The Essentials

At an advertising agency in 1960s Manhattan, the creative director has problems coming up with ideas for a tobacco account and crosses swords with the female head of a large department store that she wants to take in a new retail direction.

Betty sees a specialist about her ongoing physical problems; a managing partner leans on Don to get involved in the Richard Nixon presidential campaign; Peggy gets some unwanted attention from a copy writer.

Pete's return from his honeymoon stirs up conflicted emotions about his bachelor-party dalliance with Peggy; Don and Rachel's business relationship shifts; Betty sets tongues wagging when she invites the neighborhood divorcée to her daughter's birthday party.

Pete oversteps his bounds in dealing with a valuable client, puts his foot in his mouth and gets a lesson from Don in toeing the company line. At home, he gets pressure from his newlywed bride to buy their own apartment unit.

Don wins a prestigious award and gets his face splashed on a prominent industry periodical, which triggers some fallout from his past; Ken gets a short story published in a national monthly magazine, inspiring jealousy among his colleagues.

Peggy offers superb suggestions during a focus-group session, and her ideas are so well received that her future at the agency looks much brighter; Don asks Rachel's advice about an ad campaign for Israeli tourism.

A boys' night out for Roger and Don ends badly as Roger's erratic behavior damages their relationship; Pete encounters problems on the home front as he and his bride continue to adjust to being married.

Don's mysterious past comes back to haunt him; Peggy celebrates her new work success, but not all of her colleagues and co-workers are pleased or impressed; Salvatore's relationship with a client is questioned.

A rival ad agency tries to poach Don from Sterling Cooper, and they involve Betty in their campaign to land him; romantic rivals vie for Peggy's affections. Also, the agency steps up its Nixon presidential campaign in an attempt to counter successful Kennedy promos.

Don is distraught about losing an important account, so Roger, stuck in the city on Labor Day, tries to cheer him up; Joan and her roommate paint the town.

Peggy is assigned a difficult project; Don seizes the opportunity provided by Roger's latest work woes; a frustrated Pete develops more problems at home and in the office; Betty seeks new relief for her mounting frustrations.

The Sterling Cooper staff pulls an all-nighter watching Nixon-Kennedy election returns; an ambitious Pete directly challenges Don.

Peggy's colleagues are irked when she's given a new job opportunity; Don's work responsibilities get in the way of his home life; Betty uncovers a surprising secret.

The second season opens with Don butting heads about personnel matters with Duck, who wants "younger creative talent"; the staff is up in the air about its approach to an airline-company account; Betty bumps into a former roommate who has begun a surprising new career; Joan is at a loss about where to put the new copy machine.

Paul throws a party, then throws his work colleagues for a loop when he introduces them to a special guest; Peggy pays a dinner visit to her family; Duck uses an unorthodox approach to land an airline account, which puts the firm on a conflict-of-interest course.

Problems surface on the set of a commercial shoot while Don plays hooky from the office; ever-ambitious, career-minded Harry musters support for a sponsorship plagued by controversy; Betty steps in to help Don when he arranges a dinner to placate his upset clients.

Peggy's family entertains a new priest assigned to their parish; Freddy and Ken wine and dine a client; the agency staff pitches in to prepare for an under-the-gun pitch meeting.

Joan might have found Don a perfect secretary; Peggy comes to the rescue when Don finds himself in the middle of personal issues between a TV comedian and the man's wife; Pete and his wife see a fertility specialist to deal with her inability to conceive.

Don and Duck attempt to make peace at the office; Peggy tries to find a way to participate in the high-level after-hours meetings being held by the executives; one of Duck's family members visits his office.

Don steps up in class and purchases a new set of wheels that is more appropriate for a big-time executive; Pete, Harry and Ken put their heads together to land new accounts; a serious error by Don's secretary could reflect poorly on Joan; the staff reacts to the new objet d'art in Cooper's office.

Father Gill tries to convince Peggy to volunteer her talents to a church project; Duck and Don team to woo a foreign-beer client by marketing to a new demographic; Harry turns to an unlikely source for help when his department is overloaded with work.

Freddy Rumsen strikes out during a pitch meeting with his team; ever-eager Pete seizes a chance to exploit an opportunity at the office; an old friend is the beneficiary of Don's loyalty; Sara Beth proves to be a welcome ally for Betty.

