Episode Summary: Don Draper is anxious about the meeting with the American Cancer Society, but Faye Miller finds that his past may be the cause of his unease. Faye offers to be with him as he goes through resolving the issues that are deeply rooted in his past. At the office, the reduction in staff has relegated Joan Harris to pushing the mail cart. In arriving at Lane Pryce’s office to deliver his mail, she ironically receives news that the partners have decided to promote her to Director of Agency Operations. However, given their dire financial troubles, her promotion does not come along with an increase in compensation.Continue reading...
Don with Pete Campbell meets with an intimidating panel to discuss the ad campaign the American Cancer Society plans on launching that is meant to spread awareness on lung cancer. They are curious as to the impetus that led to Don writing the “Why I’m Quitting Tobacco” letter that he posted as an ad on The New York Times. Don truthfully answers that he simply acted on impulse, but adds that the letter was a result of him knowing what he needed to do to move forward. The problem the group has is finding the right campaign that would make an impact knowing that what they have set on is quite a challenge for they themselves who are knowledgeable about the disease have not quit smoking. Don, having worked on a major tobacco company’s ad campaigns, believes that the campaign would only be effective if targeted towards those who have not yet picked up smoking. In fact, he is very much aware that even tobacco companies have trouble getting smokers to switch brands, and because of this, they have built their campaigns towards a goal of getting people to pick up smoking. Don proposes that they target teenagers, the same way tobacco companies have with promises of adulthood and rebellion. He, however, believes that teenagers are sentimental, and proposed that they run a series of ads on TV shows such as Bandstand that sends a message to teenagers about their own mortality.
The board responded with silence at his presentation, but Pete believes that Don has charmed the group enough for them to schedule for another meeting. Moreover, they were thrilled to confirm that the board did include bigwigs from major companies such as the CEO of Dow Chemical. Knowing that Ken Cosgrove’s soon-to-be father-in-law is an executive at Corning, a company that has gone through a joint venture with Dow Chemical forming the multinational corporation Dow Corning, Pete proposes that Ken spend the weekend with his father-in-law and Everett Marlowe of Dow Chemical. Ken refuses to involve his future father-in-law in his business not wanting work to come between them. This upsets Pete who saw a perfect opportunity to acquire a new major client to their stagnating agency, and who unlike Ken has used his father-in-law to advance his career. Ken’s reluctance, however, does not stop Roger Sterling from contacting Ken’s future father-in-law and has warned that he will be dropping his name in their conversation. Ken is not against Roger’s plan; he simply does not want to be personally involved in it.
The Francis’ are preparing for their imminent move, one that will take place that week, while the kids are with Don in California. Glen Bishop drops by to see Sally Draper seeing that Betty Francis is not in the house. Carla was reluctant to allow this meeting at first, but hearing that the boy had wanted to bid the young girl farewell, she felt compelled to do so. Glen and Sally hug and say goodbye to each other. Glen then leaves soon after, but regrettably comes face-to-face with a furious Betty livid at learning that Carla had let the boy see Sally. Betty then turns on Carla who claimed full responsibility for the boy being at the house for the housekeeper saw no harm in the kids bidding each other adieu. Learning that Carla had allowed for Glen and Sally to be alone in the young girl’s room added to her fury that Betty terminates Carla’s employment right there and then, while hurling insults to the woman who for so many years had taken care of her children. To add insult to injury, Betty goes so far to prevent Carla from saying goodbye to the children. Betty gives Don a call to inform him that she had to let Carla go. Her decision has come in the most inopportune time for Carla was to go with them to California. However, in spite of this, Don is adamant that the planned vacation with his children push through. He puts Megan Calvet on the task to arrange for babysitting services in California, but the options are unappealing. Desperate, Don offers Megan double what she is making in a week if she would agree to come with him to California to babysit his children. The woman confesses that she has no professional experience in taking care of children, but Don is not worried knowing that Sally loves her, and Bobby likes anyone with a pretty face, while the baby is tough but fun. Learning that Megan has a friend living in California, Don offers to foot the bill when she goes for a night out with her friend. The offer was too good to pass up that Megan accepts.
