Thanks for the heads-up! :)

I had actually imagined the Kennedy assassination to be playing a major role in the last few episodes of the season, much like how the 1960 election and the Cuban missile crisis, both huge political events in the real world, set sort of a thematic backdrop for the last two seasons.

Of course, Season 2 rounded off some time in 1962? There's a bit of leeway there, but they're probably going to do another time-skip, like how there was an interim of about half a year or so (correct me if I'm wrong) from Seasons 1 to 2.

Of course I have heard about the whole "it's been done to death" standpoint, but I'm hard pressed to imagine something as big and shocking as this to be completely overlooked by the writers (Sterling mentions Roosevelt, as well as some fallout in the steno pool amongst the girls from the death of Marilyn Monroe).

I guess there really is only way to find out though... so please let it be August already!

The actor playing the new COO of Sterling Cooper is British, so my guess is that the merger went through.

MistressDraper, there was a little over a 1-year jump between S1 and S2. S1 left off in the fall or winter of 1960 and S2 picked up early in 1962. I'm hoping that they do not do the big jump for S3 and go more for a small jump to the spring of 1963 but this will mean Betty will have to be pregnant (unless something happens)... the merger sounds like it has gone through.

I wonder whether there'll be any plays on words, or outright jibes about the Brits taking over SC at the same time as the arrival of the Beatles? Could be fun. AND - Who will be the first Mad Man to let their hair grow longer?

Well, SS, I'd guess that either Pete or Paul will be the first Mad Men to go moptop....always trying to be so "with it" -- and falling on their faces! -- the way they do....

Neither - Pete will be disdainful and Paul is too old to try and pull it off. He could get away (sort of) with Beat/folkie stuff but not rock n roll. My guess is there will be a character in the background who's the target for jibes - maybe some young fellow working with Harry in the TV department. Now Sally Draper, on the other hand, is almost the right age for incipient Beatlemania - another source of conflict between mother and daughter.

.....It seems like a long time because it has been a long time. Ten months is ridiculous.

Yes, AA, I can definitely picture Sally being a Beatle maniac....who do you think her favorite Beatle will be?

Think Betty/Don will let her go see them "live" when they appear on the Ed Sullivan Show? (or maybe even Madison Square Garden -- or wherever they had their concerts in NYC) ??

I just found a web a site that shows all the Beatles concert tours (it's for ticket collectors, evidently) and it looks like the only show in NYC was at Carnegie Hall....is that right? Just the Ed Sullivan show and then one other concert before moving along to Washington DC? Hmmmmmmm..........

Beatlemania was definately at it's peak in 1964. Their first appearance on the Ed Sullivan show was in February 1964. Will MM picks up before or after their appearance? Does anyone know if Matt Weiner is a Beatle fan?

....I think it went "Ed Sullivan," Carnegie Hall, then Shea Stadium.....not an expert!