Who's ready for 'Mad Men'????? {spoiler discussion}

[NotUrsula]

You can see in his eyes that he has let his guard down with Betty now that his secret is out and is really loving her and trying to connect with her - and she is pulling away.

Betty's disgusted, but it isn't just the whole issue of his lying to her -- it is his origins. Whatever she imagined Don's past to be, her imagination didn't stretch to prostitutes, common-law marriages and a federal crime that would earn him a life sentence in Leavenworth. She's reeling, and she wants to take refuge in her own social class.

I believe that Henry Francis isn't a Francis by accident. I'm quite positive that Matthew Weiner wants us to associate him with the Francis family of Troy, NY. They owned a successful newspaper there starting in the early 19th century, and several members of the family served in the US House of Representatives and as US Ambassadors to various nations during the first half of the 20th century. A member of that family would be exactly what Betty would want now, to restore her sense of respectability.

 

[yoopermom]

I think my DVR got messed up. Was this week's episode the Kennedy dying one?

My DVR didn't catch it on Sunday, either, so I had to go in and do it manually. It's well worth it, though, just an absolutely fab episode.

I agree that Betty is only worried about Betty. Thinking ahead, I really have to wonder if they got divorced if Don would automatically get the kids, then marry the teacher, who we already know has a great touch with children...

I've loved Slattery ever since "Homefront", and I thought the way he handled his daughter's wedding (and the lack of people at it) was just fabulous.

Terri

 

[Tasmen]

My favorite line from last week was where Don tells Betty to take a pill and go to bed.

I loved that line too.

Betty's disgusted, but it isn't just the whole issue of his lying to her -- it is his origins. Whatever she imagined Don's past to be, her imagination didn't stretch to prostitutes, common-law marriages and a federal crime that would earn him a life sentence in Leavenworth. She's reeling, and she wants to take refuge in her own social class.

I hadn't even thought of it that way but I do think you've hit it on the nail there. Betty definitely has that snob thing going. I can easily see how finding out she married someone 'beneath her' would send her whole life into a tailspin.

I agree that Betty is only worried about Betty. Thinking ahead, I really have to wonder if they got divorced if Don would automatically get the kids, then marry the teacher, who we already know has a great touch with children...

I don't think so. Back then the children would have stayed with the mother. Though, now that I think about it, it may be dependent on what the circumstances of the divorce are. I could see Don wanting the kids to stay with Betty as he would be wracked with guilt if a divorced happened due to his past.

I've loved Slattery ever since "Homefront", and I thought the way he handled his daughter's wedding (and the lack of people at it) was just fabulous.

He truly is a very well written and acted character. He's had some of my favorite lines from the series including my all time favorite: Just when he got his foot in the door.

 

[NotUrsula]

The custody issue would normally depend entirely on who left. If Betty walks out and goes straight into Henry's arms, then it would be almost a given that she would NOT be awarded custody in a dispute. There was a definite double-standard then, and adulterous mothers were thought to be unfit. In an earlier episode Happy Rockefeller was mentioned -- she left her marriage and children to marry Nelson Rockefeller, and it was an issue in the 1964 election campaign. That is why Henry is speaking of resigning from the campaign -- the Rockefeller camp would not have tolerated yet another divorce scandal so close to the governor. (Time Magazine's online archive has a fascinating 1964 story about the Murphy/Rockefeller custody battle: http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,939551,00.html)

The gotcha in this case where custody is concerned (Betty doesn't know the significance yet but Matthew Weiner certainly does) is that Don is a deserter from the Army. If she reports him he will end up in jail, and under NY law at the time, that would get her the divorce AND the children, but of course, no money other than what she could realize from selling assets.

*If* it comes to divorce (and I'm by no means certain that it will, because I think that Henry is playing Betty) then Don will be over a barrel. He will have to give Betty anything that she asks for in order to stay alive and out of Leavenworth.

