MAD MEN — Page 12

Also Betty what a real *itch. I feel for Sal, and D&B's kids.

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Yeah, the "you people" really got me. Betty also with the "Maybe it is not the time for Civil Rights" Can not stand her. "My girl will be back soon" to the guy from the governor's office "She works for me, not for you!" to Bobby (who was also way beyond rude to an elder. I want to smack her!

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There has been a decided whiff of the soap opera in some of the adulterous plotting. Not as fresh as the lurid doings with the wife of the agent last year. With Betty, I wrestle with either the character and/or January. Sometimes, I think she expertly embodies this empty woman to perfection; other times, I feel Jones lacks he chops to suggest something beneath the surface. There's a Stepford eye thing she does that has grown wearying in its repetition. (Curiously, it reminds me of Madonna's least persuasive moments in EVITA, a kind of non-blink blink with a stare into space.) I think it's half Betty and half January at this point.

The civil rights sequence was right out of FAR FROM HEAVEN, anyone else think?

And Don and the teacher, it's just a bit been-there, done-that. At least with her non compliance compliance.

The Sal plotting, however, is riveting. It's so good, I only wish they'd found a bit more to mine from it. Batt was quite heartbreaking during his firing sequence. It's not gay vs. hetero sexualized story, it's about the degree or originality in the actual construction of the scenes.

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Updated On: 10/12/09 at 04:17 PM

Only three more episodes!

I am a little disappointed in this season - some interesting episodes but not as much emotional involvement as I have felt in prior seasons. And the firm is going to be sold again - isn't that a replay of prior cliff hangers?

I think part of the problem is that they didn't spend enough time in the office. Too much time was spent on Betty. I don't know whether it's January Jones' acting or the way the part is written, but the bored suburban housewife storyline is tedious.

The biggest mistake was separating Joan from the office. Christina Hendricks is one of the best things on that show and should be given more time, not less.

And I'm surprised they even pay Bryan Batt. I think Carla has had more screen time than Sal.

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I didn't really get into this season from the first few episodes, so I didn't watch the past 5 episodes until recently. I think these last 4-5 episodes have been really solid and I enjoyed them very very much.

I do agree though that Joan has to come back to the office.

I've been giving this show the benefit of the doubt and holding out that it was building toward something big. And here we are with the season finale one week away. I don't care how good it turns out to be; I'm not sure it can justify the entire season.

It's the Twin Peaks phenomenon all over again...trying to hard to be themselves. Mad Men has gotten bogged down in telling the history of the time and the story of the show got lost somewhere along the way.

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I found this "analysis" of last night's episode interesting. It made me take a step back.
Link

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What a finale! LOVED IT.

Any limitations of the season were more than made up for in that THRILLING finale. Holy CRAP.

WOW! This season sucked but the finale was so perfect - MAD MEN is back, and now I am ready for next season! I sincerely hope (with all due respect to the actress who plays her) that the Betty story line is over and done with.

Next season will start in August 2010.

And Peggy - you go, girl!

I just wish Peggy had added "Get your own goddamn coffee Rodger!"
And Joan is back in control!

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I think they alluded to the fact that Sal would be back when they broke into the Art Dept office. There would have been no point to have him involved last night since all their actions were aimed at taking as much as they could of their accounts and work with them before they were locked out. Since Sal no longer worked there, it was a moot point.

I echo the sentiment that the finale made up for the so-so year.

I wonder if next season will pick up right where it left off, or whether it will suddenly be two years later with everyone in place in his/her role in the new world order...

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