Episode 3 - Open Thread

Talk about Episode 3, "The Benefactor".

Ep. 3 has 3 themes: 1) Holding the reins, 2) Male-female role reversal, and 3) Catharsis.

Don is very (profoundly) sad and whereas his catharsis USED to be Midge and then Rachel, he now has to resort to sitting alone in a sad movie. I couldn't tell if I could see a tear on his face or not. To me this is a very feminine thing to do - we gals go to sad movies for a good cry all the time! Interesting to see a man do it as men usually do something physical, like sports or punching a wall.

All the scenes at the barn - Betty held the reins and was firmly in control of her horse. I was a bit perplexed at Tara and her treatment of Arthur but I think there will be more to come. Tara certainly has certainly reined him in! Arthur did not control his horse and Betty told him to pull back on the reins amd "straighten her out" adding that "she needs to be told what to do." Arthur in the barn with Betty - the stuff he was saying about the fights, him soothing her, her pouting was very insightful for a man. Is he a writer? I can see a woman being able to analyze the relationship the way he did, but it seemed odd for a man to do it. I liked how he got right at Betty's core with his "You are so proundly sad comments." He got to her in the same way Don got to Bobbie. Arthur really put his finger on what is at the root of Betty. Her response cracked me up - "My people are Nordic." LOL! That's the line of the week. I liked how Arthur told her to stop telling him what to do as Bertty is clearly in the habit of telling Don what to do. I was intrigued by her final response - "I'm just grateful." Betty was clearly a wreck walking out of the barn. Later, in the car coming home with Don, she had a catharsis and was crying. She didn't like being a prostittue. But yet she told Don how grateful she was. Methinks as a child she was told never to feel sorry for herself and to always feel "grateful."

The fat women issue came up again this week. Both Mrs. "Shilling" (GREAT name choice!) and Sarah Beth's daughter.

Lois clearly could not control the reins in Don's office. I'm thrilled that Joan will be his secretary and I am really looking forward to more interaction with her and Don. Great plot twist.

Roger is the greatest character. Loved the "I miss the 50's" line and also his, "I don't smoke." HILARIOUS.

Harry called his wife and whined like a girl - "I wanna quit!" and his wife was a man and told him to demand a raise (but be polite about it.). Role reversal again.

The scenery in the fake bar scene with Don and Bobbie was gorgeous.

Loved how Jimmy called the waiter Msr. LePew! And later how he bit his knuckle when Mrs. Shilling said she didn't have the stomach for his humor.

Mr. Shilling - Hunt - rhymes with ____.

Car scene with Don and Bobby - the hail symbolized "rock hard." Since when does Don drive into the city? Is he not taking the train anymore? Loved that he washed his mouth out when he got home and all he wanted for dinner was booze.

Bobbie holds Jimmy's reins - he does whatever she tells him to do. She wears the pants in the family. Don did not stand up when Bobbie left the table. Did he stand when she came back?

I think the scene of Don an d Betty in the car gave us some hints as to what had been agreed upon by them. She talked of being part of his life.

Best line of Ep 3 - My people are Nordic. Best line of Ep. 2 - Duck to Pete about trying to "land" American Airlines - "We'd like to have you on board." Best line of the series ever: MONA! Your wife's name is MONA!

Until next week -- Nancy