Mad Men – Episode Summaries

Episode summaries of Mad Men, the series set in 1960s that follows the lives of ad executives, their wives, lovers and co-workers. I began watching this show starting in Season 1, but did not fully appreciate it until I watched a marathon of the first season. Due to this TV show’s serialized nature it is quite difficult to catch up if you’ve missed one much more multiple episodes. These episode summaries should help you with that. Honestly, I haven’t watched the pilot episode until now, and boy did I miss a lot of character grounding.

Update: Just added the episode summary for the Season 3 episode The Arrangements.  Follow Comprehensive Episode Guides for updates on newly added Mad Men episode summaries.

Mad Men Episode Summaries

Season 1 | Season 2 | Season 3

1.1 Smoke Gets In Your Eyes
Summary of the Smoke Gets In Your Eyes episode where Don Draper, the creative director of Sterling Cooper, is having trouble finding a solution that would rescue their client Lucky Strike from the current tobacco crisis. His anxiety at having to compete against young ad executives like Pete Campbell adds to his worry. Meanwhile, office manager Joan Holloway shows Don’s new secretary Peggy Olson around the office, and provides her with bits of both professional and personal advice. Also, the mad men at Sterling Cooper throws Pete Campbell a bachelor party.  >>Read the Smoke Gets In Your Eyes episode summary

1.2 Ladies Room
When Betty Draper runs into an accident after losing faculty of her hands, and the physicians cannot find anything physically wrong with her, they suggest that she see a psychiatrist. Don Draper becomes upset and disturbed at the thought of her wife having to see a shrink. Meanwhile, it is Peggy Olson’s second week at the office, and the young woman is ecstatic at having gotten her first paycheck. Her happiness is short-lived after learning the harsh truth of how men treat the women at their workplace. >>Read the Ladies Room episode summary

1.3 Marriage of Figaro
Pete Campbell returns to the office fresh from his honeymoon, and he like many newlyweds find marriage life refreshing. Don Draper, on the other hand, feels trapped, and appears longing to live a life other the one he has now. He falls for his client, but the woman stops whatever affair they were to have after learning that he is married. So, Don comes home to his wife and kids to continue to play the role of good husband and father. A job he is expected to perform especially at his daughter’s birthday party. >>Read the Marriage of Figaro episode summary

1.4 New Amsterdam
Mad Men episode summary where Pete Campbell pays a visit to his parents to ask for their help in financing the purchase of an apartment in the city. Unfortunately, his father who disapproves of his career turns him down. Following his father’s remarks about his job, it appears that Pete Campbell is trying to be more than just an account executive as he tries to pitch his own ideas to the client neglecting the consequences of his actions. Meanwhile, Betty Draper babysits for her neighbor Helen Bishop, and gets a strange request from her son. >>Read the New Amsterdam episode summary

1.5 5G
Episode summary where Don Draper’s picture appears on a magazine after winning an award. It is a proud moment for him, and one he modestly relishes. However, Don did not anticipate his brother seeing his picture, and recognizing him for who he truly is – Dick Whitman. The sudden entrance of his brother into his life troubles Don, and he hatches up a plan to escape his past. Meanwhile, the ad men at Sterling Cooper, Pete Campbell and Paul Kinsley in particular are envious of Ken Cosgrove’s fifteen minutes of fame. This after the young man’s short story gets published in a well-respected magazine. >>Read the 5G episode summary

1.6 Babylon
Mad Men episode where Israel Tourism wants Sterling Cooper to create ads that would bring people with money to their country. Don Draper uses this to get Rachel Menken to meet with him again. Meanwhile, while Joan Holloway is busy sneaking with Roger Sterling, Peggy Olson had innocently started to climb up the ladder following the brainstorming for their client Belle Jolie. >>Read the Babylon episode summary

1.7 Red in the Face
Episode summary where Roger Sterling having no plans for the night after learning that Joan Holloway is unavailable convinces Don Draper to go drinking with him. Showing no signs of going home, Don decides to invite him to dinner. All is well until an inebriated Roger makes a pass at Betty. This angers Don Draper causing him to cook up a scheme against his boss. Meanwhile, Pete Campbell begins his streak of embarrassment after his wife orders him to return a duplicate wedding present they received. >> Read the Red in the Face episode summary

1.8 The Hobo Code
Mad Men episode summary where Pete Campbell and Peggy Olson arrive to work early only to end up having an affair. Their office tryst did little to calm her nerves in anticipation of the Belle Jolie meeting where her ad copy is to be presented. Her worry was for nothing for the client bought the pitch. The whole office to celebrate her success spend the night drinking and dancing at P.J. Clarke’s. Meanwhile, Don Draper decides to spend his bonus in Paris with his lover Midge. Unfortunately, the woman would rather get high with her friends, and so Don obeys. While in the state of intoxication, he recalls the time when his stepmother takes in a hobo. >> Read The Hobo Code episode summary

