OT: Mad Men (spoilers)

[wbcincy]

It's getting too close to the end for me to believe this season will ever get very interesting. I know the show is all about character studies, and I've completely appreciated it, but having gone back and watched the earlier seasons before this, it used to be a character study PLUS it had great, interesting overarching story lines. Now, it's absolutely nothing but character study, and a complete rehash at that. I've seen nothing interesting or new in anyone this year. Every character's story this year is simply more of the same.

As has been widely discussed, Mad Men just wasn't the type of show that could be split up the way Breaking Bad was. It's a slow burn show, building up story over the course of the season.

And didn't we all just know Matt was just going to force us to watch creepy Glen one more time...

I find myself completely fine with the show ending. And at this point, I don't expect any big shocking finale. I think it'll just end. Life goes on for everyone. No big "whoa" moment or tying up of loose ends.

 

[KC-KS-Lion]

It seems like the main characters are evolving to an inevitable, pathetic conclusion. Roger and his moustache calling Don in to write him a speech while warning against drinking in the office, and Don in his mostly empty apartment...did she take the phone?

I could still see a spinoff with some twists.

The seventies were still a pretty consumer-oriented time that was challenged by environmentalism, inflation, and global constraints (oil embargo).

It might make for some interesting character studies along new story lines with some characters growing in importance
or fading away....would the leisure suit every make its appearance?

 

[NewEra 2014]

Not a real spoiler, but Glen is a horrendous actor. He made Betty's acting and Sally's acting worse just by being in the same scene.

Breaking Bad and Justified left me wanting more of each show at the end. I am kind of getting ready for Mad Men to be over based on these last few episodes. Hopefully something interesting will happen here in the last few episodes.

 

[ptomaselli]

Originally posted by NewEra 2014:
Not a real spoiler, but Glen is a horrendous actor. He made Betty's acting and Sally's acting worse just by being in the same scene.

Breaking Bad and Justified left me wanting more of each show at the end. I am kind of getting ready for Mad Men to be over based on these last few episodes. Hopefully something interesting will happen here in the last few episodes.

Matt Weiner's his dad. It's not like he's going to be fired.

 

[Woodpecker]

Don's coming to the realization that ...

... there's nothing left for him. Professionally, he can't even think of what a rosy future would look like; he's forced to try to see what other people's take on the future is. Personally,he realizes that he's tried several different lifestyles with women and is left with nobody. I think he has the same uncertainty that he doesn't know what he wants the future to be so he is now reactive rather than proactive bot professionally and in his personal life. He's no longer that guy in control - as the one guy said last night, he's only handsome.

 

[royboy]

Liked this episode better than the previous week

The female characters seem to be making progress---Joan has a relationship that looks promising (after some bumpy moments and resulting truth telling); Peggy is doing a great job (became impatient with Don's existential questions); Betty appears happier, and Sally gets some great scenes.

Huge contrast in the acting ability of the young people -- Kiernan Shipka is terrific as Sally, loved her joking and feedback with Betty; Matthew Weiner's kid as Glen is awful, cringe-inducing.

Is Don making progress toward figuring things out or even figuring out what comes next? Will he stick with advertising? Where will he live? Is he ready for a serious relationship?


This post was edited on 4/20 11:16 AM by royboy

 

[ptomaselli]

Re: Liked this episode better than the previous week

Originally posted by royboy:
The female characters seem to be making progress---Joan has a relationship that looks promising (after some bumpy moments and resulting truth telling); Peggy is doing a great job (became impatient with Don's existential questions); Betty appears happier, and Sally gets some great scenes.

Huge contrast in the acting ability of the young people -- Kiernan Shipka is terrific as Sally, loved her joking and feedback with Betty; Matthew Weiner's kid as Glen is awful, cringe-inducing.

Is Don making progress toward figuring things out or even figuring out what comes next? Will he stick with advertising? Where will he live? Is he ready for a serious relationship?


This post was edited on 4/20 11:16 AM by royboy

I half thought they were going to let Glen make it with Betty.

 

[anon_xdc8rmuek44eq]

I have faith in Weiner.....

And while there is more urgency with these final few episodes, it's typical of Mad Men to 'get to the point' fairly late in a season. His finales are typically spectacular (note how many references there have been to the Season 1 finale - 'The Wheel' - considered by many to be the best Mad Men episode ever - this season) and I have faith he'll tie things up nicely. I heard one reviewer say that each episode is sort of a mini-sendoff for several characters and I think to date we've done Ken, Megan, Harry, Glen, and now Joan - even though I'm sure we'll see more of mostly everyone (maybe not Megan).

The issue with the show is that Don stopped being the most interesting thing about it a long time ago. Peggy, Joan, Pete, Roger, Ted, Stan, Betty, and even Lou are far more interesting at this point. They're still hungry. Don has/had everything he (thought?) he ever wanted and it left him with nothing. I think ultimately we'll be left with something significant for Sally - just not sure what that could be yet.

 

[olelion]

Re: I have faith in Weiner.....

I'm seeing change. Change in the culture, change in the characters. Except Don Draper. Things are passing him by. Same conservative dress, conservative haircut, no beard/sideburns, still boozing, still chasing women. He is struggling to put together the mission/vision manifesto because he is living in the past.

 

[wbcincy]

Re: I have faith in Weiner.....

Originally posted by olelion:
I'm seeing change. Change in the culture, change in the characters. Except Don Draper. Things are passing him by. Same conservative dress, conservative haircut, no beard/sideburns, still boozing, still chasing women. He is struggling to put together the mission/vision manifesto because he is living in the past.

Yeah I watched the episode with my father and he pointed out Don taking a hat to work, saying people weren't still wearing those hats by then, and I pointed out that it's because Don doesn't ever change.

 

[royboy]

Hey, he was wearing a blue shirt....

Originally posted by wbcincy:

Originally posted by olelion:
I'm seeing change. Change in the culture, change in the characters. Except Don Draper. Things are passing him by. Same conservative dress, conservative haircut, no beard/sideburns, still boozing, still chasing women. He is struggling to put together the mission/vision manifesto because he is living in the past.

Yeah I watched the episode with my father and he pointed out Don taking a hat to work, saying people weren't still wearing those hats by then, and I pointed out that it's because Don doesn't ever change.

blue shirt isn't much, but something for Don; both Sally and that underling he just fired commented on how Don just gets by on being handsome; maybe this point will be explored a little further

 

[Carl Spackler]

Originally posted by NewEra 2014:
Not a real spoiler, but Glen is a horrendous actor. He made Betty's acting and Sally's acting worse just by being in the same scene.

Breaking Bad and Justified left me wanting more of each show at the end. I am kind of getting ready for Mad Men to be over based on these last few episodes. Hopefully something interesting will happen here in the last few episodes.

Nepotism rarely ends well or as good as it could have been by substituting the best person for the part vs. your progeny. There are rare instances where it works but not many. Glenn sure does look different, creepy may be a great term to describe him. Duh.