Fat jerk Herb from New Jersey was so Tony Soprano (self-described as a "fat crook from New Jersey") minus the mob ties. And Don's "self immolation" (as Roger put it) reminded me of Tony Soprano's self-immolation dream in "Funhouse".

Seems mentions of rape have arisen a lot: Peggy's mom told her that's what would happen if she moved to the city; Faye piled on at the Christmas party that opened season 4 by saying the next step after passing Medicare would be "burning our houses and raping our wives". But the REAL rape (of Joan) gets repressed.

More doors (portals):
- TV
- mood-altering substances (booze, drugs food)
- sex
- hospitals (in s4.e2, the nurse tells Don people are born there and die there; everything happens there)

Agreed.

I don't get Joan's marrying her rapist.

Betty and Henry weren't the only characters trying, unsuccessfully, to spice things up.

Sorry I joined this party late; seems I missed out on some informative, stimulating interaction about the show.

Rewatched it last night.  I liked Peggy's copywriter's realistic (not over the top) New Yawk accent, as well.

There's that word again.

Don certainly gave it rough to Bobbie. Maybe that's how he and Betty related when they were younger?

Righto, chap.

Several more Bond references that haunt me, based on "The Doorway" episode:

Now, Dinkins is in the Drapers' carousel and Don's in the Dinkins'.  I think those seemingly minor details will come back to haunt Don.

RE: "Wasn't the M2 also the 50 caliber machine gun the groom was talking to Don about at the bar?  What's the connection there, or is Weiner just throwing out as much imagery and references as possible and seeing what sticks?"

Yes. And Dow and Monsanto produced Agent Orange. I look forward to seeing how MM handles napalm/Agent Orange. We know one or both issues will come up, given such precedents as:

Fantastic article.  Thank you for pointing it out.

Also telling was her reaction to Stan's comment that Ted likes her.

Moreover, as much as Peggy's channeling Don, it wouldn't be farfetched for her to step out on Abe.

I loved it that Abe brought Peggy dinner and hung out at her office while she worked, and happily kept himself occupied rather than clamoring to compete for her attention, while she worked.

Somehow, I think Don's sending back that lighter (which will have a SCDP return address and will be traceable back to Don, despite the absence of a note), being in Dinkins' wedding photos, and Dinkins' seeing active duty in 'Nam will come back to haunt Don in some way.