Live bloggin’ the cast:

Is Don a hypocrite? Well, yeah, that’s kind of been the theme of the show for five years. But that doesn’t mean he should have let the thing with Lane go either. Don’s lying and identity theft are not an immediate bottom line threat to the company. He’s not embezzling funds. Yes, his identity issues make it impossible for SCDP to deal with the US government and they lost big money because of that. But that’s not the same thing as actively forging and embezzling from the company. He might, though, have given Lane a little more help in facilitating a graceful exit. That you have stolen from someone in your life doesn’t mean you have to put up with being stolen from yourself.

This does raise a question though: will there be any security issues working for Dow Corning? Dow was practically a branch of the US government in the 60s. They were the Bell Helicopter of setting people on fire.

What changed for Don? I think the Lane situation brought home how piddly the shit is at SCDP. When Lane said “you don’t have any idea how the rest of us are living” I think that lit a fire under Don’s ass about making SCDP big enough so that the Lane’s of the world won’t have to embezzle to make ends meet. He was prepared to hear that Lane was drowning in vice (gambling, women, whatever), but the reality is that he got in over his head supporting a business that wasn’t supporting him and Don has to wonder how long he and Roger can play that game.

Lane is the canary in the coal mine. We get the idea that Don and Roger have a lot of money, but realistically how long can they tread water? We don’t know. And Don, excuse me, Dick knows that he (Dick/Don) is not above a little larceny himself. He doesn’t want to find himself forging Roger’s signature in two years.

A-Ron: on the gut-wrenching vs emotional high of firing, that’s a normal reaction. It means you have a good deal of empathy. The emotional supervillain high is a shield your ego puts up to soften the impact of your empathy. Now, when you start firing people gratuitously in order to chase that high, that’s the time to worry. And obviously, if you’re firing people and feeling WRONG about the decision later, that’s not a good thing either.

Speaking of empathy, the blueprint for Betty? Maybe, but I don’t think Megan is going to be Betty II. Don brings out the worst in the women in his life.

Betty is the good little girl, always trying to look at the positive side of things. When Don drowns her in negativity, she becomes passive-aggressive and vindictive.

Megan is the shit disturber with the heart of gold. She’s histrionic, the opposite of Betty. She stands up for herself and what she wants but she’s also supportive, wanting Don to share the happiness she’s fighting for. My guess is that Don will drain her of that supportiveness and she will become a cynical, cold hearted sadist like her mother.

When she pointed out to Peggy how nasty and cynical everyone at SCDP was, that was as much about her parents as about the mad men.

Then again, maybe Megan will bring out the better side of Don. When Don tells Pete not to throw away something valuable just so he can toy around with an outmoded expression of masculinity, well, maybe Don will follow his own advice when his wife’s nascent feminism comes to fruition.

Why not snap your glasses? Fuck your glasses. I also probably would have smashed up some of the other cars in the garage for my last checkout. Some men just want to watch the world burn, I guess.

On blood: Don walks into a meeting with Dow, talks about history and walks out with metaphorical blood on his mouth. Sally walks into a museum, talks about history and walks out with blood on her clothes.

A big sweaty sheik can make it as easy for you as he can for a woman. Just breathe evenly and think of England. I know a guy who knows a guy if you’re interested

Jason from NatterCast

Hi guys: I was listening to one of your previous podcasts just before watching “Commissions and Fees.” It was about the episode in which Lane tells the partners about his friend with an opportunity at Jaguar. You mentioned that, as Lane spoke, Don was drawing a noose. Can’t get more direct foreshadowing than that! Really enjoy your podcast.

Interesting Weiner interview:
http://nyti.ms/Nr7Spz