Trama

Don accidentally learns a secret about Salvatore during a business trip to Baltimore. Back at the office, the firings continue, but the new management appoints Peter and Ken as new co-heads of accounts.

Don and Betty are back together in marital bliss as they await the birth of their next child. Don is daydreaming about an ominous view of his own birth, which may be a sign about Betty's pregnancy. At Sterling Cooper, financial officer Layne Price from the parent British office and his personal secretary John Hooker have been brought in to do some housecleaning. The British way of doing business is foreign to most of those at Sterling Cooper. One-third of the staff is being let go, including Head of Accounts, Burt Peterson. In Burt's old position, Layne installs Pete, much to his relief and excitement. But his excitement is short lived when he learns he will be sharing the job with Ken. They are told in coded language that one of the two will emerge as the sole person in the position based on performance. Also because of Burt's dismissal, Don and Sal are sent to Baltimore in his place to meet with their London Fog account contacts. While in Baltimore, they, masquerading as "Bill" and "Sam", socialize with their New York to Baltimore flight crew. As the evening ends, Don shows that his personal life has not changed with Betty's pregnancy. Sal also unexpectedly exposes a little of his personal life to Don.—Huggo

A few months have passed since we last saw the men and women of Sterling Cooper and much has changed. The new British owners, in the form of finance man Lane Pryce, have disposed of one-third of the staff. All the secretaries are enamored by John Hooker, Pryce's right hand man, but others have taken to calling him Miss Moneypenny. Pete Campbell is ecstatic when told he is to be the new Head of Accounts until he learns that he and Ken Cosgrove will be sharing the duties, with specific clients assigned to each of them. Ken is thrilled with his promotion and refuses to play Pete's games. Don Draper and Salvatore Romano go off to Baltimore to calm a nervous client but Don catches Sal in a compromising situation. At home, Don and Betty await the imminent arrival of their baby and in flashbacks, more of Don's past is revealed.—garykmcd

"Mad Men" - "Out of Town" - August 16, 2009

Don is heating milk in the kitchen at night and having visions. In the first he sees a woman who just had a miscarriage. It's his stepmother Abigail. She says she has "prayed for a child". The midwife/abortionist says: "God will give you a child". Evil Mr. Whitman (Archie) comes in and cruelly says his wife killed another one.

In the second he sees his father Archie Whitman offering a whore 85 cents for a roll. Evangeline accepts but says if he gets her "in trouble" (pregnancy) she is going to cut his dick off and boil it in hog fat.

In the third the young whore is shivering with fever and repeating the "dick" phrase. She's just given birth to Dick/Don Draper and the midwife asks if she wants to hold him. She repeats the "dick phrase."

The milk boils over.

In the fourth and final vision the midwife drops off the baby to Don's father's house and tells the wife she told her god would give her a child. Mrs. Whitman asks who's it is. The midwife reiterates God is giving her a baby, and says his name is Dick, "after a wish his mother should've lived to see." Don's stepmother takes him in.

He pulls the skin off the milk and brings it to Betty in bed. She's still pregnant, very pregnant now. Betty says the baby wakes up at night when Betty tries to sleep. She thinks it's a girl. She points out that she packed his suitcase. Carla, the maid, saw Sally taking to his suitcase clasp with a hammer which is why it's broken. (I guess Sally doesn't want daddy to leave again). Betty says Sally has taken to his tools "like a little lesbian" and giggles. Don gets in and spoons her. She wonders if she'll ever sleep again and says she wants everything to be perfect, for the baby to come into their home at its best. Don tells her to close her eyes and starts a visualization for her: warm, sandy beach, the smell of coconut, hands sliding through cold patch of sand beneath a deck chair... She compliments his storytelling skills.

Peggy is in her office and trying to get the attention of her secretary Lola through the intercom. She steps out to see that Lola is being distracted by a young British man who is distracted by her in return. Peggy chides Lola. Lola rhapsodizes over his accent.

Another Brit is in Bert Cooper's office remarking on an evocative painting that looks like an octopus, um, servicing a naked Asian woman. Bert muses that it reminds him of their business and wonders who the man was that envisioned this woman's ecstasy. "Who indeed?" says the Brit. Don enters saying "Burt's on his way" but wonders where Roger is.

