Episode Report Card Couch Baron: B+ | 319 USERS: B+ YOU GRADE IT Surprise?
By Couch Baron | Season 5 | Episode 1 | Aired on 2012.03.25
...while Megan and Don are just getting off the elevator. Of course, Don can't let her get two steps without pushing her up against the wall and making out with her, but she succeeds in leading him around the corner to their door...
...only to find Jane and Roger arguing about whether they're supposed to knock or not. There's no saving the surprise, although Roger gives it a go for about five seconds and in reference to the party, Don is like, "Um, no," but there's nothing for Megan to do but enter (after muttering "calice," apparently a mild Quebec expletive). Inside the guests yell as they're supposed to, but Roger wastes no time in admitting he blew the surprise and while there's an answering groan, I can't say anyone seems particularly shocked. Perhaps too meaningfully, Don admits that he's very surprised, but any nuance is lost on the guests, who cheer again. Also, assume that most people -- especially the women -- are dressed in sixties casual clothes; even Rebecca Pryce has floral decorations on her dress I can't imagine she would have been caught dead wearing only a couple years ago. Anyway, once the party's back in swing, Don's accountant (I believe) drunkenly approaches with a dowdy woman in tow; he awkwardly hugs Don, as well he might, given that he's probably made him more money than all his other clients put together. The guy awkwardly introduces Mrs. Dowdy as his wife...
...while elsewhere, Bertram is arguing about Vietnam with... hey, it's that beatnik reporter who always got under Peggy's skin and who you knew was completely perfect for her! I'm so happy they're together, although that does mean I'm going to have to look up his name again. Ah, Abe, that's it. Stan involves himself in the conversation (on Abe's side) as his presumed cousin (in a naval uniform) watches bemusedly before offering, "I thought there were gonna be girls here." Wait until the singing starts, kiddo.
At the bar, Don joins Roger, who thanks him for not inviting Joan, as he would have gotten an earful and a half on the ride home. Don disclaims any responsibility, obviously, and then looks at Megan giggling on the couch in the -- of course -- sunken living room before Harry accosts them with a gift for Don. The "I hate this guy" side-eye between Don and Roger is awesome even before Don opens the gift -- a silver-handled Steinway walking stick. Roger: "You could stick it up your ass and have a concert." Hee. Harry then goes to join Megan and her fabulous friends, and Roger, no stranger to generation gaps in marriage, supportively tells him that he shouldn't worry -- they're not laughing at him. Don does look rather perplexed, but that could be due to any or all of the evening's events.