Mad Men.

Whatever the motivation, it's good to see Betty looking groomed again - last ep she seemed too tired and still in the fog to make her usual effort with her personal appearance.

I did wonder whether the "fainting couch" was a gift from Henry, who made it clear that he was no longer married. But it seems rather unsubtle so I'm no doubt wrong.

Normally cool as a cucumber, Don was really on a short fuse this week! the vision of his father was creepy. Lots of father stuff this ep.

I wondered whether Peggy too is in search of some kind of father figure (all we know is that her father is dead, we don't know how he treated her) she looks up to Don and Don treats her as somehow lesser than the men for daring to ask for things. I couldn't help thinking that an older man might be better for her than the youths she's dallied with so far, although I do hope Duck treats her better than he did poor Chauncy, the red setter. He seems to be staying off the drink, though, and he is now single, so maybe it won't be so disastrous?
 
Same here. When it first aired I couldn't get into it. By the time the reruns ended I couldn't wait for series two to start. I think it does take time to adapt to the slower pace.

Loved last night's episode btw.
 
Totally agree.

45 minutes of sheer genius.

And what is so clever about Mad Men is that the later episodes really pay off watching the earlier ones: it's a real slow burn (not unlike The Wire in that respect) but the characterisation is so brilliant that the more you get into it, the better it gets. The writing has so many layers and the cast and direction keep on responding to this.

I very much doubt you'll find a better episode of anything on British TV all this week.
 
After an episode of bad behaviour, Betty said she was "becoming a teenager" but it was also said that she was ten :eek: I thought she was more than a little precocious to read that book in the way that she did, if she had't 'learned' it by repetition.

Never mind :)

I dare not expose that spoiler, MrKite - is it OK for up-to-date viewers to do so? Or does it mask future developments?

parthena
 
I have to say that I agree with you in relation to Dirty Sexy Money/Pushing Daisys/ and the last few Desperate Housewives - In these shows the "look" seems/ feels like a superfluous add on... not in anyway integral to the drama....I really don't think that criticism is true of Mad Men.

If I had to compare Mad Men to any recent US imports I'd be more likey to say something like Dexter.....which might seem odd at first....but for me both shows are very specfic examinations of place and character. The visual look and environment are integral.

(Eg. Mad Men there's the scene were Don is having flashbacks after getting high with his beatnik girlfriend and frienRAB....the police are outside and they can't leave but Don can because he wears the costume of succesful middle america...which is a facade he has created which has freed him form his past in a sense.....oops I could blether on for hours ...so I'll just shut up now:D:D)
 
My spirits lifted too when Roger said he had to make a phone call - because I knew exactly who he'd be ringing! :D

Unadultered brilliance yet again but, as you say, some really quite dark moments, some of which are lingering uncomfortably in my mind ...

I know Don has cheated on Betty and lied to her - but any sympathy I had for her really started to ebb away last night. No, of course she didn't deserve to be hauled out of bed and harangued - BUT her reaction to everything Don has done has been just as self-centred as his as, but also a lot more immature.

It became apparent last night that her desire to leave Don isn't just about what she's learned about who he really is plus his numerous infidelities; it's more about running off with someone she's only just met but thinks is the answer to all her problems. She effectively threatened Don with blackmail, then next minute did not have the courage to tell her children she was responsible for their father having to move out. Leaving the kiRAB with Carla while she went off to Reno for six weeks with Henry and baby Gene was a new low that I don't think even Don could match. :mad::(

I just hope that a few chickens come home to roost now that she's stupidly invested so much in a man she barely knows. Starting perhaps with Sally making Henry's life a living hell? ...? :D

I have to say my favourite scenes were actually the two between Don and Peggy: beautifully written, acted and directed. The spiritual bond between these two has been beautifully dramatised across three series now and I really hope it's something we see more of in Series 4 ... :cool:
 
I am not a DVD box set type person, I like having a week between episodes as it gives me time to digest what I have watched - er kind of!! :o We have Virgin Media so have no idea if we will get this new channel. I would prefer to have the option to watch it online if possible, even if I had to pay a small fee.
 
I'm pretty sure that Joan knows nothing about who Don really is. At work, only Pete knows something - but I don't think even he has the full picture (i.e. what the audience has seen). He tried to tell Bert Cooper in a bid to bring Don down but Bert was more interested in Don's value to the company than anything to do with his past. I don't think Bert knows any detail beyond Pete accusing Don of being someone he isn't, but I seem to recall Bert referencing that in a Season Three episode (details a bit hazy ... sorry! :o).

I'm another wowed by last night's episode. Beautifully written, acted and directed and yet more confirmation that this is the best television series ever. :cool:

But I can't add my voice to those wanting to unite Don and Peggy. I love them as kindred spirits, both outsiders in their own way - I especially loved Peggy telling Don her family hates him (thereby, of course, reinforcing her own loyalty to him). And much as I adored the moment of understanding between them, I think even Peggy would struggle with the reality of what Don has done. She's witnessed his excessive drinking and womanising - so why would she subject herself to being on the receiving end of that? Peggy may be in awe of Don professionally, but personally? I can't quite see it. I don't think she sees herself as part of the world he inhabits.

And I can't see that Peggy revealing that Pete was the father of her child would have served anything. It would have had no dramatic function within that episode. I actually loved that she didn't come clean - was that to protect Pete, or herself? - leaving Don to wonder if it might have been Duck. :eek: Again, brilliant layering of character that makes this series so flawless.
 
Wow - what a superb episode tonight...this gets better & better!

Mr & Ms Alpha (Don & Joan) got their comeuppance & how heartbreaking was Sal's infatuation with Ken?

Once again, it's the silences that speak volumes...
 
Noooooooooooooooooo!!! Just got in and no recording as my series link has gone as well.

I promised myself I wouldn't use torrents for Mad Men as it was HD and advert free however think i'm going to have to now . .................
 
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