Six Month Leave (28 Sep. 2008)

Don checks in to a hotel after his separation from Betty. Back at the office, he is forced to get rid of Freddy against his will because of his drinking problem.

Director:

Michael Uppendahl

Writers:

Matthew Weiner (creator), André Jacquemetton,

Stars:

Jon Hamm, Elisabeth Moss, Vincent Kartheiser

Cast

Episode cast overview, first billed only:
Jon Hamm	...	Don Draper
Elisabeth Moss	...	Peggy Olson
Vincent Kartheiser	...	Pete Campbell
January Jones	...	Betty Draper
Christina Hendricks	...	Joan Holloway
John Slattery	...	Roger Sterling
Bryan Batt	...	Salvatore Romano
Michael Gladis	...	Paul Kinsey
Aaron Staton	...	Ken Cosgrove
Rich Sommer	...	Harry Crane
Mark Moses	...	Herman 'Duck' Phillips
Joel Murray	...	Fred Rumsen
Talia Balsam	...	Mona Sterling
Gabriel Mann	...	Arthur Case
Patrick Fischler	...	Jimmy Barrett

Storyline

Marilyn Monroe has just passed away, and Joan and many of the women in the office are feeling the loss of a person with who they could identify. Betty and Don are still on bad terms with each other, and don't have all the answers in how to deal with their situation publicly. The ball is basically in Betty's court on the next step. She takes some solace in her horseback riding in the company of Arthur Case, but privately she is still not taking her problems with Don very well. Don finally confides at least to Roger and Jane about the fact that he is no longer at home, the information which creates some unexpected issues with others. On other office fronts, Freddy embarrasses himself just before a presentation to clients, this embarrassment a manifestation of over-drinking. He is lucky that this embarrassment did not happen in front of the clients. Because of this issue, Roger and Duck feel that Freddy should take an extended leave of absence, effectively meaning that he should be fired...

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Plot Keywords:

job promotion | alcoholic | riding school | reference to joe dimaggio | taxi | 

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Genres:

Drama

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Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

28 September 2008 (USA)

Company Credits

Production Co:

American Movie Classics (AMC), Lionsgate Television

Technical Specs

Runtime:

48 min 60 min 50 min

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.78 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Action takes place from August 6, 1962, the day following Marilyn Monroe's suicide, and two days after.

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Goofs

During the night out on the town to fire Mr. Rumsen, Don's facial hair grows exceedingly fast within a span of 20 minutes.

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Quotes

Roger Sterling: [on grieving for celebrities] Roosevelt, I hated him but I felt like I knew him.

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Connections

References Gypsy (1962)

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Soundtracks

"The Pot Can't Talk About The Kettle"
By Clarke
Performed by Helene Smith

User Reviews

Marilyn's dead

Don has been staying at the Roosevelt hotel in Manhattan. Betty is miserable, but she is determined not to let him come back. The children miss their father. Little Sally even calls his office to talk to her dad. Jane, the secretary, not knowing what to say, makes up a story. When Jane approaches Don, he advices her the matter is personal; he will not talk about it under any circumstances.

The big news around the office is Marilyn Monroe's death. Peggy remarks to Don about what would have happened if the Playtex campaign that emphasized the dead actress' physical attributes was approved; it would have been a disaster for the manufacturer and for the agency.

The new client, Samsonite, is being handled by Harry Crane. At a meeting in his office, Peggy and Pete Campbell are horrified when they observe an almost sleepy Freddy pee his pants. The group disperses after they put Harry to sleep. Pete goes to Duck Phillips immediately to report the incident. Duck meets with Roger and Don because he feels Harry is a time bomb and he will explode at any moment putting the agency in a bad spot. Don is the only one that defends him, but, he too, understands it's the best for all concerned if Harry is let go.

Roger and Don invite Harry Crane out for a night on the town. They begin with cocktails and dinner in which Roger proposes Harry take a six month leave of absence to get himself in shape, but this is obviously a dismissal for the veteran adman that contributed so well to the success of the firm. After dinner, the men visit an illegal gambling joint. Don discovers Jimmy Barrett drinking at the bar. He goes over and punches him in the mouth. Roger, who senses Don has left his home, asks his associate about it. Don finally confesses he is staying at the Rooosevelt. The next morning Don gives Peggy the news she will be taking over Harry's position. Peggy confronts Pete about what she feels was a despicable act on his part.

Sally, left alone in suburbia, doesn't know what to do with herself. Her best friend Sarah Beth comes in to borrow a dress. Sally doesn't look well. The least she needs is to have her friend get wind of the separation. Carla, the maid, realizes Betty is going through a rough patch in her marriage, but her employer refuses to acknowledge there is a problem. Betty gets out of the house and at the club she meets Arthur Case. She proposes a lunch date at a restaurant which she had planned with Sarah Beth. Betty never shows and Arthur and Sarah Beth seem to like what they see in each other.

Mona Sterling barges into Don's office. She accuses him of being instrumental for the end of her marriage. Don is totally confused. The reason is obvious, Jane, his secretary is the new love interest of Roger. Don asks him to take her away from his presence.

Another interesting episode of this amazing show. This one was directed by Michael Uppendahl based on the script by Andre and Maria Jacquemetton and the creator of "Mad Men", Matthew Weiner. Good turn by Rich Summer who does justice to his pathetic Harry Crane, a man that loses his job and doesn't know what to do with himself, or what direction to steer his life into. The regulars do fine work under Mr. Uppendahl's direction.