Truth be told, the first season of Mad Men starts off a little slow. Not bad in any sense, but just a bit of a "what am I watching here" sort of effect. Then, a few episodes in, there's a scene with a bunch of characters in a bar and Chubby Checker's "The Twist" plays on the jukebox, prompting a rousing dance response. In that moment, the show (if it is for you) will have you wrapped around its finger the rest of the way.
For a very basic overview, this season introduces viewers to 1960's New York City advertising firm Sterling Cooper. Under the jocular (if abhorrent by today's standards of decor) direction of Roger Sterling (John Slattery), Don Draper (Jon Hamm) is the top ad man in the company--but also one who harbors a deeply personal secret past. At first glance, it seems like an "idyllic society" where the men work (and drink--often simultaneously!) and are supported by the women in their lives. Yet, we quickly learn that the stereotypes and prejudices of the time make it a complicated place for some--like new secretary Peggy Olson (Elisabeth Moss) trying to fit in with the crowd but also maintaining some standards.
Without a doubt, Mad Men is the best period TV drama I've ever watched. Even when it thematically waxes and wanes a bit, it is utterly convincing at putting you (and keeping you) within its time period. From the sets to the costume designs to the music, show creator Matthew Weiner has it all covered here.
Besides the "glitz and glamor" of it all, there are deep thematic elements at play here too. The "good old boys club" mentality of the Madison Avenue mavens is almost surreal--making one wonder if this was truly the way your parents/grandparents operated back in the day. The treatment of women in the time period also takes center stage, whether it be Don's embattled wife Betty (January Jones) trying to manage his mercurial tendencies and two children, or office matron Joan (Christine Hendricks) embodying the bombshell allure that often brings with it complicated repercussions. In short: there's as much depth as breadth in this first season.
Does everything work perfectly in S1? I don't think so. Don's core mystery didn't resonate with me quite as much on the re-watch as it did initially, and a few other angles are strangely managed in terms of pacing. The show also suffers a little bit from the "too many shades of grey" problem, where it is hard to find anyone to truly root for. I realize the show is utterly set up to explicitly subvert expectations, but it can be difficult to know where to place your emotions when everyone has a repulsive side.
Overall, I land on 8/10 stars for Mad Men's inaugural effort. It is a period piece of the utmost quality and it creates extremely interesting characters (if sometimes managing them a little strangely). There is certainly room for growth into subsequent seasons.
For a very basic overview, this season introduces viewers to 1960's New York City advertising firm Sterling Cooper. Under the jocular (if abhorrent by today's standards of decor) direction of Roger Sterling (John Slattery), Don Draper (Jon Hamm) is the top ad man in the company--but also one who harbors a deeply personal secret past. At first glance, it seems like an "idyllic society" where the men work (and drink--often simultaneously!) and are supported by the women in their lives. Yet, we quickly learn that the stereotypes and prejudices of the time make it a complicated place for some--like new secretary Peggy Olson (Elisabeth Moss) trying to fit in with the crowd but also maintaining some standards.
Without a doubt, Mad Men is the best period TV drama I've ever watched. Even when it thematically waxes and wanes a bit, it is utterly convincing at putting you (and keeping you) within its time period. From the sets to the costume designs to the music, show creator Matthew Weiner has it all covered here.
Besides the "glitz and glamor" of it all, there are deep thematic elements at play here too. The "good old boys club" mentality of the Madison Avenue mavens is almost surreal--making one wonder if this was truly the way your parents/grandparents operated back in the day. The treatment of women in the time period also takes center stage, whether it be Don's embattled wife Betty (January Jones) trying to manage his mercurial tendencies and two children, or office matron Joan (Christine Hendricks) embodying the bombshell allure that often brings with it complicated repercussions. In short: there's as much depth as breadth in this first season.
Does everything work perfectly in S1? I don't think so. Don's core mystery didn't resonate with me quite as much on the re-watch as it did initially, and a few other angles are strangely managed in terms of pacing. The show also suffers a little bit from the "too many shades of grey" problem, where it is hard to find anyone to truly root for. I realize the show is utterly set up to explicitly subvert expectations, but it can be difficult to know where to place your emotions when everyone has a repulsive side.
Overall, I land on 8/10 stars for Mad Men's inaugural effort. It is a period piece of the utmost quality and it creates extremely interesting characters (if sometimes managing them a little strangely). There is certainly room for growth into subsequent seasons.