For seven incredible seasons, Mad Men was one of the most acclaimed shows on television. While the period setting and the world of New York City advertising grabbed many fans' attention, it was the journey of its characters that really hooked people into the series.
From Don Draper to Peggy Olsen to Joan Holloway, the show introduced many memorable characters for viewers to follow through the decade of the 1960s. Some of them would change for the better, others for the worse, and some would stay the same. Taking a look at their first and last lines in the series gives a sense of the journey these characters took.
10 Bert Cooper
"I always thought it was Sterling who was responsible for the navy attitude around this place." - " Whither goest thou, America, in thy shiny car in the night?"
Bert Cooper was introduced in the series as the old, wise founding partner of the company. When he walks in on some of the young salesmen roughhousing, it seems like Bert doesn't fully approve of nor understand this younger group of men.
After passing away, Bert appears to Don a couple of times as a ghost-like figure. His final appearance finds him visiting Don as he rides aimlessly down the highway, away from his responsibilities. After insisting he never read the book, Bert quotes a passage from On the Road. Both his first and last appearances cement Bert as the father figure that Don sorely needed.
9 Harry Crane
"Uh, not right away." – "Doesn't anything mean anything to you?"
Harry Crane is introduced in the first episode along with the other salesmen. They board the elevator and make lazy pick-up lines to Peggy Olsen. When he appears for the last time, Harry is joining Pete for his farewell lunch and is annoyed at Peggy for skipping it.
While Harry was once the most likable and honest out of the salesmen, he gradually becomes slimier and more dishonest as the series goes on. By the end, he proves that he always was that arrogant, noxious man who tried to pick women up in the elevators.
8 Lane Pryce
"Remarkable." - "It's cognac. It settles the stomach."
Lane Pryce is one of the more tragic figures in the show but is introduced simply enough as he examines one of Bert Cooper's paintings in his office.
In season 5, Lane is caught embezzling from the company and fired. He keeps it a secret from his wife and acts as if nothing is wrong even as she notices his accessive drinking. He reassures her only to later commit suicide. The "stiff upper lip" was one of Lane's most prominent qualities even as his world fell apart.
7 Sally Draper
"Bobby!" - "I'll show you how to do it."
Sally is the daughter of Don and Betty and their oldest child. She is introduced in the second episode, fighting with her brother as siblings tend to do. In the last episode, after finding out her mother is dying, Sally takes on the maternal role, showing her brother how to cook.
Sally clearly went through a lot of growth throughout the series and it's fascinating to see how this little girl became so strong. Seeing her take control and look after her family is a touching end for her character.
6 Joan Holloway
"Now, this is the executive floor." - "This is Joan."
Joan is introduced into the show as the head secretary in the office who is giving Peggy a tour on her first day. By the end of the series, Joan established her own film production that she operates from her apartment.
This is another example of just how far a character can come from the beginning of the show to the end. Joan learned a lot of self-confidence as a businesswoman and proved herself in a world where she was not given much respect.
5 Pete Campbell
"Oh honey, don't worry. I'll get home safely." - "That thing better be alive."
In the first episode, the other salesmen of the firm are preparing for Pete Campbell's bachelor party. As they come to whisk him away, he takes on the phone to Trudy, his fiancée and assures her he'll be fine.
After many marital issues, Pete wins Trudy back at the end of the series. He says goodbye to Peggy as he heads to a new job and gives her a cactus as a gift, promising to come back for it. It's a reminder that while Peter can be gross, he has his moments of charm.
4 Betty Draper
"I called the office. They said you'd left." – "Okay."
At the end of the first episode, after Don has drank, slept with another woman, and squeezed in a bit of work, he returns home to his wife Betty, who caringly was wondering where he was. In the finale, years after they divorced, Don and Betty cry together on the phone as she tells him she is dying.
The relationship between Don and Betty was flawed, but there was always love between them. They leave that final moment with a promise to speak again.
3 Roger Sterling
"Morning, girls." – "Two lobsters and a bottle of champagne for my mother, please."
Roger Sterling is an essential member of the firm, but it always seemed obvious that he enjoyed the lifestyle of the job more than the actual work. His greeting of the secretaries in the first episode is a hint. In the finale, he is a married man who seems to enjoy kidding around with his new French wife while ordering in a Parisian restaurant.
This presents some interesting views on how far Roger came. On the one hand, it suggests after years of bedding younger women, he settled down with someone closer to his own age. On the other hand, it hints that he is as much of a rascal as ever.
2 Peggy Olsen
"Great." - "I love you."
Peggy Olsen is another very intriguing character on the show who goes through an amazing arc. She is introduced as the shy new girl in the office who can barely give one-word answers because she is so nervous. But before viewers' eyes, Peggy grew into a confident and talented creative for the firm and the finale finds her realizing her feelings for Stan after he confesses that he's in love with her.
Seeing that timid new secretary grow into a woman who found legitimate happiness, professionally and personally, was one of Mad Men's most satisfying storylines.
1 Don Draper
"Yeah. Hey, do you have a light?" – "Om."
The first scene of the show finds Don Draper alone in a smoke-filled bar as he asks the waiter some questions to help him craft his pitch for a cigarette company. The final scene finds Don participating in a meditation chant which leads to him dreaming up the perfect Coke commercial.
In both instances, this shows that Don is a man obsessed with his work. Whether he's having a drink or meditating in a commune, he cannot help but create that perfect ad.
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