With its AMC cousin Breaking Bad stealing headlines within a few weeks of its conclusion, it's easy to forget just how good Mad Men was in 2013. There's a real argument that the show has actually improved over time, that the more Don Draper declines, the more interesting the program becomes. "In Care Of" was the season finale, and it was one of the best episodes in the show's run. After watching Don crack for much of the season, obviously losing his mojo and slipping in ways we'd never seen before, it all came crashing down. His boardroom confessional, an amazing juxtaposition of the weight of the man people thought he was against the weight of the man he'd been hiding since the war, was as gut-wrenching as anything on television this year. It's a shame that Jon Hamm doesn't get more credit for how he plays Draper, as though the role is easy because he makes it look so. Regardless, "In Care Of" was a masterwork for Matthew Weiner and company. Why It's On The List: The aforementioned boardroom scene could warrant it alone, but moments later when we see Don and his kids standing in front of a run down house, things get even better. "This is where I grew up," he tells his kids, who are stunned at the revelation. Then we're left to wait a year to see what it all means. One of the best conclusions to a season of television in recent memory.
Freelance writer situated on the east coast of Canada. Ten years writing pop culture, sports, news, and anything else that people will read. Follow me on Twitter @matthewjryder!
