How Mad Men Will End.

I stand by my theory of Don in a Fedora. He will be alone, and distant. Betty dying will be a final bit of information for Don's question, now answered: "yes, this is all there is too life." How you live, graciously or wrecklessly, taking lifes' circumstances and making the best (or not) of them. 

But you also realize the finale is not about HOW it will end. It does not matter if Don dies, lives, grows old or not. More than likely none of these things will happen. The finale will end as every other episode did, Don missing out on life. Alone. With Don stuck in his selfish journey, to be individual, and run away from the what Don sees as a "mundane" existence.

We need to delve a little deeper behind the storyline. Understand why

People do things. That is WHAT the Finale episodes have been about, not what actually "happens." Each episode in this "8th season" has been a final goodbye to the characters. As each episode passes, we say goodbye to a character, not to be seen in the series again. And how did it end for them? You watched, you know. They ended like every other day, making a decision, about love, work, or anything else. Sterling, Peggy, Joan, Betty, all remain true to themselves, to their personality. There is no big change, no big a-ha moment, they continue on there paths.

But where is Don's path headed. Where is such a lonely soul going to find happiness, or at least acceptance of "this life." 

Genre Realities

I love how Matt Weiner uses current events of the Don Draper era, both in books, movie references, and music. Nothing is unintentional or coincidental in the series. Every newspaper picked up, every TV show thats in the background, these are all strategically placed to add deeper context to the show (especially if you are familiar with the episodes or reading). These items add foreshadowing and explanation for some character actions too. It is authentic, and if you are familiar with the texts, knowing these writings helps you understand the mindset that Don is left with, or the character in the scene, when he finishes these readings. 

When Gene Hofstadt (Betty’s father) died in series three’s The Arrangements, the episode ended with Over There, the popular US soldiers’ song by George M Cohan. As his daughter faced up to her own death, it was heard again as Don sang it at the veterans’ party. 

The music when Don was pulled over in his dream was Merle Haggard’s Okie From Muskogee, his possibly ironic (possibly not) response to draft-burning hippies. And a potential warning sign of the culture clash ahead. We closed with Buddy Holly singing Everyday as Don sat at the bus stop. It’s getting closer … 

It’s Leftover Motel Paperback Night at the Mad Men Book Club. We saw Don whiling away the hours at the Sharon motel with a selection of bestsellers including Mario Puzo’s The Godfather (out in 1969, the movie adaptation was already in production by mid-1970); Michael Crichton’s The Andromeda Strain and James Michener’s historical novel Hawaii. The woman at the pool was reading Alberto Moravia’s The Woman of Rome.

Above was taken from the guardian: http://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2015/may/11/mad-men-recap-season-seven-episode-13-the-milk-and-honey-route-warning-spoilers

The American Need for Closure

I teasingly tell my husband that only American movies have happy endings. Most foreign films end truthfully, life simply continues, without some huge closure. As americans we strive for that "closure" so we can tie things up neatly in a bow and move on. Is that reality? Is that life? Granted Most things do end well: the kids 5th birthday party (unless Don is your husband who runs off when running out to pick up the cake), the school fundraiser, the Monday Morning meeting. Relationships tho, that's where we struggle. Connecting with people and getting satisfaction in those connections. 

However, some people can't make connections it really beyond them. Literally not in their ability. A persons vanity gets in the way of some basic requirements to make a person-person connection: show your true self, make sacrifices, get to really know the other person, etc. Most of the men in the series are so vane and into themselves and their role, they simply can't love, because they can't do any of the things required to fall in love. These men weren't raised by loving mothers, giving hugs and kisses, the Don, Pete, and Sterling are powerful because they'll hurt anyone to get there. Their mommies told them they were wonderful and superstars, and didn't show one drop of emotion. These mom's broke their kids but not showing warmth. These men simply can't find satisfaction because they never felt it growing up. They don't know what it means to have a full cup, these men aren't satisfied by pure joy, happiness is beyond their reach. 

Pete's Vanity and Life "As it Should Be"

We heard Pete thru the entire series complaining, "this isn't how it's supposed to be, this isn't how things are." Pete lives in the reality he was taught, old aristocracy, old family "blood" values. Pete still lives in the land his mom made, the land of how wealthy to-do's want it to be, properness and the family image.

