FEATURE: MAD MEN and the ultimate deconstruction of American culture

Television review: "Person to Person," MAD MEN episode 7.14 (series finale)

Television review: "The Milk and Honey Route," MAD MEN episode 7.13

Television review: "Lost Horizon," MAD MEN episode 7.12

Television review: "Time and Life," MAD MEN episode 7.11

Television review: "The Forecast," MAD MEN episode 7.10

Television review: "New Business," MAD MEN episode 7.9

(AMC)

It’s all old business in “New Business.” Characters are placed against their limitations, while the past continues to harken back in less-than-desirable ways. If there’s one idea that these final episodes of Mad Men seem to be collectively approaching, it might just be that tune which opened last week’s episode, “Severance”: is that all there is?

I asked myself that very question as “New Business” wrapped up its various, intersecting story arcs. Through its lack of focus and flatness in tone, this was to a significant degree the weakest episode that Matthew Weiner and co. have churned out in quite some time.

Television review: "Severance," MAD MEN episode 7.8

(AMC)

The first of Mad Men’s last batch of episodes derives its name, literally, from the firing of Ken Cosgrove (Aaron Staton). “Severance” is offered to him in faceless, compensatory fashion: you’ve been with us a long time, Roger (John Slattery) and Pete (Vincent Kartheiser) seem to be telling their longtime co-worker, so here’s a little package as gratitude for what you’ve given us.