Mad Men

[Erik Olson]

...Like John Hamm said at the Emmys, "It's cable" (not network)

Thank God for that, because the show never would have been allowed to run on network as it has on AMC.

Very little in Mad Men is thrown-in for no reason. I think that elderly couple in the hallway at the end of Ep 404 (The Rejected) is there to show a couple of things.

Don is torn between his (The Greatest) generation and the next one, which is occupied by angry, anti-establishment pop-art beatniks. Within his own place in time, he was a misty shadow of a person named Don or Dick, and doesn't really exist within it. His laments his own self-imposed disenfranchisement throughout the series. In Ep. 407 (The Suitcase), he tells Peggy that, "...The only person who really knew me is dead."

The next generation hates commercialism and advertising along with it, so Don has no place there at all, yet there he resides. Peggy is straddling that line as well, though I think she can make a go of it.

As Don watches the older couple, he sees how he doesn't fit in...anywhere. His imagined idyllic life would combine carefree bachelorhood with all the trappings of family, but he cannot have both. The worst part is that he finally had a real family, but he is so averse to this lifestyle that he destroys it. He had Grace Kelly waiting for him in the perfect colonial revival in the suburbs, two kids and the job he'd always wanted. But it wasn't enough. Somehow this old couple persevered, but he could not.

The old couple knows how to keep their dirty laundry where it belongs - hidden deep away from prying eyes and outside judgement.

Don wants to live this clandestine life, but nothing is sacred and nothing is secret for him anymore. His every move is scrutinized in the smaller SCDP offices - and he's taking his medicine. Roger Sterling knew about Betty's affair long before he did, his secretary effectively broadcast their tryst throughout the office and Joan gave him Ms. Blankenship as an answer to his philandering. Professionally, even though he's got his Clio, there are big holes showing in his game.

I don't think anything in this show is about pears and that's why I love it.

 

[Nektonic]

As Don watches the older couple, he sees how he doesn't fit in...anywhere. His imagined idyllic life would combine carefree bachelorhood with all the trappings of family, but he cannot have both. The worst part is that he finally had a real family, but he is so averse to this lifestyle that he destroys it. He had Grace Kelly waiting for him in the perfect colonial revival in the suburbs, two kids and the job he'd always wanted. But it wasn't enough. Somehow this old couple persevered, but he could not.

The old couple knows how to keep their dirty laundry where it belongs - hidden deep away from prying eyes and outside judgement.

That's kinda what I thought too when that old man was squawking about the pears. It sort of showed how Don diverged from the married life, and he sort of realized that he won't have the life the old pear man has when he is older. Of course, maybe Don is glad he won't have that kind of life? He sorta likes his freedom, but then, maybe he'll miss it further down the line.

One thing I like about Mad Men, and something that the pears scene reminded me of is how the show throws in strange or seemingly silly yet later important things ala Twin Peaks. The pears scene, Duck storming into the offices Drunk and trying to shi* on the furniture... and who can forget the classic lawnmower scene?

Or how about when Don and Roger went to lunch, stuffed themselves with shrimp cocktail, drank too many Martini's, and then had to climb the staircase back up to the office cause the elevator was out, thus stirring up the contents of Roger's stomach and causing him to vomit as he tries to shake a waiting client's hand? I love that the show is serious, but will throw in those kinds of things to shock and break things up. Cause that's real life in a way. Bad but funny stuff just happens.

 

[BryantStanton]

I only watched the new episode once, and might have missed it right in front of my face, but does anyone know the significance of the mouse? I loved the line after the second sighting though: "You know what? There's a way out of this room we don't know about."

 

[Scott F]

One thing I like about Mad Men, and something that the pears scene reminded me of is how the show throws in strange or seemingly silly yet later important things ala Twin Peaks. The pears scene, Duck storming into the offices Drunk and trying to shi* on the furniture... and who can forget the classic lawnmower scene?

Or how about when Don and Roger went to lunch, stuffed themselves with shrimp cocktail, drank too many Martini's, and then had to climb the staircase back up to the office cause the elevator was out, thus stirring up the contents of Roger's stomach and causing him to vomit as he tries to shake a waiting client's hand? I love that the show is serious, but will throw in those kinds of things to shock and break things up. Cause that's real life in a way. Bad but funny stuff just happens.

I'm sure a lot of the writing is based on real life events & stories passed down. In one interview the writers were talking about that episode where Betty was shooting at the neighbor's birds was based on a childhood memory. I'd like to know how they came up with that lawnmower story. rogar-BigGrin(DBG)

 

[Mark Harris]

Most the way through season 2 now. I have to say, in a cast of giants, January Jones continues to steal this show. Her ability to do nothing on screen is beautiful. Really nuanced performance.

