tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post7693312671806264895..comments2024-03-18T13:50:45.615-04:00Comments on What's Alan Watching?: Mad Men: Election night is party night!Alan Sepinwallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03388147774725646742noreply@blogger.comBlogger48125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-82815380887598199762007-10-16T20:17:00.000-04:002007-10-16T20:17:00.000-04:00I agree 100%. Tony, for example, may have wanted t...I agree 100%. Tony, for example, may have wanted the best possible future for his children, but in the end all he did was drive them to become part of his larger "family". If anything, The Sopranos said that you are who you are, no matter if you're around your wife or your capo.<BR/><BR/>Countless parallels can be drawn between Don and Tony, but in the very end, one's a sociopath killer, the other one's merely an empty man.<BR/><BR/>God, right now I'm so in love with Matthew Weiner.dark tylerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13461345493748899275noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-16055807771598765272007-10-16T14:37:00.000-04:002007-10-16T14:37:00.000-04:00I agree Dark Tyler. Don Draper has a much better ...I agree Dark Tyler. Don Draper has a much better chance for redemption than Tony Soprano. I had to chuckle when someone in an earlier post said that Tony was a better family man than Don. I tend to believe that your actions in the world and your actions within your family are not mutually exclusive. What I am saying is that once you commit multiple murders you cease to be a good Daddy no matter what. I don't want to paint a rosey picture of Don since he is emotionally and physically absent from his family but he is no Tony Soprano.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-35303498501276701832007-10-16T12:51:00.000-04:002007-10-16T12:51:00.000-04:00That's what I've concluded, too. Still, it would b...That's what I've concluded, too. Still, it would be interesting to find out what Weiner thinks, if only because the main character in Mad Men isn't someone as easily categorized as Tony Soprano. It's easier to find a good side to his ascend than in Tony's.dark tylerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13461345493748899275noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-90893342634494463862007-10-16T08:26:00.000-04:002007-10-16T08:26:00.000-04:00I don't think that the show advocates Rand's theor...I don't think that the show advocates Rand's theories as much as it simply presents them. It leaves it up to you to decide whether or not you agree with them. But much like Tony Soprano we have a tendency to root for the protagonist because we sympathize with his situation because we see life through his eyes.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-54848524083509934292007-10-16T05:15:00.000-04:002007-10-16T05:15:00.000-04:00So, would we conclude that this show stands critic...So, would we conclude that this show stands critical against Ayn Rand's philosophy, or that it embraces it? It's the question that troubles me the most, when thinking back to the complete season.<BR/><BR/>(Well, not complete, but thematically at least it's come full circle.)dark tylerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13461345493748899275noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-15785423676593096282007-10-15T20:02:00.000-04:002007-10-15T20:02:00.000-04:00Adam (and Dick's) dad died shortly after (or was i...Adam (and Dick's) dad died shortly after (or was it shortly before?) Adam was born. The only father figure he had was gruff Uncle Mac, who, more then likely, took on the family as an obligation.Shawn Andersonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05703481653646144923noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-40793014247737130752007-10-15T15:03:00.000-04:002007-10-15T15:03:00.000-04:00Alan Sepinwall wrote:"Goddamn you, Don Draper. I k...<I>Alan Sepinwall wrote:<BR/><BR/>"Goddamn you, Don Draper. I know your childhood sucked, but think about someone else just once, okay?</I><BR/><BR/>Let's go easy on ol' Dick here. If I understand the situation correctly—and I'm pretty sure I do—Adam had a much easier situation than Don/Dick did. Dick was the "whore's child" unloved by either parent—who ended up stuck with him, after his dad took him in, up and died, and then left him with his widow and her new fella—and probably actively resented by Adam's mother. "She wasn't MY mother," Don snaps at Adam many years later in the coffee shop meeting. I try not to read into things too much (though, with this show it's hard not to), but I always saw the birth of "Adam" as a real punch in the gut for Dick. It was all there in that birth scene several episodes back. The name implying "first man," to insinuate that Dick virtually did not exist in that family. Adam was the favorite.