Pete returning to his wife is already a stretch at happiness that I am shocked, shocked, Mad Men is making an attempt at. It's theorized that Pete is Don's ego, a counterpoint to show how we can learn from our mistakes. Never trust Duck! Perhaps the job offer is real, and perhaps Pete does love his ex. More so Pete needs her to have the "appearence" they were both taught, a happy home, kids, and a wife to accompany you to dinner. Pete isn't returning for love, he's returning to his wife because he (and she) we raised to maintain a certain appearence. It is not genuine love, perhaps genuine vanity. 

The conspiracy theory is:

Pete is still his fathers son, his father dies in a plane crash, and perhaps Pete will survive the real crash of Oct 3, 1970 out of Wicheta KS.

Don on Children

Don "can't get no satisfaction." Not thru marriage, mistresses, or one night stands. Don doesn't have an emotional toolbox, he simply cannot fill up on love, or everyday happiness. 

Don can't even find love with his own children. Because he doesn't know how. He was not loved, or shown warmth, he knows only sexual love. The rest is emptiness. When the feeling of happiness, love, it never experienced, then you can't recognize it when it's happening to you.

Ironically Don's hotel TV went out when comedian Redd Foxx is on the Flip Wilson show. Episode link here: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=lm6fLKz5ByU

He was going into a speech: "Children are a blessing, I feel sorry for" and the TV is cut off... The ending line is "People who don't have children." It's a comedy bit, but makes a great point about the joys of children, and family. Something Don can't have, and a bit of foreshadowing, that he will abandon his kids. 

As a mother I too have - a la Betty Draper Francis - been anti my pigeon holed role as mother. But more so then not I embrace my children and the love we share. The simplicity of exploring and experiencing life with them is truly

Amazing. . . Something Don has never experienced. Nor Betty for that matter. She too was busy in her selfishness. Don didn't hear the Redd Foxx commentary on kids and life because his TV went out in a perfect moment. 

When Sally comes home after finding out about Betty's cancer, she sits at the table holding her brothers. This summaries the rest of her life. When Betty's funeral shows in the next episode most likely Don won't be there. He has missed out on so much in life, and closure is not Don's thing. One of the last interactions between Don and Sally will be her telling him how the funeral was, and Betty's cancer. It's here, hanging up the phone that Don abandons Sally. If Don shows up for the funeral, he'd have to return to life. Instead of this fantasy running away that he has done, again. Don would have to face raising his children, and he can't do that (he can't man up and take on his responsibility, that is after all what we call "being a man."). Don doesn't face responsability, he wants the world to revolve around him, the image of him as a great idea man (just like a selfish 18 year old). He simply won't sacrifice for his kids, chasing the emptiness is all he has. 

Perhaps this moment, when Don abandons his kids we, the TV audience, will stop sensationalizing him. We will stop admiring his ability to walk away. Call it was it is - wreckless abandon. And abandonement of his children. 

Don on Individuality

It's been theorized that Don wants to be unique, a man with great ideas. And now that he has achieved that, he wonders still, "is this all their is?"

When a cold mother raises you, matter of fact about life, without hugs and kisses, you grow up with that matter of factness too. It is hard to discover happiness on your own. To search for that "something more" and find it. And so Don is stuck, he is the body of a man, but the abandon of an 18 year old. Don never grew up. When in clienteetings he hijacks the conversation, making it about HIS creative, HIS big idea. He drowns in the praise and glory of his work, built on the backs of others. 

Don doesn't want to be one of the many, as he sees in the McCann meeting with Miller Beer. He looks out the window, sees a plane, and wants to be free,

Not pigeonholed. (Sidebar: that plane could be foresight to the last episode).

Don doesn't even realize he is where he's supposed to be, accomplished, lavished, adored by his peers. But he seeks satisfaction. And we, as Humans, aren't supposed to seek fame and fortune, we are supposed to survive. We are supposed to have families. For me the proof is success is man made. Family is in every man ability. To continue, to live on - and that comes in our children. 

Pete exemplifies this idea of living on, family bloodlines continuing the work, bearing the name of our family. And bloodline can be achieved less the arrogance. And Pete returning home gets "the best of both worlds" gains his family, and has man made success too.

Don can't ever feel the satisfaction of a bloodline, because Draper is not HIS family bloodline. He abandoned his own Whitman family, he abandoned his created family with Betty, he constantly running from what he is here for. He will always be chasingb something else. Because just being here, in the moment, and appreciting that moment, it beyond Don, it is not with in his reality. Literally beyond him as a man. As a person.

