It was the title of "The Defenders" episode that was featured.

Although that's the title of the episode from "The Defenders", I felt it had to apply to the undercurrent themes/storylines running through episode 3.

I was hoping other posters would have some thoughts.

Before I read the forum this morning, I was wondering what the title "The Benefactor" meant to the story. Of course, it's been answered already. You guys are really ahead of me!! Anyway, as for its relevance to the episode other than the Defenders, here's what I think. I read Matthew Weiner's comments in his blog where he says this episode was about "what married people do for each other." I'm going to interpet that to mean that married couples are benefactors to each other in a good working relationship, i.e. Betty helping Don out as a "team" at the Schilling dinner, Harry's wife giving him the guts to ask for a raise, etc. Or as Matt says, "couples working together to get things done." What do you think?

Let's not forget Harry's friend at the other company ~ who proves to be his benefactor by giving him the opportunity/gift for moving his career forward with the controversial "Defenders" show. That truly was a gift to Harry.

When Don spoke to Bobbi at the bar about the Medici's...... He was describing the role between benefactor and artist.

What exactly did Betty do to help Don at the dinner? When Don told her to get "shined up" I felt like he was pimping her out. All she did was flash her Barbie smile and let Jimmy think he had a chance with her. Betty, Betty, Betty where did we lose you? Don has become Roger and Don is using Betty as his "bait" for clients.

I think that Betty was there to both set Mrs. Schilling at east -- and, unfortunately, act as a target for Jimmy Barrett.

Of course, she was used by Don, and this type of situation was not an anomaly in the ad world -- or Hollywood, for that matter.

I think Betty did a number of things for Don, including cleaning it all up - as a distraction from the ickiness of the situation (making use of her beauty, wit and charm) and I agree, putting the whole party at ease - and a visual definition for Don (married). I agree, Don did sort of pimp her out but he was also disgusted with himself.

As jealous as Don was when Roger made a move on Betty, he didn't seem to angry when Jimmy was slobbering all over Betty at the dinner table. I didn't really see any jealousy from Don and that kind of bothered me. Is Don planning to send Jimmy up the stairs soon with stomach full of oysters and martinis? Or did the comment, "I can ruin you both" send the message? Jimmy really creeped me out when he kept staring at Betty. I can see why Bobbie is on the prowl - can you imagine living with that slime? Ewwwwww

Well if I had that (Jimmy) across the table from me all night (even though I was doing it for my husband's "career"), I would've been weeping in the car, not a little bit of crying. That was quite an "assault" that no amount of being prepared for would make any easier to take for a couple of hours, no matter who you were doing it for.

I guess Betty "passed" the "I'll do anything for you honey" test. Wow! I've been on the receiving end of that - it is REALLY hard to stomach. Running into a true misogynist is something you don't forget. I honestly don't think if you're not a woman, you could understand it understand what it feels like to be on the receiving end of such talk (don't give me grief guys if you do). It's an assault as much as a physical assault. Betty's tough - I'll sure give her kudos for that. She must love Don a great deal - she'll make it.

Bobbi and Jimmy Barrett have to be the most despicable characters to be on the series, to date, I'll give you that. No apologies about Don stooping to their level to drive the point home. He gave it back to survive, his job, and say "screw you" for both him and Betty.