Mad Men

[Swedish Extrovert]

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.

[SonOfLe-loLang]

My current favorite show.

[CHANGSTER]

Yep, its a really good show. I think I actually emphasize with Betty Draper the least though. To me, she comes off as a grown child.

[s0phr0syne]

Good show, but like you, I watched it online in blocks. Don't think I would have cared to watch it on a week-by-week basis, but we'll see whether I do as season 4 comes out.

Betty's nice on the eyes, but like Changster, I found her a tad underwhelming. I find it hard to sympathize with the whole cookie-cutter middle class emo tragedy, although it is a very real thing (not just in the 60's, but clearly even now). And to me, it is just a form of being emo--the plight of being middle or upper-middle class stuck in surburbia with no real problems but plenty of manufactured ones.

Very interested to see what they do with Don's character in the next seasons. I've come to like Peter, although he's such a douche, haha. Peggy's pretty sly too, and it looks like she's really growing some balls so she'll be a mover and shaker. Everyone's little quirks are what really drive the show.

[Swedish Extrovert]

I ****ing hate Peter Campbel, because as you've said, he's such a douche.

But yeah, I like Peggy. A lot.

Also, I think Betty's discontent isn't really "emo" as was said here. She's feeling the effects of 60s social pressure to confirm into a mold that really isn't her. And depression and angst transcend all social and economic classes. She does have real problems... upper class upbringing, trying to do what she's supposed to do, not getting it completely right. Sounds like my life.

Although, her solution to Don Drapers infidelity (to go out and cheat on her husband) wasn't exactly tactful.


I think the three SNL sketches spoofing Mad Men were great, too:

[Endy]

I got season one on Netflix recently. Watched the first episode and wasn't all that taken in. Watched 15 minutes of the second episode and turned it off. It seemed to me that all the show was about was smoking and misogyny and I wasn't feeling the plot. I'm sure it develops (as the first few posts of this thread bear out), but I'm watching a bunch of other stuff too and didn't really have time to see if I'd get into it. I plan to try again this summer when I've got a lot more free time.

[Swedish Extrovert]

Mad Men is kind of a feminist show... it couldn't be more anti-misogyny.

[Endy]

Originally Posted by MightySmurf

Mad Men is kind of a feminist show... it couldn't be more anti-misogyny.

Well there you go. I guess the first episode had me completely fooled. All I saw was a bunch of rich white dudes treating female subordinates and spouses like crap and assumed that's the way the whole show would go.

[Kid A]

Originally Posted by s0phr0syne

Betty's nice on the eyes, but like Changster, I found her a tad underwhelming. I find it hard to sympathize with the whole cookie-cutter middle class emo tragedy, although it is a very real thing (not just in the 60's, but clearly even now). And to me, it is just a form of being emo--the plight of being middle or upper-middle class stuck in surburbia with no real problems but plenty of manufactured ones.

Yeah I've never really liked her, but I think the episode last season where they went to Rome spoke volumes about what she really wants in life (glamor and power that Don, successful though he is, just doesn't provide) and fit with **spoilers** her leaving Don for a politician.

Peggy's rise to a position of power/self-confidence has obviously been fun to watch, but I think watching the weaselly Campbell grow up a little last season was rewarding as well. He seems to actually be taking his marriage a little seriously and is moving away from the constant cycle of affairs his co-workers specialize in.

It will be interesting to see where they begin next season; usually we have a several month gap between seasons, so I'm guessing the new firm the formed will be better established/in an actual office. I love the bits we've seen of Bert Cooper throughout the show, so I hope he gets a more active role in this new setting.

[Endy]

You guys have brought me around. I'll get that disc back from Netflix and give it another shot.

[Kid A]

Originally Posted by Phat Endy

Well there you go. I guess the first episode had me completely fooled. All I saw was a bunch of rich white dudes treating female subordinates and spouses like crap and assumed that's the way the whole show would go.

Oh, that continues as a major trend. Racist, misogynistic, homophobic...the leading males tend to be all those things. But it doesn't mean the show looks fondly upon it. The writers clearly want us to see how ugly these people (and the culture that produced them) are, with their actions deeply hurting the most likable characters and tearing their own lives apart.

[Endy]

Originally Posted by McKid A

Oh, that continues as a major trend. Racist, misogynistic, homophobic...the leading males tend to be all those things. But it doesn't mean the show looks fondly upon it. The writers clearly want us to see how ugly these people (and the culture that produced them) are, with their actions deeply hurting the most likable characters and tearing their own lives apart.

Kind of assumed that, but from the other posts in this thread it doesn't appear as though the female characters just sit back and take it. They actually make it interesting.

After the first episode I was left thinking, "Yeah, I get it. They smoked and treated women like objects." It's not that I was surprised by the portrayal the time period, it just seemed as if they were hell bent on making sure we got those two messages across loud and clear without much else to show for it. I like shows with plots beneath the detrimental behaviors.

