Season 2 Episodes

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Season 2

This is an episode list with a brief synopsis. Click “full recap” or “quotes” for more on each episode.

…and don’t forget the Season 2 Cultural References.

1. For Those Who Think Young
Writer: Matthew Weiner
Director: Tim Hunter
Original air date: 27 July 2008
February 14 and 15, 1962
Valentine’s Day is celebrated in various ways. A Xerox machine arrives at Sterling Cooper. Don sees the doctor. Peggy pitches Mohawk Airlines ideas, confronts Lois. Duck wants young hires to pitch Martinson coffee. Joan has a boyfriend. Betty goes riding, meets an old friend, breaks a fan belt. Harry’s wife Jennifer has news. (Full recap) (Quotes)

2. Flight 1
Writers: Lisa Albert and Matthew Weiner
Director: Andrew Bernstein
Original air date: August 3, 2008
In memory of Christopher Allport
Approximately February 24–March 4, 1962
Paul throws a party in his Montclair apartment. Joan confronts him about his girlfriend. The Mohawk Air Lines account is jeopardized by an American Airlines crash. Peggy has dinner with her family. Pete learns some of his father’s secrets. (Full recap) (Quotes)

3. The Benefactor
Writer: Matthew Weiner and Rick Cleveland
Director: Lesli Linka Glatter
Original air date: August 10, 2008
Late March 1962
Harry receives the wrong envelope, and presents a controversial sponsorship opportunity to a client in order to boost his career. Insult comic Jimmy Barrett insults the wrong person, and Don has to clean up the mess. Don also cleans up Lois’s mess. Bobbie Barrett engages in some unusual power politics with Don, and Betty tells Arthur Chase her people are Nordic. (Full recap) (Quotes)

4. Three Sundays
Writers: Andre & Maria Jacquemetton
Director: Tim Hunter
Original air date: August 17, 2008
April 8–22, 1962
American Airlines moves the pitch meeting forward, bringing the staff into work on a Sunday, including Sally Draper. Betty wants Don to spank Bobby. Peggy helps a new priest with his sermon. Anita goes to confession. Margaret Sterling is engaged and Roger finds a way to cope with his feelings of loneliness. (Full recap) (Quotes)

5. The New Girl
Writer: Robin Veith
Director: Jennifer Getzinger
Original air date: August 24, 2008
May 16–18, 1962
After a car accident, Don makes a confession of sorts to Betty. Peggy has a houseguest, and we learn a bit about her time in St. Mary’s Hospital. Pete and Trudy seek fertility treatment. Joan announces her engagement and breaks in Don’s new secretary. (Full recap) (Quotes)

6. Maidenform
Writer: Matthew Weiner
Director: Phil Abraham
Original air date: August 31, 2008
May 29–June 2, 1962
Don and Betty visit Arthur’s country club. Peggy is being left out of after-hours meetings about her Playtex account. Pete and Trudy entertain his brother and sister-in-law. Pete spends time with a model. Jane gets a sunburn. Duck’s kids come for a visit, bringing Chauncey with them. Roger insists that Don and Duck have lunch and make peace. Don spends time with Bobbie, and has trouble shaving. (Full recap) (Quotes)

7. The Gold Violin
Writers: Jane Anderson and Andre & Maria Jacquemetton
Director: Andrew Bernstein
Original air date: September 7, 2008
Four days, Thursday through Monday, beginning between June 21 and July 19, 1962
Don shops for a Cadillac. Jane gets in trouble with Joan. Salvatore and Kitty have Ken to dinner. Don and Betty attend a celebration at the Stork Club, hosted by the Barretts. Don has the Smiths pitch Martinson Coffee, while Paul and Ken explore the new world that is Pampers. Bert Cooper gets a painting. (Full recap) (Quotes)

8. A Night to Remember
Writers: Robin Veith and Matthew Weiner
Director: Lesli Linka Glatter
Original air date: September 14, 2008
between approximately July 21st and August 4th, 1962
The Drapers host a dinner party. Peggy helps Father Gill create fliers for the church. Harry gets help from Joan. Betty makes an accusation. (Full recap) (Quotes)

9. Six Month Leave
Writer: Andre & Maria Jacquemetton and Matthew Weiner
Director: Michael Uppendahl
Original air date: September 28, 2008
Monday, August 6, 1962, and the next few days
Don is staying at the Roosevelt. The staff of Sterling Cooper, especially the women, react to Marilyn Monroe’s death. Jane tries to pry into what’s going on with Don. Betty shows signs of depression, stays in, and drinks. Carla offers advice. Betty arranges a lunch date with Sarah Beth. Freddy Rumsen’s alcoholism progresses to a noticeable level, which Pete brings to management’s attention. Roger and Don take Freddy out on the town. Peggy’s career advances. A visit from Mona surprises Don. (Full recap) (Quotes)

10. The Inheritance
Writers: Lisa Albert, Marti Noxon, and Matthew Weiner
Director: Andrew Bernstein
Original air date: October 5, 2008
Week of September 17–23, 1962
Betty’s father has a stroke. Pete and Trudy discuss adoption. Sheila visits Paul at the office. Pete and Bud discuss their family finances. A surprise party at the office garners an expensive gift. Betty has an unexpected guest. Don makes a travel decision. (Full recap) (Quotes)

11. The Jet Set
Writer: Matthew Weiner
Director: Phil Abraham
Original air date: October 12, 2008
between September 24 and October 1, 1962
Don visits Palm Springs. Peggy and Kurt arrange to see Bob Dylan together, and Kurt makes a surprising revelation. Roger and Jane make a decision. Duck has a meeting with Roger he doesn’t like, and a meeting with Roger and Bert Cooper together that he much prefers. Don makes a mysterious phone call. (Full recap) (Quotes)

12. The Mountain King
Writer: Robin Veith and Matthew Weiner
Director: Alan Taylor
Original air date: October 19, 2008
on or after October 11, 1962
Betty gives Sally riding boots and a serious talk. Don visits Anna and gets a tarot reading. Peggy lands the Popsicle account and Freddy’s office. Bert Cooper has lunch with his sister and expresses misgivings about the merger. Roger is enthusiastic. The partners vote yea on the merger, with Don absent. Pete hears about Spence Chapin and tosses a chicken. Later, he confronts his father-in-law. Greg is uncomfortable with Joan’s sexuality, but is okay with date rape. Sarah Beth makes a confession, and Betty is unsympathetic. (Full recap) (Quotes)

13. Meditations in an Emergency
Writers: Matthew Weiner and Kater Gordon
Director: Matthew Weiner
Original air date: October 26, 2008
October 22–26, 1962
Betty visits her doctor. Don visits the stables. The kids visit Don. Betty visits a bar. Pete has a meeting with Duck, a confrontation with Trudy, and a meeting with Don. The guys get the truth out of Lois. Peggy speaks with Father Gill about confession, and then she and Pete have a confessional experience. The merger meeting happens. (Full recap) (Quotes)