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Don Draper just looooooves to look at himself !

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I'm up to date and ready for the new season to start.
Also, was it just me, or was the fourth season a lot more comedic and humourous than the ones that preceded it?

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Say, Doc, did I ever tell you I'm the only metal that's liquid at room temperature?

Definitely. Especially when the staff tried to smuggle out a dead body while a meeting was going on.

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"Heard them Walthers like to jump some" "As will you, with one in your elbow."

Mad Men. Season 5. This Sunday night. Fuckin' yeah! You guys better be watching!

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"Heard them Walthers like to jump some" "As will you, with one in your elbow."

A little apetizer before tonight's episode:

http://www.collegehumor.com/embed/67448 ... ving-rooms

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After a rather lackluster The Walking Dead, it's nice to have a quality show to look forward to watching on AMC. It feels like an eternity since we last stepped foot in the halls of Sterling/Cooper/Draper/Pryce, but the two hour premier, while a bit longer than it needed to be, got us back into the groove.

"A Little Kiss"


SPOILERS


- I once said that Carla, the Draper's former nanny, ceased to exist once she left the Draper residence and went home. My point was that black characters were originally just set decoration. As the series, and as the years the show is set in progressed, black characters were given more lines, but still didn't figure prominently in the series. I think this was maybe the smart move, as the series is still set in the 60's. There are some things I think viewers are willing to accept, such as the casual sexism and constant smoking. But having your characters being racist is not something viewers would be able to gloss over so easily. Given that the show took place in the early 60's, I think it's reasonable to assume many of these characters would have racist beliefs. Hell, didn't Don once make a comment about not hiring any Jews "on his watch"? But with the civil rights movement making its way towards the series, we have probably the most number of black people we've ever seen in this one episode. There are the black marchers outside the office (who were hit with bags filled with water by the good employees of SCDP). There was the black taxi driver who drove Lane to the office. Did Lane simply not trust the guy to give the wallet back to the rightful owner, or did he see the photo of the girl inside? (More on that later). And then there was Megan's flamboyantly gay and black friend at the party. Being black and gay in the 1960's. That must have been tough. But was there any particular reason to make him gay? It didn't seem to figure into the plot, yet they made a specific point to mention it.

- The company is still facing an uphill battle. This was left without really being addressed last season, but I wonder just how long the company can survive? And could a show like Mad Men exist if there no longer is a Sterling/Cooper/Draper/Pryce?

- Pete is back, and slimy as ever. One of the girls notes it looks like he's going bald. Actually, he's looking like he's put on some weight.

- Also returning is Bertram Cooper. I knew he'd be back. His "retirement" was too abrupt to be legit.

- I feel like Roger is becoming a bit of a caricature of himself. He says a few quips here and there, but it feels forced. Or is it just me?

- We get a brief glimpse of the Draper's home life. Did they cast another actor to play Bobby? I swear that's not the same kid. I think it's too bad that Sally is still a bit too young to have any really interesting story lines. The actress who plays her is decent, but Sally hasn't yet reached those teenager years, where she can learn to drive and go out on dates. By next season, though, depending on how far the series has advanced, she should end up being a flower child.

- A few seasons ago (forget which), we had a really bizarre scene of Joan playing the accordion. Last night's episode tried to match that with Megan singing. It went on just long enough to be weird and uncomfortable. Peggy's right, men don't like surprises.

- The party provides Harry to express his desires about boning the new Mrs. Draper. When did Harry become so creepy? I know he's always been a creep, but I don't remember him being this unlikeable in season 1. Talking about the boss's wife in the office? That's class.

- Speaking of the boss's wife, do we like Megan? I'm not sure Jessica Pare is all that great of an actress, although it could have more to do with how she is written. She's a pretty girl, got some great legs (and gave us some side boob action) speaks French (Canadian ), but she's so bland, and it feels like we've dropped one dead weight (Betty) for another.

Meh. She could still get it.

- I'm surprised to see that people are complaining that Betty did not make an appearance in the episode. Considering she's no longer married to the shows star, is there any reason for her to still be in the series? She's a constantly negative character and January Jones brings very little to the character. If she never returned, I wouldn't be that bothered by it.

