Jetée

via wiki:
Mad Men is a period piece drama, an American televised original series created and produced by Matthew Weiner. Set in New York City's prestigous Madison Avenue, Mad Men begins in 1960 at the fictional Sterling Cooper advertising agency, which sells everything from cigarettes to political candidates. The show centers on Don Draper (Jon Hamm), the agency's creative director, and the people in his life in and out of the office. It also depicts the changing social mores of 1960s America, highlighting the once prevalent cigarette smoking, drinking, sexism, adultery, homophobia, antisemitism, and racism as examples of how that era was so much different than the present.

Mad Men has received widespread critical acclaim, particularly for its historical authenticity and visual style, and has won numerous awards, including three Golden Globes, a BAFTA and six Emmys. It is the second cable series to win the Emmy Award for Outstanding Drama Series and the first basic cable series to do so.


As one who doesn't watch much television save for the occasional weekend, and also one who is usually a season or two late on a series' popularity, I was both surprised, yet pleased, to see that I had the opportunity to start the discussion of this show. So far into my viewing, it is a very clever dramatization of the 1960s, which can become quite engrossing as you follow alongand tune into the individual histories' of the ensemble cast of characters. Of course Don Draper is the most mysterious, but I am still beyond words at how to appropraitely react and classify his new secretary (Peggy Olson). I am nearing the finale of the first season on my on-demand and sporadic viewing of the show (at most, I watch two episodes a day to catch up to this series' story, now in its third season).

What do you think of the show, the story, and the characterizations? Who do you identify with most? What was a great cinematic appeal in terms of revelations? Please discuss further.

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As human beings, our greatness lies not so much in being able to remake the world (that is the myth of the Atomic Age) as in being able to remake ourselves.

—Mohandas K. Gandhi

Jetée

For a series that is hailed as "the greatest show on television right now", I would have thought I would've gotten at least one response by now.


Alright, I'm giving this another go. Last night, I just finished watching season 1, episode 11 (I know, I'm slow, so slow); I believe it was "Indian Summer". I have to say, out of the fifteen episodes of the series I've seen thus far, (11 eps., first season, & past 4 weeks of the the third season) this was my favorite thus far. I'd rather not give too many details about what goes on, but it really took the plunge head-long into nearly everyone's character heading into the final two episodes of the season. After so much dalliance and air of branched storylines, it is finally piecing together quite nicely. The shroud around Don's past is seen both at the beginning and at the end of the episode; Roger Sterling's health woes from his extravagant lifestyle forces a few hands at the agency; Joan for once, seems genuinely capable of caring, Pete Campbell is still skulking around and kissing up to Don, while plotting against him still in some manner, and Peggy's "changes" are becoming more apparent, yet as to why is still not fully revealed to anyone at this point; not even she knows yet, but it makes sense to those keenly aware of what follows in the next season and the fractured relationship she shares with Pete.

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As human beings, our greatness lies not so much in being able to remake the world (that is the myth of the Atomic Age) as in being able to remake ourselves.

—Mohandas K. Gandhi

SecretMethod70

It's on my list to watch, but I haven't seen any of it yet.

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Le temps détruit tout

"Musicians are the carriers and communicators of spirit in the most immediate sense." - Kurt Elling

settie

Its an incredible show, I've been watching since the show premiered. Its one of the few channels I get with good tv on most of the day.

I'm addicted. I have seasons 1 and 2. And season 3 is fascinating. The latest episode made me laugh with amusement.

Jetée

Even though I've only started watching it since and for the past month, I highly recommend it. I do agree with some critics' sentiments when they say at the beginning of the series, the unfolding story can be "sluggish", but it quickly overcomes that label with superb acting, witty reparte, and exceptionally deep character involvement.

Every one has a story, and the script goes a long way to try, and succeeds, to tell each individual background compellingly.

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As human beings, our greatness lies not so much in being able to remake the world (that is the myth of the Atomic Age) as in being able to remake ourselves.

—Mohandas K. Gandhi

settie

Critics say it might seem to start out sluggish, but no one can disagree that they truly immerse you in their world.

Maybe its because I'm fascinated with that era, the 50s and 60s, and everything to do with it, but I never found it sluggish.

I found it to have an excellent introduction to the characters, and an incredible accuracy to the time.

critics just wanted to shit on something, anything. bastards. :P

Halx

I love the show. I have watched up to the 3rd episode of season 3. The characters are all awesome. I am always astounded by the stories and the acting.

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[Don't Feed The Animals]

Jetée

I enjoyed reading this article (and its accompanying commentary), which is a response to the newest episode of Mad Men's third season, perhaps ep. 1 or 2 (the one with Ann-Margret). It also perfectly describes Elisabeth Moss's character (Peggy Olson) as the horny little nerd-bird. Ever since I've started watching the show, I never quite had the words to describe her, but there they are.

Mad Men: Changing the Conversation -- Vulture

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As human beings, our greatness lies not so much in being able to remake the world (that is the myth of the Atomic Age) as in being able to remake ourselves.

