Indian Summer

Mark here... We're on to the next episode of "Mad Men", called "Indian Summer".  It's called this because there's a heat wave.  We get to see Roger returning to the office after his heart attack the previous episode, a bit prematurely it ends up.  He has an episode in front of a client.  This works out in the positive for Don, who ends up being promoted to partner, to assure clients that its business as usual. Pete is obviously unhappy with this turn of events, and by the end of the episode takes action.  In the beginning we see Don's secret brother sending him a package.  At the end of the episode Pete goes into Don's office and intercepts its delivery, we'll see where that leads...

Separately, Peggy is moving ahead in her career when the boys in the office choose to give her another product to write copy for.  It's a device which is supposed to help women lose weight, however, when Peggy uses it, its clear it has more sexual benefits.  Peggy comes up with some cheeky copy and is rewarded for it.  But clearly, the reason they gave Peggy the job has to do with her weight gain...suddenly Peggy is looking a bit rounder....  Given the times, it's easy to understand why she might think she's just put on some weight.  She goes on a date with a working class guy and it's clear she has her sights set on fast-paced Manhattan and wants a man from that world.

As a subplot, which touches on the weightless/masturbator device, Betty is left at home clearly unfulfilled.  She has a tempting visit from an air conditioning salesman, but sends him away...though she is clearly tempted with an affair.  Later we see her grinding up against a washing machine during spin cycle! Driving home the message that Betty is young, sexual and not getting what she needs! Of course Don is too tired when he gets home! He's still fooling around with Rebecca Menkin, who herself is imagining a future with Don.  Don is getting exactly what he needs, he has no intention of settling down with Rebecca, he has his family picture life and doesn't need another...

Laurel here..I agree with Mark on all points.  Peggy is a genius!  We see her discover that the "rejuvenator" device is not really about weight loss, but about ladies having some, um, personal time.  She comes up with the name, and copy that makes it sound like you can make women feel invigorated whenever they want, without saying what that really means.  Now women have a lot of means for sexual fulfillment on their own but at the time women weren't educated about that kind of stuff and Peggy handles this obstacle perfectly.

I think it's also important to note that when Betty is grinding against the washing machine she is fantasizing about the air conditioning guy, not Don.  He needs to stop spreading his sexuality around elsewhere so much and start spreading some of it around at home.