Hands and Knees

"Hands and Knees" is the tenth episode of the fourth season of the American television drama series Mad Men, and the 49th overall episode of the series. It aired on the AMC channel in the United States on September 26, 2010. John Slattery submitted this episode for consideration on his nomination for the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series at the 63rd Primetime Emmy Awards. Plot Joan Harris (Christina Hendricks) informs Roger Sterling (John Slattery) that she is pregnant, and that he is the father because Greg has been away for weeks. Roger is surprised, but tells her not to be upset about it. Lane Pryce's (Jared Harris) father, Robert Pryce (W. Morgan Sheppard), arrives to bring him back to London, which Lane refuses to do. They make dinner plans and Lane asks Don Draper (Jon Hamm) to come in an effort to defuse the tension between them. Meanwhile, two men from the Department of Defense come to the Francis home to question Betty (January Jones) since North American Aviation has requested verification of Don's application form. Betty lies to them to protect Don's secret. In a phone call made after they've left, Betty tells Don about the meeting, which instantly throws him into a panic. He learns that his secretary, Megan, filled out his application form and he unknowingly signed it, unaware that it contained lies that could potentially compromise his identity. Don goes to Pete Campbell (Vincent Kartheiser), who knows about his true identity, for help. Don points out numerous contradictions on the application such as the real Don Draper's age and his MOS as an engineer. Pete has his friend in the Department of Defense look into it. Pete tries to put Don's mind at ease, but Don points out that since he technically deserted, he could face military prison. Roger and Joan set up an abortion, but Joan insists that Roger not come since they should not be seen together. At the clinic, Joan speaks with a mother of a 17-year-old girl who assumes that the reason Joan is there is for an abortion for her "daughter" instead of herself. Joan goes along with it and mentions that her daughter is fifteen. Then she is seen on a bus returning from the doctor's. At the office she tells Roger that they "avoided a tragedy".