Mad Men: Christmas Comes But Once a Year and The Good News

Sorry for the break, but I was on vacation. I will therefore summarize the last two episodes separately and succinctly:

In "Christmas Comes But Once a Year," Betty is celebrating the holiday with her new husband. Sally, at the Christmas Tree farm, encounters Glenn (remember him from a couple seasons back? You know, the kid who wanted a clip of Betty's hair? Yeeaaahhh....) who seems intent on being Sally's "I know what happens when parents divorce" counselor. He even breaks into their house with a friend to spray cereal and yogurt across the counter when no one's home. Ummm, sexy? (Sally seems to like it. Gross.)

Back at Sterling Cooper Draper Pryce, the ad agency opens its money veins to impress Lee Garner Jr., who apparently has enough authority to make Roger play Santa Claus without complaining. Also, Fred (remember? The guy who pissed himself in front of Pete and Peggy?) returns, and Peggy, noting his lack of professional substance, develops businesswoman turret's, but he doesn't go off on a drinking binge, as we fear. He does, however, help an AA buddy in a similar predicament.

It wouldn't be a holiday episode of Don didn't have casual sex. The other woman this time is not his neighbor - a young nurse who seems potentially kinky - but his grade-A secretary Allison, who falls for Don after agreeing to bring him his keys. The next day at the office? Awkwaaaard... Allison gets a Christmas card with a "bonus" of two 50s. The look on her face as she opens the card is on par with a shamed prostitute. That's how Don makes women feel. Merry Christmas!

In "The Good News," we get two episodes in one. Don is bound for Acapulco, but first stops in California to see Anna Draper. It seems she's broken her knee and has a hard time walking. Her sister and young niece make appearances, and Don nearly seduces the barely-legal niece before she confesses: Anna has cancer. It's bad. It's spread to her bones, which is why she has a fracture. She doesn't know (how very 60s), and Anna's sister confirms this information to Don, asking him to "do the good thing" and not mention Anna's true condition.

Don, perhaps against his better judgment, agrees, in one of the most poignant moments of season 4 thus far. Under the guise of painting Anna's living room, he stays a bit longer than planned, but can't stand to stay long, saying goodbye to Anna after giving one long, wistful look at his past that he'll never see again.

Back at the office (Acapulco is out) Don encounters Lane, whose marriage seems under a strain (his wife will not come to America for the holidays). The two form a surprising and hilarious bond, drinking Lane's father's bland booze, going to a horrible flick (best line of the night belongs to Lane: "This movie is good!") and capping off the evening with a fun-filled evening in Don's apartment in the company of prostitutes.

Lane, ever the gentleman, proposes paying for his companion the next morning (Don reluctantly agrees: "That'll be $25!"). Thus ends, at least for a while, the fascinating Don-Lane holiday bond.

Joan, meanwhile, has her biggest showcase yet. An early scene with an OB-GYN reveals Joan is ready to get pregnant, hopeful her previous abortions haven't harmed her female parts. Back at home, she's extra emotional after cutting her finger, necessitating her husband, Mr. Rape, to suture up her finger. Joan is squeamish and emotional in a great showcase for Christina Hendricks.

The episode ends in a toast to the new year - 1965. Can you believe the show has progressed halfway to 1970? Wow.

Tidbits:

-Peggy's boyfriend: wow. Let's hit upon every cliche of the "first time." Good luck, Bud.

-Loved Joan's disgust at Lane's secretary's grave mistake. It's not everyday Joan will throw long-stemmed roses on your lap.

-What's in store for Betty and Henry? They haven't gotten much screen time this season.

-Speaking of which, Aaron Staton, who plays Ken, is listed in the opening credits. Which begs the question - hello? Where is this guy?

-Is anyone else tired of Don sleeping with some random person and thinking, "Gosh, I probably shouldn't have done that"?

-I like where this season is headed. Which means: I don't really know where it's going. At all. Would we have it any other way?

Christmas Comes But Once a Year: B- The Good News: A