'Mad Men': Is Bob Benson Gay? Probably Not

is bob benson gay

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No matter whether you&#39;re tstg the nspiracy theorists, the reppers, or Matthew Weer this season, <em>Mad Men</em>&#39;s big gay subplot probably won&#39;t get rolved that simply the last two episos. So what do you believe? And what do this mean about next season? Let&#39;s jt say this gets more meta than ever.

Contents:

‘MAD MEN’: IS BOB BENSON GAY? PROBABLY NOT

* is bob benson gay *

Bob Benson might be gay — or jt a shrewd manipulator of 1960s homophobia. We received our signal that Bob may be gay or bisexual when he appeared to proposn Pete (Vcent Karthier) a closed-door meetg about the nurse Bob referred to Pete to re for his mother.

When Bob mentned the nurse's likely homosexualy, Pete lled him a "generate.

Shouldn't he have known om the "generate" ment that Pete wasn't gay? But I don't thk Bob really thks Pete is gay. In Pete's homophobia, he of urse terprets homosexualy as unmanly.

SO BOB BENSON IS DEFELY GAY, RIGHT? AN INVTIGATN

After digtg the game-changg season fale, take a moment to reflect on the gay and lbian characters of the 'Mad Men' universe. WARNING: SPOILERS! * is bob benson gay *

But he is eply his own head about what signal he gave off to make Bob thk he might be gay.

