LUXURIA MUSIC.COM: Give your day a MAD MEN-flavored soundtrack!

Have any of you discovered the excellent online radio station called LUXURIA MUSIC.COM?

They play, 24/7, a steady diet of 1950's and 1960's soft pop, (not rock 'n' roll). Music that has been called "Loungecore" and "Space Age Bachelor Pad" music. Light Psychedelia, Tiki Exotica, Early Electronica, Bossa Nova and Midcentury Latin, Classic Midcentury Instrumentals, Italian Filmscores, Bebop & Cool, French yeh-yeh. Sprinkled with real vintage radio advertisements (for cigarettes, etc.!!) A good bit of this music treads that thin line between good taste and delightfully bad taste--- kitsch--- as only the 60's could bring us. I leave this station on, and let it bring a MAD MEN-flavored soundtrack to my whole day.
You must give it a try!

Christopeher Stanley - He Did It Again

The enigmatic actor Christopher Stanley managed yet again to reincarnate himself yet again and come to life in one of my favorite shows. For those of you who don't know his name, remember it. Playing the role of Henry Fancis, the phantom suitor of Mrs. Betty Draper, Stanley has appeared in many of television's most decorated shows and has not only held his own, but at times, has outshined even his better known co-stars. Playing a bigoted police officer on NYPD blue, Stanley managed to humanize a complex and conflicted character, a would be hero, fallen victim to his own prejudice. His arc on the show took place during its most award winning era and led to another Bochco appearance on the less successful but equally powerful Brooklyn South where he played another tragic figure undone by homophobia and rage. In one unforgettable scene, Stanley's character came absolutely unhinged while the entire cast stood spellbound; watching in absolute awe as he raged against his partner who turned him in for wrongs he had committed, and then ultimately broke down into tears. It was as if even the regulars understood they were seeing something extraordinary and didn't even have to act. Now Stanley has appeared as a loaded spring on Mad Men and I cannot wait to see what the producers and writers have in store for his character. Anyone familiar with this actors work would know that he is capable not only of the tenderness and sensitivity he has shown in the role of Henry, but also of explosive outbursts of emotion. Like all great actors he has the ability to walk the fine line between life and art. I have no doubt that there are big plans for his character so look out Mad men fans, there are bound to be fireworks when Don Draper inevitably confronts this unpredictable talent inhabiting a yet to be fully defined character. I for one cannot wait!

Epilogue S3

"Click"

Two Adams

I have been puzzled and confused by Adam's timeline. In Season 1 we see a flashback of an eight year old Adam waiting with Abigail and Uncle Mac for the arrival of Dick's body post Korea. When Adam meets Don at the coffee shop, a point is made of his telling Don that he was only eight years old but he knew he spotted Dick on the train. However, we have been repeatedly shown a photo of what appears to also be an eight year old boy with a young man standing beside him. Every time we are shown this photo, it is turned over and we see that it is inscribed "Dick and Adam 1944." This absolutely cannot be a mistake. Therefore, the only conclusion I can come to is that there were two Adams. Adam #1 was eight in 1944, and Adam #2 was eight in the early 50s.

I have always felt that there was a lot more to Dick Whitman's past than switching identities. Don reacted much too strongly to being found out for it to just have been an identity switch.

Of course, I have an idea as to who Adam #2 is, but for now I will keep that to myself and enjoy the opportunity to once again review Season 1. I need to check out a fact or two.

Earlier episode foreshadows that show up in episode 13

Now that I've had time to digest, there are some connections in episode 13 that have been foreshadowed in earlier episodes.

Episode 3.2 Love Among The Ruins:
When various characters talk about the destruction of Penn Station and the construction of Madison Square Garden, it parallels the destruction of Sterling Cooper and the birth of Sterling Cooper Draper Pryce.

Episode 3.3 my old Kentucky home:
In the last shot, you see Betty and Don kissing. The shot is lit so low that don disappears in the shadows to Betty's white dress. This might symbolize Don not being apart of Betty's life any more.
And of course Grappa Gene saying, " all hell is going to break loose" after Sally read some of the book, Decline And Fall Of The Roman Empire".

Episode 3.4 The Arrangements:
When Don breaks the ant farm. The same ant farm that Hooker is looking at when in an earlier episode he says, "This place is a gynocracy". This could symbolize the destruction of Sterling Cooper by Sterling, Cooper, Draper and Pryce.

Episode 3.5 The Fog:
When Betty is being rolled down the hospital runway. As she starts to hallucinate, she looks back and sees Don Disappear. Again this can symbolize Don no longer being in Betty's life.

Episode 3.6 Guy walks Into An Advertising Agency:
When Pryce receives a taxidermy cobra snake in a basket as a gift from P.P.& L., that can symbolize him getting bit by P.P.& L. when P.P.& L. and S.C. is sold all together by another company.

If you can think of any more, let me know.

Why did Don fight for Peggy and NOT Betty?

I think that the only way Betty would possibly be able to consider forgiving Don and reconciling with him after his MASSIVE betrayal would be if Don were to get down on his knees and issue an enormous "mea culpa." If he were to tell her that he was sorry he hurt her, that he has destroyed the family by his actions, etc. Something along those lines. And he would have to SHOW the remorse and contrition for his actions.

