Nothing much left to say after what i have already said in the title. from the moment Jon Hamm comes to screen til the closing scene you're living a sweet dream, makes you want it to never end, please don't wake me up :), nicely done in a very impressive way that makes you want to know more about this mysterious character "Don Draper", amazing show and this is the beginning.
14 Reviews
A show with dazzling visuals
SleepTight66612 March 2010
Warning: Spoilers
The very first episode of one of the finest, most gorgeous looking shows out there.
Not everyone can comprehend the brilliance of the show called 'Mad Men'. It is a show with dazzling visuals and sharp dialog. It is a show that could be appreciated by just listening to the dialog, or by just staring at the gorgeous visuals.
The first episode of Mad Men introduced the fine lads of Sterling Cooper agency. A man named Don Draper works there, but he is not like most men. Sure, he is arrogant and would win a word fight (because he is so good with words) against anybody. But in his own way, he is quite the gentleman. I admire him more than any other television character.
He is slick, very intelligent and practically lives a second life. He has a wife and two children, which is revealed at the end of the episode. But he also has an affair with a woman that is nothing like his wife. He seeks thrill, which he finds lacking in the superficial life of the rich. and yet he spills his gut to this gorgeous Jewish woman that did not take his crap. And she understands; 'Being a man must be hard, too'.
Another very fascinating character in my opinion is Pete Campbell. He is almost the opposite of Don. He craves power, but he is a gigantic douchebag. However, most of it is just an act. Sure, he is no angel, but deep down all he wants is love. He treats the new and very naive girl; Peggy Olson, like a piece of trash. But at the end of the day, he goes running towards her like a puppy dog.
All in all, the first episode of MadMen is a hit. It is like reading a book, and watching a classic 60's flick altogether. The dialog is sharp and quotable. And the episode is not short of eye-candy.
I give the first episode **** 1/2 stars
Not everyone can comprehend the brilliance of the show called 'Mad Men'. It is a show with dazzling visuals and sharp dialog. It is a show that could be appreciated by just listening to the dialog, or by just staring at the gorgeous visuals.
The first episode of Mad Men introduced the fine lads of Sterling Cooper agency. A man named Don Draper works there, but he is not like most men. Sure, he is arrogant and would win a word fight (because he is so good with words) against anybody. But in his own way, he is quite the gentleman. I admire him more than any other television character.
He is slick, very intelligent and practically lives a second life. He has a wife and two children, which is revealed at the end of the episode. But he also has an affair with a woman that is nothing like his wife. He seeks thrill, which he finds lacking in the superficial life of the rich. and yet he spills his gut to this gorgeous Jewish woman that did not take his crap. And she understands; 'Being a man must be hard, too'.
Another very fascinating character in my opinion is Pete Campbell. He is almost the opposite of Don. He craves power, but he is a gigantic douchebag. However, most of it is just an act. Sure, he is no angel, but deep down all he wants is love. He treats the new and very naive girl; Peggy Olson, like a piece of trash. But at the end of the day, he goes running towards her like a puppy dog.
All in all, the first episode of MadMen is a hit. It is like reading a book, and watching a classic 60's flick altogether. The dialog is sharp and quotable. And the episode is not short of eye-candy.
I give the first episode **** 1/2 stars
Smoke Gets in Your Eyes (#1.1)
ComedyFan20104 September 2018
Warning: Spoilers
A good introduction to what seems to be a very promising show. We are introduced to many important characters and already have a sort of a feel about who they are, although who knows, they may surprise us later.
The topic itself was pretty interesting. Cigarettes. The time when one just started saying that they are unhealthy and everyone smokes them everywhere. On the bus, in the office, even a doctor when making an examination. This was pretty interesting to watch. As well as how they were trying to come up with an ad. I also loved Rachel Menken. Interesting character. Would like to see more of her. The conversation her and Don had at the bar was really well developed with a lot of memorable quotes.
The topic itself was pretty interesting. Cigarettes. The time when one just started saying that they are unhealthy and everyone smokes them everywhere. On the bus, in the office, even a doctor when making an examination. This was pretty interesting to watch. As well as how they were trying to come up with an ad. I also loved Rachel Menken. Interesting character. Would like to see more of her. The conversation her and Don had at the bar was really well developed with a lot of memorable quotes.
