- Betty becomes suspicious that Don is having an affair after her conversation with Jimmy Barrett, Joan helps out in the television department, and Peggy helps the church with a dance flyer.
- For the Heineken beer account, Don and Duck think that targeting upper class suburban housewives is the approach to take. True to their thoughts, Betty even ends up buying Heineken for a small company dinner party. When an inside joke is made at the party about her buying Heineken, Betty uses this situation to later confront Don with her knowledge of his affair with Bobbie Barrett. Don denies everything, although Betty deep in her heart knows the truth. She searches for conclusive evidence of the affair, without luck. But Betty makes a short term decision about their marriage. With other work goings-on, Harry is chastised for a faux pas regarding airing a Maytag commercial on a television movie Maytag deemed unsuitable. Harry, working alone, pleads for extra help for the fledgling television department. Roger denies his request but does allow Harry to co-opt someone from the secretarial staff to assist in at least reading scripts. Thinking it sound interesting, Joan volunteers. She enjoys this new job and is good at it, as the Maytag folks are pleased with the new direction of their account. Despite what seems to be a new direction for her at Sterling Cooper, Joan quietly and sadly accepts the news that her tenure in the position is short-lived. Another account, albeit a pro bono one is for Peggy's church. Father Gill wants Peggy's help in developing a campaign for an upcoming youth dance. Peggy treats this task as she would any account, speaking bluntly to Father Gill about what she think right and wrong. On the flip side, Father Gill uses this situation to question Peggy about her life.—Huggo
- After an advertiser refuses to pay when their ads are badly placed during a television episode, Harry Crane feels the pressure to do more but he's refused any additional staff. He needs someone to read the scripts and get the best placements for their clients. Joan offers to help out and not only enjoys the work but proves to be quite good at it. Father Gill is concerned at Peggy Olson's lack of participation in church activities so he asks her to help him out on a project. Don's ideas for the Heineken beer account doesn't go down well at home when Betty, whose behavior borders on the bizarre, learns that he has been touting her as their market target.—garykmcd
- "Mad Men" - "A Night to Remember" - September 14, 2008
Previously On: Peggy met young priest Father Gill who asked for her help with a sermon; Anita told Father Gill about Peggy's out-of-wedlock child; Jimmy Barrett excoriated Don for sleeping with his wife and clued Betty into Don's affair with her; Harry Crain was made the head of the TV department.
Credits
It's Saturday and Betty is riding her horse furiously and working up a sweat. She heads home and wakes up Don. She asks him to complete some things on a list - including fixing an electrical outlet- in advance of a dinner party that he is throwing for work. He tries to reassure her it will all get done, she asks him to just please complete the items. It doesn't appear that they have discussed the Bobbie Barrett situation.
Peggy drops by Anita's house for a visit. Anita tells her she just missed their mother. As Peggy sits, Anita complains that Jerry still has back pain and that some of the guys at his job think he's a malingerer and that their mother only complains about her bunions. Father Gill drops by unannounced to check on Jerry. As Anita goes to wake Jerry he observes that Peggy doesn't seem comfortable in church. She demurs. He asks if he can prevail upon her again for some help, this time with publicity for the Catholic Youth Org. dance. He wants her to help jazz up the flyer so the kids will come.
At SC on Monday, Duck calls in Crain and admonishes him for placing a Maytag ad in an ABC Sunday movie. Apparently the movie was about a Russian agitator and then it cut to a commercial touting the charms of a different kind of agitator. The kind in Maytag washing machines. Maytag was not amused. Crain goes out into the office and asks Sal, Kinsey, and Ken for help vetting scripts. They decline and give him a hard time.
Duck and Pete enter Don's office explaining that Heineken is confused about the SC ad campaign. Duck asks for research to show them. Don suggests putting end of aisle displays of Heineken in targeted grocery stores where housewives will go gaga for the sophisticated cachet of beer imported from Holland. (Apparently, green is also a favored color among housewives. Who knew?) Duck also tells Don he's sorry but he can't make it to the party with Crab Colson Sunday night and to apologize to Betty. Don says it will likely be more of a disappointment to Roger who wants them to sit down with Crab Colson. Pete asks who Crab Colson is. Rogers and Cowan, Duck tells him. Pete then lingers in Don's office until Don throws up his hand in a gesture of "what?" Pete leaves.
Betty is getting the dining room ready for the party when she realizes one of the chairs has loose legs. She shakes it and shakes it and then starts banging it on the floor until it's destroyed. Sally and Bobby look on in awe and confusion. Betty carries off the pieces.
