Episode Report Card Couch Baron: B+ | 465 USERS: B+ YOU GRADE IT I Am Become Death
By Couch Baron | Season 5 | Episode 8 | Aired on 2012.05.06
The pay phone is getting a lot of action this episode, as Pete calls the number from Howard's card and gets Beth. He asks her to come to the city and meet him, but she's like, 'You're buds with my husband and we live a stone's throw from each other, so maybe this isn't the best idea?" He's forced to concede the point, and she encourages him to fantasize about their time together -- "I will too" -- but tells him not to call her again. She hangs up and Pete looks sad. Jesus man, get it together. If it helps, maybe think about how much like your father you're becoming?
Don's asleep in bed when Megan, after steeling herself, wakes him. And as if we didn't already think this was going to be a pivotal moment in their marriage, the setup is reminiscent enough of Betty waking Don back in "A Night To Remember" to drive the point home. Don stirs and asks what's wrong and Megan, after taking a breath, confesses she lied to him. She tells him about the audition and he doesn't seem particularly put out, but wonders if she lies to him often. She's relieved to be able to tell him no truthfully and gushes that even though she didn't get the part, the experience was incredible and while she knows she's rusty and needs to resume her studies, she misses acting. Don thinks this is about the Cool Whip ad and tells her they can't be in it because it's bad for business -- THANK YOU VERY MUCH! -- but Megan's obviously got her sights on something bigger. Don tells her that it's a reality that we don't get to choose where our talents lie and adds that what she did with Heinz? "It took me years to be able to think that way." He goes on that she'll really feel proud of her work when she sees it realized in an actual ad, but Megan leans in and says she knows if she doesn't give this a shot, she'll be angry and bitter. Knowing what that looks like, Don asks her what she wants to do, but he's still not quite Getting It as he tells her he knows working together is tough for her, but there are many agencies that would be happy to have her, so she has to straight-up tell him that she doesn't want to do it. After a moment, he tells her he understands and doesn't want to keep her from her dream and goes on that there's no need to drag it out -- "we'll go in tomorrow, and you'll say goodbye to everybody and we'll get you on your way." She can scarcely believe this has gone so well and tells him she loves him; he returns the sentiment and she happily crawls into bed with him. After she closes her eyes, though, he looks thoughtful and not entirely thrilled. Elsewhere, though, Bertram's dancing a jig and doesn't even know why.