I have to agree, but if one of the MM people who lives for this show see this, they will go crazy! The show is getting a bit slow-moving. However, I now stay off the main thread board (there are over 800 postings and many of them are just people fighting with and sniping at each other, name calling, and being rude and condescending; you know, when someone addresses someone else as "Honey,"or "Dear," and all that nonsense, then instructs them on "how to behave." It's weird and some of these people post day and night. I always thing many are on welfare and have the time to sit and do nothing else. There are also the "board bullies" (one in particular, whose photo looks like she just got off her trick-turning shift at the truck stop) who feel that they run the boards and can dictate to others, merely because they have been posting from day one. If you go to the main thread you will notice this, and it's a good illustration of how, when something has been discussed into the ground, there is nothing more left to say except to begin fighting about inane things such as how fat Joan is getting and her Season Two ugly hair. Then, someone else takes umbrage, and the race is on! You are right. The boards are livelier (although fairly inane) than the show could ever be! I come on about once a week and frankly, I think this may be my last posting. Some of these people are downright scary, and of course on a board such as this, it invites all sorts of things because it's so anonymous. Anyway, the show is just OK now, not the same show from Season One. I find Jon Hamm an incredibly boring actor and he mumbles too. If he didn't look like he does no one would pay any attention to him. Peggy is not appealing to me in any way. And the Betty character seems spoiled and acts like she's ten. the show is losing my interest.

I think it's starting to get a little too bent, as well. I can't figure out what grown man with any sense just ups and jumps in a stranger's car.

And if there is no Season Three is this how they plan on ending the show -- Don's vanished and off at some military base for some oddball reason? I dunno.

MadmenSuze: Had to make one final comment concerning your comment. I agree, Don's behavior is weird to say the least and at this point I no longer give a flying fig WHO he was, WHO he might be, or WHO he plans to be in the future. They got Jon Hamm to play Don (or Dick, or whomever the heck he is) because he is a good-looking guy; he is at best, a very mediocre actor who mumbles his lines and tries to act way too enigmatic. I think the writers have dragged out the Don/Dick story-line to the point it has become uninteresting. Much better last year when Pete tried to blackmail him. Also, Don jumping in and out of bed with anything in a skirt is becoming ho-hum. The title of every episode should be "Don Beds Another One!" Frankly, there is way too much of the writers trying to create mystery and intrigue (trying to make Don/Dick a James Bond-type character or something). Office scenes of Season One were far more interesting, although now in Season Two, those have begun to lose their luster. I think way too many characters have been added, then subtracted, then added in again. The main characters should have been more fleshed out in Season Two without adding in the pointless priest, Peggy's dreary mother and sister, the wholly uninteresting Duck, Joan's bland fiance (where did he come from anyway?), Sal's clueless wife, and Betty's tiring father and that simpering little woman of his. The writers could have expanded on characters introduced in Season One, for example, Pete's wife Trudy. More with Ken and his writing success. More with Sal and his obvious sexual conflicts. No, instead they introduce some weird European homosexual who is about as appealing as a brick. I really think too many characters and too many subplots have made the series ponderous and have it moving at a literal snail's pace!

Wow, why don't you tell us how you really feel, Figaro! lol!

What are you guys talking about? This show is as good as ever. View at as work of Abstract-Expressionism and not a soap-opera

Indeed -- how many characters are they going to add?

I think the Helen Bishop character should have been written out. She's spooky and so is the kid. I don't see the point in it.

Freddy Rumson (and His Musical Zipper) should have been left where he was. Why was he farmed out? is it part of the upcoming story line?

That bland as wallpaper paste riding instructor -- I've forgotten his name -- never should have been a part of the storyline. And yep...here's another character they added: his equally as dull fiance.

And why the Eurotrash Jet Setters or whatever they are? And how phoney are these accents?

The Joan / TV department storyline should have been expounded. I would have liked to have seen Joan do something quite a bit more than just be the office manager.

I still love MM and wouldn't miss a minute! I enjoy the complexity of the various plot lines. If they only featured the same characters from the first episode, MM would be just like any big network series-boring! Sure, I miss some characters we don't see anymore but the trade-off is a more interesting, engaging show. I haven't been thrilled with every added character but the core characters need to interact with others outside the core. Otherwise, they are just one-dimensional.
We have some great conversations here-the kind that they aren't having on the forums for the average formulaic garbage. I don't think we'd be wasting our time here if we didn't find the show intriguing so kudos to MM for refusing to be mediocre.

