Mad Men

[on:]

New season starts on August 16th... anybody else watch this show? I've been catching up as it's been available On Demand. For you Firefly nerds, this show isn't remotely similar, but it does feature this dame that you guys like:

[Reply #1 on:]

Well, I guess that answers my earlier query...

Yes. I like this show a lot, and I should buy the DVDs already so I can watch it over and over.
Also it took me a few episodes to realize that Joan was "Our Mrs. Reynolds".

[Reply #2 on:]

Just finished the 2nd season... so many cliffhangers!

Do you think the next season will pick up right where it left off, or will it skip farther ahead in time? As I assume you know, the show jumped from November 1960 to February 1962. I doubt we'll see that again... there's much more to be resolved this time around, and a lot of historic events that I'm sure the writers won't want to miss.

[Reply #3 on:]

I've recently got into Mad Men on the advice of... every living being ever, and I'm really enjoying it. Not least of all for the stunning set design and costuming.
Also, this guy:

[Reply #4 on:]

He's such a Dick.

[Reply #5 on:]

In his superhandsome bubble...

[Reply #6 on:]

He's such a Dick.

Perhaps, but you can't say no to him...there is no resistance, ladies (and Ben)!

[Reply #7 on:]

Ben, you'd sell yourself over the river for Don Draper, and don't you forget it!
There's something disturbingly alluring about the way he objectifies women. I try not to read into it too much.

[Reply #8 on:]

I really enjoy how the mains have developed; characters that I had pigeonholed within the first few episodes continue to to surprise me, and no one is really quite as they seem. Waiting

Do you think the next season will pick up right where it left off, or will it skip farther ahead in time? As I assume you know, the show jumped from November 1960 to February 1962. I doubt we'll see that again... there's much more to be resolved this time around, and a lot of historic events that I'm sure the writers won't want to miss.

yea, I noticed that; the historical impact both in and out of Sterling Cooper is a really great facet of the show and I am looking forward to assassinations, wars and the turbulence of the 60's to really stir things up....

[Reply #9 on:]

I really enjoy how the mains have developed; characters that I had pigeonholed within the first few episodes continue to to surprise me, and no one is really quite as they seem.

I agree... some lesser characters like Harry, or Bert Cooper, have grown on me. I'm also really looking forward to Pete's storylines next season.

Ben, you'd sell yourself over the river for Don Draper, and don't you forget it!
There's something disturbingly alluring about the way he objectifies women. I try not to read into it too much.

It's sell down the river, right? Ben is now a woman and a slave?

[Reply #10 on:]

I agree... some lesser characters like Harry, or Bert Cooper, have grown on me. I'm also really looking forward to Pete's storylines next season.

Yea, Pete has consistently evolved; I wonder about his/Peggy's future as well as his ambition vs. his morals and his relationship with Don.
I imagine Harry will get more involved with future plots as his department becomes more important; I also wonder what effect Betty's actions will have on Don...
I'm curious to see if they develop Salvatore further, it seems like it should be addressed more as one of the many social changes taking place during the show- speaking of which, do you think Paul is full of shit (re: the civil rights movement) like Joan seems to think he is?

[Reply #11 on:]

Ben, you'd sell yourself over the river for Don Draper, and don't you forget it!
There's something disturbingly alluring about the way he objectifies women. I try not to read into it too much.

I know, I know. Notice the capital letter in my post..

[Reply #12 on:]

I dunno, but it seems like a reference that there is a cartoonist or something in the first episode that's name David Cohen and seems awfully nerdy.

Futurama reference, anyone?

[Reply #13 on:]

I know, I know. Notice the capital letter in my post..

...Aand I just finished season one and the few episodes I missed as they downloaded out of order. I thought it was a clever nod to Draper's Dick Tracy-ness.

MrMF: Hush.

[Reply #14 on:]

Rach, you have to catch up!, We don't want to spoil anything for you... but the 2nd season is the tops.



Paul has a beard!



Salvatore has one, too!

[Reply #15 on:]

Am I the only one who thought he was obviously gay from the first time they saw him? Of course the Italian art director is gay.

[Reply #16 on:]

Everyone knew he was gay... right? I assume that of all Italian men, you know.

[Reply #17 on:]

Bump - season premiere! Anyone see it?

It's late... I'll post on it tomorrow.

[Reply #18 on:]

Well, they started the first season off with a focus on Salvatore, so I guess they will be fleshing his story out a bit more. It seemed like Don was not concerned with any conclusions he could have made following the hotel fire, but I have a feeling it will come up at some point...
Speaking of which, I was surprised at Don's actions at the hotel (although I don't think I expected him to change).