THE 13 GAYT MOMENTS ON "MAD MEN"“YOU DON’T WANT THIS—YOU SHOULDN’T BE WH A WOMAN.” {FONT:NORMAL 800 1.2REM/1.2 "D BOLD",SANS-SERIF;TEXT-TRANSFORM:NORMAL;LOR:HER;DISPLAY:LE-BLOCK;PADDG-BOTTOM:6PX;POSN:RELATIVE;TEXT-TRANSFORM:UPPERSE;}{BACKGROUND:#89308A;BOTTOM:0;NTENT:'';DISPLAY:BLOCK;HEIGHT:2PX;LEFT:0;POSN:ABSOLUTE;RIGHT:0;-WEBK-TRANSN:ALL 0.2S EASE;TRANSN:ALL 0.2S EASE;WIDTH:100%;}{LEFT:51%;RIGHT:51%;WIDTH:0;}{FONT:NORMAL 800 1.2REM/1.2 "D BOLD",SANS-SERIF;TEXT-TRANSFORM:NORMAL;LOR:HER;DISPLAY:LE-BLOCK;PADDG-BOTTOM:6PX;POSN:RELATIVE;TEXT-TRANSFORM:UPPERSE;}{BACKGROUND:#89308A;BOTTOM:0;NTENT:'';DISPLAY:BLOCK;HEIGHT:2PX;LEFT:0;POSN:ABSOLUTE;RIGHT:0;-WEBK-TRANSN:ALL 0.2S EASE;TRANSN:ALL 0.2S EASE;WIDTH:100%;}{LEFT:51%;RIGHT:51%;WIDTH:0;}TVBY STEVE PHILIPSMAY 16, 2015/1:30 {HEIGHT:HER;DISPLAY:-WEBK-BOX;DISPLAY:-WEBK-FLEX;DISPLAY:-MS-FLEXBOX;DISPLAY:FLEX;POSN:RELATIVE;-WEBK-FLEX-WRAP:WRAP;-MS-FLEX-WRAP:WRAP;FLEX-WRAP:WRAP;-WEBK-ALIGN-EMS:CENTER;-WEBK-BOX-ALIGN:CENTER;-MS-FLEX-ALIGN:CENTER;ALIGN-EMS:CENTER;-WEBK-BOX-PACK:CENTER;-WEBK-JTIFY-NTENT:CENTER;-MS-FLEX-PACK:CENTER;JTIFY-NTENT:CENTER;-WEBK-TRANSFORM-ORIG:CENTER;-MS-TRANSFORM-ORIG:CENTER;TRANSFORM-ORIG:CENTER;} IMG{HEIGHT:100%;WIDTH:100%;OBJECT-F:VER;}{HEIGHT:574PX;WIDTH:1020PX;}MICHAEL YARISH/AMCJOAN HARRIS (CHRISTA HENDRICKS) AND BOB BENSON (JAM WOLK) - MAD MEN _ SEASON 6, EPISO 9 _ 'THE BETTER HALF' - PHOTO CRED: MICHAEL YARISH/AMCBY STEVE PHILIPSMAY 16, 2015 / 1:30 PM{"@NTEXT":","@TYPE":"NEWSARTICLE","HEADLE":"THE 13 GAYT MOMENTS ON \"MAD MEN\"","THUMBNAILURL":","DATEPUBLISHED":"2015-05-16T17:30:50.000+0000","DATEMODIFIED":"2015-05-16T17:30:50.000+0000","IMAGE":{"@NTEXT":","@TYPE":"IMAGEOBJECT","URL":","WIDTH":1920,"HEIGHT":1080},"URL":","THOR":{"@TYPE":"ORGANIZATN","NAME":"LOGO TV"},"MAENTYOFPAGE":{"@TYPE":"WEBPAGE","@ID":"},"PUBLISHER":{"@TYPE":"ORGANIZATN","@ID":","NAME":"LOGO TV","URL":","LOGO":{"@TYPE":"IMAGEOBJECT"}},"CREATOR":"STEVE PHILIPS","ARTICLESECTN":"TV"}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}OVER THE URSE OF SEVEN SEASONS, MAD MEN CLUD A NUMBER OF LBIAN, GAY, BISEXUAL AND WE’RE-STILL-NOT-SURE {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}THE SHOW WAS OBSSED WH SEX, SURFAC AND THE AMERIN DREAM A WAY THAT EVEN THE STRAIGHTT MOMENTS ULD SEEM A LTLE {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}AS WE CELEBRATE TEN YEARS SCE THE SHOW PREMIERED, WE'RE LISTG 13 MOMENTS WHEN MAD MEN'S QUEERNS ROSE TO THE SURFACE OF ALL THE SMOKE AND {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}ELLT'S ROOM WH A VIEW (SEASON 1, EPISO 8){BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}ART DIRECTOR SAL ROMANO’S SEXUALY BEGS AS A SERI OF LOOKS AND NUENDO. SAL’S TERNAL LIFE ISN’T SUBTLE. BUT TE TO THE ATMOSPHERE OF 1960, IS {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}THAT IS UNTIL ELLT, A CHARMG CLIENT, TAK SAL OUT FOR A DRK AND READS HIM LIKE HOOKED ON PHONICS. WHEN ELLT TOUCH SAL’S HAND AND V HIM UP TO HIS ROOM FOR A VIEW OF THE PARK, SAL CL AND RETREATS – BUT NOT BEFORE ADMIRABLY FENDG HIS CISN TO WALK {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}CAROL'S NFSN (SEASON 1, EPISO 10){BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}JOAN HOLLOWAY’S EFFECT ON MEN WAS CLEAR OM THE FIRST TRACKG SHOT OF HER STT AND JIGGLE ACROSS THE OFFIC OF STERLG COOPER. BUT IS HER ROOMMATE AND LLEGE GAL-PAL, CAROL, WHO SEEMS TO WANT MORE THAN JT SOME I WH THAT {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}WATCHG HER IEND PRIMP THE MIRROR, CAROL MAK THE PAFUL NFSN THAT SHE’S ALWAYS HELD A NDLE FOR JOAN. SURPRISED BUT NOT HORRIFIED, JOAN GLOSS OVER THE MOMENT AS THOUGH DIDN’T HAPPEN. IN 1960, THEY LLED THAT “A URTY.”