Donald Whitman-Excellent observation.

I respect everyones opinion, however ALL shows are about the NUMBERS. How many good shows have been canceled? I remember in my early thirty's loving the show THIRTYSOMETHING (come to think of it both male leads have similar looks! hmmm..... interesting) and wondering "what happened" when it was canceled. I get the feeling that many MM viewers could have been THIRTYSOMETHING viewers also, or at least had knowledge of the show. Now this is totally my opinion, but "complexity" at my age doesn't necessarily translate into entertaining at 10pm. thats just me.... not speaking for anyone else.

I love Betty and I am not one of the Betty Bashers who sees her as an immature brat.
==================================

Remember: keeping the status quo was king in those days. You put up and shut up and that was that.

I agree that his falling into bed with just about anything is boring beyond words.
==================
If he slept with Bobbie, he'll sleep with anything.

Figaro, good to see you! Please do not last post! I am new and I asked you last week to stay.(pouting)

I apoligized to the person I was rude to. I can only come here on weekends and this weekend was Fall Break, so I try to read it all, and comment too much. I also belong to another site where we pay. Part of what we pay for is being able to turn in people who are mean or personally disrespectful. They get a triangle or the boot. I had a bad moment this weekend where I felt one person was being rude to other and writing like Rosie O'Donnell, so I lashed out. I am very sorry that I did this. Saying that, I hope you stay. I am glad I do not have to pay to be here. Since I am 51 years old, I think I need to quit acting like I am in middle school when someones post bothers me.

I also do not understand why people get upset with Betty, hair, Joan's wieght, etc... To each his own I suppose. I say I hate Pete, but to me that is saying he is doing his job as an actor.

Now I am rambling. Jsut wanted to tell you I hope you stay and post.

I agree with some of the comments here, particularly those concerning the people who have harnessed the main thread for themselves.

However, I think the show is still better than anything else on TV now. The only other thing I look forward to watching is The Shield.

Jon Hamm is a good actor, but not great and he is coasting his looks. In the first season, his character was interesting because I kept waiting for his redemption, but it never came. I agree that his falling into bed with just about anything is boring beyond words. I find it hard to believe that he would just up and leave with those strange people he met in California. And, I don't mean to be crude, but every time he hops into bed with another woman, esp. a Joy or Bobby with lots of mileage, I just wonder when he's going to have to go the doctor for a series of penicillin shots.

Although I like this season because it has given us background on the main characters and I appreciate knowing about their family lives, I also miss the office milieu. I would like to know more about The Boys at home, what Ken does when he's not working or writing, etc., and I'm dying to know about Joan's family life - where are her siblings and parents, aunts, uncles? She seems so unattached and I want to know what's behind that.

I love Betty and I am not one of the Betty Bashers who sees her as an immature brat. The visit home revealed a lot and I want to see that developed. I also want to continue to see the kids in the show - I esp. love that little girl who plays Sally Draper and think she's a fine actress.

I want Jane to dump Roger when he goes broke after the merger and the divorce - he deserves it, the cradle robber. I want Don to grow up, zip his pants and go back to take care of his family like a real grownup - kinda what Rachel Menken told him to do in Season One. I want Peggy to come out of her shell and I want Joan to dump that twerpy doctor and find someone lively who respects her.

I agree with Figaro (The Marriage of Figaro is one of my favorite operas), that it would have been interesting for some of the main characters from season I to have been fleshed out. Roger Sterling, for example! What effect does his leaving Mona have on his relationship with his daughter and what are his interests besides his "love of women"? Does he read, go to the theater or opera?
How could a woman (Peggy) not have suspected she was pregnant--you know, missed periods? ?
What are the educational backgrounds of the leading characters--Don has never heard of "The Sound and the Fury"? and etc. Just some questions I have.
dmarie

I thought chocolatecherry and Figaro were the same person.

Don had never heard of Faulkner most likely because of his lack of formal education. My mother was born in '31 and not all famlies could send their children to even public school. I remember her telling me how blessed she and her siblings were to get an education. She also had two years of college, so that was a real bonus for a female. Lack of shoes, needing help on the farm, etc... were all reasons children could not attend school. There was no law saying they had to go to school.

dmarie, you made me realise how remarkable Don is. How does he fit in? He must be so smart and have instincts like I have no words for. This is why he is quiet. When one talks about something one does not know, it shows. He is smart enough to know this, plus he is getting his education. he soaks up everything like a sponge. WOW!

