Somehow, I had the impression Joan and Kate (who grew up together) were originally from the Midwest. Whatever statement (in "To Have and to Hold") gave me that impression, I remember thinking: maybe that's why Joan and Don relate to each other so well.

@ricin beans: RE: "Christina Hendricks is lovely, she's not nearly as hot as Joan. Much like how Jon Hamm is a very handsome dude, but will never be as attractive as Don Draper."

Interesting! Somehow, I doubt that's intentional. Nonetheless, I'll bite, and raise you three:

True.  And I loved the final view of Peggy and Joan near the elevator:  after Peggy walks away, we see Joan from a distance, with that huge bag (large and square like a briefcase, white as in surrender the purse). The verbal symbolism:  Joan let Peggy leave her "holding the bag".

NOT irie, mon. Some say ganja - like cola or a little black dress - goes with everything.

Stan: "I can't watch this."

Speaking of "dry heave": Anyone notice Don's hand to mouth during the Carnation meeting, after he had tried some of the Carnation Instant Breakfast? I rolled.

Anyone else reminded by Ginsberg's patterned shirt of Benson's patterned shorts? 
…They're both green and childlike in some ways (but Ginsberg wears that literally, on his sleeve, while Benson's is below the surface, and shows mostly with people he's comfortable with, outside of work
…They're truly friends, those…

William Bones: RE: "It hurt so much I learned a valuable lesson:  Don't riot and throw things like a jackass. Not over basketball. If you want to riot and throw things like a jackass, it have better be over a violation of your constitutional rights, or something… something worth being beaten by threatened, outnumbered…

@ taalibba - This.  And what kind of Chevy would Don and Roger want Harry to rent: a long, modern boat shaped like those which middle-aged and older squares like Don and Roger drive at home.

I couldn't tell for sure what combination of the following Joan was doing:
…She was near tears
…She could find no "voice" with which to defend herself
…She was doing a rope-a-dope / sales negotiation / Sun Tzu tactic: giving the "stage" to "that idiot"/"poor player" Pete to strut and fret, full of sound and fury, so he…

@avclub-a93a879594c13c12a83fd45ab289a022:disqus

If I worked there, I'd have begun polishing my resume at that very moment.

Sounds awfully fishy, given the effective removal of Don - the firm's former creative draw (in a way Ted didn't measure up to, despite his efforts to be margarine to Don's butter, at CGC). But Don doesn't like contracts, and he doesn't like commitments, so I don't think he's wired to worry about the very things those…

"Hash" alters perception, but it doesn't make one outright hallucinate. I think - as others and I have posted earlier - Don's drink and/or the hash were spiked with something stronger. That had to be the case for Don to even have entered the pool, fully dressed, and to have been unable to swim if he fell in (unless…

And Cutler lost Roger's dog.

I don't think Harry or Peggy knew Joan had slept with Herb. I think Harry was referring to Joan's relationship with Roger (and maybe earlier with Paul).

It was the recording of Frank Bettger's 1952 book, "How I Raised Myself from Failure to Success in Selling" (Prentice Hall Trade. ISBN 0133994023).

And what the heck happened to Phyllis? Last I heard of her, Peggy was saying, "As long as I get to keep Phyllis."

You're no longer fully satisfied, but are committed to seeing it through to the end. "IN LIFE WE OFTEN HAVE TO DO THINGS THAT JUST ARE NOT OUR BAG"