- Don becomes frightened that his lie will be exposed when government agents question Betty about him, Lane has shocking news for his father when he comes to bring him home, and Joan considers having an abortion.
- SCDP's fortune's are on the upswing and Don is buoyed by that fact. Harry is getting him tickets to a Beatles concert, to which he is taking an excited Sally. And SCDP are in final negotiations with North American Aviation, whose marketing budget has been substantially increased. However, the contract with North America Aviation has some unforeseen consequences, the results which unnerve Betty, concern Pete who does whatever he can to handle the situation within his means albeit with some reservations, but most importantly threaten Don's entire future. As Don prepares for his family's security if he is taken down, the reality of the situation begins truly to sink in. With others in the office, Lane receives an unexpected visit from his father. The purpose of the visit is to bring Lane home to deal with his marital issues. But Lane has a particular reason for wanting to stay permanently in New York, which he has to decide whether to tell his father. And Roger and Joan's sexual indiscretion has an unplanned consequence: Joan is pregnant. They discuss what to do, with keeping the baby and passing it off as Greg's an option on the table. Roger receives news of another bombshell, this one of a professional nature, and one that may bring on another heart attack more than news of Joan's pregnancy.—Huggo
- Joan has some news for Roger Sterling and it's not the only bad news he gets when the head of Lucky Strike tells him their business relationship is over. Roger doesn't share the information at the next partners meeting. Don has a big surprise for daughter Sally when he tells her he has tickets for the Beatles concert at Shea stadium. Lane Pryce is expecting his son for a visit but has a surprise awaiting him when it's his father Robert who shows up. Lane takes him to the Playboy club but it's one particular bunny that he's interested in. North America Aviation is getting into the big leagues and expecting major government contracts. It's looking good for the agency as well, until two FBI agents show up at the Francis residence to do a background check on Don for a security clearance. Betty doesn't tell them anything but Don realizes his lifelong ruse may be coming to an end and has a panic attack.—garykmcd
- "Mad Men" - "Hands and Knees" - Sept. 26, 2010
Joan comes in to see Roger. A few weeks have passed since their post-mugging tryst and it turns out their surprise is that Joan is late. Very late. They decide to have it "taken care of."
Don calls to let her know he has tickets to see the Beatles at Shea Stadium and she freaks out in a good way, shrieking with joy. Betty is pleased also.
Lane is eagerly awaiting the arrival of his son Nigel from England , he has a stuffed toy and helium balloons. but is surprised that his father has come instead. His father informs him that he's been dispatched to bring Lane back to London. Lane doesn't want to do that, but they agree to have dinner together.
The agency meets with two men, they are from North American Aviation, they flip through a binder with most of the lines blacked out. NAA has $4million to spend on advertising and think they have consumer applications, not just bombs as Harry puts it. After the meeting Don reminds Harry he needs the Beatles tickets.
Lane begs Don to join him for dinner and the three go to the Playboy Club. The elder Lane acts like a jerk and Lane, a club regular, seems interested in a black waitress.
A couple of feds show up to interview Betty about things like Don's loyalty, whether he has any Communist ties and if, for any reason, she might not believe he is who he says he is. Betty is nervous but lies on Don's behalf. She immediately calls Don and lambastes him for not warning her the men were coming. Don didn't know they were coming and he starts to freak out and asks what she told them. She says nothing but they both get nervous that someone is listening in on the line so he says of course she said nothing because there's nothing to tell. He then gives a heartfelt and relieved thanks.
Don goes out to Megan to ask if he got anything from the Defense Department. Turns out a few weeks ago she filled out a form on his behalf from his HR file info and he signed it without looking at it. It turns out the NAA people were seeking to get Don a security clearance so he can work on their account. Don, nervous, pours himself a stiff drink.
The next day Lane meets the waitress, they appear to really love one another-- Toni thinks Lane is "dashing" and they make plans for another dinner with Dad.
Roger takes Joan to see his doctor, who berates him for using and ruining Joan. Roger isn't interested in his judgement, just his referral.
Don is a sweaty mess when Pete arrives and Don says there are four lies on the form and thus, he could be outed for desertion and thrown in prison. Don asks Pete to get his friend at the Department of Defense to help them out.
At a coffee shop, Roger reiterates his feelings for Joan and talks about how bad he feels. He advances the theory that she should have it even though the math wouldn't work for it to be Greg's baby, noting that lots of GIs came home to children that weren't theirs and no one talked about it. Joan doesn't care for this or Roger's musing that Greg might not come home. She does not see her husband dying as a solution to their problem
Henry is in bed and apologizes for missing dinner, he worked late. Betty is a little upset but tells Henry about the Feds and says she wants to have no secrets between them.
In the elevator Pete tries to get Don to see it out, there must be a statute of limitations. Don told Pete that he needs to "get rid of it", the $4Million North American account.
In his office Don meets with his lawyer and asks him to set up a trust for the kids immediately that Betty would have access to. His lawyer is freaked out by this and Don's general edginess but Don reassures him that things are fine. The lawyer asks if Don his shtupping his secretary, Megan.
Joan goes to the doctor's office and as she waits she talks with a mother who has come with her 17-year-old daughter. The mother breaks down to Joan and says she was only 15 when she had her daughter and it wasn't a mistake but... well her daughter seems younger. She asks how old Joan's daughter is. Joan says 15.
Don is trying to relax on his couch, when Faye arrives he claims he has a fever and she insists on taking him home.
Roger and Lee Garner are having dinner and Lee drops the bomb that Lucky Strike is leaving SCDP for BBDO. Since his father is ill the board wants to go in new direction. Roger is understandably angry and distraught and asks Garner for 30 days to get the affairs in order before the news hits and sinks the agency.
At his apartment Don has a full on panic attack after seeing two government-looking types who turn out to be lost tourists in the hallway. He feels like he's having a heart attack and he throws up.
Mr.Lane is less than enamored when he meets Toni at Lane's home and understands what is happening. The elder Price begs off dinner and Lane sends Toni ahead. Lane says he's not coming back to London and that he's in love and he can tell his father disapproves. Not one to mince words his father whacks him upside the head with his cane, knocking him to the ground. For good measure he steps on Lane's hand and tells him to get his house in order. Lane tells him yes sir.
Pete is brooding at home. A very pregnant Trudy wonders what's up. He can't tell her but muses on how horrible it is that some people's lies ruin other people's lives and it's the victims who have to clean up the messes. The baby kicks and Trudy has him feel it.
Joan rides a bus in the dark, looking out the window. Roger is in his office working his Rolodex and dead contacts.
When Faye checks on Don 2 hours later to offer him a valium he comes, mostly, clean about the Korea switcheroo. She tries to reassure him it can be worked out, surrender, plead for clemency. He says it's not that simple. He wishes he hadn't told her. She's glad he did. They spoon.
Pete arrives at Don's apartment just as Faye is putting on her earrings, she leaves without saying a word. Pete reassures Don he has not been flagged and as soon as the NAA account is dropped the security check will be dropped.
At the office Joan tells Roger it is all taken care of. At the partner's meeting. Lane announces he has to take a leave of absence to return to the UK for 2-4 weeks. Pete decides to cover for Don after all and says they lost National Aviation through a series of protocol mishaps. Roger freaks out over this and yells at Pete for his incompetence. But, when it's time to go through the financials by account when Joan calls out Lucky Strike Roger simply gives a thumbs up as if everything's okay.
Later when Faye visits Don he begs off a date and even though he agrees to a raincheck the day after. Megan delivers the Beatles tix and asks if she can go as it is 8 pm. Don ogles Megan through the doorway as she freshens her lipstick.
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