@figaro: Who's the truck stop girl and who's on welfare? That's pretty funny!
@57chevy: I am just catching up and read your posts. I only respond when somebody attacks my comments first, and then they keep going, and I don't stop until they do. Your message was sweet. But Rosie. ODo... I can't even say her name! Please do not bring that thing into this site. Yikes!..only kidding! I would love to be on tonight, but I don't think I'm going to make it. Hopefully, people will stick to their own thoughts, or be nice about their comments to others. As you can tell, I don't take any bologna from others, I don't start it, but I do end it! I'll be on tomorrow once I watch the show. Have a good night!

Stephanie Jo19, it's all good. Enjoy the show. I hope you get it. ( I learn more from the posts) I jsut looked up what the title could mean. There is a 2000 Movie that almost sounds like last weeks episode. TV Guide says that Dick reunites with someone from his past. I sure hope it is good.

thanks for all the posts - I like hearing both sides of the MM debate [good? not?] although it's impossible to keep up with any of these boards - every now and then when I check in and read, there are feuds everywhere!

Figaro, I hope you keep posting!

Ok, guys, first of all, Chocolatecherry and me are NOT one in the same poster. Huh? Where did you get this from, Pink Elephant? Anyway, 57Chevy, I am off the main thread for good. There are over 800 postings and after about 100 or so, everything worthwhile that needs to be said has been, and then people just begin fighting with one another and rambling about their youth. Boring! I now try and post on individual category threads. Glad you enjoy my postings. StephanieJo19, if I say WHO the truck stop girl on the main board is who likes to run things, well, that will just illicit a lot more fighting, etc. Suffice it to say, take a look at the photos and see if you can guess; it shouldn't be that difficult, really. She uses "Honey" and "Dear" a lot, and is always telling others how to behave, what to do and NOT to do on the boards, and acting as though she is just the most unassuming perfect little thing when it comes to being oh so nice. Again, she looks like some hard-bitten truck stop dolly. If I have failed to address anyone else who commented here well, sorry. I am still not a Betty lover and still am of the opinion she is a spoiled princess (or brat, if you will). Cannot stand Peggy at all! Don't care much for Don, and I find Duck so boring I can't stand it! I much prefer the antics of Roger (his lifestyle HAS to catch up with him soon), Pete (yes, yes, I know, Pete is a weasel, but at least he doesn't do much to hide that fact), Sal, Ken, and Joan (although they have toned her character down so much this season - while ramping her up physically - that I don't care for her as much as last season), etc. I also liked Midge a lot from Season One and thought she and Don played well off one another. Never liked Rachel. Or Bobbie, or her nasty little husband with the huge chip on his unattractive shoulder. There was absolutely nothing appealing about the latter two characters. Oh yes, and that weird little kid Glen and his clueless mother. They are superfluous characters that should be written out.

pink elephant..Thx for the compliment!

Figaro, I think you sound very insightful about the show.... far more than I will ever be, because I like whom I like, and the rest can go fly a kite. I dont know my next door neighbors name, let alone all the characters on MM. My aging brain can't spare the space. Also, you mentioned that you've experienced a lot of on-line fighting, and for that I feel for you. However its been my life experience that people dont fight well alone, and by that I mean if they are "IGNORED."... OPENING POSTS LIKE....... "OK GUYS, FIRST OF ALL".... imply you are seeking validation from strangers. You know, I have blood relatives that I've had to invite to kiss my !@#&%, and so now you can imagine my thoughts of a "strangers" opinion. BLOW IT OFF!.....What do you care really? now PEACE chocolatecherry

