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.

I (hope) think the series will end with Don living in California. Maybe working in TV, maybe just hanging out on the beach. It's where he is always freest. Megan could be there....or not.

Same here. I am not sure if any of my comments offended. I apologize if so. Not intending to offend. I too was referring to '50s and '60s ECT not present.

Oh, I certainly wasn't offended by anyone! But I do think it's interesting that it does work for some people (now and then) -- I mean, I guess that's why they kept doing it in the first place -- because it just sounds so bad.

Megan could be there....or not.

I just don't think there's any way after that shot of Don walking away from her commercial. That's kind of like the end scene of The Searchers where Ethan's character is framed in the doorway and then he walks away. The visual in that shot (and composition/framing/blocking is often The Truth on this show) is that Don is leaving her. And the ambiguity of that last scene in the bar underscores that.

Did everybody recognize that the movie Don and Peggy were watching was Casino Royale? And that the last song was the theme from You Only Live Twice, a different Bond film? Two different James Bonds, two completely different takes on that character, one of them a sendup of that idealized notion of masculinity.