Recap – Mad Men 3.11 "The Gypsy and the Hobo"

Previously on Mad Men:  Don hooked up with Miss Farrell, Roger hooked up with secretary Jane and made her Mrs. Sterling, Greg the Rapist made Joan get another job because he's a loser who can't make it as a surgeon, Grandpa Gene died and Betty's brother wants the house, Don Draper is really Dick Whitman, and Betty finally opened Don's secret desk drawer.

Betty and the kids are going to Grandpa Gene's old house for the week.  Betty asks Don for money, and he tells her to swing by the bank.  She thinks about stuffing that $5,000+ in that secret drawer right down his throat.

Cooper has Annabelle Mathis in his office, and they are joined by Roger and Don.  Roger and Annabelle go waaaay back – you can tell by the handshake that goes on way too long, and the subtle flirting.  I don't think I've said how much I love John Slattery as Roger, so let it be said now:  he's fabulous.  Annabelle's Channel look is fabulous too.  I wish the Mad Men costume designer would give me a makeover.  Anyway, Annabelle is running her father's dog food company now that her husband died, and she's looking for a new ad campaign to help erase from people's minds the fact that Caldecott Farms dog food is made out of horses.  She thinks it's just a problem of semantics; she's eaten horse and it's delicious.  Poor Secretariat is rolling over in his grave.  She's shopping around the Avenue, and the best campaign gets her business.  Two rules – don't change the formula, don't change the name.   And Roger needs to walk her out.

He does just that, and she lays it on thick.  She ropes him in to a dinner invite before leaving.

Miss Farrell's sad apartment.  She left the light on for Don – aww, she's like Motel 6!  She's going to make him fancy spaghetti, and gets all excited about the idea of going out with him.  But just as soon as the dream takes flight, she reels herself back in and says she knows they're doomed.  Don tries to perk her up, but she gets all moody and annoying, so he goes to lie down.

Greg the Rapist is interviewing for the psychiatry residency.  Oh wait, it's just a practice round with Joanie!  She's coaxing him along, nurturing him like a stunted flower.  Try the weed killer instead, Joanie!  Turns out Greg the Rapist's dad had a mental breakdown that he never told Joan about.  As usual, Joan knows what she's talking about and gives great advice.  "The most important thing about an interview is to express enthusiasm in a believable way," – words of wisdom from Joan.  Greg the Rapist tries to denigrate her good advice, but she points out she's seen executives crash and burn, so he wisely quits talking.

Miss Farrell whines about not being able to have Don all for herself forever and ever.  Don caves a little since Betty and the kids are out of town, and offers to clear his schedule to take her to Mystic, CT.  Try the pizza!