Home > Mad Men > Season 1 « TV Series Page Mad Men: Season 1 (2007) SEASON: Season 1 Season 1 Season 2 Season 3 Season 4 Season 5 Season 6 Season 7 Want to see Episode List Season 1 Mad Men Critics Consensus Oozing evocative early 1960s ambiance, Mad Men is a sly, subversive look at the American workplace that radiates class, wit, and an undercurrent of disaffection. 84% TOMATOMETER Critic Ratings: 38 94% Audience Score User Ratings: 775 NEW More Info × Close Want to see Super Reviewer Submit Super Reviewer Edit Review Episodes 1 Smoke Gets in Your Eyes Air date: Jul 19, 2007 At an advertising agency in 1960s Manhattan, the creative director has problems coming up with ideas for a tobacco account and crosses swords with the female head of a large department store that she wants to take in a new retail direction. More 2 Ladies Room Air date: Jul 26, 2007 Betty sees a specialist about her ongoing physical problems; a managing partner leans on Don to get involved in the Richard Nixon presidential campaign; Peggy gets some unwanted attention from a copy writer. More 3 Marriage of Figaro Air date: Aug 2, 2007 Pete's return from his honeymoon stirs up conflicted emotions about his bachelor-party dalliance with Peggy; Don and Rachel's business relationship shifts; Betty sets tongues wagging when she invites the neighborhood divorcée to her daughter's birthday party. More 4 New Amsterdam Air date: Aug 9, 2007 Pete oversteps his bounds in dealing with a valuable client, puts his foot in his mouth and gets a lesson from Don in toeing the company line. At home, he gets pressure from his newlywed bride to buy their own apartment unit. More 5 5G Air date: Aug 16, 2007 Don wins a prestigious award and gets his face splashed on a prominent industry periodical, which triggers some fallout from his past; Ken gets a short story published in a national monthly magazine, inspiring jealousy among his colleagues. More 6 Babylon Air date: Aug 23, 2007 Peggy offers superb suggestions during a focus-group session, and her ideas are so well received that her future at the agency looks much brighter; Don asks Rachel's advice about an ad campaign for Israeli tourism. More 7 Red in the Face Air date: Aug 30, 2007 A boys' night out for Roger and Don ends badly as Roger's erratic behavior damages their relationship; Pete encounters problems on the home front as he and his bride continue to adjust to being married. More 8 The Hobo Code Air date: Sep 6, 2007 Don's mysterious past comes back to haunt him; Peggy celebrates her new work success, but not all of her colleagues and co-workers are pleased or impressed; Salvatore's relationship with a client is questioned. More 9 Shoot Air date: Sep 13, 2007 A rival ad agency tries to poach Don from Sterling Cooper, and they involve Betty in their campaign to land him; romantic rivals vie for Peggy's affections. Also, the agency steps up its Nixon presidential campaign in an attempt to counter successful Kennedy promos. More 10 Long Weekend Air date: Sep 27, 2007 Don is distraught about losing an important account, so Roger, stuck in the city on Labor Day, tries to cheer him up; Joan and her roommate paint the town. More Show More Episodes Mad Men: Season 1 Photos View All Photos (48) Tv Season Info The debut series of Matthew Weiner's intense and stylish drama follows the lives of Madison Avenue advertising executives (so-called "Mad Men") in 1960. The series centers on Don Draper (Jon Hamm), the dashing and brilliant creative director for ad agency Sterling Cooper (series 1 accounts include Richard Nixon's presidential campaign and, appropriately, Lucky Strike, given the cigarettes smoked in nearly every scene). Don's charms extend well outside of the boardroom and into the bedroom: The married man has a free-spirited lover, Midge Daniels (Rosemarie DeWitt), who's his polar opposite, and a second mistress, Rachel Menken (Maggie Siff), a client whose independence challenges Don's views on women. Don's wife, Betty (January Jones), meanwhile, dutifully fulfills her role as housewife. But when she develops a mysterious ailment that causes her to lose feeling in her hands, she's sent to a psychiatrist to work through her problems. Over at Sterling Cooper, new secretary Peggy Olson (Elisabeth Moss) tries to adjust to life in the boys club with guidance from seen-it-all bombshell secretary Joan Holloway (Christina Hendricks). Young account exec Pete Campbell (Vincent Kartheiser) also has his eyes on Peggy and quickly begins pursuing her, despite his upcoming nuptials. There's even more bad behavior at the office from skirt chasers Ken Cosgrove (Aaron Staton) and Paul Kinsey (Michael Gladis), loving but imperfect Harry Crane (Rich Sommer) and