The Brit apologizes for "Baltimore" and that it has to be done. Don says it's a sales call and wonders if there isn't more that can be done in New York. The Brit says it's not a sales call, and he's the face of their business. Cooper says they need someone they can trust. The Brit sits and tut-tuts London Fog, calling it ludicrous. Don wonders why, since he has one. So does Cooper. The Brit just meant that there is no actual London fog, only coal dust in the industrial age. Burt Peterson arrives. Cooper, the Brit, and Don fire him, awkwardly. Mr. Peterson, who was the head of accounts, is not happy. They offer him a "generous and fair" severance. He wonders why they waited so long. The Brit says they knew his wife was undergoing radiation and they thought it was decent to wait. Peterson agrees it was. Roger enters apologizing for his lateness and wonders if he missed anything.The men stare at him. He apologizes. Peterson freaks and calls the Brit the dying empire. Roger says he's sure they'll regret it. Don asks if that's the "last of it," because he doesn't enjoy that he's getting used to the firings.

Harry is explaining to Kinsey that there's no point in ever making over 40 grand because the taxes are so high when Peterson tears through on a disgruntled employee rampage, yelling and knocking things off desks. Kinsey asks if they're sure "it's not starting again, the firings." Just then Pete's secretary tells him that Mr. Price (the Brit) wants to see him. Pete freaks.

Peterson tells the Lola-flirting Brit (John Hooker), "drop dead you Limey son-of-a bitch" and then slams the door to his office and we hear him lay waste to it. Joan approaches him and snarkily says he can keep handling things so well while she calms the girls in the pool. Hooker says Americans can't control their emotions and it's unbecoming. She points out that Peterson's wife is sick and says if he had talked to Peterson's girl and to her they could've handled him and the situation with more decorum. Hooker retorts that on the topic of decorum he wants the switchboard ladies to address him as Mr. Hooker, not John. Joan points out that that is how they've been taught to address secretaries. Hooker bristles at that and says he's Mr. Price's right arm, not his typist. Joan snarks off.

Pete enters Mr. Price's- Hooker's boss apparently- office. Pete's nervous. Price says he can't speak for everyone but he likes Pete. Pete returns the compliment. Price points out that he doesn't know him. Pete says he will make the effort if given the opportunity. Price tells him that he is being promoted to head of accounts but that he needs to keep it on the down low for now since the specifics are pending. Pete wants to know it's certain. Price says yes but gives the "shh" symbol to keep it a secret.

Pete departs and tells his girl to get his wife on the phone. He goes in his office and does the happy promotion dance and pours a drink. He breaks the news to Trudy, who's having a luncheon with the docent's committee from the Met. She's thrilled. (Things seem okay between them). She says she loves the sound of his voice right now. He tells her to make a reservation. He says he should call his mother. Trudy tells him not to go to the well since there's no water there. Pete realizes he forgot to ask if the job came with a raise. She calls this noble. She says one doesn't need money to be fulfilled. They hang up.

Minutes later Price calls Cosgrove in and makes him head of accounts and gives him the same keep it on the down low speech. He's smart enough to ask about a raise. Price tells him it's $21k but they'll re-evaluate. Ken also offers to shake hands and is equally happy. Price shakes his head as he leaves.

Don and Sal are on a plane to Baltimore, smoking and drinking, natch. The perky blond stewardess offers a quick refill and calls Don, Mr. Hofstadt. At first they're confused but Don realizes who she's talking about and they decide to play along, and make a date with the stewardess and her friends for later since they're all staying at the same hotel. She says it'll be a hoot and a half. Don tells Sal that the name (Hofstadt) belongs to his brother-in-law, who can't help but put his name "on other people's stuff." Sal says he's flown a few times but he's never seen a stewardess that game. Don says, "really?" -- like you know he has.

Ken and Pete take the elevator down together. Neither reveals anything but Pete compliments Ken's work, and Ken thanks Pete for always having his back, each assuming they will soon be the other's boss.

