Don battles to keep a big tobacco account for the agency whilst juggling his problematic love life.
Betty sees a specialist about her ongoing physical problems; a managing partner leans on Don to get involved in the Richard Nixon presidential campaign; Peggy gets some unwanted attention from a copy writer.
Pete's return from his honeymoon stirs up conflicted emotions about his bachelor-party dalliance with Peggy; Don and Rachel's business relationship shifts; Betty sets tongues wagging when she invites the neighborhood divorcée to her daughter's birthday party.
Pete oversteps his bounds in dealing with a valuable client, puts his foot in his mouth and gets a lesson from Don in toeing the company line. At home, he gets pressure from his newlywed bride to buy their own apartment unit.
Don wins an award and his picture is featured in Advertising Age, but some of the fallout that comes along with the photo is hard for Don to face. Ken's story is published in "The Atlantic Monthly," which makes his colleagues jealous. Meanwhile, Peggy overhears a conversation in the office.
Peggy offers superb suggestions during a focus-group session, and her ideas are so well received that her future at the agency looks much brighter; Don asks Rachel's advice about an ad campaign for Israeli tourism.
A boys' night out for Roger and Don ends badly as Roger's erratic behavior damages their relationship; Pete encounters problems on the home front as he and his bride continue to adjust to being married.
Don's mysterious past comes back to haunt him; Peggy celebrates her new work success, but not all of her colleagues and co-workers are pleased or impressed; Salvatore's relationship with a client is questioned.
A rival ad agency tries to poach Don from Sterling Cooper, and they involve Betty in their campaign to land him; romantic rivals vie for Peggy's affections. Also, the agency steps up its Nixon presidential campaign in an attempt to counter successful Kennedy promos.
Don is distraught about losing an important account, so Roger, stuck in the city on Labor Day, tries to cheer him up; Joan and her roommate paint the town.
Peggy is assigned a difficult project; Don seizes the opportunity provided by Roger's latest work woes; a frustrated Pete develops more problems at home and in the office; Betty seeks new relief for her mounting frustrations.
The Sterling Cooper staff pulls an all-nighter watching Nixon-Kennedy election returns; an ambitious Pete directly challenges Don.
Peggy's colleagues are irked when she's given a new job opportunity; Don's work responsibilities get in the way of his home life; Betty uncovers a surprising secret.
Don and Duck butt heads over the matter of wanting "younger creative talent." Meanwhile, the staff is confused on how to approach the airline company account, and Betty runs into a former roommate who shocks her with a new career choice. Plus, Joan is at a loss of where the copying machine should be placed.
American Airlines Flight 1 has crashed, killing all on board, including the father of one of Sterling Cooper's employees. Sensing an opening, the management of Sterling Cooper consider dumping their account with a regional airline to gain a more lucrative national account with American Airlines. Paul's party at his New Jersey apartment has some consequences at work, and Peggy reluctantly visits with her family.
A drunk comic insults the owner of the product for which he is filming a commercial; consequently, Don must fix the situation so that the company doesn't lose the account. Harry discovers that he is being paid less than his co-worker and tries to make an impression on his bosses so he can ask for a raise.
Peggy attracts the attention of a new priest in her family's parish. Sterling Cooper prepares for a presentation to American Airlines. Betty continues to feel frustrated with Don's contribution to parenting.
Don gets into some trouble with Bobbie Barrett. Peggy thinks about what happened after she gave birth. Pete and his wife go to a doctor to deal with their trouble conceiving. Joan finds a new secretary for Don.
An idea for a client comes out of an after-hours get-together that Peggy was not invited to, which makes her feel left out at work. Don continues to see Bobbie. Duck's children - and dog - visit the office when his ex-wife drops them off early.
The staff is curious about a painting that Mr. Cooper has hung in his office. Don is drawn into the more elite world of his superiors through an invitation to philanthropy. Sal invites Ken to a dinner at home with his wife. Don's secretary and Joan continue to clash.
Peggy is asked by Father Gill to lend her talents to the church project. Also, Don and Duck use a new marketing demographic as a means of wooing a foreign beer client. Plus, Harry looks to an unlikely source when his department is overwhelmed by work.
Freddy Rumsan has no luck at his meeting with his team as he makes a pitch. Meanwhile, Pete uses the exploites at the office. An old friend is given Don's loyalty. Sara Beth proves to be a good ally for Betty.
Betty pays a visit to see her sickly father; Sheila, Paul's girlfriend advices him on his civic responsibilities; and Pete's mother tries to stop a big family move in which he and Trudy are planning.
Don hooks up with some interesting new acquaintances on his trip to Los Angeles. Peggy is searching for an office romance. Duck contemplates his future at Sterling Cooper.
Don renews acquaintances with an old friend. A major account may be compromised by Pete's personal problems. Meanwhile, Joan shows off her fiance around the office.
As the Cuban Missile Crisis worries everyone, the merger at Sterling Cooper moves forward and Don returns to work.
Corporate changes at the firm have an affect on Pete and Ken. Meanwhile, Sal tags along with Don as he makes a business trip to Baltimore, where both of the men fall prey to the powers of seduction.
