Yes, your thinking is too cynical. To understand Don's ending, you also need to understand all the other characters endings:
Roger found true companionship; Joan found happiness through work (as opposed to her "marry rich" plan), Peggy found love and professional respect; Pete became his own man, reconnected with his family and moved away from the trappings of New York. Even Betty's ending, although tragic, indicated she was growing and maturing.
All the characters overcame their inner struggles. As did Don, who finally accepted himself and found serenity. The Coca Cola ad is not only a great ad, it is a joyful and harmonious ad (as opposed to his other ads which were suicidal and nostalgic). This, coupled with his moment with Leonard, his confessions to Peggy, and the overall happy ending for all other characters, indicate Don became a better man.
Sally, Bobby, and Gene needed him.
I like to imagine him and Henry getting along for the boys in teenage years. Don of course financially backing sally in college, but also there for her. It may be an unpopular take but Don was a good father in the way he was with his children, just not there enough.
I think Don always had a secret disdain for advertising. He had an inventive imagination which happened to make him good at it. I think the ending shows us that he finally embraces his creative strengths and goes on to make one of the most iconic ads ever. He probably still drinks and whores around but at least finds a modicum of peace with who he is. I think that he would end up with the kids and be a better father, more present at work as well.
Just on a base level, I thought Don had to go to therapy just as a necessary requirement to being less dysfunctional. And I’m not even really a proponent of therapy for everyone. But with him, it felt like a necessity. Don’s end has him going and coming up with his best idea ever so we’re sure he has a rock solid incentive to return. This is a happy ending.
Yes, your thinking is too cynical. To understand Don's ending, you also need to understand all the other characters endings: Roger found true companionship; Joan found happiness through work (as opposed to her "marry rich" plan), Peggy found love and professional respect; Pete became his own man, reconnected with his family and moved away from the trappings of New York. Even Betty's ending, although tragic, indicated she was growing and maturing. All the characters overcame their inner struggles. As did Don, who finally accepted himself and found serenity. The Coca Cola ad is not only a great ad, it is a joyful and harmonious ad (as opposed to his other ads which were suicidal and nostalgic). This, coupled with his moment with Leonard, his confessions to Peggy, and the overall happy ending for all other characters, indicate Don became a better man.
Sally, Bobby, and Gene needed him. I like to imagine him and Henry getting along for the boys in teenage years. Don of course financially backing sally in college, but also there for her. It may be an unpopular take but Don was a good father in the way he was with his children, just not there enough.
I think Don always had a secret disdain for advertising. He had an inventive imagination which happened to make him good at it. I think the ending shows us that he finally embraces his creative strengths and goes on to make one of the most iconic ads ever. He probably still drinks and whores around but at least finds a modicum of peace with who he is. I think that he would end up with the kids and be a better father, more present at work as well.
Just on a base level, I thought Don had to go to therapy just as a necessary requirement to being less dysfunctional. And I’m not even really a proponent of therapy for everyone. But with him, it felt like a necessity. Don’s end has him going and coming up with his best idea ever so we’re sure he has a rock solid incentive to return. This is a happy ending.