@avclub-84ca205fe6bc691c41c3bfe5a2820a15:disqus  "Do you think it leads people to buy things that don't actually improve their lives?"

My guess is the new guy is coming to replace Pete. (We've seen him
before, as part of a rival agency pursuing Chevy, but his role wasn't
defined.) He could conceivably be replacing Don or Ted, but we're led to
believe Peggy is at least being groomed for Don's job, and there was a
line about Chaough overseeing her work…

"I guess we should assume that even though he's been portrayed as being
as on top of things as past years, Don's work has been declining all
season?"

Roger has no idea Benson is (maybe) gay. Even after seeing him in that apron.

@facebook-1789012451:disqus  That is an excellent point. I hate advertising (see immediately below) but I would hate even more for the show to be overtly preachy about it. (God, imagine a 'Mad Men' episode penned by Aaron Sorkin.) I read the attitude toward the business as generally negative, but certainly open to…

The abandoned child of Pete Campbell is here to see you.

Drugged? No, he fixed them.

In retrospect it seems to me the grim overtones were foreshadowing the "death" of the Don Draper persona, who was killed by his partners, descended into hell and came face-to-face with the Dark One himself, Duck Phillips.

Pathetic.

That is possible. They did allow Freddie Rumsen back on a freelance basis after setting him adrift on a "leave of absence," and Don on his game is significantly more valuable than Freddie.

I couldn't help but imagine Bobby in that scene, as he looked up at Don/Dick, thinking "So we ARE negroes."

@avclub-84ca205fe6bc691c41c3bfe5a2820a15:disqus  I think we see what we want to see. I despise advertising, so my reading of the show's depiction of the business is basically negative. Really, the fundamental premise of the series is that the "American Dream" as personified and sold by Don Draper is an empty facade…

I think every one of those affairs has been consequential to either the plot or Don's character.

He also knows from his experience with Don that, if the other partners feel Benson brings value to the firm – which they clearly do – they do not care about his past. It would only make Pete look like a petty child running to the teacher.

If nothing else Ginsburg wins best dressed.

Tonight on Mad Men: As usual, nothing happens.

Of course the answer to the question "What did you see when you died?" is Duck Phillips.

He did execute the pitch to land Chevy. We just didn't see it.

@avclub-d116ae13554d47530ed800aef8ed5755:disqus  "Carole King can do no wrong."

Who said that?