I just finished watching the last episode of season 3 and can't wait till this summer for season 4. Anyone else watch Mad Men? In my opinion, it's the best show on television.
To me, I think the real protagonist is Betty Draper. She's the one I empathize with the most. I was watching the show once and I could literally feel her.
While Don seems to be straight, I think his past is catching up to him, the fact that he's living a lie. He's so mysterious, which I think adds to his success. I kinda identify with this in that he's trying to forget about a dysfunctional upbringing and military past. I think his infidelities are a result of this.
The critics talk a lot about the shows chronicling of the changes in the social trends in the 60's and I see a lot of that in the three main female characters. Peggy Olson idealizes this by playing the role of the hard charging career-minded female, in contrast to Betty Draper who has embraced the homemaker role, and Joan Halloway who is trying and failing at balancing at both.
Then you have Peter Campbell, the rich kid who is constantly trying and failing at proving himself.
I don't know what to make of Bert Cooper. He seems legit, but I'm still wondering about season one where he was making everyone in the office read Atlas Shrugged by Ayn Rand.
I wonder if the sixties were as cynical and nihilistic as the characters in the show portray it to be - everything is fake: Don's reality, Roger Sterling's pursuit of happiness (found in his secretary 1/3rd his age). They all drink ridiculous amounts of liquor that could put any frat guy to shame.
It took me like 6 months to get through seasons 1-3, so if you want to start watching the show this summer, I would just recommend watching the last episode of season three. (Any prior episodes that are relevant to the current episodes are always addressed at the beginning of the show). Right here -
http://www.bigvidpro.com/?v=thOIRgcwGogkmpzD8gIMog
I'm just really impressed with this TV show.