I saw it as a big blue Viagra pill. He seems to be taking an interest in her. He secretly knows she secretly puts out.

Yes, the priest is obviously going to fail his calling, I see a big hit on the loose Peggy coming. The blue egg (boy), was given to Peggy to let her know he knows, obviously; now we'll see what she is cognizant of. Nothing about her pregnancy (which she seemed not to be aware of) or her sister taking the baby in, has been addressed yet, so it's going to be interesting.

It was obvious that Father Hanks was fixated on Peggy, but I'm not so sure that she will allow anything to happen as she's highly skeptical now.

My opinion is that the egg was just to show her that A) He knows and B) He isn't judging her. I also agree that their relationship will most likely take a turn for the romantic.

Poor Peggy, first a married man, then a man married to God. When will she learn??

You're right, Clayton, I felt a vibe there, too. I think he may eventually leave the priesthood to marry Peggy and be a stepdad to the baby, if that's not jumping too far ahead!
Congrats, BTW, to jamm54 for being one of the posters of the week...which prize are you gonna choose (if there's a choice)????? Love your posts and glad you won!

Upon placing the egg into Peggy's hand, perhaps the priest was instructing her to "grasp onto"/take responsibility for her motherhood with no forgiveness about it. Remember at the beginning of the episode as she was ditching out of church, he quietly strong-armed her into going back inside. I say he has Peggy marked as a weak person and will play upon the guilt and shame that she may be feeling. Don't be fooled by his outer appearance-he may be a wolf in priest's clothing!

A great question! First of all, it was stunning visually: that bright blue egg in Peggy's gloved hand. (Given her eye for detail/marketing, she may have been looking at it as a gift or admiring its aesthetic appeal.) If she was seeing it as a gift--she was clearly seeing it as a present for herself-- then, as Clayton's "A "notes above, the priest let her know that he knew about her child. Aside from blue for boys, etc., there is the symbolism of the egg (fertility). It was clear that the priest was interested in her--he also seemed put out by the fact that Peggy hadn't told him herself. He has indeed marked Peggy as weak (redhead 64's comment)--he told her sister something to that effect in the confessional. He does not seem all that innocent or forgiving. As for Peggy, she seems to represent--beautifully--the situation of single women in the early 60s.

Interesting observation redhead64. That this priest may be a wolf in priest's clothing. He did appear to be a bit sneaky. It was obvious to me that at the begining he was interested in Peggy on a romantic level. However, I felt that once he found out that Peggy has a baby out of wedlock he was disappointed and the way he walked away from her felt like a 'so long lady and good luck with that'.kind of attitude.

Joshm:

Hysterical! I thought I saw his ears "prick up" when the sister told him about the baby!

Peggy puts out, indeed! He's next!

Once again what's the deal with Peggy. I find her average maybe a 5 possibly a 6. Why do all of these men go after her like she's an 8. Were women that ugly in 1962?

To Cheryl, yes I noticed that too! He looked like a mix between disppointed and disgusted. Like Peggy was damaged goods (soiled merchandise?).

Clayton Neuman:

I'm with you -- this relationship will take a turn a la "The Thorn Birds."

Some women go for "unavailable" men.

redhead64. You put it perfectly; The priest saw Peggy as 'damaged merchandise'. I think that relationship is over before it even started.
Another funny thought I had: Since Pete and his wife are unable to have a child of their own, if Peggy finds this out she might offer them her baby?
I don't think her sister raising her child is going to work out forever.

Dennis:

Men of the cloth are not interested in "Looks" they are more interested in "Secrets". Peggy can keep a secrete and that might be the attraction.

Thanks scfan - I got a pen! I guess this means I better "pen" my love letter to Don Draper soon!

All the comments/interpretations are VERY interesting. That priest/father (whatever he is) seemed on the "loose" side to me, don't ask me why.

Maybe it was the drinking and smoking at the dinner table - I would've expected him to not indulge in "vices" in front of his parishioners. Or Peggy's mother having to outright ask him to say the "grace" expected of him before the meal began. His reaction was sort of "oh, alright if you insist". A rulebreaker is what he seemed.

I think Clayton's guess of a romantic nature seems to ring true. The father seemed very intent on "connecting" with Peggy. Maybe the egg is some kind of "secret" communication from him to her as joshm says - that feels right.