<BR/><BR/><BR/>Ok, so the man who raised Don was obviously an irredeemable jerk, as we saw in his treatment of the hobo. But Adam's life could have, and probably did, look very different from Don's. His birth mother probably genuinely loved him. His dad, while a creep, probably did not beat and neglect him nearly as much as the unwelcome child he's been stuck raising. <BR/><BR/>Sure, my heart bled a little for that boy on the platform who just wanted to see his big brother, but at least that glimpse of Dick gave Adam more hope than he had when he thought his big brother was in the coffin. Besides, let's face it, Don/Dick was an independent man by then. Even without the old identity switcheroo, it's not like he'd be moving back in with the family to help raise young Adam. After all he went through, he would have left and never looked back one way or another. The only thing he, unfortunately, deprived Adam of was an opportunity to say goodbye.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-66683275673567270972007-10-15T13:04:00.000-04:002007-10-15T13:04:00.000-04:00And once again, The Chicago Sun-Times gives Mad Me...And once again, <A HREF="http://www.suntimes.com/business/lazare/603218,CST-FIN-lew15.article" REL="nofollow"><I>The Chicago Sun-Times</I> gives <I>Mad Men</I> terrible review</A> from the business section.Shawn Andersonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05703481653646144923noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-65143145279416387942007-10-15T12:49:00.000-04:002007-10-15T12:49:00.000-04:00Back to Harry's glasses... I saw them as a metaph...Back to Harry's glasses... I saw them as a metaphor for his marriage. When he took them off, he put his marriage aside for a moment. That's why he's overly frantic to find them afterwards, and when they turn up broken, it's his marriage he fears is broken.<BR/><BR/>If there's still doubt, watch the look on Hildy's face when she tries to figure out what to say, finally saying "I hope I didn't step on them." She says one thing, but looks like she's talking about his marriage.<BR/><BR/>It's done so well... so subtle, with so much care. What a great show.Shawn Andersonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05703481653646144923noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-6622227981904437512007-10-15T11:34:00.000-04:002007-10-15T11:34:00.000-04:00>Imagine if your life was so bad that you would ch...>Imagine if your life was so bad that you would choose to enlist for war over your current every day life. <BR/><BR/>My father did that when was *15.* I'm guessing it was really bad. But he never talked about it. He barely talked to me, period. Except to yell, of course. I'm guessing it was like *that*, only maybe worse. Hence, I have no children....Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-7185691726336035332007-10-15T07:51:00.000-04:002007-10-15T07:51:00.000-04:00What's so cool about Don Draper? He is a serial a...What's so cool about Don Draper? He is a serial adulterer who spends almost no time at home. Even Tony Soprano showed more love for his family than this guy. <BR/><BR/>By the way, today's New York Post has a three-page spread featuring January Jones in a tribute to Grace Kelly. Ms. Jones is wearing Kelly-inspired clothing, jewelry, and make-up. Her resemblance to the late princess is amazing.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-6324397482676830932007-10-14T21:47:00.000-04:002007-10-14T21:47:00.000-04:00I am really late to commenting on this past week's...I am really late to commenting on this past week's show, I will try harder to get on for the finale. First all no wonder they were all so hung over, Creme de Menthe is deadly (I know from breaking into the parents liquor cabinet as a teenager). As for the kiss between Salvatore and Joan I took Joan's expression to be that of realization that he doesn't prefer women. Joan has been the object of many men's affection and she can tell when a man is not into it. I posted last week that I thought the show would have a twist and that Pete wouldn't blackmail Don because it was too obvious. Well I was wrong but kinda right since the twist was in Cooper's reaction. I was very pleased with how the writers solved that issue and I am interested in how the dynamic will play out between Don and that little weasel. <BR/><BR/>Excellent acting from Jon Hamm again. I found myself disliking Dick Whitman because he was such a wuss and nothing like the cool Don Draper. We see Don return to acting like Dick with his mistress and she rightly gives him the boot. <BR/><BR/>A lot of people on here are critical of Don for choosing Don Draper's life instead of Dick Whitman's. Imagine if your life was so bad that you would choose to enlist for war over your current every day life. The real Don Draper asked Dick if he regretted enlisting but I don't think Dick was so sure it wasn't the right idea. I know blowing off his brother was horrible but once he committed to the lie he had to follow it through. I certainly can't judge people who make difficult decisions when they are in horrible situations. Perhaps the writers offered this view as a parallel to many of the underclass that are fighting "our" war in Irag? Those with no hope that enlist as a way out.