1.9 Shoot
Episode where Jim Hobart, an executive from a competing advertising agency woos Don Draper into joining his company. Aside from bribing Don with expensive gifts, Mr. Hobart decides to use Betty Draper as well by giving her a job as an ad model hoping that this might encourage Don. Meanwhile, Peggy Olson is progressively gaining weight that her coworkers especially the men begin to notice. >>Read Shoot episode summary

1.10 Long Weekend
Betty and her children are getting an early start on the long weekend by going with her father and his new girlfriend whom Betty dislikes. Don Draper promises to drive down the shore to join them the very next day. Since office is still not closed, he has to work on the troubled Nixon campaign, and assist in the Menken account. Roger Sterling after being turned down by Joan Holloway decides to pick out an impromptu date with twin models. Don Draper was forced to accompany Roger, and spend a night with the twins. All is well until Roger Sterling suffers a heart attack. >>Read Long Weekend episode summary

1.11 Indian Summer
Peggy Olson is tasked with writing copy for a device that claims to help women lose weight. Meanwhile, Bertram Cooper pulls Roger Sterling out of his sick leave to rebuild confidence with their client Lucky Strike who has become overly concerned about Roger’s absence. >>Read Indian Summer episode summary

1.12 Nixon vs. Kennedy
With Roger Sterling still recovering from his heart attack, Sterling Cooper is in search of a new head of account services. Don Draper parades the candidate Herman “Duck” Phillips, irritating ambitious young ad executive Pete Campbell who has his eye set on the job. He becomes even more annoyed at learning that Don is not even considering him for the position, and decides to threaten the creative director with divulging his secret to the senior partner. Meanwhile, it is Election Day, and except for a few everybody decided to stay at the office to follow the returns. >>Read Nixon vs. Kennedy episode summary

1.13 The Wheel
Betty Draper learns that her friend’s husband has been having an affair making her wonder about her own situation. Meanwhile, Duck Phillips orders the mad men of Sterling Cooper to bring new business to the company, the way he is about to with Kodak. Don Draper works on the ad for Kodak’s new product called The Wheel, while Peggy Olsen starts to climb up the ladder having given the authority to choose the right girl for the weight loss ad. Pete Campbell is being pressured by his in-laws to start a family, and uses his measly salary as an excuse not to have child. >>Read The Wheel episode summary


Season 2 | Season 1 | Season 3

2.1 For Those Who Think Young
Duck Phillips convinces Roger Sterling into forcing Don Draper to hire young talent for the Martinson’s Coffee account he has been trying to grab. Paul Kinsey more than anyone else is troubled with the direction Sterling Cooper is going more so for he was the one to give Roger the list of young creative. Meanwhile, the massive copier Duck had requested also arrives giving Joan Holloway a headache as she struggles to find a place for it. Valentine’s Day arrives, and everyone celebrates it in their own way, but most spent the night watching Jacqueline Kennedy’s tour of the White House. >>Read For Those Who Think Young episode summary

2.2 Flight 1
Pete Campbell receives news that his father was aboard the American Airlines plane that crashed in Jamaica Bay. Meanwhile, Duck Phillips sees a golden opportunity with the tragedy as he sells the senior partners on the idea of getting business from the troubled airline company. This, however, requires that they end their relationship with Mohawk Airlines, a condition that infuriates Don Draper. >>Read Flight 1 episode summary

2.3 The Benefactor
Jimmy Barrett has a field day with the overweight woman who happens to be his benefactor, Edith Schilling. Don Draper is left to do damage control, and in his quest begins an affair with the comedian’s wife and manager, Bobbie Barrett. Meanwhile, Harry Crane is in pursuit for a higher salary having learned that Ken Cosgrove makes more money than he does. An opportunity is presented to him after learning that the TV show “The Defenders” has lost its major sponsors following their refusal to fund the controversial episode “The Benefactor” that centers on the abortion issue. >>Read The Benefactor episode summary

2.4 Three Sundays
Sterling Cooper’s meeting with American Airlines was moved up to Good Friday creating the need to call all their staff to work on Palm Sunday. Meanwhile, there is a young, new priest in Peggy Olson’s parish, and he has taken an interest in her causing her sister to worry. >>Read Three Sundays episode summary

2.5 The New Girl
Trudy and Pete Campbell have difficulty conceiving a child, and therefore visit a fertility doctor. Don Draper receives a surprise visit from Bobbie Barrett asking his help to sell an idea for a television show. Having sold the idea, both Don and Bobbie indiscreetly celebrate, and fall victim to a car accident. Meanwhile, Joan Holloway accepted her boyfriend’s proposal, and is now engaged to a doctor. In anticipation of her wedding preparations, Joan hires a new girl to become Don Draper’s secretary. >>Read The New Girl episode summary

