Felt very much like end times, and a bittersweet, nostalgic feel was in the shadows the entire episode. As the massive computer, once a symbol of progression and change is hauled off like yesterdays trash, in the construction site esque surroundings of SCDP, you know the end is near, both for the loyal and loved staff and owners of the firm, and of course, us as an audience. 'I'll have them build a new floor if I have to'
The following exchange between Harry and Roger furthers this point, with Roger getting several more jabs into Harry, in classic form, before being left with a poignant remark from Harry. 'What are you still doing here'?
Don's meeting with Jim Hobart and Ferg Donnelly wasn't blatantly humiliating, but being forced to grin in slightly confused and annoyed silence, as Ferg, with no subtly and a blunt sense of humor, poorly impersonates him, wasn't, I imagine an enjoyable moment for him. Jim Hobart reveals Don isn't much more then a toy he wants to play with, and as a man who is used to getting what he wants, hasn't found exception, finally bringing his white whale into the fold. Also, he delivers the 'I'm Don Draper, from Mccan-Erricson' with ease and enthusiasm, his gift for playing a character showcased once more.
The deft touches in painting a picture of corporate monotony and soullessness goes a long way, as he see Don being reduced to another lackey, complete with a boxed lunch, in a meeting listening to a drone, do an impression of what Don excelled at for years, getting into the hearts and minds of a client. But, the pitch is hollow, the click and canned laughter of his coworkers sends Don out the window, and I loved the light music as he slowly shakes himself out of the trance, amidst the dull roar of corporate compliance. People have posted different reactions to Ted's expression as Don left, I took it as Ted finding comfort that Don had found if not his peace, then the ability to find it. Ted knows Don's demons run deep, and he has always had, if nothing else, a good heart. Ted may be fine working at Mccan, but he knows someone with Don's tendencies and personalities cannot. The scenes of Don post Betty, sans the Cooper bit, I liked less. The Diana thing I understood, but it just felt a little forced and off....nevertheless, I enjoyed them for what they were.
If Don's meeting wasn't outright humiliating, Joans meeting certainly were. She got the little fish, a dull, angry, repressive Dennis, followed by a smooth, manipulative, but equally hateful Ferg, who closes in on her like a shark, 'You need to keep those accounts....what would you do around here'? Her meeting with Hobart is like the third in a trilogy, a man who isn't really interested in her sexually, or at least it is not his real concern. Nor is he interested in her in any other way. Jut shut the fukk up and sit in your office, which represents another harsh brand of discrimination and sexisim. I was proud of Joan's character in her meeting with Hobart, as she threatens blackmail as well, no longer interested in selling her sexuality, as she has in the past.
'You know I have a heart condition'....'it's your music thats scary, not me'
The best parts of the entire episode was the bittersweet, touching and deeply comical send off Peggy and Roger give the old office, both paying their respects to each other, and the place that brought all of them so much. I was dying at Roger like the phantom of the opera, playing an organ in his deserted office, left with nothing but memories and memoirs of his beloved firm. 'You don't need help, you need an audience'. This is 100% true of Roger, but who better to watch? 'It's an octopus pleasuring a women'
And, as they finished the vermouth after confessing their love for their firm, it was a beautiful moment for 'Mad Men', thats as close to an end as we have seen. Deserted offices, battlegrounds in 'a business that doesn't have feelings', with the sole survivors, who go into their new territory, and do what they were meant to.... defiantly staking the flag for women in the workplace, as Peggy did, or Roger cutting one last old boy, backroom deal to save Joan, someone he has always truly loved. It was incredible television.
when Don was the one told Joan and had her back and tell them to 
.while Roger never had her back. When she realized that Roger had been sent to give her the axe. She looked at him and the expression of disappointment on her face made it clear that she was leaving because once again, Roger will never stand up for her. Roger will never be there when he needs her. And so she decided to take the buy-out. 