- Lane had a bit of an odd story arc this episode. We saw him being pretty desperate (last season?). Is he going to have Don get him another hooker? Also, the dude is pretty awkward. I cringed a bit when he danced for Joan. And is it me, or was he totally flirting with her?

- I haven't really talked about Don yet, but there's not much to talk about. He still plays everything close to his chest, and while he seems more easy going than he has in the past, I don't think his marriage with Megan is going to last. Actually, I think it might end really tragically.

A long post, but it was a long episode. But it's good to have the show back on television.

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"Heard them Walthers like to jump some" "As will you, with one in your elbow."

DAMN your post was quite a read. I can't even recall it all, but I'll just discuss a few things that stood out briefly.

The gay black guy: my assumption is that having the flamboyant homosexual make people uncomfortable is likely a precursor to later storylines. As you pointed out the civil rights movement is looming and as that becomes an issue it is also interesting to look at other storylines that resonate. Amongst those also being Joan's desire to be a single working mother. It's great they've given Joan such a meaty plot. Peggy was once the shows face of feminism and in many ways still is (was it just me or did they pretty her up more than usual?) But Joan's role in the office was always much lesser. And I know Christina can knock it out the park.

I don't know how I feel about Megan. I'm disappointed she's a regular character. I really enjoyed Don's single, aloof persona last season that allowed much more insight into his character as he even took time to explore who he was as a person. Betty and Megan are very different people, and Megan is obviously associated with Don's happiness. I'm interested in seeing how far that goes and how long it lasts (this is mad men, after all) but Megan's wife in the workplace story doesn't interest me one bit and so far she comes off more as a plot device for Don than her own character.

As to why betty isn't dropped to recurring status at this point I have no idea. I guess I can't judge until I see what storyline the show has in store for her.

I didn't think roger had devolved into a parody of himself - his focus is obviously Pete's continued (over)ambition, and as that plot was told from Pete's point of view it makes sense thay we dont really get a sense of where sterling is at with this. It will be interesting to see Pete's eventual downfall and likely humbling. I read an article that basically called him the next Don draper, striving for a life that he quickly realizes is not at all what he wants. Too late of course.

I hope Peggy has more to do this season than have awkward clashes with Megan. Honestly, every scene Megan was in she seemed to suck all the life or focus out of (she's a new character, I guess it happens) but Peggy is too great of a character and actress to be saddled with bitchy one liners and helping Megan feel good about her marriage about getting a job Peggy worked hard for mere months after marrying the boss.

After writing this I realized I don't like Megan. From what we've seen so far I think she's a wholly unsympathetic character.

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I've only had one dream in my life with kids in it that didn't involve me gnawing my feet off, and it had to do with kids doing my laundry.

Of course that's been before with Sal, and that German(?) guy from a few seasons back. It could be used as a way to show that Megan is more progressive than Don. I think she even made a comment about making sure Don didn't know her friends were smoking weed, although maybe that was Peggy.



Good point. Don being single means he didn't really have to play a specific role for anyone other than his kids. Although I forgot to touch upon the fact that Megan knows his past. That's pretty significant.



I guess I just felt he was a bit too clever in this episode. My fear is that it's getting a bit too cutesy what with all of his quips.



Here is how I felt about her a season ago:



As you can read, I sometimes have a hard time pegging her character down. Get it?! Pegging? See what I did there?

She seems to be in a stable relationship at the moment, my worry is that there is not much else for her to do. A few seasons ago she seemed like she was a genuinely creative ad writer. Now, a bit of a flash in the pan. Her beans idea was a bit lame. At the very least, why didn't she suggest the beans dance to some rock music? I feel like we've been in this territory before. I'm wondering if now that her being a female ad writer is no longer a big deal, if there's not many other storylines for them to tackle?

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"Heard them Walthers like to jump some" "As will you, with one in your elbow."

I don't think I've ever liked Mad Men as much as other shows I've been watching.

But holy shit, I thought this episode was REALLY good.

