PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE.

In episode 9, Don's psychiatric love object assumes a greater and more prominent role. The best exemplification of Faye's importance is seen at the end of the episode; Faye expresses her anger in a clear and confrontational way to Don. Not hysterical anger, not out-of-control anger, simple and direct anger focused at Don.  This professional woman is able, unlike many of her contemporaries, to confront Don with her anger, and survive unscathed.

And what is her anger about: Don assumes that since she is a mental health professional and, most importantly, a woman, that she will be great managing his daughter.  Faye has a right to be angry: Don has set her up to fail. At the end of the episode she unloads at Don all the embarrassment, shame, guilt and feelings of failure engendered by professional women facing severe social stigmatization at this time in US history.

At the vey end of the episode we see Joan, Peggy and Faye all standing in the elevator:  These are respectively, the past, present and future of the evolution of women in our society.