Mad Men Season 3 Won't Win Best Show Emmy
It's not the acting - that has been outstanding. Jon and January have been great, as have the majority of the supporting players (when we see them!).
The photography as been beautiful, perhaps even better than last year, much of the dialog is spot on...
I think what we're missing this season is a well thought out plot, that is somehow connected to reality.
There is no way that all of these trials and tribulations could happen to a group of 5 people. Each individual situation (for the most part) could be justified based on character, the decade, etc... but all together, it seems impossible.
Here are few examples....
We are supposed to believe that over the course of the two years 6 characters (Roger, Joan, Betty, Pete, Sal and Peggy) have had these experiences:2 rapes (Joan and the one that Pete perpetrated), two unwanted pregnancies (Peggy and Betty), 2 floundering new marriages (Joan and Roger), 2 dead fathers (Pete and Betty), outted, sexually harassed, and fired (Sal). It's hard to believe that a group has so many unfortunate people in it - yes, all of these things could happen, but to ALL of these people on the show? And in such a short period of time? This is Peyton Place.
The second problem with the plot is the obvious use of tertiary characters to move the plot along. The draft dogger and his girl friend (let us know that Don is losing touch with his roots); the nanny (heck, Pete needs to rape someone), the teacher (Don is freaking out and needs an escape route), the teacher's brother (ode to Adam), Hilton (Don needs a dad to reject him, to justify his latest affair). Last 2 seasons, the writers really seemed to be more effective in weaving these characters into the plot in a more subtle way.
Just look at how we got the teacher this year - the hand on the grass at the Maypole Event, she blurts out that her dad died too, she happens to live 2 miles away and happens to jog along the route Don drives. Oh, and Hilton happens to give him an alibi because of the night calls. Jeese Louise, that is as subtle as a sledge hammer.
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I agree with your assessment. I liked S1&2, but S3 has gotten a bit too "Peyton Place" for me. It's also gotten a bit too "The Draper Hour." I am so tired of Don and Betty and their boring children, that I am not as excited about S4 as I was about the others. Those kids add next to nothing to the plot lines and are apparently there as some sort of token.
Your complaints about this season may be valid (though incredibly redundant), but they have very little to do with whether Mad Men will win another drama series Emmy.
A series win at the Emmys is based on buzz, tapes submitted and voters' taste. The show is still in the media quite often, it suits the voters' tastes and despite this not being a perfect season, they still have strong enough episodes to submit.
The only show that can beat Mad Men next year is LOST, based on the fact that it'll be a last year. But that show has perhaps gotten too sci-fy for the general Emmy voters
Funny you posted this one. Not sure about the Emmy, but I was about to post that this is becoming the most depressing show on the air. There is a different between dramas a pure hopelessness.
Just think of Betty. She married a terrible person who is nothing he pretended to be She has been unhappy for years, in large part because she has always suspected that he’s cheating. Now she has three choices – stay in loveless marriage. Rebound marry Henry, a man she doesn’t really know (marrying someone she didn’t really know didn’t work out for her before). Or become the next Helen Bishop, ostracized by the community. The is no possibility of happiness for her.
Could say the same thing about Don. If he wasn’t completely screwed up before this, having his worse fears realized – that Betty would dump him if she know the real Dick, will make him even worse. I see that some posters think he will end up with Suzanne. Doubt it, but whoever he ends up with, he won’t be happy. He hates who he really is, he hates who he pretends to be. He is quickly being passed by the times. He will be a fossil. If he divorces, he will always feel that he abandoned his kids - the one thing he said he wouldn't do.
Not sure why I am still watching this, it's becoming a train wreck.
The only character that seems to have a shot is Cosgrove.
On a lighter note – this is really funny – Jon on SLN
http://www.hulu.com/collections/128/41101
Those complaints may be valid (thought redundant), but they have very little to do with whether Mad Men will win another Emmy for series.
Series wins as the Emmys are based on buzz, tapes and voters' taste. This show still has strong buzz, it clearly suits the voters' taste and, despite this season not being perfect they still have good enough episodes to compete.
Going into next year's Emmy's, it'll be the frontrunner.
Are we watching the same show?? This has been a great season and I have loved every single minute of the brilliant writing and last night's show alone and how well it was done could get them a Golden Globe award. Don't you have a group of friends and something is always happening in their lives. I am really at a loss for words reading these comments on one of the most well thought out, well done shows we have ever seen on TV.
Well this show is a drama after all -- it would be pretty boring if nothing actually happened. But I think it is realistic that these things happen in the lives of all these characters. If you really knew all the things that happen in the lives of the people around you, you wouldn’t be skeptical about that. These are the things that everyone experiences in one way or another. I myself have experienced a number of the things that have happened on the show, but people don't necessarily know about it. I love that the show deals with, in many cases, the secrets that people have. And it definitely reflects that time period, too.
I have no idea who will win an emmy, but I think Breaking Bad has a shot. As for this, I do agree that most, but not all, of the new characters are weak. I actually like Connie and I think Pryce is pretty believable. Rest seem to be plot movers at best.
I have never met a group with so many issues. Makes me think of the soap I used to follow years ago. The writers had to keep thinking up new stuff and they ended up being married, shot, etc. dozens of times. As the Mad Men turn!
I do wish we'd get back to the office. And would love to see a little humorr return (the severed foot was our humor peak this season)! It is somewhat depressing.
I don't think the writing is that bad, but some of the plot lines are pretty contrived.
I know a lot of people very well, and they all have things going on in their lives (as do I) but this seems excessive. I think we cold still have great drama with a little less soap opera. I think this is an ok season, but no where near S1 and S2. I have hope that they will get back on track. I think there will be a few year time jump before S4, hopefully, that will tie up all of this domestic stuff.
I also think Don's reaction to the contract and Connie's rejection was weird. I understand twhy they upset him, but his reaction seemed over the top compared to how he's reacted in the past.
Well everybody, Sony thinks that ,"This is It" the Jackson movie will win the Oscar for best picture. As far as Emmys go if Mad Men doesn't win WHO CARES !!!! So if "Michaels" movie wins what does that tell you?
With all due respect, beg to differ, Poly. I have been riveted all season and will miss this series big time when it ends next week. There is nothing else like it on TV. Forget about Emmys. I appreciate the amazing ride we've been on since August.
Appreciate your concern, Spooky. Doing just fine, thanks. How are things going for you in the 8th grade?