Betty visits her ailing father; Paul's girlfriend, Sheila, advises him about his civic responsibilities; Pete's mother tries to put the kibosh on an important family move that he and Trudy are planning.

Don takes a business trip to Los Angeles, where he hooks up with some interesting new acquaintances; Peggy's in the mood for an office romance; Duck contemplates the future at Sterling Cooper.

An old friend and Don renew acquaintances; Pete's personal problems impact a major account; Joan introduces her fiancé around the office.

As the second season ends, things get bumpy at Sterling Cooper while Don is away; Betty receives some upsetting news.

In the third-season opener, Pete and Ken are among those affected by the corporate changes at the firm. Meanwhile, Sal accompanies Don on a business trip to Baltimore, where both men succumb to the powers of persuasive seduction.

Betty's father pays a visit; the Drapers dine with the stuffy new British boss (Jared Harris) and his snobby wife; the firm contemplates whether to accede to an unusual request from a client; Roger takes charge of arranging a wedding; and Peggy's personal involvement in a campaign leaves her greatly affected.

A mandatory overtime session leaves the writers trying to stave off late-night boredom; Roger throws a party, and Joan and Greg host one of their own; and Sally and Grandpa have a run-in.

Don crosses paths with his father-in-law (Ryan Cutrona); Peggy searches for a new roommate; and a new client with money to throw around is very excited about doing business with the firm.

Concern over Sally's behavior causes Don and Betty to act; opportunistic Pete tries to work a new angle into his business dealings; and an odd dream has a strange effect on Betty.

A surprise visitor shows up at Sterling Cooper; Sally gets spooked by something (or someone); and Joan is the recipient of some surprising news.

Betty becomes involved in local politics; a troubling incident leads Don to begin thinking about his future; and Peggy is on the receiving end of an exquisite gift.

Don decides to include Betty on a company business trip; Pete lends a hand to a neighbor in his apartment building.

Client satisfaction proves to be difficult for both Don and Sal; Betty decides to host a fund-raiser.

Sterling Cooper celebrates a company milestone; Peggy competes with Paul for an account.

Sterling Cooper welcomes back a prodigal client; Betty and the children take a trip; Joan and Greg make plans for their future.

A candidate makes an impression on Don; Peggy's taste in men proves questionable; and Pete faces a major decision about his career.

In the third-season finale, Don has a pivotal meeting with Connie (Chelcie Ross); Betty is the beneficiary of some interesting advice; and Pete has a serious sit-down with some clients.

In the Season 4 opener, Don's reluctance to talk about himself jettisons a prestigious trade-paper interview that the company was hoping would be a boon to business. Meanwhile, the "wholesome" manufacturer of two-piece swimsuits wants to hire the firm but doesn't want a sexy ad campaign; Pete and Peggy stage a stunt in an effort to secure more money from a meat-company client; and Roger plays Cupid for Don.

The agency's Christmas party is nearly spoiled by the late arrival of a surprise and not-so-welcome visitor.

Don plans a jaunt to Acapulco, while back at the office, Lane and Joan get into a serious disagreement.

When Pete receives an edict from Roger and Lane, he finds himself confronting personal dilemmas at work and on the home front. Meanwhile, Peggy befriends Joyce, a photo editor at Life magazine, who invites the copywriter to a party at a downtown loft, where Peggy gets hit on from a number of sides. And Faye's self-deprecating remarks at a focus-group meeting don't sit well with Don.

Don and Pete disregard Roger's expectations in an effort to land an important new client.

Peggy and her new creative partner don't see eye-to-eye; Don pitches a client under an unusual set of circumstances.

A rapidly approaching deadline causes consternation and throws things into a tizzy at the agency.

Peggy and Joan are forced to deal with some insulting office behavior; Don and his date Bethany (Anna Camp) have an uncomfortable encounter with Betty and her husband at a fancy restaurant. Later, during a late-night business meeting, Don invites Faye (Cara Buono) to dine with him, and dinner turns into a bit more than either had expected.

A romantic gesture in the form of a thoughtful gift could lead to professional problems for Peggy.

Betty is a bit unsettled when a surprise visitor stops at the Francis home.

