Ep 10. The Forecast

Mad Men season 7 episode 10 titled "The Forecast" takes the audience on a reflective journey through the lives of Sterling Cooper & Partners employees, as they confront the unknown territory of the future. This episode compels the characters, both old and new, to question their purpose in life and their ultimate career goals.

The episode illustrates the growing tensions within the advertising world, as new technologies are slowly emerging and with the arrival of the 1970s, is changing the way the industry functions. The impending changes in the industry have made everyone, including Don Draper (Jon Hamm), uneasy about their future.

Don Draper takes on an unusual assignment when he is asked to write a 300-word forecast letter, predicting what the future holds for Sterling Cooper. As a futuristic-themed brainteaser, this task forces Draper to confront his shortcomings and encourages him to start living in the present.

Meanwhile, Peggy Olson (Elisabeth Moss) finds herself questioning her career direction when she's given the opportunity to target consumers via new technology. Her realisation that she may be out of touch is unsettling, as she struggles to define who she is – both personally and professionally.

Roger Sterling (John Slattery) has his own identity crisis as he struggles to come to terms with being an older man, while Johnny Mathis’s “Chances Are” echoes throughout most of the episode. This classic tune reminds him of happier times, and he starts to wonder if he has any real purpose in life other than being a business owner.

Elsewhere, Pete (Vincent Kartheiser) and Trudy (Alison Brie) are still on their reconciliation journey. In this episode, they are seen visiting schools for their daughter Tammy. The couple's scenes are touching and realistically showcase the difficulties of trying to rebuild a relationship once it has fallen apart.

As the episode progresses, the past and future become intertwined, with flashbacks of Don's encounters with Bert Cooper (Robert Morse), Roger's wild younger years and Peggy's work triumphs marking a journey backward in time. These memories offer the characters and the audience a keen view of how far they have come since the beginning of the series.

In summary, Mad Men season 7 episode 10 "The Forecast" is rife with self-reflection – from career decisions to personal struggles. It expertly portrays the anxiety and uncertainty that change brings. The characters, whilst still dealing with their personal demons, exhibit newfound maturity and the hopefulness that comes with genuine growth. The episode does a great job of tying up many loose ends from previous seasons, while still leaving enough open for audiences to anticipate the final episodes of this incredible series.