Betty's father makes an unexpected visit. The Drapers got out for dinner with the new stuffy British boss and his snooty wife. The firm agonizes over whether to give in to an unusual request from a client. Roger takes over the planning of a wedding. Peggy is left greatly affected by her personal involvement in a campaign.
The writers make an attempt to stave off late-night boredom during a mandatory overtime session. Roger throws a party as Joan and Greg host their own party. Sally has a run-in with
Grandpa.
Don and his father-in-law cross paths. Meanwhile, Peggy is in search of a new roommate; and a rich new client is excited to be doing business with the firm.
Don and Betty decide to act after becoming concerned over Sally's behavior. Always the opportunist, Pete tries working a new angle into his business dealings. And Betty is strangely effected by an odd dream she had.
Sterling Cooper receives a surprise visitor; Sally has been spooked by something (or someone); and Joan receives some shocking news.
While considering Hilton's new advertising business for Sterling Cooper, Don recalls the worst night he had at a motel. Ogilvey writes a book and wants Roger's opinion. Betty's municipal issue gets the attention of the Governor's Office. Don is unsettled by Connie's need for his contract, and his attitude affects the women around him, especially Betty and Peggy.
Pete's wife, Trudy, is on vacation with her family at the beach, so Pete temporarily experiments with bachelorhood, encountering Joan. Betty and Henry place themselves into the discussion of a local development issue. Conrad Hilton wants Don's appearance in Rome, so he and Betty set out on an impromptu Roman Holiday.
There is trouble for Don and Sal in giving their clients what they ask for. Meanwhile, Betty hosts a fundraiser.
The firm celebrates as they hit a milestone. Peggy and Paul compete to secure the same account.
A former client makes a return; Betty and her kids go on a trip; and Joan and Greg make plans for their future.
Sterling Cooper professional and personal dramas are eclipsed by the political events surrounding the JFK assassination. Pete learns of the decision concerning Head of Accounts between him and his competitor, Ken. Roger's daughter Margaret has a last-minute wedding demand concerning her father's new wife, Jane. Peggy and Duck meet concerning their professional and personal futures. Henry and Betty encounter each other over the weekend. National events televised throughout.
Sterling Cooper executives commence dealings to preserve what they can when rumors of an impending sale by their British benefactors to a local competitor are confirmed. Don overhears a rumor concerning Betty and Henry, driving similar planning at the homefront.
SCDP, the "scrappy upstarts", with a new logo and a new office compete for business in their new environment. New/old staff personalities clash, but come up with an innovative campaign to sell an old product. The divorce impacts Don, Betty, and Henry from different directions. A trade-industry interview goes poorly, causing clients to retract work, and Don to re-evaluate himself as the ad man he wants to be.
A last minute visitor threatens to spoil the agency's Christmas party.
Don takes a trip. Joan has scheduling problems. Don and Lane get to know each other a little better.
Peter finds out that he will become a father and has to break some bad business news to his father-in-law. Meanwhile an office focus group study for a client has some unintended personal consequences for Don.
Don is forced to compete with a cocky upstart rival for a potential account with Honda motorcycles, but Roger's prejudice causes unexpected problems. Meanwhile Betty considers a psychiatrist for Sally because of her behavior.
Don has a wild lost weekend after winning a CLIO award, while Peggy is forced to work all weekend in a hotel room with an "uninspired" co-worker. Meanwhile, Peter is livid after he learns that the other partners hired Ken Cosgrove.
The boys at the Sterling Cooper Draper Pryce office place their bets.
Don halts the changes in his drinking and womanising, and makes some lifestyle changes for the better. Meanwhile Peggy asserts her authority in the office.
A surprise visitor turns up at the office to see Don, and Peggy is also the target of attention from an unexpected quarter. Roger and Joan find that shared experiences bring people closer.
Don's past threatens to return when government agents doing routine checks talk to Betty. Lane's father comes to take Lane home, and won't take 'no' for an answer. Joan and Roger have some difficult decisions to make.
The partners try to keep their cool after they discover that Roger has lost their biggest account. Peter's wife goes into labor, and Don tries to convince Faye to compromise her ethics to drum up new business.
Don is in talks with Heinz. They are having a hard time with their finances and cutting their deal. Someone is going to get fired.
Don marries his secretary. Someone is going to Disneyland!
Don is greeted with a surprise in the Season 5 opener. Meanwhile, Roger and Pete clash; and Joan has a run-in with a houseguest.
Don is greeted with a surprise in the Season 5 opener. Meanwhile, Roger and Pete clash; and Joan has a run-in with a houseguest.
Peggy receives new responsibilities as the firm makes a concentrated push to increase business. Later, Don and Harry go the extra mile for a big client.
Don has an encounter with someone from the past; Joan comes to a momentous decision. Meanwhile, Roger increases Peggy's workload.
Lane makes an interesting friend; Pete plays host to an assortment of guests.
Peggy has a tough time during a particularly formidable pitch; Don calls on a potential client.
Don, Roger and Pete team up to rustle up some new clients; Sally lends a hand to a relative.
Peggy reluctantly harbors a secret; Pete steps up for a friend; Don gets a surprise.
Don's competitive nature comes to the fore; Roger pursues some new clients; Sally is met with a challenge.
Christmas proves rewarding to many at the agency; Harry does a good turn for a friend.
Don deals with a challenging pitch, while Peggy ponders taking a trip.