Bobbie's Intimacy With Don: Exploring Their Relationship Dynamics

Don Draper's affair with Bobbie Barrett in Season 2 of Mad Men has sparked much discussion among fans of the show. Despite Don's initial resistance, Bobbie's forwardness and confidence proved too alluring for him to refuse. Her aggressive pursuit of Don, reminiscent of his first sexual experience with an older woman, may have been a factor in his attraction to her. Additionally, Don saw a kindred spirit in Bobbie, who was the brains behind her husband's success, sharing similar drives, loneliness, and a mutual understanding.

Don is attracted to Bobbie's confidence

Don is also attracted to the fact that Bobbie is aggressive, similar to the prostitute from his first time. Their relationship is a push-and-pull power dynamic, with Don probably feeling like he is taking back power, even if it is just subconsciously. Bobbie is also attractive and only a decade older than Don, which is comparable to the age gap between Don and Betty. Younger men sleeping with older women is not uncommon, and Don is usually the smartest/most attractive guy in the room, so it is not surprising that he would be attracted to Bobbie.

Bobbie is forward about wanting to sleep with Don

Bobbie Barrett is forward about wanting to sleep with Don. She is an attractive, confident woman, and Don is the smartest and most attractive guy in the room. Bobbie is only a decade older than Don, and younger men sleeping with older women is not uncommon. Bobbie's forwardness means Don doesn't feel like he is intruding on her marriage. He didn't seduce her, so he can argue that she would have 'done it anyway'. Don is also aware that his wife, Betty, thinks Bobbie is 'too old' to be sexy, so he can play on that to divert her suspicions.

Don's first sexual experience was with an older woman, so Bobbie's age is a plus for him. Bobbie is also the complete opposite of Betty, who is very insecure. Bobbie is a scrapper who has done what it takes to succeed. She is the brains behind her husband's operation, and Don sees someone with his own drive and loneliness, deserving of his understanding and respect. Bobbie is aggressive, like the prostitute from Don's first time. She refuses to back down, something Don probably isn't used to, especially in a woman. Sex is about power, and Don feels like he is taking it back, even if it's just subconsciously.

Bobbie is attractive and not too old

Bobbie Barrett is an attractive woman, and not too old. She is forward about wanting to sleep with Don, and he is drawn to her confidence. She is in her forties or fifties, and younger men sleeping with older women is not uncommon. Don's first sexual experience was with an older woman, and he is usually the smartest and most attractive man in the room. Bobbie is the brains behind her husband's operation, and Don sees someone with his own drive and loneliness, deserving of his understanding and respect.

Don's protestations to his wife, Betty, about Bobbie's age are just a smokescreen. He knows Betty thinks Bobbie is 'too old' to be sexy, and he plays on that to divert her suspicions away from his affair.

Don is usually the smartest/most attractive guy in the room

Don Draper is usually the smartest and most attractive guy in the room. This is part of the reason why Bobbie Barrett is attracted to him and initiates an affair with him. Bobbie is forward about wanting to sleep with Don, and he initially puts up a fight. However, Don eventually relents, perhaps because he is used to being the one to seduce women, and this role reversal excites him.

Don is also attracted to Bobbie because she is confident, assertive, and intelligent. She is the brains behind her husband's success, and Don sees a kindred spirit in her. Bobbie is the opposite of Don's wife, Betty, who is insecure. Bobbie's confidence is evident in how she handles Peggy, telling her, "You Can't Be A Man. Be A Woman. It's Powerful Business, When Done Correctly."

Don's first sexual experience was with an older woman, and Bobbie is likely only a decade older than him, so their age difference is comparable to the gap between Don and Betty. Bobbie is attractive, and younger men sleeping with older women is not uncommon. Don's protestations to Betty about Bobbie's age are just a smokescreen to divert her suspicions.

Bobbie is a scrapper who has done what it takes to succeed, and Don respects her hustle. He is drawn to her drive and loneliness and feels she deserves his understanding and respect. Their relationship is a push-and-pull power dynamic, and the sex is great. They also form a productive business relationship, with Bobbie helping Don pitch and sell ideas to get her husband a TV show within a month.

Bobbie is the opposite of Don's wife, who is very insecure

Bobbie is a kindred spirit to Don, who sees in her someone with his own drive and loneliness, deserving of his understanding and respect. Bobbie is aggressive, just like the prostitute from Don's first time, and Don is attracted to the power dynamic that this brings to their relationship. Bobbie is the opposite of Don's wife, who is insecure and not confident. Bobbie is sure of herself and her abilities, and this is reflected in her career success and her marriage to a famous man.

Bobbie is also not afraid to speak her mind, as seen in her dialogue with Peggy when she says, "You can't be a man. Be a woman. It's powerful business when done correctly." This directness is something that Don's wife, Betty, lacks, and it is a quality that Don finds attractive in Bobbie. Bobbie's confidence and power are a stark contrast to Betty's insecurity and meekness, and this is what draws Don to her.

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