{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}BETTY'S WASHG MACHE (SEASON 1, EPISO 11){BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}FEELG CREASGLY ISOLATED AND ISOLATED DON’S HOEHOLD, BETTY GIV HERSELF A LTLE RELEASE BY PRSG HER GRO AGAST THE MBLG WASHG MACHE AND FANTASIZG ABOUT A DOOR-TO-DOOR {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}ALTHOUGH THE MOMENT ISN’T EXPLICLY GAY, QUEERS THE PROMISE OF HETERO-HAPPS THAT HER MARRIAGE TO DON WAS SUPPOSED TO {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}AND REMDS BETTY THAT SHE DON’T NEED A MAN TO TAKE RE OF HER {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}KURT'S PLA ENGLISH (SEASON 2 EPISO 11){BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}AS IF KURT’S GERMAN ACCENT AND VERALLS DIDN’T SEPARATE HIM ENOUGH OM THE RT OF THE OFFICE, HIS SUALLY MENTNG THE BREAK ROOM THAT HE IS GAY – AND HIS LM SISTENCE THAT HE DO UNRSTAND WHAT “HOMOSEXUAL” MEANS ENGLISH – MARKS AN IMPORTANT MOMENT OF TRANSN MAD MEN’S VISN OF {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}KURT IS THE FIRST WAVE OF STERLG COOPER’S BEAT GENERATN: HE REPRENTS A GROWG ALTERNATIVE CULTURE THAT IS BOTH PROFSNAL AND ANTI-TABLISHMENT. HIS BOLD QUEERNS ILLTRAT THE MARCH OF TIME AND MAK THE RT OF HIS WORKERS START TO LOOK A LTLE {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}SAL'S BELLBOY, (SEASON 3, EPISO 1){BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}POOR SAL. HE FALLY RELAX ENOUGH ON A BS TRIP TO GET A PIECE OM A CUTE BELLHOP AND A FIRE THE HOTEL TERPTS THEM. MAD MEN’S FIRST MOMENT OF GAY SEX END {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}TO BE FAIR, MOST OF THE SEX ON MAD MEN ENDS SOME FORM OF EMOTNAL OR PSYCHOLOGIL DISASTER, SO SAL ISN’T SGLED OUT HERE. AND IS WORTH TO SEE THE BRIEF MOMENT OF PLEASURE ACROSS SAL’S FACE WHEN HE CIS TO SAY Y STEAD OF {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}BETTY'S HIGH DRAG (SEASON 3, EPISO 8){BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}BETTY DRAPER IS ALWAYS SERVG A MAJOR LOOK. ALTHOUGH OFTEN ED TO VER HER DARK EMOTNAL LIFE, BETTY’S STUME MOMENTS ARE GLAMORO SPECTACL. SOMETIM HER ARM-NDY DRAG EVEN FEELS LIKE {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}HER FASHN STORY REACH S APEX ON A BS TRIP WH DON TO ROME, WHERE SHE PRETENDS NOT TO KNOW HIM WHILE SHE FLIRTS WH OTHER MEN A Fé. HAIR PILED TO THE GODS, SUDNLY FLUENT ITALIAN, BETTY IS THE GLOWG FASHN GODSS OF DON’S ADVERTISG DREAMS—AUDREY HEPBURN MEETS ANA EKBERG—AND MAK EVERYBODY SORRY THAT HE’S NEGLECTED HER FOR SO {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}JOYCE'S TONGUE (SEASON 4, EPISO 9){BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}IN SEASON 4, PEGGY BEIENDS JOYCE (ZOSIA MAMET), A LBIAN PHOTOGRAPHER THAT CIS HER ON THE SCDP ELEVATOR. JOYCE WEARS HER SEXUALY ON HER SLEEVE A WAY THAT PEGGY {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}WHEN STAN TRI TO PUT JOYCE HER PLACE, SAYG SHE “N NEVER DO WHAT A MAN N DO,” JOYCE AGRE WH A SE AND A LICK OF PEGGY’S CHEEK. THE SCENE IS LIGHT AND IC AND THE (OFFICE) DOOR IS LEFT {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}JOYCE SHOWS AN IMAGE OF OL FEMALE SEXUALY THAT, A MAD MEN FIRST, DO NOT TERME HER PROFSNAL {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}BOB BENSON'S SHORTS (SEASON 6, EPISO 8){BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}ALTHOUGH BETTY’S STYLG BEME A CHARACTER OF S OWN, NO STUME PIECE WILL OUTLAST THE LEGACY OF BOB BENSON’S SHORTS. THICK THIGHS SAVE LIV AND ACTOR JAM WOLK'S NEARLY BROKE THE {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}NO TAIL OF THIS SHOW IS ACCINTAL, AND BOB’S TNKS LEAVE HIM LERALLY AND FIGURATIVELY