Mad Men: What is up with Bob Benson? There's no way he's really in love with Pete. It doesn't feel right. Apparently, there's all sorts of theories floating about, like he's a government spy. As the link points out, he is a skilled liar.

I don't know, but I am interested. Manolo said he's "a great salesman" which makes me wonder what their backstory might be.

The motivational record was highly intriguing.

Jon,

Tom and Lorenzo made a persuasive case about 2-3 weeks ago that given his body language, the secret they thought Bob was hiding was that he was gay. They were THRILLED that last episode seemed to confirm that yes, Bob is gay. I think the on screen evidence seems to be there from my stance. Bob would have to be in the closest back then, and TLo believe that Bob (unlike Sal) is culturally gay - that he seems to have a community he hangs with (i.e. he knows Sal after all) and was probably bringing Joan to Fire Island when they were together last summer.

I think TLo was tipped off when he was at the prostitution house and Bob's body language was pulled in and tight. He showed no sexual interest in the women there, nor has really expressed overt sexual interest in Joan.

I hope that's the case. I heartily approve of the idea of James Wolk playing gay men often in his career. (Or playing with them outside of it, for that matter!)

He might be gay, but his come-on to Pete did not ring true. I hope there's more to it.

Back when Bob and Don were in the elevator and Bob said something like "you know me, but only in the office" (it was in the previouslies the last couple of episodes, I think) - does anyone remember the context for that? Is there somewhere else Don might have known him from if he paid more attention, for example?

That seemed like a big risk, the knee thing with Pete, whether it was sincere or not.

I don't know if he is attracted to Pete, but I thought he was trying to save Sal's job.

Sal? Manolo.

I think Bob is gay and he may or may not have been sincere about his attraction to Pete, but I definitely think there is more to him than that.

I don't know if he is attracted to Pete, but I thought he was trying to save [Manolo]'s job.

Telling Pete that Manolo is gay could help. Coming on to Pete? Not so much.