Chocolatecherry: Validation? Say what? No, it's just a manner of casual speaking. I think you read more into my opening line than was actually there. First time anyone EVER accused ME of seeking validation from ANYONE! As a professional writer, I come here to see comments (feedback) because it gives me insight into how people react to this particular drama (and I compare it to my own reactions) and subsequently how they might react to my own work (currently working on a book, and yes, I have been published before many times; trust me, I am not looking for validation by the admission). As for the in-fighting, it is EXACTLY, as I stated, why I don't bother with the main thread. All the little ninnies who argue back and forth don't offer legitimate or useful feedback of this drama. As a writer, I can hardly garner anything of merit from people who are constantly bickering, or trying to prove to others they are part of the "in" crowd, or reminiscing about their own childhoods and what they believe they remember. This kind of fodder offers nothing to me, and that is why I am no longer on the main thread. I toss out my opinions to get feedback too! As for the truck stop dolly, I believe SHE posts under a few different screen names, but then, so do many people, I assume. Anyway, thanks for your feedback but I now need to get back to the subject at hand, and it's Mad Men. Tonight's episode with Don in the surf, well, it left me cold.

MadMenSuze -- LOL about the penicillin. I've had the same thought. ( Does Don bother to use a condom, do you think?) And sleeping with Bobbie Barrett was just plain gross.

I really love this show, but overall I thought Season One was better. The office interactions, and the observations on the ad industry itself, were more interesting than Don's endless bedroom gyrations, IMHO. In fact I thought this was going to be a show that was about the advertising biz, and life in general, in the 1960s rather than "one man's endless quest for himself." Anyone else feel it has sort of drifted away from its original premise???

And these boards do get pretty silly, especially the open thread. Some people spend all their time attacking other people--- all you have to do is click on their screen name and you can see their history of leaping down people's throats. Let's PLEASE be civil here and stop feeling like we have to respond to every little thing as an insult". It's just a TV SHOW.

it was nice to see Don have an interaction with a woman that wasn't based on any of the same things that we've seen before, simply a friendship. really humanizing, and I'm happy to start having some of his years post-war-pre-betty filled in. I really like the idea, that through everything, he's had a friend, and that there's one person who wants nothing from him but his friendship.

Joan, ugh. interesting how she disassociated while he was raping her, looks like it's old news for her. sad story. also, the dynamics between Joan and Peggy have changed so much...
it looked as if, for a moment, Joan saw a possible friendship, and then when Peggy closed the door, she remembered her place as a subordinate, and then that look on her face, wow, it felt like she just saw life pass her by.

and Betty. dunno what to think of her phone call with SB, I'm back and forth about her motives. I think ultimately, she just got a vicarious thrill out of her bad behavior, and the satisfaction of seeing someone else's life unravel. betty is a tricky bird. btw, in a clip from next week when they showed her in front of the store window, I thought...'well, she's finally taken her rightful place among all the other mannequins of the world.'

and lastly, Pete. ok, I know he acted like a dick, but for some reason, this episode made me like him more. I've never liked spoiled Trudy, and the pressure from her family, and I guess I've wanted him to go postal on her. [lots of ppl will hate me for this] It seemed like both Pete and Don are having the same family crisis, they both have worked hard to get what they think they're supposed to want, and have ultimately felt like they've been sold a bill of goods.
Pete clearly is drawn to Peggy, but I don't see him pursuing her.

hagan: Thanks for the support regarding the fact that you hope I continue posting. As a writer, I enjoy people who recognize others telling it like it is. And speaking of this, I think you called it like it is regarding Pete! I think you like Pete even more (after the last episode where he chucked the baked chicken out the window) because it indicated he is not a phony. Pete is one of the few REAL characters on the show, believe it or not! He intimates to Trudy (back a couple of episodes) that he would just as soon continue on the way they were (without kids); he has made no bones about wanting to rise up the ladder at Sterling Cooper (this goes back to Season one); he is direct and does not generally mince words as was evident in his phone conversation with Trudy's father. (Of course, it's also a good example of why it's not a good idea to mix business with ANYTHING!) Though Pete can be a pain sometimes, he is upfront about what he thinks, what he wants, etc. So much the opposite of Don Draper/Dick Whitman. That man is so tied up in knots and psychologically warped, he doesn't know his rear end from third base; just because he wandered into the Pacific Ocean, he isn't likely to discover the difference.

