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The Worst Episodes of Mad Men

Every episode of Mad Men ranked from worst to best. Explore the Worst Episodes of Mad Men!

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Set in 1960-1970 New York, this sexy, stylized and provocative drama follows the lives of the ruthlessly competitive men and women of Madison Avenue advertising.

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Episode Rankings

  1. #1 Worst Episode
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    Mad Men Season 3 Episode 9 - Wee Small Hours
    6.9/10(2956 votes)

    #1 - Wee Small Hours

    S3:E9

    There is trouble for Don and Sal in giving their clients what they ask for. Meanwhile, Betty hosts a fundraiser.

    Director:Scott Hornbacher
    Writers:Matthew Weiner, Dahvi Waller

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  2. Mad Men Season 3 Episode 8 - Souvenir
    7.0/10(3005 votes)

    #2 - Souvenir

    S3:E8

    Don decides to include Betty on a company business trip. Pete lends a hand to a neighbor in his apartment building.

    Director:Phil Abraham
    Writers:Matthew Weiner, Lisa Albert

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  3. Mad Men Season 5 Episode 4 - Mystery Date
    7.0/10(3161 votes)

    #3 - Mystery Date

    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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  4. Mad Men Season 1 Episode 10 - Long Weekend
    7.1/10(4010 votes)

    #4 - Long Weekend

    S1:E10

    Don loses an account. Roger, stuck in the city for Labor Day weekend, attempts to cheer him up. Meanwhile, Joan has a night out on the town with her roommate.

    Director:Tim Hunter
    Writers:Maria Jacquemetton, André Jacquemetton, Matthew Weiner, Bridget Bedard

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  5. Mad Men Season 2 Episode 4 - Three Sundays
    7.1/10(3385 votes)

    #5 - Three Sundays

    S2:E4

    Peggy's family hosts a lunch for their church's new priest; Don and Betty enjoy a weekend together; Pete and Ken take a client out to lunch; the staff works to prepare for a last minute pitch meeting.

    Director:Tim Hunter
    Writers:Maria Jacquemetton, André Jacquemetton

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  6. Mad Men Season 2 Episode 11 - The Jet Set
    7.2/10(3499 votes)

    #6 - The Jet Set

    S2:E11

    Don makes some new friends on his trip to Los Angeles; Peggy looks for romance; Duck ponders the future of Sterling Cooper.

    Director:Phil Abraham
    Writer:Matthew Weiner

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  7. Mad Men Season 5 Episode 8 - Lady Lazarus
    7.2/10(2899 votes)

    #7 - Lady Lazarus

    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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  8. Mad Men Season 6 Episode 2 - The Doorway (2)
    7.2/10(2829 votes)

    #8 - The Doorway (2)

    S6:E2

    Don strikes up a friendship with the surgeon in his building, Peggy tries to save her campaign, Roger makes a scene at his mother's funeral, and Betty goes to Manhattan to find Sally's friend.

    Director:Scott Hornbacher
    Writer:Matthew Weiner

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  9. Mad Men Season 4 Episode 9 - The Beautiful Girls
    7.3/10(3280 votes)

    #9 - The Beautiful Girls

    S4:E9

    Peggy is forced to face some unpleasant facts about a client's discriminatory business practices. Don and Faye's burgeoning relationship is tested when Sally runs away from home and turns up at the office. Roger tries to rekindle his affair with Joan.

    Director:Michael Uppendahl
    Writers:Matthew Weiner, Dahvi Waller

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  10. Mad Men Season 5 Episode 1 - A Little Kiss (1)
    7.3/10(3344 votes)

    #10 - A Little Kiss (1)

    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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  11. Mad Men Season 4 Episode 3 - The Good News
    7.4/10(3312 votes)

    #11 - The Good News

    S4:E3

    Don takes a trip. Joan has scheduling problems. Don and Lane get to know each other a little better.

    Director:Jennifer Getzinger
    Writers:Matthew Weiner, Jonathan Abrahams

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  12. Mad Men Season 5 Episode 7 - At the Codfish Ball
    7.4/10(3181 votes)

    #12 - At the Codfish Ball

    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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  13. Mad Men Season 6 Episode 1 - The Doorway (1)
    7.4/10(3017 votes)

    #13 - The Doorway (1)

    S6:E1

    Don and Megan take a trip to Hawaii for the holidays, Sally's friend visits the Francis family, a comedian torpedoes Peggy's Super Bowl ad campaign, and Roger gets some bad news about his mother.

    Director:Scott Hornbacher
    Writer:Matthew Weiner

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  14. Mad Men Season 6 Episode 9 - The Better Half
    7.4/10(2800 votes)

    #14 - The Better Half

    S6:E9

    Peggy becomes unsatisfied with her apartment and with Abe, Don has an eventful weekend with Betty while Megan has problems on the set, Roger has time with his grandson, and Pete begins exploring his options outside the firm.

