Image Credit: Michael Yarish/AMCHow is it the Mad Men season finale already?! I’m not ready! It’s too soon. But at least I can comfort myself with one shred of hope: Tonight’s episode will be awesome, because Mad Men season finales are a thing of beauty.
Season 1′s finale, “The Wheel,” gave us what might be the single greatest pitch Don Draper ever delivered: His “it’s a time machine” monologue reduced Harry, and me, to tears. Lest we forget, that’s also the episode where Don officially made Peggy a junior copywriter, where Betty reached out to Glen through the car window, and oh yeah — where Peggy had her baby. A pretty packed episode!
Season 2′s finale, “Meditations in an Emergency,” had everyone flipping out during the Cuban Missile Crisis, but they were all flipping out over their own personal issues, too: Betty’s unplanned (and unwanted) pregnancy, the take-over of Sterling Cooper, Duck’s drunken overambition, Peggy telling Pete that she had his baby and “gave it away.” Another doozy.
Season 3′s “Shut the Door. Have a Seat” was probably that season’s best episode. (“Guy Walks Into an Advertising Agency” may come out slightly ahead, depending on your rubric. Please show all your work so you can get partial credit.) But “Shut the Door” had the narrative momentum of an action thriller with the meaty storytelling that’s become synonymous with Mad Men itself. The moment Joan marched into Sterling Cooper Draper Pryce’s ad hoc HQ, it was like the show high-fived my heart.
Which brings us to tonight’s episode, called “Tomorrowland.” Something’s going to have to come to a head for Sally, and something major’s going to have to happen at SCDP for it to stay in business. I’m most looking forward to a Don/Peggy moment, just because after “The Suitcase,” I don’t think I’ll ever enjoy a pairing on this show as much as I enjoy those two together. (Not romantically! Just as pals.)
Looking at Mad Men‘s track record with season finales, what are you most looking forward to, PopWatchers?
For more Mad Men discussion, listen to the latest our latest EW TV Insiders Podcast. Dalton Ross, Michael Slezak, Annie Barrett, Michael Ausiello and Jeff Jensen chat about the season finale–and give Ausiello worried looks for his twisted Sally death-wishing.
Even just reading the line of dialogue: “I had your baby and I gave it away.” makes me tear up a little still.
Only 4 and a half hours to go.
Me too. Why haven’t Pate and Peggy had more scenes together? (okay, I mean, I know WHY. Trudy was preggo and Peggy was a modern lady and they were literally living in different worlds…) They work so well together.
I’ll be honest…season 3 wasn’t my favorite (barely any Joan, annoying Suzanne, Betty and Henry) but that season finale was awesome. I agree- when Joan walked in it TOTALLY was like someone had high fived my heart.
I’m looking forward to…being surprised by whatever Matt Weiner has up his sleeve. (Whenever I try to guess what’s going to happen on this show, I fail miserably because it’s never as good or as interesting as what he comes up with, especially in the season finales.)
I wonder, wonder, wonder what will happen tonite? When the season ends, I rent each season and watch every one again. It tides me over till the next season plus I see something different every time I watch ‘em.
maybe Connie Hilton will return or an offer from Disney? after all it is titled Tomorrowland
agreed!
also, california has been a big part of ‘mad men,’ whether through storyline or by mere mention [long beach, san pedro, los angeles, anaheim]… maybe the almost defunct SDCP makes a move for the west coast?
I’d never heard of Don Draper before July when I decided to get on the bandwagon and rent the dvds. Watching it all over a period of a couple of weeks, including the commentaries, was like a sublime extended movie. It took some getting used to when watching season 4 unfold gradually. More, more, I want more!
I too will be renting the season 4 dvds to revist and listen to the commentaries which are very informative.
They’re are some dark predictions out there for Sally in the vein of the Heavenly Strangers movie, which I don’t think will happen… we need to hang on to the acting of Kiernan Shipka in this role. Maybe she’ll run off with Glen!!!
I’m convinced we’re going to see a finale involving Walt Disney, and his Disney account going to SCDP. The agency needs big billing FAST…otherwise they’re going to fold their tent. Maybe we’ll see the return of Conrad Hilton (who may be on the American Cancer Society board). Looking forward to tonight.
