The Best of Mad Men

The Best of MAD MEN (AMC)

Creator: Matthew Weiner

Seasons: 7 Episodes: 92 Years: 2007-2015
Premise: 1960’s ad men smoke and womanize and sell stuff

My 20 Standout Episodes

1. Smoke Gets in Your Eyes S01E01 | #01

Don is nervous about his pitch to Lucky Strike; Peggy is hired

2. Red in the Face S01E07 | #07

Don gets revenge on Roger for hitting on Betty; Pete trades for a rifle

3. Nixon vs. Kennedy S01E12 | #12

The office parties as it waits for the election results; Pete blackmails Don

4. The Benefactor S02E03 | #16

Don has to clean up Jimmy Barrett’s mess when he insults a client

5. The Gold Violin S02E07 | #20

Salvator hits on Kenny; Jimmy confronts Don; the Drapers picnic

6. A Night to Remember S02E08 | #21

Betty confronts Don about his past; Joan works for Harry in TV

7. Guy Walks into an Advertising Agency S03E06 | #32

The new CEO vs. a riding mower; Joan’s last day isn’t so happy for her

8. Shut the Door, Have a Seat S03E13 | #39

Don, Roger, Bert and Lane venture on their own but need workers and files

9. The Chrysanthemum and the Sword S04E05 | #44

After Roger insults Honda, Don breaks the rules for his next pitch

10. The Suitcase S04E07 | #46

It’s boxing night and Don and Peggy have it out over the Samsonite ad

11. Hands and Knees S04E10 | #49

Joan is ‘late’ and Roger loses the Lucky Strike account; Lane’s dad visit

12. A Little Kiss S05E01-02 | #53 & #54

Megan embarrasses Don at his surprise party; Pete wants a better office

13. Signal at 30 S05E05 | #57

Lane goes to extremes when he loses Jaguar; Don upstages Pete

14. The Other Woman S05E11 | #63

Joan is prostituted for a Jaguar account; Peggy decides to leave the firm

15. Commissions and Fees S05E12 | #64

Lane is fired; Sally gets her period; Don pitches to Kenny’s father-in-law

16. For Immediate Release S06E06 | #71

Don fires Jaguar; Pete catches his father-in-law; Roger brings in Chevy

17. In Care Of S06E13 | #78

Bob upstages Pete; Don and Shaw compete for California

18. Field Trip S07E03 | #81

Don tries to get his job back; Betty joins Bobby on a field trip to the farm

19. Waterloo S07E07 | #85

Jim tries to fire Don; tragedy occurs during the moon landing

20. Person to Person S07E14 | #92

Don has a breakdown at a treatment center but is inspired

My Top Five

1. Shut the Door, Have a Seat
2. Smoke Gets in Your Eyes
3. The Other Woman
4. The Benefactor
5. A Little Kiss