I don't know why I'm still watching this program. Probably for all the other characters besides Don, who's getting bored and boring us by the same time. But watching it I've just noticed a serious goof about the screenplay. We're in December 1967. Peggy Olsen is working with a client, Koss, which is selling headphones. At the start. her agency is having a printed campaign in the newspapers, saying "Lend me your ears". By the same time, there is this terrible story going on from the Vietnam war, where US soldiers are on court-martial trial because they were cutting ears from Vietcong people and putting them on a necklace. Someone on the "Tonight show" is making a joke about it. And the crisis is starting at the agency. Peggy's colleague, Burt, is talking about the TV advertising spot that will be showed during the Super Bowl. And this mistake is repeated at least three times in the first 2 episodes of Season 6. It's a mistake because the championship between AFC and NFC became the SUPER BOWL the year after, in January 1969. It was on that year, which was the third time this championship took place, that this moniker was used for the first time. Later, the NFL gave back this name to the first 2 championships, both won by Green Bay Packers.
8 Reviews
Mad Men The Doorway
dalydj-918-2551758 April 2013
Warning: Spoilers
Mad Men returns with Peggy still on the show and the main two characters of the two episodes were Betty as she became more of a motherly figure while Don continues to fall further into depression going back to his old ways while Megan has reached her dreams while he continues the same boring work. Elisabeth Moss was probably her most powerful as Peggy almost becoming her own version of Don as she has many people working for her which is why every Peggy scene was my favourite of the episode. Betty was a non presence last season and the premiere gave her a lot to do and in the second part her journey into the village was beautiful shot through the sets and atmosphere created by all these poor men. I think Betty dying her hair black may be a sign of her jealousy of Megan who has Don but it could also be her wanting to make a change to her boring life. Roger went through a hard time this week speaking to a therapist at the same time losing his mother and Slattery was the highlight of everyone of his scenes. Don has really become such a depressing figure from public embarrassments to cheating on Megan that Don has become even more the heart of the show and the character I most connect with. Also a shootout to Kiernan Shipka who is just brilliant at playing what Sally has become which is a teenager not afraid of speaking her mind. The opening of the season was quite a somber and depressing episode compared to other season openings. Last thought is the show as great hair people from the women's hair to the men all having some form of extra hair on their faces well groomed I might add.
EPISODE GRADE: B+ (MVP: Elisabeth Moss)
EPISODE GRADE: B+ (MVP: Elisabeth Moss)
Angst driven Season 6 is the Apex of the Mad Men Series
Instant_Palmer25 December 2022
Season 6 starts off in beautiful Hawaii, but by the time the final episode of the season wraps, major changes have occurred in the Firm and every character. Such major changes in Don Draper's Universe means across the board angst on Mad Men, and some of the most interesting writing in the series seven-year run.
Tumultuous story lines based on conflict among the partners and staff (and their respective families, friends and lovers) permeates every episode. It's non-stop and tension builds in every episode.
Season 6 sets up the final season, but as always in Mad Men, the journey is a most interesting one. This is the Apex season in the Mad Men epic. Buckle-up and hold on.
Tumultuous story lines based on conflict among the partners and staff (and their respective families, friends and lovers) permeates every episode. It's non-stop and tension builds in every episode.
Season 6 sets up the final season, but as always in Mad Men, the journey is a most interesting one. This is the Apex season in the Mad Men epic. Buckle-up and hold on.
Disparate story lines and rapid cutting between them is annoying
jhaugh8 April 2013
I have watched every episode from all the previous seasons, and this episode is the worst. Don Draper (Jon Hamm) heads up a great ensemble cast. The writer, and the show's creator, has chosen to take several of these characters – Don, Peggy Olson (Elizabeth Moss), Roger Sterling (John Slattery), and Betty Draper (January Jones)– and give them each an individual story line showing their travails. In following each individual story line, of each individual character, this episode loses the thrust and cohesion of previous episodes where the interaction between the ensemble gave the episodes their dynamic.
This episode starts off with a scene - a man is being given CPR while Don looks on - which is only laid into context later in the show: and when is does appear, in context, it is shown to be an event that even then is out of the time line - confusing! It appears yet again when a drunken Don badgers the person, who was given CPR, about their near death experience. It seems to be an obtuse way to get to that point, where Don is shown to be a mean drunk.
The script has us cutting in and out of the disparate four main story lines. After a while, I just found this to be annoying. Only Don' story and Betty's story have interest. Roger's was the least interesting. Peggy has a job as a poorly paid artistic director who is trying to follow in the footsteps of her mentor Don. You can decide on whether she can do that. Never the less, the show ended too quickly. This is probably because there is a part 2.
This episode starts off with a scene - a man is being given CPR while Don looks on - which is only laid into context later in the show: and when is does appear, in context, it is shown to be an event that even then is out of the time line - confusing! It appears yet again when a drunken Don badgers the person, who was given CPR, about their near death experience. It seems to be an obtuse way to get to that point, where Don is shown to be a mean drunk.
