With the agency going rogue, does Draper's 3-year contract with SC become null and void? I wonder if that'll somehow tie into the next season. I think they are going to throw us next season, and this could be one of the ways they scatter Don's character from SC a bit.

Just a thought.

I thought Lane did that when he fired Cooper, Draper and Sterling.  In the real world, I'd expect someone to get their @ss sued and plenty quick by either PPL or McCann Erickson.

Don, Roger and Bert were all "fired" by Pryce. I believe the non-compete clause only goes into effect if they were to quit.
This may likely throw a permanent monkey wrench into the sale of PPL, and what's left of SC.
PPL may then view SC as a liability, dump it, and SCD&P could buy it back for pennies on the dollar!

They wouldn't have asked to be fired if they were still tied to those non-compete clauses.

PP&L underestimated Lane.  As we saw in the end of the last episode, the new firm is already up and running.

That Brit from the nanny kept saying Lane's best quality was his loyalty.  Well, Happy Christmas to him, as Lane said.

I always knew that Lane was one of the good guys. I seriously got goosebumps when he fired them. That was such an awesome move. I guess, in general, I'm just wondering how things will work out with the new agency. I wonder who will truly contribute and commit to it. I am sure there are going to be rough spots that may cause conflict.

I am also wondering what will happen to the stragglers like Kinsey and Jane. Well, in any case, there are some great cliffhangers here. I can't wait for next season!

I'll bet all the faces we saw in SC will be "hired" back, even some of the secretaries as the new agency inevitably flourishes.  They'll hire Sal of course. That's why I never thought it was that "eventful" of a finale.

Do you think they would re-hire Sal if Lucky Strike goes with the new agency? Doubt it. It'll be interesting to see where the accounts fall, who remains loyal, etc.

Maybe Lee Garner Jr. will get mowed down by a tobacco combine.

I think Don will hire back his same creative team.  Paul was obviously pissed when he saw they left.  He could be had for really cheap. 

I'm thinking that Peggy will be his boss though.  And probably Kurt and Smitty's.  If Don wants them, they will be hired.

I don't think Sal will be back.  I am dying for them to revisit that storyline, but as soon as Cooper said "Lucky Strike" I was like, 'no more Sal.'

I also don't think Cosgrove will be back.  Pete doesn't like him.  That's big.  Too much of a rivalry there.  Cosgrove is thought highly of by all those number crunchers so he may be a good fit for McCann.

It would be kind of nice if that little British puke were hired to work under Joan...Mr. Hooker could be like the new waterboy or something.

I think MW will find a place for Sal, but it may be in another entity, like in a rival agency or in his own creative company doing the art for different agencies.  I can't see them getting rid of him for good.  He has too many fans.  MW has to look at that aspect of keeping his show on the air.

Some of the others may have gotten their pink slip though.  Keeping everyone in one big happy family would be too pat and unrealistic.

Sal is back, guaranteed.

Good suggestion for it, haensgen.

I think Sal is coming back, too. They invested too much in his story for it all to end right when he finally gave in to his urges. What about the relationship with his wife? What about how other employees react to him knowing he's gay? What about issues with clients working with a gay man? There's too much fodder there for them to give up on him.