After this glorious season has ended, I’m going to go back and do a rewatch of the entire series on DVD over the next few months. Maybe I can delay the inevitable period of mourning that way.
@ Lisa Simpson: I find so many of sick sick sick! MOURNING because a season of Mad Men ends??!! Reeallly??? May you never experience a real life tragedy – it’s apparent you would not be able to handle it.
Geez, Louise. Lisa Simpson wasn’t being literal.
Are you for real? OF COURSE I’ve experienced real-life tragedy, and I’ve handled it quite well. It only took me two years to leave the house again after Friends was canceled. And only one year for Will and Grace. At this point, I can handle anything, no matter how tragic. Maybe even the cancellation of Fringe. (But I pray that doesn’t happen).
Ah, Olivia, chill. Give Lisa a break. It’s not like mourning the death of a loved one, it’s just a let down because “Mad Men” make Sunday nights palatable.
This is the real Lisa Simpson (okay, not really real), and yes, as Cate pointed out I was engaging in a bit of hyperbole. This being a blog, I assumed most people would understand.
As for the other person who posted using my screen name, I enjoyed “Friends” but never watched it regularly, only occasionally watched “Will & Grace”, and have only seen one episode of “Fringe”. So you’re obviously not me. Besides, I don’t use caps lock gratuitously.
As far as personal tragedies, they are personal and no one’s business.
This site attracts more than its fair amount of trolls. Give us all a break and waste your time somewhere else.
Count me among the sick…I’m officially in mourning as well.
@Lisa – Wait. You were able to leave the house only a year after WG ended? Wow, it too me at least three and a family intervention.
I still haven’t left the house.
I went through the family intervention way back when Seinfeld was canceled. Oy…not fun. Then the six months in a mental institution…I’m just glad I have everything in perspective now : )
Why just last week, I missed a new episode of Judge Judy while attending my grandmother’s funeral, and I didn’t freak out at all.
If Ausiello is right about Sally blahblahing herself, I might have to start an angry mob. She’s so fantastic (and kinda Don’s only link to reality. real life responsibility reality. Peggy too, but he’s not responsible for her). I just hope the beloved SCDP finds a way to sort out this huge financial craziness they find themselves in. Or not. What would an unemployed Roger Sterling look like? (probably just drunk and in pajamas and giving one-liners to his wife)
I have the terrified feeling someone’s dying tonight and i might not be able to take it, emotionally i mean. Losing sally or roger…
PS. STDHAS totally beats GWIAAA. The bouncy narrative, the screwball pacing. Peggy’s rejection of Don, Don getting Peggy back. Even just thinking the line “Joan, what a good idea.” gives me giddy chills.
I hope Don dies.
That would be the end of the series. Why wish for something that mean?
I hope you die Sal.
Aw snap
@Olivia – Judgmental much? Sheesh! I don’t think “Lisa Simpson” will go into actual mourning over the show going into off season. I was sad when Lost ended! Does that mean I need to pop a xanax?
If something bad happens to Sally Draper, I’m not watching this show ever again…
I’m totally bluffing, I’ll watch.
Bravo Mad Men! This finale had me talking outloud to my tv, laughing, cringing, and getting a little misty-eyed. Can’t wait for this season to be out on DVD and I hope they make Peggy and Joan new BFFs next season. That interaction of them in Joan’s office was great!
same here! i basically yelled what the heck over and over to my tv for the last half hour. i really thought it was going to be a dream of sally’s. maybe it is. so confused…
I also thought something along those lines. I thought Don had a heart attack as everything was going pretty smoothly for him.
I really wanted Carla to deck Betty.
After all this talk of something happening to Sally, I had a moment where I thought Betty was going to off herself before night’s end.
i never thought of that K, but that’s a real good possibility. something just doesn’t feel right. this show NEVER ends that happily.
still unsure how I feel about the finale – except that I agree with the Joan & Peggy part!
yup. that and everyone looking at ken talking about his fiance as his whole world like he was crazy were my favorite parts.
WELL, that came out of nowhere.
yeah it did.