The thing is he never apologized to her for what he did, never showed any remorse, and worse yet after taking her for granted from day one, he also too for granted that she would stay with him because he assumed she was 'stuck' and that she would never find a "lifeboat."

But, of course, now we all know that Betty did find a lifeboat, and Don's lack of remorse made it all the easier for her to jump in Henry Francis's boat.

So, why did Don take all the "fight" he should have given to his marriage, and instead give it to Peggy?

There he sat with tears in his eyes (!) begging her and pleading with her to stay - even admiting he "could not do it without her?"

Why no such fight for the mother of his children?

What say ye, Mad Men fans?

Good time to fix this very bad blog design

OK, I went to open thread to search for something that is supposedly buried in the open thread of over 900 entries and counting.

Common sense tells you this is simply not a good formula. Over 900 entries with a vague subject title that includes the kitchen sink is not benefiting the posters or the readers.

To try and isolate specific comments by subject (even with time stamp) when there is no heading saying what is covered in comment is nuts.

Now might be a good time to clean up the lay-out. Why can't they divide ongoing threads into more manageable chunks based on character, home life, and company?

I personally would much rather see an ongoing Peggy thread, where I can just go and see the latest comments about Peggy, and all the other posts on Peggy from before...etc. Same with other main characters, SC, Ossining, etc. Have these threads prominently and permanently displayed.

So many comments are totally lost in the shuffle with a bad blog design. It's not benefiting AMC to have a layout that is not user friendly.

Maybe add a search feature as well?

Oh well. :(

ADT Recap 13

Link in the comments

Roger's daughter

Was there a change in the actress who played Roger's recently married daughter?

Homewrecking Henry?

HOmewrecking Henry? We report, you decide.

Armchair Astrologers: Your suggested Sun Signs per each major character?

I know there are some astrologers or students of astrology out there in cyber-land. Do you have hunches as to the Sun-Signs of each of the main MAD MEN characters? It's just for fun..... but how close can you come?

Don: Definitely a Scorpio/Plutonic type. Sex, secrets, handsomeness, serious passion, a blunt discursive habit. All point to Scorpio for me.

Betty: I'm thinking a Libra type. Natural beauty, poise and a certain indolence suggest Libra to me.

Joan: Virgo.

Roger: Leo

Bert: Aquarius.

Sally: Taurus

Sal: Gemini.

Peggy; Cancer

Pete: Capricorn

Kinsey: Virgo

Ken: Aries

Lane Pryce: Capricorn.

Connie: Scorpio.

St. John: Sagittarius

Trudy: Pisces

Greg: Leo

Carla: Capricorn

Bobby: Pisces

Duck: Leo

Henry: Gemini

Kurt: Aquarius

Miss Farrell: Aries

************************************

What say you? Am I onto something? Way off the mark?

SEASON 4 WHEN WILL IT START AIRING?

Your Post

Standard non-compete clause in contracts. How did they start own firm?

Hey, over at twitter @MadMenExaminer, I've been getting tweets about legality of their starting a competing firm. @jjensenRF noted: "When Don Draper signed his contract, a standard clause was a covenant not to compete. How does that work with new firm?

Wondered if firing negated it, but he said "Firing should explicitly be included in the provision. Esp. in early 60s. Mystified me."

I realize nowadays celebs have non-disclosures with hired help (when fired) but usually it is connected with severance pay.

Anyone have any knowledge of these 1960s ad contracts?

What about the children?

Betty is on a plane to Reno with the baby to wait out a 6 week quickie divorce. Don is living at a hotel? The two older children are left at home with the nanny/housekeeper ? Doesn't the housekeeper have her own life? Isn't it Christmas time? Shouldn't Betty have taken the two older kids with her? Maybe the teacher is available to help out?

Unresolved storylines

Before season 4 (which I hope takes place in '64 not '66 like some people have speculated) moves forward does anyone recall any good storylines that were abandoned in earlier episodes? How about directions characters were headed that you liked that were suddenly shafted? MY BIGGEST QUESTION would be Pete and Trudy's trouble over having kids. THAT WAS GREAT! Where did it go? Also, I would like to add Peggy and the father from the church. These two NEED to be revisited before The Beatles make their debut on Ed Sullivan. Anyone?

What happened to the little boy that first played Bobbie?

Your Post

Veterans Day 11/11/09

Let's remember those who have served and continue to serve, putting themselves in peril for us. Thank you to them!

Season 3 Episodes

I have a dilema. A few weeks back a co-worker loaned me Season 1 and 2 on DVD. My husband and I started watching and became hooked. We immediately set our DVR to begin recording Season 3 however we had missed the first 6 episodes. I have checked my Direct TV guide and am not finding any repeats of season 3. Does anyone know how I could watch the first 6 episodes of season 3. I am so anxious to begin the new season.

