Mad Men isn't traditionally spoken about for being an incredibly emotional series that will have people constantly crying, but that doesn't mean the show is lacking in them completely. After all, the show is a brilliant drama that has all the highs and lows you would expect from that. The show does a great job of providing comedy, and at the same time, it can easily make you cry. That's what is so special about the series, it pulls on every emotion possible, all while telling a truly compelling storyline.
For the purpose of this list, we will be taking a focus on the emotional moments that will have audiences shedding a tear. Here are the 10 most emotional moments from Mad Men, ranked.
Bert Cooper's Death
Bert Cooper might not be one of the main characters of Mad Men, but he is a consistent supporting character who appears frequently throughout. That's why his death creates a very emotional moment, mainly by seeing the reactions of everyone else.
They don't show Bert die, but the show does give him a big send-off in the form of Don's brain seeing Bert one last time. He gives a goodbye message to Don, who he has always respected, and does so in the form of a musical number, which brings even the mighty Don to shed a tear.
Betty Learns The Truth
Early on the audience gets to learn all about Don Draper and his past, but the show makes people wait three seasons before Betty finds out. She starts to get ideas in her head, but she has no idea what bombshell is awaiting her when she finally hears it all.
Betty plucks up the courage to confront him and the scene between them is an epic one as Don's life unravels around him. He opens up about everything, knowing full well what damage all of his lies have caused him at this point, while Betty's perfect life is also shattered.
Peggy Doesn't Want Her Child
Peggy's pregnancy is something that isn't fully fleshed out, and that's all because of this scene. While the show highlights her weight gain, the staff all presume she is simply getting fat, when in actual fact she is secretly pregnant with Pete's child.
The moment she ends up giving birth leads to a really emotional moment. While normally that's of a mother holding their child for the first time, this is the opposite. Peggy doesn't want her child and the decision to not hold or even look at the baby is incredibly upsetting.
Sally Catches Don
While Don is happy to cheat on his partner and be incredibly unfaithful, one woman he never wants to upset is his daughter, Sally. She is one of the very people in Don's life that he truly loves deeply, which is why the moment he is caught in the act by her is incredibly emotional.
Don is cheating on Megan with Slyvia and Sally sees them, which changes her perspective on Don completely. No longer is she her hero and their relationship never recovers. Seeing Don frantically sprint after her, only for Sally to get away leaving a sweaty Don heartbroken in the ring is tough to watch.
Don Says Goodbye
When Don Draper reaches California for the final episodes of Mad Men, he is hitting the full point of a breakdown. He leaves without notifying anybody, with his children being the only contact that he has from his past, however, he eventually takes to the phone to say goodbye to one person who means a lot to him.
That person is Peggy Olson. He gets on the phone and has a slightly chaotic phone call, proving he's not quite himself. However, the one thing he makes sure is to say goodbye to her, because he never got the chance to do so, which proves how much she meant to him.
Don Learns Of Anna's Death
Another emotional moment from Mad Men that involves both Don and Peggy comes when he learns about Anna Draper's passing. Don knows that she is sick, but the news still knocks the wind out of him as he is left stunned and heartbroken.
While they might not have been romantic together, Anna is the only person in his life that he trusts and because of that he truly loves her. Peggy just so happens to be around at this time, and she gets to see a vulnerable side to Don as he breaks down and struggles to deal with the news.
Michael Ginsberg Explains His Birth
For the vast majority of his scenes, Michael Ginsberg is used for comedy, but this particular moment is incredibly emotional. Ginsberg really suffers from mental health issues, which eventually leads to how he leaves the show, and this scene really explains where that comes from.
Ginsberg opens up to Peggy during the show, revealing that he was actually born in a concentration camp. He tells Peggy how his mother didn't survive the camp and it really leads to a heartbreaking moment as Ginsberg is shown in a totally new light.
Lane's Suicide
There aren't many deaths within Mad Men, as it really isn't that type of show. However, one that does knock audiences for six is the death of Lane Pryce. With his financial debts starting to overtake him, Lane opts to take his own life, rather due to being scared of how people would react.
It's an incredibly emotional moment as the rest of the characters don't have a clue he was even having problems apart from Don. Seeing them all react to the incredibly upsetting death is painful to watch, which is only made worse because Lane is consistently one of the nicest characters on the show.
Sally Cooks Toast
Betty Draper's cancer diagnosis at the end of Mad Men's final season is something that creates several emotional moments, but this is by far the biggest. Sally makes the decision to come home early, and it leads to a very emotional moment between her and Bobby.
While everyone thinks he doesn't know, he does. Seeing his sister leads to Bobby asking if it's that time (she's going to die.) While it isn't, things only get more emotional as she begins to teach him how to make toast, with this being a sign of things to come for the young siblings, who will have to battle through life without their mother.
Peggy Leaves
The most emotional moment of the entire series is when Peggy Olson plucks up the courage to take the offer Ted had given her as she lives SCDP. He had been her mentor and was the one who had the confidence to make her a copywriter, so making the choice to leave was not an easy one for her.
As Peggy tells Don the news, it is almost like she is having to convince herself at the same time. Both of them fight back the tears as Don kisses her hand and allows her to walk away, despite the fact that inside it is tearing him apart.