In today's column, I talk to "Mad Men" creator Matthew Weiner about the season two finale (absolutely no spoilers, don't worry), the overall arc of season two, and the future of the series (which has been renewed for a third season even though Weiner isn't under contract yet). I will have a much, much, much longer version of this Q&A (Weiner can talk a little) up on Sunday night immediately after the finale airs, along with my usual episode review.
13 comments:
Very interesting... I can't wait to see the finale and read all of Weiner's comments.
Thanks for that, Alan.
I can't wait for the finale, but I hate that it's the finale! Will definitely miss this show when it's gone.
I am glad to see what Weiner wrote about the Don-Bobbie encounter, chiefly because I've spent some hard time in the intervening months questioning myself as to why, as a woman, I did not feel more outraged, as so many other viewers did. I feel slightly better now, and especially after being horrified and distressed over Joan's violation by her fiance. There seems to be less inner conflict, more clarity, and for that I thank him (and you.)
Note: I was mistaken on the status of the actors. AMC says they're all under contract for a third season, so it's only Weiner who's at issue -- and, as you can see in the story, he makes it sound like that's not a real issue.
JustJoan:
Agreed, and I thought Weiner explained it well. Don is a shrewd observer of human behavior (as evidenced immediately in the very first episode with regards to Pete), and fairly respectful towards woman (given the era and the attitudes - i.e. Peggy), to make me think that he knew Bobbie would respond to this kind of behavior (after the car incident).
Again, while not condoning his behavior (or Bobbie's in the car), I can't imagine Don doing that sort of thing to any other woman he's come into contact with on the show.
The Kennedy Assassination has been my biggest question since the time jump- thanks for asking about that!
While I don't disagree with Weiner that November '63 is "well-trod", I can't think of a telling of it that I thought was done well. Anyone else have some thoughts?
Rick,
Yes, no one has done November'63 as well as this show could, given its core story of the Dick Whitman/Don Draper search for identity. I hope they do another 2-year time jump, landing us in early '64, so the characters deal with the aftermath and not the shock of the assassination.
And I'd love to see Pete Campbell react to the Beatles.
Tom:
Good point - and we may see many of the cast react to the Beatles - since they arrived at Kennedy Airport (along with Beatlemania) in Feb. 1964 - and then played at the Ed Sullivan Theater in N.Y. It was rather difficult being alive during that time and not having some kind of reaction.
Great interview Alan, seems as if the only real "issue" is Matthew WRITING season 3 :) I don't envy him that - I mean, how do you top these first two seasons which imho were just stellar.
I would actually like to see reactions to the Kennedy assassination. Maybe start Season 3 like 2-3 weeks after? The initial shock has worn off, and now what are we all left with? Could be interesting...
Interesting that he doesn't have a plan for the overall arc of the show, which may mean whenever it ends, we'll have to figure out for ourselves where these characters end up. That's okay. Glad to hear everyone's on for season 3, would hate to see the show go one without any of my favs like Joan, Pete, Peggy, and of course Don.
I find it curious how many seem to comment on Betty's immaturity. Yet, hardly anyone seem able to consider that Don might be just as immature as his wife . . . only he is able to hide it better behind a facade.
I'm really anxious to read the unabridged interview on Sunday night.
Damn, season 2 went fast.
Great interview. Matthew Weiner is so intelligent, and you can tell he really loves what he does. Mad Men is his passion, and it shows. He makes this show what it is.
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