Handlung

With another sale on the horizon, Sterling, Cooper, and Draper convince Lane Pryce to fire them and then join them as they start up a new advertising firm. At home, Betty follows through with her plans to divorce Don.

Don's life is falling apart around him. He learns from Connie about the sale of Sterling Cooper and, because of it, the loss of the Hilton account. As Don passes the news to Roger and Bertram, the three decide to plot strategy for what each wants in their professional future. Among their options are to go to the new company (which for Bertram will probably mean the end of his professional life), or the preferred option which is to buy back Sterling Cooper from Putnam, Powell and Lowe. What is not an option is to quit since they are all under contract, which would prevent them from working in advertising altogether. With the assistance of an unexpected person however, they come up with another option. The success of this option depends on the assistance of many, who may or may not decide to help, and some quick action before the rest of the world figures out what's going on. Because this maneuver feels like starting over, Don reminisces about a big change in his life when he was a young boy. At home, Betty has asked Don for a divorce, which Don does not want to grant. With the advice of a divorce lawyer, Betty has figured out a way that will make it difficult for Don not to grant her wish. His home life may more difficult to rectify than his professional life.—Huggo

It's the beginning of the end for Sterling Cooper when Connie Hilton tells Don that the ad agency, along with their London-based parent company, have been sold to McCann Erickson effective January 1. That's only two weeks away and Don goes into action. He has no interest in working for a huge agency like McCann Erickson and approaches Bert Cooper with a proposal: they and Roger Sterling should buy back the Agency. He first has to patch up his relationship with Roger but they are soon on a mission to recruit a team from their best employees and make sure they get their hands on as much paperwork on the clients they will take with them as they can. None of them have a clue about what the paperwork even means but Roger knows just the perfect person to sort it all out for them. They have an unexpected ally after Lane Pryce gives London a call. Don's home life deteriorates after Betty tells him that she wants a divorce and will be going to Reno to get one.—garykmcd

"Mad Men" - "Shut the Door. Have a Seat" - Nov. 8, 2009

Don awakes and fumbles with the alarm clock. He's sleeping in a different room.

He goes to meet Hilton who has serious business to discuss. He informs Don that McCann-Erickson is buying Putnam-Powell-Lowe, which means that they will own Sterling Cooper also, so Hilton is taking his business elsewhere. He says Bert will be put out on an ice floe but since Don is the prize pig his fortunes will go up. Don is mad that his future is tied up in SC now because of Hilton. He doesn't want to work for McCann, in fact already turned them down because it's a "sausage factory." He calls Hilton on messing him around and making it nice by calling him "son." He realizes it's all just been business. Hilton says he's a self-made man, not a crybaby, he didn't think Don was one either. They stand and shake hands and Hilton says some other time they'll try again. He wishes him a nice holiday.

Don walks into SC and sees a secretary crumpling a piece of paper. That reminds him of a time when another piece of paper was crumpled. We flashback to Don's childhood home where his dad is complaining about crop prices (69 cents a bushel) in a farmers co-operative meeting. (Apparently there's a wheat surplus). Archie Whitman says he's out of the co-op. The other farmers wonder how he'll make his rent. He says he's out and kicks them out of his house.

Don goes to Bert and calls him on PPL/SC being sold. Bert says he didn't know but it makes sense with all the short-term thinking. He can't believe Bert is cool with losing his business.He points out his business was lost last year in the original sale. Don tells him to do something like buy SC back themselves. Bert says young men love risk because they can't imagine the consequences. Don counters that old men love building golden tombs and sealing the rest of the young folks in with them. Bert says he's not going to waste his fortune on buying SC back, he doesn't have a lifetime to earn it back like Don. Don tells him that he's sick of being batted around like a ping-pong ball and he wants to build something of his own like Bert did. Bert says he's not sure Don has the stomach for the realities of that. Don says to try him. Bert says they'll need accounts, chiefly American Tobacco which is most of SC's business but that's Roger's account. He asks when the sale is supposed to happen. New Year's Day. Bert sighs and says they have to talk to Roger now. Don tells Bert to do it. Bert asks if he wants to do it or not.

