Don opens the episode by calling his former house and informing Sally he's obtained tickets to take them to see The Beatles at Shea Stadium
, which pleases even Betty. He then attends a meeting where Campbell is closing in on landing the North American Aviation account. Unfortunately, everyone at Sterling Cooper Draper Pryce requires security clearances before this can happen, and Betty is unexpectedly visited by Department of Defense agents who want her to vouch for her ex-husband's integrity. Betty actually keeps Dick Whitman's secret, but the mere knowledge that he could be discovered is enough to send Don into a panic-induced tailspin. He demands Campbell torpedo the $4-million account, and Campbell does.
Joan arrives to tell Roger that she is late — very, very late. Since she can't visit her own doctor, who knows Greg has been away for seven weeks, Roger arranges for her to have a procedure. Meanwhile, Lane Pryce's father (W. Morgan Sheppard) drops in to visit unexpectedly, and learns that Lane has been carrying on with a Playboy Bunny, a black woman named Toni. He demands Lane return home and straighten out his life one way or another.
Roger is dining with Lee Garner, Jr., who drops a bombshell: American Tobacco has decided to consolidate all their advertising under the larger BBDO. Roger panics: Lucky Strike is his only contribution to SCDP, accounting for at least 50% of their total revenue. At a partners' meeting where Campbell reveals he "screwed up" the NAA account, Roger lambasts him(self) for failing to keep one client satisfied. He then doesn't mention the loss of Lucky Strike, leaving the company precarious as Lane takes a leave of absence to return to England.
This episodes contains examples of:
- Absence Makes the Heart Go Yonder: Lane's cheating on his wife with Toni, a playboy bunny.
- Abusive Parent: Pryce senior, who still beats his son even though the latter is a middle-aged man.
- Ain't Too Proud to Beg: Roger, when Lee Garner Jnr. tells him that Lucky Strike is moving to BBDO. His begging gets him a 30-day stay of execution.
- Call-Back: To "Nixon Vs Kennedy", as Don is able to make use of Pete's knowledge of his past. Also to "The Jet Set", as this was when Pete first started courting North American Aviation.
- Dirty Old Man: The doctor Roger consults with concerning a potential abortion for Joan calls him out as one. His taste for much younger women has been common knowledge since the first season, and many characters have offered commentary on it, but never so disgustedly.
- Disneyland Dad: Don again. This time, he's taking Sally to see The Beatles — provided Harry can actually get hold of the tickets.
- Friendship Moment: Pete torpedoes North American Aviation, which would have been a massive account and which he's been babying since near the end of Season 2, because the security checks would have led to Don's identity being discovered. Don later sticks up for Pete when Roger blasts him for losing the account.
- Good Girls Avoid Abortion: Discussed. Joan informs Roger that she's pregnant, leading the two to go to a doctor. The doctor chastises Roger for "ruining" Joan but gives them the address of an abortion clinic.
- Hypocrite: Roger, who blasts Pete for losing the North American Aviation account while not telling his colleagues that he's lost Lucky Strike, which is worth far more to the company.
- Internal Reveal: Don confesses to Faye that he's a deserter and the security clearance for North American Aviation puts him at risk of being found out.
- Read the Fine Print: Don's failure to do this prior to signing the Department of Defense application form that Megan had filled out for him (not knowing of his mysterious past) is a key plot point.
- Squee: Sally, when Don tells her that he's got her tickets to see The Beatles at Shea Stadium. Truth in Television, as no-one — not even the Beatles themselves — could hear the music over the screaming at the Shea Stadium concert. Don's wise to want to take earplugs.
- Secret Secret-Keeper: Trudy narrowly avoids becoming this to Don, as Pete can't bring himself to tell her what's been going on at the office.
- Vomit Indiscretion Shot: Once again, Don when he's having his Heroic BSoD about the Department of Defense checking into his past.
- Wham Episode: Lee tells Roger that Lucky Strike will be pulling out its business from SCDP, which is very likely going to kill the company.
