I have to say, watching the ep after reading this thread, I was disappointed by the Joan/Dr scene. The water line - she offered to get him a drink, he asked for water, and then she forgot about it because she was burbling about her job. It was rude of him to dismiss her excitement about work (and especially to do it in that condescending "don't worry your pretty little head about such things" tone of voice), but I didn't think it was rude of him to remind her that she forgot to get the water.

I'm glad Betty seems to have finally grown a backbone, but I'm worried she's going to become suicidal with only the kids around for company.

but I didn't think it was rude of him to remind her that she forgot to get the water.

no, but the way he said it was.

The thing with Joan is that she prides herself on knowing how to work a situation. I think she's playing a role with the fiance and it's slipping.

And those were definitely strap marks from her bra.

I was all WOOHOO BETTY! at the end. Fucking Don. I hope he lives in pain for a while.

Yeah, Betty definitely needs some adult companionship. Think it's going to come from horse-riding guy?

I like the contrast between Don's serial infidelity and Betty's restraint. So I kinda hope they don't end up there. But I really hope she finds someone to freaking talk to.

I don't think Harry gave Roger enough information for him to see Joan's contribution. First, I don't think Roger has a clear idea of what Harry's doing. And secondly, at first it was pitched as, well, just have some of the secretaries read some stuff through. So I think Roger still saw it in that light. I don't think Joan's contributions were clear to him.

But I do love this storyline in general. I like seeing how Harry knows how important television is going to be, but nobody else really pings to it. They've earned their stripes in print, and they're comfortable there.

I don't think Harry gave Roger enough information for him to see Joan's contribution. First, I don't think Roger has a clear idea of what Harry's doing. And secondly, at first it was pitched as, well, just have some of the secretaries read some stuff through. So I think Roger still saw it in that light. I don't think Joan's contributions were clear to him.

I don't think it occured to Harry to make it clear what she was doing. He never saw Joan as anything more than a temporary substitute for the man who would REALLY be doing that job.

I don't know, Jessica. Harry seemed pretty surprised & pleased by Joan's contributions in the meeting with the clients. I don't think it ever struck him, though, that she would even be interested in the job.

I don't think it ever struck him, though, that she would even be interested in the job.

What do you see as the difference between this and what I said?

(Genuine question, not being snotty.)

Perhaps I'm misreading your comment. I thought you were saying that Harry was discounting Joan's contribution because he thought she was only grudgingly performing the work and he intended to give the job to a man. I think Harry would have been pleasantly surprised to hear that Joan was interested in the job.

I thought you were saying that Harry was discounting Joan's contribution because he thought she was only grudgingly performing the work and he intended to give the job to a man. I think Harry would have been pleasantly surprised to hear that Joan was interested in the job.

I guess I don't see the two as mutually exclusive. Regardless of how happy he was with her work, he never saw it as Joan doing that job. He saw it as Joan helping him out, and as such, assumed that it was a burden to her and that he should hire a man and let her get back to her "real" work.

Oh, then we're saying the same thing. Apologies! Bad allergies today and brain working poorly.