Short in staff, Joyce along with a friend waltzes to Peggy Olson’s office. Joyce’s friend caught Harry Crane’s eyes the moment the young woman passed his office consequently causing Harry to impose himself in Peggy’s office where the women have dropped by to chat. Joyce’s friend turns out to be Carolyn Jones, a pantyhose model, before learning a few hours ago that the company has no longer any need of her services, and is now looking for work to make the rent. Carolyn was modeling for Topaz when the hosiery company suddenly decided to fire her employer and her as well. Learning of this, Peggy informs Ken who gives Art Garten at Topaz Pantyhose a call, and impresses the man at his knowledge of the company firing Dupre. Sterling Cooper Draper Pryce easily snagged the account since Topaz already bought placement for the campaign, and is in urgent need of an agency to pick up the pieces Dupre left.
The Drapers arrive in California, and the kids could not wait to get in the pool. Don having gone in meetings all day returns to their hotel room to find Megan, Sally and Bobby singing in French, the lullaby they sang to put Gene to sleep. Don is impressed and quite pleased with his children and Megan whom he learns have four nieces and six nephews. The next day, Don leaves Gene to Megan, while he and his two kids pay a visit to the house he bought for Anna that he now is selling. Bobby notices the painting on the wall Don and Anna painted and signed. This piques Sally’s curiosity for Don has signed his name as Dick, but after some self-conscious pause Don manages to acknowledge that Dick is a nickname he sometimes uses. Alone with Stephanie who has received the Drapers, the young woman hands Don something Anna had wanted him to have. It was the engagement ring the real Don Draper gave Anna. The remembrance of having lost his best friend put Don in a sullen mood, but after a few moments alone with himself, Don decides to join Megan and his kids at the pool, and he spiritedly plays with his children. Later that night, Megan all dressed up for a night in the town drops by Don and the children’s room with her friend Camille interrupting the family as they arrange the itinerary for their trip to Disneyland the next day.
Betty has moved in at Henry’s mansion at Rye, and has come home to an incensed husband after learning that the woman fired the housekeeper who has served them for many years. Carla has called to ask for a letter of recommendation, one that Betty has refused to provide in spite of all the good work she has done for the Drapers. Henry becomes even more riled at Betty after learning that she had fired the nanny who took care of her children since they were born for such a petty reason as her letting Glen inside the house. He finds Betty to be a confused woman for not wanting to leave Ossining to give kids stability, but then impulsively fires the woman her children knew all their lives. Betty angrily asks her husband to take her side only to hear from him that no one’s ever on her side. She returns to her house in Ossining, and sleeps on her young daughter’s bed.
Don hears Megan enter her room, and makes excuses to have her invite him. He asks about her night out with her friend, and learns that she did not really have a good time. Moreover, Megan does not actually regard Camille as a close friend, but rather an acquaintance she had shared a room with back in college. In addition, she believes the young woman was infatuated with her father who is a professor at the university. Megan going out with Camille perplexed Don, and the young woman is unsure of her motives as well especially since the young woman who has chosen acting as a career had insulted Megan telling her that she has no future as an actress because of her teeth. Megan maintains that she has no dreams of being an actor anyway. Don then informs Megan that he likes her teeth, and the two passionately kiss on the balcony of Megan’s hotel room before moving in to the bedroom. As they lay naked on the bed, Don asks Megan if she had thought of the two of them ending up in bed when he first asked her to come with him to California; Megan confesses that it was the first thought that went through her head. Don plans a late dinner at Megan’s room after their long day at Disneyland.
