OMG - Mad Men!!

[numbat]

Now i might be the last person on the planet to start watching the glorious excess that is Mad Men, but we've been away for a few days with the kids (school holidays here), and i took the S1 DVD of Mad Men with me that a friend had lent me, to keep me amused seeing as there was no net access.

Now apologies to anyone who thought that i might have been off writing my next story while i haven't been on the board, but the truth is that 5 days after watching the 1st episode, i've watched all of S1 and am halfway through S2 which i've downloaded. I am completely and utterly obsessed. I can't remember ever seeing such a complex, thoughtful, richly written, character driven show in my life.

Of course i'd heard about it, even watched the odd episode here or there, but it's not til you watch it from the beginning that you really understand it.

And nothing ever really happens - there's no crime, no mystery, no medical emergency, no random unexplained event, no singing, no science, no ghosts or aliens - just a complex web of interpersonal relationships, of heartache and desires, of disappointments and secrets. I know it sounds like a soapie, but the personal issues that it addresses, raises it so much higher than that.

It's the background of the 1960's, the drinking and smoking and fashion and sexism that sucks you in to start with, but within a few episodes you begin to get drawn into the lives of the individual characters, especially this one...



... the impossibly appealing, all drinking, all smoking, all shagging, advertising genius, Don Draper. And no, before anyone feels the need to point it out, he's not Rufus, but as a character in this wonderfully richly woven drama, he's bloody fantastic!!! The ultimate "man you would shag in an instant love to hate"

But it's not all Don Draper. He is the principal character, but it's really an ensemble cast with each of them bringing their unique layer to the story:



Apparently, there will be 5 seasons in total - covering the period from 1960 to 1970 - and all the societal changes that come with those times. They are just nearing the end of S4 in the US. Of course it's won a stack of emmys and has been critically acclaimed since it started in 2007, but if you're like me, that just makes you less likely to watch something, not more.

So i just wanted to say, that if any of you are so inclined, it really is worth it.

Now i'm off for another martini....... ;D


Oh look, here's another shot i found of Mr Draper (on a road trip he takes to LA in one episode):

It really is the writing that makes this such a good show...... obviously.......

[kygal]

Always thought Rufus would make a good mad man. I dont watch it very often but have liked what ive seen!

[numbat]

Of course you're absolutely right kygal, and he'd of course look like this.....



Am drinking a martini and eating a shrimp cocktail (no, really, i am!!) and planning my 1960's Mad Men inspired dinner party. I hope you can all come!!!

[stama]

I've heard from several friends that this is a very good series, so I'll try it. ;D Hmmmmmmmm, photos look good, it's tempting.

[GreenEyesToo]

Oct 9, 2010 6:15:40 GMT numbat said:

Now i might be the last person on the planet to start watching the glorious excess that is Mad Men

Not quite - I haven't seen it.

has been critically acclaimed since it started in 2007, but if you're like me, that just makes you less likely to watch something, not more.

We're kindred spirits there, Numbat! I was the last person to watch ET - I hate hype.

So i just wanted to say, that if any of you are so inclined, it really is worth it.

Oh look, here's another shot i found of Mr Draper (on a road trip he takes to LA in one episode):

Hmmmmm.....you sure he hasn't swapped chests.....?:

[nell]

I've not seen Mad Men either, I'd not even heard of it until recently. maybe I blocked it out.

It's not the chest that took my attention. More the expression and the swing of the arm ;D

[joyceinva]

Oct 9, 2010 6:15:40 GMT numbat said:

Now apologies to anyone who thought that i might have been off writing my next story while i haven't been on the board, but the truth is that 5 days after watching the 1st episode, i've watched all of S1 and am halfway through S2 which i've downloaded. I am completely and utterly obsessed. I can't remember ever seeing such a complex, thoughtful, richly written, character driven show in my life.

Yes, that's exactly what we, your adoring public thought! But I cans see where a "Mad Men" marathon would pre-empt even thoughts of Rufus. It's such a great show.

Oct 9, 2010 6:15:40 GMT numbat said:

And nothing ever really happens - there's no crime, no mystery, no medical emergency, no random unexplained event, no singing, no science, no ghosts or aliens - just a complex web of interpersonal relationships, of heartache and desires, of disappointments and secrets.