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-55196068753208419942007-10-13T23:10:00.000-04:002007-10-13T23:10:00.000-04:00I think Rand would probably hate Don (by the way, ...I think Rand would probably hate Don (by the way, my username is from the random number function in C++, not from Ayn Rand (although a friend of mine did suggest that), while I've read some of her books and respect some of her ideas, ultimately I decided against that philosophy), because he purposefully carves out an appearance for the outside world. Rand's heroes largely don't give a damn about what other people think of them. Instead he reminds me of Gail Wynard in the Fountainhead, the self-made millionaire who's papers are devoted to the absolutely featureless masses. He thinks he can assert his individuality after creating his own empire, but the empire he has created subverts his independence. Don thinks he can become independent through creating a false face, but the need to maintain the false face consumes his independence. I'm not saying this is the intention of Mad Men or anything of that like, I'm just saying that's my read on Don.Randhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14305187318382810105noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-86120197042621710742007-10-13T20:56:00.000-04:002007-10-13T20:56:00.000-04:00I have to agree with the earlier comment about Vin...I have to agree with the earlier comment about Vincent Kartheiser as an actor.<BR/><BR/>On "Angel", I found him annoying and most fans were happy when Connor stopped being a regular. (his return in the final season of "Angel" was better).<BR/><BR/>But the character of Pete really works here as a weasel. He's the perfect foil to Don/Dick - and really a character that's a sign of the times, maybe more than anyone. <BR/><BR/>But Jon Hamm and this show HAVE to be nominated for an Emmy.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-36594896783761456612007-10-13T18:22:00.000-04:002007-10-13T18:22:00.000-04:00Alan, I'm so glad you mentioned Harry's post-glass...Alan, I'm so glad you mentioned Harry's post-glasses transformation. I've always marveled on this show about how well-cast the men are. As they used to say on Mystery Science Theater, they're "doughy guys." <BR/><BR/>But when Harry took off his specs, I was amazed and impressed. I also felt bad when he broke his glasses. There weren't any about-an-hour Lens Crafters back then. <BR/><BR/>I was also pretty fascinated with the actual election night coverage. Loved those hand-written results on the huge blackboard.Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16580460937162814399noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-57108585578849785372007-10-13T11:16:00.000-04:002007-10-13T11:16:00.000-04:00I'd assumed that Don was in Korea longer but it se...I'd assumed that Don was in Korea longer but it seems like he was only there for a few weeks. And here I thought Don was some kind of war hero.<BR/><BR/>Also, where was that guy on the train who recognized Dick Whitman? Maybe some of you can refresh my memory: did he say he knew Dick from basic training?Ezrahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10576091174894838044noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-77113469090690870032007-10-13T10:59:00.000-04:002007-10-13T10:59:00.000-04:00Does Don even know that Adam killed himself? I th...Does Don even know that Adam killed himself? I thought Adam put a note in the box, but when Don opened the box, I don't recall seeing a note there. If Adam did put a note in there, what did Pete do with it?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-14758627907888173922007-10-12T22:15:00.000-04:002007-10-12T22:15:00.000-04:00This episode pushed the series from good to great ...This episode pushed the series from good to great in my opinion. After viewing the episode I thought back to the Sopranos College episode, or the conclusion of The Wire's 1st Season, and it gave me that same feeling of this show is just on another level. I can't wait for the finale and hopefully a anouncement for the 2nd season.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-52998042124878940142007-10-12T20:13:00.000-04:002007-10-12T20:13:00.000-04:00So much going on in this episode that there's been...So much going on in this episode that there's been virtually no discussion of the election itself, and whether Weiner and company were using Kennedy and Nixon as a parallel for Pete and Don (or vice versa). And since I'm too swamped writing my Friday Night Lights post, I'm just going to link to a couple of very insightful <A HREF="http://forums.televisionwithoutpity.com/index.php?s=&showtopic=3160306&view=findpost&p=9009102" REL="nofollow">TWoP</A> <A HREF="http://forums.televisionwithoutpity.com/index.php?showtopic=3160306&st=80&p=9011235&#entry9011235" REL="nofollow">posts</A> on