Mad Men - Season 1

One of the best HISTROICAL TV series ever produced

Over the past few years more and more Americans have tended to treat each decade as if it was an historical epoch into which people were born, lived and died. In other words, we think of the 1950's, the 1960's, '70's, 80's...etc... as if each of these decades was its own historical age. This short-sightedness blinds most of us from the reality of history: it is linear society evolves--and seems top evolve very slowly if one doesn't have a broader view of history. That being said, we have just now reached the point (48 years) when we can really begin to understand what happened in the 1960's. The social changes, the &quot revolutions,&quot etc. all resulted from tensions that had been simmering and injustices that had been tolerated for many decades previous to the 1960's--if not centuries. &quot MAD MEN&quot dramatizes these tensions and injustices beautifully. This is an ADULT series--and by that I do not mean &quot adult&quot as in sexually explicit. By &quot ADULT&quot I mean that the story unfolds casually at its own pace the characters are revealed slowly. There is no youthful brashness or speed there is no dramatic overstatement. The details of character and story are revealed subtly. If you're simply in the mood for a soap opera, &quot MAD MEN&quot is not for you. But if you want to know what life in the early 1960's was REALLY like, there is--to put it simply--not other TV series or film to watch. &quot MAD MEN&quot is the genuine article. The characters are the products of their time. You may relate to a particular character really like him or her--only to be shocked when half way through the series, he or she offers an opinion on gender, sex, race or religion that will leave you stunned because it is so offensive and bigoted by today's standards. After this reaction wears off, you begin to realize that this character may not be jerk as much as a product of ignorance and the social norms of the time. Other characters who may seem cold, unfeeling and secretive (such as the leading man, Don Drapper)turn out to have unbelievable emotional depth, inner conflicts and (surprisngly perhaps)a profoundly strong sense of integrity. When it comes to the authenticity of clothes, furniture, music, etc., &quot MAD MEN&quot is without peers. The DVD extra features show the time and energy that have gone into all aspects of the product design. But in the end it is the HISTORICAL authencity of the series that is most impressive. Few people probably realize that the Beat Nicks of the 1950's were the products of the late 1920's and early 1930's' that the &quot establishment&quot of the early 1960's was a leftover from the Depression and the econimic boom of the 1920's that men and women entering early middle-age were veterans of World War II that guys in their 20's and early 30's were veterans of the Korean War--and were the children who were born during, and suffered through the Depression. In short, &quot MAD MEN&quot shows that the culture of the 1960's was the product of the ENTIRE 20th century. The 60's was not an age unto itself its &quot revolutions&quot and social upheavels did not just happen out of the blue. I can't recommend this series highly enough.

6 out of 6 people found this review helpful.

Best TV series since Twin Peaks! Cinematography! Direction! Acting! WOW!!!

If you like episodic TV at its highest levels, this set is for you... as well as Season 2. Each show is compelling, advances the story a bit, delineates the characters just a little bit more... boffo TV. The very best cable TV can deliver.

Mad Men has become something of a legend now, and perhaps it shows a little in the faces of its characters/actors during Season 3. But in Season 1, cast-writers-directors were just trying to make the best of this quirky, complex story set in the legendary Madison Avenue times of the early 60s, when broadcast TV's potential was just beginning to be tapped. Suburban life was starting to be dominated by college-educated couples who were discovering that perhaps this life was good... but it was not fulfilling.

The center of this story is Don Draper (his real name?), an extremely successful 'creative' director at the Sterling Cooper ad agency that not only advertises but recommends marketing strategies to its clients. Don's got an aura that projects cool and success, but his personal story is a proverbial rise from the ruins of a depressed-repressed rural life. We follow Don's marriage, children, family life and disillusionment with reality, and how he deals with all the facets of his life. He's got a past and an identity that very few people are familiar with. At the agency, he's surrounded by hungry young 'dogs' who would love to have his cool, live his life and have his money. Don has it all, but is not sure he deserves it or can manage it.

The cinematography and direction in this first season are remarkable. There is a faithful recreation of 60s New York, its women, its fashions, its reverence for men in power, its culture -- tight clothing, narrow ties, no equal work-equal pay, lightly veiled racism, a growing awareness of societal inequities, a prejudice against divorced people... and the squeaky-clean world created by advertising that wiped away all unpleasantness. Characters are well established early, then are developed by all that happens to them and around them. Some are smart and make great decisions for their futures ... and some are not so smart.

This is storytelling, imagination and epic creativity at its very best. I want to believe it's true to life! Rent/own it and enjoy!

3 out of 3 people found this review helpful.

Not for everybody

I'm one of those people. I personally couldn't get past the first episode because the characters were so openly bigoted that watching the show made me angry, and not angry in good way (The Wire is an example of a show that does that). I realize that to a large extent, the casual bigotry is accurate to the time period and I have to recognize the writing and craft behind the show (which are both great), so I'd recommend it... if you're able to get beyond the completely unlikeable characters.

2 out of 4 people found this review helpful.

