Does anybody watch this show? Who saw last night's season premiere and what are your thoughts?
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Mad Men
- Thread starter openendedsky
- Start date
ThemeParks4Life
Well-Known Member
I always tell myself I'll watch it but it never happens 
I will watch it soon hopefully.
I will watch it soon hopefully.
It's so good. So so so good.
I had a drive back from Orlando after the first showing so I missed out. I didn't really like it all that much initially, and while I'm disappointed in Don, can't really say I'm surprised. The more I think about it though and examine the subtleties (and not so subtle details) of the episode, it's grown on me.
Gonzo79
Well-Known Member
I'm disappointed in Don too,but I had a feeling it was coming.The way season 5 ended,you knew something changed in the way he looked at Megan. I also thought it was interesting that Don didn't say a word for almost the first 10 minutes of last nights episode.
It was weird. And I find Betty being polarizing so far. People either like her more now, or dislike her even more. I'm on the latter side.
acishere
Well-Known Member
I liked Peggy basically becoming Don in her new role. Her phone conversation with the pastor was the funniest bit of the episode as well.
This was the 1st time in a while where Betty went a whole episode without annoying me. I wonder if they are going back to the more likable version of her from the first season.
The fashion change everyone at SCDP went through was a bit too overdone. Everyone suddenly went full 70s in less than a year. It was a little jarring. Then again most Mad Men seasons take a few episodes to get in the groove and get the viewer up to speed.
I was waiting the whole episode for Don to get back to his cheating ways. Last season's "cliffhanger" wasn't really going to go in any other direction but that. Apparently once he thinks his wife relies too much on him, he gets bored of her very quick. So I wasn't surprised when he showed up getting jinkies with Velma from Scooby Doo.
This was the 1st time in a while where Betty went a whole episode without annoying me. I wonder if they are going back to the more likable version of her from the first season.
The fashion change everyone at SCDP went through was a bit too overdone. Everyone suddenly went full 70s in less than a year. It was a little jarring. Then again most Mad Men seasons take a few episodes to get in the groove and get the viewer up to speed.
I was waiting the whole episode for Don to get back to his cheating ways. Last season's "cliffhanger" wasn't really going to go in any other direction but that. Apparently once he thinks his wife relies too much on him, he gets bored of her very quick. So I wasn't surprised when he showed up getting jinkies with Velma from Scooby Doo.
Honestly, Betty was my least favorite part. It just seemed like irrelevant time filler other than she likes other peoples' kids more than she likes her own. She went from normal but kind of weird to psychotic and awful back to just damn weird. You could argue that she's mentally unstable (which I wouldn't argue against) but at the end of the day, IMO, her writing is inconsistent.
I'd be okay with her not being on the show until the figured out a way to constructively re build that character instead of just throwing her into weird situations for the sake of filling time.
I love love love how Peggy is coming into her own. And as nice as Abe is, I kind of hope she leaves him for Stan or something.
I agree with the fashion though. Especially Harry. And I wish that Don hadn't cheated, but I'm not surprised. Though I disagree with you thinking Megan relies on him too much. She's her own woman and her career is finally starting to bloom, doing something she's actually passionate about. Though at least, unlike with Betty, it seems Don is showing guilt over his infidelity.
acishere
Well-Known Member
Betty is pointless at this point, but the scenes with the squatters didn't outright anger me. When it comes it Betty, that is a step up. They really should just make her an occasional guest star at this point, but if they have to force her in I just want to keep the amount of times I facepalm to a minimum. Sunday she made me facepalm once with that rape thing (Seriously, what the hell was that?). Episodes with a lot of Betty usually leave me with a red handprint on my face by the end.
It took me half the episode to realize that Peggy was still with Abe. The 70s look threw me off. I want her to move on from him too, but I prefer her and Stan as friends. Plus I think that working naked in the hotel thing back in season 4 killed any chance of romance.
Don chose to start cheating on Megan the moment she asked him for the part in the commercial last season. Now that she is successful without his help though, he starts to show regret. That moment of need just seemed to be the part that killed the marriage for him. Maybe for a moment he saw himself married to Betty all over again. Along with his past affairs, it seems Don is really attracted to independent women.
I mean, yes, Megan did have some help and she has benefited greatly from their marriage, but you can't argue that she wouldn't be independent without Don. He did get her the commercial gig, so it's speculative, but she could have very well made it on her own. Or, if they did separate, I'd be willing to bet that she would continue to flourish with her career. Betty is the opposite. She hopped from Don to Henry and has been dependent on both of their support and is more of a typical housewife. Not saying there's anything wrong with the latter part of that, but there is such a stark contrast between the two women that I find it hard to believe that he would compare the two. And I don't think he showed guilt just because Megan suddenly has success. I truly believe that he does care about her, at least more than he ever did with Betty.
And really, the stuff with Betty never really bothered me all that much before this. I get that people are upset that she was fat and that she was basically written into a purposefully hatable character, but it always seemed to me like she had a few screws loose anyways.
BoarderPhreak
Well-Known Member
Caught it too. Loved the authentic Leica M2 and Rolleiflex TLR shown. 
<- Photographer.
<- Photographer.
RedDad
Smitty Werben JagerManJensen
Love this show and have followed it from the beginning. My wife pointed out the thing between Don and Meghan when I noted how much Meghan annoys me. It's her constant need for approval/affection. Yes, she is finally coming into her own, but her personality is still very needy and I think that also annoys Don. He tends to fall for the strong, assertive women, which Meghan is not.
Also thought the whole thing with the lighter is foreshadowing some more issues with Don's identity? Great show!
Also thought the whole thing with the lighter is foreshadowing some more issues with Don's identity? Great show!
Gonzo79
Well-Known Member
I could be wrong,but I don't think that Don's guilt is necessarily from cheating on Megan,but rather with who he's cheating on her with. I think the guilt is more towards the doctor than Megan. I think he truly likes and respects the doctor and is starting to feel guilty for sleeping with his wife. I could be wrong though.
RedDad
Smitty Werben JagerManJensen
Agreed. I think that was pretty obvious from that scene with the Dr skiing to see a patient in the middle of the night.
ifuhadwings
Well-Known Member
I have a Rollei and used it regularly until a part broke. Now I can't locate a shop anywhere they can fix it.- Mad Men fan. This show has layers.Caught it too. Loved the authentic Leica M2 and Rolleiflex TLR shown.
<- Photographer.
Just watched the new episode and I think I hate Don.