The new Sopranos? Possibly
MaxBorg8919 January 2009
Warning: Spoilers
Just a few months after The Sopranos went off the air, people started looking for the next great American drama. Therefore, when AMC's first original TV series, Mad Men (followed by the darkly comic Breaking Bad), made its debut, critics were quick to drown it in well-deserved praise, the hyperbole hitting the top spot when some described it as "the new Sopranos". Why they would make such a claim is easy to understand: the show's creator, Matthew Weiner, had writing and producing duties on HBO's masterpiece, the director of photography (Phil Abraham) is the same (and it shows), and the main characters are a bunch of chain-smoking, hard-drinking, womanizing businessmen and their secretly frustrated wives/girlfriends/whatever. It's another trip to the dark side of the American dream. And it's as excellent as US television can get.
Before we get started, though, a little clarification about the title: Mad Men is not about asylum patients. The expression, as stated in the opening title card, was coined in the early '60s referring to the ad executives working on Madison Avenue, New York. To be more specific: "They coined it". "They" have a very special representative in the shape of Don Draper (Jon Hamm), one of the big names at Sterling Cooper: he's brilliant in conducting research and pitching ideas (not to mention selling them), but there's still something that doesn't feel quite right about him. Or better, like Tony Soprano, he doesn't feel quite right: despite a good job and an attractive mistress, something's missing in his life. No time for such thinking, though: right now he has to convince Rachel Menken (Maggie Siff) he's the right guy for her advertising campaign, and make sure young, ambitious sleaze-bags such as Pete Campbell (Vincent Kartheiser) don't make the job more complicated for him. Pete is also involved in another controversial matter: although he is about to get married later that same day, he finds the time to openly flirt with Don's new secretary, the naive and virginal Peggy Olson (Elizabeth Moss), who's gonna need all the help she can get from her "mentor" Joan Holloway (Christina Hendricks) if she wants to survive in a male-driven, highly sexist environment.
Weiner's point is quite obvious and eloquently expressed: these people advertise the perfect American way of life, yet they follow a completely different set of rules. Adhering to a mentality that isn't very different from Tony Soprano's code of ethics, they believe everything is allowed in order to seal the deal. Women, in this specific case, are simply part of the tools necessary to achieve that goal, and occasionally they serve as a source of fun, too. It's a grim portrait of yesterday's America (which hasn't changed that much, it would seem), but rendered through gorgeous images. In fact, the advertising industry setting allows the creative team to stage each episode as if it were a 45-minute ad. Apart from the omnipresent elements (good houses, perfect suits, yada yada yada), the most interesting aspect of Mad Men's opening episode is how the key product - cigarettes - is shamelessly and efficiently put on display. Not only is the title quite unsubtle (Smoke Gets in Your Eyes), but everyone (well, almost) is seen smoking a cigarette in nearly every scene, especially in that key moment when they are discussing the marketing strategy. If the characters themselves could see the show, they would be very proud of the achievement.
Alongside the visual splendor, the writing is Sopranos-worthy as well, but that wasn't much of a surprise, was it? Every line exudes quality and, most importantly, a healthy dose of ambiguity, which is also conveyed via some extraordinary performances: not everyone gets a truly big moment in this episode, but it is worth mentioning that Moss and Kartheiser have evolved significantly from the already superb recurring roles they had on two other great shows (The West Wing for her, Angel for him) into players capable to deal with meatier, almost leading parts. The real thing to watch out for, however, is the carefully crafted companionship between Draper and his boss, Roger Sterling (special guest star John Slattery, aka Eva Longoria's unfortunate second husband on Desperate Housewives): less caustic than the bond between Alan Shore and Denny Crane (Boston Legal) and less tense than that between Tony Soprano and Johnny Sack, it's one of those amazing small-screen partnerships that give a series extra flavor and grant two fine actors like Hamm (who has said in interviews he was experiencing some difficult times before he was cast) and Slattery the extended space they so richly deserve. And all this happens in the first 50 minutes of what looks like the next big thing in American TV drama.