stuck-in-the-closet art director Sal Romano (Bryan Batt). Partner Roger Sterling (John Slattery) does little to set an example for his employees as he happily indulges in an array of vices and an affair with Joan. Senior partner Bertram Cooper (Robert Morse) is mostly out of touch with the staff, preferring to remain within the sanctuary of his giant office. In the midst of this workplace frivolity, Don learns that the picture-perfect life he's created for himself could be threatened by a secret from his past. Genre: Drama Network: AMC Premiere Date: Jul 19, 2007 Creator: Matthew Weiner Exec. Producer: Matthew Weiner Cast Jon Hamm as Don Draper Elisabeth Moss as Peggy Vincent Kartheiser as Pete January Jones as Betty Christina Hendricks as Joan Michael Gladis as Paul Andy Umberger as Dr. Wayne Joel Murray as Fred Rumsen Aaron Staton as Ken Rich Sommer as Harry John Slattery as Roger Sterling Maggie Siff as Rachel Menken Bryan Batt as Salvatore Jared Harris as Lane Pryce Rosemarie DeWitt as Midge Elizabeth Rice as Margaret Sterling John Cullum as Lee Garner, Sr. Kate Norby as Carol McCardy Jay Paulson as Adam Whitman Kristoffer Polaha as Carlton Hanson Robert Morse as Bertram Cooper Crista Flanagan as Lois Sadler Jim Abele as Jack Kongi Darren Pettie as Lee Garner, Jr. Christopher Allport as Andrew Campbell Ian Bohen as Roy Hazelitt Andy Umberger as Arnold Wayne Remy Auberjonois as Dr. Emerson Rebecca Creskoff as Barbara Katz Teddy Sears as Kicks Matherton Joe O'Connor as Tom Vogel Alexis Stier as Mirabelle Ames Bruce French as Hugh Brody Emma Roberts as Camille Alison Brie Darby Stanchfield as Helen Shayna Rose as Rosemary Irene Roseen as Lily Meyer Megan Stier as Eleanor Ames Randy Ogelsby as Walter Veith Paul Keeley as Elliot Lawrence Anne Dudek Talia Balsam as Mona Sterling Kiernan Shipka as Sally Draper Brian Klugman as Judd John Walcutt as Franklin Newcomb Joel Murray Scott Michael Morgan as Ralph Stubbs Joseph Culp as Archie Whitman Ryan Cutrona as Gene Driscoll Paul Schulze as Hobo Allan Miller as Abraham Menken Marten Holden Weiner as Glen John Cullum as Lee Garner, Sr. Crista Flanagan Mark Moses Rebecca Creskoff Elizabeth Rice Jay Paulson as Adam Whitman Kate Norby Mark McGann as Old Waiter Ian Bohen Joe O'Connor Stephanie Courtney as Marge Remy Auberjonois Darren Pettie Channing Chase as Dorothy Campbell Irene Roseen Jamie Proctor as Cleo Teddy Sears as Kicks Matherton Brian Klugman Britt Hysen Megan Stier H. Richard Greene Troy Ruptash Andy Hoff Shayna Rose Aaron Hart Kristen Schaal as Nannette Jim Abele Dey Young John Walcutt Bruce French Christopher Allport as Andrew Campbell Nathan Anderson Alexis Stier Randy Ogelsby Paul Keeley Joseph Culp Scott Michael Morgan Aaron Hill Ryan Cutrona Sheila Shaw Bess Rous as Marjorie Paul Schulze as Hobo Adam Kaufman Allan Miller Katherine Boecher Mandy McMillian Julie McNiven as Hildy Ross Mackenzie Deborah Lacey Gordana Rashovich as Dr. Greta Guttman Zandy Hartig as Ivy Richard Willgrubs Gregory Wagrowski Jack A. O'Connell as Bartender La Monde Byrd Henry Afro-Bradley as Busboy Lisa Lupu Heather Klar as Wanda Maura Soden Jonathan Walker Spencer James Keane Show More Cast News & Interviews for Mad Men: Season 1 Marvel’s Iron Fist Breaks Tomatometer Record with Biggest Sophomore Bump New on DVD & Blu-Ray: Snowpiercer, Mad Men, and More An Early Look at the "Fantastic" ShoWest Trailer View All Mad Men: Season 1 News Episodes 1 Smoke Gets in Your Eyes Air date: Jul 19, 2007 At an advertising agency in 1960s Manhattan, the creative director has problems coming up with ideas for a tobacco account and crosses swords with the female head of a large department store that she wants to take in a new retail direction. More 2 Ladies Room Air date: Jul 26, 2007 Betty sees a specialist about her ongoing physical problems; a managing partner leans on Don to get involved in the Richard Nixon presidential campaign; Peggy gets some unwanted attention from a copy writer. More 3 Marriage of Figaro Air date: Aug 2, 2007 Pete's return from his honeymoon stirs up conflicted emotions about his bachelor-party dalliance with Peggy; Don and Rachel's business relationship shifts; Betty sets tongues wagging when she invites the neighborhood divorcée to her daughter's birthday party. More 4 New Amsterdam Air date: Aug 9, 2007 Pete oversteps his bounds in dealing with a valuable client, puts his foot in his mouth and gets a lesson from Don in toeing the company line. At home, he gets pressure from his newlywed bride to buy their own apartment unit. More 5 5G Air date: Aug 16, 2007 Don wins a prestigious award and gets his face splashed on a prominent industry periodical, which triggers some fallout from his past; Ken gets a short