4. Pete Getting PunchedTwice!
Oh, Pete, you smarmy little toad. Watching you get punched out by Lane and then later punched out by a commuter train conductor were two of the most glorious bits of fan-service Ive ever seen! You have, over the last five seasons, done everything you can to really earn that sort of treatment!
3. Joans Choice
I remain uncertain about Joans choice to sleep with a Jaguar exec in return for becoming a partner at the firm. Id like to think that even if she hadnt, she probably still could have made partner at some point, but realistically I doubt it. Still, her choice, while not surprising, was a brutal punch to the gut for many of us in the audience, and a major turning point for the character.
2. Peggy Leaving
Peggy and Don have, basically, been the two people the show is about. Throughout the last several seasons weve had the joy of watching their relationship develop and watching Peggy change from a lowly secretary to a prize commodity. It wasnt really a shock when CGC tried to poach her. It was something of a shock that they were successful, which lead us to one of the best scenes of the entire series as she gave her notice to Don. I am hopeful we havent seen the last of Peggy, and her appearance in the finale helps make me think she will indeed be back. I hope so, given that we have at least one character who certainly wont be.
1. Lanes Suicide
There was no way this wasnt going to be at the top of the list. As surprising as Joans choice was, this was about a thousand times more shocking, especially after Lanes failed attempt to kill himself using the exhaust from a Jag. The worst part about it all, is that it was caused by Lanes own sense of pride. Had he simply gone to Don, he could have had the money he needed, and probably as a gift rather than a loan. Instead, he embezzled, and set himself on a course of no return. Lanes presence will be missed, as will the acting of Jared Harris, and, sadly, its unlikely well ever see either ever again on this show.