The Good News (Mad Men)
| "The Good News" | |
|---|---|
| Mad Men episode | |
| Episode no. | Season 4 Episode 3 |
| Directed by | Jennifer Getzinger |
| Written by |
Jonathan Abrahams Matthew Weiner |
| Original air date | August 8, 2010 |
"The Good News" is the third episode of the fourth season of the American television drama series Mad Men, and the 42nd overall episode of the series. It was written by Jonathan Abrahams and series creator and executive producer Matthew Weiner, and directed by Jennifer Getzinger. It aired originally on the AMC channel in the United States on August 8, 2010. The episode contained guest appearances by, among others, Melinda Page Hamilton as Anna Draper and Samuel Page as Greg Harris.
In the episode, Don Draper (Jon Hamm) makes a trip to California to visit an old friend, where he receives bad news. Back in New York, he takes Lane Pryce (Jared Harris) out for a wild night on the town. Meanwhile, Joan Harris (Christina Hendricks) is having problems both at work and at home.
Advance copies of the episode were not sent to critics because of Weiner's fear of spoilers. Once the reviews came out, they were split on the value of the California storyline, but more consistent in lauding the comedy of Don and Lane's adventure.
It is the end of 1964, and Don Draper (Jon Hamm) is planning a holiday trip to Acapulco. On the way, he has a 24-hour stop-over in Los Angeles, to visit Anna Draper (Melinda Page Hamilton). He finds Anna – the wife of the man whose identity Don stole – on the porch with a broken leg. Anna's sister Patty (Susan Leslie) comes over to help with the chores, with her daughter Stephanie (Caity Lotz), who is in college. Stephanie stays behind when Patty leaves, and the three go out for dinner. In the evening, Don drives Stephanie home and makes a pass at her in her driveway. She turns him down and instead tells him that Anna has cancer but does not know it. Don decides to extend his visit, and the next morning, he angrily confronts Patty about the secrecy and says he will pay for any possible treatment. Patty replies that they have already consulted experts, who all agree the cancer is terminal and advanced. She asks him to stay out of the family's business and to leave before he inadvertently tells Anna the real story. Don reluctantly decides to acquiesce. He tells Anna he has to leave and returns to New York, instead of Acapulco. Before leaving, he paints over Anna's water stained wall, on which she paints a flower and he inscribes, "Dick + Anna '64".
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