Ten Melos the Siren Would Watch Instead of "Mad Men"

Self Styled Siren has written a terrific piece on movies called "Ten Melos The Siren would watch instead of 'Mad Men.'" Though she is giving the uber popular AMC show a chance, what with its cocktail shaker/everyone smokes/has perfect hair period detail, its handsome John Hamm, its depiction of class, race, gender in the early 1960's ad world and beyond, she is not so convinced. She finds the show (and I agree with her on this) dour.
http://social.entertainment.msn.com/movies/blogs/the-hitlist-blogpost.aspx?post=1294103

Ten Melos the Siren Would Watch Instead of "Mad Men"
http://selfstyledsiren.blogspot.com/2009/09/ten-melos-siren-would-watch-instead-of.html

Men In 1960 Were Oppressed And Naive

Most were like Don. After living at home they joined the army or went to dollege first and then were taken into the army perhaps at a higher rank after some training.Few knew what it was like to live on their own as free independant bachelors and almost all then got married without even knowing the first thing about life. They went from one mother to the army mother then to the wife mother.Instead of acquiring some wealth they were thrown right into supporting a wife and her kids and were trapped into a life of servitude.It was all about what the female wanted and you'll notice that even today that a man going to his wedding acts like he's going to his own funeral.And I'll tell you something that you probably don't know but in psychiatry men planning to marry always have dreams of funerals.Women don't.

There's Something About Henry

The guy is totally nutz.You would think that a man his age would be smart enough to know what he's doing with women and know that one piece of ass is really not too different from another and of course when you marry them they change and it all becomes one big bore or aggravation.And that's not even considering any loss of assets by divorcing the former wife or the expense of taking care of a prima donna like Betty and her 3 kids.He should have just kept her on the side until he got bored with her. Much simpler.

Betty Can't Get A Divorce

I had previously mentioned that the grounds for divorce in NY at that time was only adultery and a couple of other grounds that Henry's lawyer mentioned. NYS did not recognise a Nevada divorce so it will do her no good getting one. Yes, some States like California may have but not NY.The situation is the same with homosexual "marriage" today and btw NY will not perform them or recognise them.Betty is also taking a big chance even going to Nevada with Henry. She can't prove that Don committed adultery but if Don were to hire a private detective he could get enough on Betty to sue HER for divorce and get everything including the children.And the sort of evidence admissible did not require that you have a picture of them in the act back then. Merely spending the night together whether in an apt. or hotel would be prima facie evidence that she's an adultress.Even being in two seperate rooms at a hotel and under the same roof might be enough since they were traveling together and are both married and didn't notify their spouses about it. Divorce is a civil action and it is decided based on the preponderance of the evidence a much lower standard than in a criminal case where's it's beyond a reasonable doubt.

Leonard Cohen Influence in Season 3

I just read an article featuring Abigail Spencer, who plays Suzanne. She shares that Matt Weiner based her character on the Leonard Cohen song of the same name. Check out the lyrics at the URL below. They paint a familiar picture and might offer some clarification to those who've questioned what could possibly have attracted Don to Miss F.

http://leonardcohenfiles.com/album1.html#0

Season 4 Predictions

Your Post

What's a "Jewish department store"?

In the cast descriptions I read the following:

"Rachel Menken is the head of Menken's, a major Jewish department store."

Now, I've lived in NYC for 55 years. I've never been to, seen, or heard of a "Jewish department store." What is it? A store that sells Jews? Sells Jewish products to Jews ONLY? A store that employs a "Jews-Only" staff???

Anyone?

Thanks.

The Revolution of December 13th

Just a thread to discuss odds and ends of the "revolution" of Draper, Sterling, Cooper and Pryce. There was, for example, some marvelous visual choreography in this episode. Like Don comes in and faces a seated Bert, convinces him. They go to Roger, sit down with him--he behind the desk, them facing him, forming a triangle. Then they deal with Pryce. Nice that building up of who's on board.

The second meeting with Pryce where Pryce admits PPL is being sold, too, is marvelous. Because the minute they get Pryce on board, the four of them sit, simultaneously, in four corners. It's a great visual indicating a kind of stability, like the four legs of a chair. It echos that feeling that every one of their brains is working and playing off each other--which hasn't quite been the case in previous meetings between them.

They're equals and together in the revolution, suddenly each of them is at the top of their game and they're a formidable team. Pryce was the last musketeer as it were, or the last member of the band. It all clicks into place.

And then there is that awesome moment when Don and Roger leave SC, together they open the doors and together they quite literally close the doors on SC, on their past.

Other things you saw, noticed or just want to chat about concerning this revolution--which, while not a youth movement or a civil rights movement, is still a blow, of sorts, for freedom and individuality?

podcast review of fabulous finale

6-mins on the revolutionary episode...

Roger Sterling cracks me up

Hey Maddicts, Who else got a kick out of Roger's lines this week ?
1) When he says to Lane: We're old friends "we've got tea".
2) Saying "Bye Trudy" in the apartment knowing that she was listening at the door.
3) When he told Bert Cooper that Don was doing better at wooing him into the new fold.
I'm sure I'm forgetting some. Please post more .

He has the funniest lines on the show

VELVEETA! The Cheese Box in Ep 13

I laughed at them packing some their stuff in a cardboard box with VELVEETA prominently printed on it. (product placement at its best) They were the mice stealing the cheese right out of the trap. A huge trap had been set for Don Draper and he found a way to steal the cheese and leave the trap empty.

Symbolic, as was Roger telling Don not to bother to lock the door. There wasn't anything left worth guarding.

