True, the high blood pressure meds could cause Don's limpness in bed, but in just a few hours? He only got the pills that day! I just don't see sexual desire or longing in his eyes when he looks admiringly at his picture perfect wifey. Even in her black corset and garters she looks unsexual. (I could be wrong, maybe to a man she looks hot.) She does not look at Don with desire, either. In the sex scene, she appears to be just lying there, noncommital and wan. Compare her with the ardor of Rachel, or the playfulness of Midge, and you can see why Don looked outside the marriage.

I agree, but as I mentioned in another post, I think he is aware that Betty is on to him so he is trying to behave and making himself miserable in the process. We know he knows, because Betty told the therapist of her fears that he was cheating knowing he would share those with Don. That was just another example of her passive aggressive behavior as we saw already with the pigeon shooting. If the preview is true, her confronting him in the next episode will be another big step for Betty, but back to Don...the firm wanting to hire young blood had to make him feel old and perhaps he is beginning to feel his best days at the ad agency are behind him. The doctor’s appointment and the mention of his parents dying at young ages makes me wonder if even though there was no love loss, and his dad died in an accident, if he isn't seeing that as a sign he'll die young too?? In the end, I think he is confronting a number of issues but the biggest being ....is it worth keeping up the facade of the happily married professional man with the perfect family or is he going to risk losing all of it by pursuing his own needs, desires and freedom before it is too late?

I agree, but as I mentioned in another post, I think he is aware that Betty is on to him so he is trying to behave and making himself miserable in the process. We know he knows, because Betty told the therapist of her fears that he was cheating knowing he would share those with Don. That was just another example of her passive aggressive behavior as we saw already with the pigeon shooting. If the preview is true, her confronting him in the next episode will be another big step for Betty, but back to Don...the firm wanting to hire young blood had to make him feel old and perhaps he is beginning to feel his best days at the ad agency are behind him. The doctor’s appointment and the mention of his parents dying at young ages makes me wonder if even though there was no love loss, and his dad died in an accident, if he isn't seeing that as a sign he'll die young too?? In the end, I think he is confronting a number of issues but the biggest being ....is it worth keeping up the facade of the happily married professional man with the perfect family or is he going to risk losing all of it by pursuing his own needs, desires and freedom before it is too late?

I think he has the typical Madonna / Whore complex of that era. Don and Betty sure settled into watching TV and eating rapidly, reverting back to Married Life.
I loved last season, when Betty filled the Rat Psychologist ears with THE TRUTH. No wonder Don is being a good boy. Lest we not forget, he was ready to go on the run, so life must be excruciating for him, where to go from here. Not to mention the unknown fallout from Pete's nosy informing. Then there is his frenemy who had the heart attack and now is out to pasture. He must be feeling his own mortality. The 60's are changing, and that is reflected in Don's attitude of the
"Old Guard".

There are some good things being tossed around here. My sense is that Don is struggling with the choice between chasing what he wants -- freedom -- and living up to what he has -- stability in the form of a wife, children and home. Betty and the kids represent the only thing that makes him feel remotely human given his past and his secret -- it's normal, it's reliable, it's identity. But he doesn't know if it's the identity that he wants or needs as Dick Whitman living as Don Draper. I don't think Betty has tamed him, he definitely did his share of soul searching and realization (a la the Carousel episode), but as he softens, she grows. It's a fascinating dynamic, as both processes are being driven by deep-seeded insecurity. What was most telling was the crash back to Earth that Rachel delivered when she dashed Don's belief that he had finally found what he thought would make him whole...by saying that he doesn't want to run away with her, he just wants to run away. He does want to run, but can't figure out how to not have something to call normal in Betty and the kids.

I actually thought that a little more time would have gone by and that the hair on all the men would have been a little longer. Women's Lib would have been a juicy issue..

After waiting so long; I wanted more from Betty. I don't know what I wanted - but, more. I feel that Don's erectial disfunction problem will start to get to Betty and frustration will get to her. She will start to look elsewhere. Otherwise, she'll phone her "call girl" friend and have a nice long lunch with her to discuss the benefits - especially financial benefits - of being a high priced call girl - and the situation with the Drapers will reverse.