I have an uncle who has been thru hell and back in his life. He could probably relate to the torture of the 20th century man coming from proverty, pains and horrors, and trying to make a life for yourself after a cruel childhood. My uncle has grown on long journey called his life. When we spent an afternoon with my kids this Mother's Day, he stood on the deck looking at my kids, watching them play. He doesn't watch Mad

Men (but he could probably relate). He said "this is it, this is what lifes about. Family. Being here, with each other. Right now." 

Why "The Finale" Doesn't Matter

Mad Men has helped me understand my own father in this last season. And not for the sake of knowing who he is, and why he actd so weird, not able to make a connection. But will understanding my own father help me change him? Will his living beyond 75 years change him? No and no. He too is stuck, chasing greatness. He doesn't realize that family is all their is. Because today, one day after your big birthday. When the parties over and the friends have gone, what's left? Who is left? Just the people. And if you treat them with abandon, like they aren't important, you can't show you care, then you really don't have anything left.

If Don dies of a heart attack, or in a car accident, that's the "closure" we seek. But our addiction to the show is watchig how he lived. And how he didn't live.

The End of Mad Men

I anticipate with giddyness the end that has been Mad Men. Awesome series, which I will rewatch with my children on day. It'll be a visual teaching on the importance of giving children, and young boys, the need of their emotional tool box. How to process lifes moments, gain closure, and appreciate "the little things." 

Make Mistakes, breathe, reflect and Laugh.Out.Loud 

Mad Men Finale: How will it all end. And Why Don Draper IS my Father (less all the women)

I have been watching Mad Men from the beginning. I loved every

Moment if the show. I actually regret not paying homage to Don Draper and company the way I did when Breakig Bad was going off the air. By binge watching every episode previous to the final season starting. 

My Mad Men Finale Theory has been a lifetime in the making. Perhaps in another post I'll answer Don Drapers ponderance: "is this really all there is?"

"Don is going to be wearing [a fedora] until 1980," said Matt Weiner in 2009 and again in a later mini video-clip Mad Men commentary. "Think of your grandfather." He's also said Don Draper is based on elements of his own grandfather. From his suits to early work years in a fur store. Matt himself is portrayed as the sad daughter of Don character Sally, longing for her parents approval. Matt Weiner is a melancholy dramatist and he has stated in articles (listed here) he doesn't think he's ever had parental approval he so desires. 

We know Don Draper is a faćade. A creation of an ideal man, thru the eyes of Dick Whitman. A man who came from nothing. I deeply understand the moment you discover "I thought I knew you." And you realize a person isn't at all who you thought they were. 

I have been reading old (ha! Only 5 years prior) articles regarding Mad Men and the man that is Matt Weiner. When you hear Matt Weiner talk about all that is his life, you can see the parallels to his childhood and that of Sally Draper. His father was successful (but not attractive, more of the Pete). His mother and non practicing attorney, which is where Betty Draper is left studying to be a psychiatrist.  In his home growing up you couldn't not know the answer to something. His mother perhaps a perfectionist, whom he still longs approval from, similar to Sally. 

He commented in an article that the Mad Men era was idealized, and sold as sultry, fun, and desirable, but it was actually disgusting, sick, and over indulgent. I can only assume these are conversations Mr. Weiner  witnessed between his father and grandfather. His dad criticizing the indulgence of the era, how it lacked depth, character, embodiment of anything important. He told the Atlantic "I was 18 years old, watching the world being run by a bunch of hypocrites, is what it was. And at the same time, they were telling us how they had invented sex, how great it was to do all those drugs, they had no responsibilities, they really believed in stuff, they were super-individuals. Then along comes this incredibly repressive, selfish, racist, money-grubbing …”

 Exemplified in season one where being an "Ad Man" was criticized and questioned as an "actual profession." What do you do? Write commercials? How is that moving the human race forward in any way? Weiners father criticizing the genre seems true since he highly valued reading classic stories with rich characters. He had a drive to be an intelligent man (a neuro scientist) with obvious depth. He loved sharing his love of movies with dramatic scenes (maybe more obsession since Matt Weiner growing up was expected to know movie actor names and roles). 

And so Matt Weiner shows us some Nostalgia for the era, in his specific attention to detail on the show! That is passion and truly caring for what you created - not just Nostalgia. Getting the vision from your head onto film - not a control freak - as he has been mis represented in the simple media. Many articles,  including the Atlantic site "Weiner is the slightest bit touchy about his reputation as a control freak, especially when it comes to the period details of the show." (Journalist praise the show for its dramatic excellence and the. Criticize Weiner for his over the top attention to detail. One doesn't exist without the other.)

