Mr. Flix

Was Don's new secretary really named "Don," or was it "Dawn"? Either way, I can't believe no one has mentioned Roger's "It's always darkest before the Don" line yet.

Geofferson

^ It was Dawn. I loved Harry's line about that being confusing. Harry was great in this episode -- especially his White Castle binge.

Tommy Ceez

J Jones is a horrendous actress which makes all of Betty's plots so fucking hard to follow.

-So now we will have a Jew
-At least this one will be hired on purpose

sven

Man this is the third time I've gotten up and left the room during a Betty scene without even realizing it. I really wish they'd get rid of her.

anomynous

I loved the obvious body double getting out of the tub

Geofferson

Great episode summary by Jeff Jensen of EW -- the significance of the Stones album and the plot got past me.

Mr. Flix

I've read a couple of different articles about this season where the showrunner makes it clear that they had to come up with creative story ideas in order to give Betty anything to do. Why they chose this option as opposed to just writing off the character is beyond me, since I'm not sure I've ever known a fan of the show that was also a fan of Betty. (The articles I've read acknowledge what a polarizing character she is.) Hopefully they're keeping her around because they have a really great idea in store for her.

clappj

My cure for the Betty scenes is

Merkin Muffley

Betty looks like she wandered in off the set of a Klumps movie.

DRG

It's strange that they even need to bother in first place... it's not like they can't write around her. Even if they had a scene involving the kids Don could have a one-sided phone call with her and relay the details to another character. And to be completely honest, Kiernan Shipka recounting something Betty did would probably be more effective than January Jones actually acting out the scene.

Dragon Tattoo

The fact Roger's line didn't clue you in to her name's actual spelling is baffling.

sven

HAHA I'm gonna have to start cuz I did it again there at the very end.

neale

Not about this episode per se, but here's a fantastic gallery of behind-the-scenes photos:
http://everyday-i-show.livejournal.com/151834.html

Geofferson

^ Those are great

boogieman03

Agreed.

Thanks for the link.

Jack Straw

+1 Loved seeing these character shots in a contemporary setting.

Jack Straw

There's something about the first two episodes that doesn't seem to fit. Maybe it's the long hiatus. I just felt inserting the Betty "I may be very sick and dying" storyline felt hack and "Peyton Place-ish", and definitely below what the story writers have given us before and are capable of. Maybe they'll deliver, really hope so.

Mr. Flix

Didn't occur to me. Guess I'm stupid. For all I knew, Roger was just making a play on words, in a non-PC way, saying the new secretary was the "dark(ie) before the Don," a pun that has nothing to do with HER name.

flashburn

First thing I thought of too when I saw her, was that song "Black Betty". Too funny.

I love that not only did the writers make her fat, they gave her cancer. I guess they are listening to the audience.

PopcornTreeCt

I think Don will grow tired of Megan and cheat on her with Betty. I know that sounds weird but I could see it. Especially, if she really does have cancer.

Supermallet

First off, if they're not going to kill Betty off (which they should and screw them for teasing us), at least make her attractive. The only thing January Jones has going for her is her body, and if you bloat that up, then she drags the whole show down, well, like a weight.

Other than that, I like the new guy. It's also clear that Don is already feeling disconnected from his new wife. It's possible her chompers are keeping him at a distance.

And I think at this point they auto-generate the next episode teasers by randomly selecting snippets of footage.

Coral

The body-double in the tub... not exactly a smooth transition from her to Betty. There was too much of a size difference.

The Jew could provide some good laughs... or could be irritating. I hope the comedy he provides can be subtle like Roger, and not slapstickish. Although I don't know if we really need his backstory with his father (whatever that backstory might be).

I thought Harry and/or Don was gonna bang one of them youngsters at the Stones concert.

Fist of Doom

Yeah, that was a clumsy scene. Like the writers were beating us over the head that Betty!Is!Fat! Just look at her - she's fat!

I'm not a Betty hater, but her character had its arc, and she doesn't seem to fit on the show as a major character anymore. But that means Sally gets screentime, too. I thought the girl that plays her gave a really good performance last season.

I liked the scene with Don talking to the groupie, especially when she took off his tie and told him to lighten up. "What, did you see that in a movie?" Cynical Don is great.

bluetoast

I thought it was a good use of January Jones's then-current situation and fit well with Betty's character. Usually when an actress gets pregnant they either ignore it and make them stand behind a counter for 6 months or they have the character also get pregnant. I liked this different take, that they used her weight gain and "rolled" with it.

whotony

I feel so out of the loop on this show now. Probably because of the long hiatus.

When did Pete become the head guy at Sterling cooper draper Pete?