Also, does anyone think maybe Father Gill is "visiting" because of some indiscretion in another parish? So maybe he's being moved around by the church until they figure out what to do with him?

He seemed to take too much personal interest in one parishioner (Peggy). Would that be normal behavior for a clergyman? Especially when the parisioner did not seek him out for counseling or advice? And all this, before he even knew Peggy's back history? (Can you tell I'm not a churchgoer?)

Jamm54, you are right about the "visiting" part of Father Gill. I caught that as well. I think he is not a priest at all!! I think he is a fraud and he is dressing up and listening in on confessions to get his kicks. Priests did not/ and do not drink or smoke in front of their parishoners. The grace said the first time was not a grace a Catholic priest would say. That was more of a non-denominational grace. Peggy's Mom caught him and she might be on to him - I know I am. New priests do not seek out advise on sermons from anyone other than another priest. Peggy's question, "why are you asking me?", should be a clue that he is not what he says he is. The process to become a priest is long and tedious and when you place that black and white collar around your neck, you know what you are doing! Redhead64 is probably right....watch out for priests in wolves clothing.

P.S. Could this be one of Pete's frat buddies doing him a favor? Maybe disguising himself as a Priest to make a move on her (blackmail) or by listening in on Peggy's confessions (blackmail again)?

I thought that the Father really like Peggy (I thought of romance), until her sister went to confession. He knew who was doing the confessing and I thought after that he didn't like Peggy anymore. I found him rude and a little hateful to her after her sisters confession (which was just what her sister wanted). Her gave her the big egg to say "I know your sins and I don't approve of you".

luvmadmen, I think you're right that he's a fraud of some sort! He was too laidback for any clergyman I remember of my childhood (a church dropout at 9!). So, I'm not up on how the churches have changed over the decades, but.......he just didn't act "proper" and was too personal.

Asking one of the flock for advice on a sermon?! That seemed far out too. I don't think Pete has a clue about Peggy and baby. But something is really strange about that guy. I hope he's not some serial molester/priest imposter a la "Catch Me If You Can".

Poor Peggy, is she going to be taken for another ride? Does she have to? Please MM, don't do this to Peggy again! That would just be exceptionally cruel.

I watched the episode again and paid closer attention to this scene. The priest had been paying close attention to Peggy until he found out about her child. He handed her the egg "for the little one" and then literally walked away, perhaps inspiring in her a realization that her life will not be the same after giving birth to an illegitimate child. Having been told about Peggy's baby apparently made the priest less interested in pursuing a friendship with her. I didn't really notice his pointedly walking away the first time I viewed the episode.

jamm54 has me really thinking . . .yes, Father Gill may very well be a problem that the church has put into rotation. I did perceive Peggy's mother as very bossy and disrespectful when she said to him "Are you ready to say grace now?". She scolded him like he was a child! He may not be able to cut it in that parish if the congregation adheres to the old ways. Those neighborhood biddys will see him out but fast. Please refresh me on who the man was on the couch--was he Anita's (Peggy's sister) husband? The alleged back or leg injury he had reeked of having a case of the "brown bottle flu". Maybe that's why Anita needs a carload of Midol for her snotty 'tude.

Spare me. I didn't get into MadMen to worry about Peggy and her family's Catholic hang ups. I got into MadMen to see Don and Roger banging hot chicks, while coming up with great advertising in their spare time, and Petey being a little prick.

Get this show back on course. I'm not here to view a morality play, I'm here for an A-morality play.

Dennis, welcome to "Blue Egg".

Okay, does it make you feel any better if I tell you that I think most of the characters are being preyed upon by others, rather than being the predators?

Don/Bobbie, Roger/Callgirl, Peggy/Priest, Betty/Larry, Bobby/Betty, Bert/Duck.

Sorry, no Rachel in that mix! Darn! Maybe Rachel will show up to give Bobbie Barrett a smack with her cigarette holder!

@redhead64: that was Anita's husband on the couch. Did you catch Anita's scowl at him when Father Gill came in - think you're right about the bottle. Didn't he seem like a slacker?

And Dennis, doesn't Don's finger exercise/business tactic, Bobbie's suggested fellatio, and Roger's paid "date" count as amoral? I would sure hope so!

