tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8509825018139758536.post1083091372124992933..comments2024-02-05T21:23:49.249-08:00Comments on Lady Eve's Reel Life: Mad Men: Through a Glass DarklyThe Lady Evehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11963115499930520653noreply@blogger.comBlogger14125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8509825018139758536.post-79008124193563728342012-03-28T23:59:36.636-07:002012-03-28T23:59:36.636-07:00Motorcycle Boy, thanks for the prompt on covering ...Motorcycle Boy, thanks for the prompt on covering the costumes of the first show. I've been thinking about that too though I think I'll wait for a couple of more shows to have some more variety. I'm also hoping for some of the 60s look to start appearing on the men. I'm pretty sure this will happen on the show, although in the real business world of that time (for men), the 60s didn't really start showing up until the 70s.Christian Esquevinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04442827724576856379noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8509825018139758536.post-22911965002080880302012-03-26T16:04:24.547-07:002012-03-26T16:04:24.547-07:00I really enjoyed the premiere, but as you said Eve...I really enjoyed the premiere, but as you said Eve, the commercials were incessant - can you imagine AMC had wanted to shave more time off the program so they could put in MORE commercials - Weiner battled hard to not let that happen. <br /><br />Christian - I would love to at some point read your opinion of the look and design of this season's first show - to these untrained eyes it looked uncanny, I almost expected to see Pamela Tiffin walk into the Draper apartment. I also saw the Charlie Rose Mad Men cast interview and thought it was fascinating.<br /><br />... hopefully we can soon discuss the season opener - perhaps putting in a spoiler alert for anyone who hasn't seen it yet.Motorcycle Boynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8509825018139758536.post-68029965192343513632012-03-26T15:48:10.355-07:002012-03-26T15:48:10.355-07:00A most interesting beginning to Season 5, I though...A most interesting beginning to Season 5, I thought, and - except for the too-frequent commercial breaks - very satisfying. This morning NPR's Fresh Air featured an hour-long interview with series creator Matthew Weiner on the opening episode, which he wrote. The interview is accessible online.The Lady Evehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11963115499930520653noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8509825018139758536.post-21511510857082442562012-03-26T13:46:35.844-07:002012-03-26T13:46:35.844-07:00Well, it was fun last night - I won't say anyt...Well, it was fun last night - I won't say anything further although I'd like to ppoint out that many of the cast and Matt Weiner were interviewed on Charlie Rose last Thursday evening (for the hour) No revelations but great back story stuff. Those interested may look for repeats or webcast (?).Christian Esquevinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04442827724576856379noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8509825018139758536.post-20212013865442715062012-03-26T11:09:41.732-07:002012-03-26T11:09:41.732-07:00Ohmygosh !! You guys !! I can not wait to see this...Ohmygosh !! You guys !! I can not wait to see this for the first time.. So, I can be part of the fun!! Love, the pictures!Dawnhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03476174860119487509noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8509825018139758536.post-19876744795010087132012-03-25T14:13:12.776-07:002012-03-25T14:13:12.776-07:00In answer to Page - no viewing party tonight, I...In answer to Page - no viewing party tonight, I'm in a recuperation mode and just happy to be up and around in time for the Season 5 openerThe Lady Evehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11963115499930520653noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8509825018139758536.post-8839830075128056862012-03-25T11:51:25.309-07:002012-03-25T11:51:25.309-07:00Lady Eve - I think it's great that you put tog...Lady Eve - I think it's great that you put together this "Mad Men" extravaganza, and I'm delighted to participate in the party. You sucked me in with your wonderful month of Vertigo so I was definitely looking forward to your coverage of Mad Men. I love hearing what people have to say on such a fascinating subject.<br /> <br />Flickchick - in many ways Peggy is THE transitional character in the show who really connects the earlier era with the change that's taking hold. Her courage to overcome her fears and step forward really does make her heroic. I'm wondering what direction Betty is going to take. I know a lot of people dislike her now but I find myself having great sympathy for her plight - she's suffocating and has almost given up. The scene where Don tells her he's now engaged (she was sending feelers toward him once again) was quite heartbreaking and well acted.<br /> <br />Page - I also think that last season was really challenging to many of the characters, and, likewise, to the audience. Don Draper was drinking more and more and getting increasingly desperate.<br />His engagement to his secretary blew a lot of minds. Tonight could go in almost any direction - that's what's so exciting.Motorcycle Boynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8509825018139758536.post-91957716357694322552012-03-25T11:07:07.325-07:002012-03-25T11:07:07.325-07:00MCB,
What a fun contribution as we are now to a m...MCB, <br />What a fun contribution as we are now to a mere few hours to the premier. <br /><br />Perhaps I'm in the minority here but the last season took a weird turn for me and while it was still a good season I preferred the first two.