Seasons & Episodes
Season 1
13 episodes
E01
Before and After
A drama about disparate friends Mason McGuire and Conner, whose bond is tested while working together at a Chicago ad agency. First up: The admen work on a new cell-phone campaign. Meanwhile, Mason is promoted; and a new copywriterbelieves her duties are beneath her.
E02
All Hell the Victors
Mason pressures his ad team to create a snappy and memorable tag line for a client, but Conner's slogan proves problematic, resulting in trust issues and a possible job loss. Meanwhile, a resolute Sarah pushes to get her promised office.
E03
But Wait, There's More
Mason pledges to the company CEO that the agency will tap into the heralded talents of new copy writer Sarah Krajicek-Hunter, whose unhappiness at her new post is growing. Worse, Sarah's being professionally courted by an agency rival, namely Simon Cochran, nemesis at large. Meanwhile, Conner chances upon an ex-flame.
E04
Au Courant
Mason falls into ad-campaign trouble when he makes a promise to a client that he might not be able to keep. Mason also consults his teen daughter about what's cool in the youth market---but he soon discovers his daughter is far from typical. Meanwhile, Hector and Tom battle over who will squire Sarah to a party.
E05
Way Beyond the Call
Mason's crucial mobile-phone account goes into review, so all ad action is put on hold. But Conner moves ahead anyway and shoots the phone company's commercial, jeopardizing everyone's job at the agency. Meanwhile, Sarah tries to reconnect with her ex-husband on her birthday; and Tony receives big news about his daughter.
E06
Promises, Promises
The ad group networks to score a coveted account for Chicago's Olympic bid. Mason plans a long weekend with Erin at a ritzy Chicago hotel, so he grudgingly gives Conner managerial control over the group. Meanwhile, Sarah lands a new partner who had earlier bowed out of the ad business to have children.
E07
Damage Control
Financial problems mar both Mason and Conner, prompting each to seek employment elsewhere. But their mutual trust is tested when secrets about one another begin to surface. Elsewhere, Sarah is up to her hair in problems over a shampoo account. And an interoffice romance blooms for Tom.
E08
What's the Rush
The Mink Group is on the front lines of a fierce bidding war for a new energy drink---but a concealed relationship involving a team member could jeopardize the account. Elsewhere, Sarah tries to find a love match via a dating service. And Mason's wife suspects that Mason may have a roving eye, so she pays her husband a surprise office visit.
E09
Odd Man Out
Conner offers freelance work to his ex-creative partner, only to see that his friend lacks the necessary skills for the job. Meanwhile, Sarah taps into a high-profile beer account, but she draws the attention of Mink nemesis Simon Cochran. At the McGuire homestead, Mason tries to help daughter Haley brave romantic growing pains, but his efforts backfire.
E10
Thanks, I Needed That
It's not a bubbly affair when the agency taps into an important beer account: The adversarial Cochran Group is allowed to join in the pitch, spiraling Tony into an uncontrollable rage. Meanwhile, Conner shoots a tribute video for Tony's birthday, only to unearth office secrets.
E11
Norming
Mason is the recipient of an unfavorable work evaluation, causing an angry outburst and in turn prompting Tony to hire a corporate therapist to help the group through myriad issues. Meanwhile, Sarah's new relationship begins to soar. She seeks her ex-husband's blessing, only to find out the brutal truth about her divorce from him.
E12
You Got Chocolate in My Peanut Butter
A commercial shoot for a soap product gets slippery when Sarah tangles with the unsavory director, ultimately creating friction between herself and Mason. Then there's Tony, who seizes a rival group's account. He delegates Conner as his partner in the act, which only rips Conner and Mason further apart.
E13
The More Things Change
The first season closes with the Mink group winning a crucial account, a victory that inspires Denise to offer a big promotion to Mason. In other events, Conner receives important news regarding his affair with an energy-drink marketer; and Sarah mulls over how to best split up with her boyfriend.
Cast
Eric McCormack
as Mason McGuire
Monica Potter
as Sarah Krajicek- Hunter
Sarah Clarke
as Erin McGuire
Tom Cavanagh
as Conner
Geoffrey Arend
as Hector Culligan
Griffin Dunne
as Tony Mink
Mike Damus
as Tom Fuller
