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The Best Episodes of Mad Men Season 5

Every episode of Mad Men Season 5 ranked from best to worst. Discover the Best Episodes of Mad Men Season 5!

Binge this in 10h 23m·Peaking at 9.5/10
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Episode Rankings

  1. #1 Fan Favorite
    Mad Men Season 5 Episode 12 - Commissions and Fees
    9.5/10(4471 votes)

    S5:E12

    Lane's shameful secret comes to the surface with dire consequences. Don recaptures his hunger for success, and Sally experiences a major milestone.

    Director:Christopher Manley
    Writers:André Jacquemetton, Maria Jacquemetton

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  2. Mad Men Season 5 Episode 11 - The Other Woman
    9.4/10(4630 votes)

    S5:E11

    Pete asks Joan to make a personal and moral sacrifice to ensure the company lands the Jaguar account. Don becomes furious after learning of the impact Megan's new profession will have on their life. Feeling unappreciated, Peggy attends lunch with Freddy Rumsen, who encourages her to make a move.

    Director:Phil Abraham
    Writers:Semi Chellas, Matthew Weiner

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  3. Mad Men Season 5 Episode 5 - Signal 30
    9.1/10(4023 votes)

    S5:E5

    Lane attempts to land an account with Jaguar Cars, leading to a altercation with Pete. Pete and Trudy host a dinner party in the suburbs.

    Director:John Slattery
    Writers:Matthew Weiner, Frank Pierson

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  4. Mad Men Season 5 Episode 6 - Far Away Places
    9.1/10(4364 votes)

    S5:E6

    Peggy has a tough time during a particularly formidable pitch. Don calls on a potential client. Roger and Jane have an experience with LSD.

    Director:Scott Hornbacher
    Writers:Semi Chellas, Matthew Weiner

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  5. Mad Men Season 5 Episode 7 - At the Codfish Ball
    8.7/10(3338 votes)

    S5:E7

    Don is honored at a banquet for the American Cancer Society, but finds his professional reputation has been damaged. Sally lends a hand to a relative. Megan's parents come to visit from Canada.

    Director:Michael Uppendahl
    Writer:Jonathan Igla

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  6. Mad Men Season 5 Episode 4 - Mystery Date
    8.6/10(3303 votes)

    S5:E4

    Don has an encounter with someone from the past. Meanwhile, Roger increases Peggy's workload, and Joan comes to a momentous decision.

    Director:Matt Shakman
    Writers:Matthew Weiner, Victor Levin

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  7. Mad Men Season 5 Episode 13 - The Phantom
    8.6/10(3308 votes)

    S5:E13

    Roger seeks to expand his affair with Megan's mother. Pete has a "last" encounter with Beth with lasting repercussions. Megan struggles to find acting work and asks for Don's help getting an audition. Peggy still seeks Don's approval.

    Director:Matthew Weiner
    Writers:Matthew Weiner, Jonathan Igla

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  8. Mad Men Season 5 Episode 1 - A Little Kiss (1)
    8.5/10(3487 votes)

    S5:E1

    Megan throws Don a surprise birthday party and new mother Joan begins to wonder if she still has a job when she's ready to come back.

    Director:Jennifer Getzinger
    Writer:Matthew Weiner

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  9. Mad Men Season 5 Episode 2 - A Little Kiss (2)
    8.4/10(3156 votes)

    S5:E2

    Don and Megan work out some of their issues, Roger and Pete butt heads, and Joan has a run-in with a house guest.

    Director:Jennifer Getzinger
    Writer:Matthew Weiner

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  10. Mad Men Season 5 Episode 8 - Lady Lazarus
    8.2/10(3042 votes)

    S5:E8

    Megan has second thoughts about her future at Sterling, Cooper, Draper, Pryce. Peggy lashes out when she's inadvertently put in the uncomfortable position of having to lie. Pete's effort to protect an acquaintance doesn't turn out quite like he expected.

    Director:Phil Abraham
    Writer:Matthew Weiner

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  11. Mad Men Season 5 Episode 10 - Christmas Waltz
    8.2/10(3008 votes)

    S5:E10

    Harry finds himself in an uncomfortable position after reconnecting with Paul Kinsey who has joined the Hare Krishnas. Lane takes drastic and unethical measures to get out of financial trouble. Don spends an afternoon with Joan to get her mind off her marital problems.

    Director:Michael Uppendahl
    Writers:Matthew Weiner, Victor Levin

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  12. Mad Men Season 5 Episode 9 - Dark Shadows
    8.0/10(2878 votes)

    S5:E9

    Don attempts to regain his creative spark, but undermines a member of his staff while doing so. Roger pursues some new clients, and in the process, hurts Jane. Betty displays her pettiness when she reveals a distressing secret to Sally.

    Director:Scott Hornbacher
    Writer:Erin Levy

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  13. Mad Men Season 5 Episode 3 - Tea Leaves
    7.8/10(3030 votes)

    S5:E3

    As Sterling Cooper Draper Pryce tries to build upon its current business, Peggy is given new responsibility. Don and Harry indulge a client. Betty contemplates her mortality after seeing a doctor.

    Director:Jon Hamm
    Writers:Erin Levy, Matthew Weiner

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Season 5 Ratings Summary

"Commissions and Fees" is the best rated episode of Mad Men season 5. It scored 9.5/10 from 4,471 votes. Directed by Christopher Manley and written by André Jacquemetton, Maria Jacquemetton, it aired on June 3, 2012. This episode is rated 0.1 points higher than the second-best, "The Other Woman".