# Mad-Men: 7.14 "Person to Person", SERIES FINALE (open spoilers) **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [May 17, 2015, 11:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mad-men-7-14-person-to-person-series-finale-open-spoilers/720273 "2015-05-17T23:28:10Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 13
**Author:** ![Sherrerd](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sherrerd/32/8_2.png) [@Sherrerd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sherrerd)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2015, 7:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mad-men-7-14-person-to-person-series-finale-open-spoilers/720273/241 "2015-05-22T19:53:41Z")
> [@Voyager](#): > > I’m with you. (I may be the only one.) Not at all. I believe the finale will, as \*Mad Men \*is viewed in years to come, ultimately knock its valuation down at least a couple of notches. (We won’t know if this is so until we see future lists ranking television dramas.) As for the voting in this thread: I have no doubt that many who clicked on either ‘liked it’ or ‘loved it’ did, genuinely, find the finale to be satisfying, and would assess it as having been well-written. But if you read the entire thread, you’ll find at least a couple of posts that contain comments like ‘something about this finale bothered me, but I voted “Liked it” anyway.’ There is, probably, a wish to err on the side of generosity when it comes to a show that has given pleasure for many years. ---
**Author:** ![UncleRojelio](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/unclerojelio/32/3160_2.png) [@UncleRojelio](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UncleRojelio)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2015, 8:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mad-men-7-14-person-to-person-series-finale-open-spoilers/720273/242 "2015-05-22T20:11:08Z")
> [@Voyager](#): > > But at least I was right about Don getting redeemed, which happened whichever way you interpret the ending. I’m not even sure Don is all that redeemed. He did, after all, as someone said upthread, go back to NY and sell the fuck out of Coke. What I saw is that Don does what he always does; absorb the zeitgeist at the time and figure out how to use it in advertising. It was just a slightly longer and weirder road than he normally takes. ETA: Also, I wouldn’t have it any other way either. ---
**Author:** ![Voyager](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/voyager/32/133_2.png) [@Voyager](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Voyager)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2015, 11:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mad-men-7-14-person-to-person-series-finale-open-spoilers/720273/243 "2015-05-22T23:29:25Z")
> [@UncleRojelio](#): > > I’m not even sure Don is all that redeemed. He did, after all, as someone said upthread, go back to NY and sell the fuck out of Coke. What I saw is that Don does what he always does; absorb the zeitgeist at the time and figure out how to use it in advertising. It was just a slightly longer and weirder road than he normally takes. > > ETA: Also, I wouldn’t have it any other way either. From what Weiner says, that is redemption for Don. I’m old enough to remember that ad - it was not just an ad, but iconic. Don, famous already would become immortal in this alternate universe of Madison Avenue. Will Don be a better person the way most of us would define it? Probably not, but it doesn’t seem to matter in the context of the show. ---
**Author:** ![ThelmaLou](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thelmalou/32/390_2.png) [@ThelmaLou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThelmaLou)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2015, 1:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mad-men-7-14-person-to-person-series-finale-open-spoilers/720273/244 "2015-05-23T01:54:45Z")
The whole series was about the advertising business. And about Don, a man _really good_ at the advertising business. The finale is entirely consistent with Don reaching the pinnacle of the advertising business. ---
**Author:** ![zbuzz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/e19b73/32.png) [@zbuzz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zbuzz)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2015, 5:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mad-men-7-14-person-to-person-series-finale-open-spoilers/720273/245 "2015-05-23T05:17:28Z")
> [@Exapno\_Mapcase](#): > > Among the many odd things about that ending is that Weiner took pains over every season to show that advertising was not a fit occupation for an adult. Why Peggy got such fulfillment from it was never explored. Stan’s attitude - it’s just a job - seemed the healthiest of anyone. What pains did Weiner go to to show us that advertising is not a fit occupation for an adult? Ones that involve a John Deere don’t count. Peggy is fiercely independent, highly creative, enjoys challenges and is very quick on her feet. We’ve seen her work allow her to satiate all those attributes. And succeeding so spectacularly in a profession that doesn’t want her in it satisfies the only slightly latent fuck you attitude she has. Which are you more disappointed in- that Weiner had the fictional Don appropriate a real life campaign, or because of what it means thematically that Don wrote the campaign? ---
**Author:** ![Quimby](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/22d042/32.png) [@Quimby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quimby)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2015, 3:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mad-men-7-14-person-to-person-series-finale-open-spoilers/720273/246 "2015-05-23T15:10:26Z")
I’m outraged the finale didn’t address what happened to Ginsberg’s nipple! ---
**Author:** ![ThelmaLou](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thelmalou/32/390_2.png) [@ThelmaLou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThelmaLou)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2015, 3:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mad-men-7-14-person-to-person-series-finale-open-spoilers/720273/247 "2015-05-23T15:12:38Z")
[_The New Yorker_ checks in.](http://www.newyorker.com/culture/cultural-comment/the-original-resonant-existentially-brilliant-mad-men-finale) ---
