Watching last night's "gay" episode of Mad Men reminded me of nothing so much as the infamous "Some men like oysters, some men like snails" dialogue from Spartacus that wound up on the cutting room floor (and was only recently restored). There may be 2000 years time between Spartcus' Rome and 1960's Manhattan, but not much changed in how gay men talked about the issue of sex when they weren't able to speak freely.

***SPOILER ALERT***

Salvatore Romano (Bryan Batt), the advertising agency's art director, has so far been a suave, confident player, but most gay viewers probably weren't too shocked when last night's ep made it clear he is in fact gay. He is the art director after all.

Of course, just because viewers tumbled to the fact Salvatore is a closet case doesn't mean the characters on the show have. Case in point is switchboard operator Lois Sadler (Crista Flanagan) who overhears Salvatore speaking Italian to his mother and is intrigued by this polite, well-dressed fella who is nice to his momma. Boy, is she gonna be in for a lifetime of hurt. Naturally, she contrives to run into Salvatore.

Her interest in Salvatore is so palpable she might as well have peed on his leg to mark him. Next she fakes a phone call for him so she can invite him to join everyone at the local watering hole to celebrate an account.

Naturally, she butters him up.

Lois: Everybody's talking about the meeting. Miss Olson said your artwork was spectacular.

Salvatore: They are, are they?

Salvatore's no dummy. He knows what's going on and plays along by agreeing to come for drinks.

Here is where it starts to get interesting. As soon as he hangs up the phone, his whole personality changes as he becomes pensive and anxious. He stares at the phone as if he expects it to leap up and attack him and why not? He's threatened because he has no interest in this woman, but how to handle it without giving himself away?

Many gay men can relate to this situation. When I was in college there was this Jesus freak who became convinced that since I didn't drink myself stupid every weekend, dress like a complete slob, or make crass come-ons, I was the one for her. Like Salvatore, I wasn't out, but couldn't get away from her fast enough. Believe it or not, ten years later she was still trying to track me down to "catch up". Let me tell you, being catnip for women is a terrible burden to carry. Okay, catnip to crazy, lonely Jesus freaks, but catnip nonetheless.

Back to poor Salvatore though. It turns out Lois is the least of his problems. During a meeting with a client, Salvatore catches the eye of Elliot who just loves coming to New York and mentions a bar he'll be hanging out in later that night.

Salvatore just happens to show up as he's been curious about seeing the place. Yeah, sure, Salvatore.

And thus begins the dance of coded talk. Oysters and snails aren't mentioned, but they might as well be.

Elliot: I'm not one of those boys who looks forward to a business trip to escape the wife and kids. I'm really more of a homebody.

He then waxes poetic about New York where you can do anything. Sort of like certain airport bathrooms in Minneapolis.

After dinner, the two men share drinks.

Elliot: Are you happy?

Salvatore: I'm one of those people who think the minute you ask that, you're not happy. so -- no.

A little later Elliot ups the ante by inviting Salvatore to see the view of Manhattan from his hotel room.

Elliot: You have to see it. It's all the way to the park. Of course, it's dark now .

Salvatore: I don't know.

Elliot reaches over, placing his hand lightly on Salvatore's as he asks if he can try his drink.

Elliot: May I?

He drinks from Salvatore's glass, then gives him a meaningful look. Salvatore is flushed and flustered and can't look Elliot in the face.

Salvatore: I don't know what to say.

Elliot: Salvatore, you don't have to say anything.

Salvatore: No, I just... No.

Elliot: Have another drink. Think about it.

Salvatore: Elliot, I have thought about it. I know what I want. I know what I want to do .

Elliot: I know what you're thinking. I'll show you.

Salvatore looks around nervously before finally shaking his head no.

Elliot: What are you afraid of?

Salvatore: Are you joking?

And with that, Salvatore rises and leaves.

Not bad stuff and something I can't recall seeing explored on television before. Batt does a wonderful job of conveying a man trapped by his desires and the knowledge that who he is and what he feels could bring his world down. I wouldn't be the least bit surprised if next week he runs right back to the office and all but proposes to poor Lois Snyder. And little birdie tells me this might not be the last we've seen of Elliot.