 

[Tasmen]

*If* it comes to divorce (and I'm by no means certain that it will, because I think that Henry is playing Betty) then Don will be over a barrel. He will have to give Betty anything that she asks for in order to stay alive and out of Leavenworth.

That's about what I figured. If it came to divorce (and I also am not entirely sure that it will), Betty is going to get everything she wants from Don. I can't see him protesting really at all now that she knows his secret.

 

[BelleWDW]

One thing Betty DOES own is her father's house-I feel that is a signifigant $$ asset?

 

[yoopermom]

I thought her consulting the family lawyer at her father's house was telling. And would she really "want" the children? It sure seems that Don understands them more than she does (which isn't saying much, I know). I have trouble finding redeeming qualities in her.

Terri
(And I love the background info NU, thanks!)

 

[BelleWDW]

Tonite's the last episode

 

[rie'smom]

Last episode for the season or last episode forever?

 

[NotUrsula]

Last one for the season. I think that Weiner has re-upped for at least one more season with AMC.

 

[BelleWDW]

Great last show of the season
Can't wait for next year.


And I got my wish about a certain redhead.

 

[tink_lover]

I agree!! This show is so well written and cast. I watched tonight's episode twice.

 

[jillyb]

Wow! What a season closer! I can't wait to see how next season turns out.

 

[eeyore65]

Wow! I was sad about Don and the family. It was heartbreaking to see the children. They are also great little actors.

But I loved the ad agency. It was clevel how they pulled it off. I loved when the others thought they were robbed when everything was gone and then they realized they weren't chosen to go to the new agency.

Also loved the return of Joan. It was classic when she came in and pulled it all together.

But my favorite line of the night was when Sterling asked Peggy for a cup of coffee and she didn't even look up and said "No!"

 

[rie'smom]

Wow! I was sad about Don and the family. It was heartbreaking to see the children. They are also great little actors.

But I loved the ad agency. It was clevel how they pulled it off. I loved when the others thought they were robbed when everything was gone and then they realized they weren't chosen to go to the new agency.

Also loved the return of Joan. It was classic when she came in and pulled it all together.

But my favorite line of the night was when Sterling asked Peggy for a cup of coffee and she didn't even look up and said "No!"

Peggy's line about the coffee was my favorite of the night! Joan is back!!! I can tell you that even though my dad was a lawyer and very smart, he could not have found a paper clip without his secretary, so Joan organizing everything took me back 40 years to his office- ah nostalgia.

 

[Cinderumbrella]

What a short season!!! When will season 4 start??

It was a great ending though!

 

[Pakey]

What a great ending. I don't usually read here because I TIVO and watch a week or so behind everyone but I couldn't wait for last night's ending and it did not disappoint.

 

[Tasmen]

Last night's episode was great. I can't wait for next season. And I truly hope that next season little miss Betty 'you aren't good enough for me' Draper gets her comuppense. I felt so bad for those kids.

 

[figment52]

Wow! I was sad about Don and the family. It was heartbreaking to see the children. They are also great little actors.

But I loved the ad agency. It was clevel how they pulled it off. I loved when the others thought they were robbed when everything was gone and then they realized they weren't chosen to go to the new agency.

Also loved the return of Joan. It was classic when she came in and pulled it all together.

But my favorite line of the night was when Sterling asked Peggy for a cup of coffee and she didn't even look up and said "No!"

The look on Paul's face when he realized they took Peggy was priceless!!

And the way they were all fired and therefore their contracts were invalidated - pure genius!

I will miss Cosgrove though. I hope Sal comes back too.

Does this mean Hilton can come back to Don?

Was the firm that was to acquire them the one that Duck joined? I can't remember the name of his new employer.

Next season should be good. It is going to be a long wait.

 

[joyjoy]

Was the firm that was to acquire them the one that Duck joined? I can't remember the name of his new employer.

The agency buying is McCann-Erickson. Duck went to Grey.