# Mad-Men: 6.09 "The Better Half" (open spoilers) **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [May 27, 2013, 12:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mad-men-6-09-the-better-half-open-spoilers/659435 "2013-05-27T00:55:55Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Acsenray](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/acsenray/32/4519_2.png) [@Acsenray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acsenray)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2013, 11:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mad-men-6-09-the-better-half-open-spoilers/659435/41 "2013-05-27T23:38:06Z")
It’s pretty obvious to me that the show is very loudly signaling the change in character of the city – loud sirens, real-time, muggings, assaults, perceptions of safety. ---
**Author:** ![Kent\_Clark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kent_clark/32/105_2.png) [@Kent\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kent_Clark)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2013, 12:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mad-men-6-09-the-better-half-open-spoilers/659435/42 "2013-05-28T00:18:33Z")
> [@beagledave](#): > > Is it me, or were there two moments at Don/Megan’s pad where the street noise from the sirens was REALLY loud? Louder than I recall in earlier episodes. > > On preview, I note that Sepinwall mentions it as well. Is it just background noise…prelude to something else? I figured the second time was Abe being taken to the hospital , with the route going right past Don and Megan’s apartment. ---
**Author:** ![drastic\_quench](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e36b37/32.png) [@drastic\_quench](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drastic_quench)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2013, 2:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mad-men-6-09-the-better-half-open-spoilers/659435/43 "2013-05-28T02:56:14Z")
> [@kunilou](#): > > I figured the second time was Abe being taken to the hospital , with the route going right past Don and Megan’s apartment. I don’t think it is that literal. It is the soundscape of the decay of NYC. ---
**Author:** ![Jophiel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jophiel/32/66_2.png) [@Jophiel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jophiel)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2013, 3:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mad-men-6-09-the-better-half-open-spoilers/659435/44 "2013-05-28T03:06:49Z")
I watched this episode again tonight since my wife missed it last night. I noticed the ambulance wail below Don & Megan and had a thought of “wonder if that’s Abe?” but then I have no concept of NYC geography to know where the nearest hospital to Peggy’s pad was vs. where Don lives. The shrugging paramedic was pretty awesome. As for Duck, I figure that the advertisement industry is one of those “big, but small” industries. Lots of people, good number of companies but everyone seems to know everyone else at least tangentially in a “I used to work with a guy who knew him back from XYZ Inc” sort of way. Even as a headhunter, Duck would be using his connections within the industry to place people. The “You don’t have a name!” thing is getting a little dumb. On one hand, SCDPBlahblah has enough prestige clients that it’s obviously not some scrub group of idiots like some seem to suggest based on its (absent) name. On the other, if not having a name nailed down seriously makes it sound that way _why haven’t they picked out a name?_ It’s been over three months since the merger, assuming the usual one episode = one month time lapse. You don’t even have to work all the partners in; just call it “Consolidated Advertising” or something. Ok, not actually that because that’s a terrible name but it doesn’t have to be Partner-Partner-Partner-Partner & Partner… ---
**Author:** ![alphaboi867](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alphaboi867/32/3898_2.png) [@alphaboi867](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/alphaboi867)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2013, 3:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mad-men-6-09-the-better-half-open-spoilers/659435/45 "2013-05-28T03:54:33Z")
Yeah, it seems to me that a name would be one of the first thing’s they’d decided on. What have they been using for stationary these last 3 months or even answering the phone with? Simply combining the names into _Sterling, Cooper, Draper, Pryce, Cuttler, Gleason, & Chaough_ is as ridiculous as Pete made it sound (& that’s not even taking into consideration that 2 of those men are dead). ---
**Author:** ![Horatio\_Hellpop](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/e5b9ba/32.png) [@Horatio\_Hellpop](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Horatio_Hellpop)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2013, 4:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mad-men-6-09-the-better-half-open-spoilers/659435/46 "2013-05-28T04:00:46Z")
Women sure are finding it easier to kick Don to the curb this season. Last couple of episodes,they are just dog-piling on! ---
**Author:** ![Voyager](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/voyager/32/133_2.png) [@Voyager](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Voyager)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2013, 5:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mad-men-6-09-the-better-half-open-spoilers/659435/47 "2013-05-28T05:47:28Z")
> [@Bob Ducca](#): > > “I’m Bobby #5!” - Mad Men is getting meta. Since Sally was watching the Prisoner last week, maybe Bobby will be Number Six next time. ---
