In S2E03 (The Benefactor), Don leaves his children in front of the TV (Betty is out flirting with Arthur Chase at the riding stable), and goes to the study to make a call. He calls Bobbie Barrett (Melinda McGraw), the wife of Jimmy Barrett (Patrick Fischler), who is on her bed with a book: Herman Wouk’s best-selling novel Marjorie Morningstar.
The book’s plot leads us to a comparison with the show: the pursuit of toxicity. The relationship in the series – Don and Bobbie – and the one in the book – Marjorie and Noel – are both toxic, and we yell at the screen and pages with the same refrain: STOP IT!
Don fooled around with Bobbie earlier in S2E03 in his car after Don put up a half-assed attempt to hold her off: “Don’t. I don’t want to do this.” Whatever Don. You’re weak and you know it.
Bobbie and Don’s relationship in the intense and dark category exemplified when Don grabs and sexually assaults Bobbie in the rest room at one point.
“Believe me. I will ruin you.”
– Don
Intense, dark, disturbing.
Continue reading “The pursuit of a toxic relationship and a car crash”