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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 1 Episode 2 - Ladies Room
    7.5/10(4983 votes)

    #1 - 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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  2. Mad Men Season 6 Episode 1 - The Doorway (1)
    7.5/10(2936 votes)

    #2 - 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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  3. Mad Men Season 1 Episode 3 - Marriage of Figaro
    7.6/10(4638 votes)

    #3 - 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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  4. Mad Men Season 2 Episode 1 - For Those Who Think Young
    7.6/10(3471 votes)

    #4 - 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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  5. Mad Men Season 6 Episode 2 - The Doorway (2)
    7.6/10(2750 votes)

    #5 - 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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  6. Mad Men Season 3 Episode 2 - Love Among the Ruins
    7.7/10(2952 votes)

    #6 - 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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  7. Mad Men Season 1 Episode 6 - Babylon
    7.8/10(4235 votes)

    #7 - 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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  8. Mad Men Season 2 Episode 2 - Flight 1
    7.8/10(3354 votes)

    #8 - 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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  9. Mad Men Season 2 Episode 3 - The Benefactor
    7.8/10(3289 votes)

    #9 - The Benefactor

    S2:E3

    Trouble arises on the set of a commercial; Harry tries to gather support for a controversial sponsorship; Betty and Don try to appease a client with a friendly dinner.

    Director:Lesli Linka Glatter
    Writers:Matthew Weiner, Rick Cleveland

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  10. Mad Men Season 5 Episode 3 - Tea Leaves
    7.8/10(2812 votes)

    #10 - Tea Leaves

    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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  11. Mad Men Season 6 Episode 3 - Collaborators
    7.8/10(2682 votes)

    #11 - Collaborators

    S6:E3

    While Don continues his affair with Sylvia, Pete's latest infidelity threatens his marriage. Meanwhile, Peggy's icy relationship with her new staff continues, but she also gets an unlikely tip on a potential new client.

    Director:Jon Hamm
    Writers:Matthew Weiner, Jonathan Igla

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  12. Mad Men Season 7 Episode 9 - New Business
    7.8/10(2664 votes)

    #12 - New Business

    S7:E9

    Roger gives Don some unwanted advice. Peggy and Stan disagree over an account's personnel. Harry asks for Don's blessing.

    Director:Michael Uppendahl
    Writers:Matthew Weiner, Tom Smuts

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  13. Mad Men Season 1 Episode 4 - New Amsterdam
    7.9/10(4407 votes)

    #13 - New Amsterdam

    S1:E4

    Pete's professional and personal lives become more complicated as he struggles to assert power in both. While facing pressure from his wife regarding a new apartment, he further alienates Don and endangers his own position at Sterling Cooper.

    Director:Tim Hunter
    Writer:Lisa Albert

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  14. Mad Men Season 2 Episode 6 - Maidenform
    7.9/10(3193 votes)

    #14 - 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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  15. Mad Men Season 2 Episode 10 - The Inheritance
    7.9/10(3086 votes)

    #15 - The Inheritance

    S2:E10

    Betty visits her father; Paul's girlfriend tries to convince him to prioritize his duties; Pete's mother disapproves of his and Trudy's idea.

    Director:Andrew Bernstein
    Writers:Matthew Weiner, Lisa Albert, Marti Noxon

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  16. Mad Men Season 3 Episode 8 - Souvenir
    7.9/10(2925 votes)

    #16 - 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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  17. Mad Men Season 6 Episode 7 - Man With a Plan
    7.9/10(2643 votes)

    #17 - Man With a Plan

    S6:E7

    Things quickly become awkward after the two firms merge, Don asserts his dominance over Sylvia, Pete has to deal with his ailing mother, and Bob Benson helps out a sick Joan.

    Director:John Slattery
    Writers:Matthew Weiner, Semi Chellas

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  18. Mad Men Season 7 Episode 1 - Time Zones
    7.9/10(2824 votes)

    #18 - Time Zones

    S7:E1

    Don makes a new friend. Joan meets a client for drinks. Peggy hears impressive new work. Roger has a puzzling phone call.

    Director:Scott Hornbacher
    Writer:Matthew Weiner

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  19. Mad Men Season 1 Episode 7 - Red in the Face
    8.0/10(4059 votes)

    #19 - Red in the Face

    S1:E7

    Roger joins Don for an evening of dinner and drinking, during which Roger's behavior leads to a rift in their friendship. Though Don accepts his apology, there are further consequences for Roger. Pete faces trouble at home as he continues to struggle with the demands of his new marriage.

    Director:Tim Hunter
    Writer:Bridget Bedard

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  20. Mad Men Season 3 Episode 3 - My Old Kentucky Home
    8.0/10(3154 votes)

    #20 - My Old Kentucky Home

    S3:E3

    The writers make an attempt to stave off late-night boredom during a mandatory overtime session. Roger throws a party as Joan and Greg host their own party. Sally has a run-in with Grandpa.

    Director:Jennifer Getzinger
    Writers:Matthew Weiner, Dahvi Waller

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  21. Mad Men Season 3 Episode 4 - The Arrangements
    8.0/10(2952 votes)

    #21 - 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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  22. Mad Men Season 3 Episode 5 - The Fog
    8.0/10(2982 votes)

    #22 - The Fog

    S3:E5

    Sally's behavior causes concern for Don and Betty. Betty has an eye-opening dream that has a strange effect on her. Pete tries to work a new business angle in his dealings.

    Director:Phil Abraham
    Writer:Kater Gordon

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  23. Mad Men Season 5 Episode 9 - Dark Shadows
    8.0/10(2667 votes)

    #23 - Dark Shadows

    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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  24. Mad Men Season 6 Episode 4 - To Have and to Hold
    8.0/10(2645 votes)

    #24 - To Have and to Hold

    S6:E4

    Don works in secret on a Heinz ketchup campaign while Megan gets a love scene on the set of her soap opera. Meanwhile, Harry makes his power play while Joan has more trouble with the secretaries.

    Director:Michael Uppendahl
    Writer:Erin Levy

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  25. Mad Men Season 1 Episode 1 - Smoke Gets in Your Eyes
    8.1/10(6625 votes)

    #25 - 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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Worst Episodes Summary

"Ladies Room" is the worst rated episode of "Mad Men". It scored 7.5/10 based on 4983 votes. Directed by Alan Taylor and written by Matthew Weiner, it aired on 7/26/2007. This episode scored 0.0 points lower than the second lowest rated, "The Doorway (1)".