‘Mad Men’ season 7, episode 7 preview: Diverging paths in the midseason finale

While there are a number of shows that are going off of the air for the Memorial Day holiday, “Mad Men” is doing something Sunday night that not even “Game of Thrones” dares to bear: Giving a Sunday where people are out barbecuing a chance to drive in ratings.

What Sunday’s episode really is for the show is a potential turning point … or a chance for Matthew Weiner and the writers to do more of the same. It all depends on the way in which he prefers to approach it.

From one standpoint, it makes sense to just make this into a regular episode of the show. After all, this is only the seventh episode of the season, and maybe there is not enough buildup for things to truly come to a head. Don is still new at SC&P again, and while some of his colleagues want him out, they have yet to find a way to do so. Meanwhile, Roger’s story still has a way to go, and life between Don and Megan has stabilized somewhat save for her bringing some more of her stuff to Los Angeles.

With all this being said, how amazing would it be if “Mad Men” actually swung for the fences rather than going for the subtle approach? We don’t encourage the show to make big moves much, but to us it feels like the show needs it to set up the final seven episodes. It does not feel quite like Don and Megan are destined to be together in the end, just like it doesn’t quite feel like Don and his company are on the same page anymore. Change could be a good thing, and it could elevate this already-great show yet again to a new level.

What do you think is coming up on the “Mad Men” midseason finale? Share your thoughts below, and head over to the link here to get our full take on the last episode of the show via our new podcast. Also, sign up to get some additional TV updates courtesy of our CarterMatt Newsletter.

Photo: AMC