You're right about one thing, and it's always bugged me since the first episode, and that is why DID Peggy sleep with Pete on her first day, after he'd been so rude and after she was grateful to Don for making him back off? Could she honestly think that Joan expected her to be like that?

If she were truly innocent, she wouldn't have done such a thing, not in 1960, not after the doctor lectured her about being a strumpet. She knew Pete was getting married, and she was brought up by a strict Catholic mother. I really don't get it.

But if she was the "easy" type, would she have worn that long skirt and drab sweater on her first day? Would she have read the pamphlet called "Your Wedding Night" (so old-fashioned) in the doctor's office?

Did she feel sorry for Poor Peter the Pimp? Did she feel obligated? Was she trying to get in good with the In Crowd? Wasn't she worried that he'd blab it all over SC?

The ending of the very first episode shocked me, because of what Peggy did and because we find out that Don has a gorgeous wife and kids at home.

I was always bothered by Peggy's behavior in Ep. 1 and never thought that it was credible. A young girl in those days (or these days too, for that matter) would not make a pass at her boss, get a doctor's appointment for the pill, and sleep with a co-worker ON THE FIRST DAY on the job! I guess that is what used to be called "the willing suspension of disbelief" in my old English classes. But I do think that Pete was the father of Peggy's baby, or the writers would have told us otherwise.

Why would you be surprised about Don's having a beautiful wife and kids? With a guy that handsome, how could it be different?

Some Maddicts on this Forum have speculated that Peggy and Pete knew each other before their days at SC. It's possible, and we just don't know it for sure yet.

I definitely think there's more to the Pete/Peggy story on that first day. I just don't believe that Pete would schlepp all the way out to the outer boroughs to wake up a new secretary he barely spoke to and just know she was going to invite him in. I mean, it was his bachelor party and surely some of the guys would have made other women available if Pete really just wanted some end of being single sex.

And I agree, while a one-night stand is kind of feasible, I suppose, even back then, but not that way--there would have to be some liquor and an evening of flirtation first to make it somewhat believable.

Well, maybe we're supposed to understand how weird they both are. If Peggers really is fast and loose, I think we'd see more signs than just the Pete encounters. Don't know what she saw in him, other than the possibility of fitting in at the office? Joan's advice gone awry?

Gail-- the reason I was shocked at the end when we see his home and Betty waiting in bed for him (red lipsticked and negligeed) is because the director has set us up for a surprise. He shows us a scene with Don visiting Midge the night before and sleeping over. No mention is made about having a wife. Then he comes home in the rain to a beautiful wife and sweetly sleeping cherubs. The episode ends with the song "On the Street Where You Live" and the audience is left saying "wow".

There is so much sexist idiocy in this post it is hard to know where to start. So I am going to go chronologically through the first episode.

When we meet Peggy and Joan Peggy is absorbing everything Joan says without judgment. It is all new to her, and her innocence keeps her from questioning why so much of the introduction to SC includes more about being a coquette than addressing clients. Apparently back then office managers got more involved in the personal lives of people in the office, which included making an appointment with a doctor friend to arrange oral contraceptives.

When she meets the women operating he switchboards they gossip about how Don's previous secretary was let go because Don was not interested in her sexually. Peggy is clearly nervous as she leaves this meeting which is directly what causes her to place her hand on his in a failed pass.

You assume that "innocence" would work as a screening mechanism giving clarity of reason. That is hardly the case. She is interested in sex and spent the day in a sex crazed and disorienting environment. Part of her decision to sleep with Pete was just to get this initiation done with. By focusing on the rudeness of his comments you over look something important, he is the only person to address her directly all day. Even compared to Joan's orientation his was more personal. And the trip to Brooklyn made her feel special. Did it matter that he was about to get married? Of course, it allows her to not think of it as planning too far in the future. It provides his discretion and allows her to feel better than someone (Trudy).

The second episode should make clear that Peggy lacked sexual experience and perspective. She is mortified my the crude and impersonal nature of the office guys sexual advances on her. She also does not get that the message on Pete's postcard is a dirty joke about his honeymoon sex life.

After "The Hobo Code" Peggy and Pete's relationship is very changed. She treats him much cooler, and he takes this hostily. She has emphasized the impersonal part of their coupling, and he takes this very personally. Near the end of S2 you get the sense that he wants to talk to her, but is frustrated by her lack of response. Her telling him about the baby makes sense of all of that.

Also her picking up the college boy in the bar in Brooklyn was clearly the first time she had done this ever. She uses a line she takes from Joan to open the conversation.

But I bet that does not matter to you. I bet you are among the people who think that Betty having sex with that guy at the bar last season was a sign that she was stepping out on Don all season despite the fact that Betty acted highly judgementally about the adultery around her when she was not too depressed to get up. It is just paranoia over women having their own sex drives that do not conform to your world view.

Monty/Monty Jr is a troll, ya'll.

Well said Portia!

Something else - we don't know what actually happened when Peggy invited Pete in to her apartment. He had obviously been drinking. Why did he go to Peggy's in the first place? Was he just trying to apologize for his rudeness at the office? Was he just looking for a sympathetic ear? Did they have a conversation where she accepted his apology? Did one thing lead to another and they ended up having sex? OR did he maybe force himself on Peggy? As a new employee who wanted to be accepted did she just give in?
All we do know is that Peggy got pregnant by Pete.

I think if Peggy had a background of being "easy" she would have already been prepared with some kind of birth control. Her mother and/or sister would have been appalled if Peggy had gone to them about any modern birth control. There was none available except the rhythm method or abstinence, in their minds.

Being a young woman on her first career-type job, Peggy realized that Joan was in the know about many things. Joan must have sensed something needy about Peggy, who was still wet behind the ears, so she tried to set Peggy on the right track.

@Monty Jr.... it might have been Pete's intention to, as you say "shag her"...I don't think it was Peggy's. Here was a guy from the office - someone who was established in the company - knocking on her door. If you were in Peggy's place would you just shut the door in his face, or try to find out why he was there? Maybe he got lost in Brooklyn and was looking for the nearest taxi stand or subway. I think she was used by Pete - no matter what his motive was.

Who cares? That's not my battle. All I see is an interesting argument. And it's on-topic, imagine that!

Portia, I would like to know who you are addressing in your post?

For a guy who talks about "nancy boys" you sure have a strange choice in usernames and avatar pictures...

Fifty-two I was addressing Monty Jr.

What I want to know is: How could she not know she was pregnant???!!!

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