Mad scary

In “Commissions and Fees,” Sterling Cooper Draper Pryce’s fall from grace continues with Lane’s less-than-elegant exit. Jared Harris delivers a compelling depiction of the troubled Brit’s last hours.

In Lane’s final episode it becomes readily apparent that it’s not Lane’s wife and colleagues but the viewer who knows Lane best. His character has been written to gain the audience’s empathy, different from his colleague’s opinion of him.

The element of horror, which might come to define this season, climaxes this episode as Lane enters his office to type his resignation letter, and then ends his life by hanging. The horror reaches its pinnacle as Don, Pete and Roger cut Lane’s decomposing body from the ceiling and lay him on his couch.

There wasn’t a slow moment in the penultimate episode of arguably the show’s best season to date. In addition to its sharp writing, the show has distinguished itself this season with compelling cinematography.

With Peggy’s departure and Lane’s death, many questions need answering in the finale.

By Lauren Kreiser