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The house in Ossining

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Nineteen of ninety-two. The other half of the show, in the suburbs, where almost nothing happens on purpose. Betty Draper's thread is the hardest one to like and the one the series is most quietly serious about. A thread through an ensemble show, not a way to watch Mad Men - the series cross-cuts less than most, which is why this works at all, but you will be missing everything happening in the other offices. If this is your first time, take The Essentials instead.

For following Betty, or rewatching the show for her.

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in the path skipped other arcnumbers below are seasons · hover any mark for the episode

The path

Tick episodes off to track where you are. Turn on spoiler hiding below if you have not seen it yet.

Season 15 in the path
1 skipped
Her hands will not stop shaking and the doctor talks to her husband about it. The series' first statement of her whole problem.

Betty sees a specialist about her ongoing physical problems; a managing partner leans on Don to get involved in the Richard Nixon presidential campaign; Peggy gets some unwanted attention from a copy writer.

A birthday party in the backyard, a neighbourhood that runs on being watched, and a divorcee invited into it.

Pete's return from his honeymoon stirs up conflicted emotions about his bachelor-party dalliance with Peggy; Don and Rachel's business relationship shifts; Betty sets tongues wagging when she invites the neighborhood divorcée to her daughter's birthday party.

5 skipped
An agency wants to make her a model again. What that offer is actually for, and who it is aimed at.

A rival ad agency tries to poach Don from Sterling Cooper, and they involve Betty in their campaign to land him; romantic rivals vie for Peggy's affections. Also, the agency steps up its Nixon presidential campaign in an attempt to counter successful Kennedy promos.

1 skipped
A washing machine, an afternoon alone, and the show's bluntest scene about a woman with nothing to do.

Peggy is assigned a difficult project; Don seizes the opportunity provided by Roger's latest work woes; a frustrated Pete develops more problems at home and in the office; Betty seeks new relief for her mounting frustrations.

1 skipped
She uncovers something. The last ten minutes recast the whole marriage and the whole season.

Peggy's colleagues are irked when she's given a new job opportunity; Don's work responsibilities get in the way of his home life; Betty uncovers a surprising secret.

Season 24 in the path
A former roommate with a career, and an afternoon that makes the house feel smaller.

The second season opens with Don butting heads about personnel matters with Duck, who wants "younger creative talent"; the staff is up in the air about its approach to an airline-company account; Betty bumps into a former roommate who has begun a surprising new career; Joan is at a loss about where to put the new copy machine.

7 skipped
A friendship, a riding club, and a manoeuvre that shows how she uses the few tools she has.

Freddy Rumsen strikes out during a pitch meeting with his team; ever-eager Pete seizes a chance to exploit an opportunity at the office; an old friend is the beneficiary of Don's loyalty; Sara Beth proves to be a welcome ally for Betty.

Her father is failing and the family house has to be dealt with. Where she comes from, finally on screen.

Betty visits her ailing father; Paul's girlfriend, Sheila, advises him about his civic responsibilities; Pete's mother tries to put the kibosh on an important family move that he and Trudy are planning.

2 skipped
News that changes the terms of everything, delivered in a week when the world may not continue.

As the second season ends, things get bumpy at Sterling Cooper while Don is away; Betty receives some upsetting news.

Season 35 in the path
1 skipped
Her father moves in, and the past she has been performing away arrives in the kitchen.

Betty's father pays a visit; the Drapers dine with the stuffy new British boss (Jared Harris) and his snobby wife; the firm contemplates whether to accede to an unusual request from a client; Roger takes charge of arranging a wedding; and Peggy's personal involvement in a campaign leaves her greatly affected.

2 skipped
A hospital, a birth, and an anaesthetised night that is the most honest the show ever lets her be.

Concern over Sally's behavior causes Don and Betty to act; opportunistic Pete tries to work a new angle into his business dealings; and an odd dream has a strange effect on Betty.

1 skipped
Local politics, a fund-raising committee, and a man from the governor's office.

Betty becomes involved in local politics; a troubling incident leads Don to begin thinking about his future; and Peggy is on the receiving end of an exquisite gift.

3 skipped
The drawer. The one conversation the marriage was built to avoid, finally had.

Sterling Cooper welcomes back a prodigal client; Betty and the children take a trip; Joan and Greg make plans for their future.

1 skipped
Reno, advice, and a decision she makes for herself in the same weekend everyone else remakes the agency.

In the third-season finale, Don has a pivotal meeting with Connie (Chelcie Ross); Betty is the beneficiary of some interesting advice; and Pete has a serious sit-down with some clients.

Season 41 in the path
9 skipped
A visitor at the Francis house who is not there for her, and a reminder that the old life is not finished with her.

Betty is a bit unsettled when a surprise visitor stops at the Francis home.

Season 61 in the path
17 skipped
A houseguest, a trip into the city, and a version of herself she tries on for a few days.

Roger receives some unnerving news; and Betty welcomes a houseguest.

Season 73 in the path
13 skipped
Lunch with a friend, and an argument about what a woman her age is supposed to be doing.

Don takes an impromptu trip; Betty has lunch with a friend; Harry lobbies for a cause; the partners consider a questionable asset.

9 skipped
A stairwell, an X-ray, and news that reorders everything left in the series. Her best hour, and it is the second to last.

Don has trouble sleeping; Pete is blindsided by a friend; Henry arranges a family reunion.

The finale, and a letter that is the most clear-eyed thing the character ever does.

The stories of Don Draper, his family and his coworkers come to an end in the series finale.

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