The two stewardesses flirt with Don and Sal. The pilot is with them too, he inadvertently insults their profession- apparently they've told them they're "accountants." Don says there are different kinds of accountants, of course. They pretend like it's a big secret. They make like they're "g men" working on Jimmy Hoffa's "account" but insist they're accountants. The first stewardess, who is based in New York, laments that her job is to go out of town. Don says he goes to a lot of places but always ends up somewhere he's already been. She looks at him quizzically. The pilot proposes a nightcap. Sal say he doesn't know. The stewardesses point out his face is red.

Don and Sal take the elevator up with Shelly, the first perky stewardess, a bellman gets on briefly and Sal jokes that he and Don are the only ones not in uniform. When it gets to Don's floor she gets off under the pretense of seeing if it's different from her floor. They stumble along the hall until she pulls him in for a kiss and then asks what they're doing. They kiss. (That's what they're doing). She pulls back and admits she's engaged. But, on the other hand, she says he might be her last chance. He says he's been married a long time so she has plenty of chances. He whispers that it's his birthday. She wants to see his driver's license. He says that's not going to help. She wishes him a happy birthday. They make out some more.

Sal walks into his room and flops on his bed facedown. He loosens his tie. He calls down to the front desk to complain his air conditioning doesn't work.

Don and Shelly make out and she starts taking off her uniform. She says her friend thinks he looks like Tyrone Power. She continues to strip for him and tells him it's his turn. He says not yet. She turns to take off her bra and turns again covering her breasts with her hands asking if he likes her breasts. She pushes him back on the bed.

The bell man comes in and fixes Sal's AC. Then he comes over and kisses a very surprised Sal. He is freaked but obviously excited. They keep kissing and the bellman undoes Sal's pants and pushes him back on the bed and begins to work his hand into his pants and just as Sal is succumbing the fire alarm goes off. The bellman grabs his things.

In the other room, Don is doing the same thing as Shelly sits in bed, naked. He tells her to forget her shoes and beckons her down the fire escape. Two floors down he notices he's outside Sal's room. Sal is fixing his pants. Don bangs on the door telling him to "come on." As Sal looks at him, the bellman, still in his wifebeater, runs into the room. Don sees him and then looks at Sal. (Oh dear.) Shelly needs his help and they keep descending. Down on the ground with the fire trucks, Don watches Sal emerge with the bellman, who tries to calm the crowd.

Peggy enters Sterling Cooper and greets Joan at the elevator. She wonders if Joan worries about wearing her wedding set on the subway. Joan says she doesn't take the subway but does worry about being followed. They talk about Lola and how she's always late and flirting with "Moneypenny." Joan chides Peggy, saying Hooker doesn't like to be called that. Peggy can't believe Joan is defending him. Joan says she finds him repellent and that he reminds her of a doorman. She says she can't wait to be out of there. Peggy thanks her sarcastically and Joan says there's nothing she can do.

Pete's girl congratulates him and says there's a meeting for "heads" of accounts immediately. He's confused by the plural. She says there's a meeting for him and Ken. He freaks.

Don is meeting with the London Fog folks to reassure them of the continuity of service now that Burt Peterson is gone. Sal is late to the meeting. When he arrives the elder London Fog-ger wonders if Sal has a family. He says not yet but that he has a wife. Elder L-F-er says his son Howard, to his left, will be running the business and will give Sal and Don a tour. Howard wonders why his dad isn't sharing his concerns about the business. Don says that the previous year, two out of every three raincoats had London Fog stitched in it. The son says they need to grow and is considering branching out into umbrellas, bags, and hats. Dad laments that there are entire companies that just make hats. Don says London Fog is a 40-year-old brand that sounds like it's been around forever and that there will be lean years and robust years but it will undoubtedly rain. Sal lamely says, "That's true."

In the meeting Joan is reading off the list dividing the accounts between Ken and Pete. (Among Ken's long list, Campbell's Soup and Belle Jolie. Pete's includes Gillette and Utz.) Ken is grinning, Pete is not. Pete looks to Harry and wonders if he decided this. Harry says 42 cents of every dollar goes to the TV dept but no, that he and Price, also in the meeting, decided. Price says they're each getting half the company but that it's possible that someone could distinguish themselves, which could make things easier. Pete wonders what the "O"'s on the list signify. Joan says Peggy. Pete complains she's all over the place. Joan says he knows that's not true.

