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.

I've read other critics say the same thing as Heather about Don and Betsy's final scene.

After giving it some thought: I don't think Don really gave a shit under what conditions she welcomed him back. It could be he wonders about his motives, but I don't think he was hurt by that.

When I saw his facial expression(s), I thought he wondered if the baby was his. But this is not a wonder I feel committed to.

I don't think that it would really have occurred to Don that betty would cheat.

I don't think that it would really have occurred to Don that betty would cheat.

Yeah I really don't think that possibility's anywhere in his worldview.

"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."

I think there was definite disappointment in there, but I think there was a little bit of relief, a little joy. But I think most of all there was a lot of fear, in the "where do we go from here?" Just because he's back doesn't make everything puppies and rainbows.

And no matter what else is going on - they all thought that they might be dead by Monday. That's going to be a bit of a downer.

No show tonight.

Am sad.