A panel of viewers here at Curiata.com will engage in a roundtable discussion following each episode of Mad Men’s seventh and final season. Check back throughout the week for new entries in the series.

We only have one new episode left in the first half of Mad Men‘s final season, and if it is anywhere near the quality of last night’s episode, “The Strategy,” we should be in for a great mid-season finale.

After several episodes that seemed to wander somewhat aimlessly, “The Strategy” felt laser-focused on the idea of family. The episode brought almost everyone back to New York City (sorry, not you, Ted Chaough) and it was great to see some old faces back in the SC&P offices.

Bob Benson returned from Detroit eager to see Joan and Kevin. After he got the inside news that he would be getting an offer from Buick, Bob hurried along his plan to awkwardly propose to Joan. This was Bob trying to create a family even though he’s a gay man. Unfortunately, this was likely a common solution for some men in 1969. It still hurt to watch Bob try so hard. When he pleaded with Joan that they could be there to comfort each other through an uncertain world, I thought for a second that she might go along with his strategy. I should have known better — Joan has always been a true believer in real love.

Pete came back to New York with Bonnie in tow, presumably to get moving on that divorce from Trudy. It was interesting to watch Pete interact with his “family” again, still every bit the standoffish father and overpowering husband he has always been. His condescending lecture to Trudy was off-putting in pure Campbell form and led Trudy to tell Pete he was no longer a member of the family. I think that was a tough one for Pete to swallow, but still, that is no reason to ruin a perfectly good cake by smashing your beer bottle into it.

Another family that seems a step closer to falling apart is the Draper family. Don and Megan spent a good deal of time together in this episode, but it felt hollow and forced. The only display that didn’t feel like a total sham was when Don embraced Megan on the patio. “Tell me you didn’t miss this,” he told her. She claimed to have missed him, but I don’t know that I believe either of them anywhere. Megan was home under the auspices of getting summer clothes, but her rummaging through the house implied that she was there to get other things, maybe all of her things. I’m left to wonder if Megan will ever see the inside of that spacious apartment again.

Even with everyone else on the show dealing with their own family issues, it was Peggy’s storyline in “The Strategy” that seemed to really hit home. Finally given the chance to see an ad through to the end, Peggy gave a great presentation for Burger Chef to Pete, Lou, and Don. But after Pete not-so-subtly suggested that Don give the actual pitch to the client, Peggy was rightfully upset. She first lashed out at Don and then — as has often been the case lately — she went into the office on the weekend to find another ad strategy. I think we’re supposed to see that Peggy doesn’t have much else to do on the weekend; it’s a mixture of not having anyone at home and a sense that if she isn’t always working, she’ll be overlooked just because she’s a woman.

I loved Elizabeth Moss’ work in this episode. There were so many moments where she spoke volumes without even opening her mouth. Peggy is constantly running uphill in this agency, and by the time she and Don sit down to hash out a new ad strategy, she is overcome with feelings of longing and regret. That great scene in the office last night — reminiscent of my single favorite Mad Men episode: Season 4’s “The Suitcase” — was perfectly executed. Peggy worked through her own doubts and demons to come to a realization: family is what you make it.

In 1969, the world had changed so dramatically that the idea of a “traditional family” was just a matter of semantics. More than anything, people just want to sit at a table and break bread together. And then, as if the scene wasn’t great enough, we heard the familiar sounds of Frank Sinatra’s “My Way” on the radio in the office. Don extended a hand to ask Peggy to dance. She first demurred but then accepted, and together they danced like a couple that had been together for all of time. When Peggy finally rested her head on Don’s chest, and he in turn kissed the top of her head, it felt as if we had witnessed Don’s most genuine display of emotion in years. And it’s always Peggy with whom he shares these things. Hmmm.

Finally, Peggy and Don took a dejected Pete to Burger Chef to pitch their new idea and the plan to shoot the ad in the restaurant. He was dismissive at first and clung to a belief that family could only gather at home, around the dinner table. Something that Pete himself hadn’t done in years. Peggy and Don convinced him otherwise.

As the camera slowly pulled back for that last, beautiful shot, we were able to just watch the three of them break bread together, and we were left with the clear understanding that this might be the best family that any one of them had ever known.