The Only Mad Men Episodes John Slattery’s Roger Sterling Isn’t In

John Slattery’s performance as the complex Roger Sterling in Mad Men won him two Screen Actors Guild awards – here are the only three episodes of the show that he isn’t in. Roger Sterling is a senior partner and accounts executive at Sterling Cooper Advertising Agency. He inherited his position from his father, Roger Sterling Sr., who founded the ad agency with his war veteran buddy Bertram Cooper (Robert Morse). Before season 2, John Slattery’s character Roger Sterling wasn’t considered a main player in the series.

During Mad Men‘s seven-season run, audiences were allowed glimpses of Sterling’s life and upbringing. He grew up in abundant wealth and influence. Before taking over his dad’s old job at Sterling Cooper, which is based on a real ad agency, he was a Naval officer during World War II. Throughout the series, he brings up his naval career. Parts of it are talked about in Season 1, Episode 7, “Red in the Face.” More of his time in the war is also explored through his revelations to Joan Holloway (Christina Hendricks) during their flirtatious tryst in season 4.  Joan is the only one who can confront Roger’s childish temperament, and there were plenty of mixed reactions about their winding relationship on the show.

Since Roger Sterling wasn’t considered a main character in the ensemble cast until season 2, there are only three episodes in which John Slattery doesn’t appear. Despite Mad Men‘s controversial ending and Roger Sterling’s questionable decisions, he seems to make it out alright in the end. Season 1 has Don Draper (Jon Hamm) nearly begging for a job from Sterling, and the two form a complicated relationship from there on out. Here are the only episodes John Slattery isn’t featured in on Mad Men.

Season 1, Episode 8, “The Hobo Code”

During “The Hobo Code,” Peggy (Elisabeth Moss) and Pete (Vincent Kartheiser) begin their budding romance. In the meantime, Lois Saddler (Crista Flanagan), a new secretary in the office, starts taking a shine to Salvatore (Bryan Batt). Finally, Don Draper gets a bonus and tries to take his girlfriend Midge (Rosemarie DeWitt) to Paris, but whatever he decides to do with the money isn’t revealed in the episode. Instead of Don Draper taking his mistress to Paris, he reflects on his tumultuous upbringing and some advice that shaped him. The episode is much more Peggy and Don-centric, so it’s only natural that Roger didn’t appear.

Season 1, Episode 12, “Nixon vs. Kennedy”

“Nixon vs. Kennedy” recounts the historical 1960 election while the Sterling Cooper office hosts a ’60s version of a watch-party. The episode even uses real footage from the election. The big bosses have left the office for the evening, but the episode decides to hone in on Pete, as he discovers Don Draper’s secret identity. Pete wrestles with whether or not to use this leverage to get the Head of Account Services job. He eventually decides to use the information to his advantage and in a panic, Don asks his mistress Rachel Menken (Maggie Siff) to run away with him. Mad Men‘s Don Draper calls Peter’s bluff, but it leads to a confrontation with Bert. Since this episode focuses more on Pete and Don, Roger’s absence isn’t surprising. If it were a real office, he probably would’ve been more involved when it came to the Head of Account Services candidate selection.

Season 1, Episode 13, “The Wheel”

The last episode that John Slattery’s Roger Sterling isn’t in is “The Wheel.” Once again this episode is more about Don’s personal life, Pete Campbell’s role at the company, and Peggy Olsen’s new promotion to a junior copywriter. The Thanksgiving-centered episode explores Betty (January Jones) and Don’s tumultuous relationship as a fight ensues between them, due to him not wanting to spend Thanksgiving with her family. Don Draper’s former secretary Peggy lands the Clearasil account, much to Peter’s objection, and she finds out that she’s pregnant. This Mad Men episode doesn’t include Roger Sterling because the focal point is Don’s account with Kodak and his personal life. Fans of the series get to see more of Roger as the show goes on, as he is promoted to a main character after the season 1 arc.

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