- Don renews his battle with Ted after seeing his relationship with Peggy, Sally interviews at a boarding school, and Pete discovers Bob Benson's background.
- Another incident with company executives is the last straw for Ken in working on the Chevy account, most specifically in Detroit. While Ken will still retain account responsibilities in the office, the on the ground account responsibilities are given to Pete, who is buoyed by working on SC&P's most prestigious account. What Pete is not happy about is that Bob will still be working on the account, since Bob made a pass at him. As such, Pete calls Duck to tell him that he no longer wants to leave SC&P but that he wants Duck to find Bob another prestigious job lead but not necessarily find Bob that next job. After hearing back from Duck, Pete decides on a slightly different tact in dealing with Bob. Harry, still in California, gets news that Sunkist has reviewed their pitch and wants to get into TV, which would make their account much more lucrative than Ocean Spray. Despite the extra money, this move does not sit well with Ted, the creative lead for Ocean Spray. The work on Ocean Spray and St. Joseph's lead to almost everyone at SC&P realizing that there is a thing between Ted and Peggy, who both believe they are hiding their feelings for each other well. Their blinded devotion to each other causes problems most specifically on the St. Joseph's account, which each defends until called out on it. And Sally, still not speaking to her father after seeing him having sex with Sylvia Rosen, has decided to deal with the issue by asking her parents if she can go away to boarding school. Although Betty would truly like to know why Sally has made this decision, both Betty and Don support the idea, the latter who really does see it as a means to sweep his and Sally's issue under the rug for good. But Sally's interview and overnight stay at the boarding school may put Sally in a situation way over her head.—Huggo
- Don is somewhat taken aback with Ted and Peggy's flirting at the office and concludes that Ted is in love with her. When Peggy's proposed ad campaign for St. Joseph's goes considerably over budget, it's apparent to him that Ted can't or won't do anything about it. When Don learns from Harry Crane that Sunkist is prepared to make a huge ad buy, he goes back on his word to Ted. Ken Cosgrove has had it with the two yahoos from GM and wants off the Chevrolet account. Pete Campbell is happy to step in but not so keen when the other partners want Bob Benson to continue on the account. Pete tasks Duck Phillips to find Bob a job opportunity elsewhere but Duck's research reveals more about Bob than anyone knew. Sally has decided that she no longer wishes to spend weekends with Don and Megan. She also wants to go to boarding school and gets to spend a night at Miss Porter's, a posh private school. She also contacts an old friend and gets him to come over to party.—garykmcd
- "Mad Men" - "The Quality of Mercy" - June 16, 2013
An alarm rings and Megan awakes. The other side of the bed is empty. Don is sleeping in Sally's room, in all his clothes for some reason. He said he didn't want to wake Megan. She says she doesn't know what's going on but he has to pull back on the throttle a little.
He starts with some OJ.... and vodka. She wants to make him a real breakfast and says he looks terrible. He says she does too, as a joke. She tells him to stay home and sleep it off. He has a big swig of a screwdriver instead.
The Chevy guys are hunting with Ken and trying to goad him into shooting his weapon. One of them accidentally shoots Ken. (And says "oh sh-t!")
Don watches a bleak Nixon campaign ad about crime waves and drug abuse. He then accidentally switches over to Megan's show. And then away to Patty Duke. And then he answers the phone and it's Betty. She wants to talk about Sally.
Apparently, she doesn't want to see Don. He asks what she wants to do about it. Sally wants to go to boarding school. Don offers to pay. It's Miss Porter's, where Jackie Onassis went. She notes that Jackie did well twice. He notes she did too. He says to tell her that he and Megan both miss her.
At the office Ted and the gang are working on the cranberry cocktail account and Ted and Peggy are joking about stuff. They work on descriptions: light and tart.
Megan comes home to a showered and shaved Don. The phone rings again and it's Harry Crane. He's in L.A. with good news: Sunkist has offered to take a meeting. Don tells him to drop it, because of Ocean Spray and that he should've told them they withdrew.
