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
...and then we cut to a movie theater and as the lights come up, Megan says the movie was really scary. I'd wonder if her somewhat terrified tone wasn't a bit much if we weren't about to learn they were watching Rosemary's Baby. Don agrees that it was disturbing, and then they get up to go... only to catch sight of Peggy and Ted, the latter of whom works through a suddenly dry throat to explain that they were there because they're doing a spot for St. Joseph's based on it, and he and Peggy had an argument over whether there was a Japanese man among the group of devil worshippers at the end. Don latches on to the fact that they obviously both had already seen it in that case, and soon there's an uncomfortable pause, with Megan then saying they were just going to get some food and inviting them to join. As so often happens among people who are terrible at having almost-affairs, Peggy and Ted pick the path they think is less suspicious, but in practice it actually much more so, as Peggy (who you'll remember greeted Megan effusively the last time she saw her), too-quickly says she should go as she has a date, and rushes off. With Peggy gone, Ted recovers a bit of his mental faculties as he points out that Don is "feeling better," but Megan falls on that grenade, saying she had to get him out of the house. She reiterates her invitation to dinner, but Ted says he's supposed to spend some time with his kids and heads off. When he's gone, Megan whispers an OMG to Don, who gives her an "I can't even with this" side-eye in return. Hey, at least you're not in Ginzo's shoes.
When they arrive home, Megan wants to talk about the spectacle they just witnessed, but Don is more concerned with the idea of using Rosemary's Baby to promote a children's aspirin. Both are conversational topics of interest, I have to admit, and Megan adds to her case by pointing out Peggy and Ted probably chose the five o'clock showing because they didn't think anyone would be there. Don, however, still won't play, and he asks what time it is in LA, causing Megan's tone to cool noticeably at even an allusion to Harry Crane. He picks up the phone and given what soon happens, I wonder if what he just witnessed made him decide to go back on his word to Ted and reverse his stance with Harry. I suppose it's better than having no reason.
Happily, Ken's still alive, but he's wearing an eye patch with some surrounding cuts, so I can understand why he's closing the drapes in his office. He's not done, though, before Pete appears in the hallway, catches sight of him and asks in a shocked voice what happened. Ken tells him to come in, so Pete obliges, closing the door before sitting on the couch with Ken and saying he thought he was in Detroit. Ken: "I was. I told them that Cynthia was pregnant, and they took me out to celebrate and they shot me." Ken, you're going to have to dress that up a bit if you want to write about it. Ken goes on that the account is killing him, and he hates cars and Detroit and guns. "I don't even want to look at a steak anymore!" He starts crying, and he really must be overcome if he's letting tears flow in front of Pete, not to mention the fact that it obviously hurts his wound (although it does make it seem like his eye will be more or less intact). Pete soberly counsels Ken to keep reminding himself it's a great account, but Ken heatedly reiterates that he's going to be a father, and despite Pete's assertion that anyone in the agency would trade places with him in a newborn's heartbeat, Ken doesn't want to hear it: "Did I tell you that on the way to the hospital, they tried to stop for lunch?" WOW. I don't know how to make a joke out of that, given that it's already a punch line. Pete warns Ken that if he withdraws from the account, he'll be laughed out of not just the agency but the industry. Ken counters that Chevy's at least feeling guilty, so he can make a transition happen even though they won't like it. We then spend a full five seconds on Pete getting his scheming face on before offering that if he'd support him to the partners, he'd gladly take Ken's place. Ken wonders about Pete's family, so Pete finally comes clean to someone about his separation and Ken tells him he's sorry to hear it but agrees to back him up. They shake on it and then Pete congratulates Ken on the baby news before taking off. And despite Pete's Crafty Face earlier, it does seem like these two have developed a genuine affection for one another. I guess it'd be too exhausting for Pete to hate everyone all the time.