Ep 6. Babylon

Don Draper and his team at Sterling Cooper Advertising agency are tasked with coming up with a new campaign for their client, Mohawk Airlines. At the same time, Don meets Rachel Menken, the owner of a Jewish department store, in a business meeting.

The episode begins with Don and Betty, his wife, at a dinner party hosted by Betty’s friend. Betty’s friend introduces them to a psychiatrist, who prescribes Betty some medication for her anxiety. Don is not happy about this and tells Betty that she does not need medication to make her feel better.

The next day, Don and his team are brainstorming ideas for Mohawk Airlines when Paul Kinsey, one of the copywriters, suggests using the Tower of Babel as their campaign’s theme. Don is hesitant about using a religious story, but his team is enthusiastic about the idea. Meanwhile, Don meets Rachel Menken, who is looking for a new way to sell her store’s merchandise. Don does not believe that advertising can help her sales and leaves the meeting.

After some research, Don discovers that the Tower of Babel theme has already been used by another airline. He is frustrated, but keeps this information to himself. Instead, he tells his team to continue working on the campaign. That night, Don goes to a café and bumps into Rachel. They have a conversation and Don suggests using the words “Meet in the middle” for her store’s advertising. Rachel is intrigued by Don’s idea and they leave the café together.

At the office the next day, Pete Campbell, an account executive at Sterling Cooper, discovers that Mohawk Airlines has already rejected their campaign. Don is disappointed, but he uses this opportunity to pitch his “Meet in the middle” idea to Rachel. Rachel agrees to work with Don and his team to create a new campaign for her store.

As Rachel leaves the office, Joan Holloway, the office manager, comments on how Don seems to be interested in Rachel. This prompts Peggy Olson, Don’s secretary and a copywriter, to ask Joan about Don’s reputation with women. Joan tells Peggy that Don is a ladies’ man and that she should be careful around him.

Peggy is later invited to a party with Paul and his friends, where they experiment with drugs. Peggy becomes overwhelmed and has a bad trip. She wakes up the next day in Paul’s bed and is embarrassed. When she returns to work, she is somber and distant.

Meanwhile, Betty visits her psychiatrist and decides to stop taking her medication. She feels better and goes to soothe her conscience at church. There, she runs into Father Gill, a priest she has had an affair with in the past. Father Gill is distraught by the news that his church is being demolished to make way for a new building. Betty sympathizes with him and offers her support.

At the office, Don and his team present their new campaign to Rachel, which she approves. Don tells Rachel that he is impressed with her and that he likes working with her. Rachel admits that she likes working with him, too. They make plans to meet again.

As the episode ends, the camera pans to the painting of a skyscraper on Don’s office wall, symbolizing the Tower of Babel. The episode’s title, “Babylon”, refers to the biblical city that was destroyed due to its citizens’ sin and arrogance. This parallel suggests that Don and his colleagues’ ambition and deceit may lead to their downfall.