Don and Megan head to the movies. Something she describes as really, really scary. They run into Ted and Peggy at the theatre. Apparently, they're doing a St. Joseph's spot that was related to the film. It was "Rosemary's Baby." Megan offers to have them to dinner. Peggy begs off saying she has a date. Ted says he needs to throw a football around with his kids. Megan turns to Don and mouths "oh my god" about Ted and Peggy.
They head home and Megan wants to gossip and Don says she's been on a soap too long. He calls Harry.
Ken returns to the office with an eyepatch and shrapnel scars. He explains to Pete what happened. Ken says, legitimately, "Chevy is killing me." He now hates cars, guns, and steaks. Pete tells him to remind himself that it's a great account. Ken says he's done. Pete thinks he's crazy. Ken points out he's going to be a father. Pete says he would gladly take his place and points out that he and Trudy are separated and only sees Tammy every other weekend anyway. Ken agrees to back Pete and Pete congratulates him on the baby. Ken seems relieved.
Roger and Don go to see Ted and Jim. They tell that Sunkist wants an $8 million dollar TV campaign. Ted is, obviously angry. But says he's dreading calling Ocean Spray. Jim says he'll do it. Ted says he has to warn the other clients and be careful of a knife in their back. He's also mad that Don didn't keep his word and it makes like the left hand doesn't know what the right hand is doing. Don agrees to be more of a team player and apologizes. Ted says Peggy should be on it since she has "juice experience" now. Don says fine.
Pete goes to see Bert, Roger, Bob, Jim and Ken are there. Bert asks if he's sure. Ken says he will stay on the business in New York but Pete will take on Detroit. Pete wants to bring in his own team, not Bob, who is eager to stay on the account. They say that continuity in service is important. Bob chivalrously offers to leave so they can discuss it freely. Jim points out that he and Chevy both like Bob so if Pete doesn't they can find someone who does. Pete says of course it's fine and thanks them for their trust. He goes out smiling and shakes Bob's hand. Under their breath they have a terse, tense conversation in which Pete says he doesn't want to work with him or stay in a hotel with him since he's "sick." Bob wonders what he's talking about. Pete points out that Bob professed his love. Bob says only his admiration and Pete needs to watch what he says to people. Then he loudly proclaims "Congratulations!" for the benefit of the office workers watching.
Betty drives Sally to her Miss Porter's interview. Betty asks what her reasons are and Sally is stoic. She says she wants to be a grown up but she knows how important her education is.
Pete calls Duck, who congratulates him. He wants to get Bob out of the office and have Duck offer him some leads.
We cut to Bob on the phone angrily telling someone in Spanish that Pete is a snotty bastard who is screwing with his future.
Don notes Peggy, Ted, and Joan laughing over some work in the conference room. They're looking at head shots of actors up for the ad. The three of them perform the ad for Don. Don pretends to be a crying baby and a bunch of actors offering cures for the baby and then St. Joseph's being the only cure they need. Ted puts his hand on Peggy's hip as they do the ad. (It's a "Rosemary's Baby' parody.) Joan points out that they're going out of pocket on it and the client hasn't seen it yet. Don can't believe it.
Sally and, mostly, Betty do her interview. She's going to spend the night and go to a class to check out the school and the interviewer says it's as much for Sally to find out about the place as it is the place to find out about her.
Pete's mom drops by or a visit. She's there to pick up her passport. She's going on a trip with Manolo. She says he's mad about the way Pete is treating Bob Benson and they're going on a trip. He says her passport is expired and yells at her new nurse, Josephine, that she's endangering her position.
Sally heads to a dorm and meets a couple of gals. They talk about their mutual divorce issues. The girls basically tell her that she's about to hazed, she was supposed to bring a bottle or cigarettes and "take care of them." They tell her she can't talk anymore. It looks like it's going to be brutal.
Ted returns and is angry because St. Joseph's called and stopped casting because Don sent over the budget. Ted points out the work is good and that St. Joe's wanted their own "plop, plop, fizz, fizz" and that he can't imagine telling Peggy who can already smell the Clio award and now he has to turn a no into a yes. Don says Ted was going to have to do that anyway and he will. Don says he understands why both he and Peggy are upset. Ted asks Don to back him up at the meeting with St. Joe's the next day and he says he will.