Maybe it was having to go through the horror (and not the right kind) that is The Walking Dead that made me appreciate Mad Men much more, I was certainly missing (apart from Awake) a well written, well acted, well-fucking-made television show, specially one I never thought I would see again.

That said, two things:

First, was anyone fucking shocked at how Sally sounds now ? Her voice has changed RIDICULOUSLY ! I actually thought Don was going to wake up from a dream or something !

Second..............t3cii.............

Y U HATE ROGER STERLING ?!!

Yes, I used a meme, deal with it.

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Hey, I was wondering when you were going to post. Smutty, The Movie Dude, Dr. Brooklyn all have mentioned watching the show, yet none of them have mentioned watching the show. Come on, people, let's geek out!



I still don't understand how you were under the impression this show wasn't coming back.



I didn't notice. She's only 12, I doubt her voice would be changing all that much so soon.



Who said anything about hating Roger Sterling? I just think he was riffing all over the place.

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"Heard them Walthers like to jump some" "As will you, with one in your elbow."

The wait was probably too long, that, and TV was quite hot in it's absence, with Breaking Bad kicking the shit out of everything, The Walking Dead, and me personally discovering Battlestar Galactica and freaking out over it, I guess I just moved it to the back of my mind.

Still, glad the show's back.



I don't know man, her voice sounded a little too......low for me, she really sounded like a little woman !



*Glares*

You've never liked his character !

I kinda love him, he might be a cartoon, but he's also the prime archetype of the show.

Also, about Megan, I guess the actress portraying her isn't precisely on the level as the rest of the cast, but I'd cut her some slack, she's the new kid on the block.

To be honest, I love her character's purpose, the way Don explained to her how Betty handled his birthdays pretty much left a hard, cold stamp on just how the Don/Megan marriage is going to end, it's a frikkin train-wreck in the making.

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Whaaat? I wouldn't say that. But I feel like he has little to do other than show his face and spout the odd one liner or two. Don't get me wrong, I do like Roger, but there comes a point where his shtick becomes too cutesy, and I think the actor who plays him whose name I can't remember could dial it back a bit.



I'm going to make a bold prediction. Are you ready for it? Here it goes. I predict Megan will kill herself by the end of the season. I think this is something the show has teased us with for a long time now. You see, Don uses woman and throws them away like so many dirty tissues. There's Midge, who became a drug addict. There was that teacher from season 3 who seemed to be a bit obsessed with him. There was his secretary who was devastated after he more or less paid her to keep her mouth shut about their affair. Plus that woman he dated from the office (forgot her name). And Betty. And a bunch of one night stands. My point is, Don is a cad. He loves them , then leaves them. I don't think his marriage to Megan can last. It can't, the show needs drama from their relationship. If everything is going great, there can be no drama. But look at Don's expression when she does her song and dance for him. Total WTF look. They are just not on the same wave length, and honestly, getting married was a dumb idea. He'll get bored of her and find someone else. And as fragile as she seems to be she won't be able to handle it. All of his past conquests have been able to get over it, but I don't think she would be able to.

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"Heard them Walthers like to jump some" "As will you, with one in your elbow."

Weeeeeeeeell, you never have anything good to say about him !

But I guess he can be a little over-bearing at times, still, I'm really interested in seeing where his feud with Pete is going, sounds like a good ol' hand to hand, man to man battle coming in the future !



Yeah, as soon as I saw that first line, I thought a good t3cii joke was coming.

Quite the bold prediction I must say ! Is Mad Men even the kind of show for something like that to happen ? Don't get me wrong, it would be awesome, deffinitely an exclamation sign to how Don's relationships with all his women really are.

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If anything it should force him to take more of a role in the company. And let's be honest, it's something that's come up quite a few times, but Roger has always been the charm of the company. His clients usually like him so they do business with him. He's able to schmooze, something Pete isn't particularly good at.