Before we get started, though, a little clarification about the title: Mad Men is not about asylum patients. The expression, as stated in the opening title card, was coined in the early '60s referring to the ad executives working on Madison Avenue, New York. To be more specific: "They coined it". "They" have a very special representative in the shape of Don Draper (Jon Hamm), one of the big names at Sterling Cooper: he's brilliant in conducting research and pitching ideas (not to mention selling them), but there's still something that doesn't feel quite right about him. Or better, like Tony Soprano, he doesn't feel quite right: despite a good job and an attractive mistress, something's missing in his life. No time for such thinking, though: right now he has to convince Rachel Menken (Maggie Siff) he's the right guy for her advertising campaign, and make sure young, ambitious sleaze-bags such as Pete Campbell (Vincent Kartheiser) don't make the job more complicated for him. Pete is also involved in another controversial matter: although he is about to get married later that same day, he finds the time to openly flirt with Don's new secretary, the naive and virginal Peggy Olson (Elizabeth Moss), who's gonna need all the help she can get from her "mentor" Joan Holloway (Christina Hendricks) if she wants to survive in a male-driven, highly sexist environment.
Weiner's point is quite obvious and eloquently expressed: these people advertise the perfect American way of life, yet they follow a completely different set of rules. Adhering to a mentality that isn't very different from Tony Soprano's code of ethics, they believe everything is allowed in order to seal the deal. Women, in this specific case, are simply part of the tools necessary to achieve that goal, and occasionally they serve as a source of fun, too. It's a grim portrait of yesterday's America (which hasn't changed that much, it would seem), but rendered through gorgeous images. In fact, the advertising industry setting allows the creative team to stage each episode as if it were a 45-minute ad. Apart from the omnipresent elements (good houses, perfect suits, yada yada yada), the most interesting aspect of Mad Men's opening episode is how the key product - cigarettes - is shamelessly and efficiently put on display. Not only is the title quite unsubtle (Smoke Gets in Your Eyes), but everyone (well, almost) is seen smoking a cigarette in nearly every scene, especially in that key moment when they are discussing the marketing strategy. If the characters themselves could see the show, they would be very proud of the achievement.
Alongside the visual splendor, the writing is Sopranos-worthy as well, but that wasn't much of a surprise, was it? Every line exudes quality and, most importantly, a healthy dose of ambiguity, which is also conveyed via some extraordinary performances: not everyone gets a truly big moment in this episode, but it is worth mentioning that Moss and Kartheiser have evolved significantly from the already superb recurring roles they had on two other great shows (The West Wing for her, Angel for him) into players capable to deal with meatier, almost leading parts. The real thing to watch out for, however, is the carefully crafted companionship between Draper and his boss, Roger Sterling (special guest star John Slattery, aka Eva Longoria's unfortunate second husband on Desperate Housewives): less caustic than the bond between Alan Shore and Denny Crane (Boston Legal) and less tense than that between Tony Soprano and Johnny Sack, it's one of those amazing small-screen partnerships that give a series extra flavor and grant two fine actors like Hamm (who has said in interviews he was experiencing some difficult times before he was cast) and Slattery the extended space they so richly deserve. And all this happens in the first 50 minutes of what looks like the next big thing in American TV drama.
Very impressive.
wms-927411 March 2021
That weird, orchestral music toward the end
esstee5522 October 2013
I have watched this series from start (this episode) till the end of season 5. I'm waiting with bated breath to watch season 6. But starting the series again for like the third time, and just having seen this first episode again, I'm going to claim said episode as my favorite, at least so far. Being the episode that introduced SO many important characters to the show, this just crackled. Loved everyone, even Peter Campbell. But, right around 45 minites in, with the episode timing in at 47 minites +, there's this orchestral music that starts to play, that is not only beautiful, but seems to go on and on in violin, "swirls" if you will. Those sounds totally got me, if the episode I just witnessed wasn't enough already. So far, my favorite episode!
