Catching Up with Mad Men - Recaps and Reviews of Season 7a

The wait seemed like forever, but it’s finally almost here – the second half of “Mad Men’s” very last season. Starting April 5, we’ll be treated to seven more episodes of our favorite advertising egomaniacs before the groundbreaking AMC period drama comes to a close.

But here's the rub. Considering it’s been more than 10 months since new "Mad Men" episodes graced our screens, if you’re anything like us, you may be racking your brain to remember what happened and where stories ended. Chances are you don’t have time to re-watch all seven episodes of season 7a before 7b begins. But don’t fret. We are here to help! We have reviewed the episodes and compiled recaps to help catch you up. We’ve also highlighted our picks for the most important scenes and quotes. With that kind of review and analysis, you’ll be as ready for Don Draper’s last chapter as he is to find a new bed partner. So sit back and grab a drink. What are you waiting for?

“Time Zones” – 7.1

In the seventh season launch, we see the life of our favorite characters on the East and West coasts. It’s been two months since Don was suspended from work, and he still hasn’t told his wife. Don visits Megan in L.A. She seems to be doing well with acting but there’s a distance between them. Don also meets with Pete, who is relishing the L.A. life with a preppy wardrobe and new girlfriend Bonnie.

On his trip back home, Don meets a beautiful widow on the airplane. He admits he’s a terrible husband. But he also turns down the woman’s offer to go home with her. We also find out Don has been feeding his advertising ideas to the firm through Freddy.

Back East, Peggy is frustrated working under Lou, who doesn’t appreciate her ideas. She is also very lonely. She has a hard time seeing Ted in town. Joan is proving herself to be intelligent and business-savvy. She helps save a footwear account with her initiative and ingenuity. Roger is living a life of orgy and pleasure. His daughter meets with him to tell him she has been seeking enlightenment and forgives him.

Most important scene: Don opens up to the woman on the plane.

After just visiting and sleeping with his wife, Don engages in an intimate conversation with a beautiful stranger on a plane. He acknowledges what a bad husband he is and admits that his wife knows something is going on. Then they fall asleep on each other’s shoulders. I was surprised to see him so honest with this stranger. But it was interesting to hear him admit his own weaknesses. When they wake up, she tells him she could make him feel better and invites him to ride home with her. But amazingly, Don refuses, saying he has to “work.” Though his reason is an excuse, his motivation seems pure. Don opens up to the woman emotionally, but ultimately turns her down physically. For once, he doesn’t give in to his usual temptation.

Most important quote: Don Draper: “She knows I’m a terrible husband… she doesn’t know that much, but she knows…. Have I broken the vessel?”

“A Day’s Work” – 7.2

In this episode we see what Don does all day while he’s not at work, which includes sleeping until 12:30 and watching TV. He also has lunch with a man from another agency. We learn his secretary Dawn still answers his calls and gives him in-person work updates.

Sally is growing up quickly at boarding school. After attending the funeral of her roommate’s mother, she goes shopping and loses her purse. Stuck in the city, she visits her father’s office but doesn’t find him there. When he learns what happened, neither father nor daughter seems to trust the other. But they eventually end up in a Valentine’s Day heart to heart at a restaurant. Sally surprises him by saying “I love you” when he drops her off.

Pete becomes angry after the New York office takes his hard-won account. Roger finds himself at odds with Jim and decides to give in. Joan is frustrated trying to work accounts and oversee secretaries. Jim realizes she is overburdened and gives her an office upstairs, relieving her of secretary duties. Peggy is bitter after learning the Valentine’s Day flowers she thought were hers were actually her secretary’s.


Most important scene: Don and Sally open up to one another.

Don starts off angry and distrusting of Sally when she shows up at his house and doesn’t tell him she stopped by his work. But he soon softens to her perspective after realizing she is just a young girl dealing with adult circumstances. He then lets go of his anger and begins telling her the truth. He is unusually open. He discloses he was forced to take time off because he didn’t behave well. He acknowledges he was ashamed. Throughout the conversation he reveals a rare honesty with himself. Sally then asks very adult questions, including why he won’t tell Megan that he doesn’t want to move to California (a very perceptive question that he doesn’t answer). The candidness of the entire chat prompts Sally to open up to her dad. In the end, Don steps up as her father and she is grateful for the connection.

Most important quote: Don Draper: “The reason I didn’t tell you I wasn’t working was because I didn’t want anyone to know…. I didn’t behave well. I said the wrong things to the wrong people at the wrong time… I told the truth about myself, but it wasn’t the right time and so they made me take some time off. I was ashamed.”

“Field Trip” – 7.3

Betty attempts to prove her good mothering skills by chaperoning Bobby’s farm field trip. Bobby is beyond excited, and Betty is the model parent – until Bobby trades her sandwich for candy, setting her off. She later laments to Henry that her children don’t love her.

