Scotch and Smokes - a podcast about MAD MEN

This episode pivots to some of the women’s storylines, with Joan and Dawn taking the spotlight. Also in “To Have And To Hold” Megan has a (fake) love scene while Don has a real one. And we pose the question: is Don just a major a-hole?

"This never happened." That's the theme for this episode, in which we examine Pete's exposed affairs, the pursuit of KETCHUP, and how Don responds to Megan's bad news.

Season Six kicks off with "The Doorway," a double episode that was full of references to death. Does this portend a tragic fate for Don, Roger, or another character? We also examine the return of "the old" Don and whether he can truly be happy.

Season Five wraps up with "The Phantom," in which we find the agency doing remarkably well, even as the key figures of the firm struggle with their own hopes, fears and desires. We examine Don's dissatisfaction among the relative success, Pete's lamentable state with Beth and Trudy, Megan's unscrupulous means of getting the acting job, and Peggy's career achievement.

"Commissions and Fees" is the culmination of Lane's storyline this season, and Season 5 is likely to indelibly linked to this episode. We discuss the lead up and depiction of the tragic event, and touch on the eclipsed B-story of Sally's strange date. With one episode remaining for this season, what further surprises and developments will the final episode bring?

We discuss "The Other Woman," an episode both memorable and uncomfortable, impressive and icky. We examine the choices made by the principle female characters, and chastise Lane and Pete for their role in the developments. We take stock of the season so far, and ponder what may lie ahead in the final two episodes of the season.

Paul makes a return visit in "Christmas Waltz," pulling Harry into some strange and beguiling involvements. But the best scenes are those with Don and Joan, with dialogue that smokes. And after Don's rousing pep talk, we wonder: does Don finally have his mojo back?

Betty has been absent for a while, but she returns with a vengeance in "Dark Shadows." We find characters staking out their territory and being envious of others--none more so than the former Mrs Draper. Meanwhile, Don attempts to maintain his territory at the agency with a campaign idea for Snowball.

In "Lady Lazarus," Megan takes a leap from the agency, Don stares into the abyss, and Pete pines for more than just a quick fling.

"At The Cod Fish Ball" was a strong return to the elements of Mad Men that we most enjoy: the familiar theme of disappointment, terrific side characters, and whipsmart dialogue. Peggy takes a step forward in her relationship with Abe, but not the one she hoped for. And Don realizes his accolades aren't the ticket to success that he envisioned.

In this time-shifting, turbulent episode, characters find themselves discovering things about themselves and others--and sometimes the truth is harsh. We discuss Roger's LSD trip, Peggy's boldness, and Don's abandonment of Megan. While some characters like Peggy are growing, are others, like Roger, just repeating a cycle? And was the unconventional structure of "Far Away Places" too jarring?

In "Signal 30" we find Pete looking desperately for respect and admiration, and only finding humiliation. At the same time, Don continues to appear to be a changed man, but how long will that last?

We discuss the episode "Mystery Date" with all its dark and suspenseful turns. Embedded in the middle of the story is Don, whose fever dream is a literal nightmare. And what affects Sally more, her spooky house she lives in, or the tales from her step grandma?

In "Tea Leaves" we see the return of Betty and her learn she's changed a bit since we last saw her in Season 4. Meanwhile we examine the generation gap that exists, from the hipster kids at the Stones concern and new hire Michael, to Henry's mother. Finally, we ponder Roger's state of mind and some of the memorable scenes in this Jon Hamm directed episode.

In our premiere podcast, we discuss the first episode of season five, "A Little Kiss."