Basket of Kisses

Why talk about it?

Why not?

So, I thought Don’s conversation with Bobby was quite revealing. In The Hobo Code, Don told Bobby that he’d never lie to him. In Three Sundays, Don told him more about his father: he looked like me, only bigger; he died a long time ago; he liked ham (hee, I like Hamm, too). But when Bobby asks, “what did he do?” Don replied, “I told you. He was a farmer.” That suggests to me that they’d had this conversation before. I can’t say when within the scope of the series they had this conversation, whether it happened five minutes before, or two years ago, but it suggests that Don and Bobby have discussed Don growing up.

Now go back to Ladies Room, when the Drapers are dining with the Sterlings. Roger probes Don for all kinds of information, and Don being Don, deflects with great aplomb. The whole while, Betty listens intently for some clues that will reveal the real DD. Don gives his “Think of me as Moses” spiel. Then Betty chimes in with “Don doesn’t like to talk about himself. I know better to ask.” But when they finally get home, she attempts to pick up where Roger left off: “Did you have a nanny? I never asked you that.” And when he finally says no, she then replies “your mother and father are responsible for all this? Remind me to thank them some day.”

So she’s under the impression that Don’s parents are still alive? Really? Really?! That’s unbelievable. Perhaps their conversation was tongue in cheek or things have changed in the two years since that talk, but it means that, as far as we’re aware, Bobby knows a lot more about his father than his mother does. Bobby knows, for example, that his grandfather was a farmer, yet Betty asks if Don had a nanny. How likely is it that a farmer during the Great Depression employed a nanny? That means as late as 1960, possibly later, but at least 7 years into their marriage, Betty didn’t even know about his parents. Yet there they are with with a mortgage and two children. And Betty knows…?

For that matter, what do we know? Who is Don Draper? Does anyone really know him? Since I’m a woman who likes to make lists, I figured a roster or diagram was needed just to keep track. Here’s my take. Feedback, corrections and updates most welcome.

• Bertram Cooper – knows his real name is Dick Whitman; knows “he may be an army deserter, or worse,” doesn’t care; knows about his affair with Rachel Menken (Katz), does care
• Betty Draper – knows he was beaten as a child; knows he’s been unfaithful; knows he has high blood pressure
• Bobbie Barrett – knows he’s married; knows he finds negotiation “a bore;” knows he likes the ocean, bridges, and movies—including foreign ones; knows he’s a philanderer; knows about Rachel; knows there’s…something…between Don and Peggy
• Bobby Draper – knows his father is dead, that he grew up on a farm, that he looks like his dad, and his dad liked to eat ham and C. Howard Violet candies
• Francine Hanson – knows that Don wooed Betty with a fur coat—not once, but twice; possibly suspects his infidelities
• Fred Rumsen – knows he likes and respects Peggy, and that the good liquor is in his office
• Harry Crane – thinks he might be “Batman;” knows he’s occassionally spent the night at the office; knows he likes and respects Peggy, that the good liquor is in his office, and he’s responsible for bringing in the money to SC
• Helen Bishop – knows he needs complete quiet when he comes home
• Herman “Duck” Phillips – knows that Bert Cooper likes him and is probably his protector
• Joan Holloway – knows he’s having an affair, perhaps several
• Ken Cosgrove - knows he likes and respects Peggy; knows that he’s responsible for bringing in the money to SC, and that the good liquor is in his office
• Midge Daniels – knows that he’s married and that his wife is seeing a psychiatrist; knows he smokes pot, and likes to have his “horn blown”
• Paul Kinsey - knows he likes and respects Peggy; knows that he’s responsible for bringing in the money to SC, and that the good liquor is in his office
• Peggy Olson – knows he’s having an affair, perhaps several, knows he’s been hauled in for a DUI in the course of an affair; knows that he’s responsible for bringing in the money to SC; knows his creative process (Just think about it deeply, then forget it); knows his M.O. (Get out of here and move forward. This never happened. It will shock you how much it never happened)
• Pete Campbell – knows his real name is Dick Whitman; knows “he may be an army deserter, or worse;” knows he has a protector in Bert Cooper
• Rachel Menken Katz – knows he’s married; knows he has children; knows he’s a philanderer; knows that Bobbie “works” with him…like she did; knows his mother was a prostitute; knows his father was a drunk who was killed when he was kicked in the head by a horse; knows that his step-mother took up with another man soon after his father died, and he was “raised by those two sorry people;” knows his relationship with Roger is more than that of boss/employee
• Roger Sterling – suspects he grew up on a farm by the way he drops his g’s; knows he’s a good wing man
• Sally Draper – knows he’s in command at work, and has people who look up to him and respect him; knows what he likes to drink
• Salvatore Romano - knows he likes and respects Peggy; knows that he’s responsible for bringing in the money to SC, and that the good liquor is in his office
• Trudy Vogel Campbell – possibly knows he’s Dick Whitman based on items in the box

That’s a lot and it’s nothing. Maybe he is Batman.