Mad Men: Review 3x08, Episode: "Souvenir"
To cut it short: In this episode Betty and Pete both got a taste of Europe: some italian "dolce vita" for Betty and Pete takes a mouthful of some (much too young and therefore) forbidden fruit from Germany.
Seeing Pete without Trudy revealed him living in an emotional and social wasteland. No wonder he picks the first opportunity to fill the gap his wife left. He is making remarkable efforts in playing the knight in shining armor but in the end he loses every sense of honor by demanding his prize.
Other than Henry, who had to watch Betty fly to Rome with her husband instead of using Don's departure for some private time with him.
It has been obvious before that Sex is the glue, which keeps Don and Betty together. How much Betty enjoys to make herself desirable for her husband and that Don never had a problem with fulfilling her desires. We've also seen in "For those who think young" (2x01) they're taking some time out at some hotel on Valentines Day to refresh their sex life. As we learn now, this seems to be a common practice for the couple - as Don points out after he asked Betty to come with him to Rome and she says she can't join him on such a trip because of the baby: "We can stay at the Waldorf any time you want."
I think Betty was fully aware she could have stayed and meet with Henry for a more serious escape. But she choses Don, who is of course a perfect partner to change identities. So they travel in space - a different country, a different language, a different hair style - and they also try to travel back in time by reanimating their own "first time". As much as it fulfills Betty's need for admiration, Don is also reliving his triumph of conquering her.
I think what Don and Betty are practicing is more a re-play than a role play. They remind themselves what they first saw in each other, what they still like to see in each other. Looking on each other the way others look at the other. So in a way they express their love for the role each of them is playing.
I remember a scene in 5G (1x05) where they are coming home, both drunk, from an event, where Don won some award, and it's Betty who asks Don: "Look at you in this tuxedo. Say it for me: It's a pleasure to meet you, Mrs. Draper".
Betty still likes to witness the admiration Don receives for his professional success. It enhances and assures herself that she married the right man. When they're back at their hotel room in Rome it's pretty outspoken: "He (Connie) sees great things in you."
And now we also know, what keeps the marriage of Pete and Trudy up. Being without Trudy is something Pete clearly doesn't want to experience.
My favorite visual metaphor of this episode: Pete doesn't even switch the light on, when he's on his own, which expresses his unwillingness to look at his life without Trudy.
And isn't it also visually the complete opposite of the colorful image of him dancing with her at Roger's Party?
In the end, both characters assign the responsibility for their happieness to their spouses. Still, I think there is a significant difference:
Betty is stuck in her life and her escapism with it's temporary satisfaction is not enough any more. She realizes what she has with Don is only a "souvenir" of what she originally wanted - and she blames him for that. Pete, on the other hand, is asking Trudy to look out for him and never leave him alone again. Somehow Betty doesn't find a way out of her life, and Pete still doesn't see a way in, except for living in his marriage, where he is accepted and supported.
The writing of the episode was top notch. My favorite dialogue:
Don: To whatever they were saying.
Betty: They said you were ugly.
Don: Does that bother you?
Betty: You think that because the way I am dressed that I am shallow.
Don: I was just hoping you were easy.
Betty: They said that too.
Don: What brings you to Rome? Seing anything interesting?
Betty: Either you take it or leave it.
"Souvenir" was a lot about dressing and undressing, of clothes, of identities, of social bonds, like Pete ripping off his shirt the moment he enters his apartement as if he wants to rip off all the obligations and rules of the society.
And it was a great example for how much Betty's clothes do express her state of mind. The innocent white dress, when she meets Henry, the glamorous dressing up with Don, the pink costume for the wealthy housewife and mother when she comes back home, and the multi-colored beach dress she's wearing in the house to express her disappointment. "We should have gone to the beach for the summer."
btw. I am taking Connie's made up excuse "I'd kick you up to a suite, but I want Don to see how it works for most people." as a hint that the connection with Hilton will not keep what it promised for Don.