Wow! I was expecting Don to meet a woman in L.A. but not one who comes with an entourage! I am curious to know what other people think Joy's group is involved in?

Also is Don planning on returning home, and why is he reverting back to Dick Whitman (his real name)???

This may have been the best episode yet.

Sterling Cooper is in trouble with Roger's affair. I also had not seen the dark-side of Duck as he is now attempting to swindle the company through outside business deals.

Peggy's new hair cut looked good. I liked how the Euro guy cut it. It will be interesting in seeing Peggy continue to climb the ladder.

Finally, what will Betty find in Don's suitcase? Recall, it arrived at the Draper residence at the end of the episode while Don remained M.I.A. on an escapade in California.

Joy's group appears to be an "idle rich" situation.  They move from place to place (next move: the Bahamas) because they are in a self-imposed "tax exile"; if they spend less than 3 or 4 months per year in the United States, they aren't obligated to pay taxes.  As long as they keep moving around, they can avoid paying any taxes, at all.  It is a group that comes from old money, and works hard to protect it.

Don had a contact in California that knows him by his old name, that's all.  I don't think he's reverting.  But this contact knows him very well. They asked if Betty was with him, which means this person knows both sides of the Dick/Don story.  Very intriguing.

I don't think Duck is swindling the company, he is pulling a power-move, which he was forced into playing by Sterling.  Duck won't make partner at SC, and his old firm isn't hiring, so he's trying to leverage himself a little.  A very smart man, maybe he only gets very competitive (the "Duck they heard about") when he's been drinking.

I'd like to see Peggy developed as a little more forceful, but I'm sure we'll see that as time goes on.  In a way, the series is really following Peggy's career, not Don's, though Don is the central character.

Did anyone catch the gal that looked just like Betty at the bar in California?  Was there no answer at the Draper residence, because that WAS Betty in California? 

I don't think there would be anything bad in the suitcase, Don only had things from the hotel in it.  I think the important detail was that no one answered the door there.

I really enjoy reading your responses Peter, you have some good and intelligent thoughts.

I did not catch the question on Betty's presence in Don's phone call conversation. This makes me really wonder who it could be? Don has a history to leaving. Does anyone think he might have had a life in California before? Maybe a family? a job? that one day he just stopped, packed up and disappeared?


When Don was in the pool with topless Joy, why did he look at the young boy mysteriously?

Your claim of Betty being in California sounds like a good plot twister but I did not think the woman looked like Betty Draper / January Jones. I also do not believe Betty knew Don was going to California and nothing has indicated that she would have business there... unless ... there has been an entire sub plot involving Betty that we did not know about? One which would also answer her psychological issues. I don't think this "Betty Plot" will emerge, but good question, why didn't Betty answer the door?

Everyone on the blogs suspect this "jet set' that Don has joined with are grifters. Not sure, they are very sophisticated for common criminals.  Of all Don's lovers, Joy is the most like Betty in appearance and speech. Its like he needs a young submissive woman in his life, a replacement Betty if you will. Betty has asserted her independence, shown a bit of strength so he runs?

There will definitely be an opportunity for Peggy to assert herself, especially if a DP vs DP alliance battle ensues. She's has proved that she'll protect Don's reputation, remember her opening her home to Bobby? He's going to owe her big when he gets back to Madison Ave.

Betty is in her house smoking cigs, she is not in California. I think that we didn't see her open the door when the suitcase arrived so that we will have to tune in next week to see how she handles this situation. My guess? the only thing that will get Don back from the Bahamas, some sort of emergency. Does Betty pull a Marilyn? We know she's about to snap.

I dont believe the the "Jet Setters" are grifters b/c that would be too easy. Mr Weiner has been too creative in keeping the audience guessing to throw something that lame. Besides, what could they boost from Don anyway, he's got nothing but a pocket full of lies. That chicks' dad had a nobility title in his name when they first introduced themselves in the hotel, Viscomte monte-something.  The whole crew went silent at dinner when Don insinuated that they were "well-off."  I imagine that people in that sphere dont discuss the crudeness of money; to them money is no object.  They're nomads like Joy said. Probably by choice. What an interesting crossroads.

I dont know what Don got himself into but it sure is facinating.