This is what I don't know, but I feel the show has always offered that possibility. It lingered in my mind when we saw Pete in season 2, I think, sitting at the office holding a gun. It also lingered in my mind when Sal was fired. There is a certain amount of desperation to these characters. Very few, if any of them, are happy. I remember the teacher Don hooked up with. She had this desperation to her, this quality where you think something is a bit off with her. Many fans saw her as some Glen Close in Fatal Attraction psycho. In the end, she was more concerned with losing her job than she was at losing Don. Keep in mind I don't want Megan (or anyone else) to kill themselves. But I feel this show has brought its characters down to the depths quite often and returned them relatively unscathed. It's as I've said, would the show really let Don and Megan be happy? While Don's marriage to Betty ended, at the very least he became his own man. He started a new company, and no longer had to hide who he really was. Now, he seems to be living a relatively happy life. He gets to see the kids, who seem well adjusted. He has a hot young wife. All is good. But I'll say it again, it can't last. Even if you're on a roll, at some point, you lose. Don has been on a hell of a winning streak, so logically, that streak will come to an end. All those trysts will come back to haunt him in a big way. Don has bounced back time and time again. After all, he wasn't the one getting hurt. But if he does it one more time, if he hurts Megan, I think that will be it. She'll be the one girl who doesn't get over it.

When JFK was assassinated, I think over time people saw that as the moment America, and I guess the world, lost its innocence. JFK was like American royalty. I mean, there's a reason why that period of time is often referred to as Camelot. After he died, the main concern became Vietnam, which took a devastating toll on American morale. Films of the late 60's and early 70's took on a cynical tone that reflected the times. My point is, this show has always shown us the dark underbelly of the 1960's. But just as we're now seeing racism with the black protesters/applicants being more explicitly discussed, I feel this show is going to take a dark turn. I could be wrong. But I feel like Don and everyone at SCDP has had a thunder cloud hanging over their heads, and now it's going to star pouring. It makes me wonder how people felt during the Cuban Missile Crisis, which ended season 2 on a rather ominous note. People genuinely believed the world was going to end, and looking back, they had a right to be frightened. So I wonder how they felt when they realized the situation wouldn't escalate to that point? Relieved, obviously, but maybe they felt like they were living on borrowed time. That they dodged a bullet, and it was only a matter of time before they had to face another one?

Or, maybe this is all the ramblings of a mild mannered Mad Men fan, who has put way too much thought into this. I'll let you decide. Until then...

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"Heard them Walthers like to jump some" "As will you, with one in your elbow."

(Is there a thread for The Killing? Does anyone else here watch?)

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I've only had one dream in my life with kids in it that didn't involve me gnawing my feet off, and it had to do with kids doing my laundry.

"Tea Leaves"

In which our favorite succubus rejoins the fold to suck the precious life out of our beloved show. A rather dull episode, and a bit of a letdown after the premier.

And now....the t3cii rundown!




SPOILERS


- So tonight's episode provided the return of Betty, plus 30 pounds. Apparently the usually stick thin January Jones was pregnant at the time, and she was almost unrecognizable. I was hoping I would be Betty Free in 2012 (that doesn't rhyme! ), but no such luck. I wonder why they didn't write her weight gain as her being pregnant? Seems like the safer route, and would have provided some material. Although did she say she never wanted to have kids again? I forget. Anyway, we're treated to a bunch of scenes of her acting depressed, and an odd dream sequence, and I can't even bring myself to talk about any of this. Moving on.

- Pete begins and ends the episode, and he's landed Mowhawk Airlines. There was some discussion last season about him getting his name in the company title, but that probably won't happen. Not really much else to say, other than his growing feud with Roger. How pissed was Roger at the end?

- Speaking of Roger, I know I was a bit harsh on him last episode. One thing that's kind of funny is his casual racism (I mean, not the racism itself. Racism is nasty and unpleasant, kids). But since he's usually so charming and witty, it's sometimes a bit jarring hearing it come from him. Speaking of jarring....

- The ad breaks continue to be a bit abrupt. I think I've said this before but I think this show isn't really meant to be viewed with commercial breaks, as there's never really a closing button. It's not like most shows that have a closing scene where you know the break is coming up.

- So I guess last week's plot about the black applicants panned out, as we get Dawn(?), Don's new secretary.

