Episode Report Card Couch Baron: A | 495 USERS: A- YOU GRADE IT The Short Goodbye
By Couch Baron | Season 4 | Episode 3 | Aired on 2010.08.08
On the plane, Don appears to be visibly relaxing already, and then we cut to him driving down what looks like Route 1 in a flashy red convertible. And thankfully, he's not working as Harry's errand boy (not that there was really any doubt that that wasn't going to happen) but is paying Anna a visit. God, has it been almost a season and a half since he saw Anna in "The Mountain King"? I need to go back and watch that episode again, although given what happens here it's not going to be easy. Anyway, Anna's on her porch, and when she comes into full view Don sees she's got a cast on her right foot and is walking with a cane. As they exchange a warm embrace, she tells him her leg is broken and then asks how he is; knowing him as well as she does, his silence is all she needs to hear to get the picture, and she tells him he just needs some R and R. Inside, he goes to the bar, and she orders "half of what you have," which suggests she's developed a serious alcohol problem. Noticing some discoloration on her wall, he notes she's got a leak, but she tells him that part is fixed, and it just needs some new paint. Anna's barely gotten her drink in her hand when a blonde woman who looks like she could be Anna's sister (and revisiting my recap, I see that Anna mentioned having a sister who looked just like her with two good legs; it's amazing how rigorously the show keeps its continuity) enters with some laundry and a college-aged girl in tow. "Patty" brightens as she greets Don as "Dick," and the girl then introduces herself as "Stephanie," prompting Don to note in wonder that the last time he saw her she was just a little girl. Considering that probably means she was around Sally's age at the time, it makes his later overtures even grosser, no? After establishing that they're helping Anna out during her infirmity and they live a fair driving distance away, Patty asks how long Don's staying, and he tells her it's just for the night. Patty's face falls: "Here?" Of course, she has a hidden reason to be concerned, but when Anna cuts in and reminds her she asked to be told when she's intruding, Patty replies, "The cast isn't stable and we don't need any more accidents." I'm pretty sure Anna would consider the risk worth it, and what's more, she'd hardly be alone. Anyway, when Patty goes to put away some of Anna's clothes (Stephanie claimed she didn't know where they go) Anna tells Don that Stephanie's studying political science at Berkeley. Don mock-pointedly asks if she's sitting in, and Stephanie replies that she agrees with what the Vietnam protesters are doing, "but somebody's got to go to class." When Patty rejoins them, Anna invites them to stay for dinner, and when Patty begs off with a prior commitment, Anna suggests Stephanie still stay. Patty obviously isn't thrilled with the idea, and asks how she'll get home, but Don volunteers that he's got a car, and Anna adds that she could also spend the night. After an indescribably hilarious look at Stephanie and then at Don, Patty accedes to the request and wishes Don a Happy New Year before leaving. Don then says he's going to clean up, "and then we're going to that place with the beer and the abalone." On that stretch of coastline, it would behoove him to be a little more specific. When he's gone, Stephanie asks why she's really staying, getting this response: "I wanted him to meet you. And I know you've got grass." Honey, you should be getting plenty of medicinal...oh, whoops. Forget I said anything.