In this early article from the NY Times, early enough they spell out phonetically HOW to pronounce Matt Weiners name, you get and early insight into him as a man and the question that drives the show. 

http://mobile.nytimes.com/2008/06/22/magazine/22madmen-t.html?pagewanted=all&referrer=

In many interviews he has said that Dons struggle is trying to see if "this is all there is" to life? 

In Financial Times (link below) Matt said "It's the only question,” he says. “I think it’s what people seek from entertainment: who am I and why am I here?”

Should life be More exciting? Should life have a creshendo? A climax? Why do we always feel the same? 

And the question is poses from Matt's own experience. Life feels the same. "He hints that he has, at an earlier time in his life, experienced the inner turmoil and melancholy that so consumes Tony Soprano and Don Draper. “I was there,” he says, flatly. “I would ask myself, ‘Why do I feel the same way I did when I was 18?’ Despite a family and personal success “And I would ask, ‘What’s wrong with me? Is that it?’ ”

Matt Weiner is not just exploring the genre thru the eyes of Dick Whitman, being the image he perceives as the man he created in Don Draper. The writer also created Sally who we watch grow up in the series. And Sally has a constant sadness in her. A long never ending emptyness. Perhaps cause by her perfectionist and cold mother, perhaps because of her constant missing father, but Matt's quote here sums up his drive to explore another side if the series. In hollywood reporter he said these powerful men don't discuss the emptyness of their own childhoods. 

"And in their biographies of the great men of the 20th century, they don’t talk about that, these childhoods, because it’s filled with rural poverty and broken families and runaway dads and child abuse and, you know, the sex trade, all of it."

Instead men in society create a faćade. Perhaps all great 20th century men create thenselves a la Don Draper, who they WANT to be versus who they ARE? Men presenting what they want to remember, the glory, the sex, and how they were right to pursue these empty temporary moments of satusfaction. But Matt sees thru this "faćade" (a word used in MANY articles) and portrays a deep character pretending happiness (or melancholy) and actually lonely, longing, wanting - like all of our inner 18 year old selves. 

Life's Lack of Resolution. How we never answer the big question.

Matt said in the Hollywood reporter that life doesn't have a resolution does it? "Resolution in itself is a mystery in this world. I don’t know what to say. Other than death, and even in death, I don’t know that there is that much resolution in [real] life ever anyway, and I’m always trying to approximate that on the show."

So I do not expect a big "resolution." I once theorized that Don would die in a drunken stooper, perhaps driving drunk. But most drunks survive car crashes, ironically because their so out of control of their bodies and limber. This season Don hasn't been as drunk in previous years, and He has veered off this path.

Don is an Example of my Father

Don isn't connected to anyone or anything. In Lost Horizon, he goes to see Sally before she leaves for school  but, in typical Don fashion, missed her departure. He isn't even aware of what his sons are doing, following their own passions including baseball. Because there children, unimportant to him. He simply attempts to do what's expected, show up for the big moments, departures. But he is too selfish to give any of himself to his childrens lives or dare I say development.

Don reminds me of my very vain father. Longing for his aristocratic oats, which never really were his own.  Being born in 1940 France, because his parents had to flee Poland as communism was taking hold. He grew up in his parents constant Nostalgia. Always longing for their old life, and denial of living in a Post War Poland. Longing for what they once owned in their lives. My own father as an adult man longs for that same sense Don Draper wants, that belonging to "something great." Whether it be because you make a mark on the world because if wealth or intellect. Ironically my grandparents aristocracy was never his world (his fathers lineage is even an extension if those actually granted the family title, it's not even a direct line.) Instead he grew up in the shadow of an idea, of a time and place. And now, where does this cold empty upbringing leave him as a man? Empty. He simply can't love. He tries, he experiences glimpses of love. But he runs away from that rush of emotion that takes over your chest, like witnessing the water flow over the Niagara Falls. And when that pressure arises, he retreats to the emptiness. He makes a rude remark, an insult, to push you away back to the distant line. 

