I think they'll stay together. Just like Tony Soprano and his wife. The tension in Don/Betty's relationship is glue for the show's storylines. I don't think Don (Tony) will become an enlightened male and see Betty any differently than he does now, nor will he change his habits. It's Betty's character that will have to bend and shift to keep things together between them.

The sad thing for me is I don't care about them as much as a couple. I look at them as individuals already.
I would feel bad for the kids though, because I think Betty would make it extremely difficult for Don to see the kids as revenge.

Does anyone on the Forum know what the Family Court rules were in NY State in the early 60's?

In some ways I want Don and Betty to stay together and then again since Don has treated Betty so badly and he is still very cold to her, I would like to see Betty tell Don its over for good, and Betty find a man who will appreciate her.

Don has not only lied to Betty and cheated on her, but he married her without confiding to her who he really is. He hasn't tried to talk things out with Betty or show any remorse for how he's treated her. No, Betty should dump him.

I do like the way Betty is being strong and has not allowed Don back into the house yet. She also showe him that she too can have sex with him without commiting to him.

I see it totally differently. I don't necessarily want them to get back together right now. I see Betty starting a career of her own as a model (Suzy Parker) or actress (Grace Kelly). I see her becoming very famous and making way more money than Don. But they have to see each other because of the kids. Of course, Don would be extremely jealous as he always is when another man even looks at her or she wants to wear a yellow bikini to swim. The casting is great in this show. Betty's character is actually my favorite. Betty's character is a woman with classic beauty, a gorgeous figure, very regal. She could use her beauty and former modeling contacts to make a new career for herself. She is the only female character with the "looks" to do this. The other female characters are attractive definitely, but nothing special like Betty. Then and only then could I see Don and her getting back together because they are both on an even playing field. Both Don and Betty have a lot of changing to do before this can happen. I think Don will realize as he gets older that sleeping around isn't all it's cracked up to be.

I think Betty would be lost without Don, no matter how "strong" she becomes. Betty's whole world is about being taken care of - being the "princess". You don't get that by being single in the early 60s.

I think they will stay together, and eventually fall in love again with each other. Right now they are going through a rough patch, and Betty is holding her ground. We can see the transformation from shy housewife, to mature, more confident adult. Yes her confidence is building with all the tragedy and drama around her, but I think she will come out strong, or hell even stronger than she was before. She had Viola tell her that she needs to prepare for the worst, and just move on (move foward anyone...aka Don's philosophy?) and Helen Bishop bascially told her, your in charge now, do you want to go back to all that, or do you want to change. I think after witnessing that Helen is just a bad mother as she is really put a goal in Betty. To be a better parent to her children, and also to make up with Don. She saw how Glenn was behaving due to the fact his mother has lots of boyfriends, and that his new stepmother is mean to him and his sister, and I think Betty got an image how that would be like for her two children, and I think she will take the route of making it work with Don, and making it a responisbility to be a better parent. In other words, Viola and Helen opened her eyes as to being an adult, and I think Betty is going to face it, and come out strong. Don on the other hand still needs that transformation. I think he will eventually get bored with conquest after conquest, and realize how good he had it with Betty. As some other posters on the open thread suggested....I think Don is falling in love with Betty again. I mean yes some could say he is doing that as cover up to get back to normal, but I think he is respecting her descions whether he likes them or not, and needs to find himself first in order to make things right again. I think both characters are going on an amazing journey in finding what they lost will eventually bring them back together again. I think we should start a new team...the BETTY&DON FOREVER TEAM!

At the very least I want them to develop some kind of mutual respect for each other, I don't know if that's more likely to happen if they're together or divorced...

Oddly, my thought on this is: "Who Cares?" I'm sort of feeling Burt Cooperish on this one.

