Do we have any reason to think there was a real Don Draper?

I wish I hadn't just deleted them all because I've never actually watched the title sequence. Next ep for sure.

The actual purple heart?

That couldn't have been Whitman's, or whatever his original name was? If there was a name on it I couldn't see it that closely.

ETA: I mean, it makes sense that there could have been. But I didn't notice anything that pointed one way or another.

Donald Francis Draper

Ah. Okay then.

And the title sequence is just a falling silhouette. Just as it's getting close to your POV, it morphs into a silhouetted figure sitting casually with a smoke and a drink.

The most convincing theory I've heard is that Draper is Jewish.

This show does POV very well -- every time I think it's buying into the stereotypes and prejudices of the world it takes place in, the POV shifts and I change my mind.

VK & his wife are so freaking dysfunctional, I just love them.

I thought Draper was Jewish earlier, but I'm not so sure I think he is Jewish now. It seems like it might be too obvious and his reaction to the office antisemitism was a bit too light unlike his reaction to his visitor last episode.

His home life sounds bad enough that it could be enough he wanted/needed to run away from that.

The most convincing theory I've heard is that Draper is Jewish.

Whitman isn't a particularly Jewish name. Although his mother could have been Jewish, I suppose.

I don't know that there had to be any grand identity stealing scheme. The culture wasn't nearly so identity conscious, so there are plenty of places where he could have just said "hello, my name is Don Draper" and there wouldn't have been any issue with proving who he was.

I would have to rewatch, but I could definitely see his reaction to office antisemitism playing light.

I can specifically remember incidents of anti-Japanese racism in the office where I played it off, when I was standing right there (I was working for a Japanese company, but I didn't count as Japanese because I spoke English, and you know, was from Ohio.). And I wasn't even trying to pass as not Japanese. Your upbringing doesn't always train you for how to directly and politely address racism when you encounter it. Sometimes you just let it slide, because you are tired of kicking up a fuss. I could definitely see Don just letting it sit lightly, even if that were his position and background.