Mad Men

[Zar]

I've watched 5 episodes of this and I like it.  Who's with me?  The 'realistic' depiction of the era is refreshing in comparison to the sanitized version most of us grew up hearing and seeing.  e.g. rampant sexism, consumerism, constant drinking, smoking, adultery. Cf. Leave it to Beaver.

[An executive commenting on a female secretary offering intelligent input on marketing a product]: "It's like watching a dog play the piano!"

[MrHat]

I'll be picking this up soon.  I've heard only rave things.

[Viin]

More detailz plz. Apparently this runs on AMC?

http://epguides.com/madmen/

[Oban]

best fucking show on tv since M*A*S*H

[Rasix]

The first season is possibly one of greatest TV seasons I've ever seen.

It primarily revolves around a character named Donald Draper.  He's the head creative guy at Sterling Cooper, which is a Madison Avenue ad agency.  Don is a hard drinking, chain smoking, womanizer that has a troubled and shady past, which is revealed throughout the season.   You also come to realized that he's one of the good guys during a time where some of the accepted behavior and attitudes are appalling by today's standards (this may vary by your zip code and voting habits  ).  Of course, Don's personal behavior (related to the drinking, smoking, women, etc) can create a lot of conflict both external and internal.  A great character that's really well acted. 

The first season focuses more on the ad agency itself.  The second season (set 14 months later) seems more focused on the invidual relationships and family life of the main characters.  It's somewhat a jarring transition but this season has produced some of the best episodes this show has seen.

It's a compelling show depicted (by all accounts) in a very realistic manner.  Being on HBO would not have improved the overall quality of the show, all you would have gotten is probably a few boob shots here and there.  Which may have been a nice bonus, as this show has some absolutely beautiful actresses on it.

[Nebu]

Love this show.  I'm a sucker for period pieces anyway and this one happens to be coupled to a solid writing staff. 

This show and Top Chef are now "must see" television in my house.

[Oban]

This weeks show was... awful, because it made it hard to watch anything else on TV.

[Nebu]

So... anyone want to tell me what happened this week?  Draper abandons everything in some sort of soul searching mission, but I don't think I really follow the rest.  The other stories/subplots I got just fine, but the thing with Draper threw me. 

[Rasix]

Don may be shedding off his past once and starting over again.  Too early to tell.  He'll be back though; he is the damn show.

I think he's somewhat repulsed and attracted to the life that Joy and her people (some sort of aristocrats) lead. Attracted to the life without strings but somewhat disgusted by utter lack of any sort of moral code he can recognize.  Don's happy to do whatever he wants but tends to not like what he sees in others when they do the same.

Apparently there is someone from his past he still cares to look up.  Interesting.

[Nebu]

Don may be shedding off his past once and starting over again.  Too early to tell.  He'll be back though; he is the damn show.

I think he's somewhat repulsed and attracted to the life that Joy and her people (some sort of aristocrats) lead. Attracted to the life without strings but somewhat disgusted by utter lack of any sort of moral code he can recognize.  Don's happy to do whatever he wants but tends to not like what he sees in others when they do the same.

Apparently there is someone from his past he still cares to look up.  Interesting.

Ok, that's not much different than my take.  I also agree that he's the show... so it's not going anywhere.  I find myself drawn to the complexity of his character. 

[Nebu]

Ok, I love the writing and acting on this show... but I think it's about ready to jump the shark.  I used to be glued to the set during the first season but now feel that the storyline is becoming a bit more predictable.  I'm going to stick with it the next couple of shows just to see where they take the Draper storyline.  I have a feeling that the story between Peggy and her priest is going the way of the Thornbirds.  I hope to hell they come up with something more creative. 

[fuser]

NECRO

August 16th @10EST it's back for season 3

For anyone with a vague interest in the series AMC has put up the Pilot (episode1) online to view (I'm guessing its not region locked as it's working fine in Canada).

[Tannhauser]

Love this show, love it love it!  If you don't think you'll enjoy a show about 60's ad men you are wrong.  Do yourself a favor and watch it. 

[Abagadro]

Weeee, it's back! Great premier.

"I told them it was a crazy idea, but they don't always get our inflection."

[Kirth]

I fell out of watching this about half way through the second season. Though I did really enjoy what I had seen so far, I think I'll have to pick up the dvd's and sit down with it all at once.

Also, if you like Mad Men and Breaking Bad, you may be pleased to hear that this network (AMC) has picked up the rights to Robert Kirkman's The Walking Dead.

[Nebu]

I'm not sure what I just watched.  Seemed a bit disjointed to me.  Maybe watching next week will help. 

Yes, I watched all of the episodes last season. 

[Oban]

I'm not sure what I just watched. 

The Story of Dick.

[Nebu]

The Story of Dick.

I got that.  I just didn't understand why I should care so deeply about his history.  Unless the writers are using his background as the reason for him to continually make bad choices in his life.  If that's the case, then this whole thing is disappointing beyond being a decent period piece. 

[Oban]

Not too sure about the Doctor's get together, but episode three was very good overall.

[Nebu]

I had the opposite reaction.  I fell asleep in my chair watching the episode last night about the time they all got to the party.  This season just isn't holding my attention like last season.  Like not at all. 

[Tannhauser]

Last night's ep was a bit dull.  I wonder who was behind the bar with Don?

[fuser]

Characters name was conie?

Interesting side story with Joan
Edit:

Connie stuff i should spoiler

[Abagadro]

[fuser]

I blocked that out, kinda like last nights act by Roger   

[Tannhauser]

He wanted to have sex in an office and she didn't want to.  They were engaged at the time.  A winnar is him!

[Nebu]

Ok, this episode was pretty odd. 

The more I watch this season, the more it seems to point out all of the things that we did wrong in that era.  Kind of a reminder that the good 'ol days weren't really as good as we remember. 

Still, I enjoy the acting enough to keep coming back.  I want something a bit more solid though. 

[Rishathra]

The more I watch this season, the more it seems to point out all of the things that we did wrong in that era.  Kind of a reminder that the good 'ol days weren't really as good as we remember. 

I thought that was one of the core conceits of the show.  I've felt that vibe from the very first episode.

[Reg]

Oh yeah, I love that stuff. It's fun watching the pregnant woman smoking and drinking while driving her kids around with no car seats. 

[Nevermore]

[Tannhauser]

After a couple of lackluster episodes, this one brought the funny!  Best ep of the season.  Need more Roger and Don.  I love the office politics and they are making me fall in love with Joan, she is a sexy, competent, and caring character. 

I want to be Don Draper so bad. 

[fuser]

[Nebu]

Finally saw this week's episode and was pleased.  I'm not sure which I enjoyed more, the direction the story took or the fact that the episode had more Joan in it.  I'm guessing the Joan factor played a role. 

[fuser]

Fantastic end to a mediocre season, last few episodes its been picking up steam.

"Very good, Happy christmas!" 

[Nebu]

Fantastic end to a mediocre season, last few episodes its been picking up steam.

"Very good, Happy christmas!" 

I agree.  I felt very satisfied with this season's finale. 

[Rasix]

It was a fitting end/beginning.  Kinsey's reaction was priceless.  Still odd how I can side with Don in all of this, despite the hundreds of times he's been unfaithful to Betty.

Maybe because he's charming, and she's a lunatic.

I always want more when a Mad Men season ends.  This was no different.