Jealousy is a strange motivator.  Sometimes it drives us to work hard and achieve more, but other times it can prompt us to do awful, selfish things.  In Sunday night's episode of "Mad Men," characters dealt with jealousy in different ways.

Betty

Look at Betty, for example.  She's forced to go inside Don's apartment to pick up the kids, and of course she runs into Megan.  Not only that, but Betty finally gets to see how gorgeous and trendy Don's new home is.  You can see the envy in her eyes as she tip toes around Don's new digs.

The next time we see Betty she's at a Weight Watchers meeting, explaining to the group that she's had a bad week (she skips the details, but we all know it's about Megan).  But despite her run-in with Don's beautiful new wife, Betty managed to lose a half a pound that week.  In this instance, jealousy serves Betty well, and as much as I hate to see a beautiful woman struggle with her weight, I have a feeling this experience will be amazing for Betty.  It might be the first time she accomplishes something on her own that she can truly be proud of.  And it might have a huge impact on her character.

In fact, her success might already be making a difference.  As Henry vents about work to Betty late at night (he's cooking a steak because he can't live on only fish, he says), Betty remains surprisingly grounded.  She's helpful, even.

But if you know anything about Betty, you know that she can act like a child.   The mature Betty we saw in the beginning of the episode disappears as she's looking through Bobby's homework and notices a sweet note that Don left for Megan. The jealousy inside of her boils over and prompts her to tell Sally secret information about Don's first wife, Anna Draper, and poisons her mind with negative thoughts about Megan.  Betty copes with her resentment in more than one way, confusing the heck out of us all! As soon as we think she might be transforming into a decent person, she tries to ruin Don and Megan's happiness.  Go figure.

Don

As Don struggles to adjust to Megan's departure from the office, he quickly realizes he's madly jealous of the creative work being done by his team.  He misses being a part of the process, despite what Joan points out -- it's impressive that he's put together such a great staff.  Still, he pulls an all-nighter to come up with a concept that can outshine Mike's work (after having snooped through his stuff).

His focus has shifted, and it's in an effort to fill a void now that Megan's left SCDP.  After presenting his idea to the creative team, the group decides to go with it for the ad.  Later on, Pete and Ken have to choose between Don's and Mike's work, and Pete flat out says that Mike's concept is funnier.  Talk about a blow to your confidence!

But Don won't have it, even if he knows Mike's work is better.  He pitches his own idea to the client.  When Mike finds out after the fact, he says to Don, "I feel bad for you."  Don replies, "I don’t think about you at all."  But what's motivating Don to flex his creative muscles if not envy?

Pete

Pete's head is only getting bigger as the season progresses.  This time he's talking about how the New York Times wants to do a write-up on SCDP and that they're interested in interviewing him -- and only him.  No one's even fazed by the news; Pete's the only one who seems to really crave the limelight. Pete even at one point daydreams about his neighbor sneaking into the office to fool around at work; he really believes this supposed interview is going to change his life. He resents his coworkers because he believes his work deserves more recognition.

When the article is finally published, Pete's infuriated when he realizes that SCDP isn't even mentioned.  He calls Don early one Sunday morning to share the news with Don, to which Don replies, don't call me early on a Sunday to tell me about your failures.  Ouch.

Other characters deal with jealousy, too:  Sally's upset that her father told Betty and Megan about his first wife Anna, but not her, and Roger's envious that Jane's flirting with another man.  They both let their feelings get the best of them, and certainly act out (in different ways, of course).

Sometimes intense jealous feelings can bring out the good in people.  It's motivating Betty to lose weight and take control of her life, and Don's finally getting more involved at work.  But it can also bring out a self-centered side -- a side that can cloud your mind and make you forget what's right and what's wrong.  And the big question is this:  How will the rash decisions they made today out of jealousy affect tomorrow?

After the first episode of Mad Men's season five, we were left with a few questions.  Where's Betty?  Is Don a changed man?  How will Roger prove he's still relevant and valuable?  And, most importantly, what's with all these changes?

Betty

Episode two opens with Don's ex-wife Betty (finally -- the suspense was killing me!), and it's obvious that she's put on weight.  And a lot of it.  She's embarrassed, but doesn't seem to know how to handle the situation.  Unable to fit into her clothes, Betty doesn't even feel comfortable leaving the house. As if to offer contrast, the next scene opens with the gorgeous and slender Megan getting ready beside Don.

Betty visits the doctor and is expecting to be prescribed diet pills, but instead is confronted with troubling news:  She's got a tumor on her thyroid.  When she can't get in touch with her husband, Henry Francis, Betty immediately turns to Don.  "Say what you always say," she pleads.  He responds, "Everything's going to be OK."   That sinking feeling in your chest? That's you beginning to feel sorry for Don's notoriously cold-hearted ex-wife.

Throughout her life, Betty's survival has been dependent on looking good.  From her modeling career to existing solely as Don's trophy wife, being pretty is all she's ever known.

After undergoing tests, she finally receives a call from the doctor.  My heart is racing -- could she have cancer?  When Betty discovers her tumor is benign, she almost seems upset.  It's as if she was relieved to be able to blame her weight gain on a health condition.

Don

If you're like me, you're still wondering whether or not Don will return to his old ways.  The "new Don" is best exemplified by how he's dealing with one potential client, Heinz.  Usually he fights for what he believes in, but lately he seems to be content with giving in to his clients.  This time, Don for some reason agrees to try to persuade the Rolling Stones to record a Heinz beans ad jingle. Come on, this is crazy!  The old Don would never attempt such a ridiculous endeavor.

