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[Ignatz Mouse]

Don's firing makes total sense to me, whether he was on his creative edge or not.

Back in the old days, he was Sterling Cooper's secret sauce, but they have a whole stable of talent in the same league now. Losing clients and blowing meetings is more than enough reason to can him.

 

[The Elite]

I find Ted and Peggy together gross. Elizabeth Moss is one of the ugliest actresses in Hollywood (but she is still good at her job).

Might be the worst post I've ever seen on GAF.

Anyways, thought the episode and the season were fantastic. If seven really is the final season, I'm going to assume that it will be a story of redemption for Don. But, not without a twist. Don's been pegged as a tragic character. Even if he gets his shit together I fear he doesn't live to see the credits roll on his story. Either way, it's satisfying to see Don accepting his past and opening up about it. It's exactly what he needs to do.

Loved seeing Peggy in Don's office. As a man, I came out of this episode thinking men were scum. That's hilarious.

 

[Black Mamba]

Nobody is denying his lack of performance leading to his dismissal. We are questioning it's execution. I admit Don needs time away. However, he also deserves a return date because he made it all happen despite his sink to rock bottom.

Don at his best defines an agency. You think a guy like indecisive Ted Chaugh defines an agency? Please, he was always following behind Gleason although he was the more outlandish, eccentric partner.

He isn't fit to head an agency one desk at a time. That is why I ultimately think Don be running the show out there. At the very least he will bail Ted out of making bad business decisions because Don still has a stake in the company and it's in his best interest to see the LA branch succeed.

There is no return date because he was fired. Leave of absence means fired. Wiener even confirmed this in an interview.

Who know where it leads but he was becoming destructive for the company at it was only going to get worse. They handled it exactly how they should have. They can't outright fire him because he is a partner, but they did the best they could.

 

[Marion Cobretti]

This show really just needs to chill out already. This season was just out of control good. I just can't handle how good this show is.

Year long wait is definitely gonna be painful, but this is definitely a good time to re-watch the entire show, but totally share it with someone that's never seen it.

 

[ultron87]

Next season can just be Ginsberg taking Peggy down and rising to his rightful place as king of all creative.

 

[Salsa]

everyone's riding off the high of this season just ending, I honestly think it was pretty weak compared to the show's best moments. Mixed feelings overall, but looking forward to 7 with this setup

 

[CassSept]

everyone's riding off the high of this season just ending, I honestly think it was pretty weak compared to the show's best moments. Mixed feelings overall, but looking forward to 7 with this setup

To each it's own, but a year ago most of the audience, at least on GAF, felt the season was somewhat underwhelming. Yes, a great season, but considering the standard Mad Men had set it was under expectations.

Maybe once I start a rewatch in half a year I'll be able to get a better perspective on it, but I found season 7 to be exhilarating. There was a ton of character development for nearly every character, a ton of fantastic moments, and Bob Benson. There were twists and turns everywhere, bombs that would easily could be considered major gamechengers where thrown nearly every other episode.

I included Bob Benson here because it's amazing how the show so far into the run can still introduce compelling and interesting characters. Looking at earlier seasons, nearly all of the supporting cast is gone. Completely. Instead of what other shows do, stick to the cast with few exceptions, the supporting cast had been completely shuffled through the run of the series. It's truly a testament to the show's strength if they can go change, shake up and even throw out a character, yet still keep engaging while many shows stick to the tried and true. At this point we've been through so many characters... yet they still are able to introduce the likes of Bob Benson who change the dynamic of the show.

It's truly amazing and I really feel this season had been as it's stated here, even the immediate post-season hype. Mad Men is unlike any other show currently on air and it's truly a shame it doesn't a reach a wider audience.

 

[-Pyromaniac-]

This season was amazing I thought. Aside from some don flashback clunkyness they really packed in the content here, so much stuff happened to all the characters. It was as packed as a show like this could ever be. I feel like the end brought the story full circle, beautiful stuff.

