New to 'Mad Men'

[Biggshow]

^^^Girls! Girls! You're both pretty.

OT, I would definitely watch that first season as soon as you can. As a child of the 60s, I am blown away by the attention to period attitudes (and obviously playing those attitudes off where we are today) and I am intrigued by the mystery of Don Draper.

When you do get around to the DVDs, be sure to watch the features on costume and set design. Fascinating.

 

[Dorian Thompson]

I'm pretty?

I agree that the costume design featurettes on the DVD are fascinating. I just missed the 60s, at least remembering them. I turned 4 in 1969. I have the faintest memories of the first moon landing, and then boom! the 70s with their dreadful fashion sense arrived. I'm in love with Joan and Betty's clothing. Someone should paint their portraits. January Jones reminds me of Grace Kelly.

I don't know about Don. Don't get me wrong. He's a layered character with interesting secrets, but I can't seem to cut him much slack. I guess it's because Adam seemed so lonely, sad, and pathetic. Was Adam supposed to be a little slow or just uneducated? He didn't seem equipped to live alone. Don, Don, Don.....

 

[Temis the Vorta]

I've caught up with S1 and the premiere of S2 now, and yeah - I'm not sure I find these characters so immensely compelling that they'll get me to keep watching by their own merits. But the aesthetics are so wonderful, and also the notion of seeing it evolve throughout the decade will keep me watching.

It's funny seeing the stuff they got away with - pregnant women drinking and smoking, Don's boss leaving his house to drive home with a cocktail in his hand, that stuff is hilarious.

Another problem is, I work in marketing and when they start in on the ad critiques, it is WAY too much like work. I don't want to be reminded of work when I'm trying to relax and watch TV.

Tho I have to admit, Don is generally right. I did like his lecture about the inanity of "sex sells." And Peggy's insight about the lipsticks from S1 was also pretty savvy. Whoever is writing this show actually understands the material.

If I were in charge of the Emmys, it would be a tossup between Lost and Dexter. Mad Men is more second tier for me, along with Damages.

As for Adam, he was a grown man. An adult should be able to handle being rejected by his adult brother. Obviously Adam had some mental health issues of his own, no surprise coming from that family, but Don had no reason to believe he'd go kill himself.

 

[Top41]

Don's character has always rubbed me the wrong way while Pete, whom I should hate with a vengeance, I don't. Maybe it's that Kartheiser is a better actor. I'm not sure why. He's always seemed to have more nuance to his acting, at least in my opinion.

I've always liked Kartheiser, ever since I saw him in Angel. I watched a few of his movies after that, and even when he plays a little punk, I find him sympathetic. He's just a really good actor I think. I've heard a few things about Pete, so I'm curious to see what I think of him in the first season.

When you do get around to the DVDs, be sure to watch the features on costume and set design. Fascinating.

I will definitely check those out. I might wait until I'm home for the holidays to do so; my grandmother is a huge fan and it would be fun to watch them with her, especially since she remembers the era.

I've caught up with S1 and the premiere of S2 now, and yeah - I'm not sure I find these characters so immensely compelling that they'll get me to keep watching by their own merits. But the aesthetics are so wonderful, and also the notion of seeing it evolve throughout the decade will keep me watching.

It's funny seeing the stuff they got away with - pregnant women drinking and smoking, Don's boss leaving his house to drive home with a cocktail in his hand, that stuff is hilarious.

Yeah, that's so amusing and interesting to me. It's funny to see how much society has changed in the last 40 or so years.

If I were in charge of the Emmys, it would be a tossup between Lost and Dexter. Mad Men is more second tier for me, along with Damages.

The first two had really phenomenal seasons. I can't comment on the latter two as I haven't seen them.

As for Adam, he was a grown man. An adult should be able to handle being rejected by his adult brother. Obviously Adam had some mental health issues of his own, no surprise coming from that family, but Don had no reason to believe he'd go kill himself.

I haven't seen the episodes so I can't fully comment, but I would think being rejected by a sibling is pretty devastating at any age.

I'm hopefully going to see another second season episode in the next few days! I want to catch up on the first season, I really do, but realistically it won't be for a few more weeks, so it's easier just to keep up with what the TiVO catches.

 

[Temis the Vorta]

Anyone see this week's episode? I dunno, I want them to get on with Pete and the American Airlines plotline.

But the introduction of a TV advertising department is an interesting twist. I don't think I've ever even heard of that legal show they were discussing. Maybe Star Trek will make an appearance. I can't wait to see Don's reaction.

 

[Dorian Thompson]

Last Sunday's episode seemed like set up to me. You know Betty's going to have an affair at some point down the line. Not that I blame her, her being married to the emotionally absent Don, but you know he'll use it as an excuse to walk out on her even though he's committed multiple infidelities...and then had the gall to be angry with her when Roger made a pass at her in their own kitchen. You laughed at his jokes too much and flirted, what were you trying to do, Betty? Grrrrr...... Him blaming her cemented his jerk status to me. You must have led him on, and all that chauvinist horse crap.

Can you tell I'm not infatuated with Mr. Don Draper? So many of the fans think he's so charming and Cary Grant like, but I think he's an unfathomable wanker. Cary Grant had an air of kindness and dignity about him. Don's an imitation. He's kind to everyone but his family and those who need him the most. Don's all about the chase. If Rachel had run off with him, he'd have been dissatisfied with her. too, after a time. He pretends to be a nice guy, but he's not.

They'll get back to Pete and American Airlines eventually. This show never drops anything.

