Episode Report Card Couch Baron: A- | 7 USERS: A+ YOU GRADE IT …Is Sometimes Strained
By Couch Baron | Season 6 | Episode 12 | Aired on 06.16.2013
Roger comes downstairs and exchanges a look of some portent with Don, and then they head into Ted's office where Ted and Cutler are already waiting. Roger breaks the news about Sunkist, which is taken as great by Cutler and "great" by Ted, the latter of whom starts with fact-finding as he asks if Sunkist doesn't care they're already in with Ocean Spray (Harry told them they'd resign) and when Don made such an amazing pitch to Sunkist that they're still talking about it (Don claims it was on the visit). Roger asks if Ted's upset, pointing out that the account would now be nearly triple the size of Ocean Spray. Ted seems to be reacting mildly, merely saying he's dreading making the fire-the-client call, and Ted's new around here so he might help him to know that that kind of thing is Don's forte. Cutler offers to break the news to Ocean Spray, but Ted starts to get worked up as he says that won't suffice -- someone should call all their clients to tell them to watch for being backstabbed. Don asks if Ted really wants to turn it down and Cutler tries to pipe up that of course he doesn't, but Ted tells him to shut up before biting out that leaving aside the part where they gave their word, "which obviously doesn't mean anything to you" (this is clearly directed at Don), he wonders how it looks. "The right hand doesn't know what the left hand is doing!" I guess that makes Don the sinistra, which Peggy will certainly appreciate. Don at least feigns sincerity when he agrees that they should work together more, so Cutler declares that they'll have a more coherent approach to new business, which will definitely be an improvement over one that doesn't qualify as distinguishable. He goes on, however, that it's a great account and seeing that he's going to be outvoted anyway, Ted goes for a different concession, saying that Peggy should be on Sunkist as she has "juice experience" now. I wasn't under the impression that the creative department was so huge that he needs to reserve her a spot, but despite the fact that Peggy's image is almost visible now if you look into Ted's eyes, Don merely agrees that the idea makes sense and heads out.
Clara comes into Pete's office to find him polishing his shotgun, and given that it's been around since Season One I'm surprised the show can still afford to pay its rate. Pete slyly says he's getting ready to do some hunting, and Clara bites as she asks with an inquisitive smile what's going on, since Bertram wants to see him. Pete gives nothing away and after Clara tells him his prized weapon is a .22 -- "It's not good for anything but squirrels" -- Pete asks "Annie Oakley" (heh) if she'd ever leave New York before heading off...