Lucky Strike: It's toasted!
jotix1009 February 2011
Warning: Spoilers
We find Don Draper in a pensive mood in a cocktail lounge. He knows his agency is trying to get the Lucky Strike account. He surveys the room where most people are seen smoking. Don decides to ask the black busboy about his preferences in smoking. The man answers he is an Old Gold type of man, the reason being, he got them free while in the army; he has kept smoking that brand of cigarettes. At a time when health consciousness is being raised in the printed media, most people smoke.
Don goes to visit Midge, a graphic artist. It is clear Don and this beautiful woman know each other more intimately than we realize. Don decides to spend the night with her. We hear Don suggesting Midge about getting married. At the office, there is a party atmosphere. That night there will be a bachelor party to celebrate Peter Campbell's last days as a bachelor. Don, who is invited, declines to join them.
A new girl, Peggy, is shown around by Joan, the office manager, who has a few tips for the newly hired secretary for Don Draper. Among the things Joan suggests is to dress more attractively, and the address for her her doctor, a man that prescribes birth control pills for his patients. Peggy also is to bring some presents to the telephone operators at the agency since she will be working as a secretary to Don Draper.
Sal, one of the graphic artists, comes to show Don his work for Lucky Strike, something that Don is not totally convinced as it displays a male figure without a shirt enjoying a cigarette. Peggy announces Dr. Guttman and ushers her into the office. She has bad news, her research indicates that cigarette smoking is harmful to the health, but so far, not many deaths have been reported that are linked directly to it.
Don and Pete Campbell go to a meeting with Roger Sterling and a new client, Rachel Menken, who is representing her father, who owns the Menken stores, an account the agency wants to get. It is clear from the start Don and Rachel do not see eye to eye. To complicate things, Don cannot take being told by a woman how she feels about the presentation and walks out of the meeting. Roger suggests to Don to invite Rachel to cocktails to mend things.
The presentation to the Lucky Strike executives do not go according to plan. As a matter of fact, Don clashes with Lee Garner, the owner, and his son. They are about to go out when Don asks the senior Garner to tell him about the manufacturing of his product. He is giving a list of phases the cigarette is put through. The last thing the tobacco gets is to be toasted. Don jumps and goes to the blackboard where he writes what will be the slogan for the marketing of the cigarette.
The bachelor party goes well. The junior men of Sterling Cooper are in a happy mood. The drinks keep coming and some women join them. Pete tries to touch one of the women, who does not go along with his advances, moving away from him. After the party, a drunk Pete is seen knocking at Peggy Olson's apartment door. Her roommate is annoyed, but Peggy is more receptive and invites Pete to spend the night with her.
A suburban house is seen in darkness. It is Don Draper's home. He goes upstairs where he finds his wife Betty sleeping. Don wakes her up, when he kisses her. Betty was not sure whether Don would spend another night in town. He excuses himself for a moment. Betty follows him to a sleeping child's room where he looks as the girl in bed, obviously his daughter. Betty looks radiantly to the picture she sees.
It is 1960 in New York City. Don, the rising star at the Sterling Cooper advertising agency is the central figure in this original series that tries to capture its essence and the mood of that era like no other one about the subject. The creation of Matthew Weiner, who also contributed with the first episode. Directed with flair by Alan Taylor, the chapter gives a bird's eye view of things to come.
Jon Hamm is the perfect choice to play Don Draper. He is a handsome man who exudes manliness; it is clear he has a high libido, as already seen in the episode. Elizabeth Moss makes a good Peggy. Christina Hendricks does justice to her Joan. Vincent Kartheiser, another regular, shows he is a man to be reckoned with. John Slattery is Roger, one of the men in charge of the agency. Guests stars include John Cullum, Maggie Siff, Rosemary DeWitt and others, too many to enumerate.
This is the beginning of an extraordinary account about an era in one of America's formidable institutions, the advertising agency.
Don goes to visit Midge, a graphic artist. It is clear Don and this beautiful woman know each other more intimately than we realize. Don decides to spend the night with her. We hear Don suggesting Midge about getting married. At the office, there is a party atmosphere. That night there will be a bachelor party to celebrate Peter Campbell's last days as a bachelor. Don, who is invited, declines to join them.
