That may be a bold claim, but Martin’s story is so sprawling that it often feels like the story could never truly come full circle, especially given we’re still waiting for major convergences that Martin has been teasing for multiple books at this point.

I love those seasons, but man, David Mirkin is an all-time great Captain Wacky showrunner.

Haha, I never saw that, either.

"Here's the deal: people have been making WAY too much out of the final scene and all the symbolism."

"Here's the deal: people have been making WAY too much out of the final scene and all the symbolism."

At least it makes a real argument using the text, which is more than you've done. Odd that you accuse others of taking your comment personally when your entire post is personal (you don't even say it's wrong or misguided, just "lame").

At least it makes a real argument using the text, which is more than you've done. Odd that you accuse others of taking your comment personally when your entire post is personal (you don't even say it's wrong or misguided, just "lame").

The AV Club
All my friends … Oh, God, I'm delirious

That's why I always use season 9 as the final "golden age" season, even if it isn't perfect. That production cycle was also the last of Phil Hartman's episodes, and the show would have done well to end there, before handing the reins over to Mike Scully.

Even setting aside how metaphorical the show is— what show has ever done that? What show has ever depicted its ending in the credits from day one then ran seven or eight years and delivered that ending?

Aw, man, I just got that the school was named "Rommelwood". I haven't seen this episode in a while.

They are almost definitely still in 1970.

Probably because Matthew Weiner got most of his serious experience on The Sopranos.

100 Grand (in Comb-overs and Leisure Suits)

Unfortunately, that's also why Jimmy James gave up on the strip.

Don't forget Mathis and his inaccurate put-down, as well. (Don isn't just a handsome guy in an empty suit; he can actually read the room and connect with people.) Interesting part of this final run of episodes so far that I feel hasn't been mentioned enough: For once, the people shitting on Don are actually wrong and…

Well, Don dumped the account because he had a temper tantrum over dealing with the Jaguar exec. And he did it unilaterally, without consulting any of the partners, and fucked up their IPO to boot.

"It is only after we have lost everything that we are free to do anything."

I had to check out the comment history in that link… what's really mind-boggling is going back to years-old articles to start arguments with people. There are some recent comments on articles from season 4 or 5 of Mad Men!

Also, the episode where Annie dates Vaughn always bugged me because Jeff and Britta had a perfectly good reason to be protective of Annie: It's not just that Vaughn is older or Britta used to date him, it's that he was a huge asshole to her after their breakup (to whatever degree it was her fault, carrying a grudge…