04E02 - Christmas Comes But Once a Year

The Christmas season is in full swing, but that only compounds the problems for Sterling Cooper Draper Pryce. Feeling the company still financially insolvent, Lane will only allow a meager office Christmas party, with no spouses or partners. Roger makes a unilateral decision to change that directive from Lane to keep their one major client, Lee Garner Jr. of Lucky Strike, happy. Roger wants the company to appear cheerful and busy to those in the outside world that matter. The company's fortune may change for the better when ex-Sterling Cooper fired employee Freddy Rumsen, now clean and sober for sixteen months, walks through their doors, he who brings with him a lucrative contract with Pond's cold cream. One of his two major stipulations is that he comes with the contract. Peggy, who has been Freddy's biggest supporter in the past, may regret what she wished for as she and Freddy butt heads over the concept for Pond's. Also to assist in improving the company's fortunes, Bertram enlists the help of an old friend, the head of marketing research company, to provide their services, which doesn't sit well with Don for personal reasons. Don in general isn't feeling much in the Christmas mood, he who has been drinking more than usual over the thought of not spending Christmas with his kids. He looks for female companionship wherever he can find it, which may end up not being in his best interest or that of the women involved. Sally, too, is feeling sad not only over not seeing her father more, but by still living in the family home with his memory. Her old friend, Glen Bishop, takes unilateral action to help her out with this problem. And Peggy, in a developing relationship with Mark Kerney, isn't totally forthright with him about her past concerning their future. Peggy's actions are in light of both her short and long term wants, the short being primarily not to be alone on New Year's Eve.