A new girl, Peggy, is shown around by Joan, the office manager, who has a few tips for the newly hired secretary for Don Draper. Among the things Joan suggests is to dress more attractively, and the address for her her doctor, a man that prescribes birth control pills for his patients. Peggy also is to bring some presents to the telephone operators at the agency since she will be working as a secretary to Don Draper.
Sal, one of the graphic artists, comes to show Don his work for Lucky Strike, something that Don is not totally convinced as it displays a male figure without a shirt enjoying a cigarette. Peggy announces Dr. Guttman and ushers her into the office. She has bad news, her research indicates that cigarette smoking is harmful to the health, but so far, not many deaths have been reported that are linked directly to it.
Don and Pete Campbell go to a meeting with Roger Sterling and a new client, Rachel Menken, who is representing her father, who owns the Menken stores, an account the agency wants to get. It is clear from the start Don and Rachel do not see eye to eye. To complicate things, Don cannot take being told by a woman how she feels about the presentation and walks out of the meeting. Roger suggests to Don to invite Rachel to cocktails to mend things.
The presentation to the Lucky Strike executives do not go according to plan. As a matter of fact, Don clashes with Lee Garner, the owner, and his son. They are about to go out when Don asks the senior Garner to tell him about the manufacturing of his product. He is giving a list of phases the cigarette is put through. The last thing the tobacco gets is to be toasted. Don jumps and goes to the blackboard where he writes what will be the slogan for the marketing of the cigarette.
The bachelor party goes well. The junior men of Sterling Cooper are in a happy mood. The drinks keep coming and some women join them. Pete tries to touch one of the women, who does not go along with his advances, moving away from him. After the party, a drunk Pete is seen knocking at Peggy Olson's apartment door. Her roommate is annoyed, but Peggy is more receptive and invites Pete to spend the night with her.
A suburban house is seen in darkness. It is Don Draper's home. He goes upstairs where he finds his wife Betty sleeping. Don wakes her up, when he kisses her. Betty was not sure whether Don would spend another night in town. He excuses himself for a moment. Betty follows him to a sleeping child's room where he looks as the girl in bed, obviously his daughter. Betty looks radiantly to the picture she sees.
It is 1960 in New York City. Don, the rising star at the Sterling Cooper advertising agency is the central figure in this original series that tries to capture its essence and the mood of that era like no other one about the subject. The creation of Matthew Weiner, who also contributed with the first episode. Directed with flair by Alan Taylor, the chapter gives a bird's eye view of things to come.
Jon Hamm is the perfect choice to play Don Draper. He is a handsome man who exudes manliness; it is clear he has a high libido, as already seen in the episode. Elizabeth Moss makes a good Peggy. Christina Hendricks does justice to her Joan. Vincent Kartheiser, another regular, shows he is a man to be reckoned with. John Slattery is Roger, one of the men in charge of the agency. Guests stars include John Cullum, Maggie Siff, Rosemary DeWitt and others, too many to enumerate.
This is the beginning of an extraordinary account about an era in one of America's formidable institutions, the advertising agency.
They coined it.
dogmatic-intolerance7 December 2022
It came as quite a surprise to me at the end of the episode to learn that Don has a family. It's undoubtedly one of my favorite Mad Men endings.
Don is very different from how he appears later in the show, although Rachel Menken... Her assignations was just astounding. After all of Don's elaborate and slightly pretentious discourse. Recognizing Don as being out of place on their very second meeting.
The episode is filled with plot holes, which is usually expected in a pilot. Although it was odd to see Pete Campbell, who was drunk as hell, find Peggy's house in the middle of the night.
(He most likely looked it up or something, but who knows. Who cares?)
Don is very different from how he appears later in the show, although Rachel Menken... Her assignations was just astounding. After all of Don's elaborate and slightly pretentious discourse. Recognizing Don as being out of place on their very second meeting.
The episode is filled with plot holes, which is usually expected in a pilot. Although it was odd to see Pete Campbell, who was drunk as hell, find Peggy's house in the middle of the night.
(He most likely looked it up or something, but who knows. Who cares?)
Great season kick off
meaad_r25 March 2019
In a nutshell, there is nothing wrong I can point out except the sexism which really was there in the 60s. It's all about the suits and men trying to take over the world with slogans. How a Brooklyn women struggles to cope with New York lifestyle and tries to keep her principles but there are insecurities.