The script has us cutting in and out of the disparate four main story lines. After a while, I just found this to be annoying. Only Don' story and Betty's story have interest. Roger's was the least interesting. Peggy has a job as a poorly paid artistic director who is trying to follow in the footsteps of her mentor Don. You can decide on whether she can do that. Never the less, the show ended too quickly. This is probably because there is a part 2.
Doors and Doorways of perception...
lmck-582042 October 2019
Warning: Spoilers
Remember an earlier episode?(possibly Season 1)Every time a door closed, another door opened, and visa/versa. Ponder that philosophy for a moment. Can doors, and doorways be portals figuratively, as well as literally, allegorically,.....metaphorically? And, is the doorman the gatekeeper for such?
This season 6 premiere is about new beginnings, as much as it is about open doors of opportunity and closed doors compared to those that should remain closed, and/or, paths that we should or shouldn't take, in comparison to things that just occur. These decisions are often blink of an eye, good or bad.
If you think Roger is boring in this episode, pay closer attention, and really listen objectively during his therapy sessions, and notice when, how, and why he finally breaks down in tears.
But, first, let's go all the way back to the beginning where someone has apparently collapsed. For all we know it could be Don, because we only hear Megan gasp with horrible fear as that scene closes like a telescope and then reopens to a lovely beach scene. Is Don actually dreaming? Is he dead? Is he in a coma? Is this his heaven? Well, for now he's close enough, on a beach in Hawaii, with his radiantly beautiful wife, but, he's reading a book we wouldn't expect to see him reading at all. And, we don't find out until the end of this episode why he was reading that book. As more lovely Hawaiian paradise scenes unfold, furthering the possibility that this is all some weird dream, we realize that Don hasn't spoken one word of dialogue. In fact, it's several minutes into the episode, during a bar scene, when a fellow G.I., on leave, knows a serviceman's cigarette lighter when he sees one, and finally coaxes Don to speak, and obligates Don to stand-in at his impromptu wedding.
Back in snowing, cold, NYC, it's no accident that a set of double doors opens for Megan and Don to approach the lobby on the way to the elevators when we finally see it had been the doorman that collapsed, apparently some considerable time before their Hawaiin departure, as their wardrobes immediately change between the quick scene cuts.
Meanwhile Betty continues to reemerge as a mother. Somewhat better for a neighbors' estranged daughter than her own Sally, currently. Betty is rising above her previous depressions. As Don steadily slips back? Notice how Don & Betty are rarely balanced at the same time, and usually at odds, whether apart, or when they were together.
It's great to see Peggy succeeding, and appreciated, and recognized with more genuine appreciation for her triumphance in crisis mode than what had may have only been a mere gesture with her predecessors, and obviously more level headed than the always belligerent Burt Peterson. Her new digs are quiet and empty, but she took a lot of SCDP with her, including Stan, her old office chum, via telephone at least, for now.
This season 6 premiere is about new beginnings, as much as it is about open doors of opportunity and closed doors compared to those that should remain closed, and/or, paths that we should or shouldn't take, in comparison to things that just occur. These decisions are often blink of an eye, good or bad.
If you think Roger is boring in this episode, pay closer attention, and really listen objectively during his therapy sessions, and notice when, how, and why he finally breaks down in tears.
But, first, let's go all the way back to the beginning where someone has apparently collapsed. For all we know it could be Don, because we only hear Megan gasp with horrible fear as that scene closes like a telescope and then reopens to a lovely beach scene. Is Don actually dreaming? Is he dead? Is he in a coma? Is this his heaven? Well, for now he's close enough, on a beach in Hawaii, with his radiantly beautiful wife, but, he's reading a book we wouldn't expect to see him reading at all. And, we don't find out until the end of this episode why he was reading that book. As more lovely Hawaiian paradise scenes unfold, furthering the possibility that this is all some weird dream, we realize that Don hasn't spoken one word of dialogue. In fact, it's several minutes into the episode, during a bar scene, when a fellow G.I., on leave, knows a serviceman's cigarette lighter when he sees one, and finally coaxes Don to speak, and obligates Don to stand-in at his impromptu wedding.
Back in snowing, cold, NYC, it's no accident that a set of double doors opens for Megan and Don to approach the lobby on the way to the elevators when we finally see it had been the doorman that collapsed, apparently some considerable time before their Hawaiin departure, as their wardrobes immediately change between the quick scene cuts.
Meanwhile Betty continues to reemerge as a mother. Somewhat better for a neighbors' estranged daughter than her own Sally, currently. Betty is rising above her previous depressions. As Don steadily slips back? Notice how Don & Betty are rarely balanced at the same time, and usually at odds, whether apart, or when they were together.
It's great to see Peggy succeeding, and appreciated, and recognized with more genuine appreciation for her triumphance in crisis mode than what had may have only been a mere gesture with her predecessors, and obviously more level headed than the always belligerent Burt Peterson. Her new digs are quiet and empty, but she took a lot of SCDP with her, including Stan, her old office chum, via telephone at least, for now.