EXPOSED A NONTATN BETWEEN JOAN AND ROGER. BUT THIS IS ONE OF MANY MAD MEN MOMENTS WHERE THE NARRATIVE IS LICLY OVERWHELMED BY S VISUALS—AND A VERY RARE MAD MEN MOMENT WHERE THE BODY ON DISPLAY IS A MAN’{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}BOB BENSON'S KNEE (SEASON 6, EPISO 11){BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}WHO THE HELL IS BOB BENSON ANYWAY? AS EAGER AS HE IS HANDSOME, BOB IS SOURCE MATERIAL FOR MANY MAD MEN NSPIRACY THEORISTS , WHO GUSED HE WASS EVERYTHG OM A SPECIAL-OPS AGENT TO A REPRENTATN OF DON’S FADG {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}SO ’S HARD TO KNOW WHAT TO DO WH BOB PRSG HIS KNEE AGAST MAD MEN’S MOST UPTIGHT AND LEAST SEXY CHARACTER, PETE CAMPBELL. AMBN? MISDIRECTN? AN ACTUAL GENUE MOMENT? WE MAY NEVER KNOW FOR SURE. BUT WE N STILL FANTASIZE ABOUT WHAT BOB ULD HAVE DONE FOR PETE’S {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}MEGAN'S THREOME (SEASON 7, EPISO 5){BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}DON DRAPER BED WH TWO WOMEN IS NOT TERRIBLY SURPRISG. BUT HIS SEND WIFE, MEGAN, SERV ALL THE CRED HERE FOR BAGGG THE GIRL AND PHG PAST HER OWN SEXUAL {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}AFTERWARDS, S SEEMS MEGAN HOPED THE EXPERIENCE WOULD REPAIR ALL THE PROBLEMS HER MARRIAGE. SPOILER ALERT: SHE WAS {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}BUT AT LEAST SHE SEEMS TO GENUELY ENJOY HER ATTEMPT TO BE {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}BILL HARTLEY'S BAIL (SEASON 7, EPISO 6){BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}BILL HARTLEY’S ARRT FOR PUBLIC CENCY SEASON 7 IS EXACTLY WHAT SAL FEARED SEASON 1: AFTER OFFERG TO FELLATE AN UNRVER OFFICER, HARTLEY IS BADLY BEATEN AND HUIATED BY THE {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}WHEN BOB BENSON SHOWS UP TO POST BAIL, THE TWO HAVE A D EXCHANGE ABOUT RISTG “TEMPTATNS” AND WHETHER BOB IS OF HARTLEY’S “STRIPE." IT IS A HEARTBREAKG IMAGE OF THE CLOSET’S POTENTIAL FOR SELF-STCTN AND SHOWS THAT PROGRS NNOT REACH THOSE WHO WON’T ACCEPT {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}EVEN JOAN KNOWS WHAT TIME IS: LATER THE EPISO WHEN BOB OFFERS A LAME MARRIAGE PROPOSAL, SHE REPLI “YOU DON’T WANT THIS—YOU SHOULDN’T BE WH A WOMAN.”{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}PIMA'S NECKTIE (SEASON 7, EPISO 9){BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}IN THE SHOW'S FAL SEASON, HARD-NOSED PHOTOGRAPHER PIMA RYAN (MIMI ROGERS AN ALL-TOO-BRIEF MEO) MANAG TO GET BOTH STAN AND PEGGY A LTLE SELF-NSC AND A LTLE {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}MORE THAN A LTLE AROED, STAN’S {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}WHOUT DIRECTLY ACKNOWLEDGG STONEWALL OR THE FEMIST MOVEMENT, MAD MEN SHOWS THE FLUENCE OF BOTH PIMA’S PROFSNAL THORY, BRAZEN BISEXUALY AND DIANE KEATON MENSWEAR. THE MALE UNIFORM OF SEASON 1 BE EVERYONE’S DRAG BY SEASON {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}DON'S ALMOST NIGHTP (SEASON 7, EPISO 11){BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}WHEN A DNKEN DON GO TROLLG AROUND THE BUILDG OF AN OLD FLG, HE FDS A GAY UPLE HAS TAKEN OVER HER APARTMENT – OR SHOULD WE SAY, THEY FD {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}THE YOUNGER MAN V DON FOR A DRK. INTERTGLY, DON DON’T RPOND OR MOVE OM HIS SPOT—’S THE OLR HALF OF THE UPLE WHO SLAMS THE DOOR DON’S FACE. SADLY, THIS IS PROBABLY AS CLOSE AS DON DRAPER WILL GET TO EXPERIMENTATN WH HIS {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;CLEAR:BOTH;}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;MARG:0 TO;WIDTH:90%;M-WIDTH:288PX;MAX-WIDTH:1440PX;M-HEIGHT:194PX;}LATT NEWS

