I don't believe it is in Roger's nature to work hard enough to reestablish his value to the firm. His retort to Bert regarding the reorganization was, "They're just punishing me for making my job look easy." In fact, it is not evident what he does for the firm other than engage in meetings in Bert's office, reclined on the couch with a Scotch in hand. He has become too comfortable with his life of leisure-- eating, drink and bedding secretaries at will, on his schedule. He has made a fortune by selling his shares to the Brits, and he never needs to work again (especially in light of his short life expectancy). He has evidently always had his life handed to him on a silver platter. His name was already on the door before he ever started working at SC. He is too self-engrossed to make any affirmative effort to polich his image.

On a related note, Roger would brag to Don about his service in WWII, but that just makes me wonder what he really did in the Pacific in any event. By contrast, Freddy Rumsen didn't discuss his service in Europe; it was Roger who brought it up on Freddy's behalf during his going away shindig. Wasn't Roger just some kind of administrative officer in the Navy?

I love Roger as he is portrayed by John Slattery; Bon mots aside, I am not so sure I really care for Roger Sterling, though, and at this point, I am not so sure he is necessary in terms of being in the office… He may be better just showing up very infrequently at board meetings and such.

On a bringing-us-back-to-the-real-world note, John Slattery as an actor is in greater demand I think than any of the other actors, so he just may take a lesser role any way.

I think they will honor Don’s request, and this will bother Roger no end, but with Hilton in Don’s pocket Roger is not going to have much to say.

Funny how even though Roger’s name is on the door, people in business forget who you are very, very quickly once they know you are not really in charge of anything. His relationship managing will be totally unnecessary. Bert and Don can handle that, as can the heads of accounts... Besides, Lane is still there, and he is the highest ranking Brit in NYC, (They do own the company after all)

Roger will be there more for comic relief for the show, maybe they will expand his arc to include something tragic, but I think that the only ways they will frequently show Roger is being snubbed in various situations. Bert did what he could, but clearly the Brits don’t hold him in high esteem.

Roger's been the most consistent person in the office (apart from Bert Cooper perhaps). I don't fully understand why Don's relationship with him has melted down... not that Rogers caddish behavior wouldn't warrant it, but why nowadays and not years ago (like when he hit on Betty) ? He really hasn't done anything that's too surprising (for him). Even calling Betty to leverage his contract signing was almost to be expected. I can see Don being annoyed at that, but not to the point of "wanting no further contact" with him.

He's an essential character (as is Joan... I look forward to her return).

As to his war record...wasn't there reference to him being a tank commander ?

Max, Roger and Don had a conversation where Roger essentially talked and asked Don to agree with him. Then he turned it all around when he broke up with Mona and told her Don talked him into doing it. Jane, Roger's new wife, was Don's secretary at the time and Roger was having an affair with her. That's why the relationship has melted down, imo, that was the turning point.

DonDesq I think Roger actually was kind of in the thick of it in WW2. I vaguely recall a scene that brought discomfort to Don, in which Roger and some other war vet boasted about the action they saw. When it came to Don, he "changed the conversation. I am sure Roger has been useful to S/C although I believe Cooper has kept him on a medium length leash. He has the demeanor to be the face of the company for certain clients.

Roger was not in the thick of it. He was an officer in the Navy aboard a ship (probably supply) in the South Pacific. His main brush with combat (sort of) was when he saw a plane slowly crash into the ocean. He tells Betty and Don about it during the "Red in the Face" episode at Don's house (where he's eating Betty's steak because he invited himself to their home.)

In other conversations, such as with Freddie Rumsen and Don during "Six Months Leave" at the restaurant, he talks about the Army guys having gotten all the glory. Freddie doesn't want to talk about why he received his medal during WWII, nor does Don, who has a Purple Heart from Korea.

Guy's dismemberment not only saved Lane's job but also Roger's.

When considering the role of Roger Sterling following the sale to PPL, we must remember it was his father who founded Sterling Advertising. Later the "tallest and vainest" man on Mad Avenue brought the younger Bert Cooper into his firm and eventually made Bert a partner. Prior to the untimely death of the senior Sterling he obtained the promise from Bert Cooper to always look after young Roger. It had been Alice Cooper who was entrusted to babysit Roger when he was a child, meaning the relationship between Sterling Senior and Bert went back decades.

Thus it was not entirely true when Roger claimed it was his name on the wall. In fact "Sterling" refers to his father. Still, some would consider Roger to be a "named partner" As such up to 1963 he would have been deeply involved in signing new accounts, before turning those over to account executives such as Pete and Ken.

I doubt that PPL ever had long-range plans for Roger, thus he was left off the org chart. Bert Cooper actually is a living name partner, and thus would be considered to still have value as "Chairman Emeritus"

Perhaps John Slattery does have a "10 of 13" deal. As others point out he is in heavy demand. So is Anne Dudek, who had to take a maternity break. She must be reading a ton of scripts.

