Few shows have defined the era of peak television as much as Mad Men did over its seven-season run. The story of an advertising agency, an era, and a slew of flawed people, Mad Men has only grown in the estimation of many as the landscape of television moves further and further away from a series of great stories as pillars.
When Mad Men was on and clicking, no television show was better and this is especially true for the fourth season of the AMCdrama. Not only did this season win the Emmy for Best Drama, but it also has myriad episodes that could content for a top ten list, per IMDB rankings.
“Waldorf Stories” - 8.6
Coming in on tenth on the list is the season’s sixth episode, “Waldorf Stories,” which is rated as an 8.6, just with slightly fewer votes. Sparks begin to fly between Stan and Peggy, rivalries are reignited between Pete and Ken Cosgrove, and Don gets drunk.
Jon Hamm is a marvelous actor and he is perfect to play a drunk Don who pitches a plagiarized marketing campaign between breakfast dishes. Mad Men was always so great at turning the mundane into riveting stories and an episode revolving around Life cereal is a perfect example of that.
“Public Relations” - 8.6
“Public Relations” is the season premiere of season four and rates as an 8.6, as well. This episode showed how much promise the fourth season would have, because Mad Men returned and was just as magnificent as always. The episode, preceding a Christmas installment, partially takes place on Thanksgiving, bringing another great footprint into the holiday episode lexicon.
But it also earns a lot of goodwill by pairing up Peggy with Pete and Don with Roger Sterling, proving that, even when there are hardships, it is still great to be back with the SCDP crew.
“Hands And Knees” - 8.7
“Hands and Knees” is the final 8.7-rated episode on IMDB from season four of Mad Men and it is the tenth episode of the arc, as a whole. The major moving and shaking stories happening in the background of the episode revolve around the goings-on of the Sterling Cooper Draper Pryce marketing agency.
Also, this episode gets into the hot button and controversial issues of the 1960s more than any other, as Lane’s interracial relationship pursuits and the question of an abortion after Joan is pregnant come into play. Of course, the excellent writing always handles these topics deftly.
“The Chrysanthemum And The Sword” - 8.7
“The Chrysanthemum and the Sword” is the fifth episode of Mad Men’s fourth season and it clocks in at an 8.7 on the IMDB user voting scale. It is a major turning point for the characters in Don’s family as therapy becomes a major factor for both Betty and Sally.
However, it is also a great showcase for Pete Campbell, in a season that too often has the tendency to sideline the excellent Vincent Kartheiser role. By invoking the Honda company, interesting wrinkles are taken as Pete’s character slowly learns to further and more deeply stand up for himself.
“The Good News” - 8.7
8.7 three “The Good News” is another 8.7-rated episode on IMDB and it is the third episode of the illustrious fourth season of the show. It is an episode that helps to further humanize the Lane character, who experienced growing pains on the show when he was first introduced. (It’s always tough when a new character disrupts the previously-established chemistry. Just look to MAS*H.)
But it also brings about the next and final chapter in the relationship between Don and Anna, one of the show’s most mysterious and most full of heart.
“The Summer Man” - 8.7
The eighth episode of season four of Mad Men, “The Summer Man,” is the highest rated 8.7 episode on this list, because it has the most votes. One of the show’s great characters, Joan, really gets to shine throughout and Hendricks delivers an impressive performance, as always. Joan and Peggy play off each other so well and their dynamic in “The Summer Man,” after a lewd drawing is passed around of Joan, escalates impressively well.
It touches on a number of sensitive issues and has more nuance in one scene than most shows could ever hope to have in the entire run, while also dealing with a major death.
“The Beautiful Girls” - 8.8
“The Beautiful Girls” rates as an 8.8 on IMDB as the ninth episode of season four. There is a good argument to be made that it should rate even higher, too. There is the obvious standout moment from the episode, when Ms. Blankenship passes away at her desk. It’s a surprising moment and a slightly melancholy one that quickly turns into a catalyst for laughs.
But there is a ton of character nuance throughout the episode, as well, that makes it worth plenty of merit. What is still so great to watch all these years later is the chemistry between actors Slattery and Christina Hendricks. The wit between those two makes any episode great.
“Blowing Smoke” - 8.9
“Blowing Smoke,” the twelfth and penultimate episode of season four, rates just below its successor, “Tomorrowland,” with a rating of 8.9. This is also the episode that saw Robert Morse nominated for a Drama Emmy for Best Guest Actor. Directed by series cast member John Slattery, the episode sees Don Draper make one of the boldest decisions in the entire show, writing a letter renouncing the use of tobacco products.
It is a Hail Marry attempt to save the firm and, in the context of the show, it remains one of the most shocking decisions a character ever made.
“Tomorrowland” - 9.0
“Tomorrowland,” the season four finale of Mad Men, rates as a 9.0 on IMDB. The work dynamic between Don and Peggy is once again called into question during this episode when her first major break into the world of marketing is overshadowed by Don’s engagement with Megan.
The episode takes its name from the area of Disneyland that is set in the future. Not only does Don visit Tomorrowland during the episode, but it also shows that Mad Men is barreling towards its future and, with Peggy growing in ambition, its eventual endgame, too.
The Suitcase - 9.7
“The Suitcase” is the seventh episode of Mad Men’s fourth season and it rates as a 9.7 on IMDB. Not only is this the highest rated episode of season four, but it is also one of the highest in the entire run of the show. This is for good reason, too.
Set against the backdrop of an iconic Muhammad Ali fight, the core of the episode is on Don and Peggy’s relationship. The balance between personal and work life is proven to be quite tricky and it provides one of the most interesting character studies ever created. The line, “That’s what the money is for!” is still used as a meme today.
