Yeah, that was unexpected for me too.

Suddenly Don's phone calls to Betty's therapist seem WAY less creepy and invasive.

right?

holy shit.

As soon as her friend mentioned the ad, I was like: oh Megan is going to go for that. No doubt.

I didn't expect Megan to be such a backstabber. I liked you, Megan! What the hell.

One of the themes of the season, as Roger articulated it: "Every man for himself." Which was part of Peggy's decision to leave.

I didn't think it was particularly backstabby of Megan. Just because a friend asks for an audition doesn't mean you don't go to it or try to get it. Very few people make it in show biz without exploiting the relationships they have. That's what her friend was trying to do as well.

Just because a friend asks for an audition doesn't mean you don't go to it or try to get it.

Sure, but in that case, she could have either A) asked for her first or B) AT ALL. I kind of hoped she would suggest her after Don turned her down. I don't see how saying, "I will help you get this part," and then doing, "I will help myself get this part without even trying to help you at all" isn't backstabby. I'm sure there are plenty of similar stories in showbiz. That doesn't mean it's right.

When Don's bereavement call was unsatisfactory, running into Peggy made him realize that having helped her did make him feel better

I think he was ambivalent about it. He has such huge abandonment issues. And him walking away from Megan's brightly lit fairytale and heading into the darkness does not bode well for their marriage.

On the subject of ECT (Electro Convulsive Therapy) I will note: (1) they used to use a much higher electrical charge and it did lead to greater memory loss - often the last couple months; (2) it has proven to be an effective treatment for depression; (3) when they do it nowadays they use a much lower charge so the memory loss is less (often just the day preceding the procedure); (4) some members of our community have gotten ECT so would just suggest that everybody tread lightly on the subject.

I think he was ambivalent about it

He was ambivalent in the sense that it's not getting him what he primarily wants, but he's choosing to do what's better for her. Which may include leaving her before she leaves him? I'm glad we didn't get his answer at the bar. It remains to be seen if that long walk is foreshadowing of what will happen, or just what he's expecting to happen.

Thanks, David -- I was meaning to make some of those points about ECT.

I hope it's been clear that what we're discussing is ECT as it was practiced in 1966. Psychiatric care in general has come a very long way in the past half-century.

Which may include leaving her before she leaves him?

Right? That's the Hobo Code.

However, Peggy has also been set up to be Anna's replacement in his life. The one person who does know him and accepts him and doesn't believe he's rotten at the core. And Anna was the one person who made him feel most at ease - a woman as a friend instead of a lover, co-worker or wife.

All of those roles are extremely conflicted for Don. But being friends with a woman is a safe haven if he can have it. He could have been friends with Dr. Faye, I think. And Rachel. He had some of that with Midge. But they were all lovers instead and that's not a relationship that endures with him.

So, the most hopeful thing for Don would be to have a friendship with Peggy.

I hope it's been clear that what we're discussing is ECT as it was practiced in 1966. Psychiatric care in general has come a very long way in the past half-century.

I am also sorry if my personal anecdote was troubling. I was referring to ECT as practiced in about 1954.