Set Up Episode
DKosty12326 April 2011
Warning: Spoilers
This is not an episode that is going to be the best because it is the first one, the Introduction as it were. Regardless of how good a script you get, the fact is since this is a story that requires intelligence, this one does not have time enough to be a great episode. In fact, it just touches the surface of what is too come.
This one introduces Don Draper more than anything else. It does pop in some of the other folks that are in his life, but they are mere window dressing here who will get more depth in the upcoming episodes. We are led to believe that Draper is one of these black-hearted Madison Ave Ad men who is a top dog who when threatened manages to come through at the last moment always.
We do get intros to his main young competitor, his new secretary, his wife & kids, and his mistress. Their depth will be developed more during season 1. For right now, this show is mainly Don Draper, and the set up of the several story lines an intelligently written show will have in season 1. It is must viewing though I am glad I have the DVD. Commercials take away from this series as they make it harder to follow the story. There are a lot of good stories in the first season.
This one introduces Don Draper more than anything else. It does pop in some of the other folks that are in his life, but they are mere window dressing here who will get more depth in the upcoming episodes. We are led to believe that Draper is one of these black-hearted Madison Ave Ad men who is a top dog who when threatened manages to come through at the last moment always.
We do get intros to his main young competitor, his new secretary, his wife & kids, and his mistress. Their depth will be developed more during season 1. For right now, this show is mainly Don Draper, and the set up of the several story lines an intelligently written show will have in season 1. It is must viewing though I am glad I have the DVD. Commercials take away from this series as they make it harder to follow the story. There are a lot of good stories in the first season.
Mad Men - Smoke Gets in Your Eyes
Scarecrow-8815 January 2015
Warning: Spoilers
The first episode of "Mad Men" certainly has a stinging view of men in the 50s and 60s. How women were reduced to sexual objects, felt as inferior and treated so as the advertising men on Madison Avenue representing a firm that sells Lucky Strike cigarettes among other accounts. It is very visualized here
the way men and women are separated so substantially in the work force and viewed in life. Women "wear the aprons, gossip, read magazines, are easily persuaded, tend to the kids, allow their hubbies to 'work late', cook the meals" or work in firms like Sterling Cooper as secretaries, tending to the men in their offices (light their cig, provide medication and water, see to their needs and wants when required), answering calls, and making sure that they don't say the wrong things or act the wrong way which could result in their firing.
You wouldn't think Don Draper was a married man with kids the way he behaves as the show opens its pilot. Sleeping with an artist, admitting that he is stumped in regards to how he can handle Lucky Strikes amidst a health campaign against them, claiming cancer is a result of cigarettes, Draper needs an idea to surface. The pressure of this current account threatens him with a new client (the father's independently voiced daughter is the one Draper meets with, and he's flummoxed and angered at her surprising comments regarding aiming for wealthy clients who would spend their money on products expensively), so he must try to smooth the rising tides and salvage a bumpy start to negotiations.
When we first meet Draper (Jon Hamm) he's trying to come up with a tag line for the cigarettes. He talks it over with a black waiter quickly disciplined by a white waiter for "being chatty" when in fact Draper was the only one talking (asking him why he smoked an older brand). Later at the apartment of a lover, it isn't realized until the end that a day and night spent on saving an account were at the expense of a family he actually has. Draper feels a younger exec nipping at his heels, Campbell (Vincent Kartheiser), and a report on health related problems because of execs spurns him to try an offer his own ad for Lucky Strikes regarding appealing to the "death wish" in the public (men) and how danger can be alluring. Because Draper can use how the company makes their cigs as a slogan instead of dwelling on the bad health causes, he is able to appease the CEO bosses of Lucky Strike.
So there you are as the set up. Elizabeth Moss is given focus as a newly hired secretary for Draper, as the luscious, curvy red-head, Joan (Christina Hendricks) shows her around and provides tips to help her in the position. Advice to her about her legs is offered by men and women in the office. How to survive in this corporate environment during the 60s is elaborated here. Moss' Betty seems sexually liberated and when the engaged Campbell shows up at her door (he had "complimented" her on her sexual appeal within a rather conservative dress) she is interested in bedding him!
