Hi Hyperboliz!
I loved that scene, I was worried for a second because I remember Betty telling Jimmy at The Lutece dinner that she was a jumper, not involved in Dressage. I thought maybe she would jump at that speed and be injured or killed.

I thought the scene brought out how Betty's emotions are detached...that isn't saying it quite right, someone will have to explain it better. It was much the same as her breaking the chair. All the violence and method was there, but the connection, perhaps release is the word I am looking for, was not. I am not saying January wasn't acting, in fact I think those two scenes showed how difficult it is to 'act' Betty. Betty herself does not give in to the moment, is restrained and yet her body goes through the first step. Later, she was more in touch with reality, but we still have some things to watch with her tearing down that wall that keeps her from feeling things.

jumping around and sweating profusely is not very ladylike. and the way she wiped her sweaty head on the horse instead of a towel was insensitive to the horse, as well as troublingly un-ladylike. and for her to act 'exhausted'... well, that was a sham. she should have been energized !!

DapperDan: I thought the way she rested her head on the horse was sort of saying that the horse was the one living being she could trust. Who's she going to unbare her soul to now? She doesn't seem to be going to Dr. Wayne anymore, she can't talk to her kids, or even her girlfriends at this point. Even Glenn, the weird neighbor kid, is missing from her life now.

The vigorous horseback riding is a harbinger of Betty breaking out of her straitjacket. So is the breaking of the chair. I'm not a shrink, but I think they call it "displaced anger."

Gail Klein, yes, displaced anger, but she didn't show anger. She picked up the chair and threw it away,walking calmly out of camera range, she didn't even breathe hard. When a person is angry enough to dismantle a dining room chair (good thing Duck didn't bring a date) , they have outward signs of it. Betty didn't. Betty may be two people as much as Don is. One is calm and cleans up broken chairs and the other one beats them to death.

I'm just wondering when there's going to be a real scene between Gertie (the stable owner) and Betty. Gertie's played by Denise Crosby who also played Tasha Yar in Star Trek-Next Generation. Betty's friend said Gertie had the hots for Betty.

Hi Gail Klein! I agree. I thought she was resting her head on the horse in a loving gesture. Women have a special bond with horses. I have heard that horses respond better to women.

60's Child: Thanks for agreeing with me. Yes, the more I think about it, the more I believe that her horse is her best friend right now. How sad! I think Betty will move back to her father in Upper Merion for a trial separation from Don.

I think Don will be pressured by Roger and Bert to keep his marriage going, because of his position. Being a 'family man' was important. At least the appearance of being one. I don't know how Betty will react, that is what I have liked about her lately, she is not predictible. Do you think any of her dinner guests noticed she was furious with Don? He said no one would remember anything except the drunken wife missing the chair...but I don't think even Don knew how angry she was from before they even sat down to eat. That means she went through the motions of being the perfect hostess the entire evening. Even Carla, who worked along side her, thought it went well.