Don:
I'm with you on this being one of the best episodes. Curiouser and curiouser.... lol. I was surprised to see elsewhere that many viewers found this "boring" or "jump the shark." I sure didn't!
Pete & Adam:
I agree. The Jet Setters are just as they seem: idle & decadent, they add Don to their collection of "beautiful" people, hoping he'll be an interesting playmate. I don't subscribe to the spy/grifter/blackmailer/porn biz, etc. theories mentioned on other sites.
In addition to Don going "off the deep end," or "down the rabbit hole" or "through the looking glass" this epi was full of surprises (for me anyway): Jane agrees to marry; Kurt calmly announces his sexual preference; Duck falls off the wagon and gets conspiratorial; Peggy gets a haircut.

Much has been made of Don staring into his glass during the pool scene. Theories being "the glass is cracked", the "glass is seamed", there's "powder in the glass so he's being drugged." I agree there's something symbolic to that scene. One of the cool things about this show is that after viewing it I search for the symbolism much as the child from "3 Sundays" searched for Easter eggs. Sometimes it's like searching for the needle in the haystack, but it sure is fun.

Thanks for your site. Unfortunately the AMC site has too much commentary to have any kind of a conversation.

A few observations – Jane set it up in bed with Roger about eating a mushroom and waking up like “Alice in Wonderland.”  Only it was Don who played the role of Alice.  He followed the ‘rabbit’ Joy took a sip of a drink when he arrived at the house and passed out.  He awoke to a bunch of strange characters who were having a party.   Before he had a sip a woman said “Its medicine for us”  does anyone know if that’s an actual line from Alice in Wonderland?

I don’t think the jet setters are grifters.  She was driving what appeared to be a new Mercedes Benz sports car.  That would be a tough loaner to have for the business of running a con in 1962.  If they were plotting a scheme why drive someone four hours to Palm Springs rather than something at the hotel?  I also think they would get some info on their ‘mark’ before investing all that time.

The person he dialed on the phone is the woman we saw from a younger Don when he was working as a used car salesman.  She was an associated of Dick Whitman and nailed him on the spot when she saw Don.  I suspect that he managed to patch things up with his charm and good looks.  She is also the recipient of the package he sent off in episode one.

While looking at the cracked glass in the pool it reminding Don that something is way off at the Palm Springs house.  Although pretty and expensive it’s fundamentally flawed.

That said - other than the creepy dad, other couple fighting and the tragic children who showed up it, seemed like a great get-away.  Why don't my business trips ever happen like that???

Hi James and welcome to the Lounge. I hope you enjoy hanging out here as much as I do. Don is a great host and I won't drug your drink, I promise, lol.

To answer your question, I don't recall a mention of "medicine" when Alice takes the drink that makes her small. My memory's hazy since I read those stories long ago, so "medicine" may be mentioned in the book. Someone else here might know for sure. My one clear memory of Alice and the drink: she wondered if it was poison, decided it wasn't and drank.

I certainly agree with you that The Jet Set episode was laced (how's that for an appropriate word--as in "I've laced your drink") with Lewis Carroll references. I was getting a Through the Looking Glass feel with the reverse images, especially the one of Don-Dick's naked left arm resting on the couch. In opening graphics we see a suit-clad right arm resting in that exact pose. And when he stares into Joy's eyes and asks: "who are you?" he's asking that question of himself, I think, since he sees his reflection in her eyes.

Here's to interesting business trips in your future!

Peggy-

And I recall several of Don's women asking him the exact question - "who are you" Betty and Rachel asking "what kind of a man are you."

On a funny note - Pete's pasty face and twiggy legs poolside hampered his chances to be the lady's man.  "How are you doing this day..."

James-
poolside, Pete looked silly & totally out of place--did you notice the shoes? who wears shoes while sunbathing!? lol

to his credit he was taking care of biz. I wonder how Pete will try to capitalize on Don going MIA. In the preview he's telling someone (Peggy, I think) 'Don might not be back. He's done this before.'

I'm looking forward to Sunday nite when we get more of Don's backstory and (hopefully) meet the mysterious person who knows him as Dick Whitman. Do you have any theory on who that might be?

James--
oops, my bad for not remembering you mentioned the "mysterious" woman from the car dealership. I don't think he made that call to her, but I'm not going to make any bets.

This episode was amazing.

The way they built Don's character and his decision—how he chose against being disloyal to Betty soon after seeing a woman that looked like Betty, the way he spontaneously chose to ditch his meeting the next day, then the shift that happened shortly after seeing Joy's brother's children—you could see the push/pull, the devil and angel on his shoulder, so to speak.

Also, what's in that suitcase? If he's leaving and leaving for good, why send it to Betty? If he's not leaving for good, why not just keep it with him? By sending the suitcase, there won't be any confusion with any "mysterious disappearance" or anything like that. But if he's consciously leaving her for good, what would she care about a few shirts and a change of underwear?