You wouldn't think Don Draper was a married man with kids the way he behaves as the show opens its pilot. Sleeping with an artist, admitting that he is stumped in regards to how he can handle Lucky Strikes amidst a health campaign against them, claiming cancer is a result of cigarettes, Draper needs an idea to surface. The pressure of this current account threatens him with a new client (the father's independently voiced daughter is the one Draper meets with, and he's flummoxed and angered at her surprising comments regarding aiming for wealthy clients who would spend their money on products expensively), so he must try to smooth the rising tides and salvage a bumpy start to negotiations.
When we first meet Draper (Jon Hamm) he's trying to come up with a tag line for the cigarettes. He talks it over with a black waiter quickly disciplined by a white waiter for "being chatty" when in fact Draper was the only one talking (asking him why he smoked an older brand). Later at the apartment of a lover, it isn't realized until the end that a day and night spent on saving an account were at the expense of a family he actually has. Draper feels a younger exec nipping at his heels, Campbell (Vincent Kartheiser), and a report on health related problems because of execs spurns him to try an offer his own ad for Lucky Strikes regarding appealing to the "death wish" in the public (men) and how danger can be alluring. Because Draper can use how the company makes their cigs as a slogan instead of dwelling on the bad health causes, he is able to appease the CEO bosses of Lucky Strike.
So there you are as the set up. Elizabeth Moss is given focus as a newly hired secretary for Draper, as the luscious, curvy red-head, Joan (Christina Hendricks) shows her around and provides tips to help her in the position. Advice to her about her legs is offered by men and women in the office. How to survive in this corporate environment during the 60s is elaborated here. Moss' Betty seems sexually liberated and when the engaged Campbell shows up at her door (he had "complimented" her on her sexual appeal within a rather conservative dress) she is interested in bedding him!
It's Toasted!
injury-6544719 June 2020
I had high expectations for the show that weren't quite met with the first episode. It was interesting enough but something felt a little lacking in the execution. Still early days though.
The feminist theme seems a little blunt at times, like it's being too forced on the viewer rather than picked up organically. There are so many references to women & their roles that it becomes overdone.
If Don Draper wasn't so damn handsome I would be less interested in the show. His presence and the setting is enough for me to want to watch more.
The feminist theme seems a little blunt at times, like it's being too forced on the viewer rather than picked up organically. There are so many references to women & their roles that it becomes overdone.
If Don Draper wasn't so damn handsome I would be less interested in the show. His presence and the setting is enough for me to want to watch more.
Interesting topics, impressive authenticity, convincing acting but conventional characters and predictable story
igoatabase9 May 2010
After what I read about the show my expectations were quite high. In fact I was driven to Mad Men because of its creativity topic, praised historical authenticity and visual style, and convincing cast. The awards it won are definitely deserved but I didn't find what I was looking for. First it didn't blow me away and only reminded me of all these productions trying to reproduce what America was back in the 60s. There's nothing wrong with history, the contrary, but I didn't learn anything new about that period. Worst I couldn't relate to the characters and even if their superficial masks hide complex personalities none really intrigued me. The actor playing the protagonist is perfect in its role and its story could be captivating to follow but if you need something more than entertaining then it can only be disappointing. In fact I even found the story boring at times. More most behaviors are predictable and the worst is that it didn't inspire me at all. The new secretary who don't know the city and will be an easy prey for the men playing in the upper league. The powerful mistress, the loving wife, the sharks trying to seduce their boss to better make him fall
If you dig these profiles then you should be in your element but I wasn't. However the visuals are definitely impressive but sadly the pilot contents doesn't match their quality. I wished the story had focused more on the company's work than predictable conflicts and troubling relationships. Don't get me wrong Mad Men is a good show and definitely has potential, specially considering it has reached its third season, but it's just not what I was hoping for. Still covering controversial topics like smoking, health issues and creativity crisis are interesting so if I got my hand on the first season DVD maybe I would watch a few more episodes.