**Author:** ![Tim\_R.Mortiss](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tim_r.mortiss/32/142_2.png) [@Tim\_R.Mortiss](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tim_R.Mortiss)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2013, 6:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mad-men-6-09-the-better-half-open-spoilers/659435/48 "2013-05-28T06:08:35Z")
> [@kunilou](#): > > I figured the second time was Abe being taken to the hospital , with the route going right past Don and Megan’s apartment. I kind of assumed that, too. Not that it was necessarily \*literally \*true, but that the producers intended the audience to think that it \*might \*well be true. And that is good enough for the dramatic effect. Also, loved the full-circle of Don and Betty. Much as I hate Betty, she is starting to look useful, plot-wise and theme-wise. Even her glacial rate of growth as a human being has left Don in the dust. ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2013, 2:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mad-men-6-09-the-better-half-open-spoilers/659435/49 "2013-05-28T14:00:30Z")
> [@Bob Ducca](#): > > Bob Benson said in the first episode that his father was dead (said to Ken after getting chewed out for sending food to the funeral.) Now there is a nurse that brought him back to health. Something’s up with “Bob Bunson”. I’m thinking “gay”. I really enjoyed this episode even thought it was a little heavy handed on the symbolism, especially Peggy standing between Don’s and Ted’s offices with the them both closing the doors. Glad Gabe is gone. The angry counterculture protester image was getting on my nerves, and their relationship was making no sense. ---
**Author:** ![Jophiel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jophiel/32/66_2.png) [@Jophiel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jophiel)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2013, 2:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mad-men-6-09-the-better-half-open-spoilers/659435/50 "2013-05-28T14:51:07Z")
It made sense from a “She’s supporting his dead ass and she’s too worried about getting unmarriageable to leave someone who might possibly come through” standpoint. But, whether through intentional acting or actor error, they had zero chemistry together and never felt like an actual pair. ---
**Author:** ![Acsenray](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/acsenray/32/4519_2.png) [@Acsenray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acsenray)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2013, 2:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mad-men-6-09-the-better-half-open-spoilers/659435/51 "2013-05-28T14:55:46Z")
But wasn’t it Abe who broke up with Peggy? ---
**Author:** ![ThelmaLou](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thelmalou/32/390_2.png) [@ThelmaLou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThelmaLou)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2013, 3:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mad-men-6-09-the-better-half-open-spoilers/659435/52 "2013-05-28T15:32:44Z")
> [@Voyager](#): > > Since Sally was watching the Prisoner last week, maybe Bobby will be Number Six next time. Good one! 🆒 ---
**Author:** ![Jophiel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jophiel/32/66_2.png) [@Jophiel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jophiel)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2013, 3:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mad-men-6-09-the-better-half-open-spoilers/659435/53 "2013-05-28T15:41:28Z")
> [@Acsenray](#): > > But wasn’t it Abe who broke up with Peggy? I guess he finally decided that hanging out with “the enemy” wasn’t worth free room and board. Nothing like a girlfriend-inflicted gut wound from a crudely made spear to bring about an epiphany. ---
**Author:** ![Tim\_R.Mortiss](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tim_r.mortiss/32/142_2.png) [@Tim\_R.Mortiss](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tim_R.Mortiss)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2013, 4:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mad-men-6-09-the-better-half-open-spoilers/659435/54 "2013-05-28T16:08:20Z")
> [@Acsenray](#): > > But wasn’t it Abe who broke up with Peggy? When your girlfriend stabs you with a bayonet, you can assume \*she \*is breaking up with _you_. ---
**Author:** ![Flander](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/8c91f0/32.png) [@Flander](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Flander)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2013, 7:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mad-men-6-09-the-better-half-open-spoilers/659435/55 "2013-05-28T19:02:00Z")
I was half expecting her to twist the knife a bit. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Quimby](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/22d042/32.png) [@Quimby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quimby)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2013, 8:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mad-men-6-09-the-better-half-open-spoilers/659435/56 "2013-05-28T20:46:31Z")
> [@Gangster\_Octopus](#): > > I’m not sure Bob’s scheming is anything more complicated than aggressive brown-nosing. The brown nosing paid off once: Joan saved his job. I think it is more than that though since as others pointed out he has already been caught lying about his father. Re: The sirens. I think the point was the City was not a good place to be even in the good neighborhoods like where Don lives. It is only going to get worse. New York City in the 70s was a pretty awful place. ---