 

[blindrocket]

Maybe I'm the only one but I have to share this, I was left in tears at the final scene. As soon as he uttered, "this is where I grew up" and the shot panned up to that dilapidated house and the music started, then Sally looks at him in almost amazement, Don returns the look and they connect, like there is now some understanding...

And it's not the only scene during this season that hit me that hard. I'm a mess. This has easily been the best season of Mad Men.

 

[Marion Cobretti]

6 > 5 > 4 > 3 > 2 > 1

Every season better than the last. This season finale had so many feels too. Really excited with what they just set up for 7.

Something tells me everyone is gonna come full circle in some way, and the show will end with the moon landing. Just a hunch. I'd love to see them end it on the verge of 1970 though and just have the moonlanding be the halfway point of the season.

On that note, part of me would kinda like to see some type of 70's epilogue to the show, just because I'd love to see the characters reaction to the awe-inspiring shit show that was NYC that decade. Imagine Roger walking around 1977 NYC. Would be sooo awesome.

 

[hamchan]

everyone's riding off the high of this season just ending, I honestly think it was pretty weak compared to the show's best moments. Mixed feelings overall, but looking forward to 7 with this setup

No, everyone is not just riding off the high of a season ending. People thought the season 5 ending was underwhelming and I remember season 4's finale was even disliked by many on GAF due how rushed Don marrying Megan felt.

 

[Imm0rt4l]

Not great Bob!

 

[Salsa]

No, everyone is not just riding off the high of a season ending. People thought the season 5 ending was underwhelming and I remember season 4's finale was even disliked by many on GAF due how rushed Don marrying Megan felt.

what I mean is that I dont think this is gonna be my favorite season if I do a whole rewatch later on, nor is it gonna be for someone watching the whole thing for the first time, that kinda thing

im only talking from a comparison standpoint. I still think it's top-tier TV.

 

[DGRE]

Not great Bob!

Yes! So good.

 

[a secret-boss]

wow. I was expecting Don do go all Cali.

finale is great with no cheap death well Peter's mom or is she.

the house part and flashbacks all came together at the end

 

[ZedIndyLil]

Oh, and my favorite line: "I'd tell you to go to hell but I never want to see you again."

 

[Rookje]

I just hope that's the last we see of Megan.

 

[-Pyromaniac-]

I actually kinda liked megan but every review seems to be glossing over her leaving, and no one is really talking about it. No one seems to care about her, and I'll be honest if Weiner chooses to sweep her under the rug and just go with her leaving him I'd probably prefer that.

 

[Rookje]

You guys are crazy for thinking Don's Creative is up to par. The hotel thing he overlooked the negative suicide connotation of the Ad which was exactly the type of thing he used to catch. The ketchup ad was painfully bad. He couldn't come up with anything remotely close for Chevy, and Hershey he would have lost had he not blown it. All the big names, Heinz, Hershey, etc. his only strategy is, "Your brand is synonymous with the product and that's what we should run." It's lazy and reliant on nostalgia. Like all of the executives in contemporary corporations, he is content with the money that is being made instead of trying to make the money that is there to be made. It was evident this guy had lost his touch when he left Ginsberg's work in the taxi.

I also don't get how you could say the drinking was unearned. He has been steadily drinking more the whole season ever since the finale last year when he let Megan have her gig. He has used alcohol and women as escapism and since Sylvia left him his drinking would logically get worse

I disagree with losing Hershey if it he didn't blow it. Associating Hershey with your best life moments (holidays, baseball games etc.) is the key strategy for huge brands like Coke/Pepsi. That's a solid strategy and would of been one of the first instances of it occurring at that time.

 

[brianjones]

that would be kinda nice.. instead of going through the drama of divorce again just have it covered in the offseason

shes the most boring character on the show

a final season focusing more on don and his kids maybe

at least we dont have to read anymore about her being murdered because of a shirt she wore

 

[kirblar]

that would be kinda nice.. instead of going through the drama of divorce again just have it covered in the offseason

shes the most boring character on the show

a final season focusing more on don and his kids maybe

at least we dont have to read anymore about her being murdered because of a shirt she wore

I could totally see next season starting with Don as a supportive stay-at-home husband.

