I just watched the episode on iTunes. Did I hallucinate that the scene where Don visited Joan happened twice? or was one from his POV and the second from hers?

I'm very confused about that.

The scene with Don and Peggy...I have to give it up to the actors, that really was painful.

The 2nd time was from her point of view (I think in memory) where we realized that Don only visited her AFTER she slept with the creep. (Because she had the emerald) .

Don is pretty much a day late and a dollar short throughout this episode.

[Edited because I hit post too soon.]

1) Don just realized now what Hec pointed out weeks ago - if Megan actually gets parts there will be long separations, and long hours when she is in NY.

2) Did he really not realize the conversation did not stop when he left the room? Apparently.

3)Don really did not realize Peggy had grown to the point that she could live without his mentoring and would leave rather than continue to be disrespected and taken for granted.

4) And he really did not get that with the deadline, if wanted to talk Joan out of sleeping with the creep that he needed to move fast? Mind you I think the chance for some power and security meant that Joan would have done it anyway. Hmm in fairness I think he did not realize soon enough that the deal was in progress - see 2) He honestly did not get (at least emotionally that a conversation could continue when he left the room.

Ok, that makes sense now; were there other screwing with the timeline scenes? The episode had a strange feel to it. Also, was anyone but me creeped out by Megan's audition?

It seemed pretty creepy to me, too.

the worst thing about it? it wasn't even the 2nd or 3rd worst thing in the episode!

I guess it just got lost in the chauvanism!

It was nice to see Freddy again, though.

I just watched. Jesus Christ on a pogostick.

I think Megan's audition was supposed to give you the creeps. "Turn around, sweetheart." It was all about women's body as commodity, tying together with Joan's storyline.

Joan's FACE in that moment when the dress was being unzipped...! I have so many feels. Mostly wanting to throw up. But mixed with other complicated stuff. There was coercion, but she chose this as well, yet there was the fact that she was put in the position to choose this in the first place, and felt compelled to go through with it. Then she stepped in the conference room the next day as a partner, but everyone in that room knew that what she had done to become one, and ACCCK. *flails*

That last scene between Peggy and Don nearly made me cry. Their scenes together have always been my favourite. For all of Don's callousness, Peggy has always been the one he trusted the most, and they've seen each other at their worst and have long recognized in each other something of a kindred spirit. I was really fucking proud of Peggy for making that incredibly emotional decision that she knew was right for her, and sticking with it with great dignity. Though I might have wibbled a bit when Don held onto her hand with his lips with a certain despairing desperation. (YOU SHOULD HAVE TREATED HER BETTER, DON, YOU ASS.) She had such a wistful look on her face as she exited, but then, that smile on her face! Oh, Peggy. I love you the best. (Man, I sure hope they find a way to keep Elizabeth Moss on the show next season. I don't know if I want to keep watching this show without her in it.)

I can't imagine that they wouldn't keep Elizabeth Moss.

I'm waiting for her triumphant return after 1-2 years to come back as a partner!

In terms of Joan's choice. It was a choice, but the best of a number bad choices - so it was coercion too.

As background, Joan was born in an era where, at least in the environment she was in - the ad business - she had to use her sexuality to get ahead. I mean, she had a choice, but the choice was to stay in the secretarial pool. If she wanted to get ahead even as far as she had, her only choice was to use her sexuality on occasion including sleeping with powerful men. For that matter her marriage to Dr. Rapey was based on looking for a good catch. And note that when she announced her engagement Peggy commented (completely without irony) that he sounded like a "real catch". (Of course nobody but Joan and Dr. Rapey knew he was Dr. Rapey. And probably Dr. Rapey never thought of it as rape, and it took Joan years to realize that rape was what it was. The term "Date Rape" was not invented at the time. )

And she though she had moved beyond needing to use her sexuality any more. But note that in spite of her talents, she never got beyond office manager. Every other major character we saw move at least once. Joan was still in the same apartment. Neither her sexuality nor her talents and skills (which really qualified her for Lane's job) got her beyond that.

And then she hears about the offer, and that everyone is considering it. When push comes to shove, the men running the firm still see her as a body to trade. And they will blame her for losing Jaguar if she does not make, as will most of the people in the firm. And if she wants to be a position where this can never happen again, she needs to make that trade one last time - but on her terms.

It is not empowering. It is horrible and disgusts her. But under the circumstances she sees it as the best choice she can make. A horrible way out of a trap.

At least that is my take.