Roger is chatting with Jane, who is still upset about JFK. Bert gives Roger the news. Roger looks stricken and calls it a joke. Bert says they've been discussing the idea of buying the company back. Roger says why. Don says to avoid going to McCann. Roger realizes they need his account. Don points out that Bert will be done for. Roger doesn't buy that that's the reason and says he wants to see what Don looks like with his tail between his legs. Bert says Roger sold his birthright to marry that trollop. Roger is not impressed if this is their pitch. Roger says he's not going to do this just because Don doesn't want to work at McCann. Don asks if Roger wants to work there. Roger says Don doesn't value his work now, what would be different at McCann? Don admits he was wrong, he understands the need for account men, and does value their relationship. Now he does, says Roger. He does, says Don. Roger says he's got points and stock and if he's useless so be it, there's a deck chair somewhere with his name on it. Bert stands and says he understands if Roger's lost his appetite he understands. He's seen it before, men retire, play golf, get bored and die within three years. Join or die, asks Roger? He says Don was doing better and that Bert will still outlive him. Don says they have to try. So, you still want to be in advertising, he asks Bert, but as he says it the camera is on Don.

Don heads home and Betty sends the kids upstairs. She asks him to sit. She tells him she made an appointment with a divorce attorney and suggests he do the same. He tries to cajole her. She says she wants this to be civil. He says she's had a tough time recently and that maybe she should see a doctor, a good one this time. Because I'd have to be sick to want out of this, she asks? He reiterates it's been a tough few weeks. She says she's had a tough year. He tells her he won't let her break up this family. She says she didn't break up the family.

Bert, Don, and Roger meet with Lane, letting him know they know. He corrects them on one point, only SC is being sold, not PPL. They offer the purchase price plus 12 percent. He says they're worth more than that. Roger wants to know how much McCann paid. He won't say. With a heavy heart Lane says it wasn't his idea and he really enjoyed working at SC. Roger says to Don they only have him for a year and Don for three and they'll make another run at it then.

Betty takes Henry to her meeting with her lawyer who tells her the only grounds for divorce include "absence of a spouse," insanity, or adultery. She says she doesn't have any proof really. He says it wouldn't matter since it's on both sides. Both she and Henry quickly protest that they haven't done anything. The lawyer apologizes for presuming. He says New York doesn't want anyone to get divorced -- that's why people go to Reno. He says she just has to go there for six weeks, establish residence and it's a snap. Don wouldn't even have to go, just consent. He asks what she wants as a settlement. Whatever she's entitled to, she says. Henry says she doesn't need what Don can provide. She says she has three children. Henry promises to take care of her and them and doesn't want her to owe him anything.

Lane calls St. John and informs them that SC knows about the sale and wanted to bid for the company. St. John apologizes and admits that PPl is being sold as well. St. John didn't tell him in order to keep people calm. Lane freaks and wonders where his place is. At McCann, says St. John, who says he'll surely prove himself irreplaceable as always and will put in a good word for him. Lane calmly thanks him and then slams down the phone.

Don comes home and goes to his room and finds Sally sleeping there in his bed. He flashes back to his childhood home again where his parents are arguing about money and home foreclosure. Archie says they just need a month. Ma says they have nothing and are about to have less. He says fine, he'll sell his property. He grabs a jug and says he'll drive to Chicago tonight. He stumbles out. She tells "Dick" to go with him. They go to the stables where Dick has a slug from the jug. A horse is startled by the lightning and kicks Archie in the face, killing him. Back in the present Don climbs in with Sally.

The next day Don meets with Bert, Roger, and Lane. He says they should appeal to McCann directly. Lane says it's no good, PPL is being sold after all. Roger is gleeful that Lane is being cut loose too. Lane tells them to give it up and not involve him in this conspiracy. Don tells him to go ahead since that's all he did well here anyway. Lane loudly protests he did a great many things at SC. Don realizes that he indeed did do some important stuff: Lane has absolute authority to fire anyone. He tells Lane to fire the three of them and vacate their contracts. Why would he do that, Lane wonders? Don says because when he gets to McCann he'll get thrown over the side like a barnacle corpse. Lane says nothing good comes from seeking revenge.

Bert says they'll make him a partner. Lane says it's worth more than that. Don, impressed that Lane is showing some negotiating balls, says they'll put his name on the door. Roger starts at that and Don asks if he knows how to do what Lane does? Bert says he doesn't and Roger's flummoxed look tells all.