**Author:** ![ftg](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ftg/32/2801_2.png) [@ftg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ftg)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2013, 9:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mad-men-6-09-the-better-half-open-spoilers/659435/57 "2013-05-28T21:13:17Z")
> [@Voyager](#): > > Since Sally was watching the Prisoner last week, maybe Bobby will be Number Six next time. The opening of _The Prisoner_ started going thru my mind once I read here the Bobby #5 reference. (Didn’t catch it myself. Wow.) Who are you? I am Bobby Number Two. Who is Bobby Number One? You are Bobby Number Six. Really fine episode. Best of the season. Only the 2nd one that we’ve liked to far. The exchange between Betty and Don was perfect and completely abnormal. I think the “Roger’s recurring dream” is just something to throw people off. It’s like the misleading “Next time” bits. Duck is bad news. He’s only in it for himself. Look at the old buyout of SC. I don’t think he really wants to help Pete. He just wants SCalphabetsoup to lose someone. I don’t think they’d be hurt by Pete leaving. They lost Vicks. It’s late enough in the 60s that fewer people care about family background in business. Pete more or less knows this. Bob Bunson (!) is finally becoming more interesting. Long story: I used to always consider the “political” types (brown nosers, apple polishers, etc.) intrinsically evil. I had the unfortunate experience of crossing paths with a top one in grad school. It did not go well. Then I had a student who was really, really good at it. But also quite open and honest about it. It was very eye opening. Nothing really evil. Just someone who innately knew how to be “political”. So I watched and (tried to) learn. Has had a very successful career despite modest talents otherwise. So Bob might not necessarily be a sociopath. But he is a liar. I suspect both “father dead” and “father’s great nurse” stories are lies. And he’s probably gay. It would be great if they could use that as an excuse to bring Sal back for an episode. “Hey, didn’t we once do it in restroom?” Roger is now banned from seeing his grandson without Mona. I could see how things might go with that. What better way to grow up than to get together (like Don and Betty) with your ex? Peggy: He former “outside” life pretending to be a writer and hanging out with creative types is over. She’s a corporate gal now. Next up: more office wear advice from Joan. Dem bones, Dem bones … ---
**Author:** ![alphaboi867](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alphaboi867/32/3898_2.png) [@alphaboi867](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/alphaboi867)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2013, 9:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mad-men-6-09-the-better-half-open-spoilers/659435/58 "2013-05-28T21:32:25Z")
> [@Quimby](#): > > The brown nosing paid off once: Joan saved his job. I think it is more than that though since as others pointed out he has already been caught lying about his father… The audience may have caught him, but nobody in-universe has. It’s an easy enough lie to cover up too. All Bob has to do is insist he was talking about people sending food to his _grand_father’s funeral. And that’s assuming Ken & Harry care enough to remember the conversation they had with him. I wasn’t really getting a gay vibe from him, but now that’s all I can think about. It could make for a more interesting storyline than “Joan get’s a boy-toy”, but I don’t think anyone should read into his shorts. That was the fashion for men right up until the late '80s/early 90s; it just looks really gay & camp to modern eyes. And the actor does have nice legs. ---
**Author:** ![ShibbOleth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/848f3c/32.png) [@ShibbOleth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ShibbOleth)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2013, 9:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mad-men-6-09-the-better-half-open-spoilers/659435/59 "2013-05-28T21:37:18Z")
Noticed that John Slattery directed this, so I checked and it’s his fourth time directing an episode. He also did two in 2010 and one in 2012. In this case, the writing may be more important than the directing, but I have to give him some props for this episode, which thus far is drawing good marks from the SDMB. ---
**Author:** ![Sampiro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/2acd7d/32.png) [@Sampiro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sampiro)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2013, 9:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mad-men-6-09-the-better-half-open-spoilers/659435/60 "2013-05-28T21:41:36Z")
> [@ftg](#): > > So Bob might not necessarily be a sociopath. As I mentioned earlier, his brown nosing saved his job. Though I’ve never understood why he was at the brothel to begin with. Had he been with a girl himself? Or was he Pete’s designated driver? Of course I also didn’t understand why Pete didn’t think to tell his father-in-law “I was there with a client”, especially since the old man didn’t see him with a girl. > [@ftg](#): > > Roger is now banned from seeing his grandson without Mona. I’m sure it’s only until her husband needs money again. John Slattery has a small role in the new _Arrested Development_ episodes and after seeing what he does with Roger (a very funny but very serious role) it’s great to see him playing light comedy. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mad-men-6-09-the-better-half-open-spoilers/659435.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mad-men-6-09-the-better-half-open-spoilers/659435.md?page=4)