Among the many fascinating things about Mad Men, one aspect that seemed to really grab the interest of viewers was the glimpse inside the work of an advertising firm. Watching the characters work in this high-stakes world was surprisingly thrilling and filled with plenty of ups and downs.
The professionals that filled the various roles in the office ranged from excellent at their jobs to totally incompetent. Some flourished in this world while others didn't last long. However, it seems as though everyone had at least a few good moments while even the most successful among them were capable of mistakes.
Lane: ing New Firm / Embezzling Money
Lane Pryce was introduced in the show's third season as an executive from the parent company in England. While he is sent to get the firm in order, he later learns that the firm will be dissolved and he will be moved elsewhere. Finally standing up for himself, Lane s the initiative to start a brand-new firm with himself as a partner.
While Lane was a big part of making the new firm possible, he also betrays his colleagues by embezzling funds. He gives himself a bonus by forging Don's signature, which leads to him being fired and eventually taking his own life.
Freddy: Recognizing Peggy's Talent / Drinking At Work
As the senior copywriter at the firm, Freddy Rumsen had a very important role even if it wasn't highlighted all that much. However, his biggest accomplishment at work was being able to spot talent that everyone else was overlooking. He was the one to point out Peggy's skill for writing when she was still a secretary.
Drinking has always been a big part of the professional life in Mad Men with many of the characters clearly displaying drinking problems. However, Freddy makes it all too apparent when he wets himself and es out before a big meeting.
Duck: Facilitating A Merger / The American Airlines Deal
Duck Phillips is brought in as the firm's s man. Despite his confidence and promise of big success, he fails to deliver in the position. Starting to fear for his job, Duck approaches his old firm in England and convinces them to buy Sterling Cooper, thus saving himself.
One of the earliest blunders Duck makes is in regards to American Airlines. Following a plane crash, Duck hears word that the company is looking for a new advertising firm. Duck convinces the others to drop their existing airline client to make way for American Airlines. However, that deal falls through leaving the firm without either client.
Ken: Easygoing Attitude / Pursuing Revenge
Though Ken Cosgrove is introduced as one of the men in the early seasons of the show, his attitude toward his job was much different than his colleagues. Despite his writing talent, Ken took a very easygoing approach to office politics which allowed him to get promotions and raises over his frustrated co-workers.
Eventually, Ken's easygoing nature gets eaten away. Though he doesn't enjoy his job and has plans to become a writer full-time, he abandons these plans when he is fired from the firm. He s another company and another job he dislikes purely out of spite.
Harry: Moving Into Television / Attempting To Sleep With Megan
One common issue the professionals in the show face is becoming irrelevant. Harry Crane finds himself faced with that possibility, which would mean losing his job. In an effort to prove himself, he begins exploring television advertising. This becomes huge for the company and makes Harry much more powerful.
Though Harry started out as a decent guy, his success in television advertising changed him into one of the worst men in the office. This leads to him trying to seduce Don's wife Megan under the guise of a casting meeting, much to her disgust.
Roger: Getting Chevrolet / Sabotaging Honda Deal
Despite being one of the owners of the partners of the firm, Roger Sterling is mostly seen as a hard-drinking playboy who jokes around a lot. He was never really seen as someone who was necessary to the success of the firm, but he proved himself by acquiring Chevrolet as a client, something the firm had been hoping to do for a while.
Ironically, Roger's lowest point as a professional was when he sabotaged the chances of acquiring another car company. Roger storms into a meeting with Honda and begins insulting the clients with racist remarks, ending any potential business.
Joan: Leaving Her Secretary Duties / Insulting Peggy's Ambitions
Joan Harris is one of the most important people in the office and is essential to keeping things running. While she is eventually named a partner, she still manages the office because she's so good at it. However, she eventually realizes in order to be taken seriously as a partner, she needs to leave that work behind.
While Joan proves herself to be one of the most ambitious characters on the show, she is quite insulting of another woman with dreams of escaping stereotypical roles. Joan is quite mean when Peggy expresses an interest in writing and she looks quite foolish when Peggy proves her talent.
Pete: The Nixon Campaign / Blackmailing Don
Pete Campbell doesn't have the same creative mind as some of the others in the firm, but he does have the occasional good business idea. When looking to provide ads for the Nixon campaign, Pete comes up with the brilliant idea to simply fill the airwaves with commercials for their clients, thus leaving no room for Kennedy ads.
Pete can be a key member of the team but he often clashes with Don. After learning Don's true identity, Pete attempts to use it to blackmail Don, who simply calls his bluff. When Pete tells Cooper the truth, the senior partner tells Pete "Who cares?"
Peggy: Having Confidence In Her Skills / Starting A Relationship With Ted
In the first episode of the series, Peggy comes into the office as the timid new secretary. But before long, she begins displaying skill as a writer. Even though others dismiss her at first, she has the confidence to demand more work and grow as a professional.
Peggy has proven herself to be so preoccupied with work that she lets her relationships fall apart. It shouldn't be surprising that she eventually pursued a relationship with her married boss, Ted. But predictably, a work romance became too complicated and got in the way of Peggy's career.
Don: Promoting Peggy / The Hershey Pitch
Don Draper continuously proves himself to be a brilliant an despite his other shortcomings. However, when he saw talent beyond his own, that's when he really started to shine. He promoted Peggy as a writer and the two ended up being an incredible team together.
Don is especially talented in pitch meetings where he regularly gets clients to fall in love with the ideas he describes. This is the case when he pitches to Hershey, but after they accept the idea, Don backtracks and opens up about his real childhood, which completely ruins the meeting.