"Shut The Door.Have A Seat" or "The Return of the CHIP'N'DIP"

Was that cool or what? Mr. Weiner I tip my 1960's fedora to you!

The Motley Crew

This was indeed the best episode of M.M. I've ever seen! I couldn't believe how Don and Co. decided to start their own agency. But what, praytell, will happen to Paul, Sal and Ken? Have they been written off the show for good? And poor, ol' Betty..."on the road to Reno" for her and Henry. My prediction is that he'll beat her up or something in Season 4 and Don will come along to save her. Here's hoping that the next season won't be the last. This show is worth missing out on a night of drinking!

Did You Cheer When Joan Arrived to Save the Day

I did! Even knowing that's who Roget called and that she'd be appearing, I still cheered. It was like the cavalry had arrived, or a superhero. Joan to save the day and tell them where everything is so they can steal it ;-D

henry francis seems a lot creepier now

while i have mixed feelings about e13, there's something that i noticed about henry francis last night. all of a sudden he seems a lot more creepy. maybe it's his double involvement with the whole divorce thing. maybe it's that he and betty haven't really consummated their relationship. they've barely spoken 100 words between them. what's his angle?
it doesn't seem to be love.

if don had any guts at all he'd fight to keep his kids.

Don't Understand Pete Campbell's Inclusion in the New Agency

I loved the season finale. There was one part, however, that I was confused about. How does it make sense, within the logic of the show, that they sought out Pete Campbell to create their new agency, and not Ken Cosgrove additionally or instead of Pete. For one, Don and Roger don't like Pete. Second, Cosgrove had just been promoted over Pete. Since they both started out with exactly half of the company's accounts, and neither brought in any new business, and Cosgrove apparently handled his accounts the same if not better than Pete, I don't understand why and how this went down.

This seemed like the rare instance where Mad Men follows one of the dumber, more conventional rules of television, and made a plot choice simply around the fact that it's character, Vincent Kartheiser, has higher billing and needed a reason to be on the show more.

Did I miss something?

Don has Borderline Personality Disorder

Throughout this season it has become apparent to me that Don has Borderline Personality Disorder. The key things that "sealed it" for me are:
- inability to form true intimacy with someone; relationships are idealized (think Rachel Menken)
- overwhelming fear of abandonment, usually stemming from childhood trauma (only after she kicked him out did Don admit to treating Betty badly and without respect)
- risky, impulsive behavior with sex and alcohol (and even drugs in one episode)
- projection of their bad behaviors onto other people (accusing Betty of destroying their family and calling HER a whore)
- dissociation and not remembering events, a la "This never happened."

Borderlines always blame someone else for their behavior. They push people away to avoid that person rejecting them first. Last season, when Betty first confronted Don about having an affair with Bobbie Barrett, he kept trying to change the subject and put the blame back on her. She didn't let him. Don has always done what he wanted without considering its impact on others. Borderlines' anger is usually in direct proportion to their sense of shame. Don's outbursts usually followed being called onto the carpet for things.

The official DSM description is:
A pervasive pattern of instability of interpersonal relationships, self-image and affects, as well as marked impulsivity, beginning by early adulthood and present in a variety of contexts, as indicated by five (or more) of the following:[18]
1. Frantic efforts to avoid real or imagined abandonment. Note: Do not include suicidal or self-injuring behavior covered in Criterion 5
2. A pattern of unstable and intense interpersonal relationships characterized by alternating between extremes of idealization and devaluation.
3. Identity disturbance: markedly and persistently unstable self-image or sense of self.
4. Impulsivity in at least two areas that are potentially self-damaging (e.g., promiscuous sex, eating disorders, binge eating, substance abuse, reckless driving). Note: Do not include suicidal or self-injuring behavior covered in Criterion 5
5. Recurrent suicidal behavior, gestures, threats or self-injuring behavior such as cutting, interfering with the healing of scars (excoriation) or picking at oneself.
6. Affective instability due to a marked reactivity of mood (e.g., intense episodic dysphoria, irritability or anxiety usually lasting a few hours and only rarely more than a few days).
7. Chronic feelings of emptiness
8. Inappropriate anger or difficulty controlling anger (e.g., frequent displays of temper, constant anger, recurrent physical fights).
9. Transient, stress-related paranoid ideation, delusions or severe dissociative symptoms

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Borderline_personality_disorder

pete campbell - you revolutionary dawg!

just wanted to say how much i enjoyed watching the crew tear up SC and leaving it in "ruins". the icing on the cake was pete campbell walking out with his infamous gun propped up on his shoulder like a soldier!!! I just want to shout i love you Pete Campbell and i don't care who knows it! VK you are bomb diggity fresh!

Why is this so distracting to me?

I have noticed recently that three actresses share/copy the same "character mannerisms," specifically Peggy, Betty and Sally. They all seem to share that blank, deer-in-the-headlights look and a hesitant, haughty, breathless speech pattern. Peggy started it and then it seemed Betty's character has mirrored Peggy's and Sally is pulling up the rear. Has anyone else noticed this?

Pryce

Who does it stand for in the new agency Sterling Cooper Draper Pryce? The Englishman ? I thought his name was Lane.

Would Don Draper still like the industry?

