It’s New Year’s in Mad Men land and on his way to Aculpolo, Don stops in Los Angeles for 24 hours to visit with Anna and hit on her niece Stephanie. Don’s still depressed and drinking but on top of that he finds out Anna is dying of cancer…and doesn’t know it! Don’t worry, her family knows.  They’re just keeping it a secret.

Okay. This story line has daytime soap opera written all over it. Dying of cancer? Okay, I’m in. Dying of cancer and doesn’t know it?  I’m out. I don’t know how medical procedures have changed since 1964, but I’m pretty sure hiding diagnoses is not in the hypocratic oath. This storyline is right up there with dying-then-coming-back-as-your-evil twin plot.

Despite the storyline, Don has a touching moment with Anna when she tells him “I know everything about you. And I still love you.” It makes his goodbye to her that much worse, as he knows he’ll never see Anna again.

In the rest of Mad Men land, Lane Pryce is having marital problems and decide to stay in town for New Year’s. When Don and lane go out for an American night on the town, comedy ensues.

Joan and Greg are still trying to start a family but they can’t seem to find the time. There’s also the possibility of Greg being send to Vietnam.

Cancer. Vietnam. What’s the good news? Sterling, Cooper, Draper & Pryce have actually had a banner year.

The best line of the episode is delivered by Joan’s buttery voice. “Shall we begin 1965?” God yes.

Mad Men airs Sunday nights on AMC

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