Did Don Draper create the most famous Coca-Cola commercial in television history?
In short: The series finale of Mad Men concludes with Don Draper meditating on a hilltop, followed by the iconic 1971 Hilltop advertisement for Coca-Cola. This final sequence leaves viewers to wonder if Don, a fictional advertising executive, was the creative mind behind one of the most celebrated commercials ever produced.
The episode, titled Person to Person, aired on May 17, 2015, and serves as the 92nd and final installment of the series. Written and directed by creator Matthew Weiner, the finale follows Don Draper in the fall of 1970 as he retreats to an oceanside commune in California. After a period of emotional turmoil and a confession of his past wrongdoings to Peggy Olson, Don finds a moment of peace during a group therapy session. The show concludes with him meditating, a smile appearing on his face, before transitioning into the real-world 1971 Hilltop advertisement.
Whether this transition implies that Don created the ad remains a subject of intense debate. While some critics argue that Matthew Weiner intentionally left the ending ambiguous, others, including actor Jon Hamm and representatives from both McCann Erickson and Coca-Cola, interpret the scene as a definitive statement that Don was the architect of the commercial. Weiner himself noted that he wanted to explore the idea that something pure could emerge from an enlightened state rather than mere corporate co-option, while acknowledging the appeal of ending the series with what he considers the greatest commercial ever made.
The finale received critical acclaim, holding a 92% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, though reactions were diverse. Some critics, such as Alan Sepinwall, expressed concern that the ending for Don might be cynical, while others, like Megan Garber, found it a pleasant shock. The episode also provided a resolution for other characters, including a romantic union between Peggy and Stan, and a new business venture for Joan. For his performance in this episode, Jon Hamm finally secured an Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series, ending a streak of eight consecutive nominations without a win.
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Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: Person to Person (Mad Men)
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