 

[-Pyromaniac-]

I could totally see next season starting with Don as a supportive stay-at-home husband.

I would actually like that. I feel like we've seen all the office dynamics that can we possibly see. I want to see a different kind of season. I guess we'll see though. I obviously don't expect a stay at home Don, but I mean him doing other things.

 

[Poimandres]

what I mean is that I dont think this is gonna be my favorite season if I do a whole rewatch later on, nor is it gonna be for someone watching the whole thing for the first time, that kinda thing

im only talking from a comparison standpoint. I still think it's top-tier TV.

I agree, I thought it was definitely a good season but I wouldn't say it's the best season. It was solid, but I don't know if any episode stood out as particularly amazing.

 

[giga]

Great season. Fantastic finale.

NOT GREAT BOB is in the pantheon of Mad Men quotes.

 

[Kraftwerk]

Just re-watched the finale.

Simply incredible. The ending scene with Don & Sally looking at each other is just perfect.

 

[LuchaShaq]

I actually kinda liked megan but every review seems to be glossing over her leaving, and no one is really talking about it. No one seems to care about her, and I'll be honest if Weiner chooses to sweep her under the rug and just go with her leaving him I'd probably prefer that.

The less Megan and Ginsberg are on screen the better imo. They dragged down alot of last season, can't stand their actors or their characters.

 

[-Pyromaniac-]

lol Weiner reveals his favourite theory from this season:

On his favorite weirdest theory he heard this season

“Bob Benson was Peggy’s baby come back from the future in a Terminator thing to illuminate and set things right. That was the most ingenious one. I hope what really happened in the show didn’t disappoint people — that’s not a vernacular we usually work in.

That one was pretty good.

 

[Kraftwerk]

Since i'm in the mood for great Mad Men episode endings, the season 5 ending with Nancy Sinatra singing "You only live twice" is also in my top-list. Absolutely love how don just turn and looks at her and SCENE.

So good

 

[-Pyromaniac-]

Since i'm in the mood for great Mad Men episode endings, the season 5 ending with Nancy Sinatra singing "You only live twice" is also in my top-list. Absolutely love how don just turn and looks at her and SCENE.

So good

I just loved when Janis Joplin's "Piece of my heart" started playing at the end of A Tale of Two Cities from this season.

There was something about the vibe and feel that felt perfect when that hook hit. Especially considering the peggy/joan stuff in the episode, and all the rest.

 

[thekad]

Weiner's going to get cute like David Chase and not have Don show up until midway through the season.

And it will be amazing.

 

[smokeymicpot]

Since i'm in the mood for great Mad Men episode endings, the season 5 ending with Nancy Sinatra singing "You only live twice" is also in my top-list. Absolutely love how don just turn and looks at her and SCENE.

So good

That was a amazing ending. I am upset its ending next year.

 

[CrankyJay]

I find Ted and Peggy together gross. Elizabeth Moss is one of the ugliest actresses in Hollywood (but she is still good at her job).

Nope

 

[-Pyromaniac-]

That was a amazing ending. I am upset its ending next year.

Weiner keeps talking up this awesome "final shot" that he has had in his mind for this show. Just imagine how glorious that moment will be. We're not ready. It will be crushing.

 

[Jackben]

So my girlfriend said the it is just too much sadness and has refused to do a re-watch with me since watching the finale.

"I hate this show. It just continues to glorifies men walking all over women."

She does have somewhat of a point but...I don't know how she got this far along in the show to just now feel that way.

Maybe it was the Ted storyline. She really liked Ted because she saw him as one of the few virtuous men on the show.

 

[giga]

So my girlfriend said the it is just too much sadness and has refused to do a re-watch with me since watching the finale.

"I hate this show. It just continues to glorifies men walking all over women."

She does have somewhat of a point but...I don't know how she got this far along in the show to just now feel that way.