Hello--I wrote a series of articles about the show for the finale yesterday in here is the last one (with a poll for fans). Hope you like it. Thanks :)

http://www.examiner.com/x-13521-SF-Workplace-Communication-Examiner~y2009m11d9-Mad-Men-and-advertising-today-Would-Don-Draper-still-like-the-industry

End title songs

I'm always impressed with the choice of song for the end credits......last nite,E13, what was the song?

Best Show

I am 50 years old and a pretty big TV watcher.....Mad Men is easily the best drama I have seen....

Don Draper: The Ironic Man

Don's preposterous notions just kill me (I posted this on another thread but figured I'd throw it out there for some thoughts).

1.) Don is still suggesting that Betty see a psychaitrist.....excuse me?? He's the one with the problems too numerous to mention. She sought therapy because of HIM, yet he still doesn't get it. His lousy background needs to be addressed.

2.) Don calling Betty a "whore". Oh...OK....so all his whoring around doesn't count. Again, Don needs the shrink.

3.) He accuses Betty of "building a life raft" to get out of their marriage...referring to his discovery of Henry Francis. Um, wasn't that what Don did in Korea? Didn't he adopt the identity of another soldier to escape and grab a new life?

4.)Don tells Roger that he never saw himself working in a (classy) place like Sterling Cooper. No kidding! That's because he's lucky to have gotten this far riding on the back of a stolen identity and he knows it.....same reason he isn't too too mad at Betty for jumping ship (he lied his way into her life in the first place, the schmuck)

5.) Don didn't like Conrad Hilton "playing" with him?? Yet Don fails to see how he plays with the lives of others, especially Betty's....yet she's supposed to suck it up like nothing ever happened. Now she's a "Mainline Brat" for speaking up against the lies.

"Westchester Syndrome" and Betty Draper

(Posted this to the open thread for Epi 13 as well)

I've never posted this, but from the first season it's bothered me immensely to read comments criticizing Betty for being cold and bitchy and a bad mother and wife. While she's far from perfect, I saw her from the beginning as the subject matter of "The Feminine Mystique," women of her era who woke up and discovered that the beautiful house and the children and the material goods they had been taught to define as happiness still left some hole in their lives, esp. if they had previously had some other source of personal satisfaction, like Betty's modeling career.

Betty did not marry Don for a fur coat. He swept her off her feet, with his charm and his handsome face and his awe of her. He pitched himself to her, and she bought it. Everything unraveled over time, but it wasn't until this season that she discovered the extent to which that pitch had been a complete falsehood. How can you love someone when you have no idea who he is? How could Don really love Betty, when he never allowed himself to know who she really was? She was up on a pedestal, the Madonna complete with babe in arms. When he found out about Henry, you could almost hear the gears grinding with that paradigm shift, and she became the Whore.

I do think that during the next season, Don will try to reconcile his new image of Betty, see that she's neither Madonna nor Whore, and try to let her see a little more of Don/Dick, the genuine person.

There's a "Westchester Syndrome" that people talk about today, in which women who had successful careers now find themselves stuck in the suburbs. Their husbands commute to the city, leaving before the children wake up in the morning and returning after they are asleep, so all the child-rearing is completely left to the moms. The stereotype goes: these women wait every evening till 5:00, then open a bottle of wine that they finish sometime after the kids are asleep but long before hubby gets home. What Betty and the women of their era experienced was far more difficult.

will there be a season 4 mad men?

Your Post

A Long Life

The best shows teach their audience something about storytelling. Before the season began, I expected 1963 to be entirely skipped over. But I'm so glad it wasn't. We needed to see this year in these character's lives. Unlike most dramas, especially those on cable, Mad Men could easily sustain itself for ten seasons. Given the proper support by AMC & Lion's Gate, the show is poised to become the comprehensive work of art on film about the '60's. The story potential in the years to come is endless. And they can't flash forward too much if for no other reason that we, the audience, need to see Sally Draper grow up. Kiernan Shipka is a fantastic little actress and has earned her place on the show for its life (I'm sure the writers agree).

This season required a little more patience, but I was never bored or disinterested. It was so equisitely-plotted that I didn't notice the pieces being put into place to facilitate the ending until it happened; and it was all the more resonant because it felt earned. It was particularly difficult to have so little interaction between Roger and Joan, but the scarcity just made every moment between them feel more precious. Can't wait to see what happens!

The writers on this show are rockstars to me. You've had such an impressive run that I keep waiting for the inevitable jealous-media backlash. But you've earned the my faith these last three seasons, and I'm ready to follow wherever you take us. Just keep doing what you're doing; being true to the characters.

Probably my favorite moment of a season full of brilliant moments was the last scene between Don and Peggy. Broke. My. Heart. When she said, "If I say no, you'll never talk to me again," and Don answered, "If you say no, I'll spend the rest of my life trying to hire you," I was fighting tears. Their relationship is incredibly important to me, as someone who believes in the power of mentorship. Well done. That moment was worth the wait.

Anyway, I just had to send out my love to the show, the cast, the crew...everyone responsible for giving us such a spectacular work of art. See you next year.

To Sterling Cooper Draper Price!

