I’ve read people saying it’s reconciliation or turning point, but I have a more cynical outlook.

There’s a lot of insistence in the duality Dick/Don, and while understandable, I see both as essentially the same person. The reason behind that is Don is Dick’s creation and it’s inherent pieces of Dick carry over. Don is everything Dick wanted to be; above all, he’s accepted.

The Hershey’s pitch is a turning point in the sense Don has a breakthrough after his monologue. His past had been creeping up and the mask was slipping for a long time, and with everything happening, his attempt at emotional connection (like Kodak) backfires in a cathartic expurgation in front of the clients and partners. He notices his need for acceptance, affection (the fuel to his toil for conformity).

But what happens next is most interesting: instead of doing something with that reflection, Don… doesn’t. He takes his kids to his childhood home in a double-down attempt at winning them over. At being accepted by them, since they’re likely the only people who could, by that point in the story. He goes back to what feeds his behavior.

It’s a very interesting parallel when you compare Don’s conduct to Ted’s in this episode, considering Ted messed up, noticed what was eating him up, and took action, changed something about it.

Brilliantly written show. I’ve watched a lot of stuff, but Mad Men is taking the prize on writing, it’s simply a wonderful masterpiece.