Looking forward to more of your commentary Dennis! : )

Hey jamm54: I'll have to watch the episode for a 3rd time to study the facial gestures in that scene. Gail Klein, a poster on the Episode 4 Open Thread, suggested that maybe Peggy had something unsavory going on with Anita's husband ("she seduced a married man"). Would that just be a wild revelation?! I like your predator/prey idea.

Ewww, Anita's husband? I don't think even Peggy would be that desperate....unless he molested her? redhead64 suggested he seemed like a drinker - maybe he "got" Peggy while under the influence?

I didn't think even Anita liked her husband. Our first "couch potato" mold for the '60s!

I don't think Anita likes anyone especially her own self. I thought that molestation might have occurred if the husband was drunk. Even today, people do not always believe the victim and I would imagine that would have been even more true in 1960.

Even though the reason for Father Gill giving the blue egg to Peggy can be interpreted several ways (acceptance/brush-off), ultimately, he was making a concerted effort to "connect one-on-one" with Peggy. And for what reason?

Peggy can't be the only "sinner" in the congregation who needs such special attention. I like everyone's theories, real food for thought. Father Gill may be another catalyst for a "bomb" to go off in Peggy's life. Who knows?

I still think it's simple. Peggy;s sister is jealous of her. Peggy's Mom said she was so happy the Father was taking an interest in Peggy and he did know all the bad stuff about her. So the sister told him all the bad things in confession so the Father won't like Peggy anymore. The sister wants father Gill to like her betterthan Peggy. The Father can forgive a lot of things, but sex before marriage and an out of wedlock child is not one. He no longer likes Peggy.

wecamp, your theory sounds about right; the only thing I'd disagree with is that Father Gill no longer likes Peggy. It may not be about liking or disliking Peggy.

If the mother said she was happy that Father Gill was taking an interest in Peggy, it could possibly mean that the mom approached the priest and asked him to "save her immortal soul".

Hence, he has a "job" to do by convincing Peggy to ask for God's forgiveness (and not just an admission of her sins as someone explained to me in another post).

Jamm54. I like my porn XXX not PG. If Bobbie's gobbling the goose let's check out her technique. I don't want hints I want action! One of the best arguments I ever had with my girlfriend Leigh had to do with hints. She told me she was always giving off hints and that I never caught any of them. I told her baby, I'm a frickin' scientist (by degree an electrical engineer) I don't do hints. If you want to tell me something just tell me something. I don't give a damn if you send me a smoke signal, an E-mail, telegram, phone call, text message or snail mail just tell me. I don't have the Rosetta Stone in my back pocket. And people wonder why I've never gotten married. Easy, I’d have either killed her or myself by now.

With respect to Roger that guy's a class act. I've always felt that you should always be nice to hookers who act in a professional manner and Roger is the perfect gentlemen in that regard. How can you not love this guy? His statement I want what I want and I'm willing to pay for it says it all. A true pillar of the community. Hope this guy lives forever.

Dennis, I'm having a hard time sitting up straight because I'm laughing so hard.......

You are a straight-shooter, right from the hip! I don't know how your girlfriend missed the message.

I guess she should've tried diagrams or equations. Would a stick figure drawing have been okay?

Yes, Roger is a right proper gent'man! I don't think I can give it to you (my opnions) in XXX format! I'm too repressed.

redhead64:
Thanks for noticing my off-the-wall theory about Peggy and Anita's loser-husband.

Maybe it's not so crazy? But the sneak preview on AMC shows a doctor asking Pete if he's "ever fathered a child." So we'll just have to wait and see.

I think the priest still has the hots for Peggy. Maybe the fact that she's a "sinner" makes her all the more attractive to him.

This is why I have to share this show and read other viewpoints. The blue egg... who knew it could have so much meaning. jamm54, thanks for posting.

The priest wanted Peggy to know he knows so he can either a) take advantage of her as she's a 'fallen' woman, or b) help her find her way back to her son. What's awesome is we don't know which one it is yet which keeps us coming back for more. His walking away can be interpreted in so many ways.