I worry about Betty's emotional effect on her kids. She obviously resents her son, and her daughter is already making the dangerous connection of alcohol and glamour. After last night's episode, I think it won't be long before Betty's father buys the proverbial farm. I don't believe she'll inherit even a farthing, so she is going to need Don's income and devotion in order to survive and overcome the loss. She may have an affair - someone from the stable?

tangfl: I'm sorry, but as much as I love Betty, she is much too old by the standards of the 60's to even think about starting up as a model again. Suzy Parker was "over the hill" before she was 30, and Betty is pushing 30 now. Also, we have no indication that she was ever interested in acting or drama. I like the idea that someone had recently about starting her own catering business and becoming a Martha Stewart entrepreneur. That would certainly be putting her superb homemaking skills to good use.

Polignac: Right on! Sign me up as a member of the Betty & Don Forever Team!! I do want them to stay together and fall in love again. If Don would really come clean with her, I believe it's possible.

Great post!

@Gail: I agree, having Betty become a Martha Stewart type is plausible yet exciting.

Perhaps she and Don can find their way back to one another. He could help her market herself, offer her business advice, protect her from the sharks out there and maybe, I hope, come to respect her capabilities like he did with Rachel.

I'd like them together because I like happy endings, but Betty needs to grow up or start thinking straighter and Don doesn't even know if he loves her. She probably seemed much more confident when he met her. But he seems to be a good father when he is around. Maybe if she takes him back with conditions this time. i get the idea that he had an ultimatum before, since she told her shrink she knew he was cheating and told him this season that he was not supposed to stay out so late or maybe even no overnight in the city any more. But he didn't keep his promise. But Betty is a bit of a psycho, with the little boy and her father's wife and acts like a little girl around daddy

I wish Don and Rachel would reconnect somehow. I know that's probably inappropriate and it's not going to happen since Maggie Siff is on another show now and since Rachel Menken is married, but I think Rachel is so much more interesting than Betty. The safe thing for the writers will be to have Don and Betty slowly come to respect each other and make it work for the sake of the kids if nothing else. Still, I thought Don and Rachel had real chemistry and the show was a lot more enjoyable to watch when they were together.

Polignac - lots of good points that I totally agree with ...

lkd711 - YES! I'm having a difficult time separating MM from Sopranos, and often think of Don & Betty as predecessors to Tony & Carmela. Even though D&B split much earlier in the series than T&C, it still came after the heavy (that we know of) affairs (Midge & Rachel). Neither man was caught in the act, the wives learned of infidelities from a third source (which made it easy for the men to deny-deny-deny). And neither man made the case for coming back home because they loved/missed their wives. For Carmela, her "forgiveness" was largely financial. We'll have to see what sells it for Betty.

To judge these writers just on The Sopranos, I'm not sure we can predict anything. Although I do think that, since we were presented with Don & Betty as the primary family unit, I've got to think they (like T&C) will be together in the end. I'm glad this is NOT a Grey's Anatomy-type show with everyone bed-hopping around!

But in the end, I want them to STAY TOGETHER. Like Betty said a few episodes ago, they make a good team. Hopefully it won't take a near-fatal shooting incident to make this so ... but I do think that, for them to stay together, Betty's going to have to learn more about Dick Whitfield. Something tells me Don/Dick is going to come up against something b-i-g (not a gunshot, but related to his past), and it will be Betty -- and only Betty -- who pulls him through.

I feel that Don loves Betty in his own way. He was right there for her when she called him. She needed the comfort of sex with him as she was very distraught and never really shows her emotions. That was her release. Don admires her beauty and she keeps the household together and makes it stable for him. He is a ladies man and I don't know if he can ever be true, but I think that these writers always surprise us with something we didn't expect so I have no idea whether they will end up together.

I'm new to Mad Men, and absolutely love the show. Don and Betty are such a draw. They are both so flawed.

p.s. Just as Helen Bishop's divorce is giving Betty a lot to think about, I think Roger's situation will influence Don, too.

We'll see next week when Roger proposes to Jane.

Also, coming from such a strange household, Don doesn't really know what a Happy Homelife is. He put himself in a role that he may not be suited to play. But he's getting more perspective through Roger, Betty's family ... we'll see if some of the younger guys' families (like Harry's new baby) will affect him at all.