PS to everyone: For my money, Vincent Kartheiser is the BEST actor on this show! You can have your Don Draper/Dick Whitman (Hamm is an okay actor, but to me, does not have the range that Kartheiser does in spades). Of course, Hamm is the "pretty boy" so he will probably go far in Hollywood, but if I want to watch someone act, I'll take Kartheiser; he's also done some good work in the past. I have always found that Hamm does one thing well, and that is to play himself! I find the Robert Morse character annoying, out of date, and oddly out of place at Sterling Cooper, even though he is the head of the thing; perhaps his sister was right, i.e., he should leave and concentrate on his cattle. And why they had to make the reference to his sister being a lesbian, well, I think that was nothing more than a gratuitous addition. Really, I don't think we will be seeing much of her (if at all) in the future, thus the inference was really unnecessary and the effort of some writer(s) to toss in everything but the kitchen sink.

Figaro, right back at you!
Pete is sort of fascinating, and really, really conflicted, and therefore, merits my sympathy. the way they portray his home life/family relations life, makes me so claustrophobic that I can hardly breathe. whether he is to be 'liked' or not, well, whatever. but he is genuinely a product of lots of shaping and, consequently, rebellion. and it makes sense to me that he would, on the one hand, buy into the line that he is of superior stock and needs to behave in the world as such, as well as be bright enough to see the sham of it all. he behaves exactly as that dual set up would have him behave. he has indeed been straight about exactly who he is and what he wants. love that about him.

and I know, Figaro, that you're not a Peggy fan, but I like that she continues to surprise me, and is not portrayed as a simpering, docile, doe-eyed girl, yet has not turned into the shrew-bitch of all time. she's turning into someone defying a stereotype, at least as of yet. just my two cents.

the way ppl are reading into everything, is making me wonder what show everyone is watching - spies? Betty has to be pregnant? dunno, maybe it's me, but I think the simplest explanation is worth considering as well.

also, please, please keep writing your hilarious predictions! you're the only one fun enough to be irreverent about an absurd turn of events. and I do love this show, but it's a show.

Is it just me?..........hmmmm?

Figaro, thank-you for your credentials! I'm proud to say that I have lived long enough to have known people who wrote for a living, as well as people that have waitered tables, and I honestly, in many cases have found both to be as equally fascinating, as I am sure that you are. I can appreciate you researching, and getting "reaction, and feedback" for your work. I also enjoy reading your "MANY" post. Too bad I'm not writing a book, because I'd have a vast array of your thoughts and opinions for my own reasearch. Enjoy!

hagan and chocolatecherry: Hey, you know what, at least the two of you seem able to carry on an intelligent conversation without all the sniping and name calling. Some others can do it too, but there is that faction who just cannot do this; they seem to be here (well, over on the main thread and elsewhere) and all they want to do is fight. Oh well, message boards illicit this. There is another site for MM postings, and I believe it is called Mad men TV Lounge. So far so good, as long as people don't begin the hostilities there. Anyway, hagan, you're right, I am not a Peggy fan but I don't hate her or anything. And I agree that sometimes I too wonder what show I am watching! They really analyze it over on the main thread (I am off of that for good!), and read into things way too much! (Don tipped his hat so therefore it must mean he is going to grow his hair longer; Pete chucked the baked chicken out the window therefore he will leave SC and become a chicken farmer! Betty goes horse back riding to work off her aggressions toward her children. And on and on it goes!) I think there are some frustrated writer "wannbes" on the site (and that's fine) but some see things that simply are not there, I fear. Anyway, I have to get back to my job at hand, writing!

All I can say is: timing, real plot development subtlety and historical nuances are just wasted on some viewers. There is a ton of comic book material that unfolds in a half hour on all the other channels to watch, so each to his own.

I have to say, that I'm enjoying have an actual conversation here with all of you! thanks for all of the great insights! posts get swallowed up so quickly on the main thread that it's hard to carry on one train of thought, much less a dialogue.

this particular thread has been really good reading. I think I'll check out the mad men lounge, thanks for the tip.

another thought I had, is about Joan, who I like a lot - I'm wondering how much of her background we'll ever get to see. obviously, this episode dismantled the 'woman in control' facade, and lays the groundwork for some real speculation about her background. I suspect that her choices feel slim, and unfortunately, that'll put her in the mind of seeing her marriage through. But is it possible that she indeed does want more from her world at SC than we thought? she's played up the 'not trying to run with the boys' tactic, but after the disappointment with Harry, I think the shell is cracking and we're seeing HER quiet desperation. I want to know more about her.

maybe because she wears a pen around her neck, that means she'll marry into the Bic family! maybe since Don went into the ocean, he'll become a champion surfer! ugh.

hagan: Nah, Joan wears that pen around her neck in case she has to have something with which to commit a quick hanging! Just kidding, lol!

flowerpower: You have posted a perfect example of the condescending attitude that is not appreciated here. People have a right to their observations and opinions without being told to go and watch comic book material because they just cannot seem to grasp the utter brilliance of MM, as you apparently do. Tsk! There might have been a better way to state your case.

