As Mad Men’s final installments draw ever-nearer, it’s time for the annual rite of closely examining promotional materials for potential “clues.” Let us pause for a moment here to acknowledge the futility of this pursuit, but, then, perhaps we should acknowledge the futility of all pursuits. To the pictures!

Don’s wearing a blue blazer, just like he wore in last season’s finale, and like we’ve seen Pete and Roger wear, too. Serene! On the one hand, that slicked-back hair, classic-Don look is appealing. But in the context of the show, it’s getting pretty dated, signaling that perhaps Don is losing his edge and is suddenly behind on the times.

Photo: Frank Ockenfels 3/AMC

Sally and Betty are still at cross-purposes — sitting versus lounging, solids versus florals, minidress versus a maxi dress — and yet are still a unit, whether they like it or not. Baby Gene will never be relevant at all. Sorry, Baby Gene! You’re not even facing the camera!

Photo: Frank Ockenfels 3/AMC

Long hair, don’t care! Actually, of course we care: Roger and Pete look slimy, but maybe they just are slimy, so it’s okay.

Photo: Frank Ockenfels 3/AMC

So based on these outfits … it seems we’ve moved ahead in time a bit. Maybe to 1972? Here’s a Cosmo cover from then, which looks like both Peggy’s red tiered dress and has Megan’s voluminous bell sleeves.

Photo: Frank Ockenfels 3/AMC

Betty does always look great in florals. Remember that outfit she wore when she met Henry Francis at that coffee shop? Florals are kind of her thing.

Photo: Frank Ockenfels 3/AMC

Wow, could Megan seem less relevant? Go have midriff-baring fun in California, darling. You don’t fit in here.

Kiernan Shipka as Sally Draper, January Jones as Betty Francis, Jessica Pare as Megan Draper and Jon Hamm as Don Draper Photo: Frank Ockenfels 3/AMC

There’s something really wrong with people who ‘ship Don and Peggy. They are a duo, they have a lifelong bond, but this is not a sexual or romantic relationship. They just get each other.

Photo: Frank Ockenfels 3/AMC

That’s a lot of rings for Joan, who’s usually more of a statement brooch person.

Photo: Frank Ockenfels 3/AMC

I could have had you in my life forever if I wanted to.

Photo: Frank Ockenfels 3/AMC

I spy Stan Rizzo’s beard! Hallelujah! Poor Ken with that eye patch, though. Man.