Thinking out loud - what do you think?

Don really looked like crap in this eposode. Not his usual slick self; seemed to be coming apart at the seams. Betty didn't reveal to Francine the disappointing encounter with Don. Mr Stud is losing it.

A couple of interesting points on the women's lib issue. The men were all still treating Peggy pretty much like a secretary, but I like that she stood up for herself with Don's new secretary. Joan stood up for her, but then got back at her by putting the copier in her office. I dont think Peggy is going to stand for that. Then when Don called out the two guys trash-talking in the elavator, that was good. He told him to take his hat off in the elevator, noting good manners, and thus in an unspoken way told them their sex talk was inappropriate in front of a woman.

Kind of a slow-moving episode with not too many big surprises, except that Mr. Gay Salvatore is now married! I want to know more on that one.

Totally agree. Don is feeling old, and depressed about it. The drugs for high blood pressure are causing him impotence, and he just doesn't have any spunk any more. Why so sad? Because the universe of which he styled himself the master is no longer under control, no longer his. I think I'm sad for him too...

Yes, Pink63, I too was surprised to see Salvatore in bed with a woman...do we know that they are married?
Did I hear the doctor correctly that he prescribed phenobarbital for Don? If Don started taking that along with the BP medicine that could explain his lack of performance. So, why didn't he just tell Betty that he had seen a doctor and was on meds?

Don probably has a couple of things going on that contributed to the lack of performance. I think the biggest one...sorry bad pun.... being with Betty isn't adventurous enough for him, he wants the thrill of the hunt and the chase. He doesn't want the same stale/bland everyday thing, he want's spicy. Being with Midge or Rachel took him away to a different place where being the hubby, the dad, the responsibility don't exist. So he's not being honest with himself about what he wants and making him self miserable.

Maybe Don has realized there's no more "forward motion" in his life, and he's grown up a little too (not the "kid" who ran to Rachael to run away). Plus, he has no partners to run away with. I think he loved Rachael, but also considered her an alternate to the life he had in Season 1.

That's why he was always intent on leaving his options open to cut and run (the one year limit on the partnership), or telling Roger if he quit advertising it would be to go do something completely different.

He's probably matured enough to know it would be extremely difficult to walk out on his kids and Betty without ALOT of heartache, especially as the kids get older.

And, to make matters worse, I think that Bert is going to make him the head of Sterling Cooper because he's ready to retire, and Roger's health is no guarantee of the agency continuing on. Even though I think Don is actually bored with advertising, account execs, and Duck Phillips. He didn't even seem particularly happy hanging out with Roger.

Overall, though, being impotent was devstating for men, especially young men (30-45) - no cure, no Viagra. And Don had a pretty good sex drive. As for chucking it all and taking up the banner of the mid-sixties mindset (rebellion), Don's too much of a traditionalist for all his sexual dalliances.

Great ideas here. I agree, Don looked like crap, and at the moment he thinks it's all going to hell, but he'll get a second wind. He's a survivor - if the awful life on the farm couldn't beat him, this won't, either. Someone or something will enter his sphere and he will re-energize - perhaps an encounter with an exciting new woman, to prove to himself he's still "got it". It really was sad the way they just stopped the vanilla sex, ordered room service, and started watching tv.

At 36 Don is approaching (or at) middle age as it was in the early 1960s. He's settled with wife and kids and home to keep up. He's definitely feeling his mortality. A man born in 1926 would have a life expectancy of about 56, though obviously improved health care in the latter half of the 20th century extended that by close to 20 years.

Meanwhile he's got Roger and Duck applying the pressure from above, and the "kids" squeezing him from below. No wonder he's distracted, irritated and probably feeling out of control.

Do you think Don feels strange now that Betty is more assertive and less needy? She seems able to detach from him, whereas before she needed to cling. Has this thrown his self-image, and the balance of power in their relationship, off-kilter in Betty's favor? He doesn't challenge her when she shows up late after picking up the daughter at ballet - I think he would have, before. Something threw him off balance in the 14 months since we saw him - the psychiatrist definitely told Don that Betty's on to his sexcapades - I wonder if he ever confessed to her, or realized he was not fooling her...or maybe something else that we are not aware of yet.