[Reply #19 on:]

Bump! Missed last week's episode. Highlights (mostly from tonight):

• It's interesting to see Peggy become more assertive, both at work an in her personal life, but it seems so sudden. What's especially odd is how she nows appears to be a magnet for the fellas... Smitty, Kinsey's "friend", the engineering student from last week's episode.
• Betty's father is an odd, sometimes amusing character. Love the booze-dumping and potato-peeling flashbacks, even if they are a sign of his mental decline. His relationship with Sally is an odd one, but then again, she's an absurdly precocious little girl. Also, he looks like John McCain.
• We learn where Don is from... Appalachian Pennsylvania. Any significance?
  
  
• Roger's daugher has set her wedding for the day after the Kennedy assassination. I wonder if that could put a damper on the occasion.
  
  
• We get hints as to what sort of doctor Joan's husband is (lung surgeon? thoracic surgeon?), as well as the fact that he may not be very good at it. Hmm.
• Pete and Trudy can do a damn fine Charleston... that was hysterical. Why would they know it so well? I swear, I don't think their parents are old enough to have done it.
• Apparently everyone finds blackface funny except Don and Pete.
• Nobody likes Jane, and for good reason. She sucks.

So, speculate away on what happens next week! I'm forgetting some of what I saw in the preview.

[Reply #20 on:]

I'd bump again, but apparently the rest of you decided to stop watching. Boooo!

[Reply #21 on:]

Season Four! Everyone Anyone ready?

[Reply #22 on:]

I'm SO ready...


AHH Very good! I love when Don yells at clients, its what I always feel like doing.
Look you're the one paying ME to be creative so sit back and let me do my job dammit!

[Reply #23 on:]

I was surprised to see Mad Man (and Firefly) star Christina Hendricks on the front page of my newspaper this morning, a (female) government minister cited her as a role model as she refused to lose weight to gain roles.

[Reply #24 on:]

I'm SO ready...


AHH Very good! I love when Don yells at clients, its what I always feel like doing.
Look you're the one paying ME to be creative so sit back and let me do my job dammit!

Of course it's satisfying (the Jansen guys were idiots), but there was no way they'd approve that ad.

Also: Marcia?!

[Reply #25 on:]

"That's true."
Anyone else notice how frequently the characters say that?

[Reply #26 on:]

No, I don't watch this show

[Reply #27 on:]

I'm about half way through season 1 and to be honest I find it pretty dull, maybe I'm too thick to appreciate it but after just watching Sopranos and Breaking Bad, this is unbelievably boring by comparison. I'll probably finish season 1 but does this show pick up or is this as good as it gets?

[Reply #28 on:]

You know what? Christina Hendricks in tight dresses makes it worth watching to me. :3

[Reply #29 on:]

[Reply #30 on:]

This comes back in a few weeks.
I'm currently watching my favourite episode "The Suitcase". This show is so special, and well made.

20something days to go!. YAY!

[Reply #31 on:]

Who all is watching the season premiere tonight?
I AM! I AM!  :-D

[Reply #32 on:]

The season premier was like getting reacquainted with old friends.

Episode 2, seeing Betty in the middle of her depression was interesting.
I don't think i've ever felt anything but contempt for Betty, until now.
She's so sad and trapped. Obvious that Don will never leave her, realising her massive mistake? Her house is full of shadows, and looks old and decaying almost, not like the sunny interior of her old house with Don.

This is great stuff, but i'm concerned about the possible impending Peggy/Roger thing... I'm scared. There has to be someone here on Peel to talk about this with me. arghh!

[Reply #33 on:]

nice try, Des Moines register

[Reply #34 on:]

I think this show is okay.  But my cousin is a HUGE fan!

Don't like that setp grandmother on this show.  She seems evil to me.

[Reply #35 on:]

This show breaches the line from pure entertainment and transcends television into a fucking art form. I love the way they choose to play their moments, the way it's partly a serialised drama and partly a collection of vignettes, the thematic links interwoven through each individual episode and story, and how each season has its own theme and story on top of that, which it all plays into. It's pure genius and never, EVER underestimates its audience.

On a side note, I am shocked and dismayed that, after 6 seasons, this thread is still on page one. Shame on you, PEEL. Shame on You.

On a more relevant side note, did you guys hear the final season is being split into two?

[Reply #36 on:]

I need to binge it before the premiere. My mom loves it, so I watched the Pilot and it seems interesting.

[Reply #37 on:]

It's the kind of show you just let wash over you and absorb, then muse on it for ages afterwards (ie. "What did X symbolise? Do you think this is a metaphor for that?"). It's almost like it was designed just for film students.

[Reply #38 on:]

It's the kind of show you just let wash over you and absorb, then muse on it for ages afterwards (ie. "What did X symbolise? Do you think this is a metaphor for that?"). It's almost like it was designed just for film students.

I noticed that! And I'm still in first season netflix binging. It's really a great show. The characters are super complex, especially Don and, who for whatever reason I really like, Peggy.

[Reply #39 on:]

Peggy is the heart of the show, for sure. I think each season gets better as it goes (except for season 6, which is far from disappointing, but season 5 was such sheer, utter perfection that it would never be able to live up to it).