RE: Rachel being more interesting with chemistry--Rachel had a slight advantage over Betty as a rich businesswoman managing an upscale department store she's inheriting from her father, using the store as her personal closet and taking the reins at making critical day to day decisions and leading a glamourous lifestyle who knowingly dated a married man, playing a cat and mouse game. If Miss Menken had been Don's secretary I doubt the chemistry would have existed. Housewives didn't then nor do they still garner any respect from the masses. I want the Drapers to stay together.

I agree with the poster who said Betty is too old for modeling. Models were over by 25 at the most in those days, with 1 or 2 exceptions. They didn't have supermodels in those days - models got married, became actresses or opened small businesses.

Rachel wasn't that interesting - she was too stable. She came from a loving family with a strong nurturing parent - her father. She had a much stricter moral code than Don and they would not have lasted together because Rachel would never put up with Don's behavior. Now, Betty is another story - she's constantly surprising us. We never know what this girl is going to do.

Don and Betty will definitely stay together. Betty and Don love each other and need each other and they have 2 kids - I'm betting 3 after last night's episode. I think Betty will be pregnant and that will be the pivotal decision that will make her choose to mend the fences with Don.

I definitely want them to stay together.

Gail, I like your idea about Betty starting a Martha Stewart type business. I was just thinking - she was a model, she's still beautiful, a lot of models turn to acting. I just think she should get her own career. I don't like her being dependent on Don. He is like a little boy in a candy store. He's very immature. His character needs to grow up and be a real man, which doesn't just mean you can please a woman in bed.
ap97, I disagree that Don should be with Rachel. To me, she is just a spoiled little rich girl who's daddy gave her a business. She also sleeps with married men. Don has had to struggle his whole life and work hard. How hard do you have to work when daddy owns the business? Not his type for the long run. I do think Betty is his type. He obviously likes her classic beauty and they certainly get along sexually. I think they should eventually get back together, honor the vows they made to each other and certainly for the kids' sake. Divorce is hard on kids. The both have to grow up first though.
Do you think the writers read these?

But don't get me wrong, I love the Don Draper character. And Hamm plays him so well. I'm just glad I'm not married to him. I've been married for over 30 years. And believe me, I wouldn't stay married to a guy who cheated on me like that.

I think Don wants his freedom, but once he gets it, he won't want it for long. I can certainly see him enjoying the late 60's "free loving" attitude. I saw the light on Don's face foreshadowing that CA may shed some real light on Don's true identity. I wonder if he'll come back from CA, or maybe he'll start a west coast division of SC!

As much as I'd like the Drapers to find a way to keep their family together, I have my doubts about that actually happening. Don has so many demons, and he's never been willing to open up very much to Betty the way he opened up to Rachel. Betty is the perfect match for him on paper or at a party, but he refuses to be faithful or have real emotional intimacy with her. Betty is finally starting to come into her own, and she deserves more than what Don is willing to give her. I hate to say it, but it might be better for them to break up.

After two kids and nearly 10 years of marriage, Don and Betty's lives are so intertwined that it is difficult to just call it quits.

Betty hasn't decided one way or the other. Up to this episode, her only decision was to ban Don from the house.

She has taken another step. She told someone. Not a close friend or family member. That would be too final. I think she is testing how life would be if it was permament.

I don't think she was using sex to dominate Don or play a game. I believe she was truly missing intimacy from Don and since the ball was in her court she had to make the first move.

Don probably just accepted the sex without even a "Birdie I love you more than you can know." So if I were Betty, I would take that as rejection and let Don know that I was just pretending like it appeared he was.

I have no idea which direction the writers will go for either Don or Betty. And that's why I love to watch!

I appreciate that MM is a true drama, problems of flawed characters and people trying to find their way. No gimmicks or silly cliffhangers to keep our interest or pushing, pulling people apart. I just care about the characters trying to get through a day. I too hope and think D/B stay together. It might be because I've seen a lot of parents struggle through rough patches and come out the other side or something as superficial as they look so fantastic together. All I know is this couple has gotten under my skin.

