'Mad Men': Jackie-Marilyn Complex

Nice to know that I'm not the only one who is delighting in this season's Mad Men.Jon Hamm's Draper is turning into as amoral a fiend as Tony Soprano. He somehow manages to keep us on his side, despite his despicable treatment of women. I find Sundays at 10 to be must see TV and consistently want to watch the entire show again at 11. If Mad Men and Hamm don't receive an Emmies we should demand a Congressional investigation.

Matt-

I could have written this article myself. And how uncomfortable were you when Don's daughter said, "Daddy, I won't talk." while Don was shaving.

I thought I was the only one tempted to watch the encore performance at 11. Is it Sunday yet?

Best show on television! Each week Don gets more complex, women are now stereotyped as either "Jackie" or "Marilyn," and Peggy surprises us. I'm looking forward to learning more about the other characters - Duck seems to be next (I was sympathetic until he let his dog go).

Only 7 episodes left? Not nearly enough.

I find it interesting that there is no one to root for in this show. Peggy is the default recipient of our pathos most of the time as she struggles to find her way in the man's world but she too is flawed. I think that is the best part of the show. Like in reality, there is no Ward and June Cleaver. Everyone can be admired and despised; envied and pitied. The Soprano's analogy is a good one. I admire Don's toughness and business savvy while despising his cheating and double standard. I found the most despicable act of the last episode to be what Duck did with the dog. The parallel between Duck looking into the face of his loyal dog and Don into the eyes of his daughter - neither of them liking the reflection of themselves that they see - was powerful and not over done. Yet there are so many other layers in the show the most interesting being Salvatore Romano's protection of his secret and Pete Campbell's little boy playing in a grown-up man's suit. Great show.

Tipping my age (I joined Ted Bates&Co. in 1963), the reality of the show is mesmerizing. The ability to watch at will via "On Demand" is a true gift.

Certain flaws reveal themselves, such as everyone carrying coats when talking about how hot it is, and Betsy once using the word "got," something no Bryn Mawr grad would do then or now, but it is by far the best TV now offers in MHO.

I agree with everyone.....
Fortunately for us and Don, he is not whacking people.
He is a good guy that whats to do good for others, especially when you consider his continued support for Peggy. But I think they are one in the same, each with this split moral behavior.

Though we see as Mark says "his dispicable treatment of women", in an odd sort of way, he is only sleeping with them. It takes two to tango. The sexist comments from the rogue' s gallery in the office is far more uncomfortable than the serial infidelity he is executing on. He knows it is wrong, but can't help himself. It is an uncontrolled need for acceptance given his origins. Yes, the comment by his daughter, brought a stark reality to his behaviors.
But we can't count on it, similar when his partner had his heart attack, I thought he would finally appreciate his wife and the realization that she was to only one that really cared for him. But nope, he is back on the hunt once again.....

Tremendous show, even better than "6 Feet Under".

One tip: if you can wait until Monday, and you have Comcast, the show is on "On Demand" that way you skip the 13 minutes of commercials and just have to put up with one irritating Viagra commercial of that guy that finds his wedding tuxedo in the attic.....I think that is even more obnoxious than the sexist comments.....thank god for Fast Forward!!!!

Melinda McGraw is not only the spitting image of Anne Baxter, she has the voice and the cat-like moves of the actress. The similarities hit me when Bobbie seduces Don in his car. Her profile and her purring channeled Baxter perfectly. Then I remembered an episode of Columbo when Baxter played a fading ( and murderous) actress. Baxter wore her hair just like Bobbie's character. Eerie stuff.

Comment for Bob:

Way to go ... skip the commercials that pay for the the television program you like so much. If it weren't for the sponsors - there would be no show or no ON DEMAND!

Excellently acted show , the set direction is fabulous. However I must comment that Hollywood still needs an expert in collectible automobiles. In the latest episode of Mad Men Don visits his local Cadillac dealership and is told he is looking at a 1962 Cadillac CoupeDeVille when in fact he is looking at and then purchases a 1962 Cadillac series 62 Coupe the entry level priced Cadillac Coupe. This can be told by the CoupeDeVille script not being on the quarter panels near the rear bumper and the door handles and trim on the doors clearly visible in one of the scenes. If anyone is bothering to read this who handles these things I am 53 and clearly remember these cars at the time and own them now. In short I can help.
Sincerely,
Bill Young

Melinda McGraw is one of the best actresses in television. It's hard to recognize her from The Dark Knight as Gary Oldman's kidnapped wife, her days on The Commish, or her brief but memorable stint on The X-Files as Scully's sister. She is a chameleon which is part of the reason people have not put together her many performances. She is totally different each time she goes up to bat. Her turn on Mad Men has been too short. I hope they don't leave her tied to that bed. BRING HER BACK! She is fantastic!

I read somewhere that she is a Bostonian.

Mad for MadMen!

i loved the cadillac showroom scene too, but couldn't help but notice the back end of a '61 next to the blue '62-62...not like a cadillac dealer to put last year's model next to the new offerings in the showroom. i'm intrigued by the show and its attention to detail is remarkable, but bill is right that they could still use some help from the car guys.