Super Bowl Ad
daleholmgren12 September 2014
Actually, the reference to a Super Bowl in 1967 is not inappropriate, because unofficially that's what the public was calling it even then; I was 11 and I remember. However, in case you think my memory is faulty, here is a 1967 promotional video put together by CBS. We know it's 1967 because at the 6:45 mark they are talking about programming for the upcoming 1967 season. Jack Whitaker throughout this tape refers to the game as the Super Bowl, at least 3 times. So, Mad Men got it right. It's not like the NFL named it the Super Bowl in 1969 and everybody said "Geez, I wish I'd thought of that."
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=usNzAc-05u8
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=usNzAc-05u8
It's Looking Like A 1960's Costume Party
TheFearmakers25 October 2019
Bad episode. Wow. Really bad. Seems like all the actors and basically acting. There's a kind of hush, or whisper, as if no one is really behind the lines they're speaking. Worse yet, since this is the latter sixties, everyone at the office has totally fake looking wigs and beards, it's starting to become really cheap-looking. I long for the early 1960's.
The problem of Peggy's ad being changed because of a comic's Vietnam jokes on Carson is far-fetched so say the least. Betty's friendship with her daughter's bratty musician friend is strange and awkward... Roger and the whole LSD thing is incredibly stupid since the writers think dropping acid is like seeking some new age religion...
Thank God that Don Draper always remains looking the same because it would be just horrible if HE TOO had to wear phony 60's garb or sideburns, etc...
Don, get back to screwing around, and pitching, two things he does best...
The problem of Peggy's ad being changed because of a comic's Vietnam jokes on Carson is far-fetched so say the least. Betty's friendship with her daughter's bratty musician friend is strange and awkward... Roger and the whole LSD thing is incredibly stupid since the writers think dropping acid is like seeking some new age religion...
Thank God that Don Draper always remains looking the same because it would be just horrible if HE TOO had to wear phony 60's garb or sideburns, etc...
Don, get back to screwing around, and pitching, two things he does best...
One of the worst episodes of the later seasons
steve-57515 January 2018
Warning: Spoilers
While many of the early episodes were solid episodes that helped establish the tone of the series and develop the characters, it was the middle and later season episodes that really made the show one of the best dramas in the history of television. Each season finale ended with some sort of change that would create anticipation for the next season. Sadly, this episode fails to build on the momentum of the previous season.
It takes place only a few months after the season 5 finale. However, it seems like so much has changed in the interim. Don is back to his old drinking and womanizing ways for about the hundredth time even though they don't really give a clue as to what caused it this time (the Lane Pryce drama would be my guess). Roger, normally one of the most intriguing and charming characters, is all of a sudden belligerent and obnoxious following bad news about his mother. Peggy is struggling with her new position but without the SCDP people around, it seems less interesting. Betty, whose character has essentially become useless since the divorce, is involved in a pointless story line with one of Sally's friends and a violin. I'm still not sure what the whole point of this was especially since Sally's friend was never seen before this episode and never seen again. Maybe they felt obliged to give Betty screen time since her role has diminished. The only good story line turned out to be Don and Megan's new relationship with the new neighbors which would be a major plot throughout the season. Not only are the characters and story lines uninteresting but the episode is slow moving not unlike the early episodes.
It seems like the best episodes of the series are the ones that are evenly balanced between the workplace happenings and the characters' personal lives. This one seems to focus way too much on the character's personal lives. They could have come up with something interesting with one of Pete's accounts yet Pete is barely seen in this episode. They could have built more upon the death of Lane Pryce and how it impacted the company. Thankfully, this episode was not an indication of what the entire season would be like. Season 6 as a whole turned out to be one of the best seasons of the series in spite of this episode.
It takes place only a few months after the season 5 finale. However, it seems like so much has changed in the interim. Don is back to his old drinking and womanizing ways for about the hundredth time even though they don't really give a clue as to what caused it this time (the Lane Pryce drama would be my guess). Roger, normally one of the most intriguing and charming characters, is all of a sudden belligerent and obnoxious following bad news about his mother. Peggy is struggling with her new position but without the SCDP people around, it seems less interesting. Betty, whose character has essentially become useless since the divorce, is involved in a pointless story line with one of Sally's friends and a violin. I'm still not sure what the whole point of this was especially since Sally's friend was never seen before this episode and never seen again. Maybe they felt obliged to give Betty screen time since her role has diminished. The only good story line turned out to be Don and Megan's new relationship with the new neighbors which would be a major plot throughout the season. Not only are the characters and story lines uninteresting but the episode is slow moving not unlike the early episodes.
It seems like the best episodes of the series are the ones that are evenly balanced between the workplace happenings and the characters' personal lives. This one seems to focus way too much on the character's personal lives. They could have come up with something interesting with one of Pete's accounts yet Pete is barely seen in this episode. They could have built more upon the death of Lane Pryce and how it impacted the company. Thankfully, this episode was not an indication of what the entire season would be like. Season 6 as a whole turned out to be one of the best seasons of the series in spite of this episode.
See also
Awards | FAQ | User Ratings | External Reviews | Metacritic Reviews
