In Mad Men season 3 episode 12, titled "The Grown-Ups," the characters are dealing with the aftermath of the assassination of President Kennedy. The episode begins with a somber tone, as the entire country is in shock and mourning over the loss of their leader. The agency is closed for the day, and the employees are struggling to come to terms with what has happened.
As the episode progresses, the characters begin to process their emotions and reactions to the tragedy. Betty, who is pregnant with her third child, is particularly affected by the event. She is shown watching the news coverage of the assassination over and over again, unable to come to terms with what has happened. Her husband, Don, tries to comfort her, but she is distant and withdrawn.
The other characters are also struggling to cope with the aftermath of the assassination. Pete, always eager to impress his bosses, suggests that the agency take out a full-page ad in the New York Times to express their condolences. This suggestion is met with mixed reactions, as some of the other characters feel that it is inappropriate or exploitative.
Meanwhile, Peggy is dealing with her own personal issues. She has a meeting with a group of church officials who want the agency to create a campaign to promote religious education. Peggy is initially dismissive of the idea, but as the meeting progresses, she becomes engrossed in the discussion and begins to see the potential in the project.
The episode also touches on some of the ongoing storylines from earlier in the season. Betty's brother, William, who has recently returned from the army, is struggling to adjust to civilian life. He is shown sleeping on Don and Betty's couch, unable to find a job or a sense of purpose. Sally, Betty and Don's daughter, is still dealing with the fallout from her parents' separation. She is shown watching the funeral procession for President Kennedy on television, seemingly unfazed by the gravity of the event.
As the episode comes to a close, the characters seem to be moving forward, but it is clear that the events of the past few days have left a lasting impact on them. The agency returns to business as usual, but the characters are now aware that they are living in a new and uncertain world. "The Grown-Ups" is a poignant and moving exploration of the fallout from a national tragedy, and the ways in which it affects the lives of ordinary people.
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Genres
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CastJon HammElisabeth MossVincent KartheiserKiernan ShipkaChristopher Stanley
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Channel
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First AiredNovember 1, 2009
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Content RatingTV-14
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Runtime47 min
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LanguageEnglish
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IMDB Rating8.9 (2,944)
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