Mad Men: D&D Moral Alignments Of The Main Characters

Mad Men was a period piece that capitalized on the good, the bad, and the ugly of a certain moment in advertising. With brilliant music and the Manhattan skyline as backdrops, how could they lose? Critics felt the ending was somewhat ambiguous, but most of the main characters’ arcs showed growth and redemption, coming to satisfying conclusions. 

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For all our D&D peeps out there, we’ve got some un in store for you! For those who don’t know what D&D moral alignments mean, hand in your geek card. 

10 Layne Price (Lawful Good)

Layne moved to the United States as a wide-eyed cherub, unaccustomed to American insolence and excess. He is quickly corrupted, much to the viewers’ chagrin, as he becomes a happy participant to Don’s night of debauchery. 

Hired to keep the firm’s spending in check, he has had to lay off many hard-working people and is always empathetic and gentle.  Layne falls in the Lawful Good category, sympathetic and working within the bounds of the law. 

“Nothing good ever came of seeking revenge” Layne Price, Mad Men: “Shut The Door. Have a Seat”

9 Peggy Olsen (Neutral Good)

Peggy’s story arc deserves an article of its own. She was faced with numerous obstacles and she handled with grace and aplomb (for the most part). Her weakness is her terrible taste in men, but Stan Rizzo, and that running sequence in the last episode, has laid our doubts to rest. 

Peggy is a pleasure to watch, as is the evolution of her fashion sense.  She’s no push-over but she is always kind. Life has been a struggle that paid off, so she’s willing to give a leg-up to others who put in the work. She’s Neutral Good, she tries to do what she thinks is right, regardless of rules, traditions or laws. She also believes in freedom and individuality.  

“I don’t think anyone wants to be one of a hundred colors in a box” Peggy Olsen, Mad Men: Babylon

8 Sally Draper (Chaotic Good)

They really lucked out with Kiernan Shipka. Hired as a child, they had no way of knowing what a phenomenal actress she would grow up to be, one that has the acting chops to handle the emotional depth her character required. The character suffered at the hands of her rigid mother, but grew out of the petulant phase, unlike her mother.  

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Sally grows up very much a child of the ‘60s, she believes in Flower Power, the power of protests and making the world a better place. Sally is Chaotic Good, she feels rightful indignation at the unfairness of the world and rages against the system and dogma.

“You say things and you just don’t mean them. And you can’t just do that” Sally Draper, Mad Men: Shut The Door. Have A Seat.

7 Joan Holloway (Lawful Neutral)

Joan is one of the most captivating characters on the show. She is as astute as she is beautiful, where Peggy tries to break through the glass ceiling and be treated as an equal, Joan makes the rules of patriarchy and a sexist workplace work for her. Joan was always dressed to catch the eye

Joan’s arc culminates in her launching her own business venture; she’s finally had enough of men, even the ones with the best intentions because she is so much more than her looks. Joan is Lawful Neutral, she follows the rules unless they violate her personal code of honor, then all bets are off and she takes no prisoners.  

“This is why I don’t allow crying in the break room. It erodes morale. There’s a place to do that –  like your apartment” Joan Halloway, Mad Men: Ladies Room 

6 Harry Crane (Chaotic Neutral)

Harry Crane started out as a likable character, despite being riddled with self-esteem issues. The lone loyal husband in the midst of deplorable hound dogs. As the seasons progress, it’s plain to see that it’s not that he’s a good person, the opportunity just had not presented itself. Harry is Chaotic Neutral, his priority is looking out for himself and his freedoms. He will subvert any system to ensure that he gets his way

“I’m the head of the television and I spend my days staring at an Orangutan” Harry Crane, Mad Men: The Mountain King 

5 Pete Campbell (Lawful Evil)

From the very first episode, Pete rubs us the wrong way. He has that smarmy smile and this general air of I’m-better-than-you-ness that makes him the most-hated character on the show.

The way he treats Peggy and then bails when she gets pregnant is a pretty clear indicator of his moral compass. Pete is Lawful Evil, He expects things to fall into his lap because he’s ‘special’, lashing out at everyone when they don’t. His steadily losing hair is what we call poetic justice. 

“Why does it have to be like this? Why can’t I get something good all at once?” Pete Campbell. Mad Men: Signal 30

4 Roger Sterling (Neutral Evil)

If there’s anyone in the show that can give Don some serious competition when it comes to womanizing and having illicit affairs, it’s Roger Sterling. In a classic case of nepotism, he inherited his position from his dad, he sometimes laments how he feels like an imposter. 

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Roger’s saving grace is his brilliant sense of humor, you get the sense that despite his failings, people genuinely enjoy being around him. The crackling chemistry with his ex-wife, Mona, may have to do with the fact that they are married to each other in real life. Roger is Neutral Evil, he will change his alliances and loyalties according to his needs. Evident in the way he throws Don under the bus when it suits his purposes.

“What I’m saying is I want what I want” Roger Sterling, Mad Men: Far Away Places

3 Betty Draper (Chaotic Evil)

Betty is probably the most self-destructive character on the show. She leaves devastation in her wake. Like a petulant, stubborn child that acts out for attention. She can be cruel to her own daughter, much as her own mother was to her. 

“I hate this place. I hate our friends. I hate this town.” Betty Draper, Mad Men: Souvenir 

2 Don Draper (True Neutral)

Everyone’s favorite protagonist with a mean streak, Don comes from a long line of anti-heroes; Walter White, Rick Sanchez, Tony Soprano and Bojack Horseman, to name a few. He gets away with a lot. On the show courtesy of his dapper good looks and brilliant campaign ideas. The audience bleeds for him because he is damaged and broken, survived an unhappy childhood, and also because of his dapper good looks.

Over the course of seven seasons he does some questionable things, transgressions he regrets and genuinely strives to make amends. A True Neutral believes there is no grand plan, just chaos. They consistently try to restore balance to the force, as it were. 

“There is no big lie. There is no system. The universe is indifferent” Don Draper, Mad Men: The Hobo Code 

1 Trudy Campbell (Neutral Evil)

Trudy is a much better wife than Pete deserves. More astute and business savvy than he gives him credit for and a much better mother than anyone saw coming

Unlike Betty Draper, Trudy actually aspired to a suburban life of a devoted housewife and doting mother, and she revels in this role. As a Neutral Evil, she aligns her alliances according to what benefits her the most, she chose her husband over her father, offering to break the bad news to him, because it would sound better coming from her.

“Why don’t you let my father hear it from me? He’s already so guilty, he’ll never feel the knife go in.” Trudy Campbell, Mad Men: The Rejected