Maybe it was the Ted storyline. She really liked Ted because she saw him as one of the few virtuous men on the show.

Glorify? Tell her the meaning of that word. If anything, this season did anything but glorify adultery.

 

[SirIgbyCeaser]

So my girlfriend said the it is just too much sadness and has refused to do a re-watch with me since watching the finale.

"I hate this show. It just continues to glorifies men walking all over women."

She does have somewhat of a point but...I don't know how she got this far along in the show to just now feel that way.

Maybe it was the Ted storyline. She really liked Ted because she saw him as one of the few virtuous men on the show.

Even though he slipped up, he's still pretty virtuous at the end of the episode I felt.

 

[-Pyromaniac-]

Yeah the ending made Ted look pretty decent. Also does your girlfriend not realize that the things depicted in the show are things that were rampant in the era the show takes place in? I mean she had to know from the get go. Seems odd that now would be too much.

Especially considering the season finale was more hopeful than Mad Men has ever been IMO. And I mean that for a lot characters. For Joan, For Peggy (career wise), for Don, for Ted, etc...

 

[Niraj]

Weiner keeps talking up this awesome "final shot" that he has had in his mind for this show. Just imagine how glorious that moment will be. We're not ready. It will be crushing.

I don't even want to think about it

 

[maharg]

Glorify? Tell her the meaning of that word. If anything, this season did anything but glorify adultery.

While I'm not sure I agree with the criticism, she didn't say it glorified adultery. The two ideas are not necessarily synonymous.

Ted's a dick btw. Don't know how you can take those events as making him out to be decent.

Weiner keeps talking up this awesome "final shot" that he has had in his mind for this show. Just imagine how glorious that moment will be. We're not ready. It will be crushing.

I hope it's as amazing -- and controversial -- as The Sopranos' final shot.

 

[shadyspace]

So my girlfriend said the it is just too much sadness and has refused to do a re-watch with me since watching the finale.

"I hate this show. It just continues to glorifies men walking all over women."

She does have somewhat of a point but...I don't know how she got this far along in the show to just now feel that way.

Maybe it was the Ted storyline. She really liked Ted because she saw him as one of the few virtuous men on the show.

man I'm grateful thoughts like that don't even enter my girl's head.

 

[Poimandres]

Ted's a dick btw. Don't know how you can take those events as making him out to be decent.

My girlfriend felt the same way about Ted. Pretty pissed with him, because he's been a really likeable character. He might have made the right choice in the end, but it was just a straight up slap in the face to Peggy.

Mind you, my girlfriend also thinks that men come off looking worse than women on this show generally. But those were the days and all that.

 

[Johnny Cage In The Shower]

So my girlfriend said the it is just too much sadness and has refused to do a re-watch with me since watching the finale.

"I hate this show. It just continues to glorifies men walking all over women."

She does have somewhat of a point but...I don't know how she got this far along in the show to just now feel that way.

Maybe it was the Ted storyline. She really liked Ted because she saw him as one of the few virtuous men on the show.

Tell your girlfriend to blame history, not the amazing writers and cinematographers of this show who do a phenomenal job capturing the essence of that era visually and psychologically.

 

[Macmanus]

Another wonderful season. I especially loved Vincent Kartheiser this round.

 

[Rookje]

So my girlfriend said the it is just too much sadness and has refused to do a re-watch with me since watching the finale.

"I hate this show. It just continues to glorifies men walking all over women."

She does have somewhat of a point but...I don't know how she got this far along in the show to just now feel that way.

Maybe it was the Ted storyline. She really liked Ted because she saw him as one of the few virtuous men on the show.

Ironic since Peggy and Joan are probably two of the strongest women characters on television right now.

 

[pigeon]

My girlfriend felt the same way about Ted. Pretty pissed with him, because he's been a really likeable character. He might have made the right choice in the end, but it was just a straight up slap in the face to Peggy.

