It was written by series creator and executive producer Matthew Weiner and writer Semi Chellas , and directed by Scott Hornbacher. The episode takes place almost entirely over a single day, telling three stories in a non-linear narrative.
Peggy becomes alienated after separate fights with her boyfriend Abe and a client. Roger and Jane take LSD with a group of intellectuals, altering how they see the world and allowing them to speak honestly about their marriage. Don and Megan leave the office and take an impromptu road trip to Plattsburgh, New York , which doesn't turn out as planned after Megan becomes aggrieved with how Don treats her.
The episode received overwhelming critical acclaim, with many critics noting the episode's formal experiments with and focus on the passage of time. The theme of the episode was pinpointed by the series writers and television journalists as the desire to escape. The episode is split into three vignettes that take place almost entirely during a single day in a non-linear narrative following the lives of Peggy , Roger , and Don.
The episode begins with Peggy's day and a heated argument with her boyfriend Abe , over her preoccupation with work and the effect this has on their sex life. The argument ends with Abe's leaving in a huff. After Don pulls Megan away for an impromptu trip to a Howard Johnson's hotel in upstate New York , Peggy has to pitch to the Heinz executives without them and unsuccessfully tries to sell the Heinz executives on her concept.
Frustrated, she leaves work, has a couple of drinks, and goes to see the film Born Free She sees a young man smoking marijuana behind her, partakes herself, and eventually gives him a hand job. She returns to her office to see Michael Ginsberg arguing with his father. After being told off by Ginsberg for eavesdropping, she falls asleep in Don's office. She awakens to a call from Don, who seems alarmed for incomprehensible reasons. Don hangs up on her, and Peggy returns to her office.
