The Details

Just a few reasons why Mad Men isn't just the best show on TV, but one of the best shows ever:

The words.

The nuance and subtlety of all the performances, from the brilliant leads all the way down to the guest stars and background people.

The atmosphere of those sets and costumes; the way the camera moves around them.

Don forcing Pete to expose him to Cooper. "One never knows how loyalties are born."

Peggy's disgusted face when she spies vomit in her waste basket in 'Nixon vs. Kennedy.'

The sparkle in Betty's eyes after Roger tells her he'll be fantasizing about her that night. "I'll make some coffee," she says.

The back of Don's head and that tentative, smoking cigarette in his hand.

The inscrutable, wide-eyed expression on Joan's face when her roommate confesses her love.

The wistful way Rachel says, "I so looked forward to seeing you again," then adds in defeat, "I guess that's over."

Betty buying a ham sandwich and the big danish after Pete shares his cabin fantasy with her.

Don saying, "My life only moves in one direction," with a rigid look on his face that begs for absolution.

Ken punching Peggy on the shoulder in congratulations after her presentation.

Peggy shaking Don's hand and saying, "I will do my sincere best."

Pete attacking Ken for mocking Peggy's weight gain to guard his own ego over having slept with her.

That entire scene between Joan and Roger after his heart attack while she's putting make-up on him. He tells her that she was "the best piece of ass" he'd ever had. The balance between restraint and devotion on her face was heart-breaking.

Cooper telling Joan, "Don't waste your youth on age." "He's just a friend," she says. "You know what I mean," he reiterates.

The deliberation on Peggy's face before slipping the 'Relaxasizer' back on at the end of that episode.

The camaraderie and competition between Roger and Don.

Roger tells Don, "I'll use you as bait."

Salvatore's reaction to being asked, "What are you so afraid of?" Then he stands and offers a sincere farewell before leaving.

Harry's palpable shame on the morning after sleeping Pete's secretary.

The knowing glint in Don's eyes during the slideshow in 'The Wheel.'

Cooper saying, "I'm going to introduce you to Ayn Rand. I think she'll salivate."

Pete's face when Don promotes Peggy.

The way everyone, even Pete (secretly or subconsciously) loves Don.

The relish with which Pete explains the 'Chip & Dip.'

Paul hanging his head in defeat after being repeatedly rebuffed by Joan on the steps in 'Nixon vs. Kennedy'. "You have a big mouth," she tells him. "I'm not proud out it," he says.

The way Joan moves in her dresses. Woman Incarnate!

The recognition in Joan's eyes after Salvatore kisses her during Paul's play.

That celebratory half skip Peggy does after having sex in Pete's office.

Ken telling Paul, "You lost."

Trudy "Oh, shoosh"-ing Pete.

Don looking at his knight-in-armor cufflinks on the night stand the morning after first kissing Rachel. You feel the resurgence of his longing.

Rachel as Dagny to Don's John Galt.

Peggy wanting to tell Joan about her promotion.

Joan's utter lack of jealousy.

Glenn taking Betty's hand outside the bank. "I don't know how long twenty minutes is."

The methodical but cathartic way Betty reveals her knowledge of Don's infidelity to her therapist.

Pete dropping his suit jacket in the middle of the floor in the finale.

Francine pretending to return a shirt to get the scoop on Betty's altercation with Helen.

Roger's wife telling Don and Joan, "You two make a handsome couple." Joan demurs, "Honestly, I don't go for handsome."

Midge nonchalantly throwing her TV out the window without looking then gleefully running back to check.

The perceivable youth and insecurity Don shows in his flashbacks. He sounds and carries himself differently; less formed.

Roger's existential crisis after his heart attack. Don responds, "What do you want me to say?" The terror in Don's eyes.

Peggy turning away from her baby.

Betty crying as Grace Kelly.

Don walking into an empty house at the end of the season and sitting on the steps. "Don't Think Twice."

Don making Rachel ask for it before making love to her.