‘Mad Men’ season 7 endgame debate: We finally turn to Jon Hamm, Don Draper
Alas, the end is here for our “Mad Men” endgame debate series, and with this article, we place the focus on a man who is the undisputed lead of the show, and whose journey frames much of everything that we see: Don Draper. What a fall from grace this man has managed for himself over the past several years. He was at one point married, his kids loved him, and sailing smoothly as a partner at a firm. Now, the state of his relationship with Megan is in shambles, he has been forced out by SC&P, and his daughter hates him for cheating. The only solace he has comes in the decision to actually tell his children who he really is.
So where can this story go from here? Can Don be fully redeemed? To him, it feels like redemption and honesty go hand in hand; he has already went down the road of using lies as a crutch to find his way in the world; perhaps it is time to try going down a different road.
When it comes to his personal life, we don’t think that Megan can make him happy or fulfilled anymore. The damage is too deep, and this is a man who has relied far too much on someone else for his happiness as an adult. He needs to take a backseat from that, just as he needs to realize what it is his kids really want from him. Be honest with them, and let Sally tell the world what she saw. It’s the only way to make things right.
We don’t believe that Don will do all of these things; “Mad Men” is not a show that considers itself idealist, and it surely is not going to start thinking with these sort of ideas in mind now. But if Don can pick up a few of these traits and focus on what life really could be for him, then we think he may have a shot at happiness someday. It’s just not going to come overnight, and he has never been a particularly patient man.
Do we envision a thoroughly happy ending for this man? Not entirely, but we fashion an ending in our head where he is at peace; not overjoyed, and not destitute. We don’t want to see the man die, and nor do we want to see him rewarded for some of his more shady actions.
What do you think about the closing chapter of Don’s tale, and what sort of ending do you believe he should have? If you want to check out some more news related to the “Mad Men” endgame debate series, be sure to visit the link here.
Photo: AMC
Fritz Franklin
July 11, 2013 @ 9:37 am
The question of what will happen to Don/Dick is the obvious one, but it is posed well here. I agree with you strongly on Megan. After spending a whole season being a complete doormat, I don’t think the character can be rehabilitated. It would be different if she had done something in season six, like an affair of her own, but she was entirely too forgiving and passive throughout. I don’t think I could handle any significant amount of time spent on Don & her trying to make a long-distance relationship work. On the flipside, there’s over two seasons of investment in this character, so it seems unlikely that they would dump her all together.
I think the ending of Don/Dick’s tale in Mad Men should have some reconciliation of these two identities without betraying the character we’ve been watching for six seasons. You’re completely right that any romantic ending where he is off the booze & in a happy relationship with a woman and his children would be a betrayal. I’m fine with Don not being an alcoholic, but I think romantic fulfillment in any lasting sense is simply an impossibility for the character. The same with real friendship. I’d like to see him have his moments of happiness and connection with others, but the series simply has to end with the understanding that it is fleeting.
Finally, season six left us with a Don Draper realizing he was creatively unfulfilled by his career in advertising, as well as his personal creation of Don Draper. This is a character who has always been driven by creativity, and in his best moments used that creativity to address the pain of his childhood and question of who he is. Will we see him try to do this in a different form than an advertisement? How will he find creative fulfillment away from the agency and drink? My instinct is to say that I’d love to see him find resolution and clarity by writing a great book, then return to his boozing and womanizing ways as he’s swept away by its success. It would be a sad way to end the show, but it would remain true to the character and his world.