It's hard sometimes with this show, but many things are not "lose ends" meaning that the show will come back to them and finish them off. Many such things are elements of local color--the time, the place, the situation, that reflect on the story. They emphasize the "theme" of the episode, but are not plot points. Kinda like if someone is wearing a red dress though a movie and gets killed. You don't ask, "What happened to the dress?" Rather, you say, "Ah, that red dress indicated that she was doomed to die."

1. Big closeup of the mechanic's handprints on Betty's car, why?

Symbolic--indicative of Betty offering "herself" to the Mechanic sexually in order to get him to fix her car. She doesn't have sex with him, but she does flirt with him to get the price down, and he does fix her car. His "prints" are all over the car, as they might well have been all over her. She has a symbolic affair with him. Why? Because she isn't getting attention from Don at the time.

2. What happened to Chauncey?

He was shooed outside and, being the beautiful animal he is, likely picked up by some caring person who could give him a good home and love. He, too, is symbolic. Symbolic of the life Duck can't have any longer--wife, family and dog. He wasn't able to care for them when he had them, now that he can, they don't want him/he's not for them. He sends Chauncey out to find a good owner elsewhere, just as his family have found a new husband/dad.

3. Was there some plot reason for the blood drive?

No. It's was just to show the competitive edge of business in this cut-throat world of advertising even relates to something like a blood drive.

4. What was the significance of the pink elephant at Pete's mother's house?

A pink elephant was what people back in the 60's jokingly said they saw when drunk. However, it likely refers to what all "elephants" in the room signal--in Pete's mother's home there are elephants in the room that no one pretends to see or know about. You have heard that phrase, right? "There's an elephant in the room but no one's talking about it?" Pete's father and his spend thrift ways are the elephant in the room. The boys know about it, but aren't talking, and mom is blind to it even though it's big and obvious.

5. Is Roger's call girl Vicky part of the ongoing plot? Ditto Betty's old roommate, Juanita?

No.

6.Why was there so much about the switchboard operator (later to be Don's secretary for a short time) having a crush on Sal?

To emphasize his sexual orientation. Originally he ignored women, but when he got propositioned, he decided he needed a "beard" a faux wife to keep him better hidden away in the closet.

Does that help?

Flower - like you I find these open ended teasers frustrating. Unfortunately I don't hold out much hope for them ever being addressed. Like the Russian in the Pine Barrens and the black screen over Onion Rings we may be asked to fill in the blanks. The viewer as author if you will.

Flower read the talk topic "Mad" Viewers

Sometimes stuff doesn't mean anything. It just is...

Here is a direct quote from Matthew Weiner about this topic:

"There’s a mystery being unraveled and pieces are not connected and sometimes they are. Some things go nowhere. If there wasn’t stuff that went nowhere, you wouldn’t be excited about the things that go somewhere. When you’re telling a story where you don’t want people to know the end it’s very important that you keep them on their toes…"

Here's a blog post about it over at .

Oops. My bad. Link didn't show up.

Basket of Kisses

Wow!...thanx grinandbearit...
Great link!

One of the reasons why I want an insider to provide similar tidbits here on AMC's official site! I've heard good things about that website...I'll visit again.

Dry...Jamm...60's child, et al...this link provides a couple answers to lingering questions we've discussed...a must read...

Hi flowerpower!
Chauncey is alive and well, and living in this Forum!

That Basket of Kisses site is great fun. I had visited it once before and then forgot it, so a basket of kisses to you for the reminder! I took a sideways leap over to the Hitchock/Mad Men article - very enjoyable read. There is more great stuff that I will be checking out in my leisure hours - gives me my Mad Men fix while I wait for the next episode.

1. The Elephant - I think we'll find out there is something stashed inside the elephant.

2. Juanita -- Let's not forget that she was introduced as Juanita CARSON, same last name as Betty's riding buddy Sara Beth CARSON. There will be a tie-in somehow, sometime.

I think the loose ends are diluting the show. I want some more in depth play out between Don and Betty....it's too all over the place and losing some credibility.... this las episode is a long way from the 1st season. I hope Matt Weiner can pull in the rains or this show is going to fizzle out.

Hi! Did I hear my name?

Did someone ever comment on the one night
fling Pete had? I think that girl will be at his
office at the end of the season to hand over
a baby to Pete.

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