I don't like seeing Joan so beaten down, but I do like how well this all answers that whole "desirable women have all the power" trope.

I've always hated the way Joan got her partnership, because she really did deserve to be a partner at SCPD at least as much as Pete did, and instead she had to get it by doing something unconscionable. I guess it's a good thing she can end that association by taking the cash settlement.

It's also apparent that nobody told the folks at McCann about how Joan negotiated her partnership, or at least one of them would have thrown it in her face. This indicates, at least, that Roger, Don and Pete consider her partnership to be earned on merit. (I don't think Teddy knew about it either.)

I am not sure what was going on with him then. Maybe there were a lot of things.

My take was that the consultant, in his speech, was doing what Don usually does -- setting up the whole mise en scène. That's what Don does best. Instead, it appeared as though he was only being asked to come up with ads that incorporated the consultant's pre-existing themes. I think Don found that dull and/or beneath him.

My take was that the consultant, in his speech, was doing what Don usually does -- setting up the whole mise en scène. That's what Don does best. Instead, it appeared as though he was only being asked to come up with ads that incorporated the consultant's pre-existing themes. I think Don found that dull and/or beneath him.

That was my take too.

the consultant, in his speech, was doing what Don usually does -

Yeah, I thought that might be it, but then I couldn't figure out the significance of the airplane (or maybe the building, I don't know). It seemed to have Significance, right?

It seemed to have Significance, right?

Doesn't everything on this show?

but then I couldn't figure out the significance of the airplane

Flight. Freedom. Escape. What Don always does - he takes off.

That makes sense and I was nowhere near it.

The airplane represents Don Draper's deep dark manpain that I am so completely over already. If he wants to leave, he should leave. The show can be about Peggy and her octoporn from now on.

The show can be about Peggy and her octoporn from now on.

That would be an interesting last two episodes - a fever dream of tentacle porn animated by the ghost of Satoshi Kon.

That would be an interesting last two episodes

Oh right...I have to keep reminding myself that "the rest of the show" is really not that much show at all!