"These opening credits are pretty much universally accepted as being the greatest on television, right? Are there even any others?"

Sorry, the most universally accepted as being the greatest on TV is Dexter!! Of course that is Showtime, so I'll give Mad Men the award for broadcast TV.

BEST. EPISODE. EVER.

Interesting role reversal- Bettie assertive and in command, Don in in the position of weakness.

You totally hit the point about Roger. His conversation with Joan and his "you're not the one" scene aren't juxtaposed by accident.

Also, interesting contract with Don's two entrances- when he enters Ms. Farrell's house, the lights are on, but no one's home (literally and likely figuratively). When he stops home to pack for his rendezvous, the lights are off but it turns out everyone is home.

Again, best episode ever. Can't wait for the final two!

I read your column and you've got it down! There was one statement that Don made that I found really important - I don't think you mentioned it. Perhaps it wasn't as important as I thought. While he was on the phone the "morning after" with the school teacher, she asked, are you okay? Don replied by saying - "Only you would ask about me at a time like this." For some reason I thought that was most profound. Do you or do you think I read more into it?

I love the show. I mean it - it is the best!

Loula your recaps are always worth the wait! You're not the only one who underestimated Betty. I thought for sure she was going to let this ride and simmer in bitterness and resentment but noooo she thought about what was at stake (after all she does live well)and realized she had the upper hand.

I didn't realize I was holding my breath from the time Don came to what he thought was an empty house till I exhaled on the commercial break. I agree his performance is Emmy worthy (not that I watch award shows)but I was a believer in everything I watched on that episode.

You asked what does this mean for the Draper household? I think business as usual. I mean how does Betty knowing his history change how they live? It's not going to put an end to his adultery because he's attracted to a different kind of woman. He'll probably still keep the money and box in the drawer...why change?

I love the chemistry between Roger and Joan and hope with the changes at S-C we get to see more of it. Joan knocked the shit out of what's his name didn't she? Ha....

Loula, your really are so awesome at recapping this show. You point out so many of the nuances that I miss - and to me this show is all about subtle awesomeness. This episode though? Not so subtle (and in a good way - unlike the silly riding mower incident).

I just wanted to add that when episodes are short on Joan and Roger, I really miss them. When episodes are short on Pete and Peggy, I don't miss them so much. I do like those characters, but I think they add more as side characters than they do with main storylines, Just IMHO.

Joan cracking that ahole over the head was one of the best moments ever!

First of all – When I watched this episode I knew you were going to love it. When Raperhubs said he joined the Army I said out loud to my empty room “Loula called it!” And I want to thank you for the photo captioned “Arooooo” because Jon Hamm looks so amazing in that photo that I can now understand why all these women get the vapors over him. Purrrrrr.

That scene of Joan and Roger on the phone should be used in acting classes – the timing and delivery of every single line was so pitch perfect. Gosh I love this show!

Thank you thank you thank you for that New York Magazine link – I just might make that gif of Joan clocking Raperhubs my new avatar in the forums.

When Don told Betty about Adam – you weren’t the only one sobbing. Man that was heartbreaking to watch. By the way, the entire time Don was in the house with Betty - I kept expecting Miss Farrell to barge in and ask him what’s taking so long, it added such a layer of suspense for me – did anyone else feel that way?

“It occurs to me, and probably to you too, that when he told Annabel she wasn't "the one," he didn't really specify that Jane was.” I had the EXACT same thought and mentioned that in our forums discussion. Joan and Roger were so clearly meant to be together.

I’m not thrilled that you like Miss Farrell now – cuz I still don’t, at all. And I would not be remotely sad if she lost her job for sleeping with the father of one of her students. The married father. I hate that Don didn’t cut it off with her for good. After that whole thing with Betty and Betty was STILL there in the morning, he should thank his lucky stars and stop Dicking (pun intended) around with other women.

Great recap Loula – I’m so sad this season is almost over. I’m not sure what I’ll miss more – the show or your recaps of the show.

Yay, thanks! Re: Miss Farrell, that last conversation just seemed so sad. I guess it was mostly that she wasn't bitter or angry, she was just genuinely scared for her job, because she loves it so much and she knew she'd put that in danger by falling under his dreamy spell. She still may make trouble, and I don't like that her brother is running around with Don's card, but it was the first time I felt sorry for her.

Tinkerbell, that tension was perfect. It was very much like their whole marriage - Don's infidelity was always hanging there, ready to come knocking on the door at any moment. That whole scene, or collection of scenes, was so amazing, I pretty much ended up quoting it word for word.

(And I also said "I called it!" out loud when he told Joan about the Army ;)

I'd like to think that Betty would gain a little respect for him after this and maybe have more of a real partnership - like it could be more of a marriage than it was before. Surely that was the first time she ever saw him cry, you know? And the first time she knew how much he'd really given up/carried around, for his persona, yes, but also largely for her. But I also think it's possible that she'll go a little power-mad with the upper hand she's never really had, and she won't be able to let it go, and maybe she'll even *lose* respect for him, because she thought she married a "football star who hated his dad" but really just a poor kid who took someone else's life. You know? With her character it could go either way, but I did like the way she just waited for him downstairs the next day like it was any other day, and made a point of going out into the neighborhood all together as a family.

Fantastic episode!

Okay, clearly Don's coming clean about his past was a revelation for Betty regarding who Don is but I still don't see how their marriage is going to have any significant changes. I loved the long soulful look they gave each other the morning after in the kitchen his hand cupping the side of her head with tenderness. All I saw was a married couple who survived a secret that could have torn other couples apart. His tie matched her dress and they just looked so "together".

For what it's worth I see their marriage as partnership defined by the times. He works. She takes care of home & kids. Their issues as a couple weren't so much about his secret past than it is about his adulterous ways which kept him out of the house. Yes they are committed to each other more so now than ever over their little secret but Don's not done tomcatting (did I just say that?) and Betty's seen just how much she actually means to him. I say stay tuned...the best is yet to come.

Regarding Miss Farrell, I have to admit it was painful to see her getting out of Don's car probably hours later and leaving with her suitcase. That's the walk of shame like I've never seen before. I still think she has an edge to her that only means trouble if Don picks up with her again but the girl is astute and knew better than to go to his door. I for one was waiting for the doorbell to ring while Don was baring his soul to Betty and thankful when it didn't.