Everyone lift your glasses, please, and let us toast the launch of Sterling Cooper Draper Price! Throughout this season, we've seen a similarity between Don's Home and his Work. Everyone pretends that things are prospering, but the reality is that they're falling apart. No one was at their very best. No one was motivated. No one was happy. No one had what they really wanted. No one was allowed to be themselves. Everyone was merely an extension of someone else, trying to be what another wanted them to be. Yes, even Don, who was trying to be what he thought Betty wanted at home, and what SC wanted him to be at work.

It is only at the end that Don realizes that the power to have what he really wants rests with him. And what he wants most of all is to be himself. Gathering others who want the same, he creates a new family. And in doing this, he finally understands Betty and what she's after, and can let her go in search of that same thing. A new family, one where she can be herself and be her best.

They both have to start over, start fresh. Painful as that is, even if it means great losses and hardships.

So here's to Sterling Cooper Draper Price. May we see them in '64 harmonizing and hitting it big like that other Fab Four who are about to hit American Shores. And may they all find what it is they really want.

For divorced maddicts only

This episode brought back a lot of painful memories for me. I don't want to clog up the main thread with my personal memories on this subject. When Don got a little rough in the bedroom with Betty I was hoping he would put her head through a wall. This was exactly how I felt the day we(actually me) told our kids the same type of speech. The divorce was my ex-wife's idea, but it was the best thing that ever happened to me. It was a terrible marriage I was willing to endure solely for the sake of the kids. I have been in a long time relationship with a wonderful younger woman since then, and both my children came to live with me although my ex had custody at first. My older son barely acknowledges her existence, not at my behest. Things have gone well for me the past 12 years and I do not have any regrets or anger over the break-up, save one. Having to give that speech to two kids who thought their family life was perfect and would go on forever. Of course I had to be the bad guy who actually told them while my idiot ex just looked on. For at least 6 months I daydreamed of putting her head threw the wall of a room that I had sheetrocked, but had not taped or painted yet. I am just wondering if other divorced Maddicts had similar experiences to the one in the Draper living room in episode 13

Good for Peggy and Betty: The Women Are Getting Bold

It was great to see Peggy stand up for herself and put Don in his place. She also told Roger "NO" when she asked him to fetch him some coffee. Betty also showed some backbone by telling Don she was leaving him and there was nothing he could do about it. Yes indeed, the women are getting bold and sassy! I wonder if this is a sign off things to come for next season.

THANK YOU Matt Weiner !

THANK YOU MATT WEINER, & everyone involved in this show. Just when I think it doesn't get any better than this, you roll out an episode like this.

I was cheering on the Sterling Cooper parts, crying during the divorce talk, & smiling ear-to-ear the entire hour. Matt, you & your team hit it out of the park tonight. You should be extremely proud.

And on specific notes ....

BURT - man, the look he gave Harry Crane when he said "... we'll have to lock you in the storeroom ... I'm sure you understand". That look was Emmy-worthy!

ROGER - I would follow you anywhere

PETE & PEGGY -- both know a little something about Don. Keep your friends close, you know ... Plus they are so fabulous to watch. I like Ken too, but Pete & Peggy are sheer joy. Plus with Pete we get Trudy - bless her Charleston & her sweet little sandwiches!

JOAN - love love LOVE that she's back! She is SO the woman who can put this new shop together. And for those late nights at the office, how about a little accordian!

SAL - will he come back, or will Lee Garner Jr have something to say about that? (did you catch Peggy's remark about "no art - there's nobody there"?)

BETTY - who knows is she & Henry will pan out. I like him, I don't blame her for leaving Don, though I do wish they'd get back together - at some point. As Roger put it, does Don value his relationship with his family, I wonder ....

And Don ... Don ... I thought maybe he'd killed his father. He was there, close enough. But there is still SO much more we don't know about him. I am loving these slow revelations. I've never enjoyed being in the dark this much, & somehow I think Matt & Co know that there is no one we'd rather be in the dark with.

And Peggy not getting Roger coffee ... Burt asking if people had washed their hands ... Lane making the leap with them (but what of his UK-loving wife?) ... I LOVE IT ALL. THANK YOU!!

Hated S3 with one exception

Episode 13 was awesome and what I had come to admire about season 1 and 2. To me season 3 was a waste of time except for this last episode which really makes me wish season 4 would start next week. Absolutely loved this episode and look forward to an energetic and hopefully more upbeat season 4. Getting sick of the "Whole world sucks lets all be depressed and miserable" crap that seems to fill every network lately. Not everyones life sucks, SOME people are actually happy and upbeat. (ok maybe not me, but some people)

satisfying, surprising, often exhilarating, superb

review of Season 3 finale

shahadaroba

Shahadaroba, Shahadaroba
Means the future
Is much better than the past

Shahadaroba, Shahadaroba
In the future
You will find a love that lasts

Where is Sal?

I was totally disappointed the season ended without him

Awesome I love it The Birth of the Sixties

Good Riddance Betty!!! Hello Sterling Cooper Draper and Pryce!!! And thank God the old Roger is back!!

