Ep 5. The Flood

On episode 5 of Mad Men season 6, titled "The Flood," the characters in the advertising agency are challenged with responding to a national tragedy - the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr. The episode begins with a scene of Don Draper and his wife Megan out on the town when they hear the news of King's death. From there, the show launches into a reflection on the enormous impact of King's work and the ripple effect of his death throughout the country.

As the news spreads across the agency, each character responds differently. Peggy is seen watching the news in shock and disbelief, while Roger Sr. seems indifferent, arguing that "you can't change things with a bullet." Meanwhile, the young black copywriter Michael Ginsberg is angrily railing against the injustice of the situation.

As the country grieves and riots break out across the nation, Don is called upon to pull together an immediate campaign response for one of their clients. Despite the weight of the situation, Don's drive and determination to succeed professionally is still ever present. The episode ultimately portrays the inherent tension between the demands of business and of human morality, as the characters must wade through the haze of tragedy to continue working.

Overall, "The Flood" is both a powerful reflection on a momentous national tragedy and a reflection on the shifting values and priorities of the Mad Men world in a time of turmoil. Through the characters' varied responses, the episode poignantly reveals how deeply ingrained issues of race, class, and power structure were in American society during the 1960s.