Don surprises Megan after her agent calls him concerned. But their visit quickly turns sour. Megan assumes he’s having an affair so he tells her the truth about work. Realizing he chose not to be with her, she kicks him out, saying they’re over. Back home, Don courts an offer from another ad agency and takes it to Roger, who invites him back to work. He calls Megan, thinking things can now go back to normal. But she doesn’t give in. When Don returns to work, he encounters the ultimate awkwardness as no one knows he was coming. Roger finally shows up and endorses Don to the partners. After much discussion, they offer Don his job back with several conditions. He agrees.

Peggy is upset she wasn’t nominated for a Clio. She tells Don they didn’t miss him. Harry lies to a client about having a company computer, prompting Jim to realize the importance of a strong media plan.


Most important scene: Betty becomes mean and distant after Bobby trades away her sandwich.

Betty wants to appear to be a good mother, whether she is or not. Appearances are important to her. So she goes through the motions of pretending to be the perfect parent. But she can’t hide her true colors for long. She never takes into account that she is dealing with a child who just wants her love. To her, it’s all about her and what Bobby did to her. When she feels slighted, she can no longer feign appearances. She later tells her husband how Bobby ruined the day and talks about how her children don’t love her. Most mothers worry about loving their children, but for Betty, it’s about receiving that love, even from a child. She herself has the emotional stability of a child and equates love with attention. She doesn’t feel loved because Bobby innocently and inadvertently overlooked her. Like a child, she needs constant devotion and reassurance. She demonstrates once again that she cares most about herself.

Most important quote: Betty Francis: “It was a perfect day and he ruined it…. Do you think I’m a good mother?... Then why don’t they love me?”

“The Monolith” – 7.4

When Don returns to work, he finds SC&P welcoming a computer into the agency, displacing the creative team and making people nervous. Pete runs into an old acquaintance who gives him the opportunity to present to Burger Chef. After getting a raise, Peggy is put in charge of the Burger Chef presentation and must tell Don he’s on her team. He’s upset by the news and doesn’t do any work on the account. Bert tells Don he’s not as important to the company as he thinks he is. Don proceeds to get drunk and calls Freddy to go to a baseball game. But Freddy picks him up, takes him home and gives him a talk about his actions. Don decides to do the work.

Roger learns his daughter Margaret ran away to a hippy commune. He tries to retrieve her but she doesn’t want to leave. Roger is understanding until she slips away with a man. The next day he grabs her to take her home. He wants her to return to her son but she points out he wasn’t there for her as a child. They fall in the mud and Roger leaves.


Most important scene: Freddy gives Don some tough love.

Don is ready to be back at work, but he wasn’t prepared to have his position and reputation diminished. He can’t stand working under Peggy or hearing Bert say he’s not important to the agency. So his response is to hit the bottle and ignore the work. But for once he has someone holding him accountable. Freddy, a former alcoholic, knows what it’s like to hit rock bottom and lose his job. And he is a real friend to Don in this scene. After picking him up from work, he is there when Don wakes up to knock some sense into him. Freddy tells it like it is. He is gentle but firm. He lets Don know that he’s drinking too much and should be thankful to have a second chance, no matter what is expected of him. He drills into Don that he needs to do whatever job they give him – that’s the way to succeed and prove them wrong. Don was lucky to have Freddy’s tough love and smart enough to listen.

Most important quote: Freddy Rumsen: “What the hell are you doing? Aren’t they giving you a second chance?... How the hell do you think that’s gonna happen when you’re at the bottom of a bottle?... I mean, are you just gonna kill yourself? Give them what they want? Or go in your bedroom, get in uniform, fix your bayonet and hit the parade? Do the work, Don.”

“The Runaways” – 7.5

Don receives a call from Stephanie, Anna Draper’s niece, who is pregnant and struggling in L.A. He sends her to Megan’s. Megan is taken aback by her beauty and knowledge of Don, so she gives her a check to leave. After throwing a party, Megan tries to please her husband by offering him a threesome with her friend. But the wild night doesn’t bring them any closer.

At Megan’s party, Don runs into Harry Crane, who tells him SC&P is courting Philip Morris. Since Don cut their throats in the New York Times, his job is on the line. Don then crashes their meeting, creatively worming himself back into the deal.

Betty hosts a party for her neighbors and voices support for the Vietnam War, which embarrasses Henry. He tells her she should leave the thinking to him. Betty later yells at Henry she can think for herself. Bobby overhears their fighting and worries about divorce. Sally injures her nose, infuriating her mother.

Michael’s computer obsession drives him crazy. He thinks the machine turns people into homosexuals and causes him to like Peggy. She rebuffs his advances. But she’s forced to have him committed after he cuts off his nipple to release the “waves of data” inside him.


Most important scene: Betty tells Henry she can think for herself.

I love how just when you think Betty has no redeeming qualities, she surprises you. Betty often evokes disgust, but here she also conjures for the viewer pity, pride and satisfaction. I found myself rooting for her as she stands up to Henry. Betty never has a problem speaking up for herself, but this time it was more than warranted. It was aggravating to hear Henry’s repeated chauvinistic comments to his wife. After she speaks up on Vietnam and contradicts his opinions in front of guests, he tells her she shouldn’t be talking about politics, just food, and to leave the thinking to him. I loved her fire and righteous indignation when she later confronts Henry, telling him she is tired of being told to shut up, and she is a smart woman who can think for herself. She feels her intelligence belittled and she won’t stand for it. He isn’t the only one with views and opinions. This is one time when I wanted to applaud Betty for not taking any crap.

