He was good in Charlie Wilson's War playing a CIA officer opposite Philip Seymour Hoffman. He may have been smoking in his scene, too.

There has never been a show quite like Mad Men. Of course, there have been popular television shows set in a given historical time period (the Waltons in Depression era America and M*A*S*H during the Korean War come readily to mind) that are memorable but they didn't create characters who developed and changed as…

Thomas R you are right. It is the Circle Game. Thank you for that correction. I'm going see if I can correct my mistake.

Hi Sunny. I have enjoyed reading your comments. You offer many worthwhile insights.

Whose story is this? Who is the main character in Mad Men?

I think the last song was "Everyday" by Buddy Holly

Big Rock Candy Mountain by Harry McClintock

You're right. He's also very much an idealist. That's the advertising man in him.

It may appear to Jim Hobart to be a con, but I’m not so sure. It appears more like Hobart had an ideal in mind that didn’t match the reality. Obsession without reasonableness rarely turns out well.

Seems coincidental that this episode, which gives us Betty’s diagnosis, was broadcast on Mother’s day. It makes me wonder if the writer’s will bring back Don’s niece, Stephanie, who the last time we saw her, was pregnant and by now has probably delivered her baby. The new life would be an appropriate contrast to…

Good insight. Like father like daughter. Don tells her in the previous episode that Sally has both her father and her mother in her. But your observation makes me realize she is more like her father.

@sunny. Good points. May I also add to your comment that he made an effort to help Anna Draper. He felt an obligation to help her for taking her husband's identity. Don has his faults but he has made an effort to redeem himself.

@ppelicious. 70 percent hit, but that was also a time when credit card interest rates could be deducted and trust funds could limit the tax bite.. Either way, she needs a good accountant. Maybe her new beau, who is evidently a successful businessman, could recommend one to her.

It was a very cool scene. Along with her on roller skates.

Anyone else find Don’s decision to pick up the hitchhiker ominous?

pity petty pryce

There are enough surreal moments in each season of Mad Men that I can’t help but think that Don Draper is imagining most of what we have seen. It is still unclear though whether or not he is dead or in the process of dying. I realize that “it was all a dream” is a story contrivance that is repellent to most viewers,…

All of the characters in Mad Men are deeply flawed. This episode underscores the one flaw they have in common: selfishness. Never liked Peggy Olsen. She is naïve, insecure arrogant and selfish, and in this episode delusional.

Jacks - you are probably right. Well, so much for my prognostication. What you wrote certainly makes this outcome less of a possibility. Until next time.

SPOILER ALERT. Do not read if you are not interested in how the series might conclude.