No gayns here.

He's psyched out a potential rival, and if Pete later acc him of proposng him, then Joan, for one, will attt that Bob sure don't seem gay to her, based on their prev history.

No matter whether you're tstg the nspiracy theorists, the reppers, or Matthew Weer this season, Mad Men's big gay subplot probably won't get rolved that simply the last two episos. All of which might be a slow build to the g-out party of the show's send major gay character, some of which might speak to bigger issu about beg gay the '60s, a ltle b of which might be a preview of the Stonewall Rts to e, and none of which may mean much of anythg ncrete. But no matter whether you're tstg the nspiracy theorists, the reppers, or Matthew Weer this season, Mad Men's big gay subplot probably won't get rolved that simply the last two episos.

SO BOB BENSON IS DEFELY GAY, RIGHT? AN INVTIGATN

) Redd's Mad Men page has been havg a field day wh spy theori, and gay blogs and reppers got more than clue about his veiled homosexualy on Sunday night, when this happened:(via Redd)Y, wasn't jt that Benson hooked up Pete wh a whimsil male nurse named Manolo to take re of his mother. "Of urse, " Bob says to Pete's nial, all broodg blank ser face on his way out the hear all sorts of reppers tell throughout the day today, the knei was or was not the ultimate sign that Bob Benson is gay.

Over at Towleroad, the gay blog that has been followg the is-he-or-isn't-he speculatn closely, Bobby Hankson clared the issue all but over: "Sunday's episo of Mad Men fally answered the qutn. Gay s like Tom and Lorenzo emphasized a very un-Mad Men lack of romance wh Joan durg that beach getaway a uple weeks back: "Let's note that there is yet to be any physil ntact or affectn at all between Joan and Bob. So, we suppose you uld argue that asi om the knei wh Pete Campbell knei (we're gog to make this knei thg a thg), Benson hasn't really had a knei-level spark wh anyone, male or female, gay or, e on, Bob is supposed to be...

Namely, the Stonewall Rts of June 28, 1969, a night that changed gay history Ameri, and pecially New York Cy. "Mad Men has a hab of brgg mor characters who signal the broar theme for the followg season, " Jaime Woo wrote at The Huffgton Post, addg that the gay reveal and "his sudn appearance Season 6 uld allu to next season's big theme.

'MAD MEN': IS BOB BENSON GAY? PROBABLY NOT

) Could the parted sign director return wh the Stonewall plot, Bob Benson, and somethg more than subtlety when to the show's gay them?