Ted has been a tricky character this whole time, really, but this last episode really reconciled his current persona and his past one with one line: "I don't want anybody else to have you." It's easy to think that Ted is a good guy for deciding to stay with his family. But if he were a good guy he wouldn't have slept with Peggy in the first place. And he certainly wouldn't be telling Don that he NEEDS to move across the country to save his marriage. Ever since the early days of the show, what Ted Chaough wants is what other people are trying to get. Once he's won, he doesn't really care any more.

It certainly isn't a fun time for Peggy, though. But maybe she'll get that corner office.

 

[maharg]

Ted has been a tricky character this whole time, really, but this last episode really reconciled his current persona and his past one with one line: "I don't want anybody else to have you." It's easy to think that Ted is a good guy for deciding to stay with his family. But if he were a good guy he wouldn't have slept with Peggy in the first place. And he certainly wouldn't be telling Don that he NEEDS to move across the country to save his marriage. Ever since the early days of the show, what Ted Chaough wants is what other people are trying to get. Once he's won, he doesn't really care any more.

It certainly isn't a fun time for Peggy, though. But maybe she'll get that corner office.

Really Ted's just gonna cheat on his wife again in California. And then maybe he'll run away from there too. And yeah, that line really did sum up why Ted has turned out to be a complete dick.

I also really liked how Peggy's line "It must be so nice to have DECISIONS" really summed up a lot of feminist thought into a hell of a sucker punch.

 

[valeo]

So my girlfriend said the it is just too much sadness and has refused to do a re-watch with me since watching the finale.

"I hate this show. It just continues to glorifies men walking all over women."

She does have somewhat of a point but...I don't know how she got this far along in the show to just now feel that way.

Maybe it was the Ted storyline. She really liked Ted because she saw him as one of the few virtuous men on the show.

Seriously? She has no point at all sorry; did she even watch it?

 

[Cipherr]

Really amazing season, and really amazing finale. They did well coaxing me into thinking Don was untouchable. I didn't see the 'leave' coming at ALL.

Shit blew my mind. But then when I started thinking of the stuff he has done lately, he has definitely been reckless, and a liability in more than a few ways. Them pushing him out makes sense when I view it that way.

But wow..... Man...

Seriously? She has no point at all sorry; did she even watch it?

Yeah, the timing on that complaint is odd. She has a point, but why is it now that Ted is trying to pull his shit together and stop being a scumbag that she felt that way? Heck, the first season IMO was rife with it.

 

[CassSept]

No, everyone is not just riding off the high of a season ending. People thought the season 5 ending was underwhelming and I remember season 4's finale was even disliked by many on GAF due how rushed Don marrying Megan felt.

Season 4's finale was very underwhelming. It was dynamite through "The Suitcase", but the momentum kinda fizzled out during Lucky Strike episodes. Oh don't get me wrong, Mad Men was at the top of it's game with an absolutely dazzling array of episodes, but they were slightly worse.

Now, we have this truly incredible season, possibly better than anything else in the history of TV. Season 3's finale had shown us just how stunning and mind blowing final episodes can be. Expectations were high, but after it aired, well, it was just there. The episode felt completely out of place, was... weird, featured a pretty ridiculous twist and wasted Don's first decent relationship in the entire series. It was infuriating.

Since i'm in the mood for great Mad Men episode endings, the season 5 ending with Nancy Sinatra singing "You only live twice" is also in my top-list. Absolutely love how don just turn and looks at her and SCENE.

So good

"The Phantom" might have been a boring finale to the weakest season of Mad Men, but this scene, THIS SCENE. I think this scene might just be my favorite scene of the whole run. I rewatched just this scene countless times over the last year.

The song choice, the way it's shot, it's stunning. It's beautiful and still gives me chills. And the moment Don just sits at the bar, lights a cigarettes and orders an Old Fashioned... it was an amazing scene after the season of Don trying to be a family man. Terrific scene man, terrific.

 

[RatskyWatsky]

No justice if this doesn't get the Emmy for Best Drama. Homeland had no right to topple it from its esteemed perch.

One of the most embarrassing moments in Emmy history. Please don't mention it again in my presence.