the only premise you listed was the Don premise. while Don is a central character, Mad Men has always been bigger than Don.
the Dick/Don premise has been dead since Pete exposed Don to Burt. since then that premise has only been used as a vehicle to explore other premises. Don goes to California and you meet Mrs. Draper and she reminds him of his "love" for Betty.
in the latest episode, the premise was used to further illustrate Betty's coldness and lack of empathy. Betty hears the entire Don/Dick story and witnesses her husband weeping and can barely extend an arm in support. It's also also used to juxtapose it with Suzanne's warmness and feeling. She asks Don if he's alright the next day on the phone after he leaves her outside all night.
you're right that the Don/Dick premise is no longer dangerous in the sense of Don being destroyed, but it served its purpose and it still is fueling the show in a different manner.
also, january jones is amazing. and so is jon hamm.
On Footnotes of Mad Men: Misfits, Horse Meat and Clark Gable
the only premise you listed was the Don premise. while Don is a central character, Mad Men has always been bigger than Don.
the Dick/Don premise has been dead since Pete exposed Don to Burt. since then that premise has only been used as a vehicle to explore other premises. Don goes to California and you meet Mrs. Draper and she reminds him of his "love" for Betty.
in the latest episode, the premise was used to further illustrate Betty's coldness and lack of empathy. Betty hears the entire Don/Dick story and witnesses her husband weeping and can barely extend an arm in support. It's also also used to juxtapose it with Suzanne's warmness and feeling. She asks Don if he's alright the next day on the phone after he leaves her outside all night.
you're right that the Don/Dick premise is no longer dangerous in the sense of Don being destroyed, but it served its purpose and it still is fueling the show in a different manner.
also, january jones is amazing. and so is jon hamm.