JACE LABUPDATED JUL. 11, 2017 10:21PM EDT / PUBLISHED JUN. 16, 2013 11:30PM EDT MICHAEL YARISH/AMC“I ED TO WONR HOW YOU WERE SO EXPERTLY SERVILE.” ON MAD MEN, JAM WOLK’S EAGER-TO-PLEASE AD MAN BOB BENSON—A SORT OF GOLN RETRIEVER AN IMPECBLY PREPPY SU WHO WAS ALWAYS READY WH AN EXTRA CUP OF FFEE OR A LI PLATTER FOR A FUNERAL—OFFERED ONE OF THE SEASON’S MOST HOTLY DISCSED MYSTERI, SEND ONLY TO WHETHER JSI PARé’S MEGAN DRAPER WOULD BE MURRED. THEORI WERE RAMPANT. WAS THE PERPETUALLY CHIPPER UP-AND-ER, WHO EXPLIBLY SEEMED TO MATERIALIZE AT SCDP (LATER RENAMED SC&P), A SPY OM A RIVAL AGENCY, AN UNRVER REPORTER, DON’S LOVE CHILD, OR A ERNMENT AGENT? LAST WEEK’S EPISO, “FAVORS,” SEEMED TO DITE THAT BOB WAS GAY, AS HE APPEARED TO MAKE AN ADVANCE AT PETE CAMPBELL (VCENT KARTHEISER) BY GENTLY TOUCHG HIS BOSS’S LEG WH HIS OWN AND SEEMGLY MAKG A CLARATN OF HIS LOVE. WHEN I ASKED MAD MEN CREATOR MATTHEW WEER AT THE AMY OF TELEVISN ARTS AND SCIENC PANEL I MORATED LAST WEEKEND WHETHER BOB BENSON WAS GAY, HE MURRED, SAYG WHAT PASSED BETWEEN BOB AND PETE DIDN’T NECSARILY DITE THAT. SO, THEN, THE QUTN HOVERS THE AIR LIKE SMOKE OM ONE OF DON’S CIGARETT: JT WHO IS BOB BENSON?BUT BOB BENSON ISN’T A SPY, AN UNRVER REPORTER, OR A G-MAN. (NOR IS HE DON DRAPER HIMSELF, AS SOME HAVE NFGLY GUSED.) THE TTH IS FAR MORE MUNDANE, A WAY: BOB BENSON IS ANYONE HE NEEDS TO BE. IN THIS WEEK’S EPISO OF MAD MEN, “THE QUALY OF MERCY,” BOB’S SECRET HISTORY ME TUMBLG OUT OM A MOST UNEXPECTED SOURCE. HEADHUNTER DUCK PHILLIPS (MARK MOS) DISVERED, WHEN TASKED BY PETE WH FDG LEADS FOR BOB, THAT BOB’S PERSONNEL FILE “MIGHT AS WELL BE WRTEN STEAM.” EVERY B OF RMATN WE’VE LEARNED THIS SEASON ABOUT BOB—THE BLUE-BLOOD NNECTNS, THE AD FATHER, HIS WORK EXPERIENCE, ETC.—WAS A FICTN CLEVERLY CREATED BY A CUNNG SOCIAL CLIMBER, ONE WHO WANTED TO LEAVE HIS WT VIRGIA ROOTS BEHD AND REVENT HIMSELF AS A SLICK GO-GETTER.DO THAT SOUND LIKE ANYONE ELSE WE KNOW?THERE ARE CLEAR SHAS OF BOTH PATRICIA HIGHSMH’S TOM RIPLEY CHARACTER—MOST REGNIZABLY EMBODIED BY MATT DAMON ANTHONY MGHELLA’S 1999 FILM THE TALENTED MR. RIPLEY—AS WELL AS ALLNS TO JON HAMM’S DON DRAPER, WHO LAND HIS JOB ADVERTISG SIMPLY BY PTERG ROGER STERLG (JOHN SLATTERY) UNTIL HE GAVE TO DON’S ENTHIASM. LIKE BOB, DON HAS A SORDID PAST AT ODDS WH THE POLISHED EXECUTIVE THE WORLD SE. UNLIKE DON, BOB DIDN’T ASSUME ANYONE’S INTY TO FULFILL THE CEPTN. HE MAY HAVE LIED, MANIPULATED, AND JOLED OTHERS AROUND HIM, BUT HE DIDN’T M ANY CRIM OF WHICH WE’RE AWARE.BOB BENSON IS A YOUNGER SHADOW OF DON DRAPER, UNENCUMBERED BY THE WARTIME SERVICE, THE MISTAKEN INTY, OR THE THEFT THAT DON PERPETUAT BY STEALG ANOTHER MAN’S LIFE. HE’S A “HILLBILLY” WHO FAST-TALKED HIS WAY TO A JOB AT THE AGENCY AND ATTEMPTS TO CLIMB THE LADR OF SUCCS BY GRATIATG HIMSELF WH EVERYONE ALONG THE WAY, FDG THEIR VANI AND THEIR WEAKNS. (WE SHOULD ALSO BE REMD HERE OF J. PIERPONT FCH OM HOW TO SUCCEED BS WHOUT REALLY TRYG, WHICH CINTALLY STARRED MAD MEN’S ROBERT MORSE.) WE LEARN THAT BOB WAS A MANSERVANT FOR THREE YEARS TO A SENR VICE PRINT AT A BLUE-CHIP FIRM AND TRAVELED TO EUROPE WH HIS EMPLOYER ON THE QUEEN ELIZABETH ... UNTIL HE “DISAPPEARED WH AN ELECTRIC PENCIL SHARPENER AND THEIR ENTIRE CHRISTMAS RD LIST.”WHAT BOB ACHIEV IS A MASTERFUL REVENTN, AN EXCHANGE OF ONE LIFE FOR ANOTHER, BELIEVG HERENTLY THAT INTY IS SOMETHG FLUID AND TEMPORARY; DON’T FE FOREVER. A MANSERVANT N BEE AN ACUNTS MAN, A HILLBILLY A BLUE-BLOOD MANHATTAN PRCE. (“YOU PLIMENTED MY TIE,” BOB TELLS PETE. “IT WAS THE HAPPIT DAY OF MY LIFE.”) BUT THE