As they depart Pete says if Cosgrove is upset he's hiding it well. Cosgrove says he's stoked. He feels bad about Burt Peterson, what with his three kids and a cancer-stricken wife...but, you know, woohoo head of accounts! Pete asks why he even took this job since he's not interested. Why wouldn't he be, says Ken. Pete tells him because he's no good. Ken says that the higher ups want them to hate each other and he won't participate in that. Pete, in his ridiculous way, mocks his calm and his lack of sweat and snarks they should just work together running hand in hand. Ken walks away.

Sal and Don are on their return flight, sitting in silence. Don, napping, awakes and asks the time. 1:15. Don says they should be back in the office by 3. Sal can't believe he's going back to the office. Don leans in and says he's going to ask Sal something and he wants him to be honest. Sal blanches. Don lays out a scenario: "London Fog, it's a subway car and there's a commuter looking up, there's a girl with her back to us, she's wearing one of those short tan ones but it's open, her legs are bare, we know what he's seeing...'Limit your exposure.'"

Sal replies, "That's it." Don looks at him meaningfully, pauses, and says, "Good." Sal looks relieved.

Joan shows Hooker to an office for himself and tells him he'll have his own girl to do his typing so he won't siphon off other people's. He's very pleased.

Trudy visits Pete. She shows him a paperweight/pen holder with a plaque that reads "Peter Campbell, the Buck Stops Here." He grouses that he is sharing the job with Ken. She apologizes and makes sad faces and says he's like her dad, ambitious and never happy with what he has. He complains it's a test and he never gets what he wants all at once. She says he simply has to beat Ken and it's still an amazing opportunity and not to turn it sour. He says he wants to just tell them the job should be his. She says they don't want his outrage, they want his good work. He grumbles some more and she kisses him and says he should try.

Sal is showing Kinsey and Harry the ad, they love it. (Although it now looks distinctly like a flasher, flashing a man reading a newspaper). They ask after being out of town with the legendary Don Draper. Sal begs off saying they're two old married men but reports the fire, no casualties. Kinsey asks after the casting of the man on the subway. Sal says he should look a little excited, shocked. Kinsey says no, what does he LOOK like. Sal says, oh, handsome.

In Don's office he types. Sterling enters with Stolichnaya and cigars from Greece. They breakdown Cosgrove vs. Campbell. Sterling says he thought it was a joke at first and thinks it comes from the home office. Pete arrives to speak with Don. He notes Roger and switches tacks saying he's honored by the promotion. Bert Cooper enters and tells them that a local politician is looking for some help. Pete says it would be his pleasure. Bert asks for a brandy and says he doesn't care what the Brits says, London Fog is a good name.

Price and Hooker have some tea and Price wonders after the office. Hooker tries Joan's line: it will be a place for superiors from England to use when they visit but why not have someone occupy it in the meantime? Price calls that harebrained pointing out they just fired 1/3 of the office and that it would be unseemly to "go through their pockets" as well. He says a visitor's office is a good idea but that Hooker should sit out front. Hooker agrees saying it was presumptuous. He calls the place a "gynocracy'(?). Price says he didn't notice.

Don comes home. Betty orders Bobby from the room. She calls Sally in to confess the breaking of the suitcase. Don says for her to find out how much it costs to replace and it will come out of her allowance. She says she doesn't have an allowance. He tells her not to break things then. She says she just didn't want him to go again. He says he will always come home and she will always be her girl and he kisses her head. He sits back on the bed with Betty as Sally unpacks his suitcase. Betty says his eyes look tired. He says he doesn't sleep well when he's not home. She says he needs reading glasses. Sally finds wings in his suitcase and asks if they're for her. He looks mildly shocks but quickly recovers. Betty pins them on. Sally asks if she was really in there, gesturing to Betty's belly. Betty says, yup. Sally asks to hear about the day she was born. He says it was at night and it was raining very hard and he had just gotten home from work. He suddenly stops, lost in thought. Betty picks up the story as Don stares into space, an unreadable expression on his face.