Yes, just like real life - only with better clothes. It's what I love about the show - that it focuses on people who are always real, that you care about, even when they're doing things you hate.

[numbat]

How exciting Joyce - something else for us to talk about, as if we don't have enough to talk about most days!!! And sorry about my lack of productivity in the writing arena - but i have picked out a couple of very nice suits that Jacob could borrow from Don Draper (including one that he might get married in!!).

Am still stuck firmly in MM land - an intoxicating place where women wear stockings and men wear hats and Don Draper, well he just does as he pleases. And despite the fact that he's a chain smoking, (probably) alcoholic, adulterer, i still love him because he's so very, very broken (and very, very sexy!) - and if there's one thing i can't resist it's a sexy, chain smoking, but ultimately broken man (good lord, have just realised how much he sounds like Mick.......... )

And because the above paragraph will probably have GE2 shaking her head and reminding me once again how predictable i am, i would like to point out that there are absolutely no similarities between our gorgeous Rufus and the actor who plays Mr Draper (Jon Hamm). I personally see no comparison whatsoever despite the photos that GE2 posted earlier, and despite the fact that they are both 40ish, 6ft, greeny eyed, black haired actors who both had a parent pass away when they were 10 years old, and were pegged for acting success at an early age by their teachers, Rufus as Rumplestiltskin and Jon as Winnie the Pooh.

Because of course i am not influenced one iota by the appearance and sex appeal of Mr Draper, it's the glorious writing and storylines and wonderful ensemble cast that makes Mad Men a winner for me. And i think my original comment about being the only person on the planet not to have seen it, was actually quite incorrect, as it looks like one of those slow burn shows that is making it's way quite gradually around the world. We are only in the second of four seasons and i understand that it's only just started in quite a few European countries. There seem to be a lot of people (like me) who are just discovering this, so don't feel at though you've already missed the boat!!

If twitter is anything to go by, last nights episode in the US was amazingly good with comments like this being posted (and there were a LOT of comments, a real lot.....):
"Last night's Mad Men should've been titled "Don Draper: Sporadic Morals, Titanium Balls"
"Don Draper you magnificent bastard! balls of steel my friend balls of steel, i salute you and all your endeavors"
"Loved tonight's #MadMen esp.w Peggy using the Draper quote: "If you don't like what they're saying about you, change the conversation"
"Don Draper is a beautiful genius and #MadMen is one of the best shows ever made"
", new Mad Men was craaazy. New life goal: Be as ballsy as Don Draper"

Each episode is like a movie in it's own right, beautifully crafted and beautiful to look at. As Joyce said, it's like real life - just with better clothes (and martinis, my new drink of choice!!!)

So sorry, but i just can't resist it. He's just so freaking retro!!!


;D



Have you quite finished yet??? Because i can sit here and listen to you ramble on for as long as you like. Obviously i have nothing else to do.

Sorry Mick...........

[judypatooty]

Numbat, you crack me up.

I'm glad to see you've found a new series to carry you through a bit of time until the next season of True Blood comes back. Yes, Jon Hamm is one sexy beast, isn't he? I hadn't realized how much his background was like Roof's. I also know that Jon H. is a funny, funny man. He got a lot of his early acting experience in the Upright Citizens Brigade improv comedy troupe in Los Angeles.

Count me among the many who have yet to see even one episode of Mad Men. I missed the first series when it was on and somehow just never got started on it.

... off to see if Netflix has Season 1 available for "Watch Instantly" ...

[joyceinva]

Yeah, while you don't have to have watched Mad Men from season 1 to appreciate it, it does help.

It is a really fabulous show - and the best part of catching up is that, like most cable shows, a season is only 13 episodes so you can catch up fairly quickly. So if you have the chance, I recommend it highly.

I mean it this show has everything, the highly sexy Mr. Draper, great story lines and wonderful clothes. (Really, one of the emmys they won was for costumes.)

[numbat]

Judy, i hope you can find series 1 on netflix. It's really fantastic. And the season finale was awesome and heartbreaking and made me cry (not that that is anything new!!). I know that you for one will love it.

I understand that Jon Hamm is keeping up his comedy roots hosting SNL and appearing with Tina Fey on 30 Rock. Looking forward to seeing both of them.

I can't help thinking that he and Rufus would get on well - both having that depreciating sense of humour and willingness to take the p*** out of themselves.