I still dont get it that Don opened up more with Rachel. He basically told Betty the exact same thing. Rachel and Betty are equal in the Don/Dick Whitman department. Both know he was treated bad in his childhood. Granted, Don went into a little bit more detail with Rachel, but telling Betty he wanted to kill his father, to me was way more expressive, and way more challenging to say. I think Don will have his fun in LA, but that life of chasing tail will eventually get boring for him. I mean once the Women's LIB comes, its going to be hard to get women to do what men want..which is hanky panky sex. And I agree since Betty is showing us that she is growing up, its time for Don to grow up too. Maybe he will in LA. Maybe he will realize how good he has it with Betty. I dont think Betty is considering divorce now, after what Helen told her. Helen told her she thought it would be easy to get a divorce and be the happy family with her two kids. Clearly from this episode she is just as lost and confused as Betty. Plus, now we realize why Betty called Helen to pick up Glen. I think she called her because she needed to tell her straight out, Glen needs his mother, not me! That is why she tells Helen, to pay attention to her son more, which Helen confesses she has been a shitty parent. I know Betty got alot of flack for that, since she has barely paid any attention to her children, but since she saw Glen all distraught, and wanted comforting from her, I think Betty decided that she needs to grow up and be a parent to her own children who love her. I mean did anyone want to cry when they saw Sally standing by the staircase, as Betty kicked Glen out. I mean it looked as if Sally didnt want Glen to tell her that he hated her, I also got the impression that Sally must think now that her own father must hate their mother for kicking him out. But Betty turns around, and calmly and very motherly says, lets wash up for supper. I think we are seeing a transformation, and I am so happy Viola opened up her eyes. "You are responsible for your beautiful children and your husband, they are yours" clearly Viola was saying be Parent to them now, your not a orphan because you have them. Its characters like Viola and Helen that truly made Betty open her eyes as an adult, and put a close to her childish ways.

Great comments. I hope Don and Betty will stay together. Betty is growing up like we all do eventually through the loss of loved ones, relationships, status, health, etc. She is becoming a stronger, better adult. Her sexual desire for Don is a positive sign that it isn't over for her yet. Don needs to grow up too. I find it interesting that we keep seeing him alone in his sad hotel room. I think that Don is falling in love with his wife again. He wants what he can't have. I got the impression that once she had sex with him he thought "I'm back". Don just hasn't had enough pain yet and Betty knows it so she made him leave.

Betty was compassionate and sweet with Glen. Divorce creates havoc in the lives of the children. I'm sure that Betty doesn't want that for her kids. Betty and Don need a level playing field. I hope he comes clean with her about his past. I believe she would be equally compassionate with him.

Dennis: I see you're still out there watching and commenting. Nice to see ya.

Polignac-- I hadn't thought about the women's lib thing, but you have a point. Women will want to be seen in a different light and recognize their worth and value and not just a piece of tail.

However, I do disagree with not just you but everyone that has said Betty is not a good parent or childish. I just don't see that connection. Lets really look at the situation. She is going through something extraordinarily painful, but if you notice when Sally was checking in on her the day after the confrontation, Betty didn't bark at her or raise her voice to either of them once. Even the night that she confronted Don she went and slept with the children because she wanted to be with them. She has tried to do things with them like baking cookies together, to not seem like things are bad. I think she is trying to assert her own power in this situation because she is tired of being miss perfect, giving everybody else what they want, not herself. Truly if she is not happy, why would the kids be happy? They are intuitive of whats really going on.

Waditah, you are completley right. I do give Betty a hard time for taking out her frustration on her kids, but I think now with what Viola told her, and what she saw in Glen, she wants to be a good mother to children now. And she doesnt want a divorce because what she saw in Glen she doesnt want for her children, which just proves that she indeed cares and loves them deeply.

Betty is just plain boring. However if this was real . . . for the sake of the kids they wont divorce. I know first hand what it is like to be the offspring of a divorce in 1963.

If Betty divorces Don, what reason is there for her character to continue in the series more than Bert Cooper does? Don visits, picks up the kids for the weekends and then drops them back off. Hi, bye. That's the extent of their relationship. Have I forgotten that to the kids he'll be Mr. Good Times and Mom will be... something else?

