Some fellow posters seem to think that Don is being set up for a major fall. I can see where we could draw that conclusion: bullied into signing a contract, led around by a leash and slapped around by Hilton, exposed as a fraud, liar and whoreson by his wife. It's been a rough, humiliating year for ol' Dick Whitman. Surely, it's all about to come crashing down around him.

Or is it?

This is Don-freakin'-Draper we're talking about here! You think he's going to let little things like this get in his way? Betty leaves him? Fine -- get over here, hot teacher! Grey buys Sterling Cooper? Good luck getting rid of Don, Duck -- he's under contract! Connie changes agencies? Sayonara, Moon Man -- we'll just find another account! He's DON DRAPER!

I agree with you, and I don't think Betty is leaving, either.

When Don's leaving the house the morning after Betty tells him that she no longer loves him, one of the kids tells him "It's cold outside". Don replies "I'm fine" (or he says "I'll be fine", I couldn't quite catch the exact phrase, the wind was whistling loudly outside their house)

Either way, the statement has some portent, I think. Don just might land on his feet.

Yes, really. Don't you feel that he's been revealed as a hollow man? Now that more and more people know this, Don is beginning to lose the persona he put on (donned) with his suit and debonair manners. That costume - both literal and figurative - is part of what made him such a great ad man. But the times, they are a'changing...

I guess it simply depends on whether Don has reached the limits of his adaptability, or not. There's no definitive indication either way.

He will have his ups and downs a la Tony Soprano. But Don/Dick is nothing if not a survivor, even if Betty leaves he will find a way to cope and continue to do well in the business world. I can see him being pushed out, finishing the contract and then moving on.

the premise seems to be that Betty has been disillusioned by Don's dishonesty; but is it possible that she finds him less interesting now that she knows the 'truth' about him? The mysterious Don - dishonest as he was - was dangerous and alluring. He's vulnerable now, of low-class origins. Perhaps Betty preferred the illusion.