Mad Men is one of the most critically revered American period drama television series of the 21st century. Created by Matthew Weiner, the show captivated audiences with its stylish depiction of 1960s America, especially the advertising world, with complex characters and high-stakes risks. While there is much to admire about the show, there is one thing that surprised fans, which ultimately ended up being the biggest gamble Weiner ever made.
![Jon Hamm in Mad Men [Credit AMC]](https://fwmedia.fandomwire.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/15112359/Jon-Hamm-in-Mad-Men-Credit-AMC-1024x640.jpeg "“One of the greatest risks” Mad Men Creator Ever Took With the Show Was Breaking Fans’ Illusion With a Dark Don Draper Twist 1")
The boldest of creative risks taken by the show was shattering viewers’ perspective of its enigmatic protagonist, Jon Hamm’s Don Draper. Well, read on to know what Weiner did and how his decision ended up impacting the fans and the overall appeal of the show.
Mad Men’s biggest gamble was shattering viewers’ perception of its lead
Throughout Mad Men’s initial run, Jon Hamm’s Don Draper has presented himself as the ultimate character who can reinvent the moment things go awry, a man who outruns his history, creates a new self, and moves on as if there were no consequences. His wit, intelligence, and even his overdrinking, addiction with s*x, and drive made him both an inspirational and a tragic figure,
However, as Matthew Weiner revealed to Time Magazine, one of Mad Men’s biggest risks was deconstructing this myth, making Don and even viewers pay for his reinvention.
One of the greatest risks in the show that we ever took was taking this wish fulfillment from the audience–that you can eat steak and drink as much whisky as you want and it won’t affect your life. [Running away] is a very alcoholic behavior, ‘Pulling a geographic.’ But he is committed to the fact that he can start over.
A turning point came when Don realized the gravity of his issues and realized he could no longer run away. From his drinking habits to having his daughter, Sally, witnessing the worst in him, Don could no longer be dishonest to himself and to those in his life.
As Weiner reveals, Don realizes that the only way ahead is through raw honesty. As he starts to reconcile with who he is and tear down the facade he has been living behind all this time, it not only destroys audience expectations but also enhances the show’s thematic exploration of identity, reality, and the cost of the American Dream.
This shift not only delivers a dramatic twist but also reaffirms that reinvention can only go so far and that destruction will eventually catch up one day.
Mad Men continues to enjoy enduring fame even today
At the height of its fame, Mad Men was one of the most influential TV shows of its time. However, that influence has not lessened with time, and more than a decade after its finale, the series continues to be regarded as one of the greatest television dramas of all time.
Its lasting impact can be largely attributed to its brilliant storytelling, nuanced and complex characters, and the social commentary offered on the American identity. Even though it is a period drama set in the 1960s, the show’s main themes transcend time— power, ambition, transformation, and more.
While Mad Men dealt with the advertising world, it wasn’t really about it but was rather too concerned about the human condition. From Don Draper’s identity crisis to the stories of other characters like Peggy Olson and more, the show has multiple intertwined narratives— gender politics, power struggles, sexism, and alcoholism — that mirror contemporary society.
Moreover, from its layered storytelling to its visual symbolism and cast, Mad Men continues to remain a show that still resonates with contemporary times.
Mad Men is available to be streamed on Netflix.
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