Therefore, they have to stay married. Unless M. Weiner & Co. decree otherwise.

Furthermore, take away the cheating and you've got Ozzie and Harriet at home with Bobby as Ricky Nelson and Sally being... one of the Father Knows Best girls. I don't think anyone's forgotten how boring Don seems to have been in the first two episodes of this season.

At the office, as a boss and co-worker, Don seems to be extremely good, coming up with usable ideas, smacking down the idiot ideas and an excellent supervisor. In fact, except for the cheating and the Don/Dick situation, he's a great guy to have around. If Betty's out of the picture, there's always someone else he could be dating/taking to society events.

I find Betty an intriguing character. I can relate to her much more than to Bobbi or Midge, who were also interesting. I thought the bedroom scene with Betty in this past episode was very emotional and stirring. Long term relationships are complex and dynamic. To me Don is shallow and pathetic in his bed hopping. He can only be a hero again if he steps up and does the right thing.

Don is a big achiever. A happy, stable family life is a major achievement and the best gift he could ever give his children. I think he wants way more for his kids than he ever got. I love to see Don with his clothes off but I want him to be with Betty.

So true. Long term relationships are more intriguing and easier to identify/pull for, but I can't seem Don becoming the faithful husband either. What a dilemma. How to solve it, because I don't want D/B out of the picture.

Weiner said millions of times that he wants us to root for Betty and Don even when they are doing horrible things to themselves and to each other. I dont think Weiner would want to axe Betty. On the commentaries on the season 1 dvd, whenever January enters a scene he goes off on how beautiful she is and how talented she is, and how when she came into casting for the role of Peggy, he told automatically No...your my Betty! He also goes on about Joan and Peggy, so I dont think he will take off one of the female dynamic leads. The Don/Betty story is just to juicy to ignore.

I agree with everyone!

I've never seen or heard Weiner's references to "rooting for Betty & Don", but I can believe it. Sopranos creators felt the same about Tony & Carmela, & despite some major ups & downs, they were together in the end. It's that "family" dichotomy that runs brilliantly through both shows: on Sopranos, mob & home families; on MM, Sterling Cooper and (most significantly) the Draper home.

Many people are pissed at Don for cheating so much (aside from his other sins!), but in the end, Carmela acknowledged being unsure whether she loved Tony in spite of the way he earned a living, or because of it. The cheating was just part of the package that she learned to accept. Given Betty's far more limited options in the 1960s, she's learning to live with many compromises too.

One interesting thing I don't think anyone's mentioned yet .... other men's interests in Betty. They've been small & all over the map (Roger's advances, the car repair guy, the guy at the stables). But more recently, did anyone notice Don's face when Duck described Betty when they were meeting w/the Heineken people? I know I'm not the only one that studies Jon Hamm's amazing face for the slightest variations, right? It was, I think, as if Don thought "Yes, she is kinda peachy, isn't she?" His reaction didn't seem angry or posessive like when she was wearing the bikini.

Even considering how wearing emotions on one's sleeve was not common back then (esp for men), I've really been hoping for some kind of mad, passionate "I NEED YOU BETTY!!" from Don. Who knows if that will ever come ... until then, I'll take (& relish) those subtle facial expressions.

The perfect answer to the above discussed dilemma about how to handle Don and Betty for right now and make both characters interesting is to have Betty start a career, preferably one in which she is famous and making more money than Don. Betty's character would be able to do that because of her looks and her former modeling contacts. That would keep Betty in the show a lot and probably make Don jealous. She wouldn't need him financially and he would not like losing control over her. In fact, it may make him want her even more and, hence, they get back together in the end. And everyone is happy - well, almost every (not Visan).

Sharon, speaking of Jon Hamm and how good an actor he is. Someone posted that he should receive an emmy for his reaction to her father grabbing her breast. I thought that was great. He immediately ran over to her as if to protect her, but his facial experssion was priceless. He doesn't want any other man to touch his wife, even her senile father who thinks she's his late wife Ruth, who just had a stroke and doesn't know what he is doing.