What I’m Watching: Mad Men

Mad Men: Season 6, Episode 9 “The Better Half” (B+)

This was an epic episode in terms of relationship drama. Most notably, we got a chance to see Don and Betty cheating on their spouses with each other, both considerably happier together than they ever were before. Betty had the most stinging line of the hour, calling Megan a poor girl for not knowing that loving Don is the worst way to get to him. After Don came down to breakfast to see Betty eating with Henry, he seemed to actually do something positive and try to be there for Megan, who almost had her own unexpected sexual encounter. Peggy accidentally stabbing Abe was unfortunate, but it was clear much before this that they weren’t meant to be together. Abe telling her that she’d always be the enemy was particularly harsh. Ted dismissing his feelings for Peggy didn’t help much, and now she’s caught between two warring execs who want to use her to resolve their differences. Roger stopping by Joan’s after being told that he couldn’t see his grandson again after taking him to “Planet of the Apes” only to find the nicest man in the universe, Bob, at her door in a bathing suit was a blow, and I hope Bob doesn’t bear the brunt of his wrath. Seeing Duck again was a treat even if he didn’t have much of a role, and I do hope Pete finds some degree of happiness soon now that he’s become a sympathetic character again.