But, with the help of his new wife Megan, he seems genuinely happy, and that's rare.

Roger

Roger's still struggling to prove how important he is to SCDP ad agency.  And it's definitely a struggle.  He puts everything he's got into signing Mohawk Airlines, despite the fact that the company's got a mountain of debt.  Still, the firm snags the airline, and Pete, who's slowly but surely becoming Roger's nemesis, calls everyone together to give a toast.  However, it's clear that all Pete's really concerned with is blatantly disrespecting Roger.  It's a huge slap in the face.

Other important moments:

• In episode one, SCDP out an equal opportunity help wanted ad (originally intended to serve as a dig at Y&R).  The firm was overwhelmed by dozens of African American applicants looking for work.  Don hires a black woman named Donna to be his secretary, a first for SCDP, demonstrating his nonjudgmental nature; if you're a hard worker, you're OK in his book.
• Betty runs into an old friend at the doctor's office, and the two really hit it off.  Could this be the start of a real friendship for Betty?
• Peggy interviews Michael Ginsberg as a copyrighter, and is initially unimpressed; he makes an awful first impression.  But he insists that his work speaks for itself and, thanks to a nudge from Roger, Peggy introduces Michael to Don.  He manages to turn on the charm, and Don is impressed -- he's hired!

As the episode closes, the juxtaposition of Betty versus Megan is clearer than ever.  Megan, the beautiful optimist, continues to prove that she can make Don happy; she brightens up his life.  Meanwhile, Betty's alone in the kitchen, looking bloated and unhappy, finishing off Sally's ice cream.

Everything -- from Don's personal life and Betty's appearance to the inner workings of SCDP -- is changing.  And while change can be good, there's an uneasy feeling in the air.  I can't help but echo Roger when he asks, "When is everything gonna get back to normal?"

Before we travel back in time, let's take a quick look at 2012.  The world of advertising is undergoing one of the biggest transitions it's seen:  Television is no longer the primary media outlet for getting a brand's message out there.  As social media (and the Internet in general) grow in popularity, advertisers are struggling to be relevant.

But if last night's season premiere of Mad Men can teach us anything, it's that while the changes themselves might vary, dealing with cultural progress is something that's always challenged the advertising industry.  And in the first episode of Mad Men's season five, the ever-changing nature of advertising is clear.

The Drapers

The first scene of season five takes place at Don's bright, new place of residence.  (A stark contrast to his previously drab digs.)  His daughter Sally wakes up, seemingly a bit disoriented. She can't find the bathroom, and accidentally opens the door to Don's bedroom in which his new wife Megan is sleeping, naked. We're expecting Don to be at least a little angry at Sally for not knocking, but a new, softer Mr. Draper simply asks her if she's hungry for breakfast.

Overall, the feeling is light and airy, and I can't decide whether it's due to Don's new, breezy lifestyle or the fact that it's Memorial Day weekend.  Either way, there's a marked difference.

Don's Personality

What stands out most about Don is his surprisingly low-level anxiety.  With the exception of his harsh reaction to Megan throwing him a surprise party, he's mild-mannered and at points downright pleasant. He seems more concerned with keeping Megan happy than anything else.  I can't tell if this is good or bad -- will his work suffer?

Also worth noting is the fact that Megan at one point alludes Don's real identity, Dick Whitman. Somewhere between the end of season four and the beginning of season five, Don's clearly filled her in on a few secrets.  To me, this communicates the fact that Don's not going to make the same mistakes he did with Betty.  He doesn't want another trophy wife; he wants someone with which he can be open, honest and truly happy.

Equal Rights

It's 1966, and America is in the midst of an equal rights movement.  Our first visit back to Madison Ave. shows African-Americans picketing for equal employment opportunities outside Y&R ad agency (which also happens to be Sterling Cooper Draper Pryce (SCDP)'s rival). The staff at SCDP doesn't necessarily voice an opinion about the movement.  Instead, Don puts out a "joke" ad, calling his firm an "equal opportunity employer" (in an attempt to make Y&R look bad). Little does he know that the joke will be misunderstood by many.

Roger's Role

After having lost the all-important Lucky Strike account in season four, Roger (and everyone else) is unsure about his place at SCDP.  At this point, Pete's bringing in most of the business, and Roger knows it.  Roger's beginning to show up at Pete's meetings unexpectedly in an attempt to steal his clients.

But it's obvious that the clients Pete's brought in are keeping SCDP afloat, and Pete therefore demands a bigger office.  He wants to switch with Roger, but he refuses. Eventually, Harry's bribed to switch with Pete instead.

Advertising

In 2012, marketers are looking for a unique way to stand out to Internet users.  In 1966, Peggy's working hard to modernize advertising with her project for Heinz baked beans. The basic idea here is the same:  How can we keep up with the times without alienating those with traditional values?

Her idea for a "bean ballet" ad interests the Heinz reps, but they're not sold.  Peggy invites Don in and hopes he'll save the day, but the guys from Heinz are looking for something more old-fashioned. Peggy wants to embrace change, but her clients aren't ready for it.

Peggy's battle with Heinz represents the episode's overall theme of struggling to come to terms with change. Transitions and developments happen, whether we're ready for them or not. Don's got a new family, blacks in America are finally demanding equality, and Roger's not as pivotal to SCDP's success as he once was.

How will the characters cope with change throughout season five, and will SCDP continue to evolve? I'm certainly eager to find out as Mad Men's long-awaited season five continues!