As I sit here listening to the music of Mad Men, I can’t help but think about all of the good times I’ve had with the show. With torrid love affairs, incredible costuming and enough alcohol to fill every car ever mentioned in the show, the upcoming end of the series is truly an end of an era. Since the first season, the women of Mad Men have added a portrait of complicated, dynamic and realistic women that is desperately needed in television. So I raise a glass, a martini, in fact, to the women of Mad Men and the characters who will be greatly missed.
1. Joan Holloway/ Harris
My first character choice is completely biased, and frankly, I don’t care. As a fellow auburn-locked woman who is semi-obsessed with the '60s, I immediately fell in love with Joan, played by Christina Hendricks. Her fashion is outstanding, she is the definition of a badass, and her ability to put up with Don Draper’s bullshit is a gift sent from the gods. Throughout the seasons, Joan has transformed into a complicated, professional woman. I am so excited to see how her character’s storyline ends. She has made a powerful place for herself and is one of the most undervalued characters on the show.
Watch Hendricks play Joan in the modern workforce and make a point about the wage gap.
2. Sally Draper
Many may find this choice as a surprise, but those who have watched the series from the beginning know that Kiernan Shipka is incredible. She has completely transformed this annoying, spoiled brat kid character into a complex, annoying, spoiled brat teenager. Sally Draper now possesses a backbone and has been a primary character of the show for the last two seasons. I truly believe that in these last seven episodes, we will see the best Sally moments of the entire series.
3. Peggy Olson
I’ll be honest. I have a love/hate relationship with Peggy. I adore Elisabeth Moss’s portrayal, but the character? We’ve had our ups and downs. I think it is fair to say that of all the women on the show, Peggy has been the most progressive when it comes to work, professionalism and the non-traditional path. Recently, though, she has become really annoying, which I know is probably the point, but still. I understand that she constantly works to prove a point and to run away from feelings about breaking up with Abe. Girl needs to take a chill pill or steal some pot from the creative team. The thing I do love most about Peggy though is her relationship with Don. Of all the characters I think that she understands him best and they have grown together as seasons progress. Being one of the only women that hasn't slept with him gives her tremendous power. The scene in season six where they dance to Frank Sinatra's "My Way" is probably my favorite moment in the entire series.
Watch the transformation of Peggy in this video by AMC.
4. Betty Draper/Harris
Oh, Betty. You have been a shining, mistaken light for the entire show. January Jones is a treasure, and if you can’t recognize that, then please uncoil your French twist and change your lipstick. Betty has put up with a lot in this show. Her first marriage to Don Draper was a complete lie, and her new husband isn’t much better. The thing I love about Betty, though, is her hopeless romantic attitude. She seems to think that things will still work out even when everything is a disaster. Though she will never win Mother of the Year, Betty has won my heart, and I will always like her.
5. Megan Draper
Okay, so, I’ll be honest. At first, I really liked Megan. And then I didn’t, but Jessica Pare is still great. There isn’t a particular reason why we fell out; I just didn’t really see the point of her character. It is always nice to think that Don Draper is a changed man and that these two characters love each other, but it’s Don freaking Draper. The man isn’t going to change. Yeah, sure, she’s hot and young and embodies everything good about the late ‘60s, but Mad Men viewers, be honest with yourselves. Has she added anything to the show besides more conspiracy theories? Whether you believe in the Sharon Tate connections or not, I am interested to see how her character ends and wouldn’t be that sad if she gets murdered by a serial killer.
Watch the best Megan moment on the show, and have this song stuck in your head the rest of the day.
I've had to say goodbye to one show this year in the fictional town of Pawnee, Indiana. The idea of saying goodbye to another is almost too much to think about. This incredible creation of Matthew Weiner has taught me so much about business, relationships, history and what it means to be a woman in a male dominated industry. For that and the Mad Men collection at Banana Republic, I am forever grateful.
