Anyone want to guess what happens to Sal?  Here's two thoughts:

1) Although he was not contacted by Duck, Sal winds up working at Gray.

2) Sal never comes out of the closet, moves to a remote western state, is drawn into politics, elected to the Senate, and busted for disorderly conduct in a men's room in a major metropolitan airport men's room in 30 years.

Seriously though, I hope his character is not gone.  I was more than a little disappointed with Don's response to the whole incident - no severance, no nothing, just "I'm sure you can see this is for the best - good luck!"  It is a mark of how far employment law has caught up with these kinds of issues since 1963 - Sal could not have been discarded in an offhand manner today.

True that last part. It's easy to get caught up in nostalgia on this show, but the handling of Sal shows the truly ugly side of some things back then. That's why I love Mad Men - they make no apologies. It seems pretty true to its time and simply tells the story against that backdrop.

We can't lose Sal. We need him. I think things will turn around for him.

I feel bad for Sal, as well.  And remember, he did nothing wrong.  Don's take on it was that he should have whored himself out for a 25M client. 

If I were Don, I'd blackmail the client.  Sal is too good to just let go like that, but this could be an opportunity for Peggy, depending on how she and the young-ins play the shake-up.

I think the threat of outing Jr. to his dad (and maybe stockholders) may be Sals only recourse here. But I don't think that's in his character.
So sad to see him phoning his wife to say he's working late, from what looked like a gay cruising area in a park.

I just realized that they cast Sal's difficulties against the civil rights struggle that dominated the "real news" the characters listened to.  The show spanned a few weeks - from King's March on Washington on August 28th to the Birmingham church bombing on September 15th.

Even more so, Don's response to King's "I have a dream speech" (he is about to change the station when Sally's teacher stops him) to his disgusted "you people..." to Sal is dismissive in both cases.

Not to mention Betty commenting to Carla, "I don't think now is the right time for this." Meaning equal civil rights. I realise Carla probably really needs the job, but I don't know how she holds her tongue in reaction to moronic lines like that.
The civil rights act is signed in 1964, but Stonewall for Sal won't happen until 1969.

I think Betty’s comments on delaying civil rights was designed to put her foot firmly on Carla’s neck with a “I know you know, don’t think about saying or doing anything, I am still in charge.”  That was a follow up comment to her correcting Bobby’s manners “you can’t talk to Carla that way, she works for me.” Another I’m in charge comment. 

I’m sure what was going through Carla’s mind after she show Frank the way out was “holy s#*t, this is going to jeopardize my job working for that nutbar.  It’ just a matter of time before it blows up and I’ll be asked to cover for her.”

i thought that the Don Draper character was a better "man" that this. 

his dismissal of Sal and the sarcastic comment "you people" is beneath comtempt....now or in 1963.

the firing scene just shows what a variable-principleed whore DD really is.  he is loyal to NOBODY but himself.

...and in terms of the show, completely consistent in his treatment of his family, clients, and women.



I agree with mneely but think it could come not from Sal, but rather Don. Considering the way he was forced to sign the contract and with Roger is becoming increasingly aggressive, it is possible that Don may use whatever means necessary to keep this account and in the process maintain his foothold in S&C.

I'm not at all sure that B. understands Carla's point of view, or means to put her down.  She wouldn't realize that her words have any impact on Carla- remember, she grew up a rich, blond, blue eyed princess.  Pretty much the ideal American Girl back then. She doesn't need to show that she's above Carla, she just is, it's a given for her.  Same with DD saying "you people".  B and D are who they are, the best thing about this shoe is the mighty clash between the old way and new!

I have never really liked Sal's character.  He's not funny, he's not assertive...very boring.

I think Sal's character is interesting and very well played. But you can be lulled into thinking he's sort of a hero through politically correct thinking. It was crappy what happened to him, but how he responded was quite odious. Cheating on his wife and having promiscuous sex, the same thing that earns Don scorn. Not to mention that he's lying to her about being canned. Bad is bad, even if you're gay.

I understand that he has his secret, but you will recall that SC already has an open homosexual working for it. Granted Sal's from a different generation. At the very least Sal should divorce his wife even if he has to keep the whole truth from her.

Sal WAS in the cruising area, but I think it's out of character for him. He not only doesn't want to hurt Kitty, he's got that Italian mama to protect. He's never initiated any gay contact, just got caught up in the excitement with the bellhop. Lee Jr. was, as he said, "...a bully."

Do you suppose he might be in the park with his 8mm camera, watching for Lee Jr. to show up?