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
Stephanie gets the episode title in telling some war story about her roommate becoming born-again or whatever; and then after throwing Don some good-natured shade about his chosen profession, she saunters somewhat unsteadily to the restroom, leaving Don to ask Anna how she'd feel about him bringing the kids out there in the spring. Hoo boy, the fight with Betty that would require. I'm sad I won't get to see it. Anna, of course, is thrilled at the prospect, but when Don brings up his ex, Anna says she'll understand. I know she hasn't met Betty, but still: Anna Draper, ladies and gentlemen! I mean, honestly. Don is pretty much of the same mind, saying he doesn't think Betty will ever understand, and Anna points out it was logical to expect her to feel hurt by the bombshell he dropped on her. Don admits once he told her, he felt relieved, as the act of lying itself had gotten bigger than the secret it was masking, but he knew once she saw who he was, she'd never want to look at him again, and that eventuality was well-deserved. I think it's entirely consistent for him to feel this way, and it's not like I'm falling over myself to defend Betty, but I do think if Don had been faithful to her he would have had a much better shot at keeping her. Anyway, Stephanie returns, and as she and Don dance to "Old Cape Cod," Don opines that the singer is inviting us to a beautiful place, and while he's never been there, "every time I hear this song, I want to go." It never ceases to amaze me how the sparse dialogue on this show conveys everything you need to know. Don's got a massive romantic side - it's where his talent for advertising comes from - but his own self-esteem issues, his feeling that he doesn't deserve happiness, prevents him from indulging it for long. Anyway...