(S03E08) "You don't kiss boys, boys kiss you." - Betty, to Sally

I think my favorite episodes of Mad Men are the ones that have a nice balance of Draper household drama and Sterling Cooper advertising drama. It seemed that this episode was going to tilt a lot - too much - towards the former, but about 20 minutes in, both worlds came together in unexpected ways -- Betty going on the business trip to Rome with Don and Pete running into ... well, someone at the department store. We'll talk about that more after the jump.

(S05E07) So, right now I'm in Maine finishing up a round of college shows, approximately 500 miles from my wife and kid back in New Jersey. Two years ago, I was a teacher who was home every night. Now, I'm a comedian -- following my dream! -- and I'm pretty sure my kid's first words are going to be "cat's in the cradle..."

Watching the interplay between Pam and Jim tonight really hit home. I've seen my wife's face when I tell her that I've got to fly to Waukesha, WI (a real place!) to make with the ha-has. I've heard the resignation in her voice as she said, like Jim, "well, it's your dream."

There's been some grumbling in the comments that this season has been a bit off. I'm not 100% sure I agree with that, but I can understand where you're coming from. That said, let me ask you this: is there another comedy show on the planet that can pack such an emotional wallop? Phew...

(S02E11) Roger is starting anew and Jane is the nectar of life, his rebirth. Is Roger grasping for Jane because subconsciously he knows he blew it with Joan? He's ready to sacrifice everything for her, including a chunk of his fortune. "This is the life I was meant to have," he says. I love George the lawyer telling him the cost: "Think of all the good things in life, then cut them in half."

Don is in paradise. Sun, exotic music, a vision of a woman that looks like Betty, but she passes right by him. The devil appears in the form of Willy, the viscount. He's actually pimping out his daughter Joy, although we don't know he's her father till much later. Joy offers Don a way out, a beautiful life traveling to beautiful places, freedom at an epic scale, including the fact that she's not possessive. "You can have anyone you want," she tells him.