 

[Mark Harris]

Just wrapped season 2. Great handling of external themes; Marilyn's death and Cuban Missile Crisis...Fantastic, fantastic show. Season 3 on the way, will be caught up by Wed!

 

[Nektonic]

Just wrapped season 2. Great handling of external themes; Marilyn's death and Cuban Missile Crisis...Fantastic, fantastic show. Season 3 on the way, will be caught up by Wed!

Season 3 is really good. I liked all the seasons so far, but season 3 is a little bit better than season 2.

Season 4 is really great so far too. It started a little slow, but it is all coming together nicely. The past three season 4 episodes have all been flat out amazing and featured quite a few unexpected little surprises.

 

[Batutta]

The past three season 4 episodes have all been flat out amazing and featured quite a few unexpected little surprises.

I'll say...Last night's, uh, unceremonious send off was pretty hilarious, borderline farce. I liked that character but could have seen her wearing out her welcome...And Don's latest squeeze is probably his best match yet. If he can't make that relationship work he's a bonehead.

 

[BryantStanton]

"Everything's going to be ok"

"No, it's not"

This season has gotten pretty dark in the last couple episodes. Sounds like they're not done yet.

 

[Scott F]

And Don's latest squeeze is probably his best match yet.

Damn, I just caught it in the credits last night. That girl is Cara Buono. She was hilarious in Artie Lange's Beer League. :beer:

Looks totally different now.

 

[Batutta]

Dang...Draper was really feeling the heat last night. I hope this isn't the end of that storyline, because if so he got off a little too easy...And is Draper's eye wandering again!?...You think he would have learned by now.

 

[CPM Camera Rigs]

"Everything's going to be ok"

"No, it's not"

This season has gotten pretty dark in the last couple episodes. Sounds like they're not done yet.

After last nights ep, you called that right. The words "hell in a hand basket" come to mind. Does anyone else think Red changed her mind?

 

[Drew Ott]

...And is Draper's eye wandering again!?...You think he would have learned by now.

I'm not positive, but I think that's what was happening. I always love the music cues at the very end of the show. When it cuts to credits, I'm usually thinking "Oh sh*t! Oh sh*t!"

This show is just about perfect every single beat.

 

[BryantStanton]

Jesus. I felt like Don probably did that whole episode. Completely on the edge of my seat.

I do also think maybe Red changed her mind. I got that vibe as well. We'll see.

 

[Scott F]

Interesting to me how in season 1 you basically never see an ext shot. I can recall like four so far...they do a lot of smart stuff to keep the budget under control.

Ever since this point was raised I have been watching for examples. (or lack thereof?) And there are plenty of times no ex. shot is used. It all seems to work fine though.
"Let's go to dinner" BAM! They're sitting at a table in the Playboy Club.

Speaking of keeping the budget under control, I have a question/comment: There seems to be extreme lapses in time where we see secondary characters like Pete, Ken, Harry….hell even Peggy goes missing from time to time. And what the hell happened to that dude with the beard?

Do you think the show has too many characters to possibly see them all on screen every episode? Or is this s****y economy at play forcing the creators to be selective with who goes in what episode? I haven't really watched a lot of shows with this many characters since, I dunno….Dallas when I was a kid? :grin:

 

[Batutta]

I'm not positive, but I think that's what was happening. I always love the music cues at the very end of the show. When it cuts to credits, I'm usually thinking "Oh sh*t! Oh sh*t!"

This show is just about perfect every single beat.

If you don't want a possible answer to the question, then don't click THIS LINK.

 

[CPM Camera Rigs]

If you don't want a possible answer to the question, then don't click THIS LINK.

Wow... that brings up a ton of questions....... is that California (as part of the story) The blonde hair on the kid? Baby Gene has Blonde hair.... And of course where do I get a guy to follow me around with a lint brush all the time?

 

[Erik Olson]

Last night's ep was the best of the season. Even as the world crumbles around Don, he's climbing back into the saddle...if you know what I mean.

 

[CPM Fast Tools]

Yup, the fact that she came back to him with the Heinz information means thats just the start. So I expect she will set Don up with as many of her customers as he can handle.

 

[Erik Olson]

Well, hopefully everything doesn't end too well this season. I'm worried Weiner is building his finale strategy. Season 3 and 4 were both very much up in the air.