Did you watch the finale of ‘Mad Men?’ What did you think? There were so many predictions rolling around the internet about how the show was going to end (like this one), and I had no idea what to expect. I didn’t even attempt to guess what Matthew Weiner, the show’s creator, had in store for the finale.
So, a few seconds into the scrolling credits, I turned to Dan and asked, “Did I miss something? Does Don go back to NYC with this idea for a Coke ad and it turns out to be that commercial?” I was stumped. The slight smile on Don’s face with a sunny California backdrop made me think that Don must return to his NYC life with this incredible idea for “I’d Like to Buy the World a Coke.” But then, without even a pause, Dan said, “It could mean that life goes on and what’s most important is that you’re happy and you do something that you want to do with your life.” After I mulled that over for a minute, I realized I like Dan’s interpretation better than mine. And so I like to think that Don finally found some peace at that hippie retreat and lived out his life there. And I like to think that the group at McCann Erickson–lead by badass Peggy Olson–continued on and produced impressive work. Because that is after all what Peggy does. Either way, the final hour of ‘Mad Men’ was ambiguous, but I’m sure that was the point.
What did you think of the ending? I’m going to miss this show so much!
(First image by AMC via NYTimes. Second image by AMC via Rolling Stones.)
I really liked it. Despite any ambiguity I actually felt satisfied by the end of that Coke song.
I had the same initial interpretation as you, Kel, (leave it to Dan to have the optimistic “life is good” take…it’s why we love him) and I also immediately thought Weiner had the Coke commercial idea from the very beginning and worked his way backward to get Don to that point…
And I did NOT see the Peggy romance coming. (Side note: Pat wants to grow a beard, gain a bit in his waistline and look like Stan. Please help me convince him otherwise.)