Sterling enters Crain's office wondering about what he's hearing that Crain wants to expand his department. Crain complains that he needs to hire someone to help him read scripts, since he's supposed to be the face of the department to liase with the networks. (Crain's shlubby office mate Warren looks on.) Sterling wonders who will pay this person given the current tightness. Crain says the money they save avoiding surprises will make it worthwhile. Sterling wonders how he can be sure that Crain isn't goldbricking since that's what Mitch thinks. Crain says Mitch isn't happy about Crain's promotion. Sterling wonders if Crain is. He is. Sterling tells him to find a way to do the job himself.
Peggy's phone rings and it's Father Gill calling to tell her that the flyer is good and wonders if she can take "whatever this is and make it into a poster." Annoyed, Peggy asks what he means by "whatever this is." Apparently, the powers that be on the CYO committee weren't happy with her slogan "A Night to Remember," thinking that it insinuates something untoward. Peggy says it's wholesome and romantic, that the slogan will get the girls to come to the dance, which in turn will get the boys to come to the dance. She also says to tell them that this is the way it works and "I know better than them." Father Gill asks her to talk to the committee herself. She agrees.
Crain is watching TV as Joan enters to offer assistance. Sterling sent her a memo saying that Crain needed a girl. He said that's not it exactly. She says they're spread thin. Warren enters and awkwardly compliments Joan's appearance. Crain explains that he needs someone to read the scripts to help flag any potential problems in the shows: e.g. if a kid is pushing his dinner away in disgust, it shouldn't be Gorton's Fish Sticks he's pushing away. Or people shouldn't be coughing and dying right before a Lucky Strikes ad. Joan says it sounds interesting and she'll see what she can do, grabbing the scripts. As Joan leaves, Warren calls Joan "so much woman," and wonders aloud why he can't talk to Joan with the same ease that Crain just demonstrated.
At the Draper house, Sally is putting on a ballet recital in the living room for the assembled guests as Betty and Carla put the finishing touches on the table. In the living room are Roger and Mona, Crab Colson and his wife Peta, Don and a jammie-clad Bobby. Sally finishes and everyone claps and compliments her. Betty says Sally will be portraying Piglet in the upcoming class version of "Winnie the Pooh." Crab laments that his 14-year-old daughter won't waltz on his feet anymore. "Ours is engaged," Roger offers as a one-up. Mona counsels them all to enjoy it while they can. The kids say their goodnights, cutely shaking hands. Duck arrives bearing flowers and regrets that his date cancelled.
Duck compliments the Draper house and says goodnight to the kids. He apologizes to Don, who assures him that no one cares. Duck is not so sure. "My wife hated odd numbers." He enters the living room and meets the Colsons. Roger does the intros "Crab, Duck. Duck, Crab." Don pours Duck a tomato juice and Petra tries to peer pressure him into something stronger. (She also waved her glass earlier for a refill). Duck says he'll have "something" with dinner. They talk directions. Crab boasts that he's taking the family sloop down to Larchmont for race week. Roger says to Mona they should get a boat. Petra says they'd be better off just cutting a hole in their pockets what with the slip, docking, and yacht club fees. Crab wonders if Don and Betty are joining the club. As the group departs into the dining room Duck says "Rogers and Cowan, that's a good place to be right now." Roger says to Don, "He does everything you need him to do." Petra Colson bumps into the doorframe and wonders when they put that there. Mona laughs it off as she pulls her to the side.
As they all stand behind their chairs Betty prefaces dinner by saying they'll be taking a trip around the world, e.g. Spain=gazpacho, burgundy=France, and, wait for it, Heineken=Holland. Duck chuckles and assumes Don put her up to that last one. He denies it, noting that he doesn't even get to pick where he sits. Betty wonders what's so funny, but Duck and Don rudely don't explain. She asks again. Roger explains that Heineken is a client, and Duck says that Betty walked directly into the trap - housewives dig sophisticated foreign beer in green bottles - that Don set. She notes that this is indeed funny. Petra notes that she has to sit down. Betty pours the wine. Roger toasts the Drapers and new friends. Betty is pleased.
At the CYO committee meeting Peggy is selling her "Night to Remember" concept. One woman doesn't like the way the couple -- depicted in line drawings -- are dancing. They're not leaving enough room for the Holy Ghost. Father Gill points out that they might be doing a box step. Another woman wonders how the boys will find out about the dance since they don't go to school with the girls. Peggy points out that they go to church together. The ladies still want something else. Peggy, annoyed but trying to cover, thanks them for their ideas and says she'll see what she can do. They call her a doll. Peggy asks Father Gill for a moment. She says this is completely unnecessary. If he didn't agree with them there's no reason to change it and she points out that he asked her to do this based on her expertise so he should support her. She says he should tell them to trust her, they'll listen to him. She says that's his job. He agrees and apologizes. She apologizes, saying she doesn't mean to be disrespectful -- she's just tired.