Betty's a Piece of Trash!!! IAnd Don finally Looks Happy

The spirit of the sixties is budding in an upset rogue agency. I love it. Out with the old and in with the new. Betty deserves what she gets an old stuffy boring man. Good Riddance to that dry boring self absorbed brat. Yay Don Yay SC and for once YAy pete and Trudy. Even Coop seems to have gotten his second wind and wow was that teh old ROger spilling the beans on the home wrecking Francis. I hope that bastard gets his.

conrad hilton

who plays conrad Hilton?

The Sterling Cooper effect: How 'Mad Men' has changed contemporary advertising

Here is another story in the "Mad Men" series called The Sterling Cooper effect: How 'Mad Men' has changed contemporary advertising:
http://www.examiner.com/x-13521-SF-Workplace-Communication-Examiner~y2009m11d8-The-Sterling-Cooper-effect-How-Mad-Men-has-changed-contemporary-advertising

Season 3 Episode 12 - Open Thread

Talk about Season 3, Episode 12, "The Grown Ups."

My day on the set of Mad Men Part 4

Sunday, May 17th

"C'mon sweetheart, you can't keep staring at your phone," said Craig, as he lifted my eyes to his. "We're supposed to be enjoying our brunch, not worrying about a phone call..."

I interrupted him.

"No, it's not just a phone call. It's a phone call about Mad Men." I corrected him, with a tinge of irritation in my voice. "And this isn't just ANY call," I puncutated the ANY, and took a slurpe of coffe for emphasis.

Craig sank back in his chair and shrugged his shoulders.

"I dunno. Perhaps you should think about lying off the double lattes this morning."

"HA HA. Look who's a comedian this morning...."

"Whatever," snipped Craig, opening up his paper with a snap, "I just hope you don't implode by today's end, if they don't call you."

I narrowed my eyes at him dangerously, "I'm sorry, what was that about them not calling?"

He lowered his paper, and challenged my flashing eyes.

"I said IF they don't call. I never said they wouldn't call..."

"Craig, way to be supportive here...."

"Hey, I AM being supportive. I'm just trying to keep your feet on the ground, you've been so jumpy since yesterday..."

"How would YOU feel? I never wanted anything so badly in my..."

"I know, baby, and they WILL call. You just have to be..."

"(I have to be) PATIENT."

We both stopped when we said PATIENT in unisom. It was one of those couple's moments, when you're on the same wavelength, and though it takes time to land on the same page, you'll eventually get there. This happens to us a lot when we've had arguments. Three cheers for being together for 8 years!

When we both stopped, we looked at each other, exchanged an embarrassed glance, and started to chuckle. I gave him a playful snarl while I shook my fists at him, and laughed a bit more freely. Without saying anything, we clasped hands; I kissed his hand, while he reached over to smooth the hair from my eyes, and softly kissed my forehead. He then whispered in my ear, "They called you. They want you there. There's nothing to worry about."

I looked into his eyes soulfully, and trusted his words, though I couldn't fully be sure. In my gut, I felt something was wrong.

For the duration of my Sunday, I tried courageously to distract myself, and shuffle off any nagging doubts I had about working on set the following week. I worked, puttered around my office organizing a few things for my flight to Los Angeles in the morning, and combed through my closet, to select what I would wear for the next 4 days.

"It will happen," I repeated to myself, over and over, like a desperate mantra, trying the silence the quiet nagging in my gut.

"It will happen. It will happen."

It was now 7pm, and I was meeting with my last client of the day. I hadn't heard a peep from Central Casting, though I had made 2 follow up phone calls, to reiiterate I was available and making my plans to be at my costume fitting on Monday.

Yeah, well, nevermind that I had no idea WHEN my costume fitting would be, I just knew that I had one, and I would be on the 7am flight Monday morning, ready for my marching orders from LAX, as my flight was arriving around 8:45am.

"It will happen. It will happen."

My last appointment of the day went surprisingly well, as I had really pumped myself up in session, chatting happily with my client about my Mad Men opportunity. I had a double layer of inspiration during my session, as my client counseled me not to worry, that the agency was probably super busy, and wasn't able to get back to me. Now see? THIS is what I really needed to hear! Some good ol' fashioned horse sense!

What my client sagely counseled me on suddenly turned a light switch on in my craw.

"Of course! It's a huge agency, and you're just one tiny moving part. You have nothing to worry...."

But, what's this? As if on cue, my nagging gut returned, like a moth smashing itself against the white glare of a flame, safely shrouded in it's crystal orb.

I felt myself internally shake my internal nagging into silence, and I finished up with my client, and clean up my incall space for the day. I busied myself with my end of the day routine, did a bit of paperwork, locked up my office, and headed home. I was psychically exhausted from all the worry I was trying to suppress, and was further wearied, knowing I had a few things to tend to, before I could fall into a blissful slumber. I just knew the minute I sat down, my internal nagging would begin, thus my fears would roar back, and I would fight off the noise, just to fall asleep. My flight was leaving at 7am, which meant I had to be at SFO at 6am. All this anxiety added up to the stark reality that it would be very, VERY difficult to get some proper sleep.