story published in a national monthly magazine, inspiring jealousy among his colleagues. More 6 Babylon Air date: Aug 23, 2007 Peggy offers superb suggestions during a focus-group session, and her ideas are so well received that her future at the agency looks much brighter; Don asks Rachel's advice about an ad campaign for Israeli tourism. More 7 Red in the Face Air date: Aug 30, 2007 A boys' night out for Roger and Don ends badly as Roger's erratic behavior damages their relationship; Pete encounters problems on the home front as he and his bride continue to adjust to being married. More 8 The Hobo Code Air date: Sep 6, 2007 Don's mysterious past comes back to haunt him; Peggy celebrates her new work success, but not all of her colleagues and co-workers are pleased or impressed; Salvatore's relationship with a client is questioned. More 9 Shoot Air date: Sep 13, 2007 A rival ad agency tries to poach Don from Sterling Cooper, and they involve Betty in their campaign to land him; romantic rivals vie for Peggy's affections. Also, the agency steps up its Nixon presidential campaign in an attempt to counter successful Kennedy promos. More 10 Long Weekend Air date: Sep 27, 2007 Don is distraught about losing an important account, so Roger, stuck in the city on Labor Day, tries to cheer him up; Joan and her roommate paint the town. More Show More Episodes Critic Reviews for Mad Men Season 1 All Critics (38) | Top Critics (24) | Fresh (32) | Rotten (6) It's way too obvious, as is much too much in "Mad Men," though the show clearly fancies itself one sly fox. Jul 14, 2017 | Full Review… Diane Werts Newsday Top Critic Mad Men is progressing at a leisurely but satisfying pace. Jul 19, 2007 | Rating: A- | Full Review… Ed Bark Uncle Barky Top Critic Mad Men is a fantastic show. Jul 19, 2007 | Full Review… Alan Sepinwall Newark Star-Ledger Top Critic Compelling is the tension between Peggy and Joan. Jul 19, 2007 | Full Review… Troy Patterson Slate Top Critic Watching it is like diving into a photo spread from an Eisenhower-era issue of Look magazine. Jul 19, 2007 | Full Review… David Hinckley New York Daily News Top Critic He's one of the head sharks in a tank of ruthless Mad men whose mission is to seduce an increasingly savvy public. Jul 19, 2007 | Full Review… Matthew Gilbert Boston Globe Top Critic Dramatic, funny, insightful - and that's just in the first episode. This is a compelling slice of nostalgic Americana, looking back at a period of great change with knowing winks and uber-cool style. Nov 16, 2018 | Full Review… Gem Seddon SFX Magazine The writing is extremely weak, the plotting haphazard and often preposterous, the characterizations shallow and sometimes incoherent; its attitude toward the past is glib and its self-positioning in the present is unattractively smug... Nov 5, 2018 | Full Review… Daniel Mendelsohn The New York Review of Books "Mad Men" delivers a textured feel of intimate immediacy - not just in a kinetic sense, not just in a period sense, but in the actual outward appearance of itself as a product. Jun 14, 2018 | Full Review… Ted Boynton Pajiba This is a rich and serious character study that also delivers moments of dark humour and sly sexuality. Apr 26, 2018 | Rating: 5/5 | Full Review… Barrett Hooper NOW Toronto View All Critic Reviews (38) Audience Reviews for Mad Men: Season 1 5d ago Great period piece as well as a character piece. It's definitely a must-watch! Samuel B Mar 15, 2019 "Mad Men" gives us a fascinating and nostalgic look back to the '60s workforce in New York as well as explores its characters with serious depth and dark humor. Ryan C Dec 26, 2018 1960s NewYork lifestyle makes everyone appear as if they are brazenly careless, and have redirected their self-preservation into the acquisition and maintenance of advertising accounts. Eric W Sep 06, 2018 Puntaje Original: 7.5 Cínica, audaz e inteligente. Mad Men logra compactar una complaciente historia sobre la publicidad y su influencia en el desarrollo de la sociedad. Ayrton C May 13, 2018 Mad Men è la storia di Don Draper, pubblicitario di successo nella New York degli anni 60 ma per estensione è anche la storia dei cambiamenti della società americana in quegli anni. Il successo di Mad Men non è dovuto solo alla credibile ricostruzione del periodo, o allestetica raffinata, puntuale e organica, ma anche alla potenza della narrativa: la scrittura avvincente e i personaggi ben caratterizzati mettono in scena un dramma in costume che funziona su più livelli di lettura, da quello umano e intimo dei singoli personaggi a quello socio-culturale dellAmerica degli anni 60. Giorgio F Feb 26, 2018 Prima stagione di una serie che si prospetta tra le migliori mai create, originale