An all-hands meeting is called at Sterling Cooper Draper Pryce, and the gossip starts to fly about an important client leaving the agency and that possibly more will follow. Meanwhile, a competing firm attempts to poach select SCDP employees; Peggy has a passionate romp with Abe and later tries her hand at wooing the Playtex people.

While trying to navigate a crisis, Don encounters an old friend.

In the Season 4 finale, a surprising opportunity rears its head for both Don and Peggy, leaving them with life-altering decisions to make.

Don is greeted with a surprise; Roger and Pete clash; and Joan has a run-in with a houseguest.

Don is greeted with a surprise; Roger and Pete clash; and Joan has a run-in with a houseguest.

Peggy receives new responsibilities as the firm makes a concentrated push to increase business. Later, Don and Harry go the extra mile for a big client.

Don has an encounter with someone from the past; Joan comes to a momentous decision. Meanwhile, Roger increases Peggy's workload.

Lane makes an interesting friend; Pete plays host to an assortment of guests.

Peggy has a tough time during a particularly formidable pitch; Don calls on a potential client.

Don, Roger and Pete team up to rustle up some new clients; Sally lends a hand to a relative.

Peggy reluctantly harbors a secret; Pete steps up for a friend; Don gets a surprise.

Don's competitive nature comes to the fore; Roger pursues some new clients; Sally is met with a challenge.

Christmas proves rewarding to many at the agency; Harry does a good turn for a friend.

Don deals with a challenging pitch, while Peggy ponders taking a trip.

Don receives an intriguing lead and follows up on it.

Season 5 concludes with opportunities abounding for everyone at the agency, while Pete encounters an interesting stranger on a train.

Don launches a new campaign in the sixth-series opener.

Roger receives some unnerving news; and Betty welcomes a houseguest.

Don has a difference of opinion with a client, while Peggy has problems motivating the staff.

The partners try to keep a secret campaign under wraps, while Joan gets a visit from an old friend.

Peggy plans for the future, while Roger courts a potential client.

Roger changes tack to make new business; Pete has an awkward run-in with a client.

Sterling Cooper Draper Pryce tries to placate competing clients; Pete is blindsided by an unexpected guest.

Don is disrupted by a surprise visitor; Peggy looks for inspiration.

Roger is plagued by a recurring dream; Joan goes to the beach.

The agency works to keep a client; Joan is caught off guard.

etty plans for Sally's future, while Peggy encounters trouble at home.

The partners disagree on a new campaign; Don takes a day off.

In the series 6 finale, Don has a problem.

The Season 7 opener finds Don making a new friend, and Joan meeting a client for drinks. Elsewhere, Peggy hears some impressive new work, and Roger experiences a strange phone call.

Peggy receives flowers at the office; Pete navigates the politics of new business; Joan is put in an awkward situation.

Don takes an impromptu trip; Betty has lunch with a friend; Harry lobbies for a cause; the partners consider a questionable asset.

Sterling Cooper & Partners prepares for a guest; Don calls an old friend; Roger confronts problems at home; Pete underestimates Peggy.

Don gets a visitor from his past; Stan embarrasses a superior; Peggy helps Ginsberg with a problem; Harry discovers a new ally at the agency.

Peggy does research for a pitch; Pete is invited to join an exclusive club; Joan seeks time spent with a friend.

Don receives a troubling letter; Pete butts heads with Cutler; Roger gets an unexpected phone call; and a risky venture entails a new future for Peggy.

Don tries to track down a friend; Joan struggles to solve a problem with an account; Peggy is set up by an unlikely person.

Roger gives Don some unwanted advice; Peggy and Stan disagree over an account's personnel; Harry asks for Don's blessing.

Roger pawns off a project onto Don; Joan goes on a business trip; Peggy and Pete clash over how to deal with an account emergency.

Don comes up with a big idea; Roger asks Joan for help with a clerical error; Peggy has a hard time with casting for a commercial.

Don receives a reward for his work; Joan butts heads with a coworker on an account; Roger dodges a big decision.

Don has trouble sleeping; Pete is blindsided by a friend; Henry arranges a family reunion.

The stories of Don Draper, his family and his coworkers come to an end in the series finale.