- Harry continues to be a putz. The guy has no self awareness. Although his eating a bag of burgers provided the episode's biggest laugh.

- Did the scene involving Don talking to the young girl at the Stone's concert make anyone else uncomfortable? I guess I'm just used to him bedding anything that walks. Harry is totally going to go down that road, though.

- New character alert! We get Michael Ginsberg. How do we feel about him? Personally I thought he was a bit too over the top. I know that was the point, but most of the characters on this show are a bit more grounded than that. His characterization was a bit broad.

- Bold prediction of the night: I predict Ginsberg and Peggy are gonna hook up by season's end. Bet on it!

- We also get some stuff involving Megan, but she's kind of boring, so who cares. Okay, I'll say this, they're totally over doing it with the whole her being French thing. She's from Montreal. Montreal is split pretty evenly among the French and non French. Although, maybe it was different in the 60's. Still, I get it. She can speak French, you don't have to shove it down our throats.

So, yeah.

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"Heard them Walthers like to jump some" "As will you, with one in your elbow."

Better late than never !

Good episode, rarely can you ever get it wrong with Mad Men, but a lot happened in this episode, now...

TO FACE THE T3CII RUNDOWN !



Damn, now I have to know you hate Betty

But I can agree that they've tried to keep January Jones tied to the show by any means necessary, even when she really can't do much on her own, apart from offering some good drama with Sally, and we didn't got that in this episode.

As for the weight gain explanation, this is a long long bet, but given where the "In the previous episode" scenes have focused with Betty, it gives me the impression the writers might be trying to pair up Betty and Don again, hence why we had to see the jealousy angle on both Henry and Megan in this episode.

Now what does this all have to do with the weight gain not having anything to do with pregnancy ? Well, how many couples in the 60's do you know of that got back even after one had a baby after the separation ?



Enough so that they can get into a fisticuff by the last episodes, HELL YEAH !



Dude, Don got a secretary called Dawn, racism or lack thereof, I would take potshots at that ALL THE TIME.



I sometimes wonder what the hell does Harry do to remain on the payroll ? I guess NOBODY has any idea how to run the television department, which makes me think this might be subtext on the importance of TV in that era.

*Gasps* !



It was even creepier for me because that girl looks MUCH younger than she is, she's 21 in real life, but she always plays 13 or 14 year olds.



I liked him a little, he's a good counter-balance to Peggy, and as you say, those two are going to fuck their brains out by the end of the season, I'm betting on it.



I agree, I was tolerant on Megan for the first episode, but her character really went a little too far for this episode, I'm going to assume they really want to pump some more audience into the show with her looks and.......language ? It's not like she has a sexy accent either.

And where the hell is Mal ?

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Oh good, I was thinking neither of you saw the episode, or just didn't bother posting.



I actually made a mistake in my last post. I said that the episode began and ended with Pete, but it didn't. It began and ended with Betty. What does it say about the character that I completely forgot about those scenes?

Without spoiling anything, this is something that The Wire tried not doing. There were occasions where characters had their screen time severely cut because the story didn't call for their inclusion. Since Betty is no longer Don's wife, there's no real reason for her to be on the show besides those odd scenes where Don must spend time with the kids.



She definitely looks 14, although at least her and Don acknowledged their was an age gap between them.



That's what's kind of funny about. Most people from Quebec have terrible accents. Like, they place the wrong emphasis on certain words, and even the French they speak is considered to be a mongrelized version of the language. Still, she's from Montreal, so she is probably supposed to be from the English speaking side.



He's too cool for us.

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"Heard them Walthers like to jump some" "As will you, with one in your elbow."

Most likely what's really happening, though I would still like to see IF they are trying to play that angle, it seemed to me like way too suspicious that they played the tumor angle by way of Don and Betty's concern for each other in parallel to Henry and Megan's jealousy.



God.......Don......what the fuck man !



!

We'll remember this Mal !

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A nice article containing some interesting tidbits on the latest episode:

http://www.screened.com/news/lets-talk- ... aves/3657/

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