Mad Men

[Reaper16]

Season 4 premiered tonight. I would have bumped the season three thread but I titled it "season 3," which no longer seems appropriate.

Who saw it? It was a stupendous hour of television. All sorts of shit has happened in the eleven months that have passed (in-story) between the formation of Sterling Cooper Draper Price and the beginning of season 4. The premeir was stepped in the juices of the sexual revolution. It also had a lot to say about the increasing role of the media in the success or failure of things. It was great to see Don fail a little bit, and it was exciting to consider the future implications at the end of Don crafting a public/media persona that is completely unlike his actual personality.

[Skyy God]

Originally Posted by DaneMcCloud

This whole season feels like an epilogue. I'm not even sure why it was made, artistically speaking.

This. Ending the series with Bert Cooper's soft shoe routine would have been perfect.

[Baby Lee]

Originally Posted by NewChief

The AVClub writeup is fantastic this week:

http://www.avclub.com/tvclub/mad-men-time-life-218571

That reminds me, The Massacre of Glencoe that formed the basis for the Campbell/McDonald feud is also GRRM's basis for The Red Wedding.

[NewChief]

Originally Posted by Cave Johnson

This. Ending the series with Bert Cooper's soft shoe routine would have been perfect.

Meh. I'm still enjoying the show. It definitely has the feeling of ending with a whimper instead of a bang, but I don't necessarily think that's a bad thing.

[NewChief]

Originally Posted by Baby Lee

That reminds me, The Massacre of Glencoe that formed the basis for the Campbell/McDonald feud is also GRRM's basis for The Red Wedding.

When I read up on the Glencoe thing last night (after watching the episode), I realized the same thing.

[Skyy God]

Originally Posted by NewChief

Meh. I'm still enjoying the show. It definitely has the feeling of ending with a whimper instead of a bang, but I don't necessarily think that's a bad thing.

I'm emotionally invested in the characters and would prefer it end for them on an up note. This isn't season 4 of the Wire, where it's inevitable things are going to turn our horribly.

[Brock]

Originally Posted by DaneMcCloud

That's nonsense.

Weiner isn't going to introduce a character, with only a few episodes left, that destroys Joan's life.

I just found it strange that he shouted to some unseen assistant to book a flight. Why even show that? Seemed purely for Joan's benefit.

[Reaper16]

Originally Posted by DaneMcCloud

If that was intimated, I missed it. It seems un-Joan-like but I wouldn't be surprised to see Joan move to SoCal, get bored and open her own shop at some point.

I had a similar thought. If they work out together it gives her a financial "out" from McCann.

[Pitt Gorilla]

Originally Posted by Brock

I just found it strange that he shouted to some unseen assistant to book a flight. Why even show that? Seemed purely for Joan's benefit.

It clearly was for her benefit. If nothing else, it could be him showing her how much she means to him (and him making sure she heard the gesture).

[DaneMcCloud]

Originally Posted by Brock

I just found it strange that he shouted to some unseen assistant to book a flight. Why even show that? Seemed purely for Joan's benefit.

I think it was to show that even in the early 70's, things hadn't changed in terms of "The man being in charge" with a secretary to do all of his "dirty work".

[Brock]

Originally Posted by Pitt Gorilla

It clearly was for her benefit. If nothing else, it could be him showing her how much she means to him (and him making sure she heard the gesture).

If that's the case, he could have just said "see you tonight".

[Baby Lee]

Originally Posted by Brock

If that's the case, he could have just said "see you tonight".

Don't overthink it. It's a simple paternalistic gallant gesture.

'My fair maiden is distressed? Allow me to stop my machinations of industry and instruct my minions to prepare my travel plans!!'

The 1970s version of calling your squire to bring your steed and sword.

[Pitt Gorilla]

Originally Posted by Brock

If that's the case, he could have just said "see you tonight".

True. I thought he was trying to be showy for her sake. However, I don't dismiss the idea that his secretary doesn't actually exist.

[mikeyis4dcats.]

Originally Posted by Brock

I just found it strange that he shouted to some unseen assistant to book a flight. Why even show that? Seemed purely for Joan's benefit.

why? Don and Roger shout for their secretary all the time when she's not visible.

[Brock]

Originally Posted by mikeyis4dcats.

why? Don and Roger shout for their secretary all the time when she's not visible.

But we have seen their secretaries and know for a fact they're real people. It was just the first thing that came to my mind, given Joan's track record with men and how she already told this guy she'd throw her son overboard to be with him.

[DaneMcCloud]

Originally Posted by Pitt Gorilla

True. I thought he was trying to be showy for her sake. However, I don't dismiss the idea that his secretary doesn't actually exist.

This is silly conspiracy nonsense.

Matthew Weiner isn't going to create a character such as Richard, who's divorced with grown children, to suddenly come into Joan's life, fall in love, throw his plans of "freedom" out the window, only to be a sham, with two episodes left.

No offense but anyone that believes this has neither been an or spent time with an executive that employees an executive secretary. Even as recently as the early 2000's, I know CEO's and CFO's that wouldn't be able to get to their office without an executive secretary let alone, across the country.