While Don was on vacation from all responsibilities in Episode 6, I was taking an actual vacation this week. I will be back on the blog Sunday evening or Monday morning, but seeing as it is Labor Day, I will probably be alone. Oh well, I will be thinking and writing about Episode 7 anyway.

I thoroughly enjoyed “The Chrysantheum and the Sword”. I thought it struck a good balance between professional and personal story lines. At Sterling Cooper Draper Price, I enjoyed the shenanigans that showed off Don Draper’s skill at manipulating a situation, but I also appreciated the tension between Roger and Pete and how it illustrated Pete’s professional growth and importance to the firm. The personal story line, that of Sally Draper’s troubles at home, was saddening but well done.

The introduction of Honda to the show was an interesting one. Pete is clearly working hard at his job and doing it well, as seen in the steps he took to get Honda’s attention and his attention to detail in addressing how to present SCDP to Honda. But what stood out to me most was the confrontation in Roger’s office over Roger’s behavior in the Honda meeting. He criticizes Roger’s behavior in a way I don’t think we have seen anyone do in the past, pointing out Roger’s insecurities. But he knows what he is talking about because Don even supports his accusations. That Pete also tells Roger that “the rest of us are trying to build something” illustrates he is growing up, and his desire for success is no longer simply part of a competition with his peers. Of course, you can’t forget the deception Don and his staff use to convince Ted Shaw to waste his money on making a commercial. It was quite funny, and it accomplished just what he wanted it to: it put Ted Shaw in his place and allowed Don to regain the power in the relationship with Honda by accusing Honda of embarrassing themselves.

Sally is so lost. She is such a smart, curious girl and no one is showing any appreciation of that. In a surprisingly candid conversation, Don actually admits he doesn’t know what to do with his kids despite that we saw him making a sincere connection with Sally last season. Betty, of course, doesn’t know how to deal with any of the problems faced by a young girl’s unexpected behavior or challenges to authority. The only one who seems to have even a remote sense of what to do is Henry Francis whose ability to soften Betty’s reactions is a mercy for Sally. I am relieved that Sally will have someone to talk to because it seems like no one is helping this girl. More and more, I think of Holden Caulfield when I watch her. For both sensitive characters who seem entitled, they are constantly failed by the adults in their lives. Betty can’t even get it together to bring Sally to her first therapy appointment, which broke my heart. I think Carla felt the same way.

It certainly was an episode mixed with good and bad news. As is unsurprising in Mad Men, everything positive has a cost or downside.

Don’s story lines were in keeping with the mix of good and bad news. It is always interesting to see Don with Anna in California and being Dick for that time. He is so much more relaxed, less guarded, more likeable. I also enjoy seeing him show genuine affection toward Anna, a woman he has no sexual history or future with. However, even when he is being Dick, he falls back on his old habits, hitting on Stephanie when given a moment alone with her. I enjoyed that exchange, though, Stephanie being smart and tough enough to simply ask, “What are you doing?”, a question Don even admits to not having the answer to. This persona is a fallback, one he has been using a lot lately without great success or forethought. This troubles and saddens me, and I feel like it is an example of the crumbling of all Don knows to be true. Even Don’s story line involving Lane Pryce is mixed with good and bad. He makes a connection with a colleague, one who is in a similar circumstance. However, this connection comes out because of both men’s loss for what to do on a day off from work.

Anna’s cancer is obviously sad, marring the good news that Anna has the love of affection of Dick for a day or two. I am surprised that this character is going to be written off, and it makes me wonder if Matthew Weiner has a surprise for us in this story line. Anna grounds Don, especially now that Don has lost his family, I like seeing him “come home” to her.

Joan was interesting to see in this episode, and the scene with the doctor illuminated some her past that she has told Greg doesn’t exist. The good news that she can try to have a baby is only partly to be enjoyed in her home life since her future plans with Greg are so uncertain. I did enjoy the moment between the two of them when Greg stitches Joan up. It is tender, and also allows us to see that, while Greg may not be a wonderful heart surgeon, he is charming while doing his work and I could suddenly imagine him working as a pediatrician. Doubt there is much opportunity for that in the army though. Finally, Joan’s interaction with Lane was sad for both of them. It was aggravating to watch Lane talk to Joan so rudely. My first thought was that I didn’t know anyone spoke to Joan that way, the second was to wonder why he made such a big deal out of her request. She obviously works hard, and was instrumental in getting Sterling Cooper Draper Pryce started. She deserves the courtesy of a few days off. Her interaction with Lane’s secretary reminded me of the awkward position Joan is in — she has authority, but is often not an advocate of other women to have that power. Instead, she treats them as if they are quite separate. (I thought about this also last week when she told Lee Garner Jr. there would be games, booze, and girls, as if one of her roles is to promote the taking advantage of other women in the office.)