At Joan's house the Doctor comes home with take out. Joan's been reading the scripts and she asks him if, like in the "As the World Turns" script she's reading, it's possible for a person to come out of a coma with amnesia and a new accent. The doctor laughs and says most people don't come out of comas. Joan wonders if it must've happened since it can't be completely made up. He concedes, maybe once and that it does make a good story. He says he didn't realize she was such a reader, he thought her job was to look around and have people stare at her. He tells her not to bother since she should be looking for a house. He wonders what happened to her fascination with Glen Cove. She reminds him that he told her to stop looking. He says he just needs to finish his training. He says she should be watching those shows, not reading them, with a box of bonbons on her lap to soothe her craving. She says it's a hoot to read them, excited with her new responsibility. He says he guesses it's okay. She playfully says she's glad he approves as he gives her a playful smirk.
Carla is cleaning up the table at the Draper house, bringing dishes into Betty. Betty tells her to go home and that they can finish in the morning. Carla tells Betty she can go to bed and she'll show herself out. Betty says it's okay and thanks her for all her help. Carla compliments the great success of Betty's party.
Betty marches into the living room where Don is watching TV and she clicks it off. She says to him "you embarrassed me." He asks what? She says he knew she would buy that beer because she knows him so well. He's having trouble discerning the problem here. He says he uses their life in his work all the time, that's what they pay him for. "And then you laughed," she says, "you all laughed." She says "it must be so funny being in on it." He says she's taking it the wrong way. She reiterates that he embarrassed her. He apologizes saying he didn't mean it. She says he never means it, he just does what he wants and she puts up with it because nobody knows. He points out the only thing people are going to remember is Petra Colson missing the chair when she tried to sit.
He tells her to leave it alone and that she's tired and they should go to bed, reaching out to stroke her arm. Her jaw set, her eyes blazing, she says she's not going to bed until he explains why he insists on humiliating her. He says he can't talk to her when she's like this, making a mountain out of mole hill. To his departing back she spills that she knows he's having an affair with Bobbie Barrett. He's all, "what??" She wonders how he could do it: "She's so old!" He calls it ridiculous. She says she's just telling him she knows. He asks her what she knows. She says Jimmy told her "everything." Don says Jimmy hates him and asks what he says. She replies, "Oh please, so you can pick it apart?" Don says he's not going to dignify Jimmy Barrett's accusations and points out that he knows how Jimmy looks at Betty. Betty says she saw him and Bobbie together. "You think you know me?" she asks. "Well, I know what kind of a man you are." He looks at her and says, "You think I would sleep with that woman?" She tells him he can't help himself and to admit it. He says there's nothing to admit. She calls him a liar but her resolve is weakening. He goes to bed. She is at loose ends.
In bed, Don looks at Betty's empty side. She opens the door and closes it again. His face is impassive. Still in her party dress she gets in bed with Sally.
The next morning, still in her party dress at the kitchen table with the kids eating breakfast, Betty won't look at or talk to Don. Sally reports that Mommy said the party was fun. "Did she," he says looking quizzically at Betty, who says nothing. "Okay... bye-bye," he says.
In the SC lobby Crain is meeting with the Maytag peeps when Joan arrives. She assures them she has next week's scripts and she's on the case. The men are surprised that she is the liaison they spoke to on the phone. Harry says that she's handing "broadcast operations." They are impressed and compliment Crain on his "operation."
Still in her party dress and drinking a glass of wine, Betty is rifling through Don's closet, smelling his suit jackets and checking the pockets. She then goes into his desk and rifles through the drawers. She mostly finds slips of paper with ideas.
In Don's office Pete, Duck, and Don meet with two Heineken execs. Pete talks about the research on people drinking in the home, as they move to the suburbs and away from bars. The Heineken peeps understand that but don't think it's a good investment. Duck agrees but... and turns to Don. He explains the grocery store endcaps, which sold well and more importantly was who it sold to, an untapped market. Duck explains about Don's wife. The Heineken guy begrudgingly says it's not a scientific finding but, "It sounds like you do know your wife." Duck points out that's exactly who they're after, women who want to be the "perfect wife." Duck says they were even thinking about using Betty's menu verbatim in women's magazines. Main Heineken guy likes that since they've never gone there before but wonders if he's just supposed to take Don's word? Don asks, "Why would I lie?" pointing out that SC is the one that has to deliver on the concept. Heineken peeps says yes.