TTH, AS DON HERENTLY FEARS, HAS THE POTENTIAL TO ALWAYS OVERTAKE THE END, WHETHER ’S SALLY (KIERNAN SHIPKA) DISVERG HER FATHER’S ADULTERO FLAWS, OR PETE LEARNG OF BOB’S TE INTY, OR PEGGY (ELISABETH MOSS) REALIZG THAT HER FORMER MENTOR IS A “MONSTER.”FOR HIS PART, PETE DON’T DO WHAT IS EXPECTED. RATHER THAN EXPOSE BOB BENSON FOR A D, PETE REALIZ THAT BOB IS FAR MORE VALUABLE TO HIM NOW THAT THE TTH IS OUT THERE. HE DON’T REACT SENTIMENTALLY OR EMOTNALLY BUT TELLECTUALLY. IT’S LS AN ACT OF MERCY THAN A SHREWD ONE THAT BENEFS PETE AS MUCH AS DO BOB:“IT TERRIFI ME WHAT YOU ULD DO A DAY,” PETE SAYS AS BOB PLEADS FOR A STAY OF EXECUTN. “NO, BOB, YOU’RE GOG TO GET THE BENEF OF THE FACT THAT I’VE BEEN HERE BEFORE. I DON’T KNOW HOW PEOPLE LIKE YOU DO . YOU’RE CERTALY BETTER AT THAN WHATEVER I DO. BUT I WOULD LIKE TO THK THAT I HAVE LEARNED NOT TO TANGLE WH YOUR KD OF ANIMAL.”PETE, OF URSE, HAS BEEN HERE BEFORE WH DON DRAPER AND BEEN FORCED—OUT OF EXPEDIENCY, RPECT, OR BEGDGG ADMIRATN—TO KEEP DON’S SECRET TO HOLD ON TO HIS OWN REER TRAJECTORY. BUT THIS TIME, PETE KNOWS HE N OWN BOB AND THAT BY RELQUISHG ANY PUNIVE ACTN (“WHERE YOU ARE AND WHAT YOU ARE IS NOT MY NCERN,” HE SAYS. “I SURRENR.”), HE N E BOB AS A T’S-PAW. OR HE N ATTEMPT TO, ANYWAY, WHICH IS WHAT THAT HUGE SIGH OF RELIEF IS ABOUT WHEN PETE LEAV BOB’S OFFICE AFTER NONTG HIM.THE CLU TO BOB’S INTY WERE NCEALED MASTERFULLY THROUGHOUT THE SIXTH SEASON, RIGHT UP TO THE REVEAL. BOB’S SIRE TO HELP PETE SECURE A NURSE FOR HIS AILG MOTHER LEADS TO MRS. CAMPBELL HIRG (AND THEN FALLG LOVE WH) SPANISH AI MANOLO (ANDR FCHER). (BOB’S HERETOFORE UNSEEN ABILY TO SPEAK SPANISH WAS A B OF A SHOCKER THIS WEEK, THOUGH HE MT HAVE BEEN LLUDG WH MANOLO SOME RPECT.) BOB HAD TOLD PETE THAT MANOLO HAD VERY RECENTLY NURSED HIS OWN FATHER BACK TO HEALTH, A STATEMENT THAT IS AT ODDS WH HIS EXCE AFTER SENDG AN ELABORATE LI PLATTER AFTER ROGER’S MOTHER DIED (“I WAS JT THKG OF WHEN MY FATHER DIED”). HE NEARLY LOST HIS JOB BUT WAS SAVED BY JOAN (CHRISTA HENDRICKS), TO WHOM HE HAD ZIED UP, BRGG PRENTS FOR HER SON KEV AND GOG TO THE BEACH WH HER.IT’S ALL BEEN A LCULATED MPAIGN AND, RETROSPECT, APPARENT OM THE START. BOB WAS FAR TOO ENTHIASTIC AND ALWAYS LURKG ON THE PERIPHERY, OFFERG TO PAY FOR HOOKERS OR BUY TOILET PAPER. HE REEKED AS MUCH OF SPERATN AS AMBN. HE LOOKED TO FD A WAY TO W OVER PETE CAMPBELL AND MA A SEXUAL ADVANCE, SEEG PETE AS A LONELY PERSON NEED OF ATTENTN. BOB MAY APPEAR TO BE A TRAGIC FIGURE SOME RPECTS BUT ALSO A NNY ONE, A MAN POSSIBLY STED FOR GREAT THGS SIMPLY BY STRENGTH OF TERMATN. HE WASN’T BORN TO THE WORLD BUT GRABBED WH BOTH HANDS.UNRELATED BUT WORTH MENTNG: THE TLY WONRFUL SCENE BETWEEN SALLY AND BETTY (JANUARY JON) WHEN THEY DRIVE OFF AFTER SALLY’S TERVIEW AT THE BOARDG SCHOOL. ATTEMPTG TO REACH OUT TO HER DGHTER, BETTY HAS SALLY LIGHT A CIGARETTE FOR HER AND THEN OFFERS THE TEENAGE GIRL ONE OF HER OWN (“I’D RATHER HAVE YOU DO ONT OF ME THAN BEHD MY BACK”). THEIR UNEXPECTEDLY EASY RAPPORT HERE POTS TOWARD AN ENORMO BREAKTHROUGH, THEIR SHARED CIGARETT A SYMBOL OF UNEXPECTED UNY AND FEMY, AS BETTY ASKS FOR TAILS OF SALLY’S VIS. BETTY S SO RARELY ON MAD MEN THAT WHEN SHE DO HOLDS SPECIAL IMPORTANCE, AK TO A SPHX LETTG HER GUARD DOWN. BUT NVERSELY, SALLY AND DON’S RELATNSHIP HAS NEVER BEEN MORE GHT. WHEN ASKED IF DON HAS GIVEN HER A BEER THE PAST, SALLY REPLI CRYPTILLY, “MY FATHER HAS NEVER GIVEN ME ANYTHG.”IT’S WORTH NOTG, OF URSE, THAT WHILE DON HAS GIVEN SALLY MANY THGS, HIS REAL NAME—HIS TE INTY—IS NOT ONE OF THEM. JACE LAB

