Basket of Kisses

This episode takes place between September 24 and October 1, 1962 (Bob Dylan played Carnegie Hall on September 22, 1962. President Kennedy sent troops to Mississippi on September 30. James Meredith attended his first class October 1. The week of the 24th is also about 3 weeks before next week’s episode, in which Betty says that Don was gone for three weeks).

The Sherry-Netherland Hotel, New York
Jane, nude in a hotel bed, writes poetry. Roger, in a bathrobe, joins her. After some love talk, Roger proposes marriage. Jane says yes.

Sterling-Cooper
Ken, Peggy, Sal, Harry, the Smiths. They discuss Loretta Young (last night) and the Right Guard campaign. They mention that Paul Kinsey is still in the south and are distressed by the current racial conflicts.

Smitty calls Peggy “Creative” and asks if they can order food. They all seem to defer to her. After the meeting ends, Peggy discusses Dylan with Kurt, and he invites her to a concert. He doesn’t specify, but it appears from what follows to be for the following night.

California
Don stands at a sunny poolside in suit and hat. Pete joins him, and we learn that Don’s luggage has been lost; the hotel recommends a tailor. They discuss business. Pete wants to relax and swim, Don insists he follow up on leads.

Later, Don enters the hotel bar wearing new clothes. He sees a woman who resembles Betty and is transfixed. He orders a drink and Viscount Monteforte d’Alsace (Willy) approaches, introduces himself, and brings over Joy and Rocci. Willy invites them to dinner and Don declines. Pete comes up and Don introduces them. Pete drops his full name and suggests they’ve met at Newport, Willy freezes and they leave. Don learns that Pete has arranged dinner with a businessman and a scientist. Don gazes at Joy.

Sterling-Cooper
Roger meets with his lawyer (George Rothman) about divorcing Mona. As George leaves they meet Duck, who already knows George. Duck comes in and asks for a partnership. Roger lets him know that the board isn’t exactly pleased with him.

California
An aerospace presentation presents information on MIRV warheads, showing slides of attack scenarios. Don is stricken. Afterwards, Pete and Don discuss business possibilities as they go to meet with General Dynamics. Pete goes to see if the clients have arrived, and as he leaves, Joy arrives and kisses Don on the cheeks. She invites him to Palm Springs. At first he says no, but as she starts the engine, he gets into her car and leaves with her.

Meanwhile, Pete waits poolside with the clients, uncomfortable.

Don and Joy arrive at a beautiful Palm Springs home, Joy says it belongs to a friend who is in Sardinia. A valet comes for her bags, and she takes him to the pool, introducing him to Stephanie, who is floating topless, Willy and Rocci are there, and Greta and Carlos. Joy gives Don a drink and asks him to swim with her. He begins to sweat heavily and then passes out. Don awakens on the couch inside, everyone is standing around, and Klaus, whom we haven’t seen before, is preparing to give Don a shot. He says Don has heat exhaustion. Don declines the shot. Joy explains that these people are nomads together and the house has an open door policy. Don lays back to rest.

That night at dinner, the group applauds when Don joins them. They banter, although when Don mentions their wealth, they react with distaste. They play “Places” and Joy kisses him suddenly and passionately. She takes him to her bedroom and nonchalantly undresses. They make love.

Next day or so
Sterling Cooper
In the break room, everyone enjoys a delivery of donuts from a prospective client of Ken’s. Kurt reminds Peggy of their date that night. Everyone is amused by the two of them dating, and Kurt announces he is homosexual. The room falls silent. Kurt again asks Peggy if they’re on, and she says “of course” and leaves. After Kurt leaves, they express shock and disgust.

California
It is morning, and Don and Joy are in bed, wearing only sheets. Joy is reading The Sound and the Fury. Then she listens at the wall with amusement as Greta and Carlos argue loudly. Willy walks in and says good morning. He tells Don he is beautiful, and indicates he is Joy’s father.

At the hotel, Peter lounges by the pool in swim trunks, arranging a meeting. He flirts unsuccessfully with two young women.

New York
Duck arrives in a bar to meet with two Britishers: Saint John Powell, whom he already knows, and Alec Barton, whom he is introduced to. They invite him to drink, he declines. Duck is seeking his old job back and Powell says no. The Duck takes a long, long pull on the drink they ordered for him. Then he offers to broker a purchase of Sterling Cooper, based on his knowledge that Roger is about to be cleaned out by Mona’s attorney. Duck then asks for a finder’s fee of charge of all international business and the title of president with Creative reporting to him.

Brooklyn
Peggy welcomes Kurt in and offers him wine. She offers to let him go with a man instead, and then wonders why she always picks the wrong boy. Kurt offers to fix her hair so that it’s more modern.

Palm Springs
Don sits in the pool drinking with Joy, other couples are also in the pool, making out. She says they’re heading for Nassau next, for tax purposes. She wants him to join them. Don appears to be about to let her down, but she cuts him off and tells him she’s not possessive. Then Christien arrives with a little boy and girl, saying he has taken custody of his children. Don offers them the bedroom he and Joy are in, and is suddenly pensive. He contemplates the cracks in the glass he’s drinking from.

Monday, October 1, 1962
Sterling Cooper
Joan arrives in Duck’s office with a delivery, saying Joyce must have stepped away. It’s a case of Tanqueray. She says it went to Harry first but it’s all there. He gives her a bottle as a “finder’s fee.”

Sal, Harry, Ken, Peggy in Harry’s office, watching the news about James Meredith in Oxford, Mississippi. Pete comes in, home from California, with oranges for everyone. He says he didn’t like the people in California, and asks if Don has arrived. Everyone goes back to watching TV.

Duck strides down the hall, pausing for a breath mint before meeting with Roger and Cooper, and presents the buy offer as an opportunity for Sterling Cooper to grow and gain prestige. Cooper is impressed with Duck’s balls and tells Duck to proceed.

Palm Springs
Don, wearing only shorts, awakens on the couch and hears the children playing in the pool. He pulls out his address book and dials a number, saying “Hello. It’s Dick Whitman.” He writes something on the last page of Joy’s book and rips it out, says “I’ll see you soon” and hangs up.

New York
Don’s lost luggage is delivered to his home in Ossining. There is no one home and the delivery man leaves it on the front stair.

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