Crain and Joan are meeting with clients from Sea & Ski. Crain counsels buying time during "Love of Life" since women watching daytime like to fantasize about active lifestyles. Joan butts in, without having consulted with Crain first, about how "As the World Turns" is a better buy since it's about to become "unmissable" with a special summer storyline that's about to receive special promotion. The Sea & Ski guys dig it and dig her.
Betty, still in her party dress, is sleeping on the bed when Sally comes in to ask if she's alright. Betty says she's not feeling very well. Sally offers aspirin. Betty declines, telling her to play with her brother. Betty gets up and steps on and breaks a glass, getting some in her foot.
Roger is packing up for the day as Crain comes in. He tells him to keep up the good work. Crain says he's not doing it alone. Sterling says they should get the secretaries back to work. Crain says it's Joan. Ah, says Sterling, so her attentions are divided at best. Sterling proposes hiring a man at $150 a week to do it. Crain says it sounds perfect.
Don comes home to a dark, quiet house. Getting no response to his hello, he walks upstairs to see Betty, still in her party dress on the bed with a bunch of his clothes. He wondered what happened here. She says nothing, saying she went through every pocket and drawer and found nothing. He tells her to stop and wonders how much she's had to drink. She wonders why she bothers since all she found were stacks of cocktail napkins with "stupid advertising" on them. He wonders what she's doing. She looks at him and says, "I would never do this to you. How could you do this to me?" He continues to insist that he didn't do anything. As broken as she clearly is, this elicits the "give me a break" look. He walks out.
Don is sleeping on the couch. Betty, sitting on the coffee table, wakes him. She says she doesn't want it to be like this. He says he doesn't either. She doesn't know what to do. He reaches out to touch her knee. She says not to. He looks her in the eye and tells her nothing happened. She points out that he never looks her in the eye. He says he does. She says he never says he loves her. He says he does and that she knows he does. She says he doesn't. She asks if he hates her. He, looking alarmed, says no and "I love you Bets, I do. And I love the children. I don't want to lose all this." She walks away, teary.
Peggy is walking Father Gill through SC. He is impressed. In one corner, Pete wonders if SC has gotten Miracle Whip. Ken says it makes sense since Peggy is an undercover nun.
In Crain's office he's yukking it up with a young man. Joan enters and Crain introduces her to Danny Lindstrom, the new head of "broadcast operations." She's all, "Excuse me?" Crain thanks her profusely and says he couldn't have done it without her and that Joan knows everything about this. "Well," says Crain jovially, "that makes one of us." She covers her disappointment very well. Crain asks her to fill him in. She haltingly, perhaps trying to keep her composure, explains how it works: read scripts, find ways to work to client's advantage, avoid problematic storylines. The new guy is worried and hopes Joan will be around for the details. She will. Crain thanks her again.
Father Gill is marveling over the copier as he runs off the church fliers. He tells Peggy that he knows how lucky they are to have her. He sits by her desk and asks if there's something she needs to talk about, since he's noticed she doesn't take communion. Peggy says, "Nope." Father Gill says God already knows whatever it is. Then, she points out, she doesn't need to talk about it. Father Gill points out that he's here, right now, if she needs him. Peggy says to not take it the wrong way but she doesn't think he'd understand. He presses that God is bigger than what we were raised on. Peggy points out that he doesn't have to live life like everyone else, luckily, she supposes. He says he wasn't born a priest and that when you distance yourself from the church you distance yourself from community. She says she knows that and she's not pushing herself away. He says there's no sin too great to confess and that when she does she'll have a brand new start. He says she's a smart, beautiful girl and wonders if she feels unworthy of God's love. She looks at him, getting teary. She points out that his copies are done and she boxes them up for him. He thanks her and departs. She stands in her office, holding her abdomen.
Betty checks the stove and sits with the kids as they play and watch TV, the Danny Thomas show. Then a Jimmy Barrett Utz commercial comes on.
Duck and Don are talking up the Heineken placements. Betty calls and Don takes it. She tells him not to come home, that she doesn't care what he does, she just doesn't want to see him. She hangs up and continues dinner prep. Don hangs up in his office.
Cut to Joan sitting on her bed, rubbing the red marks where her bra cuts into her shoulder.
Cut to Peggy sitting in her tub.
Cut to Father Gill smoking and taking off his vestments. He pulls out a guitar and starts to strum to "Early in the Morning," a rocking folk song asking the Lord to help him please find a way.
Cut to Don opening the fridge in the SC breakroom and pulling out a Heineken, as Father Gill continues to sing on the soundtrack, which slowly fades into and is replaced by the original Peter, Paul and Mary 1960s version of the song.
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