I think the jet set are who they represent themselves to be. I think they promise Don a carefree life. But how happy can he be with them and for how long? Don may love his escapism, but he also loves the game of business. Being idle will quickly bore him. I think Don is careening on his way to "bottom".

What episode did the "Car Dealership" with the mysterious woman occur in? I am drawing a major blank?

Also, if you want to help get more people to the lounge you can copy the code below and paste it with comments at any other Mad Men related sites:

Don--
The flashback to the car dealership happened in Epi 7, The Gold Violin, when Don was in an auto showroom contemplating a Cadillac after he & Bobbie were in that wreck.

Thanks for posting the link at AMC site--that's how I found you. I'll pass it along, too.

The suitcase was returned by the airline b/c he lost his luggage in the begining of the episode. Peter says the airline will get him new luggage and Don responds, "Are they going to fill it with my things?" 
That woman in the dealership was looking for Don Draper and knew immediately that he was an imposteur.  Nothing connects her to Dick Whitman unless more unfolds.  I got a theory... Dick Whitman had a family before betty that he previously abandoned with kids and all before he became the "Don."   

What do you guys think?

AdamWhitman, Yes, I have a lot about Don having a previous family, I mentioned it above, but I nothing has indicated that he lived in California?

Adam-

I think the family timeline would be too tight.  He and Betts have been married for ten years, the daughter is 9+ so maybe even eleven years?  Don’s 36 so assuming 9 months of courting they’ve been together for almost twelve making Don 24 when they met?  He got out of the army at 20? So the window for getting married having a family is four years?   There’s also the possibility of college unless Don faked that as well. I doubt he could cram in a family in that window, a significant other but not a family.

I don’t think they will introduce a new character from Dick’s past.  The only two possibilities are the woman from the car lot OR the Hobo/father figure.  That’s doubtful as the hobo would have avoided the Whitman house because of Dick’s rotten cheating dad. 

With Don on the road in the next episode will he be able to slick down his hair or will it be light and fluffy.

Okay just a quick comment...the blond in the car dealership flashback was looking for Don Draper NOT Dick Whitman. Which means she knew the dead Don Draper and understands that Dick is impersonating him. Why would he want to call and reach out to her? She was apart of the real Don Drapers life...He wouldn't be mailing books to her, if anything he had to pay her to keep her mouth shut.

Thanks for the explanation about the suitcase, Adam. That makes sense.

James, I like the idea about the hobo, I totally forgot about that guy; however, I don't think it's him. I think the hobo was gone once he left the Whitman Farm.

Wow, I just watched the beginning of "The Golden Violin" again and here is the dialog between the blond woman and Don at the car dealership:

Don: "May I help you mam?"
Blond: "Are you Donald Draper?"
Don: "Yes I am"
Don: "If its about my Circular many of the models are gone but I am sure we can find you something."
Blond: "Oh, I am not here to buy a car."
Blond: "Your a hard man to find."
Don: "Excuse me?"
Blond: "Your not Don Draper."
-- Blank --

Now let's hear what you all think?

Sounds like she knows who he isn't, maybe she knows who he is?  "You're a hard man to find."  I'm sure he was.  I still think something shocking is going to be revealed about the characters' nature like was uncovered last season.  We learned how isolated and deceitful he was, now we might see how honest and connected he could be with someone who knows him or is like him.  It could be an abanDONed family, like Peter would say, "a thing like that."

Interesting, Don. It's those last three lines. If she was looking for the dead Don Draper, she wouldn't have said those lines. After she asked "are you Don Draper" and he said yes, she would have said "Sorry, I was looking for a different Don Draper."

Did you see the circular at all? Was there a picture on it?

I think she did know who he was. But she must have been someone from childhood or he would have recognized her off the bat. Or maybe she was a sister?

The interesting thing is that he said "Dick Whitman", not "Dick". If he was really close to the person he called, he would have said just "Dick", don't you think?

adgal asks: Did you see the circular at all? Was there a picture on it?

Wow, you are on to something. The blonde might have tracked down "Dick Whitman" from a photo of "Don Draper" on his advertising circular -- just as Adam found him in 1960 when his picture was in the newspaper.

Of course we don't know for sure if there was a photo of him on his car dealer circular, but it's an interesting speculation.

so much food for thought here.........

The only other person we've met that I can think of is the guy on the train who recognized him as Dick Whitman. But I think Don denied being Dick to that guy.