Don and Ted, the dual creative directors of the firm, are at loggerheads over how to handle the Fleischmann's margarine account, with Peggy caught in the middle. She's still ambivalent over the kiss she shared with Ted three episodes ago and attempts to take a diplomatic middle between them. At home, she discovers that the travails of the alleged home she shares with Abe are not over: he has been stabbed, and is refusing to press charges or move out of the dangerous neighborhood (though he does hope to write an article about the whole experience). It comes to a head when Peggy, hearing a fight outside, seizes a polearm she improvised out of a carving knife and a stick and attempts to investigate; when Abe comes to investigate as well, she whirls in fright and accidentally stabs him. In the ambulance ride, Abe does a Differing Priorities Breakup with her, the realization driven home by the stabbing.
Henry and Betty are on the campaign trail, with Betty doing an excellent job at her Trophy Wife duties. She and Don are both set to join little Bobby at summer camp. They bond over old times, leading to a one-night stand in Betty's hotel room. However, the next morning, she joins Henry as usual, while Don heads off to his own table, alone. Meanwhile, Megan invites her coworker Arlene over; she's been given an Acting for Two role on To Have And To Hold and is having trouble nailing the characterization. What she intended as a request for moral support, Arlene interprets as an invitation for Les Yay, and she kisses Megan. Megan politely rebuffs her.
Roger takes on his grandson for a day, but commits a major screw-up by taking the kid to see Planet of the Apes, terrifying the boy. Margaret doesn't take it well when he disclaims responsibility: "Yeah, you're right. It's my fault for letting you talk me into having a four-year-old watch another four-year-old." Driven by guilt, Roger drops by Joan's apartment with a gift for Kevin, saying he wants to be part of his son's life. Joan counters that Greg, despite being absent, can be portrayed as as a war hero, which is better than someone who only notices when he feels like it.
Pete is having problems, unable to decide how to deal with his increasingly-senile mother, his non-existent marriage, and his lack of pull at the firm. He takes a meeting with Duck Phillips, who only reinforces the latter notion: SCDPCGC has seven names on it, two of them are dead, and none of them are for Peter Campbell. Meanwhile, Joan is a bit embarrassed because Bob Benson is visiting with her on the day Roger drops by. However, this leads to her passing on company gossip re: Mrs. Campbell, and Bob leaves Campbell with the name of a nurse, who is now available because his previous charge (Benson's dad) has returned to full health.
Megan approaches Don and asks about the strength of their marriage, which she feels is ailing. Don admits that it might be, but re-commits to her. Meanwhile, Peggy talks to Ted about her break-up, in the hopes he'll make a move on her. Ted doesn't.
This episode contains examples of:
- Acting for Two: In-universe; Megan's character in To Have and to Hold now has a twin sister, who is also played by Megan.
- Butt-Monkey: Peggy doesn't have a great week:
- Don berates her for not siding with him over Ted. When she notes that Ted doesn't make her feel like shit, he replies "He doesn't know you."
- Abe breaks up with her after she accidentally stabs him, saying "Your activities are offensive to my every waking moment. I'm sorry...but you'll always be the enemy".
- Call-Back: To "The Flood". Following Don's example, Roger takes his grandson to see Planet of the Apes. Unfortunately, the kid's a few years younger than Bobby note , and is terrified.
- Conflict: Don and Ted continue to butt heads in their Creatives meetings, putting Peggy directly in the middle of it.
- Didn't Think This Through: Oh, Roger. Taking a four year-old to see Planet of the Apes? Not a smart move. Margaret bans him from seeing the kid without another adult supervising.
- "Not So Different" Remark: Peggy points out to Don he and Ted are pretty similar:Peggy: You're both demanding and you're both pigheaded. You're the same person sometimes. The difference is that he's interested in the idea and you're interested in your idea.
- One-Steve Limit: Averted at Bobby’s camp, where there are at least four other boys who are also called Bobby. Lampshades the
multiple actor changes for this character. - Sex with the Ex: Betty and Don have a one night stand while at Bobby's camp.
- Ship Tease: Ted reveals that he hasn't stopped thinking about kissing Peggy.
- Shout-Out: Megan's red star tee-shirt is reminiscent of the one worn by Sharon Tate in her 1967 photo-shoot for Esquire note .
- White Guilt: The reason why Abe claims he didn’t get a good look at his attacker, who (as the policeman correctly guesses, given the neighbourhood) was likely black or Puerto Rican.
