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The Best Episodes of Mad Men

Every episode of Mad Men ranked from best to worst. Let's dive into the Best Episodes of Mad Men!

Binge this in 3d 1h•Peaking at 9.7/10

Set in 1960-1970 New York, this sexy, stylized and provocative drama follows the lives of the ruthlessly competitive men and women of Madison Avenue advertising.

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Episode Rankings

  1. #1 Fan Favorite
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    Mad Men Season 3 Episode 13 - Shut the Door. Have a Seat
    9.7/10(7214 votes)

    #1 - Shut the Door. Have a Seat

    S3:E13

    Don has a big meeting with Connie about their future relationship. Betty is the beneficiary of some interesting advice and Pete has a serious sit-down with some clients.

    Director:Matthew Weiner
    Writers:Erin Levy, Matthew Weiner

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  2. Mad Men Season 4 Episode 7 - The Suitcase
    9.7/10(8277 votes)

    #2 - The Suitcase

    S4:E7

    A deadline disrupts Sterling Cooper Draper Pryce.

    Director:Jennifer Getzinger
    Writer:Matthew Weiner

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  3. Mad Men Season 7 Episode 7 - Waterloo
    9.5/10(4755 votes)

    #3 - Waterloo

    S7:E7

    Don receives a troubling letter. A risky venture entails a new future for Peggy. Roger gets an unexpected phone call. Pete butts heads with Cutler.

    Director:Matthew Weiner
    Writers:Matthew Weiner, Carly Wray

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  4. Mad Men Season 5 Episode 11 - The Other Woman
    9.4/10(4598 votes)

    #4 - The Other Woman

    S5:E11

    Pete asks Joan to make a personal and moral sacrifice to ensure the company lands the Jaguar account. Don becomes furious after learning of the impact Megan's new profession will have on their life. Feeling unappreciated, Peggy attends lunch with Freddy Rumsen, who encourages her to make a move.

    Director:Phil Abraham
    Writers:Matthew Weiner, Semi Chellas

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  5. Mad Men Season 5 Episode 12 - Commissions and Fees
    9.4/10(4438 votes)

    #5 - Commissions and Fees

    S5:E12

    Lane's shameful secret comes to the surface with dire consequences. Don recaptures his hunger for success, and Sally experiences a major milestone.

    Director:Christopher Manley
    Writers:Maria Jacquemetton, André Jacquemetton

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  6. Mad Men Season 7 Episode 14 - Person to Person
    9.3/10(6024 votes)

    #6 - Person to Person

    S7:E14

    The stories of Don Draper, his family and his co-workers at Sterling Cooper & Partners conclude.

    Director:Matthew Weiner
    Writer:Matthew Weiner

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    The 20 WORST Episodes of Mad Men

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  7. Mad Men Season 3 Episode 11 - The Gypsy and the Hobo
    9.2/10(4282 votes)

    #7 - The Gypsy and the Hobo

    S3:E11

    A former client makes a return; Betty and her kids go on a trip; and Joan and Greg make plans for their future.

    Director:Jennifer Getzinger
    Writers:Matthew Weiner, Cathryn Humphris, Marti Noxon

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  8. Mad Men Season 3 Episode 6 - Guy Walks Into an Advertising Agency
    9.1/10(4278 votes)

    #8 - Guy Walks Into an Advertising Agency

    S3:E6

    Sterling Cooper receives a surprise visitor; Sally has been spooked by something (or someone); and Joan receives some shocking news.

    Director:Lesli Linka Glatter
    Writers:Matthew Weiner, Robin Veith

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  9. Mad Men Season 5 Episode 5 - Signal 30
    9.1/10(3998 votes)

    #9 - Signal 30

    S5:E5

    Lane attempts to land an account with Jaguar Cars, leading to a altercation with Pete. Pete and Trudy host a dinner party in the suburbs.

    Director:John Slattery
    Writers:Matthew Weiner, Frank Pierson

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  10. Mad Men Season 5 Episode 6 - Far Away Places
    9.1/10(4340 votes)

    #10 - Far Away Places

    S5:E6

    Peggy has a tough time during a particularly formidable pitch. Don calls on a potential client. Roger and Jane have an experience with LSD.

    Director:Scott Hornbacher
    Writers:Matthew Weiner, Semi Chellas

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  11. Mad Men Season 6 Episode 13 - In Care Of
    9.1/10(3564 votes)

    #11 - In Care Of

    S6:E13

    With his personal and professional life crumbling around him, Don positions himself for a change of scenery. Meanwhile, Pete's life is falling apart as well, thanks to the meddling of Bob Benson.

    Director:Matthew Weiner
    Writers:Matthew Weiner, Carly Wray

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  12. Mad Men Season 7 Episode 13 - The Milk and Honey Route
    9.1/10(3664 votes)

    #12 - The Milk and Honey Route

    S7:E13

    Don has trouble sleeping. Pete is blindsided by a difficult friend. Facing a new challenge, Henry arranges a family reunion.

