Mad Men Fans Still Can’t Rewatch the Episode That Fumbled Its Best Character

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In Season 2, when the British firm Putnam, Powell & Lowe bought Sterling Cooper, several new characters were introduced. Jared Harris played Lane Pryce, who acted as a key link between the two agencies during the merger and became an important figure in the company’s future.

Lane Pryce was a true gentleman working in a chaotic office filled with drinking, smoking, and disrespect towards women. Sent to Sterling Cooper by his firm, PPL, to cut expenses, he didn’t immediately fit in. However, his financial skills and calm demeanor eventually earned him the respect of his colleagues, and they made him a partner when they formed their own independent agency.

Lane Pryce Quickly Became a Fan-Favorite Mad Men Character

Unlike some of the other characters, Lane Pryce was a genuinely good person. When he arrived in America, he was very dedicated to his wife, Rebecca, and often surprised by the behavior of his colleagues at Sterling Cooper. Even as he became more comfortable, he remained loyal to Rebecca until she returned to England with their son, Nigel, because she was homesick.

Pryce was struggling with his failing marriage and felt lost, until a night out with Don Draper turned things around. He started to relax and even began to fall for Toni, a Black Playboy Bunny, as he tried to move on from his wife. However, instead of his family visiting New York as planned, his father showed up and aggressively pressured him to return home and fix his life.

He moved his family back to New York, and he and Rebecca tried to make the best of it. As a partner at Sterling Cooper Draper Pryce, he felt responsible for the company, even though it meant sacrifices for his wife. Despite his financial skills, which had initially impressed his partners, the agency struggled after losing the Lucky Strike account. Constantly facing financial trouble, Pryce did everything he could to keep the business afloat, even cutting his own expenses.

Mad Men’s British Financial Expert Wasn’t Perfect, but Fans Still Adored Lane Pryce

Jared Harris brilliantly played Lane Pryce as a man struggling to cope in the cutthroat world of New York advertising, making him a fan favorite. Viewers connected with him precisely because he wasn’t flawless. While his behavior towards Peggy Olson was sometimes inappropriate, their genuine friendship at Sterling Cooper helped balance those moments.

Despite his questionable actions, like obsessively tracking down a woman from a found wallet, the character of Lane Pryce revealed a surprising depth. Set against the backdrop of busy New York City and a crowded office, Lane felt profoundly isolated. This vulnerability unexpectedly earned him the audience’s sympathy, even though his behavior was often inexcusable.

In Season 5, Episode 5, “Signal 30,” Don Draper solidified his position as the most fascinating character on Mad Men for many viewers. When Don, along with Roger Sterling and Pete Campbell, takes Lane’s acquaintance Edwin out for a night of fun, their evening ends at a brothel, putting the Jaguar account – which Lane had been diligently pursuing – at risk.

Okay, so Pete and Lane really go at it – it gets brutal. Pete starts attacking Lane’s job and even brings up his personal life, which is just low. It escalates quickly, and they end up in a fist fight that Lane actually wins. Honestly, as a long-time viewer, watching Campbell finally get what he deserved felt really satisfying. It was a payoff for all those seasons of putting up with his awful behavior!

Under the Surface, Lane Pryce’s Life Was Falling Apart

Since leaving Putnam, Powell and Lowe three years ago, SDCP hasn’t been able to become profitable, which is a central problem for the firm. Money is extremely tight, and Pryce frequently has to shift funds between different project budgets just to cover expenses. This precarious situation can’t last forever, and ultimately, the founding partners are the ones who suffer the most.

For three years, Lane Pryce hadn’t received any bonuses. With a high cost of living and the pressure to maintain a certain image, he was becoming increasingly worried about money. He couldn’t keep up with his expenses, and the annual fees for his partnership were due soon. Unable to cover them, he sold some of his remaining assets in England, but even after taxes, he was still in debt.

Facing tax difficulties, Lane resorted to fraud. He forged Don’s signature on a $7,500 check, intending to resolve the issue quickly. He also falsely increased the company’s credit line by $50,000 by misleading the bank about existing accounts. To cover his tracks, he told the partners the money was extra profit and should be used for employee bonuses, hoping to repay the stolen funds before the deception was discovered.

The other partners unexpectedly decided to use the bonus money to reward SDCP’s employees, which created a difficult situation for Lane. He had been planning to use the bonus to pay back the money he’d taken, and now he wasn’t sure how he would manage it.

Lane Pryce’s Suicide Is Mad Men’s Most Devastating Moment

Don was stunned to learn that the man he’d trusted with the company’s money had been stealing from them and had even forged his signature. Although the man was too proud to ask for help directly, he lashed out at Don, accusing him of spending company money on a lavish lifestyle. Don immediately fired him, but agreed to avoid public humiliation or police involvement if the man left quietly by Monday.

CBR Report

CBR Report

I was so saddened to learn about Lane. He felt utterly hopeless, with no desire to rebuild his life back in England. He actually attempted to take his own life that night, trying to use the exhaust fumes from his Jaguar. But tragically, the car wouldn’t even start! It’s heartbreaking to think he then went back to the office, wrote a resignation letter, and ultimately took his own life there. It’s just… devastating.

Joan found his body Monday morning when she couldn’t get into his office. She feels guilty, questioning if a different outcome was possible if she’d had a relationship with him. The other partners are deeply affected by his suicide, but Don keeps the truth about what happened with Lane to himself. Surprisingly, Sterling Cooper Draper Pryce finishes the year with a profit, boosted in part by the insurance money received after Lane died at work.

While Mad Men always featured heartbreaking moments, Lane Pryce’s death in Season 5 remains particularly impactful. Though flawed, Pryce was ultimately destroyed by the ruthless business environment of the 1960s, leading him to believe suicide was his only escape. His story serves as a powerful and tragic reflection of the crushing weight of debt and the desperation that can lead people to believe death is their only option, and the show portrays this with remarkable accuracy.

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2025-12-24 18:39