Ep 3. My Old Kentucky Home

In Mad Men season 3 episode 3, titled "My Old Kentucky Home," the focus shifts away from the main characters for a bit and turns towards Betty's family, specifically her father. The episode begins with Betty getting a call from her brother William telling her that their father Gene has had a stroke. Betty and Don quickly pack up and head to her parents' house in Pennsylvania.

When they arrive, Betty's mother Gloria is clearly upset, but Betty seems to be somewhat detached from the situation. She's worried about her father's health, of course, but she's also dealing with some mixed emotions about him. Gene was always a difficult and demanding man - Betty recalls a childhood memory of him yelling at her and demanding she fix his breakfast just as he likes it - and her relationship with him has been strained for years.

As Betty and Don settle in with her family, the tension between them begins to mount. Betty is increasingly frustrated with the way her mother coddles her father, waiting on him hand and foot and catering to his every need. The situation comes to a head when Gene suffers another stroke and Betty has to confront her mother about the way she's treating him. Gloria is defensive, insisting that she's only doing what Gene wants and that she knows him better than anyone else. But Betty is convinced that Gene isn't happy with the way things are going, and she's determined to help him.

Meanwhile, back in New York, the agency is dealing with some drama of its own. Pete is struggling to deal with his father's death, and he's quickly unraveling at work. He's drinking heavily and acting erratic, and it's clear that he's not in a good place. Roger, still reeling from his recent divorce, takes notice of Pete's behavior and offers him some advice. He tells Pete that he needs to take some time off and get his head straight.

But Pete is too stubborn to take Roger's advice. Instead, he throws himself into his work, pushing himself to the brink as he tries to deal with his emotions. The stress takes its toll on him, and he suffers a breakdown in front of the entire office.

As Betty and Don prepare to leave Pennsylvania, things come to a head with her father. Gene has always been a difficult man, but as Betty spends more time with him, she begins to understand him a little better. She realizes that he's scared and vulnerable, and that he's been trying to hide it from everyone for years. In a touching moment, Betty reaches out to him and they connect in a way that they never have before.

Overall, "My Old Kentucky Home" is a powerful episode that explores issues of family, love, and loss. It's a testament to the show's ability to create complex, multilayered characters and to tell stories that resonate with viewers on a deep, emotional level. Whether you're a longtime fan of Mad Men or just discovering the show for the first time, this episode is not to be missed.