. The steady build-up of the forces of danger against Don are now weighing down hard upon him--the unstable situation at SC, Miss Farrell and her strange brother, the weird, tenuous connection with Conrad Hilton, and now, full disclosure to Betty re. his false identity.

Yes, the November 22nd date looms large for all. Once the revolutionary sixties are upon them, it will be fascinating to watch things unfold!

Hello Mad Men fans-

I have my own thoughts about "the Hobo and the Gypsy". The first hobo is the man we see dealing with his father and stepmother, Don learns his father is not an honest man. Also the value of traveling on.. and reinventing yourself. His step-mother wants to be seen as a good person but does she have an power? Why not following through to make sure the Hobo gets his quarter?

Don is running away from this people in the whole story. No merit is given to either is father or his stepmother. Some might thing, Don should value the women who raised him. We, the audiance never see her misuse or abuse Don. But still he calls her " the woman who is not my mother" or "her" many times. His father is a drunk who is kicked in the face by a horse, and is killed.

I believe that Don hates their lack of power and the lack for ablity to change themselves.

Next we have the Gypsy? Who is the orginal Gypsy? It has to be Midge Daniels. She dresses like a gypsy. She works at home, an artist. And I remember a sceen where she has a new TV, which Don hints at ... she got it from another man ...as a gift. Midge does nothing to make us feel otherwise. What does Midge do..but travel out of Don's lfie. Abigail Spencer seems to be a reincarnation of Midge. First seeing her dancing with the childern around the May-pole. Don looking longing at her, his hand running through the grass. Gypsy who thinks of others, asking if Don is ok after being left in the car. Then her second thought is.. is my job ok?

Now, I know people will disagree with me but Betty has a dark side, one she hides. Looking back at her relationship with the small boy who wants to take care of her, and the man she meets, has sex with in the bar, and Harry, who she has meet three times has has fantasy about. Oh, did I forget the salesman who comes to the door and she lets into the house? Then later has fantasy about on the washing machine?. Yes Betsy has a dark side.

Maybe Elizabeth Drapper wants to reinvent herself. We know she had a weight problem growing up. Later became a model, which her mother did not approve. And now is the wife and mother. I think there is a little "hobo and Gypsy" in both Don and Betty.

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