Mad Men

[Reaper16]

Season 4 premiered tonight. I would have bumped the season three thread but I titled it "season 3," which no longer seems appropriate.

Who saw it? It was a stupendous hour of television. All sorts of shit has happened in the eleven months that have passed (in-story) between the formation of Sterling Cooper Draper Price and the beginning of season 4. The premeir was stepped in the juices of the sexual revolution. It also had a lot to say about the increasing role of the media in the success or failure of things. It was great to see Don fail a little bit, and it was exciting to consider the future implications at the end of Don crafting a public/media persona that is completely unlike his actual personality.

[Pushead2]

[bowener]

He sure seemed ****ing hammered at the bar. He was his old drunk charming self for a glimpse...

[Saulbadguy]

Originally Posted by DJ's left nut

When I'm doing shots, sure.

When I'm sipping whiskey - no, not really.

Shots will give you that delayed smashed effect because it's a lot of alcohol in a small window, but when you're just relishing a highball, as Don appeared to do (and you're the experienced drinker Don is), the delayed drunk just doesn't hit you like that.

I dunno. It's never been an exact science with me.

[mikeyis4dcats.]

I did some reading. During this time period, the British income taxes were up to 83% and WERE assessed on those living abroad. Plus an additional 15% for unearned income PLUS capital gains. And Lane would likely have also been responsible for US taxes. No wonder he's going broke.

[Discuss Thrower]

Originally Posted by Pushead2

Go on.

[Discuss Thrower]

Poor (but possibly rich) Joan.

Oh, and Bow-chicka-wow-wow.

[Reaper16]

I'm unsure right now as to whether that was one of the very best episodes of the series or if it was a possible jump-the-shark moment.

[the Talking Can]

Originally Posted by Reaper16

I'm unsure right now as to whether that was one of the very best episodes of the series or if it was a possible jump-the-shark moment.

ditto

i watched it twice last night...the set up was crude, and I kept saying 'gross....gross'...

Spoiler!

but don's reaction when he realizes their agency 'won' by selling a woman literally instead of figuratively (and that his talent had nothing to do with it) then moving into peggy's exit was great...right down to peggy's smile (cue kinks) as the relief of escaping such a poisoned place finally washed over her...

[Reaper16]

Originally Posted by the Talking Can

ditto

i watched it twice last night...the set up was crude, and I kept saying 'gross....gross'...

Spoiler!

but don's reaction when he realizes their agency 'won' by selling a woman literally instead of figuratively (and that his talent had nothing to do with it) then moving into peggy's exit was great...right down to peggy's smile (cue kinks) as the relief of escaping such a poisoned place finally washed over her...

So much of that episode is great. The acting is superb. The themes (though not presented subtly at all) are ones that speak to the very core and purpose of the show (it's always been the most feminist drama in TV history). It makes the audience feel absolutely disgusted and disgusting, which is a good thing; it speaks to the power of the episode.

But I'm still undecided as to whether the episode made its characters act out-of-character for the sake of the plot. I need to watch it a couple more times.

[Buck]

If i was voted Student-Council President there would always be pizza for lunch and a new episode of Mad Men every day.

[Bambi]

I watched Mad Men for the first time last night. Think I might start from the beginning. I liked it.

[Pushead2]

Originally Posted by Reaper16

I'm unsure right now as to whether that was one of the very best episodes of the series or if it was a possible jump-the-shark moment.

I agree...I was totally shocked.

Spoiler!

I get the sense its going to be like a "Star Wars" type of thing with Peggy and Don. I honestly have no idea where this is going. You also get the sense that once again, Peggy was out staged by Joan.

[Reaper16]

Originally Posted by Pushead2

I agree...I was totally shocked.

Spoiler!

I get the sense its going to be like a "Star Wars" type of thing with Peggy and Don. I honestly have no idea where this is going. You also get the sense that once again, Peggy was out staged by Joan.

My concern isn't with

Spoiler!

Peggy leaving the agency. I trust the writers there. My concern is that, arguably, the partners of SCDP didn't act like themselves when they agreed to ask Joan to prostitute herself. I'm still undecided as to if the characters acted out-of-character for the purposes of the plot. If so, it'd be the show's first major misstep

[Pushead2]

Originally Posted by Reaper16

My concern isn't with

Spoiler!

Peggy leaving the agency. I trust the writers there. My concern is that, arguably, the partners of SCDP didn't act like themselves when they agreed to ask Joan to prostitute herself. I'm still undecided as to if the characters acted out-of-character for the purposes of the plot. If so, it'd be the show's first major misstep

Spoiler!

I definitely understand that. I guess we won't know until the end of the season for it to play out.

For me, I've always loved Peggy in the show. She's pretty much the second most focused on person since the show's creation and since a fan from the beginning episode, I feel like this could possibly hurt the show for me.

My friend brought up this link: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mary_Wells_Lawrence

It could be a possible real life tie-in (like they always do) as for Peggy's future.

[Reaper16]

Originally Posted by Pushead2

Spoiler!

I definitely understand that. I guess we won't know until the end of the season for it to play out.

For me, I've always loved Peggy in the show. She's pretty much the second most focused on person since the show's creation and since a fan from the beginning episode, I feel like this could possibly hurt the show for me.

My friend brought up this link: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mary_Wells_Lawrence

It could be a possible real life tie-in (like they always do) as for Peggy's future.

Spoiler!

I am very, very confident that Peggy will remain an important part of the show. Maybe she has a diminished role next season, only to come back in a big way the following season.

Mad Men is as much about Peggy as it is Don. She's the show's moral center and its most relateable, likable character. Mad Men would be a significantly worse show without her.

Which is why I don't think for one second that she's going away.