I didn't see Father's interest in Peggy as sexual at all. He first met her when she was trying to duck out of mass early, so he's aware that she's not exactly into religion, and he was looking for an opportunity to try to change that. His asking her for professional tips on his sermon delivery was a way for him to try to get her to take a more active role in the church. This is the kind of thing that really works on Peggy. Remember that the way she started being a copywriter last season was when someone asked for her input on the lipsticks. As a priest, Father has to interact with mostly old people, so I think he welcomed an opportunity to minister to someone his own age. However, I think that he identified with Peggy only because he viewed her as a fellow celibate. I agree that giving her the egg was a brush-off. If she's sexually active, she's a threat to him, and he can't afford to get to know her any better.

I think the priest just wants to be her friend and ally because he has already relied on her talents for the sermon ... he needs her

I adore this show, the writing, the actors, everything is perfect. I especially appreciate the symbolism and thought provoking story lines. I hadn't considered that the priest might be a fraud, but rather that he sees Peggy as an interesting (and attractive) contemporary as opposed to the usual older,sick people he gets stuck with. Keep watching, I think Peggy is going to get more confidence in herself as she becomes more invaluable at work. They've made her purposely dowdy looking but I think she'll get a makeover and really shine. She's going to think her cranky sister told the priest about the baby. If Peggy confronts her, sis will know he disclosed something from the confessional.

Thanks lisar! I know some posters felt it was a crock of s--t that I asked about the blue egg. But, hey, they practically lit it neon blue (has anyone ever gotten a dyed Easter egg that blue?) for the scene, and put a full shot on it. So it had to have some big significance for them to do that. I'm glad people have been responding, because everyone gets a different angle. With this show, the layers of meaning are deep in the dialogue, visuals, and props. It's helped my understanding of the scene, when people tell me what they "saw".

jamm54,
I just felt that the egg scene was to let Peggy know that he knows and it is not a secret anymore. Notice how she looks around wondering if anyone else knows and if it is common knowledge. I believe it knocked her in the head a little and suddenly it became real and spiritual. She was touched by the fact that the priest knew and she really respects him. Which will bring us to next week when she confronts Pete and Pete answers, "you too should have known this could happen" putting the egg on the side of her court! jamm54 did you see me as Joan Holloway in the contest it's new watch it and tell me what you think. I'm so obsessed with the characters! Thanks!

Clayton, I have the same opinion - first married man Pete, then married to the Church priest - a losing proposition for mixed up Peggy.
And the priest is real. Did you hear his latin? He knows the prayers and all the right words - they don't just let any man waltz into the parish and start performing the mass or hearing confession. Isn't it more likely he's a real priest and the tension comes from his vow versus his normal masculine desires?

BTW, a person can have a moral or spiritual conflict and not be evil.

Did anyone notice Anita's husband when they were taking a group picture with Father Gill? He was lying on his side and his fluffy butt was to the camera. I wonder if it will come out in the picture when it gets developed? That would be enough to make Anita go postal.

With all due respect to luvmadmen, any pastoral-level priest who thinks he knows what he is doing when he puts on the black and white collar is setting himself up for a fall. The priesthood cannot be entirely learned from a book, nor from an older priest teaching at seminary. Basic preparations can be made, but the job is a learning experience over his entire lifetime.

A new priest, as Father Gill appears to be, would be especially open to suggestions from parishoners. He has to speak to his flock and gain their respect and trust, and there is no better way than to accept input from the congregation. Drinking and smoking would be another way to acquire a sense of comradeship with ones parishoners. Catholicism does not and has not prohibited the priesthood and nuns from drinking alcohol and smoking cigarettes. Whether or not they do so in front of their flock would be a matter of personal choice, and in the 1960s, when cigarette smoking was just barely "bad for you" and regular alcohol consumption was normal, doing either activity with your flock wouldn't be remarked on.

I think he's a real priest precisely because he broke the seal of the confessional in such a cryptic, indirect fashion, regarding his message to Peggy that he knew about her child. We haven't been told that Peggy confessed her out-of-wedlock birth to Father Gill, and he certainly seemed surprised when Anita told him about it. A non-priest wouldn't have bothered with such cryptic language when he told Peggy that he knew about her child, but Father Gill tried to tell Peggy that he knew without actually saying that he knew. What he did is still banned by the Catholic Church and results in excommunication (though actual excommunication still requires a trial), but the manner in which he did it suggests a real priest underneath the costume.

To be effective, priests can't just rely on image, they have to develop trust. Father Gill's attempt to balance the information from Anita's confession against Peggy's self-esteem needs speaks of a priest who might accept a drink or smoke a cigarette offered by a member of the congregation to promote trust between himself and the parishioner.