Interesting points of view here. Impotence is really devastating to any man, particularly to one as young and powerful as Don. He is probably not aware that it is a side effect of the medication, or a result of the hypertension. I think he loves his beautiful wife. She was kind, gracious and supportive when he could not perform. Not all women would be. Imagine how Don would feel if he was starting an affair with a new woman and it just wouldn't "work". I doubt he'd get a second chance. Life was tough on aging men before Viagra.

True, 30 for a woman was over the hill back then, maybe 45 for a man. For an ambitious, truly self-made (self-invented!) man like Don, he achieved all the trappings of above-average success, but now sees they don't fulfill him - typical middle-aged reaction after chasing the dream - once you get it, or close to it, it's nothing but vapor.

Auburn Annie: I agree, heart scares or lectures from the doctor certainly changed you and how you viewed life, and your relationships.

My dad had his first "known" massive heart attack at 41 in 1967 (they figured he'd had an undetected one in his 30's), and there were a few more, before he died at 50 in 1976. That's 's young. Heart diease can wipe out your life in more ways than one.

I think Roger's heart attack changed him (he must have obviously took the "safe" route of look, don't touch or can't), and he and Don no longer "prowl" around together. What's Roger gonna do, watch Don make the conquest? Now Don can't, so what would they do together, knit?

Somewhere in this Season 2 they're going to have to play Peggy Lee's "Is That All There Is?". It seems like it could be Don's theme-song. Probably won't though - think it came out latter half of the sixties.

I do think Don will bounce back, I loved Pete's comment about him having a rope under his desk with Duck's name on it. What he did to Roger last year was priceless - the oyster/cocktail/run up the stairs escapade. I was crying over that one!

There are still a few tricks left up his sleeve, I'm sure.

Don has reached a plateau of execllence. He is no longer moved by the success of business or the thrill of the illicit affair. He hasn't a clue what he wants to do with the rest of his life - but he knows the tenor of his life is rapidly approaching rote and meaningless. He told his boss that when he left Cooper-Sterling it would not be to sit in at another ad agency.

I don't know if he loves his wife or not - only that he is awed by her beauty and thinks her a fine mother to his children. He is not particularly kind to her - and he has little concept of her other than as a shining personal ornament - akin to the cufflinks he wears on his shirt sleeves.

His childhood was awkward, shame-filled and unloving. Shame is the worst thing a child can feel. The repercussions of shame are almost impossible to overcome. Shame elicits cruelty to others, insensitivity toward others - and a need to control everyone and everything in one's environment.

He felt connected to Rachael - she also mourns an old and unrelieved absence in her life - a gaping emptiness her mother would have filled had she lived.

We are drawn to those who give off an aura like our own auras. We recognize its vibrations in others - it is strangely familiar and intimate to us - it feels like home. It may not bring us happiness - but it makes us feel less alienated - less alone.

Rachael felt this in Don also. She said so at the restaurant - it was why she gave her department store account to Sterling-Cooper.

Her character is more finely honed than Don's and this is most likely because she had a strong father as well as a caretaking older sister who, though she might have been overbearing and somewhat competitive for the attention of their father, did have love for Rachael.
A childhood deprived of love and approval leaves such terrible scars and feelings of loss and personal anguish. These feelings rise up in Don continuously. They will never be completely eradicated. They can only be understood and managed in a positive manner each time they arise.

I hope so. If there was anything that was really great about Don to watch (and even Roger, too), it was his arrogant cockiness. Seeing him deflated and almost neutered somehow (or somewhere in the last year and a half) is agonizing to watch.

I don't know if I can handle that - it's realism alright, but I'm not up for watching that much realism at this point.

Wow, really great insights here. Could Don and Betty's call girl friend Juanita possibly get together? Betty didn't get Juanita's phone number - Juanita has Don's business card with the Draper's home number....perhaps Don will believe this "party girl" will re-ignite his passions...cheap but possible....