[HEAV]

Best written show on TV.

[hambone13]

Originally Posted by MightySmurf

I ****ing hate Peter Campbel, because as you've said, he's such a douche.

But yeah, I like Peggy. A lot.

Also, I think Betty's discontent isn't really "emo" as was said here. She's feeling the effects of 60s social pressure to confirm into a mold that really isn't her. And depression and angst transcend all social and economic classes. She does have real problems... upper class upbringing, trying to do what she's supposed to do, not getting it completely right. Sounds like my life.

Although, her solution to Don Drapers infidelity (to go out and cheat on her husband) wasn't exactly tactful.


I think the three SNL sketches spoofing Mad Men were great, too:

Those are hilarious. Highlights are "She wants a Grasshopper" and "Black people won't show up to your party, that's an example of party humor". Classic...

[yerner]

Breaking Bad pee's on Mad Men's head. WHOOOHOOO!!

[Chris]

My favourite show on TV. I own all 3 seasons (I don't watch TV actually - just this, Dexter and the Broncos).

I hear Treme is a great new show.

[Swedish Extrovert]

Originally Posted by Phat Endy

Well there you go. I guess the first episode had me completely fooled. All I saw was a bunch of rich white dudes treating female subordinates and spouses like crap and assumed that's the way the whole show would go.

Don't get me wrong, that;s a lot about what the show is... but it also follows the consequences of such behavior and the insecurities and depression the women feel as a result.

[Chris]

Originally Posted by MightySmurf

Don't get me wrong, that;s a lot about what the show is... but it also follows the consequences of such behavior and the insecurities and depression the women feel as a result.

Don't forget the emptiness that the men feel. It's not all miserable though... somehow despite all this the show remains a pleasure to watch (and look at).

[Swedish Extrovert]

Originally Posted by Phat Endy

Kind of assumed that, but from the other posts in this thread it doesn't appear as though the female characters just sit back and take it. They actually make it interesting.

After the first episode I was left thinking, "Yeah, I get it. They smoked and treated women like objects." It's not that I was surprised by the portrayal the time period, it just seemed as if they were hell bent on making sure we got those two messages across loud and clear without much else to show for it. I like shows with plots beneath the detrimental behaviors.

In the most recent episode, Peggy Olsen really tells off Don Draper, and Don realizes a newfound respect for Peggy as a result.

Betty leaves Don for cheating on her, and Mona leaves Roger Sterling for cheating on her.

Joan Halloway quits, partially because of how she was treated, but when they restructure the company they beg for her to come back realizing how important she was.

[Swedish Extrovert]

Originally Posted by Chris

Don't forget the emptiness that the men feel. It's not all miserable though... somehow despite all this the show remains a pleasure to watch (and look at).

I know. Sometimes I get depressed watching the show.

[Chris]

I don't. I think there are more depressing shows. I'm only half way through season 3 but my favourite episode is still California.

How many tv shows can claim such a flawed protagonist? How many TV shows can exist without having to set up cliffhangers at the end of every episiode? Instead the show leaves me with something to contemplate particularly when thinking of my father / grandfather's generation (Don is a bit in between).

[Swedish Extrovert]

Originally Posted by Chris

I don't. I think there are more depressing shows. I'm only half way through season 3 but my favourite episode is still California.

How many tv shows can claim such a flawed protagonist? How many TV shows can exist without having to set up cliffhangers at the end of every episiode? Instead the show leaves me with something to contemplate particularly when thinking of my father / grandfather's generation (Don is a bit in between).

Watch it high. You'll cry.

[Steve Sewell]

Mad Men is my favorite show on television. Oh and Betty Draper...SCHWING

[Swedish Extrovert]

Originally Posted by Phat Endy

Kind of assumed that, but from the other posts in this thread it doesn't appear as though the female characters just sit back and take it. They actually make it interesting.

After the first episode I was left thinking, "Yeah, I get it. They smoked and treated women like objects." It's not that I was surprised by the portrayal the time period, it just seemed as if they were hell bent on making sure we got those two messages across loud and clear without much else to show for it. I like shows with plots beneath the detrimental behaviors.

When I watched this world, I thought it was some sort of male fantasy type thing... drinking all the time, womanizing their secretaries.

About midway through ht 1st season (maybe earlier) I realized that all the misogyny, sexism, alcoholism, nihilism, racism, homophobia in the show was just an indictment of that behavior, and of the time. I would say it's probably the most profound show on TV, actually.

[Swedish Extrovert]

Originally Posted by Steve Sewell

Mad Men is my favorite show on television. Oh and Betty Draper...SCHWING

Ever wonder what Betty Draper looks like when she's not in her 60's getup?

Don Draper cheated on this: