Is it me or is Mad Men getting funnier?  It's also possible that against the dark scenes, you just need to laugh.  I love Don's secretary!  I'm sure she would call herself a hoot.  This week's episode was all about wooing the Japanese motorcycle makers, Honda, and included some of my favorite characters, Betty and Sally.

"How does she not fall over?"

Know your market.  Rule number one of advertising.  In order to pitch the Japanese, Don had to read a book, bow down, and obviously go to Benihana. What else could there possibly be to learn about the Japanese?  I loved Joan's attempt at modesty and the obvious leering of the Japanese men.  Getting checked out crosses the language barrier with little to no effort.  And Pete, is the cantaloupe supposed to be exotic fruit to the Japanese?  If only they had Bert's old office at Sterling Cooper!  That would have been perfect for their guests!   Peggy driving in circles on the Honda was priceless.  Elizabeth Moss is certainly getting some great material this season. 

Mustang Sally

Well, she must have issues if she's cutting her hair off.  Would it have been more acceptable if Sally gave a lock of her hair to Glen, like mom did?  Poor, Sally.  That's all that was running through my head this whole episode.  All she's doing is growing up and Betty can't give her a single piece of good news.  I can already see Sally in 2010 in a therapist's office discussing how repressed her mother made her and how her father wasn't around enough.  Poor girl is doing exactly what her mother did, and Betty doesn't even have the sense to tell her it was normal. 

"Do you ever hear yourself?"

Don asking Betty this question was priceless.  I also wonder if she does listen to what she's saying.  She admitted to Henry earlier that slapping Sally was impulsive, but why does she have to make Sally feel like such an outcast when she's caught masturbating at the sleepover?  She's the epitome of a repressed hypocrite.  Both parents feel guilt at this point: Don for not knowing how to be a parent alone and Betty for bringing a divorce onto her kids in the first place.  If only Sally didn't have to suffer for their mutual guilt. 

Stop Sign

So Dr. Faye is single.  I could see the wheels turning in that Draper head.  They'll at least sleep together by the end of the season.  In fact, I wouldn't be surprised if she ended up being the future Mrs. Draper.   I'm shocked that she would disclose her marital status to him considering she seemed smart enough to wear the ring to avoid people that are probably quite similar to Don.  Perhaps she was just avoiding some vulgarity, but Joan's got a ring and that certainly doesn't stop anyone from harassing her.

White Hair vs. Future Father

Did anyone else find it strange that Pete shouted, "I'm expecting a child!" in the middle of his argument with Roger?  Count on Pete to bring that in.  Money concerns, perhaps?  Now that he's screwed over his father-in-law with the Clearasil account, maybe he can't count on him for financial support.  I was surprised Roger has such strong prejudices.  Count on Joan to talk him off the ledge.  I loved their scene together and the long shot of the space between them while they were talking intimately.  Were we supposed to think that they are intimate despite their distance?  Or that their distance and respective marriages are keeping them apart? Either way, it was beautifully shot.

I'm ready for more Peggy next week and hopefully at least one scene of Betty with Dr. Edna. 

(Photo courtesy of amc)