They sit and start to plot. Lane says they'll need accounts. Roger offers Lucky Strike. Lane does the math and says they'll need more to cover cash flow. Don doesn't have Hilton. Lane asks after others. Roger says they'll get them. Lane says if he sends a telex at noon today that they've all been sacked it will come after business hours in London and go unnoticed until Monday morning, 2 a.m. their time. They can spend the weekend obtaining, or stealing as Don says, all of the account information to assure continuity of service and amass a skeleton crew to keep things going. Lane says anyone approached must be a certainty because if news spreads of what they're doing, McCann/PPL will lock them out. Don asks if they vote or something. Roger raises his hand, everyone else follows suit, giddily almost. Lane fires them with a smile. Roger says "it's official, Friday Dec. 13, 1963, four guys shot their own legs off." They decamp and Don tells his secretary to send a memo that there'll be no work over the weekend, carpet cleaning. He asks for Pete, who stayed home sick. He yells, "Peggy, my office."

She comes in and starts babbling about Western Union. He drops the bomb and asks her to be there Sunday evening to collect her things and help them take what they need. She asks who else is going. He wonders why it matters. She says it's important. He says he can't tell her and asks if she knows what it means that they're being bought by McCann. She has a click and realizes that he just assumes she'll do whatever he says and follow him around like some nervous poodle. He says he's not going to beg. Beg? She points out that he didn't even ask. He asks. She says she's had other offers, that came with a sales pitch about opportunity. She says everyone thinks he does all her work, even him. She says she doesn't want to make a career out of being there so he can kick her when he fails. He says he'll have to talk to Kurt and Smitty then. She says he will and walks out.

Trudy is setting out hors d'ouevres as Pete tries to look sick since he called in sick. Bert and Roger arrive. Roger drops the bomb. Don says they're not firing him. Pete indignantly says he has other plans. Trudy calls from the other room. Don recognizes that for what it is and explains about the new firm. Roger says he's got American Tobacco and wonders what Pete has in his saddlebags. Pete pretends like he doesn't know what they're talking about and huff that clearly Ken turned them down. Roger says they haven't talked to Ken, yet, and that yes they want his accounts but they also want his talent. He asks what they are. Roger says Pet will do what it takes. Pete wants to hear it from Don. Don says it's not hard to say, Pete saw it coming and they didn't, he says Pete's been ahead on a lot of things, aeronautics, teens, Negroes. He says they need Pete to keep them looking forward. Pete goes for partner and his name in the lobby. Don laughs and says there's not going to be a lobby. Pete pulls out his folders: American Aviation, Secor Laxatives, Gillette, Jai Alai, maybe Pampers, which adds up to 8 million so they don't get conditions. Roger is impressed by this. Don says they'll make him partner if he can deliver all of those clients by Sunday. Don says they'll leave "name in the title" as a future goal. Pete shakes hands and Don welcomes him aboard. Pete wonders what happens if he comes up short. Don says it's not an option. They leave and Pete tells Trudy to get a Secor exec on the phone and to sound like a secretary. She's clearly impressed and gives him a kiss.

At a bar Don and Roger drink and talk about how they can't believe they're leaving. Roger says he's acting like he started a business his whole life when he inherited. Don confides that he needs a divorce lawyer. Roger says, "so it's true?" Don asks what. Roger says "Henry Francis." Don is all "who?" Roger curses and explains that Margaret is friends with Francis' daughter. Don asks if they're sleeping together. Roger says he doesn't know, it came from his daughter, it sounds serious. Don is upset, obviously. Roger says he figured Don knew. He apologizes. Twice.

Don comes home, drunk, and wakes Betty up asking who Henry Francis is. No one, she says. He asks again. She wonders why he cares. Because she's so good and everyone else is so bad, but all the while she's been building a life raft. She tells him to get out. Don is incredulous that she got everything she ever wanted, loved it and now he's not good enough for her. That's right she yells. Don says Betty won't get a nickel and he'll take the kids and they'll be better off. She says she's going to Reno and he's going to consent and to not threaten her and she knows all about him. He grabs her and calls her a whore. The baby starts to cry. Betty picks him up and says she wants Don out of the house.

Pete's in the SC elevator with a box when he hears Harry call out to him to hold the elevator. Pete admits he's scared. Harry says, of what? Pete asks why he's there. Harry says he doesn't know why he was called in. They walk in and Pete announces Harry. Lane says to relax, they invited him. Bert drops the bomb and asks Harry to be the new head of media. He wants to call his wife. Bert says the matter is secret and time-sensitive. He says if Harry turns them down to become a mid-level cog at McCann they'll have to lock him in the storage room til morning. Lane asks Pete about where certain things are. Pete has no idea. Harry offers assent by way of saying, "we just take everything?" Bert smiles. No one knows where anything is. Roger says he'll make a phone call. Lane says, "no more conspirators." Roger promises discretion. Pete wonders where Don is.