Father Gill could deny his intentions by saying that he saw her standing alone and the little blond boy struggling to find an egg and was going to give it to him himself but thought that Peggy might want to be the little tyke's hero. She'd know it's not true but she'd have no way to prove it.

I disagree with the comments that the priest wasn't really "forgiving" or that he sees Peggy as "loose" or "weak."

He comforted Peggy's sister with the fact that she was the strong one. Which in the sense of family is true: the sister has a lazy husband, an aging mother and is raising her own children AND Peggy's son single-handedly. The priest is putting Peggy's failings into a context the sister will understand: that she's weak. Too weak to refuse Pete's advances because she was a new girl in a big city, too weak to raise the child herself, etc. He certainly acknowledged Peggy's professional strengths by asking for her advice.

Easter is a symbol of resurrection, forgiveness and triumph over sin (Catholic school). Fr. Gill's giving Peggy the egg was his way of absolving her of everything as he didn't see her in confessional and she's not taking communion. He wants her to absolve *herself*, forgive her son for his unexpected presence, and to heal her relationship with the baby.

That said, I too see (hopefully!) a romantic future. As a Catholic I should be ashamed, but Colin Hanks is a brilliant, underrated actor and I would love to see much more of him and his character on this series.

I wanted to add to remember this is just before Vatican II, the last major renewal within the RC Church. Fr. Gill represents change within the church and Peggy's mother represents the resistant, traditional factor within the church.

I have two friends whose fathers were priests who left their vocations. I'm not sure how it all works because both girls and their siblings were all raised as Catholics. One of the families even had a Holy Water font right in side the front door where you could bless yourself as you entered and left!

There is another thread about the blue egg started the same day (@12:23pm by MadShrubbery). Posters are giving other viewpoints on the topic and it poses a question not yet answered and not addressed on this thread. (I hate when this happens!)

I think that those who have commented about Vatican II are correct--the priest's behavior suggests that he will align with the "new order" rather than the traditional one. So much of "Three Sundays" was meant to highlight this generational tension that will spill out in full force within a few short years. The show isn't about showing showing one sex romp after another--probably why Bobbie's and Don's "act" was left offscreen this season since we all know what happened behind the locked door. The show is more than sex. And more than cigarettes and alcohol. It's social commentary. And the changing mores of the Roman Catholic church during the mid 1960s will be a part of the show since those changing mores affected all of society.

Peggy's blue egg most likely isn't a nod from the writers that the storyline is going to go the route of Californication, but taken in context, the month that transpired (we are shown at least three weeks of Sundays) plus the previous episodes where we've seen Peggy STILL in denial, the egg suggests that Peggy's storyline will deal with somehow accepting that she did, in fact, have a child.

Pete is the one who we should be watching, not Gill.

missholloway, thank you for the Catholic insight. It explains a lot for me as I don't really have alot of knowledge or understanding of the different religions. Nice explanation!

Yes, thanks missholloway. I think the priest is drawn to Peggy as a human being, and he intended to be kind to her, rather than hand her an egg as a strange, obtuse or symbolic come-on. He means well. After all, Anita didn't say that the child's birth was a taboo secret. But haven't we all done something like the priest did? Someone indiscretely tells you about another person's secret trouble or problem, and you feel sorry for that person, and next time you see them, you say something intending to sound sympathetic and kind...the other person wonders how you found out and is either shocked into worried silence ("now everyone must know!") or angry that you presumed it was ok to mention it - or maybe, what you heard was totally inaccurate! Peggy was shocked. ("What does he know? Who told him? Who else knows?")

Goodness, all this intrigue over one blue Easter egg! I think sometimes that people read a little too much into a scene or a nuance. I think the priest was trying to silently give Peggy a message, as in "I don't approve." Period. Every time something happens on this show EVERYONE analyzes it to the nth degree! Joan straightens her dress and that means something's afoot! Don hangs up his hat and that means that he is secretly thinking something or other. Pete smiles at someone in the elevator and that means he is about to make a demand of his wife - or Peggy! Peggy flips her pony tail and that means she is about to....Well, you see where I am going with this, I'm sure. Not to put down any of the posters, but I do think that some of this is WAY over analyzed! My gosh, I wonder if everyone is paying this much attention to world affairs?! Now let's see, which of the church ladies hard-boiled that blue egg?