And another interesting fact that i forgot to mention above is that his favourite book is apparently Arcadia!!

I hope that if they ever did meet (and they both live in LA so it's not that unlikely!!), that someone would take a photo of them together. I'd love to see that!!!



A gratuitous Mad Men shot for your enjoyment - part of a series by Annie Liebovitz of beautiful, beautiful photos of Don and Betty (Jon Hamm and January Jones)

[numbat]

For anyone who is watching Mad Men now (like judy or stama), you might like to do as i've been doing, and follow each episode with reading a discussion/review of it. As i said before, each ep is so finely crafted, like a movie in it's own right, that it's really interesting to read what everyone has to say about it. I've found various blog type reviews on the net, but i think Alan Sepinwall probably does the best one. Here's the link to his earliest Mad Men stuff - scroll down to the bottom of the page for the earliest:

sepinwall.blogspot.com/search/label/Mad%20Men?updated-max=2008-07-01T05%3A45%3A00-04%3A00&max-results=20





Mmmmmm, I think i might text Rufus and ask him how to escape from this lunatic asylum. When he said his fangirls were crazy, i didn't think he meant literally. If only i could work out how to use this damn phone. That's the last time i let him take me to the Apple Store. I was quite happy with my old phone.......... oh look, here's a message from him........... that'd be right. It's a picture of his freaking bare ass again. That's all he keeps sending me. Now how do i save it with all the others? It's not a bad ass i guess........ as long as he doesn't turn around. I don't want to get into that argument again.

[stama]

Thanks Numbat for this serie, I love it!!! This is the best series I ever saw. So many characters and stories and so many human lives. The main character is appealing, but each character from serile is very interesting. And thank you very much for the Annie Liebovitz´s photos,she is my favorite photographer.

[joyceinva]

Some friends and I were talking mad Men this past weekend. saying how disappointed we were in Peggy's behavior. Then one of the women pointed out that Peggy was merely aping the behavior of the men on the show and we never said we were disappointed in them. Disgusted, maybe, but never disappointed.

It seems that poor Peggy is having to fight the double-standard in more than just the show!

[numbat]

Did someone mention Mad Men??? ;D

Interesting joyce. I can't say i've ever been disappointed in Peggy. When you look at how far she's come since the very first episode of series one in forging her career, I guess i've always seen her behaviour as doing what she had to to get ahead. At the start of series one she thought she had to sleep with the bosses (with the terrible consequences that came from that), but by the end of that series she realised that she could get ahead by using her talent and perseverence rather than her <insert appropriate word here>

And from there, she's just developed and grown to the point that she can take on the boys at their own game. I'm not sure which behaviour in particular the women you were talking to didn't like (and maybe i'm forgetting something here), but i don't remember anything that particularly shocked me. And i did like her little strip challenge with the guy she was stuck in the hotel room with.

It will always be a struggle for Peggy to compete in the man's world of the 60's, but she is really coming into her own and i can't wait to see what S5 has in store for her. More Don Draper i hope! When they are together it's pure magic (The Suitcase was the best episode i've ever seen without a doubt). It's not a popular view to ship Don & Peggy, with most people seeing them as intellectual mates rather than lovers, but i'm not one of them (surprise, surprise!!!). The way Matthew Weiner writes, i just know in my heart of hearts that the line from the very first episode "I'm your boss, not your boyfriend" will one day make a reappearance in reverse "I want to be your lover Peggy, not your boss" (well it would if i was writing it anyhow!!). They are the only two who truly know each other. Dick Whitman may well be marrying Megan, but eventually Don Draper will see that Peggy is his true partner.

Don: "Do you know she reminds me of you? You have the same spark"
Peggy thinks to herself 'then marry me you stupid b*****d'

And i have to say that i loved the fabulous scene between Joan and Peggy after Dick, sorry Don, announced his engagement to Megan.

Peggy: "A pretty face comes along and everything goes out the window"
Joan "Well i learned a long time ago to not get all my satisfaction from this job"
Peggy "That's bulls***"

And for no other reason than i think it's pure poetry, i'm going to post this picture of Dick in California, completely the opposite of the opening credits of Don in his office. Unadulterated Mad Men porn!!!



See joyce, you really shouldn't get me started. Not when i'm trying so hard to write my Jacob story like a good girl. Now i don't just want to write about Mick, i want to write about Don & Peggy