SPOILERS.............maybe?

Even though I realized long ago that the "Next Time On Mad Men" scenes that they show at the end of each episode do not really tell you too much about what REALLY happens in that next episode, I have a feeling trouble may be a-brewing among SCDP and a big account. If you re-watch the scenes there is a lot of "angsty" Pete and upset Trudy. Also, we see a disheveled Pete asking who appears to be an older gentleman ( could it be the father-in-law aka the Clearasil account?), "What are you talking about?"

But, I could be totally wrong of course. Any guesses on what happens next?

Clearasil was simply brought along during the transition as a little financial padding.  They're not a high-dollar account for them, and seeing as how they already dramatically parted from Sterling-Cooper in the past, they wouldn't do it a second time.   

Like you say, it's hard to ascertain exactly what the clips of a line here and a line there mean; but if anything's going to ruffle the firm's feathers, it'll be something to do with Lucky Strike, and since we've not only heard Layne voice his concerns a number of times this season about them being the ballast that keeps them from capsizing, I think something bad might happen with them.  Plus, they wouldn't have re-established the volatile Lee at the Christmas party for no reason, I don't think.  They're reaching the point where they can no longer shrug off the tobacco health risks, and for an old school company like Lucky Strike (who, by the way, you don't hear about anymore), this might be a plateau for them.

I agree, White Bread, I started a post a couple of days ago about Lucky Strike and the impact tobacco advertising restrictions that (I think) started in the 1960s might have on SCDP now that we know it makes up 69% of this company. But when it comes to this show you never can tell where it will go.

But, we also know how SCDP is still just a "start-up" business who does have to hang onto any business they have to survive until they are back to the financial security of what Sterling Cooper had (I mean, if you forget how Don told off the Jantzen people)

I'm just excited to see more of the "Pete & Trudy" relationship. It really has developed into something interesting over the seasons.

Yeah, Trudy's hot, isn't she?

I'm not saying they wouldn't be pissed if they lost the Clearasil account, by the way.  They certainly wouldn't like tightening the belt any further than it already is.  I just meant that it wouldn't be the cause of any high drama if they were to part ways...again.

BUT, it could be a big blow to Pete's ego when it comes to his career. He is the link between SCDP and Clearasil.  And brought them along to this new company.

I don't see your point.

If you've watched the previous seasons, you know that the Clearasil account was attained because of the familial tie with Trudy.  When things got a little rocky there for a while, it was then that Pete's ego took hold and he and his father-in-law mutually decided not to do business with one another. 

Later, when Pete was jumping ship to the new agency, he swallowed his pride and went to Trudy's father with his tail between his legs to get the account back.  So what I'm saying is that Pete's already been through an emotional gauntlet, and all things considered, this small account (by contrast) can't carry as much baggage as it once did.

I WISH I could get those "Next time on Mad Men" teasers at the end of every episode! Alas, I do not get AMC with my cable provider, and as I live in Canada and can only just barely manage to find a free stream of the show online, I consider myself extremely lucky to get to see the show on a Sunday night, bonus if I get to see some of the credits!

So stop teasing me with your Pete and Trudy suppositions already!

She may be referring to the sneak previews on the amctv.com website.

Also, I'm in Canada and I get AMC, so...yeah. 

I'm pretty sure she is NOT referring to the sneak previews on the amctv.com website. I have seen the preview for next week on that site, and it shows a conversation between Pete and Harry.

I'm pretty sure she was referring to the "Next time on Mad Men" clips they show on AMC after each episode. In DrGirlfriend's  first post she mentions scenes between Pete and Trudy, and Pete and an older gentleman. If you get AMC, you probably saw these clips yourself. I have not seen these clips because, as I mentioned, I don't get AMC (which obviously has nothing to do with the fact that I live in Canada but, as I stated previously, has to do with the fact that I don't get AMC with my cable provider).

So, I'm not sure what your point was, exactly.

Well, I'm pretty sure she doesn't have to be such a bitch about it.

I have found that those "Next time on Mad Men" clips are almost always a single line, spoken without context, and strung together with other random lines. As such, it is nearly impossible to garner any accurate idea of what the next episode will be about.

Looks like White Bread may be correct about Lucky Strike getting ready to bail. There's probably nothing SCD&P can do to boost their image at this point. I'm sure all the tobbaco brands were probably panicking as Congress required them to put warning labels on all their packages in 1965.

And as to Clearasil, Sneaky Pete strikes again! I didn't think he had the huevos, but there he was, using emotional blackmail on his father-in-law for all of his businesses. I think the implied threat was that if he didn't get it, the in-laws would have very little contact with their new grandchild.

Now what might this mean for officeless Freddy and his Ponds account?

Things change quickly at SCDP - so  Lucky Strikes 69% may not remain quite so critical  if Pete's father-in-law comes through with the big Vicks deal.  And then there is Ponds. Interesting that Pete's inspiration to black mail his FIL came from Ken.  (One of The Rejected)

However Lucky Strike will  figure largely in the next few episodes.   As White Bread mentioned,  Lee Garner Jr. is back for a reason, which at the moment seems to be to see how much humiliation he can inflict upon Roger. (I do hope Rogers heart can take the stress).  His outrageous antics will make for great viewing.

The fragile structure of Dons life is falling apart. With each episode we see him less able to convince himself that, as he told Peggy after she gave birth, "this never happened".   And yet we know that Don Draper is not about to fade into the sunset.  Don will save the Lucky Strike account (thanks to Sal, another of The Rejected) and when the time is right he will be there to do it as only Don Draper can.