**Author:** ![IvoryTowerDenizen](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ivorytowerdenizen/32/17937_2.png) [@IvoryTowerDenizen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/IvoryTowerDenizen)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2015, 3:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mad-men-7-14-person-to-person-series-finale-open-spoilers/720273/248 "2015-05-23T15:13:24Z")
I would’ve liked to know what happened to Sal. ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Nylock](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/77aa72/32.png) [@Mr.Nylock](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Nylock)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2015, 4:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mad-men-7-14-person-to-person-series-finale-open-spoilers/720273/249 "2015-05-23T16:05:28Z")
As far as I can tell, nobody has talked about this yet in the thread. What I liked most about the episode is the representation of the guy who Don hugs towards the end. I think this type of guy is not something I see portrayed very often. He is the someone who follows the rules, does everything right, is “respectable” and nice - but really, while all these things should be praised and admired, nobody gives two shits about him. Now, a lot of people in this boat kind of become bitter and judgmental - this guy actually realizes that there is no reason for it, no rationalization - his life is just basically pointless, passionless and ultimately incredibly sad. It makes me think that redemption is a funny thing - that maybe redemption isn’t the ultimate goal. ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2015, 4:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mad-men-7-14-person-to-person-series-finale-open-spoilers/720273/250 "2015-05-23T16:13:01Z")
> [@hajario](#): > > My Mom is the same age as Peggy. MM might be her favorite show of all time because of how well they captured the time through the decade. The early shows would have items that she hadn’t thought about in years. She and my step-dad were roaring with laughter at the Esalen scenes. Especially the cast of characters that were there attending the seminar. She said to him, “can you believe that we took all of that shit so seriously?” What do you mean “took”? That stuff is alive and well in CA, I can assure you! 🙂 I thought the ending was good. It felt rather rushed, but that’s not too surprising. They did a good job of setting up everyone’s future except for Don, and I’m OK with that. Don is, to a large extent, an enigma. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/the_other_waldo_pepper/32/12370_2.png) [@The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Other_Waldo_Pepper)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2015, 7:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mad-men-7-14-person-to-person-series-finale-open-spoilers/720273/251 "2015-05-23T19:12:36Z")
> [@Mr.Nylock](#): > > As far as I can tell, nobody has talked about this yet in the thread. What I liked most about the episode is the representation of the guy who Don hugs towards the end. I think this type of guy is not something I see portrayed very often. He is the someone who follows the rules, does everything right, is “respectable” and nice - but really, while all these things should be praised and admired, nobody gives two shits about him. Ken Cosgrove, until partway through this last season? ---
**Author:** ![ThelmaLou](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thelmalou/32/390_2.png) [@ThelmaLou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThelmaLou)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2015, 8:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mad-men-7-14-person-to-person-series-finale-open-spoilers/720273/252 "2015-05-23T20:51:22Z")
> [@Mr.Nylock](#): > > As far as I can tell, nobody has talked about this yet in the thread. What I liked most about the episode is the representation of the guy who Don hugs towards the end. I think this type of guy is not something I see portrayed very often. He is the someone who follows the rules, does everything right, is “respectable” and nice - but really, while all these things should be praised and admired, nobody gives two shits about him. > > Now, a lot of people in this boat kind of become bitter and judgmental - this guy actually realizes that there is no reason for it, no rationalization - his life is just basically pointless, passionless and ultimately incredibly sad. > > It makes me think that redemption is a funny thing - that maybe redemption isn’t the ultimate goal. [Tom and Lorenzo](http://tomandlorenzo.com/2015/05/mad-style-person-to-person/) had some astute comments about the meaning of this character and Don’s encounter with him: > [@](#): > > Leonard is not only connecting with Don on a blue level, he’s far surpassed Don as the most conventionally dressed man there. This scene will be debated forever, but to us, the point wasn’t that Don saw himself in the man. It’s the exact opposite, in fact. Don recognized that someone else was in pain. That EVERYONE else is in some form of pain – and that they can’t just be told to get up and move past it. Remember how he would tell Betty to get a hold of herself after her mother died or after the Kennedy assassination? Remember how he told Peggy to stop celebrating her birthday because she’s an adult? He has always had an inability to truly connect with people because he’s always been so chronically self-absorbed. This moment represents him learning and feeling empathy for the first time. It’s the most important thing that ever happened to Don, but it’s important because IT’S NOT ABOUT DON. So this does represent a moment of growth for Don. ---