Don Draper: The scoundrel you hate to love

When I first started watching this series about a 1960s advertising firm on Madison Avenue, I admit to finding myself really depressed as I realized just how the business world worked back then. Women were second-class citizens, African-Americans had subservient roles, and men were, well, pigs. Thankfully a lot of that (but not all) has changed over the years. Once you get past the incessant smoking, drinking, and womanizing, Mad Men really draws you in to the drama. Don Draper is an absolute cad, but Jon Hamm is talented enough in the role that I can't outright hate him -- even though I should.

2 out of 3 people found this review helpful.

I agree with KT review but that apart is GOOD!

I like it so much that I saw the series and also bought the DVD. I am looking forward to buy season 2.

2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

Great writing!

The writing is fantastic on this show. We can't stand the characters' sliminess, but you can't stop watching them with hopes that they will redeem themselves somehow. It's also an interesting perspective of the city and the time period. It's addictive!

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Enjoying This Series

I confess that I have seen so far only a couple of episodes past the first two discs but the series fascinates me. I had seen about four episodes on AMC. I had to begin at the beginning. Critics exult over the superb artist design but the episodes I have seen work on many levels. The storylines work without the viewer having to explore the overtones and undertones but I rerun the episodes again and sometimes a third time before I go to the next one. I have just ordered the second season and will want the others. This is a terrific program. It is even better than all the praise promises. It reminded me very much of the work of Fanon in his study of Arab women during the Algerian revolution.

Mad Men Season 1

Loved it. It was so great i purchased season two!!

A great trip to the past!

This show is impeccably done with total attention to detail. The characters are intriguing and the cinematography is spectacular. Very much an enjoyable glimpse into the culture of 1960s advertising.

Mad Men, less than was expected.

Not what I expected, the period details seem to detract from the series, and seems more like a relationship period series than a drama/comedy series.

0 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

Fantastic Series

What a period piece! What a contrast to the world today. The acting is superb and the story draws you in like a great drama should.

Loved It!!

When I saw the first episode I was hooked. Each episode just got better and better. I highly recommend this series. You won't be disappointed.

Totally engrossing

I wouldn't put this at the very top tier of cable dramas (I'm looking at you The Sopranos & The Wire). But the writing and acting are excellent, and the period detail is spot-on.

Obsession!

I have watched season one on demand at least three times and have not missed an episode of season 2. I have never before owned a boxed set before of anything to re view!I have not enjoyed a series this much since &quot Brideshead Revisited &quot almost thirty years ago. You must give Mad Men a try!

10 STARS!!!

I very much enjoyed this series, for many reasons. The drama was rich andfull, the lifestyle that was portrayed was amazingly accurate, the acting, the set, the script-wow! I can't wait until series 2 is out!

Addictive Series!

We stumbled upon one episode randomly on TV, and were hooked! This series is well-written characters are developed with depth - the good and the bad of each - as in all of us. Watch one and you'll want to see all the episodes!

Sopranos junkies apply here

With the Sopranos in its bloodlines (creator Matthew Weiner) and sets replete with mid-century panache, I was hooked on Mad Med from the beginning. It's a deep, dark plunge into the ad world in 1960. The thick layers of smoke and sex in the air serve as a landscape for unpreditable twists and turns in the lives of what initally seem to be cardboard cutout characters. The plot lines in Mad Men are rich and intriguing, in the tradition of The Sopranos, although totally different. Season One is a must-own, as it lays the groundwork for all that is now being explored in Season Two.

Good ?Clean? Fun

As an asthmatic, I have a little trouble each time another cigarette gets lit, but hey, the depiction of the times is pretty accurate. I agree with a former reviewer that the critic should have watched at least one episode before penning the synopsis. I've been watching season 2 and I am anxiously awaiting the metamorphosis of Peggy (I hope there will be one because she is just a total schlepp!), am hoping Bets will confront Don on the perfume he brings home on his collar every time he sees Bobbi. If I don't watch the episode on Sunday night, I make sure to download onto the iTouch. Look forward to watching it during the week. Great series, easy to watch.

A soap opera first and last.

Its gimmick is to set the promiscuity, adultery, and angst in a 1960 advertising agency - using every cliche and stereotype the creators could come up with. As such, it is difficult to learn anything useful about the advertising profession - because unless you already get the joke or know the reality, you cannot unscramble the useful and true from the babble. That is not to say the scenes related to creating ads are not good theater. But as a soap, it is run of the mill. As a sidebar: Of the 10 largest ad agencies in 1960 {ranked by billings}, only 2 had headquarters on Madison Ave {aka Ulcer Gulch} . There were 2 on Lexington and 2 were at 666 Fifth Ave {read Sick Sick Sick Fifth}. The other 4 had NY offices, but were headquartered in other cities. {The parentheticals are at-the-time usages - unlike much of the Mad Men script}.

0 out of 3 people found this review helpful.

Watch it for yourself!

Would it be too much trouble for the guy who writes the synopsis to actually watch the show!?!?!? Don Draper is the original deliberate stranger. He NEVER dips into the secretarial pool or hooks up with anyone in his work world until he meets Rachel Menken. As one of the writers puts it--who knows anything about that guy? Nobody's looked under that rock. Even when Roger tries to get him involved with the twin from the aluminium account, he's careful not to spit where he eats. The show is GREAT! I just wish the poor guy who wrote the DVD notes could have seen it.