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= Meditations in an Emergency [Mad Men season 2 Episode 13] =

Plot:
This episode begins with Betty Draper at the doctor's office, she receives the news that she is pregnant. Betty insists that she can't have a child right now but the doctor dissuades her from any alternatives. Back at Sterling Cooper, the office is preparing for an evaluation though Pete Campbell is nervous to announce that he has lost the Clearasil account. When Pete breaks the news to Duck Phillips, Duck is very understanding. Duck tells Pete about a merger with Puttman, Powell & Lowe(PPL). Duck wants Pete to be his replacement as Head of Accounts once Duck becomes president of Sterling Cooper. At the stable, Don Draper visits Betty admitting,“I was not respectful to you.” This small admission of guilt is a relief to Betty that she is not crazy, but she is still unsure if she can take him back. When Don returns to the office from California, he is bombarded with work. Roger Sterling greets Don with news of the buyout, in which Don will make half a million dollars. Meanwhile, the office is clouded with the lingering fear of missile strikes from Cuba. While at the hair salon, chatter of possible nuclear war continues. Betty tells Francine Hanson of her pregnancy and that she is considering abortion. Later, Betty drops off Sally and Bobby Draper at Dons hotel to spend the night. Betty rejects the offer to stay for dinner and instead head to a bar alone. From across the bar, a man sends her a drink but when he comes to talk to her, she quickly turns him away. While waiting for the bathroom, Betty runs into the man again in the hallway. The two have sex in an empty room. Meanwhile, Don and his children eat dinner on the bed while telling jokes. Following a church service, Peggy Olsen talks with Father John Gill. Father Gill tells Peggy that she must confess her sins and reconcile with God. Peggy becomes upset and leaves. At Pete and Trudy’s apartment, Trudy begs Pete to come with her to her parents beach house, believing that it will be safe from nuclear strikes. Pete agrees to accompany her. Back at the office, preparation for PPL’s visit is in full effect. Pete lets Don in on the secret that Duck Phillips is going to become president. Betty arrives home from riding horses and gets a letter from Don. In the letter Don recognizes his mistakes and says he will be “alone forever” without her. During an executive meeting with PPL, Duck is announced as the new president of Sterling Cooper. Don says that he will no longer be a part of this company if Duck is president, and without a contract he is free to leave. Don receives a message from Betty that she wants him to come home. As the office empties, Pete invites Peggy to stay for a drink. In Pete’s office, he professes his love for her. Peggy tells Pete that she was pregnant with his baby and gave it away. Pete is visibly upset as Peggy leaves, he spends the night in his office holding his shotgun. When Don comes home, Betty shares that she is pregnant and the two silently hold hands.

Production:
Meditations in an Emergency was written by Matthew Weiner and Kater Gordon. A month after receiving the Prime time Emmy for Outstanding Writing for a Drama Series Gordon left the writing staff. In 2017 Gordon claimed she left the show after sexual harassment by Weiner. IMDb states that this episode was filmed at Los Angeles Center Studios - 450 S. Bixel Street, Downtown, Los Angeles, California, USA; and Saint James' Episcopal Church - 3903 Wilshire Boulevard, Los Angeles, California, USA.

Cultural References: This episode takes place at the height of the Cuban Missile Crisis. Don Draper is seen watching President John F. Kennedy’s live address to the nation about the Soviet Union’s actions in Cuba.Key clients mentioned in this episode are: Clearasil, Popsicle, North American Aviation The 1962 the American stance on abortion is made clear multiple times, as it is generally looked down on, yet accessible. The namesake of the episode, Meditations in an Emergency refers to a book written by Frank O'Hara.

Critical Reception:
This episode was well received by critics and viewers. The rapid pace was seemingly the favorite part of this season finale. The A.V. Club critic, Noel Murray wrote,”Mad Men's characters brought us to a finale which I think rewarded the investment we've made in these characters over the past two seasons. ” This episode gave the emotional payout that fans have been craving all season. Many critics also enjoyed the mystery and uncertainty of what is to come next season. The combination of the fast paced story-line, emotional satisfaction, and unpredictability generated an overwhelmingly positive response.

2009 Nominated:
Gold Derby TV Award	: Drama Episode of the Year Matthew Weiner (director/writer) Kater Gordon (writer)

Directors Guild of America, Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Dramatic Series' - Matthew Weiner

Prime-time Emmy: Outstanding Costumes for a Series: Janie Bryant (costume designer) ; Le Dawson (costume supervisor); American Movie Classics (AMC)

2009 Won
Prime-time Emmy for Outstanding Writing for a Drama Series; Kater Gordon, Matthew Weiner.