And with my last post being stated, I am bowing out of this forum. There is just WAY TOO much fighting now on most of the threads. Name calling, fighting, and general unpleasantness. I rather think people come here to take out their hostilities and have the last word. It's weird and seems pointless. I am deriving NOTHING from these threads at this point (and am tired of the name calling and all the rest that I am now seeing and experiencing on almost all other threads). I can scroll down and watch the same people fighting with the same people and like I said, totally pointless. This thread has been fairly good, but it too is degenerating. Perhaps that is why I read that AMC does not care for all the different threads (yes, I guess it's true, but you wonder in light of this why they INVITE people to post different threads). Another poster is going wild on another thread with this subject and is just so unreasonable that again, it's not even on the subject of MM. Well, neither is my posting, so with this in mind, adieu and enjoy the game if that's your bag. Been nice chatting (up to a point).

Figaro, I agree with you on a few points. One is on the board bullies. I've noticed the same thing . Certain people think that since they were the first posters on this board that makes them ' In Charge' of the boards. They have a way of making others feel left out. Cliqueish.
Second, interesting that you should mention Jon Hamms acting abilities. I was impressed with him at first, but now I'm begining to question his range. There was a article written in the NY Times magazine on Oct 5, in which the writer was questioning wheather Jon Hamm had the talent to take his character Don to another level. In other words after watching this seasons episodes she found JH to be rather flat. I agree that so far he is getting by on his good looks. Despite his looks I find the Don character to be cold and narcissistic.

Cheryl: So interesting you mentioned that thing about the acting abilities of Jon Hamm, because someone I know (who is also a MM fan) came up with that very thing in a conversation. He does indeed seem flat, and there are other characters I personally like so much more! However, I was just over on a couple other threads and I agree with you and Figaro, that the fighting and all is becoming intense. This takes the fun out of these boards.

Pete and Trudy. Thanks for your comments. Its getting hard to post on the main boards if you don't love Don to death and Hate Betty or if you want to chat about MM on a more deeper level. Anyway I find MM to be a show for grownups. Its mature and sophisticated. So far I think January Jones is really talented. One week I like her and then she does something mean. Betty is a complicated character. I find Don cold because he so easily turns his back on his family without putting up a fight and is content to lay about in California until he finds his self. I don't have much sympathy for him. Peggy is kind of hard to figure out because she keeps all of her feelings to herself. Bascially the characters on MM don't reveal their feelings to each other and as a result the audience is left to figure them out.

Cheryl: I agree with your comments about the other characters. I am a fan of Pete (any surprise) and Trudy, but I am kind of afraid to admit this on the main thread. You are right, if you don't love Don and hate Betty, or don't like Peggy but adore Trudy, or come to Joan's defense, then the fighting (and name calling) begins. I too think MM is for the mature and sophisticated audience (as it is that kind of a show) but I often wonder just how mature and sophisticated some of these posters are. There have been some fairly nasty things said on many of these posts. I also notice that many of the posters seem to feel they run the boards and if anyone dares to post their own thoughts or ideas, these "board bullies" come down on them. Not a good recipe for the boards, I don't think

The whole show which once seemed exciting is turning into a real bore. The writers initiated too many subplots and made the show overly complicated. It seemed in some episodes that various writers were barely aware of previous shows, possibly written simultaneously. Characters just drop out of sight, like the Barretts.
Now the writers seem overly eager to pull a few of the loose threads together. It was exciting at the start but now it's not THAT much better than the daytime soaps except the plot lines are a bit more sane.

Randal651: I agree with your comments. It has become a night time soap opera and the whole thing is beginning to lose my interest. I though the last episode was really weird, difficult to follow, and not all that interesting. Those scenes with Don and Anna were boring beyond belief! And now we see Don walking into the Pacific Ocean. I kind of hope he stays there!
I used to look forward to watching the series and now I don't care that it ends next week. It is just getting too weird and a somewhat too dark.

