As we all finished out the first half of Season 7 on a high and low note, the "Mad Men" universe changed permanently. Even though we were already quite used to characters coming and going already, the passing of Bert Cooper expertly timed to coincide with moon landing left us with mixed emotions, although given his age and experiences on the show it did not come as much of a surprise.

But with the newly (re)emerging playboy side of Don Draper presenting his debonair self in the premier of the second half of Season 7, we are back to what we originally had come to expect from him -- especially since we got drawn way back to the first season with news of Don's original mistress, Rachel Menken, having died of leukemia.

As reported on Variety, Rachel Menken's sister learns who Don really is at her funeral when he introduces himself and adds, "I'm in advertising," indicating the affair with Don had left Rachel in bad shape after their parting. Needless to say, she has little sympathy for Don, and she believes that her sister led a fulfilling life.

Ken Cosgrove's story takes a new and exciting turn as he is called on by his wife to forsake his career in advertising and return to his love of writing. The timing couldn't have been better. The newly acquired Sterling, Cooper and Price by McCann Erickson leads them to first fire Ken. But just as he is about to heed his wife's advice, Ken takes over as the new head of advertising for Dow, which puts him in an egocentric position to wreak a little havoc over SC&P.

Speculations about how the show will play out over the next six episodes range from a surprise ending to Megan falling victim to the Manson family. According the iDigitalTimes, yes and no.

John Slattery, who plays Roger Sterling in the show, said, "It was surprising to the end. ... [But] It's been surprising the whole time."

"Mad Men" show creator Matthew Weiner also quickly alleviated the notion that Megan falls victim to the Manson murders and stated that he would not recreate history to add a fictional victim.

A short teaser has been released for Episode 9.

Don's secretary asks him if he is just going to Los Angeles on a whim, which might mean we will see Megan soon. And later, Meredith is seen asking him where he's been for a week, adding that she has been worried.


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