MAD MEN — Page 15

Burt! She got old.

Can I confess something? I find Brian Markinson (who plays the Doctor) unbearably sexy. I don't know what it is. It befuddles me.

Can we talk about Linda Cardellini, aka Lindsay Weir from Freaks & Geeks, playing the doctor's wife? She seemed vaguely familiar but it took my twitter feed to tell me who that was. They made her look older and not entirely in a flattering, regal Julia Ormond as Megan's mother kind of way.

Robbie, I agree with the rape comments. It reminded me of Henry's mother telling Sally a very sexual version of the Richard Speck murders last season. And she implicated Henry! That was gross.

I love how Don was unaware about the death symbolism, it seemed like a meta-commentary on the show's last season. On Hawaii, I actually think California is going to play a big role this season. I think for Don that is the magic, mythical, safe space. Hawaii at first felt like a dream but we later see it as a sham. Don's pitch flops and for the trip he brings a book recommended by his mistress to a vacation getaway with his wife.

I definitely picked up a **look** from the doctor. Somehow this affair sticks out way worse than Don's previous. That he knows the guy and respects him but still is having this affair he knows he should end is pretty low.

I knew she looked familiar, but I didn't know it was Linda Cardellini until today, either.

I loved having the show back, but I do have to admit I understand, even if I don't really agree, with some complaints.

I think when Mad Men do these extra long episodes, often they can feel like they meander even more than the show normally does (and I normally don't mind and often love.)

"I think the point is some characters are stuck and facing it directly and indirectly, Roger more directly while Don is still avoiding dealing with his conscience in as open a manner. Peggy is the only person on the up and up."

I agree with this. I can see some people getting furstrated because it seems like a lot of these characters (Peggy aside), in the premier are, as you said, stuck and playing out familiar patterns. I suspect, as you say, that's going to be one of the main themes of this season, so I'm willing to see where it goes.

I didn't know about Macys. I used to frequent the restrooms at Saks. It is not that I was being a big whore. At the time I just did not know any other way to meet men. ( talking 20 or so years ago)

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Updated On: 4/8/13 at 06:24 PM

AMC gave Matthew Weiner two options: 2 hour premiere or 2 hour finale. I think the fact he was still working on writing the finale at this very point in time shows the choice was much better. They've done it before and Mad Men finales at no point function as these meandering story lines that we are supposed to then expect to be nicely wrapped up by the very end (not saying the usual finale does it, but I think more people will find expanding an hour to their finale structure to be incredibly maddening).

Robbie, I feel like I have heard that California rumor/speculation. To me it would seem too perfect because it functions so well in multiple story-lines. Agency expands into LA, Harry Crane still has Hollywood contacts, Don loves California in almost a mythical way that can never live up to his ideal in real-life, Megan can easily be in California for acting, and Matthew Weiner has spoken on how the late 60s presented a decline of New York- the storm that gave way to the seediness in the 70s. California would be this escape, although a false one when SoCal in the late 60s had its own dark turn. Dammit, now I really want it to be true.

WHy do I keep thinking the Counter Culture is going to play out more in this show? Esp w the California stuff.
I LOOOVE how Don is still looking for answers to the questions of the universe between a woman's legs. Nevah change pls.

the best line of the night, Sally Draper

“She acts like she's 25 because she uses tampons.... hahaha

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Didn't like the opening sequence but thought it was pretty entertaining for a MAD MEN season opener (I usually don't start really getting into the seasons until halfway through). I'm a bit tired of some of Don's storylines, they just seem very repetitive but maybe that's the point. I loved the other characters though, especially Peggy, who's probably one of my favorite TV characters at this point. Loved Joan getting her photograph taken and smiling at Roger when he compliments her, very subtle, so good. The stuff about late 60s NY really interests me, can't wait to see how they develop that or how it becomes a part of this season. Oh, and Roger had a great storyline, and his moment with Mona was one of my favorites.

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"And it seems that all the dropped homo clues may mean there'll be some depiction of the other sexual revolution of the time. Which, yay!"

OMG. SAL AT STONEWALL, PLEASE! I loved Sal and would really love to know how things turned out for him. I keep hoping that Peggy will run into him when she's out with Joyce and Abe at some party.