What if the egg was a different color?
If it was red maybe it would mean Peggy was a harlot (sp)?
If it was green it could mean Fr. Gill was Irish, or jealous.
If it was yellow, would it mean Fr. Gill or Peggy was chicken?
Purple, hmmm, would it mean Peggy needs more "Lent time", or that she was royalty.
Just having fun, any other ideas?

I think Fr. Gill just used the egg as a way to tell Peggy he knew about her child. That way, if she wanted to talk to him, the ice on the subject was already broken. However, I think the writers will be giving us lots more here - such as Fr. Gill pressing an advantage. All the revelations in the late 90s and forward about sexual abuse among priests and parishoners are perfect fodder for story lines in a show based in the early and mid-sixties.

Hey all,

I've commented on another thread regarding Fr. Gill representing Vatican II changes (the non-traditional food blessing, playing the guitar, asking for homily input, etc.) Peggy's Mom represents the older generation resisting the changes (are you going to say the real grace now).

Easter eggs symbolize new life (Jesus emerging from the tomb) - so perhaps Fr. Gill giving Peggy the egg (blue for a boy) is telling her to embrace the new life she brought into the world.

Just my 2 cents!

Read a lot of funny post on the egg. Dennis, you're pretty funny. Like your straightforward style.
It brings to light that most of us may be thinking way too deep on the symbolism of the egg itself. Priest aren't always angels. He knows Peggy isn't into church, and he knows that by her sister's standards she's a little tart, which may be a lot more interesting to him than all of the old ladies fawning over him. I say he wants some, and Peggy just might be the one who will put out. The egg laid in her hand, and his comment, says he knows about her, and he still likes her. If he was worried about morality he would have ran from her. Ya', he wants her!

I think he dismissed her with that egg. Basically told her to "get back to her nest". He found her an interesting peer, someone to be friends with , maybe more, but definately exciting and interesting. Then she turned out to be just another needy sinner. He told her to give up her career and get back to her purpose-which is raising the baby she had. In the sixties you were a career gal or a mother - doing both is a contemporary thing.

Oh my, Dennis. Electrical engineers are so boring.

They may be interestingly/adept sexually but personally???? Not!

It was the early sixties, times were (slowly) changing. Maybe this preist was not long out of college and thought of himself as kind of "hip." Instead of a black girlfreind, like another cast member, he made up his own grace. Instead of being stand offish like the older generation of priests, he wants to be "involved" And, oh yes, he wants Peggy. Her fruit is even more forbidden now that she has a "checkered past." Should he save her or let her take him down in flames!!?

I still thing Peggy is sweet, yet somewhat naive. I mean she did get down & dirty with Pete in his office, but she seemed so vunerable when she "twisted up" to him at the party and he shooed her away.
She's still dependable Peggy according to Mr. Draper. I don 't think he knows anything about the baby. In the flashback at the hospital, he tells her to forget about whatever happended and get on with her life. The fact that he called her after the car accident says that he trusts her. He's definetly not attracted to her. He see's her as one of the boys. Except she's more m.ature and dependable

I'm Catholic, and one of the posters asked about visiting priests. Visiting does not mean you've been in trouble; some of the younger visiting priests are attending grad school, and one I met was a resident in psychiatry at a nearby hospital! His sermons were great! Not all priests are at parishes. Many of them teach or serve as administrators, and then help out on Sundays. I think the priest's first interest in Peggy was as another younger person and to get a hipper viewpoint on how he could approach his homilies in church. The business about her mom asking for the "real grace" before meals is so typical of older Catholics at one time who did not abide any freelancing in prayer. I think his handing her the blue egg was not only in "letting her know he knew" but also in reaching out to her that she could talk to him and not hide it. Christ would have done the same or similar I think; Mary Magdalene anyone? Maybe it will get romantic, but I doubt it. I also laughed at the juxtaposition of the hubby's backside horizontally on the couch in the background of the group photo with the priest. The creators of this show really have done excellent research on so much of what we see and hear on each episode.

Betty wrote:
"Oh my, Dennis. Electrical engineers are so boring.
They may be interestingly/adept sexually but personally???? Not!"

Amen, Betty!