For Sally Draper, and for Matt Weiner, I want to share my tremendous closure process when it comes to my own Don Draper esque father. When we are young, in our childhood we naturally look up to our parents as all knowing, all ideal, and nearly our heros! We do learn from our parents who are either intentionally sharing a lesson, or unintentionally bestowing knowledge as we children observe them. My dad was my hero. He was funny, handsome, intelligent and confident. Later I experienced extremely uneasy feelings - deep in my gut - when I was old enough to understand his humor. People laughed because they were uncomfortable at his rude remarks. He made jokes at the expense of others. Fat jokes, dumb jokes, sexist jokes, and everyone laughed because  you couldnt say stop it, thats too far; because then you would be the target of his attack. Make others look weak so you are strong. 

He was handsome and confident, and aleays very proper and chivilrous,  which came thru in his extreme arrogance. His desire to be RIGHT in everything he does superceded everyone else. At a glimpse a man SO confident can be attractive. Add a layer of ettiquette and he's very sexy. Treating you as a lady, defending honor, it's charming, like we see it in Don Draper. And if my father would make a leud remark, it was excused, as humor because surely "it was a joke since he acted to properly."  But later I when I understood ineuendos and jokes for their underlying humor, I saw that arrogance was a shield. He had to be right because so often in his youth he must have been told he was wrong. 

He was a "whoops baby" born 12 years junior to his brother. And I think his mother used him as her twisted ideas sounding bored. Telling him he's nothing but here is HOW you can be something. Do this do that, and he blindly did. 

Since my grandmother (my Fathers mom) was so busy longing for her old life as a Countess, she ignored her childrens needs. Her husband had to work now, making her more bitter. Getting so little money for all the time spent away from her husband. She wasn't loving or emotional with them. She didn't teach her sons how to live and respect others, only to want, and throw a tantrum when you don't get what you want. 

My father is clever, manupulating, and that takes intelligence. I always remember him telling me "look what your daddy can do." And when he saw me acting a little to cocky for my own good he said "don't tell people you know [something]. When you really do know, others will see it in you, and come to you for an answer. You don't have to show off." (He left out the part that when they come to you for an answer, that's when you can exert some control over them too.) My dad longed for praise. How good he was at fixing (minor) things. How he planned great trips. How he was funny and so socially charming. And he treated me his daughter, with that same faćade. That same fake charmer was my dad. 

Resolution 

Part I

In my 20's my husband and I would visit my dads house. Each visit ending badly, him criticzing my mothers side of the family. Always said in Polish, or when my husband left the room. So I was my fathers sounding board in private [and perhaps intentionally because if I complained to my husband, I'd seem crazy because my father never made the remarks in front of him.] Ripping into the chosen family member, cruelly portraying them in his self created memory. The people I loved, verbally abused. Over and over. I felt I'd make progress by not allowing discussion of one family member, standing silent at his comments. That door would then close, I'd feel such relief, it's finally over!! Maybe now I can have a "normal" talk with my dad, about me, him, current events. But it wasn't ever over. He would just move on to the next person. The next criticism. For every end I created over the course of 15 years - 8 in total comments about family members that ended his commentary - it has finally ended. And my finale was an abandoned Christmas - ending the aristocratic facade that you can continue abuse for the sake of friendship. We were estranged for 6 months.

Where does that leave my Father and I. Our relationship. And How is it going to end with Don Draper?

One evening I cried, and cried, saying "why us he doing this to me?" Why is he being so cruel? To hurt me? Doesn't he understand I don't repeat his comments? They just stay with me to bare, it's just cruelty to me!! 

My husband said: "He is just treating you like he treats everyone else." 

... 

That was a huge moment for me. Over days it sunk in. I replayed scenarios from my childhood, his comments to others, his mischief, rudeness, anger... All being shared with me. I was never talked to that way in childhood (because he didn't really talk to me unless to talk at me). He never said I love you to me, except the one time I made him say it  over the phone when I was in my teens. He showed me he cared with gifts, and a kiss hello and goodbye. Otherwise - in between - emptyness.

Growing up I saw my dad, the faćade of who he wanted to be. The Don Draper, smooth, charisma, eloquence. Like watching a movie in another language, seeing sexy handsome actors, adoring and using sexy women.  Not hearing their real message because you don't speak the language. Only assuming connotation of what you want to hear.

