Ep 13. The Milk & Honey Route

The Milk & Honey Route is the last episode of the final season of Mad Men. It originally aired on May 17, 2015. The episode depicts the aftermath of Don Draper's abrupt departure from McCann Erickson and his efforts to find a new direction in life.

The episode begins with Don driving west aimlessly. He picks up a hitchhiker who turns out to be a con artist and steals his car, leaving Don stranded in the middle of the desert. Don is forced to hitchhike himself, and ends up at an old school diner where he meets an old war veteran who offers him a ride to the next town.

In the meantime, the partners at Sterling Cooper & Partners are dealing with the aftermath of being absorbed into McCann Erickson. They attend an awkward meeting with the McCann brass, who make it clear that they are taking over and that the Sterling Cooper staff will have to adjust to new ways of doing things. Roger Sterling, in particular, is unhappy with the situation and tries to make a deal to keep the company independent, but it is too late.

Back in the desert, Don and the vet end up spending the night in a cheap motel. Don makes a connection with the vet, who tells him about his life on the road and the value of always moving forward. Don seems inspired by the vet's philosophy and lets go of some of his past regrets.

The next day, Don tries to call the Sterling Cooper office but is told that there is no message waiting for him. He realizes that the people he left behind have moved on and he has to do the same. He gets back on the road and ends up in California, where he visits Anna Draper's niece, Stephanie, who had recently given birth. Stephanie is surprised to see him but welcomes him warmly. They chat for a while, and Don gives her some money and tells her to keep in touch.

Don ends up at a hippie retreat in California, where he participates in a group therapy session. The leader of the group, a woman named Diana, seems to recognize Don's pain and urges him to share his story with the group. Don tells them about his difficult childhood and the loss of his brother, and breaks down in tears. Afterward, Diana tells him that he needs to face his pain and move on. Don seems to take her words to heart.

The episode ends with Don making a phone call to Peggy, whom he had worked closely with at Sterling Cooper. They have a brief but emotional conversation, in which Don seems to acknowledge the mistakes he had made in the past and express gratitude for their relationship. Peggy seems moved by the conversation but also seems to have accepted that their time together is over.

The Milk & Honey Route is a fitting end to the Mad Men series. It brings Don's journey full circle, as he faces his demons and tries to find a new direction in life. It also touches on the theme of change and the fleeting nature of human relationships. The episode leaves the viewer with a sense of closure and a sense of hope for what lies ahead for the characters.