Mad Men's Bob Benson: Good Guy, Or Some Kind Of Spy? View The Evidence And Make The Call
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Episode: "The Doorway"
What Bob does/says: Introduces himself as a new accounts guy; offers Don one of his coffees, even though he's just claimed he doesn't like to share; "We spoke at the Christmas party. You seemed to really know your way around Pennsylvania."
What Bob might be thinking: "Coffee doesn't work, Cottonbowl tickets don't work... If only this guy had some vice with which I could ply him!"
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Episode: "The Doorway"
What Bob does/says: Stands in background as Pete has his picture taken; hands Campbell the second coffee as he descends from the stairs
What Bob might be thinking: "With his giant ego and generally rash nature, Pete is probably my easiest mark. Also, Joan is so hot."
Alternate interpretation: "Pete is so hot. And Joan is fierce."
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Episode: "The Doorway"
What Bob does/says: Apropos of nothing, sets up shop in the upstairs common area; acts hurt when Ken mocks him for sending a deli platter to Roger's mother's memorial service; notes that when his father died, "any gesture meant something to me."
What Bob might be thinking: "The fact that these guys roll in so late makes it that much easier to bug their offices. Also, must remember the 'my father is dead' cover story."
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Episode: "The Collaborators"
What Bob does/says: Introduces himself as "part of the team" to Jaguar dealer Herb; shows the blowhard around after a meeting with Don and Pete
What Bob might be thinking:
"This is the guy everyone's talking about Joan banging...?"
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Episode: "The Collaborators"
What Bob does/says: Tells Pete that he spent a year in finance and that his family has been at Brown Brothers Harriman "for three generations;" doesn't act like it's weird when Pete asks him to buy him some toilet paper; notes that Campbell is the "first one in, last one out."
What Bob might be thinking: "Nothing going on at home and bitter about life? Yep, this is something I can work with."
Alternate interpretation: "Veiled comments about a troubled marriage? Yep, this is something I can work with."
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Episode: "To Have and to Hold"
What Bob does/says: Hangs out with the creative team as they wonder what top-secret project Stan is working on; unsuccessfully tries to engage with Don; adds a very unhelpful, "So Project K stands for... what?"
What Bob might be thinking: "They trusted the biggest stoner in the office with the ultra-secret work? Who is signing off on the decisions around here?"
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Episode: "For Immediate Release"
What Bob does/says: Offers to pay for Pete's hooker; points out that Pete's father-in-law is a client
What Bob might be thinking: "Seriously, between the brothel visits and the booze, how does this firm stay afloat?"
Alternate interpretation: "Pete called me his friend!"
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Episode: "For Immediate Release"
What Bob does/says: Gathers (with the rest of SCDP) as Pete and Don scream at each other about Jaguar and the IPO; looks suspicious as the crowd thins
What Bob might be thinking: "My editors/employers/handlers will find this very interesting."
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Episode: "Man With a Plan"
What Bob does/says: Stands in crowd as the Cutler Gleason Chaough employees arrive at their new Sterling Cooper Draper Pryce digs
What Bob might be thinking: "So many new people to suck up to!"
bbmm_burt
Episode: "Man With a Plan"
What Bob does/says: Cheerily introduces himself to CGC's Burt, who's just been fired
What Bob might be thinking: "Too bad. I already bought him a coffee."
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Episode: "Man With a Plan"
What Bob does/says: Helps an ailing Joan surreptitiously exit the office; gets her seen quickly at the hospital by lying about her condition; says he'll stay with her because "I have nowhere to go;" later brings an (age-inappropriate) football for Kevin
What Bob might be thinking: "Joan was office manager, ergo Joan knows all, ergo I should get close to Joan."
Alternate interpretation: "On the off chance that she might save my job in about 15 minutes, I'm gonna give this a go."
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Episode: "The Better Half"
What Bob does/says: Prepares for a beach day with Joan; wears (era-appropriate) short swim trunks
What Bob might be thinking: "Roger and Joan, eh? Yeah, I can see it."
Alternate interpretation:"This nice guy schtick really works!"
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Episode: "The Better Half"
What Bob does/says: Offers Pete a "well-bred" male nurse for his mother; possibly (?) lies about his "dead" father being well; tells Campbell, "Your well-being is also an interest of mine."
What Bob might be thinking: "This is an excellent opportunity to earn brownie points with a partner. But what did I want to remember about the dad part of my cover story?"
Alternate interpretation:"This nice guy schtick really works!"
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What's your theory on Bob Benson? Sound off in the comments!