Don did reveal to his kids his own childhood, how he grew up, the abuse, the poverty. Don Draper grew in character in a way my father never has. He hasn't shared his childhood details, very few when I have asked specific questions. And that's why Matt Weiners character is so loved, because he OWNS his childhood horrors, tells his kids, perhaps tarnishing their image of him. My father doesn't have the power Don does because he won't own his history. He won't talk about it. (TV shows aside, frankly he doesnt have the emotional toolbox to help him escape or to process his feelings.  Don stays modern and reads current psychology (Dante's Inferno, Exodus)  to - as a result - help him escape his childhood as "other" and leave it in the past. Don emotionally grows to accept and move on past his childhood. And a recap of every learning moment is highlighted by Uproxx.com -http://uproxx.com/tv/2015/05/matthew-weiner-has-been-telling-us-how-mad-men-will-end-for-years/

However I dont think that these moments are fireshadowing to Don Drapers death!  Like when he strips his clothes, who he doesnt want to be on the beach commercial for Hilton Hotels. It isn't death of Don, just death of his childhood self and the baggage that comes with it.

Basic human interactions dont change, said Matt Weiner in the Finanvial Times. Eventho Don accepts his past, his character does t change. http://www.ft.com/intl/cms/s/2/2ab92e0c-d85f-11e4-8a68-00144feab7de.html

Acceptance

Part II

Then I saw a "Humans of New York" image if a young girl, with the quote from her talking about her own realization of her father. It was my a-ha moment. 

https://m.facebook.com/humansofnewyork/photos/a.102107073196735.4429.102099916530784/864942523579849/

Humans of New York

"I realize now that my parents are just regular people with flaws, and my dad is not a villain. He's just an asshole."

My dad is not my hero, nor a villian. He is just an asshole. He no longer acts like his Dad Faćade. Instead he IS himself, and Let's me see that too.

Don Drapers Ending

As Matt Weiner said sometimes we don't get a resolution. And he admits to pulling from his own life experiences. He still seeks approval from his own parents. 

Sally is Matt. My own Father and I speak almost monthly. I am distant, visits are surface level, filled with bull shit and current events. Emotionally empty. Throwing the kids around, rough housing with them. Only to exert control and "make them stop" when he's had enough (no 5-minute warnings here).

I have come to accept this Father. Shut off from sharing his true feelings - because I won't be his emotional punching bag. I accept this empty surface level relationship because that's the best he can do.

But Sally didn't have a loving mother struggling for her own identity. Betty Draper struggled to portray herself as perfect. And she was who she was, emotionally cold to her children. Sally never felt love, so she can be estranged from her parents, since there is no bridge, no hope for a connection.

My father drank and drank like Don. He also ate as he pleased, steak, eggs, Polish Sauage and Potatoes.  He also suffered a heart attack at age 51 amd subsequent triple by-pass surgery; consequences of the life well lived, in excess.

Throughout the series, we have witnessed Don in his owns thoughts, laying on a couch in his office staring at the popcorn ceiling, or a fly on a wall, or driving and imagining his past, future, fantasy. 

In the end an elderly Don will be sitting, in a fedora, Alone, remembering his life. (Perhaps he sexually looks and ogles a hot nurse as she passes by him and asks if he needs anything in a hospital like environment.) Shortly thereafter, his estranged daughter Sally gets a phone call that her father has died, of a Heart Attack (Don is at age 50-60-ish.) Perhaps there's a previous "cold" moment exchanged between Sally and her mom, still totally empty of emotion and acceptance.

Cold. Very Matt Weiner-esque.

In 2012 Matt declared he knew how it was all going to end.

"Weiner confirmed that he knows “exactly how everything’s going to end.” He didn’t elaborate but had been quoted previously saying that he wants to wrap the series in present day with Don Draper as an old man."

http://deadline.com/2012/03/creator-matt-weiner-talks-mad-men-end-game-takes-shots-at-actors-243784/

Other great articles offering insight into Matt Weiner and the end of the Mad Men era.

Vanity Fair

http://www.vanityfair.com/news/2009/09/mad-men200909

Even Matt Weiner says Don Draper is a Bad Person who does Bad Things in the Atlantic. Can you recover from that? I thin that why Dons life is empty... He  never recovers. 

http://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2014/04/the-madness-of-matthew-weiner/358638/

Other writers theorize on Don Drapers end

http://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2015/apr/03/mad-men-series-finale

Matt weiner said in Hollywood reporter he doesnt "repeat endings" - so there is no Suicide for Don.

"I don’t mind that the audience is speculating about it. But the Lane [suicide] thing was a very specific thing. It’s one of the ways we keep things fresh, not to repeat storylines, and that’s a very particular storyline."

http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/matthew-weiner-mad-men-finale-573822

How did the series progress from the first episode? Don has grown, or has he? What is "all this" in Dons life?

http://artery.wbur.org/2014/04/10/mad-men-season-7