I think the season is young, and Don is going to warm up to the new challenges he faces.Betty needs to watch herself, The stable incident, with some young thing,she seemed to admire and question about? The interest in her old model room mate? The broken fan-belt and the deal she made with the ESSO service man? What the hell was that all about, and her lame excuse for not putting it on a account?Yes, she's a lousy driver, but making a deal with a sleazy acting grease-monkey? I think it portends way more into Don's personal life than his professional, and/or but it is all going to get ugly. And I am going to lick it up like Thanksgiving's dinner turkey gravy. Only "Duck". may be on Don's menu this season,

emmacamp: Wonderful insight into Don's personality. I do hate to see him lose his amazing masculine power. I agree with JAMM54, its almost painful to watch.

It's interesting to me these comments on the medicine Don's taking. I don't think this has anything at all to do with his lack of virility with Betty. He just got the meds.

It's clear that he's depressed and that's the number one reason for a healthy man to fail in bed. The causes of his depression are abundantly clear in the episode as well as well mentioned in several posts here.

But is Don healthy? Don smokes a lot and drinks a lot and eats heavy, fatty foods. Drink a lot, smoke a lot, have a desk job, add on the years and the virility will go down. No meds necessary. A smoker who is not as young or healthy as he used to be and depressed to boot might not be able to get it up even for a beautiful wife in a sexy corset.

Another thing I find interesting are the comments about Don wanting freedom. Don is literally a self-made man and if the one thing he'd wanted in life was to be a "free" man living the high life unencumbered by a wife and kids, he could have had it easily.

It was Don and Don alone who created the person he thought he wanted to be. This fantasy man included a beautiful wife, a beautiful home and beautiful children. He made sure he got exactly what he wanted.

Does this fantasy man have other fantasy elements? Certainly, and Don lived them, the high life, the drinking, the mistress. But to say that he feels trapped by Betty and wants freedom is, I think, to put some of your own desires on him ("I wouldn't want a home and kids like that!") and miss a very important point.

Don is being faithful now because he had a revelation in the last season. We saw it with the Carousel. He doesn't want his family to have another Thanksgiving without him; and he really, really does not want to lose his wife and children. He wants those pictures, those memories, that life. He really, really, really wants it. And so he is doing his best to be that faithful fantasy husband who Betty will stay with, and who gets to live those perfect family man moments. Who does not miss those moments because he's spending the night with his mistress. Whether Betty is going to cooperate with the fantasy is another story.

Is it the right life for him? Will it bring him happiness? That's a very different question. Because what Don is always missing (or denying) is the fact that he will always be an outsider to this fantasy life. His true soulmates are usually creative outsiders like himself: his bohemian mistress, Rachael, the divorced woman, Peggy (who can never be one of the boys even though she thinks like them). He's much closer to the poet he reads than he is to anyone like Betty.

Yet this it the fantasy life he has created for himself, the fantasy life that America, in the late 50's and early 60's, created for itself. Surrendering it, giving up on it as the key to happiness...well, let's just say that I don't think Don is any more willing than America was at that time to give it up without a fight, whether that fight is against a changing culture or against his own nature.

I feel that Don has too many skeletons in his closet and, therefore, will never be truly happy. He's living a lie. I still don't understand how he got away with stealing another soldier's identity (didn't the real Donald Draper have ANY family??), but just that alone would make it hard for most normal people to sleep at night. I agree that he's woven a fantasy life, but there's too much he has to keep covering up in order to really enjoy himself.
In Season One, he told Roger that he'd just as soon do something else besides advertising...that he just wanted to start living his life. Also, he skipped out on his little girl's birthday party only to wind up parked at the railroad tracks! It looked to me as if he was ready to drive in front of the train.
Now he's facing getting older, staying faithful (bored) to his wife and maybe realizing that he can never really change where he came from. He would have been better off just being Dick Whitman.

