"Mad Men," a show that touches upon the era of Ad Men in the 1960's all the way to the early 1970's. A dramatic TV series that not only showed the brilliance of Ad's in the media, but also the failure and frustration that came with it. A show that had many compelling characters who, throughout the series, either blossomed or perished onto the tracks. "Mad Men" was brilliant, innovative. Don Draper's personal fights with his actual identity (Dick Whitman), how and when did he find himself? All the struggles and sadness that crept upon the success in his life, how every character was a symbol for what occurred during finding himself.
Without a doubt, "Mad Men", a true gem in TV series.
1. Don Draper cries into Leonard's shoulder (Season 7, Episode 14)
Right up to the finale of "Mad Men", we see the resolutions of several characters, but 20 minutes before ending, we see the most powerful scene in the series.
Don sees another man, Leonard, talking about his story and empathizes with him. Don looks like he has it all, but nobody liked the real him (Dick Whitman); he sees a tortured soul and instantly hugs him crying. It was a cold and heartless world for both, but they found empathy with each other, knowing that they found someone like each other.
Don sees himself in him, at a time where it all seemed rock bottom, he finally found himself and came to terms with the truth in his life. In the end, he found his peace.
2. Bert Cooper's dance routine (Season 7, Episode 7)
Unlike others on the list, this scene embodies both happiness and sadness in the series. The ghost of Bert Cooper appears in Don Draper's mind, pulling a comedic dance routine; watching Bert strut around the office, singing freely. It's the last moment of the character, a moment of happiness. At the end, we see the office goes back to normal and the fantasy fades.
Truly, the best things in life are free.
3. Don tells his story during the Hershey's pitch (Season 6, Episode 13)
Right up until season six, Don Draper puts all his energy into hiding his mysterious persona, and in one pitch to Hershey's executives, it all went falling down. Don tells a false tale about his father buying him a Hershey's bar, but surprising, Don breaks down and tells the truth. "I was an orphan, I grew up in Pennsylvania in a
4. Don learns of Anna's death (Season 4, Episode 7)
Other than Peggy Olson, Anna Draper was perhaps the only woman who ever truly knew Don. Her death, caused by cancer, hit Don the hardest. Don did what he could to avoid the call, avoid reality, but when the truth hit him; he was at his worst. Unable to hold back, tears fell through. Quoting, "Someone very important to me died", as Peggy sees this, she tries to console him, but Don was ruined. Probably the only person he really cared about.
5. Peggy leaves SCDP (Season 5, Episode 10)
In this scene, we truly see the powerful bond that Don/Peggy has. After receiving an offer from CGC, Peggy goes to tell Don about her choice. This results in a powerful moment where we see different stages of Don; amazement, disappointment, and grief. Peggy ends by saying "Don't be a stranger," adding more to the importance of their strong friendship.
6. Don's Carousel pitch (Season 1, Episode 13)
An emotional, gut wrenching episode. By most, dubbed the best scene in "Mad Men" history, Don faces the challenge of pitching Kodak's new slide projector; while also learning about the news of his brother's suicide. On the projector, we see pictures of Don with Betty and the kids, pictures of happiness, the pain of nostalgia become too much to bear. Here we see the start of Don's vulnerability, some things are too damaged to fix.
7. Lane Pryce's attempted suicide (Season 5, Episode 11)
Before Lane Pryce successfully commits suicide some episodes later, it's his failed attempts at suicide that were tough to watch on the series. How he comes home to enter his car, stuff the pipes, and poison himself; we see the face of a broken man. Then, when life hits him hardest, the engine of the car won't start, representing what Lane sees as another failure in his life,
8. Betty learns about Don's past (Season 3, Episode 11)
The confessions of Donald Draper. Here, Don reveals the identity of his family members and talks about his childhood to Betty for the first time. The ghost of Adam continues to haunt him; it was his fault, by not accepting Adam as family, that drew his brother to commit suicide. We see him sobbing, Betty doesn't know how to handle the tears in his eyes, but also the lies that have been brought in her life.
9. Joan's decision on the Jaguar pitch (Season 5, Episode 10)
Joan's harsh decision to sleep with Herb Rennet in order to help the company to secure the Jaguar account looks more painful when we see the aftermath. We see that Joan goes straight to Don's apartment, filled with tears, to learn that not everyone was on board with the decision to prostitute herself. Later, we discover the deed had been done by the time Don reached her, making the moment much more emotive.
10. Betty tells Glen how sad she is (Season 1, Episode 13)
Betty had an odd, intimate relationship with neighborhood boy Glen which was a weird subplot, but it showed how much of a scared little girl Betty was on the inside. After a fight with Don, she goes shopping and sees Glen in a parking lot, where she opens up to him; saying "I can't talk to anyone, I'm sad". She weeps and delivers a powerful line, "Adults don't know anything, Glen".