For sure it will be fascinating to see how the remainder of Season 3 plays out.

I've always felt Roger would be the first casualty of Mad Men. The smoking, drinking, womanizing, and now, a much younger wife, will be much, too much for his damaged heart.

I wouldn't be surprised if Roger does a "Nelson Rockefeller" on top of Jane.

I don't think the character of Roger is going anywhere. He is too important to the show. I don't know how many of you saw the clip of Weiner and the cast on a stage for a discussion of the show. Weiner says he couldn't imagine the show without Roger and I think that fans of the show would agree. I just wonder where Weiner and the writers are taking us with this development.

I never thought I would see Don and Roger not getting along. I can see there are various possible reasons for it, but the"Martin and Lewis" of SC -OMG - Martin and Lewis broke up and didn't speak for years! I forgot about that. Gee, Bert really chose an intersting pair to compare them with.

So if Roger is going to have a role on the show, then he must have a role at SC. Can anyone think what it might be? Will he re-take his place as Head of Accounts? Is that what was meant by Cosgrove and Campbell being Head of Accounts "for now?"

Slattery's performance as Roger reminds me of Olivier's film performance of Richard III. You know the character is a monster, but he's charming and he has the best lines.

I think Roger Sterling's character would have been cut a long time ago if John Slattery was not the actor. John has made Roger's character from a few choice words and precise timing. AMC is not willing to throw away their actor who has reeled in two best supporting actor Emmy nominations. The third time could be a charm. Cheers.

@C Carroll: Good to see you back. That's a good point you make, that it's Roger's father's name that is on the building, not Roger's.

@dondraperesq/hobocode/Max/Ritt1: Thanks for dissecting Roger's military career. Seems it wasn't all that he cracked it up to be. I never caught that.

@Gail: I think you're right about how he may one day do a "Rocky" but I think it'll be later, rather than sooner.

@Peaches: I hope PPL don't humiliate Roger too much. I mean, what could he do - leave his wife and turn to drink?

I always thought Don saw Roger as Pete with a personality - another spoiled kid, born with the silver spoon in his mouth! As don's importance at SC evolved and roger's feelings of entitlement ballooned (think making a pass a betty), he has shown less and less respect for him. In fact, I think when roger apologized to don he said something like "... at some point we've all parked in the wrong garage". that's not much of an apology.

Hi Drink&Smoke!

I agree with you. John Slattery is brilliant as Roger. I can't imagine his character would be written out.
I've always felt Roger has a hidden side we haven't seen yet. On the surface he's Mr. joker, party guy, something is underneath that persona.

Great to see your post again!

drink&smoke:I think Roger Sterling's character would have been cut a long time ago if John Slattery was not the actor.

I agree. In the interview NPR did with Matt Weiner, he said that he wanted Slattery from the get go - and had to trick him into auditioning (told him he was auditioning for the part of Don). To entice Slattery, Matt promised to make the part bigger. So...Roger Sterling ain't going anywhere.

Hey Peaches of 8!: My avatar wants to meet your avatar. A match made in heaven.

I think my questioned has been slightly misinterpreted. I know Roger/John Slattery is sticking with the show. I just wondered where he is going to fit in at the new SC under PPL. They purposely made a point of putting his role (in the agency) in question. So if Bert is Chairman Emeritus, what is Roger going to be? Also, I think he will need to be in some power position, in order for there to be some tension between himself and Don. If he's just yesterday's man, being kept on for cosmetic purposes, that won't create any tension for Don. Where can they put Roger so that he and Don will have to bump heads?

At this point it may be a rhetorical question. Maybe we'll just have to wait and see.

I dont know why Roger should care, he has several million dollars, and a beautiful young wife. He should buy a boat and enjoy himself, he is not going to live forever

Many of us (you can vouch for me, 60's child) have always felt Roger was the equivalent of a cruise director for the SC Love Boat. You never see him really working, just schmoozing clients with drinks and dinner. So to answer your question, NNT - I can see Roger being placed as Head of Accounts. I can see Pete and Ken busting their humps as Roger swoops in and steals their fatted calves. Can you picture Pete seeing his name dropped down another level on the SC organizational chart? He might just decide to give Duck a call. Cheers.

We've seen Roger loose a lot of his luster and charm... His lame comment to the Brits upon arrivial was "How was your flight?" St John ingnored it and him completely...
Don is right, most people feel sorry for Roger. Until and unless he gets back in the game by being the Stellar Sterling of the building, he will be placated or dismissed. Even Cooper seems to be exhaused with him.
Roger is accustomed to the lions share of kow-towing.. He will make some grand efforts in this direction if only to say 'I still got it"

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