Matthew Weiner's masterpiece Mad Men is a slow-burn, but as every fan of the show knows, it's far from boring or forgettable. It's filled with impactful scenes that are etched in the memory of all fans. The show features one of the best screenplays in the history of television as well as stunning cinematography and outfits.
The series evokes a variety of feelings in viewers. Sometimes, they are moved to tears, but other times, they can't help but burst out laughing. After all, the Mad Men characters got themselves in all sorts of predicaments, especially when they decided to get some after-work drinks. Some Mad Men scenes are so iconic that they now undoubtedly live rent-free in every fan's head. Some even make for amazing meme material!
Joan Dumps Greg
Joan and Greg were doomed from the start. She knew what kind of a man he was even before they got married: insecure and disrespectful. They had one of the worst relationships in Mad Men, so it was truly glorious to see Joan break up with him in season 5.
"I'm glad the army makes you feel like a man because I'm sick of trying to do it," she iconically told him. Curiously enough, Joan was still a bit disheartened when she got served divorce papers later on in the show.
Bert Cooper Sings The Best Things In Life Are Free
The fact that the final season of Mad Men was more experimental than others made many fans feel that the show was losing its edge. In the mid-season finale, Don has a vision of shoe-less Bert Cooper singing "The Best Things In Life Are Free".
If it's not the charming choreography that's living in every fan's head, it's Don's facial expression as his vision fades away.
Don & Peggy Dance
No list of quintessential Mad Men moments is complete without a scene between Peggy and Don. In one of their best episodes, "The Strategy", they open up to each other and talk like equals. They discuss the typical American family and Peggy shares how she feels about turning 30 years old.
The highlight of the scene is Don inviting Peggy to dance as Frank Sinatra's "My Way" plays in the background. She accepted and leaned her head on his chest as they slowly swayed to the music.
Pete Tells Bob How He Is
In the span of the entire show, Pete transformed from an entitled and spoiled young man into a well-rounded, responsible adult. What drove his change in character were all the trials and tribulations he endured, one of them being his mother's mysterious death.
The scene in which Bob Benson holds the elevator for him and asks him how he was doing is pure comedic gold. "Not great, Bob!", says Pete. Many fans have undoubtedly quoted Pete when they were feeling agitated themselves. Some even went as far as to make a musical number out of it!
The Carousel
This emotional scene is considered one of Don Draper's best monologues and as such, every fan knows it almost by heart. He explains to his clients that the two most powerful things in marketing are the words 'new' and an emotional bond a consumer has with a product.
As he starts showing the slides depicting his family life, he says that nostalgia is "a twinge in your heart far more powerful than memory alone". By the end of his presentation, Harry got so emotional that he had to leave the room. The cherry on top of this unforgettable scene was Duck's mic drop. "Good luck at your next meeting," he told the clients, as Don smiled slyly.
Megan Sings Zou Bisou Bisou
Just like Prince Charles wasn't thrilled with Diana's thoughtful birthday performance of "Uptown Girl" in The Crown, so did Don barely hide how uncomfortable he felt as Megan sang him "Zou Bisou Bisou" for his 40th birthday. The scene was cringey to watch, yet the song was incredibly catchy. Fans of the show can't help but hum it to themselves every once in a while.
Not many other scenes so aptly show that Don really should have been with somebody else rather than Megan. The highlight of the scene is the little dialogue between Roger and Jane. "Why don't you sing like that?" Roger asked her. "Why don't you look like him?", she replied. Ouch!
Pete & Lane's Fistfight
In season 5, Pete and Lane bumped heads with each other - almost literally. Lane was so angry at Pete that he challenged him to a fistfight. "As soon as I raise my hands, I warn you, it shall be too late to run," Lane said as Pete got up to accept the challenge.
Meanwhile, Don, Roger, and Bert didn't do a single thing to prevent the fight from happening. Instead, Roger lit a cigarette and Don closed the curtains. Bert called the confrontation "medieval". Many fans felt that Pete had it coming, so the fight was really entertaining to watch.
Betty Shooting Pigeons
One of the most memorable scenes from season 1 is Betty shooting her neighbor's pigeons. Betty Draper had everything that a woman of that era should have wished for: her own car, a successful husband, two beautiful children, and a housekeeper. She probably felt like a caged bird - taken care of, yet not independent. She was jealous of the flying pigeons. Unlike her, they were free.
Betty in her beautiful angelic nightgown on her big backyard contrasted with a cigarette in her mouth and a shotgun in her hands makes for a truly magnificent scene. It blatantly showed that Betty was struggling inside, despite having it all.
Peggy Skating In The Office
Peggy and Roger rarely crossed paths, but when they did, it was magic. They shared their best moment in the empty offices of Sterling Cooper. Drunk on Vermouth, Roger played the organ, while Peggy skated around the office.
This outstanding scene was followed by yet another, equally unforgettable one: Peggy walking into her new office the next day, carrying the infamous 'The Dream of the Fisherman's Wife" painting under her arms.
The Lawnmower Incident
"That's life. One minute you're on top of the world. The next minute, some secretary is running you over with a lawnmower," said Joan. The scene in which Lois runs over some executive's foot with a lawnmower is one of the most shocking ones on Mad Men.
That isn't to say it's not funny, though, especially the comments that followed the incident. When hearing that the guy might lose his foot, Roger said: "Right when he got in the door." Everyone chuckled, including the fans.