Mad Men

10 Best Episodes of Mad Men - Season 5

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.

Written by Sophie and last updated on jan 22, 2023.

PS: The following content contains spoilers!

PPS: I will admit that parts of this page was written with the help of AI - it makes my work so much easier to not start from a blank page!

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Mad Men - S5E3

#13 - Tea Leaves (Season 5 - Episode 3)

Betty has a health scare; SCDP gets Mohawk Airlines' business back; Peggy interviews Michael Ginsberg, a brash young copywriter.

The episode was rated 7.83 from 601 votes.

Mad Men - S5E9

#12 - Dark Shadows (Season 5 - Episode 9)

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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.

The episode was rated 7.98 from 603 votes.

Mad Men - S5E10

#11 - Christmas Waltz (Season 5 - Episode 10)

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.

The episode was rated 8.01 from 609 votes.

Mad Men - S5E8

#10 - Lady Lazarus (Season 5 - Episode 8)

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Megan leaves SCDP to pursue her acting career; Pete has a fling with his train buddy's wife and then obsesses over her; Don tries to understand the music of the day.

The episode was rated 8.02 from 600 votes.

Mad Men - S5E4

#9 - Mystery Date (Season 5 - Episode 4)

Don has a murderous dream about a woman from the past; Roger pays Peggy to bail him out with the Mohawk campaign; Greg's military assignment threatens his marriage to Joan.

The episode was rated 8.06 from 619 votes.

Mad Men - S5E6

#8 - Far Away Places (Season 5 - Episode 6)

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Don abandons Megan at an upstate Howard Johnson's; Peggy fights with Abe and then Heinz; Roger and Jane try LSD but then break up.

The episode was rated 8.15 from 622 votes.

Mad Men - S5E13

#7 - The Phantom (Season 5 - Episode 13)

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.

The episode was rated 8.18 from 647 votes.

Mad Men - S5E1

#6 - A Little Kiss (1) (Season 5 - Episode 1)

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Megan's surprise party for Don backfires on her; Joan adjusts to life as a mother; Roger and Pete butt heads; Lane dreams of the woman who owns a wallet he had found; SCDP takes a jab at a rival agency caught pulling a racist prank.

The episode was rated 8.20 from 623 votes.

Mad Men - S5E2

#5 - A Little Kiss (2) (Season 5 - Episode 2)

Megan's surprise party for Don backfires on her; Joan adjusts to life as a mother; Roger and Pete butt heads; Lane dreams of the woman who owns a wallet he had found; SCDP takes a jab at a rival agency caught pulling a racist prank.

The episode was rated 8.24 from 345 votes.

Mad Men - S5E7

#4 - At the Codfish Ball (Season 5 - Episode 7)

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Don is honored at a banquet; Megan saves the day with Heinz; Roger asks Mona for help and begins an affair with Megan's mother. Peggy expects a proposal from Abe but instead moves in with him.

The episode was rated 8.31 from 626 votes.

Mad Men - S5E5

#3 - Signal 30 (Season 5 - Episode 5)

The Campbells host a dinner party; Pete tries to make time with a teenage girl; Lane tries to snare Jaguar but ends up coming to blows with Pete.

The episode was rated 8.38 from 639 votes.

Mad Men - S5E12

#2 - Commissions and Fees (Season 5 - Episode 12)

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

The episode was rated 8.63 from 660 votes.

Mad Men - S5E11

#1 - The Other Woman (Season 5 - Episode 11)

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.

The episode was rated 8.64 from 674 votes.

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