26 Episodes
The only thing Mad Men's Don Draper can't escape is himself
The show's Season 3 finale captures a nation dealing with massive change, both on the air and in real life.
Emily St. James
Emily St. James is a writer and critic whose work has appeared in Vox, The A.V. Club, and the New York Times. She is the co-creator of the podcast Arden and a writer on the TV series Yellowjackets.
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Check out what premium Episodes subscribers were reading in May!
Hello, beloved free subscribers! June is here, and with it the close of an exceptionally busy month at Episodes. We published 19 pieces this month, with new writing from us four (or sometimes five!) times a week on on Blue Heron, The Sopranos, Obsession, and more. Premium Episodes subscribers got
Rundown
Episodes Monday Rundown May 25–31 2026
This week: Backrooms! Backrooms!! Backrooms!!
Mailbag
Woodworking mailbag!
Emily celebrates the paperback release of her novel Woodworking by answering your many burning questions!
Rundown
Episodes Monday Rundown May 18–24 2026
This week: the Colbert finale, Olivia Rodrigo, and a triptych of heterosexuality.
Off Campus
One big thing hockey romance Off Campus and horror movie Obsession have in common
Which way, lonely man?
26 Episodes
How The Office made cringe comedy appeal to almost everybody
Could you make this show today? No. But not for the reasons you assume.
Rundown
Episodes Monday Rundown May 11–17 2026
This week: Obsession, Hokum, and The Sheep Detectives!
Mailbag
May mailbag!
This month: Star Wars Day, media for springtime, and why everyone's doing dream ballets these days.
Photopia
There is no magic button to press
So we're gonna have to do this ourselves
Rundown
Episodes Monday Rundown May 4–10 2026
This week: The Devil Wears Prada 2, For All Mankind, and a haunting religious vision.
Mailbag
Submit your May mailbag questions!
It's that time again!