The Don Draper Guide to Picking Up Women: [link]

It's when his infidelity becomes apparent as public knowledge, as brutally revealed by Jimmy.

Also, that even after that happened Don would not admit what he'd done. If he'd owned up to it right away I think things would have gone differently. And he still hasn't admitted it really. Just said that he didn't treat Betty as respectfully as he should have.

Was that Don not admitting it or was that the era's manner of talking about matters like that? We know that Jimmy was obnoxious and overly forward, so I don't think that it was odd that he said it, but perhaps you just didn't say that sort of thing in polite company.

We know that Jimmy was obnoxious and overly forward, so I don't think that it was odd that he said it, but perhaps you just didn't say that sort of thing in polite company.

Well, Betty asked Don straight out (or accused him I don't remember) if he'd slept with Bobbi and he could have been a man and said he did. I think it's telling that he didn't. And that she accepted his pale apology. It doesn't bode well for them.

and he could have been a man and said he did.

Well, but the kind of man Don is, is a complete fabrication. He lies every day in every way. Getting caught in a lie is not something he can admit to. That's why Betty was going nuts trying to find evidence.

Betty was also upset with who Don had an affair with. An older woman. A woman she perceived as vulgar.

Would she have been happier knowing about Rachel? Or Midge? All those women are people that Betty would not have approved of. Not that she'd have approved of anyone, but you know there's a particular sting there when the women your husband has been philandering with are so utterly different from you.

In answer to your earlier question, I doubt they'll still be together in a decade. I agree that the weak apology does not bode well. Although I think it's telling that Betty answers the way she does. "At least I know I'm not going crazy." It must have seemed like she was. Don never thinks about what the results of his deception are for other people. Which is the point of deception, I suppose.

But I think Don doesn't see a distinction in his lies. His whole world is a lie to Betty, so what's one more? And if he admits to that, then does he admit to everything else? It's too much right now, his hold too tenuous, so I think he won't. But he should come clean. And I don't know what Betty would do if he did. She might walk.

But he should come clean. And I don't know what Betty would do if he did. She might walk.

Then Don would lose the children. She'd remarry and the children would be raised by somebody else. Shared custody was not the default setting back then.

I don't think it's in Don's best interests to be honest, really. Not if he wants the kids in his life.

Heather Havrilesky's Mad Man season ender recap at Salon is just...wrong. The emotions she attributes to Peggy in her scene with Pete:

"Pete takes Peggy's advice about telling the truth. He invites her into his office for a drink, then confesses his love for her. "You're perfect," he tells her, starry-eyed, once again trying clumsily to will some lofty, untouchable fantasy into existence. Peggy has a moment of undeniable pleasure in spite of herself..."

Really? Undeniable plesure? I got a glimpse of maybe, I don't know, validation, but it wasn't a huge stroke to her vanity, or something she desired.

And her take on Don:

"Don's stricken look in the wake of Betty's news doesn't reflect his reluctance to have another child so much as his disappointment in realizing that he's being welcomed back not as a flawed, hurt person trying to make a connection, but as a provider."

Are not my reads. About fifteen different emotions crossed Don's face when he heard the news. And I think he came back glad to be the provider, and hoping he could rescue the marriage. Not expecting acceptance as a "flawed, hurt person."

Yeesh.

Heather often doesn't know wtf she's talking about, for thinking she's the coolest chick in the room. Although I think I'd have to see that scene again, now that I know what happens, to read it emotionally. Although I'm not bad at reading emotional reactions, the ones on MM are muted, compared to most of TV.Especially fricking Don. I have come to appreciate Don, but living with him would make me insane(like Betty?) because he is *so* not a straight shooter. Ever. Peggy did seem satisfied, but more like "I knew it," than excited or anything. But I am going to watch "The Hustler" this week.

David - my read was closer to yours.