    Director:Phil Abraham
    Writers:Erin Levy, Matthew Weiner

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  15. Mad Men Season 1 Episode 1 - Smoke Gets in Your Eyes
    7.5/10(6808 votes)

    #15 - Smoke Gets in Your Eyes

    S1:E1

    In 1960 New York City - the high-powered and glamorous "Golden Age" of advertising - Don Draper, the biggest ad man in the business, struggles to stay a step ahead of the rapidly changing times and the young executives nipping at his heels.

    Director:Alan Taylor
    Writer:Matthew Weiner

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  16. Mad Men Season 1 Episode 3 - Marriage of Figaro
    7.5/10(4767 votes)

    #16 - Marriage of Figaro

    S1:E3

    Pete returns from his honeymoon, excited about his new marriage, but conflicted about his past encounter with Peggy. After his business relationship with Rachel takes an unforeseen turn, Don attends a party which further illuminates his increasing dissatisfaction with his present life.

    Director:Ed Bianchi
    Writer:Tom Palmer

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  17. Mad Men Season 1 Episode 6 - Babylon
    7.5/10(4365 votes)

    #17 - Babylon

    S1:E6

    A taboo office romance is revealed. At a brainstorming session, Peggy proves to be more than a secretary, opening up new opportunities for her at Sterling Cooper. Meanwhile, Rachel faces her conflicted feelings for Don after he seeks out her advice on a new campaign.

    Director:Andrew Bernstein
    Writers:Maria Jacquemetton, André Jacquemetton

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  18. Mad Men Season 2 Episode 1 - For Those Who Think Young
    7.5/10(3562 votes)

    #18 - For Those Who Think Young

    S2:E1

    It’s Valentine’s Day, and the Sterling Cooper advertising agency is hustling to stay on top of its game and buzzing over the newest office equipment. Don and Duck find themselves at odds over an account. Betty reconnects with an old friend and once again finds herself struggling with car trouble.

    Director:Tim Hunter
    Writer:Matthew Weiner

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  19. Mad Men Season 3 Episode 4 - The Arrangements
    7.5/10(3033 votes)

    #19 - The Arrangements

    S3:E4

    Don and his father-in-law cross paths. Meanwhile, Peggy is in search of a new roommate; and a rich new client is excited to be doing business with the firm.

    Director:Michael Uppendahl
    Writers:Matthew Weiner, Andrew Colville

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  20. Mad Men Season 4 Episode 1 - Public Relations
    7.5/10(3302 votes)

    #20 - Public Relations

    S4:E1

    Don deals with a trade-paper interview but doesn't want to talk about himself. A manufacturer of a "wholesome" two-piece bathing suit wants to hire the firm but doesn't want anything too risque. Pete and Peggy try to secure more money for the firm.

    Director:Phil Abraham
    Writer:Matthew Weiner

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  21. Mad Men Season 5 Episode 13 - The Phantom
    7.5/10(3167 votes)

    #21 - The Phantom

    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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  22. Mad Men Season 1 Episode 2 - Ladies Room
    7.6/10(5127 votes)

    #22 - Ladies Room

    S1:E2

    Don continues to conceal his increasingly complicated personal life, even in the face of Roger Sterling's invitation to open up. Meanwhile, Peggy pines for the absent Pete still on his honeymoon while fending off the advances of several of the men of Sterling Cooper.

    Director:Alan Taylor
    Writer:Matthew Weiner

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  23. Mad Men Season 2 Episode 2 - Flight 1
    7.6/10(3442 votes)

    #23 - Flight 1

    S2:E2

    Paul hosts a party at his apartment and introduces someone special to his Sterling Cooper colleagues. Peggy visits her family for dinner. Despite a conflict of interest, the Sterling Cooper agency aggressively pursues an airline account and Duck attempts to appeal to the client using an unorthodox approach.

    Director:Andrew Bernstein
    Writers:Matthew Weiner, Lisa Albert

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  24. Mad Men Season 2 Episode 6 - Maidenform
    7.6/10(3277 votes)

    #24 - Maidenform

    S2:E6

    Don and Duck try to make peace; Peggy tries to get into the executive's after-hours meetings; Duck deals with a family visit.

    Director:Phil Abraham
    Writer:Matthew Weiner

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  25. Mad Men Season 3 Episode 2 - Love Among the Ruins
    7.6/10(3036 votes)

    #25 - Love Among the Ruins

    S3:E2

    Don's father-in-law pays a visit to his daughter's family. Peggy works hard on a campaign while the firm tries to decide if they will accommodate an unusual request from a client. Elsewhere, Roger plans a wedding.

    Director:Lesli Linka Glatter
    Writers:Matthew Weiner, Cathryn Humphris

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Worst Episodes Summary

"Wee Small Hours" is the worst rated episode of "Mad Men". It scored 6.9/10 based on 2956 votes. Directed by Scott Hornbacher and written by Matthew Weiner, Dahvi Waller, it aired on 10/11/2009. This episode scored 0.1 points lower than the second lowest rated, "Souvenir".