The Best Mad Men Episodes

Ranker TV
Updated April 30, 2024 79 items
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Vote for your favorite Mad Men episodes, no matter how popular they are.

List of the best Mad Men episodes, as voted on by other fans of the series. With so many memorable episodes of the show, it's hard to trust just one person's opinion of what the top Mad Men episodes of all time are. Fans of Mad Men are extremely passionate about the show, and there is often debate over which episodes are better than others. That's why this list exists- so you can vote for your favorites and we can find out once and for all what everyone thinks the best episode is.

Episodes include everything from The Gypsy and the Hobo to The Grown-Ups. What is the best Mad Men episode of all time? Look below and find out.
Most divisive: Man With a Plan
Over 200 Ranker voters have come together to rank this list of The Best Mad Men Episodes
  • The Suitcase
    1
    September 05, 2010
    80 votes
    A deadline disrupts Sterling Cooper Draper Pryce.
  • Shut the Door, Have a Seat
    2

    Shut the Door, Have a Seat

    November 08, 2009
    58 votes
    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.
  • Guy Walks Into an Advertising Agency
    3

    Guy Walks Into an Advertising Agency

    September 20, 2009
    57 votes
    Sterling Cooper receives a surprise visitor; Sally has been spooked by something (or someone); and Joan receives some shocking news.
  • The Wheel
    4

    The Wheel

    October 18, 2007
    47 votes
    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.
  • Commissions and Fees
    5

    Commissions and Fees

    June 03, 2012
    33 votes
    Lane's shameful secret comes to the surface with dire consequences. Don recaptures his hunger for success, and Sally experiences a major milestone.
  • Smoke Gets in Your Eyes
    6
    41 votes
    In 1960 New York City - the high-powered and glamorous "Golden Age" of advertising - Don Draper, the biggest ad man in the business, struggles to stay a step ahead of the rapidly changing times and the young executives nipping at his heels.
  • The Gypsy and the Hobo
    7

    The Gypsy and the Hobo

    October 25, 2009
    28 votes
    A former client makes a return; Betty and her kids go on a trip; and Joan and Greg make plans for their future.
  • The Other Woman
    8

    The Other Woman

    May 27, 2012
    38 votes
    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.
  • At the Codfish Ball
    9

    At the Codfish Ball

    April 29, 2012
    22 votes
    Don is honored at a banquet for the American Cancer Society, but finds his professional reputation has been damaged. Sally lends a hand to a relative. Megan's parents come to visit from Canada.
  • Far Away Places
    10

    Far Away Places

    April 22, 2012
    29 votes
    Peggy has a tough time during a particularly formidable pitch. Don calls on a potential client. Roger and Jane have an experience with LSD.
  • The Crash
    11

    The Crash

    May 19, 2013
    16 votes
    A surprise visitor disrupts Don, while Peggy seeks inspiration.
  • Signal 30
    12

    Signal 30

    April 15, 2012
    22 votes
    Signal 30 is a 1959 social guidance film made by the Highway Safety Foundation in the vicinity of Mansfield, Ohio. The film, shown widely to high school students across the country during the 1960s, was produced by Richard Wayman and narrated by Wayne Byers, and takes its name from the radio code used by the Ohio State Highway Patrol for a fatal traffic accident. Similar to Red Asphalt, Signal 30 features graphic footage of crashed automobiles and their horrifically injured and dismembered occupants. Despite its gruesome nature, the film later won the National Safety Council Award. It was followed by two sequels, entitled Mechanized Death and Wheels of Tragedy, and inspired a whole genre of similarly gory road safety films.
  • Six Month Leave
    13

    Six Month Leave

    September 28, 2008
    11 votes
    Freddy Rumsen disappoints his team during a pitch. Pete finds an opportunity at the office to exploit while Don proves his loyalty to an old friend. Betty finds a welcome distraction in Sara Beth.
  • Waterloo
    14

    Waterloo

    12 votes
    Season 7 Episode 7: 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.
  • My Old Kentucky Home
    15