Like car breaks squealing to a halt, I realized...MY PHONE! I haven't checked it yet! As I reached into my purse, I close my eyes, and did gave a silent prayer to the gods in the ethers (you know who you are), that Central Casting had called, to reassure me that my gut wrenching worry over these last 2 days has been utterly silly, and that I was still wanted on the set, to work on Mad Men this coming Wednesday. As I switched on my phone, my iphone screen alighted. I sucked in my breath, when I saw no call from Central Casting, beyond a call from my Mom and from Craig. I wanted to unleash a primal scream of frustration, but I was afraid I would terrify the neighborhood, and I certainly didn't feel like being accosted by the cops this late in the evening.

When I walked in the front door, Craig was waiting for me. I dropped my coat and purse in a heap, smiled tightly, and headed for the liquor cabinet.

"No word?" he asked, apprehensively.

I shook my head silently, as I poured myself a glass of bordeaux, and stared out the window. Finally, after a long moment, I sighed aloud. My nose was beginning to tingle, as I held back tears. You know that feeling right? When you're holding it together, your nose tingles, and your bottom chin begins to quiver from the stress of NOT crying? Yeah, that was me.

"I don't know what to do, Craig," I sighed again, as I shook my head with exasperation. My emotional floodgates opened wide, and I turned to face him. I had hot tears of anger rolling down my face. It was RANT time. I set my glass on the counter with a loud CLANK.

"They should've called, you know? I don't feel good about this. My 7pm client told me I shouldn't worry, that they're a big agency, but I've left SIX calls: 3 yesterday and 3 today. If they don't need me anymore, fine. But why not call me? This is insane...what am I supposed to do..."

Craig interrupted me.

"Ok, and I agree with you. But think this through: if they DIDN'T want you, they WOULD HAVE called. Don't you agree?"

I wiped my tears and squinted at him skeptically, not sure how to answer that. I silently wondered, with a sick tummy, if this is how the business in Los Angeles worked. And if so, did I want to be a part of an industry so disrespectful, that they couldn't even bother with a courtesy phone call. I realized I was no January Jones, or for that matter, Jon Hamm, but not to call someone, after six phone calls, and let them know what's going on? Really?

I took a healthy swig of wine, and felt it gently soothe my nerves. While I wasn't a drinker, by any stretch of the imagination, sometimes a girl needs a bold wine to temper the mood.

Breathe, LeAnne, BREATHE. It will happen!

Craig could see I was calming down a bit. He gently smiled, and continued.

"Look, I'll support you, either way here. Do I think it's disrespectful for them NOT to call? Absolutely. Do I think you should hop on that plane tomorrow morning, poised and ready for your costume fitting? YES. "

I smiled, in spite of myself.

"You think it's going to happen, and that they haven't called, because they're just busy, yes?"

Craig smiled wide.

"Yes, I do, Miss LeAnne. Have faith."

I looked at Craig, and I just wilted. He was wearing a big, toothy smile and the light in his eyes was luminous. I dropped my head and giggled in spite of myself, my frustration and anxiety. How could I NOT believe it would happen, when this man whom I loved so much, was SO sure? I felt silly to be so nervous, when Craig was so freakin' positive. Perhaps he knew something I didn't know, about the power of positive thinking, or he was putting on the best show ever, to shore up my confidence and belief in myself. Whatever he was doing, was working brilliantly, and I ran into his arms and held him to me tight.

Craig pulled away for a moment, and held me firmly by my shoulders.

"Hey, look at me," he said softly.

I raised my eyes to meet his.

"You are going to be on MAD MEN this Wednesday, May 20th, yes?"

A small smile was forming on my lips.

"My girlfriend is going to be on MAD MEN!"

My smile grew wide.

"Take that to bed with you tonight. There's no way you aren't getting on that plane tomorrow morning."

My smile was so wide by now, it was creasing my earlobes.

"I am. Damn straight."

Tomorrow, Part 5: Monday, May 15th, 2009.....

Wardrobe and it's meanings

We all love re-watching and catching new things the day and week after, especially the day before the finale now. I had posted in my own little open thread original post about wardrobe but I think there's something else.

I had said that Pete and Trudy looked surprisingly like Kurt and Smitty in the end where Mr. Company is now feeling like Mr. Rebel. I think that was MM attention to detail.

I also mentioned Jane wearing black to the wedding as I thought women weren't supposed to do. But that black to a wedding thing was debatable on the thread and that's ok. The point was about the MM attention to detail in putting Jane in black, whatever any of us think.

Now check this out. The finale last season opened with Betty in the Dr's office sitting on the table in a gray dress, not exactly thrilled. It was a scene that defined her future in a way, in a position to say yes or no, leave or stay if you will, regarding the obvious situation of hers.

Here, now, when she comes home to Don at the end of this episode and tells him she doesn't love him, I swear she's wearing the same dress. And if it's not, it's way too close to similar to be a coincidence. I think it's not an accident. And it's the same situation, she has a moment of leave or stay, a moment of decision-making as the end of last year.

Kind of like Pete and the rifle. Last season at a defining moment for Pete we saw him with the rifle by himself after Peggy's news. In the first cut this past episode we see Pete on the couch (in the fetal position before he's about to "grow out" of SC but that's beside the point and should be a whole new topic for another thread), and the rifle as a reminder in the background, of Pete who is about to again have a defining moment.

A dress and a rifle both making a reappearance at defining moments. Attention to detail. How do people not love this show???