New season of Mad Men: Is anyone watching?

[+ FreshFluff]

It wasn't a particularly eventful premiere. Neither Pete's nor Roger's new situation (living with polyamorous hippies) isn't unexpected. Joan seems to be getting more confident in her role as partner.

 

Megan's gay agent seemed over-camped with the limp wrist, "Don't you worry about your wife with me," and finger snapping.

[BgMstr4u]

Thanks for the peek ahead. I have recently started watching Mad Men on Netflix. I love how you can watch episodes in order and at your own pace. I'm to episode 5 or so of season 2.

 

I love so many things about this series -- first, the sense of design that it shows -- amazing detail work for the late 50's to early 60's. The main characters are complex, not cartoons at all. Shifting alliances are already becoming a theme. The emergence of women into positions of responsibility at work. And of course the main character - Don Draper. Jon Hamm is terrific.

 

I think my favorite moment so far was with Draper's wife, Betty, played by January Jones, back in season one. The next door neighbor has threatened the Draper children with shooting their dog if he comes into his yard again after the dog kills one of his pigeons. At the end of the episode, Betty takes their rifle, goes out in the back yard when the neighbor is watching, and shoots at the damn birds. I just hooted at that -- sure my neighbors heard it! The woman has guts and more backbone than she had shown to that point.

 

A terrific series so far.

[MrMiniver]

I just got home from Augusta so I'm going to settle in with a big pot of tea and watch Mad Men, Endeavour, and Game of Thrones tonight.

[+ WilliamM]

It was interesting to see Don Draper out of his natural space. Pete would know Beverly Hills was still the same famous Beverly Hills in 1969, especially north of Sunset, but Don would not. I liked the airplane interaction between Don and Neve Campbell's character. Joan is doing relatively well, but Peggy is not. Perhaps the best part of the episode: it's difficult to predict what will happen next, beyond Don's marriage falling apart.

[MrMiniver]

What a downer! It opened to very low ratings although it's never been a big hit. I thought it was well done but very dark and depressing but since it's the last season I don't think anyone would have expected Weiner to go in any other direction.

 

As for the limp wristed guy being over the top. Really? Can anyone here claim that haven't met a dozen men in the last 40 years just like that one?

[JT Brooklyn]

Last Season for the "Draper Schlong"! He has been in nothing but Bad Movies so I'm thinking he will stay on the Small Screen?

 

IF he can get away from the Don Draper Type Cast which I am doubting.

[+ WilliamM]

What a downer! It opened to very low ratings although it's never been a big hit. I thought it was well done but very dark and depressing but since it's the last season I don't think anyone would have expected Weiner to go in any other direction.

 

As for the limp wristed guy being over the top. Really? Can anyone here claim that haven't met a dozen men in the last 40 years just like that one?

 

I believe all of the scenes in California were over the top to some degree to show Don was not in the California he had previously know and how far he had fell since the real Don Draper's wife died. On your point about meeting limp wristed men about once every four years, it depends on your occupation and where you live and vacation. If you are not in show business and live in Santa Monica or Malibu once in about every four years sounds about right.

[+ FreshFluff]

I believe all of the scenes in California were over the top to some degree to show Don was not in the California he had previously know and how far he had fell since the real Don Draper's wife died. On your point about meeting limp wristed men about once every four years, it depends on your occupation and where you live and vacation. If you are not in show business and live in Santa Monica or Malibu once in about every four years sounds about right.

 

It's getting close to Stonewall, so maybe gay men are becoming more comfortable with themselves. For some, that probably meant camping it up.

 

I only know a few guys that campy. Like this guy, once they got comfortable with me, they went back to what appears to be their natural body language, which is usually less campy.

[+ WilliamM]

It's getting close to Stonewall, so maybe gay men are becoming more comfortable with themselves. For some, that probably meant camping it up.

 

I only know a few guys that campy. Like this guy, once they got comfortable with me, they went back to what appears to be their natural body language, which is usually less campy.

 

I just remembered that Judy Garland's funeral was held in New York City the day of the Stonewall riots. I did see her perform several times in the 1960s; no one in those audiences was more camp that the character on "Mad Men," close but not more camp. It does not mean that the scene could not have happened in January 1969, but it would be highly unusual with a straight couple there.

 

Thanks, FreshFluff, for making me rethinking my first response.

[MrMiniver]

Last Season for the "Draper Schlong"! He has been in nothing but Bad Movies so I'm thinking he will stay on the Small Screen?

 

IF he can get away from the Don Draper Type Cast which I am doubting.

 

I think you're right. I can't see a future for Jon Hamm on the big screen. The movie camera doesn't love him. It might be a wise move for him to move behind the camera.

[+ FreshFluff]

I think you're right. I can't see a future for Jon Hamm on the big screen. The movie camera doesn't love him. It might be a wise move for him to move behind the camera.

 

Well, he's very handsome, for sure. But his range of expressions is somewhat limited.

[+ FreshFluff]

Anyone watch episode 2? Peggy's a mess, as is Pete. The interaction between Don and Sally was great.

[+ WilliamM]

Due to Bert Cooper's probable racism, it seems Dawn is taking over Joan's personnel responsibilities now that Joan has been promoted. And there's not much Cooper can say after protesting to Joan that SC&P can not have a black woman as a receptionist.

 

I like Sally, but to me the heart of "Mad Men" is what's happening at the office, or more accurately, offices. That leaves room for only a few appearance for Sally per season.

[+ FreshFluff]

In general, I've never been the biggest fan of Sally-centric episodes. I liked the interaction in the last episode because it focused on Don's failings.

[MrMiniver]

I thought the most recent episode was brilliant from top to bottom. Anything without Don's annoying wife is great. I hate seeing Peggy so sad and the whole arc of her and the secretary over the flowers was just brilliant. I always thought she'd be the one to triumph after all is said and done but it's not looking that way. Unless, of course, they find a way in the final 12 episodes to get us there. I hope so. She's my favorite character and the real heart of the show.

[+ FreshFluff]

This week includes a "gay" storyline. Someone gets arrested for soliciting a police officer, which has implications for another character. Serious implications.

 

Question that includes a spoiler. Highlight this line to see it: I wonder how long Joan knew he was gay?

[gallahadesquire]

I was amazed ... I should bold and italicize that ... how they transmogrified James Wolk, recently of THE CRAZY ONES, from a 20-teens dude to a 60's romantic, complete with technicolour.

 

I have not watched much of Mad Men, but (a) the acquisition of my nephew; and (b) a time-shifting DVR [or WTF they are called] - has made me come to the conclusion that I have

GOT to watch this series from the beginning. My Nephew's NETFLIX account doesn't hurt, either.

[+ FreshFluff]

Yeah, Wolk is doing great work as Bob. SPOILERS BELOW!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(Wish I could add a spoilers warning to the thread title.)

 

How did the Chevy exec know that Bob was gay? Was it that he was single? Bob seemed rather silent on the car ride, so I'm thinking Bob didn't know that the exec knew.

[MrMiniver]

Ever since the premiere episode of this season, which I didn't like, the show has been sad but absolutely brilliant. Really top notch work again from Weiner and his staff.