Throughout its seven seasons,
Mad Men
(Series Finale, 10 p.m. Sunday, AMC) has remained as elusive as its complicated lead character Don Draper. Audiences never quite knew what the heavy-drinking, handsome ad man would do next, much like the story itself. As the series’ final 75-minute episode looms, let’s consider a few likely scenarios, Internet conspiracies and fun wishes about how this story and its intriguing characters will tie together (my guess: they won’t — at least not in a neatly wrapped box).
Don’s past finally catches up to him.
Much of Mad Men’s story has been devoted to Don’s past, his various identities and the idea of home. While he’s reconciled a lot of these issues — informing his ex-wives of his history, taking his kids to his childhood home, even swapping war stories in last week’s episode — his Dick Whitman days could still come into play. Maybe it’s time for a new persona altogether.
Joan and Peggy rule the world.
After a lifetime of bullshit being dealt to both of them, these badass, talented women deserve to end on a high note. Maybe that means a new job, a love interest, a child or another opportunity. Just give them something besides a killer ’70s ensemble!
Sally runs away, too.
Assuming both of her biological parents will soon be out of the picture (Don’s at a bus stop halfway across the country with nothing but a Sears bag; Betty seems firm in her choice to forego cancer treatments), now could be the time for the independent Sally to really come into her own. Maybe she’ll skip town like her dad?
Don is D. B. Cooper.
One of the prevailing theories online revolves around the curious case of D. B. Cooper. In 1971 a man using the name Dan Cooper calmly hijacked a plane traveling from Portland, Ore., to Seattle, asking for $200,000 and some parachutes. After the plane landed to refuel and release the passengers, they took off with Cooper again. It is presumed the man then parachuted out of an open airstair, as he was gone once they landed a final time. Cooper (mistakenly identified as D. B. instead of Dan, and it stuck) was never found and the case is still open. Is Don D. B.? There has been a ton of emphasis on aviation over the past several seasons.
WEDNESDAY MAY 13
Modern Family
(9 p.m., ABC) – Haley, Luke and Phil force Alex to participate in senior skip day; Claire is offered a new job.
THURSDAY MAY 14
The Comedians
(10 p.m., FX) – When Billy and Josh notice a diversity gap, they demand a black writer be hired.
Maron
(Season Premiere, 10 p.m., IFC) – Marc gets to know his girlfriend’s child and considers hiring Elliott Gould’s agent.
Louie
(10:30 p.m., FX) – Louie hosts a sleepover for Jane and her friends.
SATURDAY MAY 16
Bessie
(Premiere, 8 p.m., HBO) – Queen Latifah stars as 1920 Blues legend Bessie Smith.
Saturday Night Live
(Season Finale, 11:29 p.m., NBC) – Louis C.K. hosts; Rihanna performs.
SUNDAY MAY 17
Brooklyn Nine-Nine
(Season Finale, 8:30 p.m., Fox) – Jake and Amy get close when they go undercover to catch an identity thief. It sounds like this undercover mission might end … under covers (cue Horatio Caine putting his sunglasses on).
Game of Thrones
(9 p.m., HBO) – Arya starts training in Braavos; Tyrion and Jorah encounter slavers on their journey; Trystane Martell and Myrcella Baratheon continue to get cozy in Dorne; the Sand Snakes attack!
Silicon Valley
(10 p.m., HBO) – When Monica encourages the crew to one-up Hooli’s livestream move, Erlich reaches out to a former mentee-turned-energy drink billionaire. Unfortunately, their relationship isn’t as great as he thought.
Veep
(10:30 p.m., HBO) – Selina’s running mate woos the press, much to Ms. POTUS’ chagrin.
MONDAY MAY 18
RuPaul’s Drag Race
(9 p.m., Logo) – The queens have one last Tic Tac meal with RuPaul; the final four star in Ru’s totally ’80s music video for “Born Naked” — but this week’s eliminated queen will be edited out. Ouch!
TUESDAY MAY 19
Inside Amy Schumer
(10:30 p.m., Comedy Central) – Amy rides the bull, steals and stands up for Bill Cosby.
CONTACT JAC KERN: jkern@citybeat.com or @jackern
This article appears in May 13-19, 2015.