Mad Men's Matthew Weiner: Megan's Gone-TVLine

According to TVLine's Kimberly Roots, the creator of Mad Men, Matthew Weiner, is hinting at the possibility that Jessica Paré is leaving the show. Here's an excerpt from the article, which includes Mattew Weiner's comments on Jessica Paré's future on the show:

It may have, according to showrunner Matthew Weiner. Toward the very end of the finale, “We see her on the [Butler Shoes commercial] set and we realize that she’s gone,” says the series creator.

Weiner’s comments come in an AMC-produced behind-the-scenes look at the episode, in a segment that examines the way Megan’s barely there acting career gets a big boost from her hubby. Don “knows that if he gives Megan what she wants, she could possibly leave him,” Weiner says, adding that nevertheless, the screen test changes Draper’s mind about helping his ">wife land the commercial audition.

“I think it’s almost a story of sacrifice, that he sees her on that film and falls in love with her again and realizes that he has to do this,” Weiner says.

"It’s possible that Weiner solely spoke metaphorically, and that although a huge emotional gulf may grow between Mr. and Mrs. Draper next season, Jessica Paré’s Megan certainly will be present and on screen. But Megan was a very polarizing character that invoked the ire of Mad Men diehards who felt her scenes came at the sacrifice of screen time for other members of the ensemble.

Link to the full article:Mad Men's Matthew Weiner: Megan's Gone - TVLine

My thoughts: I'm honestly not sure how I feel about Jessica Paré possibly leaving the show. On the one hand, I've always loved the dynamic between Don and Megan, I loved Megan's interactions with the kids, and I loved the character Megan in general. On the other hand, as the season continued I felt more and more like Megan was more interested in pursuing an acting career than she was interested in being Don's wife. Also, Don wasn't very supportive of Megan being an actress at times, so it's obvious that they both want different things in life to a certain extent and that they shouldn't stay married to each other.

I suppose they could always keep Megan around even if she isn't married to Don anymore, but that wouldn't make too much sense since they wouldn't really have anything connecting them to each other like kids. That's why it makes sense that Betty is still on the show even though she isn't married to Don anymore. From a personal standpoint, I'd love to see Megan stick around, but from a storytelling standpoint, I don't think it makes sense for Jessica Paré to remain on the show as a part of the cast.