He and Betty are busy breaking the separation news to Bobby and Sally. Sally wonders if it will be like when he lived in the hotel. He says yes. Betty says it will be different. Bobby worries it's something they did, like lost cufflinks. Don assures them that it has nothing to do with them and that he loves them both. Sally asks why he's going then. He says he's not, he's just living elsewhere. She says it's the same thing and he says things he doesn't mean and that he promised that he will always come home. Don says he will, it will just be a different home. Bobby wonders if he'll be there for Christmas. Betty says they'll have two Christmases. Sally, who is angry, says she just wants one and asks Betty if she made him leave. Betty says they both decided. Don says he will there and they can call and he will answer. Sally storms out. Bobby grabs him and asks him not to go. Betty starts to break down too. Don hugs him and says nobody wants to do this, but he needs Bobby to be a big boy.

Don goes to Peggy's apartment. She says he looks awful. He comes in and sits. She asks if he wants anything. He says he does. He says she was right, he's taken her for granted and been hard on her but only because he sees her as an extension of himself, and she isn't. She thanks him for stopping by. He tells her to sit down. He asks if she knows why he doesn't want to go to McCann. She says because he doesn't want to work for anyone else. He says no, it's because there are people out there who buy things, like the two of them, and "something terrible happened to them and the way that they saw themselves is gone and nobody understands that. But you do and that's very valuable." Is it, she asks? He says with or without her he's moving on and he doesn't know if he can do it alone. He asks, "Will you help me?" She smiles and gets a little moist-eyed and says what, if she says no, he'll never speak to her again? He hardens and says no, he'll spend the rest of his life trying to hire her.

Everyone is looking through files and Rolodexes when the cavalry arrives in the form of Joan, who's already called movers and knows where everything is and what to do. Don arrives with Peggy and thinks the calling of Joan was a great idea. Pete and Harry don't look that excited. They get to work. Don breaks down the door of the art department for Pete and Harry. Roger goes through some paperwork and complains of being tired and asks Peggy to get him some coffee. She declines. Movers start taking stuff out of Bert's office, as they grab his painting he asks if they washed their hands. They start rolling stuff out. Don asks Joan to find him a furnished apartment. She apologizes. More stuff, boxes and file cabinets get moved out. Don and Roger appraise the empty office and Roger asks how long Don thinks it will take them to work in a place like this again. Don says he never saw himself working in a place like this. They pause briefly and leave. Don goes to lock the door and Roger tells him not to bother.

The next morning Allison walks in to Don's office and cries, "We've been robbed!"

St. John calls Lane, who is quite chipper. St. John is apoplectic and fires him. Lane says "very good" and wishes him a happy Christmas. He hands Hooker a card saying he's been sacked and to have his things forwarded. (Revenge isn't so bad after all then, eh?) Hooker asks what's happened. Lane says he's a bright boy and will figure it out.

The new firm has set up shop in a hotel room and Joan's giving marching orders: 2 phone lines are coming, Pete and Peggy will share a desk, Harry will set up in the bedroom with the TV, Roger wants the bed for Accounts, Don will have a desk and Joan tells them not to set up meetings at this "office" or in the hotel. The phone rings. Joan answers Sterling, Cooper, Draper, Price. It's Harry, she tells him room 435.

Allison is crying that Don didn't even leave a note as a group gathers around her desk. Ken comes in and says Pete tried to poach John Deere and realizes he must've gone with Draper. Kinsey goes in to Peggy's office and sees she's cleared out and curses.

Everyone is at work in the hotel room. Pete is reassuring clients. Trudy arrives with lunch and a cake. She's very excited. Don likes this. He comes and tells Harry about food. Harry is excited.

Don calls Betty. He tells her he's not sure where he's staying but he'll be working out of the Pierre. He says he's not going to fight her and he hopes she gets what she always wanted. She says he will always be their father. He says okay, and goodbye. She says goodbye. They hang up. He walks back out to the bustling "office" and smiles at the newly arrived Lane and the whole gang.

We cut to Betty with the baby, riding on a plane with Henry Francis, then to Carla bringing drinks to the kids on the couch at the Draper house, then to Don walking up the steps to his new apartment in the city.