Our first view of Betty Francis of the season is this episode. Betty talks with Francine and they get passive-aggressive together. Then Betty helps to chaperone a field trip to a farm. Bobby Draper is pretty funny talking about his favorite monsters. But Bobby trades their lunch for candy and Betty gets pissed. Betty Francis smokes like a chimney. Betty wonders why the kids hate her. And this storyline is awful.
The real storyline is about Don who continues his unemployment journey by going to the movies during the day and finds that Dawn no longer has the time for him. Megan’s agent pleads with Don to get him to tell her to calm down and not plead with directors. He heads to L.A. and surprises Megan. She asks “Did you get fired,” but he sidesteps the question. They schtupp. He finally admits he was thrown out of SCP. And Megan throws him out. Wow.
Here’s a reminder of Don’s firing from last season.
Back in New York, Don pleads with Megan and she tells him not to push her away. But she won’t see him.
Don gets seduced by another ad firm and gets seduced by a woman. Don goes to see Roger and they argue. And Roger asks Don back, but doesn’t tell anybody. Don sees a new Sterling Cooper & Partners.
Ginsberg and Stan catch him up. Peggy is disgusted. Joan and Ken Cosgrove are surprised to see him. Bert Cooper says he shouldn’t be there. Jim Cutler and Lou are pissed to see him. Peggy tells Don the agency hasn’t missed him.
The partners meeting to decide Don’s future gets heated between Jim and Roger. He’s allowed to come back with several humiliating stipulations. And he’ll report to Lou. Don is back at Sterling Cooper & Partners.
Ok. Lots to digest here.
Matt Weiner, Jon Hamm, January Jones, John Slattery and Christina Hendricks all talk about this very good episode.
Here’s the scene where the partners bring Don back with the stipulations.
Let’s look at the style of this episode. Costume designer Janie Bryant talks about Betty’s costume on the field trip and Stan’s outfit. Property Manager Ellen Freund goes over the lunch bag Betty brings.
And here’s the cryptic promo which gives us nothing, but I post it because it’s available.
Mad Men airs Sunday nights at 10 p.m. ET/PT on AMC.
