| The Benefactor | |
|---|---|
| |
| Production | |
| Season 2 Episode 3 | |
| Air date | 10 August 2008 |
| Written by | Matthew Weiner Rick Cleveland |
| Directed by | Lesli Linka Glatter |
| Previous Flight 1 |
Next Three Sundays |
Intro[]
Problems surface on the set of a commercial shoot while Don plays hooky from the office; ever-ambitious, career-minded Harry musters support for a sponsorship plagued by controversy; Betty steps in to help Don when he arranges a dinner to placate his upset clients.
Synopsis[]
At a Sterling Cooper Advertising Agency managed promotional shoot for Utz Potato Chips, celebrity comic Jimmy Barrett singles out the owner's heavy-set wife and shockingly compares her to the Hindenburg. Meanwhile, Betty Hofstadt meets Arthur Case's fiance Tara at the stables with friend Sara Beth.
Back at Sterling Cooper, Harry discovers that Ken makes 300 dollars a week to his 200 dollars when he opens an envelope addressed to Ken but accidentally delivered to him. When he tells his wife on the phone, she insists he demand more money. Later when Harry shares this with Sal, Sal responds, "There's nothing you can do. That's why you don't tell your wife."
Don, who'd been at a screening of a foreign film during the Utz fiasco, hears about it from Ken and Roger. Fingers are pointed but the bottom line is Don must clean up the mess. After firing his secretary, Lois, for not "managing people's expectations", he moves on to damage control.
Harry calls a friend at CBS to inquire about job openings. There aren't any, but Harry learns about an episode of "The Defenders" which has sponsors bailing because it concerns abortion. Harry tells his contact he might be able to find a sponsor.
The next morning, Joan Holloway informs Don that she'll be his temporary secretary. Later that day, Don meets with Bobbie Barrett, Jimmy's wife/manager. Don asks what might induce Jimmy to apologize to Mrs. Schilling of Utz; Bobbie says Jimmy has to know that Don is a fan and that "he's got a shot at your wife." With negotiations at an impasse, Don offers her a ride. In his car, the two get stuck in a hailstorm; Bobbie kisses Don. "I don't want to do this", he says to which she replies, "Doesn't feel that way."
At home, Sally wants permission to accompany her mother riding on Saturday, but is told no. Betty hands Don a watch she had monogrammed. He leans over and kisses her.
At the stables, Betty has a one-on-one encounter with Arthur since Sara Beth is attending her daughter's ballet recital. Arthur tells Betty his fiancee was jealous of her and describes the complications of his relationship with Tara. When he starts expressing feelings for Betty, she tells him not to ruin their friendship by saying too much. Twice he describes her as "so profoundly sad." "You're wrong", she replies the second time. "I'm grateful." Betty walks away, her hand shaking as she lights a cigarette.
At home, Don springs the idea of Lutece on Betty before saying it's for business. (He's already invited Bobbie and Jimmy Barrett as well as the Schillings.) "I need you to be shiny and bright", he says. "I need a better half."
At work on Monday, Harry pitches The Defenders to a representative of Belle Jolie lipstick: "Top-twenty show. Prime time. For pennies on the dollar." The client declines, abortion is too controversial, but Roger later congratulates Harry for his initiative. In response, Harry says he wants to be the head of a new television department. "All the other agencies have one", Harry says. That granted, Harry requests a raise to 310 dollars a week. "No one makes that around here, not even close", Roger asserts. They settle on 225 dollars. "You drive a hard bargain", quips Roger.
Sarah Beth Carson
At dinner, Jimmy flirts with Betty and ignores Mrs. Schilling until Don corners Bobbie in the powder room and puts on some pressure. When she says that an apology is going to cost 25,000 dollars Don grabs her by the hair and reaches up her skirt threatening to ruin Jimmy if he doesn't make amends before the appetizers are over. Upon their return, Jimmy apologizes. Meanwhile, at the Cranes' apartment, Jennifer tells Harry that she and the baby are proud of his promotion.
Betty, crying on the drive home from Lutece, tells Don she's "just so happy. When I said I wanted to be part of your life, this is what I meant." Before snuggling closer to him, she adds, "We make a great team.
Trivia[]
- Jimmy Barrett was based on a blend of different comedians, including Jerry Lewis.
- In the beginning of the scene with Sal and Harry, Sal is taking the words “Mohawk Airlines” off some work and replacing it with “American Airlines”, showing that Sterling Cooper is reusing a lot of work.
- Matthew Weiner witnessed someone getting fired that did not realize they were getting fired, which inspired the Lois demotion scene.
- The production crew used mothballs for hail in the car scene with Don and Bobbie.
- January Jones came up with the line about her people being Nordic.
Cast[]
Main Star[]
- Jon Hamm as Don Draper
- Elisabeth Moss as Peggy Olson
- Vincent Kartheiser as Pete Campbell (credit only)
- January Jones as Betty Hofstadt
- Christina Hendricks as Joan Holloway
- Bryan Batt as Salvatore Romano
- Michael Gladis as Paul Kinsey (credit only)
- Aaron Staton as Ken Cosgrove
- Rich Sommer as Harry Crane
- John Slattery as Roger Sterling
Guest Star[]
- Mark Moses as Herman Phillips
- Joel Murray as Freddy Rumsen
- Melinda McGraw as Bobbie Barrett
- Gabriel Mann as Arthur Case
- Crista Flanagan as Lois Sadler
- Paul Keeley as Elliot Lawrence
- Laura Regan as Jennifer Crane
- Missy Yager as Sarah Beth Carson
- Patrick Fischler as Jimmy Barrett
- Nat Faxon as Flatty
- Steve Stapenhorst as Hunt Schilling
- Jan Hoag as Edith Schilling
- Denise Crosby as Gertie
- Cameron Goodman as Tara
Co-Star[]
- Kiernan Shipka as Sally Draper
- Aaron Hart as Robert Draper
- Brian Norris as Todd
- John Douglas Williams as Warren McKenna
- Philippe Bergeron as Robespierre
- David Zelina as Camera AC
- Eric S. Cooper as Director