 

[J.T.B.]

I don't think I've ever even heard of that legal show they were discussing. Maybe Star Trek will make an appearance. I can't wait to see Don's reaction.

"The Defenders" was a real CBS show in the mid-'69s, E.J. Marshal and Robert Reed were a father-son law team. It was kind of like "LA Law" or "Law & Order" in that it took some of its stories from the headlines of the day. In addition to abortion, it had a famous episode that was critical of the entertainment industry's red-scare blacklisting of the '50s.

The series concept originated with an episode of "Studio One" some years before. The lawyer dad was Ralph Bellamy, and the son was ... William Shatner! Their defendant was Steve McQueen.

--Justin

 

[Super Grover]

But the introduction of a TV advertising department is an interesting twist. I don't think I've ever even heard of that legal show they were discussing. Maybe Star Trek will make an appearance. I can't wait to see Don's reaction.

They'll probably convince them to place their spots during Lost in space.

Betty is on her way to completely alienating her son.

 

[Dorian Thompson]

Betty is on her way to completely alienating her son.

I agree. She's taking her frustrations out on him because he reminds her of Don. Her kids are a disaster waiting to happen. Sally will probably adore her daddy because Don treats his little girl well; she won't understand why her mother's so angry at him, so she and Betty will end up fighting when she gets older.

 

[darthraidr]

so i caught up with season 1 and started season 2... i'm not blown away. it does look nice. and i've been surprised that i find January Jones better looking than Christina Hendricks.

it's better than most TV now, but that really isnt saying much.

 

[Temis the Vorta]

"The Defenders" was a real CBS show in the mid-'69s, E.J. Marshal and Robert Reed were a father-son law team.

Yeah, I recognized E.G. Marshall in the clips.

And I think Don Draper is supposed to be somewhat unsympathetic. That's the hot new trend in TV, to challenge the audience by making us watch someone we find somewhat offputting - Dexter, Rescue Me and Damages also does this.

They'll probably convince them to place their spots during Lost in space.

The lipstick people will object to "that guy who looks like Satan."

 

[Dorian Thompson]

I find Dexter Morgan the vigilante serial killer more sympathetic than Don Draper. That doesn't speak well of Don. At least Dexter was willing to go to the mat for his sister and kill his long lost brother with whom he had a connection he could share with no one else. Can't say the same for Donny boy who pushed money into poor slow Andy's hands and told him to bugger off. Poor, slow, pathetic little Andy who had no one.

Not taking care of your baby brother is just breaking the rules, you know.

 

[DarkHorse]

"Mad Men" is one of my favorite shows right up there with "Damages", "Eureka", "The Shield" and even "Dexter".

I am fascinated by the show because of the time period (I only remember the late '60s), the characters, storylines, and even the business of "Mad Men." (Sorry, Temis) Having the perspective/experience from the publishing world, I am very much intrigued by the operations of Sterling Cooper. While last season showed the successes and rewards of advertising, I think this year will show the failures and the negative sides of that world. Plus, we have had plenty of cops, lawyers, doctors and other office worlds that have been shown, but I can only think of "Bewitched" as the only other show that had an advertising agency play a role in the characters lives. (Boy, would it be good to show McMahon & Tate as a rival agency)

 

[PsychoPere]

I recently purchased the season one set and am recording season two episodes as they air. I plan to start watching Mad Men when I've finished first working my way through Oz.

 

[Dorian Thompson]

With Oz, just watch seasons one through four. They tell a complete story; the writers really should have stopped at that point in the story. Seasons five and six are so repetitive.

 

[PsychoPere]

I already own all of it, so I'll be completing the series.

 

[Temis the Vorta]

S5 and S6 of Oz were okay. It was obvious they were out of ideas but hey, it's not like the writing on that show ever was all that hot.

 

[ClayinCA]

The series concept originated with an episode of "Studio One" some years before. The lawyer dad was Ralph Bellamy, and the son was ... William Shatner! Their defendant was Steve McQueen.

Wasn't that the show they used clips from in Boston Legal a few seasons back, when flashing back to a case from Denny Crane's younger days? I remember that being really well done...

 

[Kelso]

^ Yeah, the SO episode was called The Defender and the BL episode was called Son of the Defender.

 

[Top41]

Still haven't seen season one, but I've caught up a bit in season two.

Don--I see why people don't like him. There's a cold selfishness to him. I thought the revelation that his dad beat the crap out of him was sad, and I like that rather than turning around and doing the same thing to his son, he refuses to lay a hand on him. I was surprised when he pushed Betty back, and so was she I think.

I like Pete a lot, in part because I like Vincent Kartheiser so much. His coldness in the face of his father's death, and his decision to back up the company at the American Airlines meeting was interesting. There's something kind of cold about Pete--maybe it's the era--men sure weren't very emo back then, were they? --or maybe it's the reaction his dad's death that makes me feel that way.

I like Joan so far--again, it might be actress bias because I like Christina Hendricks, but I think she's an interesting character--very much a control freak, over what she can control at least.

I sympathize with Betty and her struggles with the kids, and with trying to be what Don wants. Does she know about his infidelities?

I'm haven't really warmed up to Peggy yet (is that her name? The one who had the baby). Did she give her baby up for adoption or is her sister raising it?

The other characters haven't stood out to me yet, so I don't have much to say about them at this point. I am enjoying the show, and the look of it. It really does feel authentic.

Anyway, I'm really enjoying it, and next week's ep looks good!