I would like to stay on the lighter side of Don like jamm54. I'm pretty much bored with all this deep side of Don Draper and all the mortality thinking. It is sad and depressing. I hear way too much of it in my personal life, I would like to avoid it when I watch TV. I think jamm54 has it spot on - I prefer the cockiness of the old Don Draper and really want him back. All the other stuff can be passed off from the MM writers and given to a publisher to make a book, thank you.

Thirteen, VERY astute observation of Don, and where he is right now and why. I understood Don wanting the Kodak family picture, and you're right, too, that whether that fits his true personality is a whole other ballgame.

This reminds me of my own crisis in advertising, and even after earning good money, after 15 years realizing it was pretty hollow and soul-numbing.

I must disagree with jolie to the extent that Don would NEVER think he would be better off as Dick Whitman...the very thought of that old life strikes terror in him.

Don fans, never fear. The old sharp, cocky swordsman (you know what that means, don't you?) will be back. Actually, I don't think Don really has a "light" side. We just don't like to see him appear weak.

I think that both Don and Betty feel trapped. They did what was expected instead of doing what they wanted and now they are two strangers who want different things. I think Don saw in her a way to project the image he wanted to world to see. And Betty saw Don as Knight. Someone better than her father.

What do we know about Betty's father? Share please - I can't recall anything.

I thought Betty's lack of reaction to Don's lack of performance implied that this has happened before..."Just tell me what you want me to do". Another hint is what appears to be her wondering eye. I think this has been going on for quite some time....how long ? Maybe we will find out in the months ahead.

hmmm - you may be right - she didn't seem surprised when he couldn't complete the act! If it's an ongoing problem, and you really couldn't do anything about it in those days, eventually Betty would look for a man who could still perform. I don't know about you, ladies, but I would be really disappointed if my man lost the ability to get and stay And no little pills in those days.

You'd think Betty would've picked up some info from her model pals during her Manhattan days. For heaven's sake - it's Manhattan. The models had to be meeting guys right and left, and there had to be a little girl talk (though then people just didn't share that "kind" of information I don't think).

Don's blood pressure medication, reserpine, was notorious for causing ED and diminished libido. Betty was probably very naive by today's standards. She may have felt threatened by his lack of response to her. I think that was the basis for her flirtation with the tow truck driver, ie. "do I still have what it takes to manipulate a man?" Nobody talked openly about sex in 1962. Certainly no one ever had or talked about ED until we developed a reliable treatment for it. I can remember when tampons were a secret.

Pathetic, Don the STUD turning into Don the limp. Sickening. Let's get some action going. Screw Betty, where's Midge and Rachel, or for that matter bring in some new hot blood. This guy is the DUDE, we don't need him on one continous downer, hell we have Petey for that. Get the chip back on your shoulder brother. Kill this funk!

Go Dennis! Bring back Don, the seducer!

If this were the first time that Don had failed in this way, wouldn't it be logical to expect a more emotional response from Betty ? Instead, within minutes, the TV is on and Betty has taken the phone from Don to order their dinner. Betty shows a slight hint of exasperation, not compassion.

Good point rl1856. High blood pressure itself is a cause of under performance, so possibly if he's been having high blood pressure for a while (160/100) then that can also explain Betty & Don's reactions to the problem.

I am reaaly disappointed at the new season opener. I rewatched all episodes on demand recently and feel like they are coming out of nowhere. What happened to Peggy's baby. How about Pete's knowledge of Don's past. Episode one left me bored and confused.

Be patient, donna, all will be revealed. The series also captures the slower pace of dramas from those olden days- not as frantically fast paced as today's.

I agree with a prior comment, that Don is not a fratboy flirt or skirtchaser who runs after women with his tongue out, or who makes lewd comments, such as Roger and the younger men. He is discrete and more subtle in his approach. That's more attractive to women. How many of us like to be leered at and chased around a desk, or have our skirts lifted to see our panties, or to be called "a piece of ass" or that other idiotic stuff? Don makes his woman feel that he is totally into THEM at least for the time he spends with them. I also think he's trying with Betty, but she is not a sexy woman

Quote: "Don's blood pressure medication, reserpine, was notorious for causing ED and diminished libido."