I did not "get" that episode either. I almost expected the Lady In the Radiator to pop out and make a comment. hehe

Madmensuze: Funny! MM isn't what it used to be, at least for me. Of course, there are now 41 comments here and I generally leave at this point. Why, you ask? Because every dog-gone thread becomes a major ISSUE when people discuss thing too long. The fighting on some of these threads (usually the same hostile people who must be having some major issues) heats up and the whole thing becomes a war zone.

I'm still hopelessly facinated by MM. I mean a HUGE chunk of Don's history has just been dumped out, Sally got caught smoking in the bathroom (hey, she drinks,too!) and Pete throws dinner out the window! How much action do you want?? Oh, and Joan got date raped by the sleeze doctor! When Trudy yelled"YOU don't speak to me that way!", I cheered. And, I was glad to see Peggy get Freddie's office.
chocolatecherry: I absolutely loved THIRTYSOMETHING. I really didn't get into it until the last season, but it was in syndication for awhile so I caught up. I heard that the main reason it was cancelled was that the actors, as a group, all demanded salary increases at once, so the producers got huffy and called it all off. Too bad. The boxed set of DVD's is available.

Thank-you jolie10, and don't the two male leads resemble each other? Jon Hamm, and Thirtysomethings male lead (can't remember his name, but can see his face) do you remember his name? I read somewhere he went on to direct...His wife was also on the show and I think her name was Patricia Wetting.

I have to agree with PeteandTrudy. The scenes with Don and Anna were boring. At this point I no longer care who she was to him. That plot line is bringing the story into soap opera land. Some posters have commented in the past on what a great father Don is. Well he seems perfectly content to hang around in California trying to find hisself. He didn't even want to phone home to talk to his kids. Yeah great dad.
This episode was one of the most poorly written and seems to be taking the series into mainstream tv land.

I fear Don will be made into some shadow of himself. Please don't turn Mad Men into this TV version of "chick flicks," Don acting like some de-balled lapdog, devoid of swagger and a libido! Keep Don slutty!

..."keep Don slutty!"...Visan, I have to say that is your best post yet! Loved it!

I like that this show doesn't portray the obvious: that you have to think a bit to figure out what is indeed transpiring in the plot. There were a lot of things that were unanswered in the main character's background and that may account for why the plot isn't progressing too quickly. You have time to try and think about and guess what will happen in the plot and then hopefully it twists in a way you hadn't thought of.

I guess I like to watch things that aren't too obvious and completely dumbed down. TV is full of this garbage. Otherwise I may just stick to watching the Science or History channels. JMHO

Cheryl: Well, I swore over on another thread that I would never post again and here I am! I got kind of weary of people fighting on that thread (it became intense) and it seemed as though that was all they were there to do. Anyway, you are probably the first one who has agreed that the scenes between Don and Anna were indeed boring. I could barely stay awake! On yet another thread people are arguing about why she is limping and at this point, I simply don't care! Could it be polio? Could she have a prothesis? Could she have been born without her other leg? Who the heck cares?! To me, the last episode was confusing (I don't care for the flashbacks) and I also don't care for all the inside stuff, i.e., The Mountain King was what someone was playing on a piano, or the Peer Gynt thing or whatever it is. Apparently, many posters like to tell us they are up on all of this (so utterly cosmopolitan and all) and I simply don't give a hoot! If I have to sit and watch a show and try to figure it out (the writer's little inside inclusions that are apparently supposed to be oh so clever and only understood by those who are in Mensa or something) well then, count me out! I couldn't care less what happens to Don, Anna (whoever she is), or if Betty's pregnant, or if Pete tosses another baked chicken out the window!

Oh yes, and to add to my post above, apparently more than a few viewers/posters think that Bertrand Cooper's sister is named Alice after Alice Cooper (she is a lesbian). You know, I never even thought of this but perhaps I don't watch it THAT closely. I frankly don't like all these little "asides" and "inside jokes." The writers are not clever. They are condescendingly annoying!

Well if you think Mad Men is bad, anyone watch Lost? I quit watching one season 'cause I got sick of all the plot twists and no anwers. But they pulled the show back on track (somewhat). Flashbacks seem to be the big thing on TV nowadays, but I do like trying to figure out why a character is the way he/she is. And I had to chuckle when I heard the name Alice Cooper.....