Most important quote: Betty Francis: “I’m tired of everyone telling me to shut up. I’m not stupid. I speak Italian…. You’re sorry you forgot to inform me what I’m supposed to think. Guess what? I think all by myself.”

“The Strategy” – 7.6

Peggy prepares a great Burger Chef presentation. But Pete wants Don to give the pitch. She agrees but isn’t happy. When she tells Don the news, he offers another idea for the strategy, which makes her question her original idea. The second-guessing consumes her weekend. She harasses Stan and calls Don to tell him the idea is now tainted. Don eventually comes to work to help her. In the midst of brainstorming, Peggy admits her fears about not having a family. Don admits he worries about being alone and not measuring up. They dance together. During their talk, Peggy comes up with a new strategy. When they meet with Pete, Don backs her completely.

Megan visits Don in New York. He is disappointed she has no permanent plans to stay. Pete brings Bonnie to New York but neglects her when Trudy avoids him. He jealously confronts Trudy about her “immoral” dating and emphasizes they’re still married. Bonnie flies home alone.

Bob comes back in town and proposes to Joan, who turns him down, saying she wants a relationship with love. The partners vote to make Harry Crane a new partner.


Most important scene: Don helps Peggy re-think the Burger Chef strategy.

What a wonderful scene between Peggy and Don. These two have had so much friction between them that it was nice to see them return to their former ease. When they’re not trying to prove anything, they’re great together. Peggy asks Don to tell her how he thinks, and he encourages her. Then they both open up. I loved hearing Peggy talk about her fears of turning 30 and not having a family. She feels like she’s done something wrong. Don returns her honesty by revealing his own worries – not accomplishing enough and ending up alone. Trading fears always draws people close to one another and encourages trust. For however long it lasts, in this moment, these two begin to trust one another again. It was an ideal environment to spur a big idea for Peggy. And watching them dance together evoked their comfortable relationship of the past. Even the song “My Way” was perfect since Peggy was learning to have confidence in her own ideas, with a little push from her friend.

Most important quote(s): Don Draper: “I worry about a lot of things, but I don’t worry about you.” Peggy Olson: “What do you have to worry about?” Don: “That I never did anything and I don’t have anyone.”

“Waterloo” – 7.7

Don is accused of breaching his contract conditions. Don calls the partners to vote. Though Joan votes against him, the others keep him safe. Don then calls Megan, saying they’re going to fire him. He mentions moving to LA, but she tearfully reveals she is ready to go their separate ways. Don tells her he will always take care of her.

Ted is depressed and wants to leave advertising. Bert tells Roger he isn’t a leader. Everyone watches the astronauts land on the moon. Roger receives a call that Bert has died. Jim affirms they now have the votes to send Don away. After Roger calls Don with the news, Don tells Peggy she needs to give the Burger Chef presentation. She’s scared, but gives a flawless presentation and they win the account. Meanwhile, Roger meets with Jim McCann and suggests McCann buy their agency, keeping them as a separate subsidiary. McCann agrees, if Ted and Don are part of the deal. The next day Roger reveals the arrangement to the partners and they all vote to accept it. Don sees Bert one last time in a choreographed singing vision.

Peggy meets a cute worker in her apartment and gets emotional when her young neighbor reveals he’s moving. Betty’s friend and her family come to visit. Sally likes the older son but ends up kissing the younger boy.


Most important scene: Bert tells Roger he’s not a leader.

It took Bert telling Roger something he didn’t want to hear to spur Roger into action and prove Bert wrong. Truthfully, Roger really never has been a leader. He didn’t need to be. He could get by with his charm, money and adequate advertising skills. But with so much on the line, he proved he could jump into action and lead after all. Bert’s words in this scene were great. He let Roger know that a leader is both loyal to his team like he was, and someone who had a vision like Jim. Roger ends up fulfilling both descriptions by saving Don’s job and having a vision for the company. The conversation was a great impetus to force Roger into action. And it was rewarding to see Bert give Roger some valuable advice before he died. He left an important legacy for his partner.

Most important quote: Bert Cooper: “Whoever is in control is in charge…. I’m a leader, and a leader is loyal to his team…. You have talent and skill and experience, but you’re not a leader.”


“Mad Men” returns for its final season Sunday, April 5 at 10/9c on AMC.


How excited are you for "Mad Men's" return? What do you remember most about season 7a? Which scenes stood out to you? What are you looking forward to in the final episodes? We'd love you to join our discussion in the comments below.

About the Author - Tonya Papanikolas

Tonya Papanikolas is an online, print and broadcast journalist who loves covering entertainment and television. She spent more than 10 years as a broadcast news anchor and reporter. Now she does everything from hosting to writing. She especially loves writing TV articles and reviews for SpoilerTV.