Once again. Don got that medicine on THAT VERY DAY! Feb. 14th. We see everyone in the office talking about Valentine's day. He sees the doctor, has lunch, meets with his people about the airline ad, and then meets Betty at the Savoy for a romantic evening. The medicine has not had ANY time to affect is libido.

But a LOT of other things have: Blood pressure, drinking, smoking, depression.

And I'm sorry to burst any male egos here but ya know what? It happens even to long time studs. It happens. So can we please stop blaming the meds for his performance as if Don NEEDS to be excused? As if he'd be the same old Don if not for those darn evil medicines the doctor gave him? Those evil medicines might well made him worse, but they didn't cause the problem that evening.

No, Don didn't go "searching" for nookie as a routine habit, but I think he was/is impulsive to a degree. Notice his only affairs shown in Season 1 were with women he met through the advertising industry/business (Rachael, client and Midge, illustrator).

And looking at those two women, who were both in business for themselves, speaks of a completely different character than Betty's. He obviously was attracted to their independence, and business savvy/brains.

Midge might have never been considered seriously by Don because of her bohemian lifestyle (too unconventional), but Rachael was another story. Hooking up with Rachael was pure impulse on his part. I think that's why Don was bowled over by her, and mourns the loss of her.

But, whoever was saying Don wasn't an indiscriminate skirt chaser, yes, they are right.

I don't think Don started out his marriage with the intention of cheating. Or becoming a chip off old dad's block - just not with prostitutes.

As a few people have written, something is missing in his picture perfect marriage with Betty. Don's not exactly introspective of his feelings, but he's searching without even realizing he's on a search. Or not recognizing that an obvious void in his marriage is playing out in affairs to fill that void.

Thirteen: you make a good point. Reserpine has a long onset of action for the BP. However, I did not necessarily think that the appointment with the doctor was on the very same day as the lunch/meeting. I will watch the episode again. I also agree that IT happens to practically every male eventually. Nobody stays a stud forever. I do think it makes for a great story dilema. It will probably elicit a shift in power in his marriage.

I think Don has a broken heart (figuratively) over the loss of Rachael; his "perfect pictures" of home/marriage/wife; his freedom to cut and run (gone); his ideals (forward motion).

And he may end up with a broken heart, literally, if he doesn't change, in more ways than one.

Don is bored. He put together the sort of life that he thought he needed, coming out of the rough childhood he had, and now finds himself surrounded by dim, boring people.
Betty sounds like a TV commercial and all Roger wants to do is get drunk and chase young women. The frat boys that work for him are no help. Both Rachel and Midge were bright, independent, modern women and I think that turns him on. The whole family life scene is what he wanted but its driving him crazy.

Thirteen, you and I see it the same way - see my comment at the top of this discussion - how can Don get blood pressure meds and only a few hours later he's unable to complete the sex act? Not likely. It was a problem before he went to the doctor, though he didn't confide it to the doctor (who was a bit of a condescending prick, actually).

In a comment on another topic, I wrote: "Don makes up for his emotional impotence by sexual prowess." Also, Don expresses some emotion in the surface world of creative slogans for advertisements.

Now, if sex has been his main avenue of emotional release, and he has been suffering from impaired performance, imagine how that affects his psyche? It would, at the very least, depress him. It seems also to have affected his creativity. Did you notice the sketchy and even contradictory criticisms and guidance to the writing staff at the meeting? If I had worked for him, I would not have known where he wanted to go with that Mohawk Airlines slogan.

Who was he sending that book to? Rachel? Does anyone know what that book is about?

yeah, bocaraton, Don isn't as sure of himself. Maybe that's from people "challenging" him for the last year and a half (Betty, Duck, Roger). Maybe that's why his blood pressure went up. I noticed Karla, the help, looking at him pouring that drink when he got home - like he was drinking too much (doesn't help in sex), when she refused a ride.

What's that saying? You have to "go along, to get along"? Don wasn't exactly the "Great Compromiser".

hi again. jamm, i do recall the maid's sidelong glance at Don pouring a drink as soon as he gets in the door. It must be an issue that she's aware of, and wary, too! She preferred to walk home, and its February!