    My Old Kentucky Home

    August 30, 2009
    14 votes
    The writers make an attempt to stave off late-night boredom during a mandatory overtime session. Roger throws a party as Joan and Greg host their own party. Sally has a run-in with Grandpa.
  • Nixon Vs. Kennedy
    16
    October 11, 2007
    19 votes
    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.
  • Meditations in an Emergency
    17

    Meditations in an Emergency

    October 26, 2008
    24 votes
    The office scrambles without Don; Betty learns some disconcerting news.
  • In Care Of
    18

    In Care Of

    June 23, 2013
    16 votes
    In the Season 6 finale, Don has a problem.
  • Christmas Waltz
    19

    Christmas Waltz

    May 20, 2012
    19 votes
    Harry finds himself in an uncomfortable position after reconnecting with Paul Kinsey who has joined the Hare Krishnas. Lane takes drastic and unethical measures to get out of financial trouble. Don spends an afternoon with Joan to get her mind off her marital problems.
  • The Summer Man
    20

    The Summer Man

    September 12, 2010
    7 votes
    Joan and Peggy deal with high-jinx in the office.
  • The Jet Set
    21

    The Jet Set

    October 12, 2008
    26 votes
    Don makes some new friends on his trip to Los Angeles; Peggy looks for romance; Duck ponders the future of Sterling Cooper.
  • Mystery Date
    22

    Mystery Date

    April 08, 2012
    9 votes
    "Mystery Date" is the fourth episode of the fifth season of the American television drama series Mad Men and the 56th episode of the series overall. It was written by series creator and executive producer Matthew Weiner and writer Victor Levin, and directed by Matt Shakman. It originally aired on the AMC channel in the United States on April 8, 2012. The episode takes place in July 1966, featuring much discussion among the characters about the then-unsolved Richard Speck murders in Chicago. Don runs into an ex-lover and cannot seem to escape her presence. Joan's husband, Greg, returns from his tour of duty in Vietnam only to reveal that he is being sent back for another year of service. Sally becomes frightened after reading stories on the Speck murders, leading her step-grandmother to educate her on the concepts of fear and defense. Dawn spends the night at Peggy's apartment after becoming too afraid to return home because of racial violence near Harlem.
  • Tomorrowland
    23

    Tomorrowland

    6 votes
    Season 4 Episode 13: Opportunity arises for Don and Peggy.
  • Shut the Door. Have A Seat.
    24

    Shut the Door. Have A Seat.

    5 votes
    Season 3 Episode 13: Don has an important meeting with Connie. Betty receives some advice. Pete talks to his clients.
  • The Hobo Code
    25

    The Hobo Code

    5 votes
    Season 1 Episode 8: Pete Campbell and Peggy Olsen start an office romance. Peggy's copy for the lipstick account goes over well and the men in the firm congratulate her. A new telephone receptionist, Lois Saddler, takes a liking to Salvatore Romano but his own interests seem to lie elsewhere. Don Draper gets an unexpected bonus from Bert Cooper and wants to take Midge on a surprise trip to Paris. She seems too involved with her beatnik friends however. Don reflects on his unhappy childhood and in flashbacks he reveals some life lessons he learned early on when a hobo spent the day working on the family farm in exchange for a meal.
  • Babylon
    26
    August 23, 2007
    9 votes
    A taboo office romance is revealed. At a brainstorming session, Peggy proves to be more than a secretary, opening up new opportunities for her at Sterling Cooper. Meanwhile, Rachel faces her conflicted feelings for Don after he seeks out her advice on a new campaign.
  • Person to Person
    27

    Person to Person

    3 votes
    Season 7 Episode 14: The Series Finale. The stories of Don Draper, his family, and his co-workers at Sterling Cooper & Partners come to an end.
  • The Collaborators
    28

    The Collaborators

    April 14, 2013
    4 votes
    Don has a disagreement with a client. Pete entertains a guest. Peggy tries to motivate the staff.
  • The New Girl
    29

    The New Girl

    3 votes
    Season 2 Episode 5: Don once again finds himself having to deal with issues between TV comedian Jimmy and his wife, Bobbie. Joan finally finds Don the perfect secretary.
  • For Immediate Release
    30

    For Immediate Release

    3 votes
    Season 6 Episode 6: "For Immediate Release" Roger changes tack to make new business. Pete has an awkward run-in with a client.