    Director:Matthew Weiner
    Writers:Matthew Weiner, Carly Wray

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  13. Mad Men Season 1 Episode 12 - Nixon vs. Kennedy
    9.0/10(4903 votes)

    #13 - Nixon vs. Kennedy

    S1:E12

    On election night, the Sterling Cooper staff pulls a rowdy all-nighter while watching the returns. Pete's ambitions cause him to directly challenge Don. Don remembers his past as a soldier in the Korean War.

    Director:Alan Taylor
    Writers:Maria Jacquemetton, André Jacquemetton, Lisa Albert

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  14. Mad Men Season 1 Episode 13 - The Wheel
    9.0/10(5103 votes)

    #14 - The Wheel

    S1:E13

    As Thanksgiving approaches, Don's work responsibilities interfere with his domestic life. Peggy is given a new opportunity, provoking the ire of some of her colleagues. Betty makes a startling discovery.

    Director:Matthew Weiner
    Writers:Matthew Weiner, Robin Veith

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  15. Mad Men Season 4 Episode 13 - Tomorrowland
    9.0/10(3643 votes)

    #15 - Tomorrowland

    S4:E13

    Don and Peggy are faced with life-altering decisions.

    Director:Matthew Weiner
    Writers:Matthew Weiner, Jonathan Igla

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  16. Mad Men Season 7 Episode 12 - Lost Horizon
    9.0/10(3355 votes)

    #16 - Lost Horizon

    S7:E12

    Don receives a reward for his work. Joan butts heads with her co-worker on an account. Faced with a big decision, Roger dodges.

    Director:Phil Abraham
    Writers:Matthew Weiner, Semi Chellas

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  17. Mad Men Season 2 Episode 13 - Meditations in an Emergency
    8.9/10(3835 votes)

    #17 - Meditations in an Emergency

    S2:E13

    The office scrambles without Don; Betty learns some disconcerting news.

    Director:Matthew Weiner
    Writers:Matthew Weiner, Kater Gordon

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  18. Mad Men Season 3 Episode 12 - The Grown-Ups
    8.9/10(3628 votes)

    #18 - The Grown-Ups

    S3:E12

    Peggy's taste in men proves questionable. Pete has to make a big decision about his career and a candidate makes a big impression on Don.

    Director:Barbet Schroeder
    Writers:Matthew Weiner, Brett Johnson

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  19. Mad Men Season 7 Episode 6 - The Strategy
    8.9/10(3365 votes)

    #19 - The Strategy

    S7:E6

    Peggy determinedly collects research for a pitch. Pete is invited to join an exclusive club. Joan looks forward to spending time with her friend.

    Director:Phil Abraham
    Writer:Semi Chellas

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  20. Mad Men Season 7 Episode 11 - Time & Life
    8.9/10(3117 votes)

    #20 - Time & Life

    S7:E11

    Don comes up with a big idea, Roger asks Joan to help him fix a clerical error and Peggy has difficulties casting for a commercial.

    Director:Jared Harris
    Writers:Erin Levy, Matthew Weiner

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  21. Mad Men Season 4 Episode 9 - The Beautiful Girls
    8.8/10(3407 votes)

    #21 - The Beautiful Girls

    S4:E9

    Peggy is forced to face some unpleasant facts about a client's discriminatory business practices. Don and Faye's burgeoning relationship is tested when Sally runs away from home and turns up at the office. Roger tries to rekindle his affair with Joan.

    Director:Michael Uppendahl
    Writers:Matthew Weiner, Dahvi Waller

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  22. Mad Men Season 4 Episode 12 - Blowing Smoke
    8.8/10(3186 votes)

    #22 - Blowing Smoke

    S4:E12

    In the midst of a crisis, Don runs into an old friend.

    Director:John Slattery
    Writers:Maria Jacquemetton, André Jacquemetton

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  23. Mad Men Season 6 Episode 6 - For Immediate Release
    8.8/10(3367 votes)

    #23 - For Immediate Release

    S6:E6

    As the firm prepares to go public, Don and Pete's actions cause them to lose two huge clients. However, Roger uses a new connection to put them in position to gain their biggest client ever.

    Director:Jennifer Getzinger
    Writer:Matthew Weiner

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  24. Mad Men Season 6 Episode 11 - Favors
    8.8/10(3084 votes)

    #24 - Favors

    S6:E11

    Don is preoccupied with keeping Sylvia's son from being drafted, Peggy has a rat in her apartment, Don and Ted bury the hatchet, Pete has a problem with his mother's new nurse, and Sally makes an accidental discovery about her father.

    Director:Jennifer Getzinger
    Writers:Semi Chellas, Matthew Weiner

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  25. Mad Men Season 4 Episode 3 - The Good News
    8.7/10(3451 votes)

    #25 - The Good News

    S4:E3

    Don takes a trip. Joan has scheduling problems. Don and Lane get to know each other a little better.

    Director:Jennifer Getzinger
    Writers:Matthew Weiner, Jonathan Abrahams

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Best Episodes Summary

"Shut the Door. Have a Seat" is the best rated episode of "Mad Men". It scored 9.7/10 based on 7214 votes. Directed by Matthew Weiner and written by Erin Levy, Matthew Weiner, it aired on 11/8/2009. This episode scored 0.0 points higher than the second highest rated, "The Suitcase".