In the penultimate season of Mad Men, it’s the late 60s and the times are changing. One of the most interesting aspects of Mad Men is how each season evolves to expose the era it is depicting. By Season 6 it is all about the Vietnam War, riots and dramatic social upheaval, and this is reflected in the turbulent lives of the characters. At the ad agency, there are new clothes and new attitudes, as a younger, and very different generation, take control.

This season gravitates around Don Draper and his dark descent. Don has always been a fascinating character – equal parts self-destructive and ingenious – and here we get a close look inside his mind. The old order Don represents is unravelling, and our sympathy for his character is sometimes pushed to its limits.

There’s also lots of humour in this season, and we spend plenty of time watching our favourite characters like Peggy, Joan and Sterling trying to find their place in this quickly changing world. The episodes that follow Don’s daughter, Sally, are some of the best — she’s a teenager now who no longer falls for her father’s lies.

The season starts off slowly, but by the mid-way point is producing remarkable and experimental Mad Men episodes – many of the best to date. Mad Men is by far one of the most captivating and thoughtful shows around today: this season, particularly, is loaded with interesting symbolism and allusions that reveal subtleties of this period. With just one season left before it’s all over, you’ll find yourself obsessing over every scene for clues as to what will come next.

Max Denton