Sure, the jump om handsome, sey, possibly-gay guy around the office to psycho killer sounds like a b much, but this is Mad Men, and the TV crics like to get meta.

"I'd argue, Bob has masterfully honed on and exploed Pete Campbell's greatt secury, " wr The Wrap's Tim Molloy, who sists that playg knei was merely a ol and lculated move on Bob's part: "He's psyched out a potential rival, and if Pete later acc him of proposng him, then Joan, for one, will attt that Bob sure don't seem gay to her, based on their prev history. "I wonr if 's possible that he really do feel a nnectn wh damaged or needy people, often at the moment of their greatt distrs, " Zoller Sez wrote his excellent rep today, suggtg that Bob might be g on to Pete not bee he's gay but orr to make Pete feel better about Pete's own reprsed homosexualy. Was Bob Benson really gay?

So was he jt playg md gam wh Pete or was he a closet homosexual? Salvator "Sal" Romano Sal, the Italian-Amerin, Ann Margaret-lovg art director of Sterlg Cooper, was the origal gay character of Mad Men. Hearts broke for the sweet, sad man trapped 1960s homophobia, and when he fally got the urage to sleep wh a bellboy, he was ught the act by his boss, Don Draper.

*BEAR-MAGAZINE.COM* IS BOB BENSON GAY

So Bob Benson Is Defely Gay, Right? An Invtigatn .

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