When the season finale of season six of “Mad Men” aired on Sunday night, it did something that isn’t often seen with shows that have been on for a few years–it beat out the ratings of previous season finales.

The episode narrowly edged out the season five finale with 2.7 million viewers, up from 2.6 million viewers the previous year.  Charlie Collier, AMC’s president, was ecstatic about the ratings.  “There is nothing else on television like “Mad Men,” and for the series in its sixth season to deliver the highest-rated finale ever…is a testament to everyone who brings this world to life,” Collier said.

Considering many “Mad Men” fans are calling the episode one of the best ever, the show has really hit its stride over the past few seasons.  Even though “Mad Men” is doing very well, the creator of the show Matthew Weiner says that the upcoming season will be the last.  “I can tell you that if you don’t want to repeat yourself, a show gets harder and harder, and we’re at Episode 78. And I think it’s time to come into the home stretch,” Weiner said.

Whether or not Weiner is taking cues from other TV show creators and producers who like to tease fans by suggesting a show won’t be extended is too soon to tell.  However, it’s hard to imagine that a cable network like AMC that has a show with such a strong base will let it come to an end so easily.

Warning: Season finale spoilers below.

Ratings and the future of the show aside, “Mad Men” ended its sixth season in a dramatic fashion. While most viewers knew Don Draper (Jon Hamm) was in hot water after some of his antics, many where shocked by what actually happened: he got the boot.  After getting drunk and ruining an ad campaign, punching a minister, backstabbing a colleague and going to jail, Draper walked into a meeting at the end of the finale and was told to “take some time off.”

While surprising, that seemed innocent enough until Draper reached the elevator where he ran into former colleague Duck (Mark Moses) and an associate who mouthed, “Going down?” to Draper, which indicated that Draper was finished at Sterling Cooper & Partners.  The finale also touched on Draper’s marriage woes, plans to move to California and some of Draper’s childhood and upbringing.

All in all, the show ended on a strong note and will certainly have fans wondering what is happening next over the summer.