Ken and Peggy meet with the men at Topaz Pantyhose who have come to work on a holiday underscoring the seriousness of their predicament. Art informs the two that Topaz is a tiny company in need of an ad that would get people’s attention. Peggy claims that she is currently wearing a Topaz pantyhose, and asserts that she can wear the pantyhose with anything. Moreover, she does not even have to change into another one if she is going on a night out after having worn it all day at work. This, however, concerns the other executive at Topaz since this means that a woman would only buy one pair. This gives Peggy with an idea of a slogan that says “Topaz. The only pair of pantyhose you’ll ever need. Bad for business. Good for you.” This pleased Art who liked the idea that highlighted the quality of their product, and asks for more ideas from Peggy. She goes on with a recommendation to show the pantyhose worn on different outfits with copy that says “Single pair, singular comfort.”
Don arrives at the restaurant to find his family happily sitting at a booth with Megan. Their lively conversation turns sour when Bobby and Sally begin arguing, and becomes worse when Sally knocks over her milkshake. Megan notices that the children have become terrified at having caused the mess, but the young woman assures them that it is not a big deal. This surprised the children and Don for they are more accustomed to receive anger even with simple mishaps such as this. Don returns to New York where he continues his relationship with Megan. He sits on his bed beside Megan who had just woken up, and tells her that she had made him feel the man he had always wanted to be. Don then tells Megan that he is in love with her, and that he may always have been. He pulls out Anna’s engagement ring, and proposes to Megan. Megan is in disbelief, but accepts Don’s marriage proposal. She immediately calls her mother to deliver the good news.
Don returns to the office and calls in the partners including Joan to announce that he and Megan are getting married. This shocked everyone who knew nothing of their relationship, but all are happy for the both of them. Peggy and Ken who have come to deliver some good news of their own are surprised to learn that Don and Megan are getting married, but after the initial shock do share their best wishes to the couple. After the customary greetings, Peggy announces that she and Ken have signed Topaz Pantyhose, an account worth a quarter of a million dollars. This delighted Don who knows very well that the agency has been in a dry spell. Still shocked at the news of Don remarrying, Peggy asks for a moment with Don, but her boss who has become her friend appreciates her concern and assures her that he has made the right decision. Soon Don is reminded that the biggest obstacle is not in announcing his engagement to his colleagues, but in breaking the news to his girlfriend, Faye who has not stopped calling, and is ignorant of the news of Don’s engagement. Don finally sums up the courage to return Faye’s calls, and the woman soon learns that Don, in a span of a few days, has fallen in love with another woman so much so that he is now engaged to her.
Peggy managed to put on a smile in spite of the disturbing news about Don’s engagement to his current secretary. However, the young copywriter remains in an irritated disbelief at the announcement so much so that she speaks privately with Joan who shares the same annoyance as she is. Joan adds that Don would most likely make Megan a copywriter to avoid the awkwardness of having his wife as his secretary. To add to Peggy’s aggravation, Don’s engagement overshadowed her achievement of signing the very first account since Lucky Strike left their agency. Joan shares her own sad story of having been promoted to Director of Agency Operations, one that was made without fanfare, and much worse made while she has assumed the task of pushing the mail cart. Later, Joan tells Greg over the phone the incredulous story of Don’s engagement with his secretary, but she herself has news to tell, one that Greg is ecstatic about; Joan is having a child.
Don arrives at his old house expecting to find the real estate agent, Mrs. Truxton, but finds Betty instead. She returned to the house after forgetting to clean out the cabinets in the guest bath, and learned that Don kept a bottle of hard liquor at the back of one of the kitchen cabinets; this brought a smile to her face. Betty finds herself confiding to her ex-husband about her current troubles only to learn that Don is recently engaged to his secretary, the young woman who watched the kids in California. It disheartened Betty to learn that Don is happy while she is having marital issues, but she managed to congratulate her ex-husband nonetheless. Betty takes the last of her belongings and hands in the key to the house she and Don had lived in for several years.
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