Sally and the gals-- Andie and Millicent-- smoke cigarettes and talk trash. Glenn shows up and climbs in the window. He brings a bottle and a friend, Rollo, and some weed.
Pete is working late when Duck calls. Duck tells Pete that Bob's resume is full of lies, he's not even sure if his name is Bob Benson. He's from West Virginia, and was a "man-servant" for three years on the job that he told Pete about that was supposed to be his legit job. Duck says SCDP must not have asked many questions because he's never seen anything like this before, the level of lies and secret lives. Pete says he has.
Cut to Don mindlessly drinking and watching TV as Megan futilely tries to coax him to bed.
Back to the prep school bad kids. Sally notes she's really drunk Glen and Andie joke with each other and Sally thinks they already know each other. She takes him into the other room to let him read her diary. Rollo hits on Sally and tries to kiss her. She averts her face. He says he's been with lots of girls and knows what he's doing. She begs off again. He accuses her of being frigid. Sally goes to Glenn and says Rollo tried to force her. Glenn notes that she's like his little sister. Rollo complains that Glenn wanted the "good one" and calls Sally a tease. Glenn punches him out which Sally really enjoys. But then he doesn't want to be left behind since Rollo is his ride so he leaves and says she'll be fine and to keep in touch. Andie thinks Sally likes trouble and Sally just smiles.
The next morning Don, Joan, Peggy, Ted, and Jim meet with the St. Joseph's folks. Ted explains as a concept develops the expenses can mount but the St. Joe's folks say the job is to bring the ad in on budget. Ted basically resells the idea to him and asks him to trust him. The St. Joe's guy says he's entitled to a reason. Don jumps in and offers the "reason" they are pushing him. Don claims Ted doesn't want to say since it's so personal and Ted says he doesn't understand what Don means. Don looks at Peggy. Ted gets nervous and can't pick up the ball. Peggy starts to get nervous too. Don jumps back in and says that this was Frank Gleason's last idea and they've gotten a little sentimental. The St. Joe's guy totally buys it and says he loved Frank and they should've told him and gives them another $10,000. AS they leave Peggy looks at Don and asks "was that really necessary?" Ted asks for the room. He asks "what was that?" Don says that was the best he could do. Don calls him out on the Peggy thing and says he's not thinking with his actual head and is trying to show off. Don says they're kidding themselves and everyone sees it-- even Ted's secretary- and his judgement is impaired.
Pete confronts Bob about his past. He asks what he's done when he's been found out before. Bob asks for a day's head start out of the place. Pete doesn't believe he's just going to run. He says he doesn't know how "people like" Bob do what they do but Bob's certainly better at it than what Pete does whatever he does. He says he's learned not to tangle with Bob's kind of animal. He surrenders. He says where Bob is and who he is doesn't concern him and all he wants is Bob to work alongside him but not too closely. He says he is "off limits." And to get Manolo out of his mother's life. Bob reiterates that Manolo doesn't like women. Pete tells him to make sure.
In the car ride home Betty notes Sally got what she wanted. Betty tells her that the head woman gave her glorious reviews from everyone concerned. Betty asks for details and lets Sally smoke while she shares them. Betty notes she'd rather see her do it in front of her then behind her back. She says she's sure her father has given her a beer. Sally says "my father has never given me anything." Betty is concerned by this.
Peggy goes to see Ted but he's gone. He left right after his secretary said Peggy needed to see him. She storms into Don's office and confronts him. Don points out that he saved the ad and that he saved both of them too considering how it looks. She tells him to stop hiding behind the ad and that Don hates that Ted is a good man. Noting that Ted is clearly in love with her, perhaps he's not that virtuous. Peggy blames this on Don and tells him he can stop now. He says he's just looking out for the agency. Peggy says: "You're a monster." He lies back down on his office couch.
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