I know I was surprised, too. I guess "the look" suggests Don's drinking alot more at home. Don probably lied to the doc about how many drinks he had a day.

Also, just that Betty isn't really paying attention to what's happening to Don (but did she ever?) - the help does (what is Karla, a maid?). In fact, the maid and Don seem more "interactive" with the kids, than Betty. Would've expected Betty to be hitting the booze like she did on BB gun day.

Did you notice that Roger took Duck's offered cig (guess he doesn't smoke anymore), and went to Don's office for a drink? I guess Roger's officially "on the wagon" - maybe that's why he and Don don't hang out anymore.

Yes jamm, Don is drinking too much at home and that is why he got the look. Excellent post above. He is drinking too much because he doesn't feel comfortable at home. How much did he have to drink just to put together the play house? He, also, blew the party off to go drink by himself at the train track.

Don didn't feel comfortable at home growing up--remember to the Hobo, "Take me with you."

Don doesn't feel comfortable as a father or husband because he doesn't really know how to be a good father or husband. He, evidently, grew up with poor examples of both. Can you imagine describing yourself as a whore-child? I can't.

He is drinking heavy at home to numb his brain and make him feel comfortable there. I see a change back to some old behaviors coming in Don's future.

Betty is not going to just sit around and wait for Don to show up for dinner anymore. She is doing more for herself--horse riding-and has become more dominant in the relationship--ordering from the hotel room and telling Don to turn the channel back to White House tour. Good for her! However, comparing her children to manure is not going to win Mother of the Year. Our Princess is turning dark and is going darker.

In the end, the children are the big losers. Just like in real life.

I thought in the show the doctor prescribed the blood pressure medicine and said, "and here is something to relax you". That could have been the med that put things to rest Valentine's night. Also, did anyone notice that the phone cord went across Don's neck? Subliminal anyone? Maybe it ties into (no pun intended) to the rope described by Ken that he is going to use on Duck.

don is in love with rachel menken and that is why he can't get it up with his wife ... he finally met his match his soulmate and is in love with her so no other woman will do and good for rachel for not putting up with a married man (however as I mentioned somewhere else I do think it is odd she left on a cruise and left her company with her ... I guess father? ... that doesn't flow with me)

as for betty wanting him to tell her what to do ... back in those days women were supposed to be on pedestals and not sexy ... even her pose in the sexy getup she had to act innocent

she (betty) is 28-29 in this series and she actuallys says "imagine dating at our age"

I can remember thinking that very thing at 27 too old to party

Well one thing is for sure, for him to say "not tonight" to that lovely cherry blossom from the land of the rising sun he has to be in love with someone. But Rachel, I don't think so. Such a waste.

Thanks for the meds/high blood pressure info. I suspect that's why Don't can't perform - sure makes sense...and one reason why he said "not tonight."

I wouldn't be surprised if he's still in love with Betty's appearance, but is no longer love with in her personality.

Why is Don sad. OK let's recap.
1) His wife's a pain in the ass. And he'd rather spend quality time in the bathroom than screw her.
2) His two hot girlfriends that took care of business for him are gone.
3) The dude he hired is stabbing him in the back.
4) Roger's no longer any fun to hang with since the heart attack.
5) His Doctor is on his case.

I think that about sums it up.

To continue Dennis's list:

6) His Doctor prescribed him *tranquilizers* and he's taking his daily dosage.

Dennis! I haven't the time to read all the posts, but from what I read, you are the ONLY one who has mentioned about Duck turning on Don! I think it is really ironic that this turnabout occured,it's almost like...."wha...happend?!!" Here was the guy that Don practically brought in on a silver platter, & Duck is pulling out that silver letter opener right into Don's back..did we miss something writers?

hmm. interesting about Duck. but i wanted to comment about Don saying, "there's life and then there's work". Wasn't being a corporate man at that time only complete with the perfect corporate wife? Betty may fall into the category of "work" not life to Don. Therefore, he is only going through the motions with her. Betty is all about appearances, so why not Don too? His emotions were raised by the carousel presentation, so now he's confused.