the subject. Feel free to discuss if you want.Alan Sepinwallhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03388147774725646742noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-34486631339359024982007-10-12T20:05:00.000-04:002007-10-12T20:05:00.000-04:00Awesome episode! Just wanted to insert my interpr...Awesome episode! Just wanted to insert my interpretation of the Sal/Joan kiss: Sal's very slightly awkward smile was half flushed self-consciousness over the unnaturalness of kissing a woman, and half relief at the impromptu opportunity to further build on his closeted facade. Not entirely sure about Joan. I would have sort of thought she'd maybe be the one person in the Sal who actually had secretly figured him out, but that did seem to be a look of genuine suprise on her face, though I can't tell if it's in reaction to the intensity of the kiss (which was ample) or if she sensed that something was different about the way he kissed.<BR/><BR/>Just one of those many complicated Mad Men moments that make you love this show for its textured characterizations.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-73814253851323196072007-10-12T17:20:00.000-04:002007-10-12T17:20:00.000-04:00Just another interesting cultural note... they us...Just another interesting cultural note... they used Yma Sumac's "Gopher Mambo" during the chase around the steno-pool, which I just realized is a pretty interesting choice. <BR/><BR/>Rumors spread about Yma Sumac (around 1951 or so) that she was actually a Jewish secretary at Capital Records named Amy Camus (names spelled backwards.) This challenge (a hoax) to her exotic identity was a serious blow to her career at the time. She bounced back, though, since fans ultimately (metaphorically) asked "who cares?" How does her being Jewish affect how I much I like to mambo to her freakish octave-like singing?<BR/><BR/>Sumac, for her part, insisted to her dying days that she was the descendant of an Incan princess.Shawn Andersonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05703481653646144923noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-165385446889340602007-10-12T16:34:00.000-04:002007-10-12T16:34:00.000-04:00r.a. porter:It sure looked like the park you sugge...r.a. porter:<BR/><BR/>It sure looked like the park you suggest. Which sparked a memory as I watched:<BR/><BR/>"Suicide is painless,<BR/>It brings on many changes..."<BR/><BR/>Whadda show this is!Tomhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15582136184196524214noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-62506530550352146622007-10-12T16:25:00.000-04:002007-10-12T16:25:00.000-04:00Please, please, please, please give John Hamm an E...Please, please, please, please give John Hamm an Emmy. He is perfectly cast in this show. <BR/><BR/>@r.a. porter: you hit it spot on!<BR/><BR/>Did you guys ever watch "The Patty Duke Show" where she played cousins Patty and Cathy? The best scenes on that show were when Patty Duke was playing Patty pretending to be Cathy (or vice versa). It was fascinating watching her play two different characters <I>at the same time</I>! Well, this episode showed John Hamm showing off his versatility doing the same thing. In that scene with Rachel you could tell it was Dick trying hard to be Don, but revealing hints of his true coward self. <I>Loved</I> it!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-42716700659941116032007-10-12T15:23:00.000-04:002007-10-12T15:23:00.000-04:00Did anyone else notice Alison (the girl wearing th...<I>Did anyone else notice Alison (the girl wearing the blue panties) sneaking out of the next office right after Hildy left Harry's?</I><BR/><BR/>Yep, and it cracked me up. But not as much as Cooper's "Mr. Campbell, who cares?" I laughed so hard that I missed some of the ensuing dialogue (as if I needed such an excuse to watch this excellent episode again). Take that, Pete, you weasel supreme!<BR/><BR/>Another thing about Rand: she created her philosophy, in part, to get laid (which she did plenty of). I bet a lot of her acolytes on this show would *love* that aspect of "objectivism."<BR/><BR/>Not surprised to find out Dick was a coward. What I liked is that Don had enough balls to let Pete tell his secret to Bert and take whatever consequences came from that. Now if only he would be man enough to confront his part in the problems of his marriage. Not yet, of course (don't want the show to burn out too much plot too soon), but eventually.<BR/><BR/>Jon Hamm is the man.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-8456805718827604122007-10-12T12:32:00.000-04:002007-10-12T12:32:00.000-04:00If Weiner did the right thing, he filmed the trenc...If Weiner did the right thing, he filmed the trenching for a future Mobile Army Surgical Hospital in <A HREF="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Malibu_Creek_State_Park" REL="nofollow">Malibu Creek State Park</A>.R.A. Porterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14851961356321735388noreply@blogger.com