—Mohandas K. Gandhi

telekinetic

I actually have seasons 1 and 2 and haven't even started them yet. Is it a 'omg must watch next episode' continuous storyline type of show, or is it equally well served with an episode here and there every couple of days? If it's the addictive 'what happens next?' type, I'll wait to start it until an empty weekend...I have a bad habit of watching whole seasons of things like Heroes, Weeds, and Dexter in single sittings.

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twisted no more

powerclown

Great show...Peggy the Prude I think needs some work. I appreciate them trying to portray her as conflicted between her sexuality and her wish to be taken seriously in the corporate world but something about her doesn't ring true. She's uptight, but then she smokes pot. She is "serious, responsible and ambitious" but then has a one-night stand. Sultry Joan is on fire...her curves are so delicious. Poor Betty just nuts, understandly so. Smoking and drinking while pregnant, bad girl. I like how her crazy dad had his grandaughter reading "The Decline & Fall of the Roman Empire" to him in bed. I like Don...his cynical yet practical take on things...his slimy, lecherous ways all wrapped up in a slick camoflauge overcoat. Everybody on the show is so wonderfully flawed.

mixedmedia

I have watched the first three episodes and, while it has charming elements, I am kind of put off by the preachy 'things were so different then' theme. Enough already, sheesh. But I have the second disc of episodes sitting here by our tv now and will be giving the show a second chance. My first impression is that Christina Hendricks is smokin'. I could watch a few hours of her walkin' around alone. No problem.

hubba, hubba...

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Most people go through life dreading they'll have a traumatic experience. Freaks were born with their trauma. They've already passed their test in life. They're aristocrats. - Diane Arbus
PESSIMISM, n. A philosophy forced upon the convictions of the observer by the disheartening prevalence of the optimist with his scarecrow hope and his unsightly smile. - Ambrose Bierce

thirdsun

Right, MM. There are some hawt wonen on that show. My favorite is Rosemarie DeWitt. I could watch of fews hours of her doing anything. Come over here and let me help you sharpen those pencils, baby....

Esoteric

Christina Hendricks was hot in Firefly too. A friend of mine recommended this show to me and I still haven't gotten around to watching it yet. Perhaps I should start watching it this weekend.

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From a head full of pressure rests the senses that I clutch
Made a date with Divinity, but she wouldn't let me fuck
I got touched by a hazy shaded, God help me change
Caught a rush on the floor from the life in my veins

Halx

To those of you just starting out on the show, I feel like I need to warn you that it doesn't really get comfortable until the second half of the first season. However, by that time, you know everyone and you really care.

Don Draper has got to be the best character ever. So many facets, so many things to be admirable about, so many things to despise.

The show gets even better in the second season. I am undecided on the 3rd because I've only seen a few episodes.

I love the subtle period jokes where they present something that we would jump at today, but they think nothing of. For instance, when the kid is running around the house with a plastic bag on her head and Betty just yells at her for running. Or Spoiler: in season 3, when they're wrapping up after their picnic and they dump all of their trash onto the ground, take the blanket and just drive away.

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[Don't Feed The Animals]

thirdsun

We finished disc 2 of season 1 this weekend. I have to say, it is getting better by the episode...

Jetée

I think after this football game, I'm going to finish season 1 with episode 13, "The Wheel". Took me a month to watch the entire seasson, but it was a great ride.

Also, while I agree with Halx, I'll add that each subsequent episode is a gateway into becoming more engulfed with the characters and their respective bubble worlds. If by episode 9 or 10 of season 1, you still don't feel this is a spectacular show worth watching, it's probably not going to reel you in later.

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As human beings, our greatness lies not so much in being able to remake the world (that is the myth of the Atomic Age) as in being able to remake ourselves.

—Mohandas K. Gandhi

Daniel_

I love it, but never seemed to manage to catch the schedule regularly.

When I see a box discounted I may well buy it.

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Overhead, the Albatross hangs motionless upon the air,
And deep beneath the rolling waves,
In labyrinths of Coral Caves,
The Echo of a distant time
Comes willowing across the sand;
And everthing is Green and Submarine
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Halx

Oh man, I have to wait until next August for the 4th season. This show is TOO GOOD.

Spoiler: I wonder what will happen with Kinsey, I liked him.

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Gabbyness

That was an awesome season finale. I was actually kind of bored with the show in the tail end of the 3rd season but that finale was kick-ass.

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One, two, three, four, fiiiiiiiifth.

ratbastid

Yeah... We got caught up right in the middle of this last season. Amazing show.

For those of you still back in seasons 1 and 2, they've pretty much quit with the "shock value differences" of the era, and have instead started really using period history as a counterpoint to the story lines.

Halx

I never understood the "shock value" argument against those "hey, its the 60's" reminders. I thought they added subtle humor that the show played off with a straight face. I was never shocked or offended by them. I also disagree that they've quit with them. The picnic scene early in the 3rd season was definitely one of them.

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ratbastid

I didn't mean to imply I had a problem with them. They're definitely part of the charm of the show. And yes, the picnic was one. I guess I'm just saying that they don't come ten-per-episode anymore like they did in the first season, and I think that's a good thing. I think that's a sign that the writing of the series is maturing in an even more character-driven direction.