2.6 Maidenform
Duck Phillips informs the mad men of Sterling Cooper that their client Playtex is looking to change their campaign to follow that of their competitor Maidenform. Peggy Olson is assigned to work on the account, but is put aside when Paul Kinsey comes up with an impressive idea for the ad. Don Draper continues his trysts with Bobbie Barrett, and learns that he has built himself a reputation. Meanwhile, Duck Phillips gets a visit from his kids only to learn that his wife is planning on marrying another man. >>Read Maidenform episode summary

2.7 The Gold Violin
Don Draper is replacing his old car with a flashy, expensive Cadillac. A flashy new car might just be in order to match his joining the big leagues after the success of the pitch with Martinson’s Coffee. Meanwhile, word that Bertram Cooper had purchased a ten thousand dollar painting, and had been calling employees to ask for their opinion about it has been flying around Sterling Cooper. Only Harry Crane knows nothing about this, and is surprised to learn from his colleagues that what he thought to be a big meeting to discuss expansion of his department might turn out to be just a conversation about the painting. Jane Siegel finds it hard to understand why the mad men of Sterling Cooper are making a big deal out of being called to admire the painting such that she along with some of the creative team marches up to Cooper’s office to view it. Inspired by their adventure, Ken Cosgrove finds the urge to write about it stirring conversation about his writing talent that impressed no one else but Salvatore Romano. It was then that he decides to ask his opinion about his new story, “The Gold Violin”. >>Read The Gold Violin episode summary

2.8 A Night To Remember
The flyer for a dance at her parish that Peggy entitled as “A Night To Remember” is causing quite a stir among the older parishioners, while Joan Holloway learns that she has a knack managing broadcast operations. Meanwhile, an incident at the dinner party that the Draper’s hosted became the catalyst for Betty Draper to confront Don about his affair with Bobbie Barrett. >>Read the A Night To Remember episode summary

2.9 Six Month Leave
Don and Betty Draper are still separated, and the uncertainty of their separation is starting to cause trouble. Freddie Rumsen’s drinking problem has started to affect his job resulting in his forced six-month leave. >>Read the Six Month Leave episode summary

2.10 The Inheritance
Pete Campbell learns that his father has squandered his inheritance, while Betty Draper learns that her father has suffered a stroke. Don and Betty put on a false pretense to hide their separation from her family. Their charade seemed to have brought them back together. At the office, Don Draper bumps off Paul Kinsey from the business trip, and decides to fly to Los Angeles. >>Read The Inheritance episode summary

2.11 The Jet Set
In the midst of his messy divorce with his wife Mona, Roger Sterling proposes marriage to his mistress Jane Siegel. Don Draper and Pete Campbell arrive in California. Don who intends on keeping their trip to be all-about business foregoes his own rule, and decides to escape with a young, beautiful, self-indulgent aristocrat. Meanwhile, Kurt invites Peggy to go out with him, and later learns that he is a homosexual. >>Read The Jet Set episode summary

2.12 Meditations in an Emergency
All at Sterling Cooper are anxious given the ongoing Cuban missile crisis. To add to their disquiet, rumors of a British agency taking over their company have been floating around. Don Draper finally returns after weeks of absence, and is surprised to learn that Sterling Cooper has merged with Putnam, Powell & Lowe. Meanwhile, Betty Draper learns that she is pregnant, and gets a surprise visit from her absentee husband. >>Read the Meditations in an Emergency episode summary


Season 3 | Season 1 | Season 2
3.1 Out of Town
Don Draper flies to Baltimore with Salvatore Romano to meet with the owners of London Fog, and discovers Sal’s secret. Meanwhile, Putnam, Powell, & Lowe is causing a stir with firing the new head of accounts, and pitting Pete Campbell and Ken Cosgrove for the coveted position. >>Read the Out of Town episode summary

3.2 Love Among the Ruins
Sterling Cooper is going after new businesses with Ken Cosgrove eyeing Pepsi and Pete Campbell going after Madison Square Garden. Complications arise when Paul Kinsey’s activist tendencies comes in full display as he and Pete meet with the executives of Madison Square Garden. Meanwhile, Betty Draper learns that her father’s girlfriend has left him, and is now living alone with only her irresponsible brother to check on him. She and Don come to a decision that they may soon regret. >>Read Love Among the Ruins episode summary

3.3 My Old Kentucky Home
Roger and Jane Sterling hold a lavish garden party at the country club, and invite a select few people from the office. Meanwhile, Peggy, Paul and Smitty were asked to spend a weekend at the office to work on the Bacardi account. >>Read My Old Kentucky Home episode summary

3.4 The Arrangements
Pete Campbell brings his affluent, but dimwitted friend Hoho to the office to discuss his plans of promoting Jai Alai in the United States. The mad men of Sterling Cooper take advantage of the gullible young man with money to burn. Meanwhile, Sally Draper is enjoying the company of grandpa Gene when tragedy strikes. >>Read The Arrangements episode summary