60s and Degrading
vivianla29 May 2020
Warning: Spoilers
A man is in place with a bar where he talks to a black waiter about cigarettes. His boss comes asking if the black man is causing any trouble. The man works for a cigarette company and throughout the episode there are scenes of women in different scenarios.
I find many of the scenes degrading - I think perhaps whoever was behind this series were mostly men, targeted to fulfill visually male fantasies. The scenes made me understand more of a time where stigmas and inequalities were even more prominent than they are today.
The businessman goes to the home of a woman who is an artist. She wears a cute outfit - black, straight pants and a tied, white button-down. She undoes the tie and unbuttons her top to reveal her bra and the next morning when the man gets up we see her nude back. She hands over his belongings to help him get ready.
The man is also invited to a bachelor party for his co-worker who is getting married on Sunday. The group of men have a card advertising the strip club. The man to be married does not tell his wife he is going to a strip club and to take her mom out for a meal.
The businessman's new secretary is advised by another woman on the duties and environment she is to work in. It seems to be a place where females have to submit to the male workers and please them.
This new secretary goes to a gynaecologist recommended by the female worker showing her around. The doctor makes degrading and unprofessional remarks on her sex life. He warns her not to sleep around a lot and that he will take back the birth control if needed. The doctor calls her vagina a "fanny" and tells her to move it towards him.
At the strip club it is classier looking than I expected with men in suits sitting at small tables being served drinks. The girls serving are dressed in tight outfits but not completely in lingerie. They wear stockings. On stage a woman slowly unzips and takes off her dress to reveal the bra and then takes off the bra. She is wearing something on her nipples with strands that move in a circular motion to her movements.
The 26-year-old man who is to be married goes to the home of the new secretary where her roommate opens the door. Upon seeing him she dismisses him immediately but he wants to see the secretary. The secretary knows he is to be married but she pulls him into the home anyways.
The main character goes home to his fiancee and there are two kids. I was shocked because he didn't appear to be married or a father. He seemed like a lonely bachelor.
This episode did make me cringe and I was disgusted by the degrading of females, which made it memorable. It was paced well and I enjoyed watching a film taken place in the 60s. The episode gave me more insight of the gender stigmas and inequalities and what 60s culture was like.
I find many of the scenes degrading - I think perhaps whoever was behind this series were mostly men, targeted to fulfill visually male fantasies. The scenes made me understand more of a time where stigmas and inequalities were even more prominent than they are today.
The businessman goes to the home of a woman who is an artist. She wears a cute outfit - black, straight pants and a tied, white button-down. She undoes the tie and unbuttons her top to reveal her bra and the next morning when the man gets up we see her nude back. She hands over his belongings to help him get ready.
The man is also invited to a bachelor party for his co-worker who is getting married on Sunday. The group of men have a card advertising the strip club. The man to be married does not tell his wife he is going to a strip club and to take her mom out for a meal.
The businessman's new secretary is advised by another woman on the duties and environment she is to work in. It seems to be a place where females have to submit to the male workers and please them.
This new secretary goes to a gynaecologist recommended by the female worker showing her around. The doctor makes degrading and unprofessional remarks on her sex life. He warns her not to sleep around a lot and that he will take back the birth control if needed. The doctor calls her vagina a "fanny" and tells her to move it towards him.
At the strip club it is classier looking than I expected with men in suits sitting at small tables being served drinks. The girls serving are dressed in tight outfits but not completely in lingerie. They wear stockings. On stage a woman slowly unzips and takes off her dress to reveal the bra and then takes off the bra. She is wearing something on her nipples with strands that move in a circular motion to her movements.
The 26-year-old man who is to be married goes to the home of the new secretary where her roommate opens the door. Upon seeing him she dismisses him immediately but he wants to see the secretary. The secretary knows he is to be married but she pulls him into the home anyways.
The main character goes home to his fiancee and there are two kids. I was shocked because he didn't appear to be married or a father. He seemed like a lonely bachelor.
This episode did make me cringe and I was disgusted by the degrading of females, which made it memorable. It was paced well and I enjoyed watching a film taken place in the 60s. The episode gave me more insight of the gender stigmas and inequalities and what 60s culture was like.
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