This was like two episodes packed into one: Don in California with the one woman grownup who really loves him, and Don back in New York, on his unforgettable drunken man-date with Lane Pryce. Joan’s story arc is placed throughout, and that intersection with Lane and the flowers… pure gold. That Lane Pryce kills me!

THE SAD STUFF

Anna Draper, who said so herself in this episode, knows “everything about [Dick Whitman/Don Draper] and still loves him,” but we find out quite suddenly that she’s dying. Her sister isn’t going to tell her, because the doc says she doesn’t have much time left. Don’s compelled to tell Anna, but can’t bring himself to do so. As I watched this part of the episode with my hubby Matt, he said out loud, “There he goes again, letting down the people he loves.”

But would it have been appropriate for Don to say something? Her sister points out that he’s just a guy who bought Anna a house. The real question that emerges here, and it’s an existential one for Don, is, is it better not to know the truth?

Don admits himself in part one of this episode that he knew that once he told Betty the truth, she wouldn’t be able to look at him anymore. And that’s exactly what happened. And that’s precisely why he hid his truth from her for so long.

In the same vein, if Anna really is dying, then would she be better off not knowing? Is it selfish to tell her? There’s no telling how much time we have left.

It’s true for Joan, too, who’s husband is likely headed to Vietnam just as she’s ready to start a family. Neither of them know how much time they have before he’s shipped off to the military engagement America wants to forget. (Well, prior to the current military engagement that we’ll also likely want to forget.) There’s that lack of control again…

THE MAN DATE

Don doesn’t go to Acapulco, because he’s too depressed. Lane doesn’t go back to London for the New Year, because his cold wife has finally left him. They both wind up in the office, where they proceed to get pissed, as the Brits say, and gallivant around town until winding up with a pair of hookers (Don’s usual plus her friend.) Jared Harris’ acting was sublime. When he nearly smashed his face into that big steak and then got up and proclaimed how large his belt buckle was, I laughed out loud.

Devoid of relationships with women, the relationship with Don and Lane finally comes to life. Here we see the two men actually connecting personally for the first time, and I like it. I hope there’s more of this sort of interaction, as depraved as it may be.

So, what did y’all think?

To fiddling about in Los Angeles,

Elise