**Author:** ![Exapno\_Mapcase](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/exapno_mapcase/32/1051_2.png) [@Exapno\_Mapcase](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Exapno_Mapcase)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2015, 1:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mad-men-7-14-person-to-person-series-finale-open-spoilers/720273/253 "2015-05-24T01:46:58Z")
> [@ThelmaLou](#): > > [_The New Yorker_ checks in.](http://www.newyorker.com/culture/cultural-comment/the-original-resonant-existentially-brilliant-mad-men-finale) > [@](#): > > (Pete, that raper of nannies and lifelong weasel, is emotionally whole, wealthy, reunited with his wife and family, and flying off to the perfect job, although one that’s bound to end with a skyjacking, given the time period). When was a Learjet ever skyjacked? The whole point is that they are private jets. > [@](#): > > In the “Hillside” ad, the future appears as a beautiful young Californian white woman, her face free of makeup, trilling about “apple trees and honey bees and snow-white turtledoves.” Filmed in Italy with people living there, not all Italians but none of whom were American to my knowledge. Didn’t _The New Yorker_ used to have fact-checkers? ---
**Author:** ![Sherrerd](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sherrerd/32/8_2.png) [@Sherrerd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sherrerd)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2015, 7:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mad-men-7-14-person-to-person-series-finale-open-spoilers/720273/254 "2015-05-24T19:24:14Z")
> [@Exapno\_Mapcase](#): > > _(quote from New Yorker article)_ > When was a Learjet ever skyjacked? The whole point is that they are private jets. > > _(quote from New Yorker article)_ > Filmed in Italy with people living there, not all Italians but none of whom were American to my knowledge. > > Didn’t _The New Yorker_ used to have fact-checkers? Heh. I had the same thought about the “skyjacked” comment when reading the article, but didn’t catch the “Californian” misstatement. And NO one has fact-checkers, anymore, to answer your (I’m sure) wholly rhetorical question. ^\_~ ---
**Author:** ![Tibby](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tibby/32/17030_2.png) [@Tibby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tibby)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2015, 12:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mad-men-7-14-person-to-person-series-finale-open-spoilers/720273/255 "2015-05-28T00:44:02Z")
Am I the only one, especially after seeing Don turn away from the large McCann meeting, to look intently out the window at a nearly skyscraper in episode 7.13, who expected the series to end with him jumping from atop the McCann Erickson building, as depicted in the opening credits? ---
**Author:** ![PunditLisa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/4af34b/32.png) [@PunditLisa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PunditLisa)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2015, 12:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mad-men-7-14-person-to-person-series-finale-open-spoilers/720273/256 "2015-05-28T00:59:18Z")
> [@Tibby or Not Tibby](#): > > Am I the only one, especially after seeing Don turn away from the large McCann meeting, to look intently out the window at a nearly skyscraper in episode 7.13, who expected the series to end with him jumping from atop the McCann Erickson building, as depicted in the opening credits? It was quite deliberately written that way, methinks. ---
**Author:** ![Tibby](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tibby/32/17030_2.png) [@Tibby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tibby)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2015, 1:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mad-men-7-14-person-to-person-series-finale-open-spoilers/720273/257 "2015-05-28T01:34:07Z")
> [@PunditLisa](#): > > It was quite deliberately written that way, methinks. Perhaps, but even so, I think it would have been a more powerful ending. Pete’s Lear Jet should have flown into a mountain, too. ---
**Author:** ![commasense](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/commasense/32/3017_2.png) [@commasense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/commasense)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2015, 5:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mad-men-7-14-person-to-person-series-finale-open-spoilers/720273/258 "2015-05-28T17:31:36Z")
> [@Tibby or Not Tibby](#): > > Am I the only one, especially after seeing Don turn away from the large McCann meeting, to look intently out the window at a nearly skyscraper in episode 7.13, who expected the series to end with him jumping from atop the McCann Erickson building, as depicted in the opening credits? I thought he was looking at the airplane in the sky behind it. ---
**Author:** ![Tibby](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tibby/32/17030_2.png) [@Tibby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tibby)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2015, 7:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mad-men-7-14-person-to-person-series-finale-open-spoilers/720273/259 "2015-05-28T19:17:47Z")
> [@commasense](#): > > I thought he was looking at the airplane in the sky behind it. Airplane? I thought that was a jumper… ---
**Author:** ![commasense](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/commasense/32/3017_2.png) [@commasense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/commasense)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2015, 8:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mad-men-7-14-person-to-person-series-finale-open-spoilers/720273/260 "2015-05-28T20:33:50Z")
> [@Tibby or Not Tibby](#): > > Airplane? I thought that was a jumper… IIRC, there was an airplane leaving a short contrail in the shot. I’ve deleted it from my DVR, so I can’t check. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mad-men-7-14-person-to-person-series-finale-open-spoilers/720273.md?page=12) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mad-men-7-14-person-to-person-series-finale-open-spoilers/720273.md?page=14)