e coraggiosa, sperando che il livello rimanga invariato per tutte e 7 le stagioni, cosa più unica che rara. New York 1960, Don Draper è il direttore creativo della Sterling&Cooper agenzia pubblicitaria di Madison Avenue, tanto elegante e stimato, quanto spietato e temuto, Don è la punta di diamante della società, non c'è problema lavorativo di cui non riesca a venire a capo prima o poi... e tutti pendono dalle sue labbra, dai dirigenti ai colleghi, alle impiegate. Inutile dire che tutta la prima stagione gira mirabilmente intorno a lui, personaggio scritto in modo pressochè perfetto, indimenticabile. Ma purtroppo per lui non è tutto oro quello che luccica...Pian piano, intrighi, fughe e sotterfugi tenuti nascosti a famiglia ed amici si faranno largo nella sua apparentemente vita perfetta, tra il mare di whisky e le tonnellate di sigarette che il nostro "eroe" consumerà per dimenticare e distrarsi dalle pressioni quotidiane. Tra le "qualità" in cui eccelle Donald Draper(anche se parliamo di Jon Hamm attore, non certo di Renato Rascel...la cosa un pò aiuta) ci sono soprattutto le donne, moglie e svariate amanti, che per un suo cenno non esiterebbero a gettarsi sotto un treno in corsa. Personaggione. Tra i molti comprimari spiccano su tutti la bellissima e fedelissima (e in piccole piccole dosi "depressa"...azz) moglie Betty, il collega sottoposto Pete Campbell che cercarà in ogni modo di fare le scarpe al Boss e la nuova segretaria Peggy Olson, che zitta zitta ha molte più qualità e talento di quello che questa prima e favolosa stagione vorrebbe farci credere. Da sfondo alla serie la faranno da padrone i fondamentali cambiamenti sociali, non solo riguardanti l'America, degli anni '60, dal duello Nixon- Kennedy, alla difficile situazione delle donne oppresse sia in ambito familiare che lavorativo, alle mode e ai personaggi più influenti. ASSOLUTAMENTE IMPERDIBILE. Davide M Dec 30, 2017 Stop looking for another series to watch and give this a go! William R Sep 08, 2017 Great series for coming into an understanding of mind shifts and social intercourse launched by advertising. Lots of glamour also, this was a time era where good grooming still mattered. Loved every season, every episode. Sissy S Aug 07, 2017 A contender for the best television series of all time. Sam F Mar 02, 2017 On the outside, "Mad Men" didn't look like a show I would really get into. I generally prefer mysteries, science fiction, or political thrillers. After watching just an episode or two of this show, however, I was quickly hooked. Why? It just does SO MANY things right. For a basic plot summary, "Mad Men: Season One" is the story of advertising firm Sterling Cooper in 1960. Under the jocular yet focused direction of Roger Sterling (John Slattery), Donald Draper (Jon Hamm) is the top ad man in the company. At first glance, it seems like an "idyllic society" where the men work and are supported by the women in their lives. Yet, we quickly come to find that the stereotypes and prejudices of the time (especially involving women and health) are not nearly as ideal as they seem. It is a "simpler" time, no doubt, but only in a certain definition of that word "simple". Trying to summarize this first season would take volumes, because there is just so much going on. Here are the key points that really impressed me: -The almost surreal nature of the advertising business at that time. Draper and his crew have extremely high-pressure jobs that produce high drama, yet the atmosphere is like a "good 'ole boys" club, complete with attitudes, jokes, and actions that would be abhorrent today. -The role of women on the show. Betty Draper (January Jones), secretary Peggy (Elisabeth Moss), and office "matron" Joan (Christine Hendricks) are all examples of the unique struggles of females during that time period. -The way the show really puts you into the 1960s. Some period pieces can seem "old", but this one feels real. Perhaps the hallmark of the entire first season, however, is the notion of the viewer trying to separate the "fantasy" from the "reality". I did not live through the 1960s, so I cannot directly comment on the accuracy of the social barometer shown in the series, but it was fascinating to me to wonder if this is how people once lived in our country. It isn't better or it isn't worse than today's life, just...different. Overall, I will continue to watch "Mad Men" into the second season because I am hooked on the characters and their predicaments. Zach K See all Audience reviews News & Features 150 Erotic Movies Ranked worst to best! 2019's Most Anticipated 63 movies coming up this year 200 Essential Movies Chosen by RT staff! 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