Sexism, sexy cars, and one of the best Mad Men episodes ever

Have to note - spoilers here so stop if you haven't seen it - that this week's episode of "Mad Men" is clearly one of the best in the whole series: the episode centers on the Jaguar account and the lengths to which, or depths to which more accurately, the team is willing to go to win this big account: the head of the Jaguar dealership lets the sales team know that he'll make it impossible for them unless they set up for him a night with the office beauty - a B-52 I think he calls her - Joan. This is repulsive - far worse than garden-variety sexism that exists throughout the agency and throughout the culture - it's just plain pimping and prostitution. And it's amazing to see how everyone goes along with this, and how the writers and producer Weiner make this credible and complex and interesting. This episode examines sexism and exploitation in many facets, without every getting didactic or polemical - just explores these themes through excellent writing and acting: Megan hoping to begin her acting career but realizes her dreams may be thwarted by the expectations of her husband, Don, that she'll be there for him every night (and apparently she loses a part because she's not sexy enough); Peggy feeling belittled by Don, who wants her to remain forever his protege and in his thrall - and she actually gives her notice (not sure how they can carry through with this) and Don is weirdly moved. Also, the Jaguar campaign itself - selling the car as like a "mistress." And most of all Joan, who has to wrestle with this decision - pushed along by some of the partners who each has his own selfish motive - and if so at what price. Very interesting twist in the plot as Don at first doesn't believe she slept with the scum, and, when he realizes that she did, has no faith that the agency won the account because of the best pitch - which completely taints the victory for him - episode ends with him miserable, Peggy walking out, everyone else joyous. There's so much going on in this episode - and especially when you think about the 5-year arc of the whole series and how the role of women in business and society was changing so rapidly over that course of time, from 1960 to 1965.