It'll be interesting to see how the characters cont 2 develop over the next few seasons. Cuz you know that this show is far from over. Can't wait.

Joe, I hope you're wrong about the teacher/potential stalker. She's been a rare example of "Mad Men" making a big misstep, for me. I don't like her, don't get the point of having her around, really don't like the thought of her going "Fatal Attraction" on the Drapers. What did Don see in her, anyway? And isn't this all mirroring the end of last season, when Don came back from California and asked Betty to take him back and seemed to be turning a new leaf (or at least making the token effort). I hope the last two episodes bring all this to a satisfying place for me, because I've felt like the series has been wandering off course lately.

Yeah I really don't want to see any "fatal Attraction" thing either. Though it might liven up a season that has been rather dull, at least until the big reveal scene last week. The scene between Don and Betty was almost good enough to make me forgive all the Sally nonsense.

Oh and the last scene with the family trick or treating made me feel like I was hit over the head with the symbolism hammer. The guy asking Don "Who are you supposed to be?" was too spot on for a show that is usually so much smarter than that. I mean, I got the correlation between Don's identity and Halloween without having that line thrown in at the end.

Wow! This week's episode was heavy. A real downer. The whole footage & take on the president's fate was really moving & well done. I was often teary-eyed.

So, how did we like the season finale? Don Draper really hit bottom, eh? I thought the whole episode was brilliant in so many ways. I can't wait to see where they pick up things for next season.

It'll be interesting to see how Dick deals w/ his divorce, children, & the "new co"...

Quite frankly, if someone shoots him dead I'd be the happiest Mad Men fan! I'd say he deserved it!

The early part of the season kind of dragged for me...too much Sally, Betty's dalliance with the Governor's assistant, the teacher's brother...but the last several weeks with Betty confronting Don about his secrets, the JFK assassination and the finale were just brilliant enough to more thanh make up for it.

This Time Magazine review really hits the nail on the head on this weeks amazing finale.

Excellent article CHIathlete!

...Loved your comments George. You hit the nail on the head!

Edit:

It'll be interesting to see if Don's identity secret will be a non-issue in future episodes or will it simply become a clusterf**k for him. Also, could Betty use this truth as a wild card should Don change his mind 'bout taking away the kids or giving her some $$. Hmmm?

...& he had some nerve calling her a whore considering that he's been dipping his stick into all kinds of nether regions more than a Jiffy Lube mechanic could ever dream of.

So I watched the final two episodes with dinner and red wine and more red wine and I ended up crying for the better part of both episodes. The JFK material was amazing, emotional, and deep. I know some posters don't like Don but I see so much of myself and my friends in him, we try and do our best and hold on because that's all we know how to do. It's how we were trained growing up. So Don sitting in the dark upstairs in episode 12 made me sob and the scene in 13 where he calls Betty a whore because he has to lash out since he doesn't know what to do also made me tear up. That and the kids on the couch scene. Divorce f**king hurts.

I think the scene that got me the most though was when Cooper called Joan and was talking about JFK. The intimacy involved there, even though they are both married to other people, reminded me that life isn't a fairy tale. And sometimes despite our best intentions, years of therapy, and prayer we find ourselves drawn to people that we aren't in a primary relationship with. What's worse, knowing that there aren't any rules to the game except the ones that you create...I'm ranting or something. Confessing. Time to watch Brothers and Sisters and my gay marriage role models Scotty and Kevin!

You're right Jay. Perhaps I'm too harsh on Don. Honestly, if his character has a change of heart & is "redeemed" (or @ least partly) in the future then I'd be one happy camper. Maybe they'll throw in some counseling sessions in the upcoming seasons for him. Who knows where these characters go now, especially since they're starting a new firm. But gawd, their lives @ work REALLY are cutthroat! Anyone could be backstabbed @ any moment.

Well said Jay. I agree with many of your points. Oh, and who said we are supposed to like Don anyway?