Dick Whitman/Don Drapper question

[OscarQ]

The little boy is his half brother (who later visited Don, Don tried to bribe him to never see him again and the half brother killed himself in his hotel room). I think "Don" was sent home to accompany the body. Not sure why he didn't have to return to the war.

[hopecounts]

Yes part of why Dick Whitman took Don Draper's tags was because Don was due to be sent home and discharged shortly (maybe a few weeks?)

The bigger part IMO was that Dick hated his life and wanted a new start away from his past particularly his step/adoptive mom.

Becoming Don allowed him to assume the identity of a college grad and army officer which would open opportunities that Dick wouldn't have.

and the family waiting was Dick's family stepmom and half or step brother.

I thought the brother was Dick's stepmom's son by her second husband not by Dick's dad?

[LateToTheParty]

Yeah, Dick Whitman I think had just enlisted so he had a lot more time to left to serve. The real Don Draper was at the end of his tour of duty and was being sent home in the very near future.

When the real Don Draper died I think Dick saw an opportunity to get the hell out of there first and foremost.

I think since Don Draper was due to go home anyway that is why he accompanied the casket home.

The family waiting for him was his step mom and I think his half-brother. for some reason I do think they were related by blood which is why the little brother felt so bonded to him even though he didn't really know him.

[basilosaurus]

I think it was just that Dick hated his life and saw an opportunity out of it. That's all, nothing to do with time left.