<br /><br />The way you described it by 'peeling back the layers to express this very human conflict' was perfect! MM has very creative writers which keeps us all tuning in and yes, it's a very addictive show. When The Playboy Club and Pan Am aired last year I actually had high hopes for the two being that I love that era and the costumes, getting to go back to what was going on in the world at that time. Sadly the writing stunk so both shows didn't stand a chance. Luckily we still have Mad Men. <br /><br />My favorite show is MASH and I suspect it will always hold the #1 spot for me for obvious reasons but MM is a close #2. <br /><br />A great read. <br />Lady Eve, will you be having a viewing party tonight? <br /><br />PagePagehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15063277863578004836noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8509825018139758536.post-58650354195699621922012-03-25T10:50:17.563-07:002012-03-25T10:50:17.563-07:00Great article MCB and a great way to get ready to ...Great article MCB and a great way to get ready to view the long-awaited new season. Like life, the series is about survival and how we chose to survive. Peggy is my hero because she knows her heart, if not her path. Can we hope that Don and Betty will find a better way to survive? I am hoping so - but not without loads of drama first! And thank you, Lady Eve, for putting together this great month of articles that only added to the anticipation.FlickChickhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17351624749230610755noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8509825018139758536.post-52634555531394438772012-03-24T23:40:25.664-07:002012-03-24T23:40:25.664-07:00As always, MCB, you go straight to the heart of th...As always, MCB, you go straight to the heart of things with tremendous insight and eloquence. Your contemplation of the themes explored in Mad Men brought me around to considering the incredible creative talent behind the series. The intelligence of Matthew Weiner’s (and his writers) perception of a time before his time, of multiple complex characters with ever-evolving inner and outer lives – and of human nature itself – is astonishing. That such a multi-layered vision managed to become a high-gloss (and successful) television series seems nothing short of miraculous. <br /><br />Those of us who were alive in the 1960s have watched Mad Men in near disbelief– amazed at how cannily it not only reflects the surface of the time and historic events, but also an underlying tone of the era – which seemed to me a mix of restlessness and anticipation. Fans of the series who were not alive then but have seen and heard plenty about it, must be fascinated as history and the personal sagas of Mad Men’s characters play out – in dazzling style – before their eyes. It is mesmerizing –and I’ll admit, I’m addicted.<br /><br />This is a great piece, MCB, thank you for taking part in this blog event. And now, in just a few hours, Mad Men, Season 5! At last…The Lady Evehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11963115499930520653noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8509825018139758536.post-35462156676756770052012-03-24T17:47:06.277-07:002012-03-24T17:47:06.277-07:00Gypsey - I appreciate your statement that the inte...Gypsey - I appreciate your statement that the internal turmoil of the 60's was echoed in numerous forms of external strife - that expresses a great truth about history. And you're right on the money, we have so many of our own illusions that reflect our current collective state-of-mind. Are we any less "mad" today? Maybe in certain ways, but we've also created whole new psychological minefields that didn't exist 50 years ago. Our reality show mindset is like observing ourselves in a funhouse mirror ... Anyway, all this Mad Men discussion is making me start to drool - I can't wait for the two hour feast on sunday night.Motorcycle Boynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8509825018139758536.post-76551992495400175762012-03-24T15:57:26.325-07:002012-03-24T15:57:26.325-07:00MCB, I thoroughly enjoyed your insightful and well...MCB, I thoroughly enjoyed your insightful and well-written ode to the absorbing world and complicated lives of Mad Men’s characters. You referred to the hard work required for self-knowledge, a journey which became de rigueur for most adults by the waning years of the 1960s, and which Don Draper appeared to begin in season four. The internal turmoil that began to manifest during the decade also had echos in numerous forms of external strife. The observation made by an acquaintance regarding the show’s glorification of alcohol and drinking reminds me that every generation convinces itself it is somehow wiser than previous generations. The danger in assuming we have done all the work necessary is an illusion that self-awareness can be achieved through exposure in reality television formats. The truth of Mad Men, if there is one, is in the unflinching portrayal of people with messy lives learning to admit to the messy truth of those lives. If Don Draper and the other characters of Mad Men needed alcohol to cope, we, as a society, still find ourselves acting habitually and “spinning out illusions” in much the same way . . . the myths may have changed but we embrace our myths just as tightly.whistlingypsyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06126688373252306609noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8509825018139758536.post-78104332957097846852012-03-24T12:18:14.630-07:002012-03-24T12:18:14.630-07:00Christian - thanks for taking the time to read my ...Christian - thanks for taking the time to read my little meditation on Mad Men. Yes, human motivation, of the "unvarnished" variety (I like your metaphor) doesn't seem to change much over time - it wears different costumes and has different conventions in which to play hide-and-seek with itself. As far as someone depicting our era in the future, writing is a journey of understanding and perhaps some Matthew Weiner fifty years from now will use his creativity to see us from within better than we see ourselves.Motorcycle Boynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8509825018139758536.post-82396661701218076682012-03-24T10:46:18.373-07:002012-03-24T10:46:18.373-07:00Motorcycle Boy, you've written a perfect summa...Motorcycle Boy, you've written a perfect summary of what makes Mad Men the addictive and excellent show that it is. As you point out, it's the psychological tension behind the actions of the characters that gives the show so much dimension. And it's incredible how well the show's presentation of facade, and the social apparatus behind it, and the rigid conformity you outline, was true to the era. These were the things I rebelled against myself in the 60s. But now the era itself is a source of nostalgia - alcohol, cigarettes, bad behaviour, and prejudice notwithstanding. Mad Men is like those TV shows of the era, only with just the sets varnished, not the real motivations or actions of the people. It makes a striking contrast to the tropes of film noir - a period that was only 15 years earlier than the time setting of Mad Men. How will our own era be depicted in shows of the future? Not much different in essence than Mad Men I'm afraid. Only our gadgets will have largely replaced alcohol as the form of escapism.Christian Esquevinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04442827724576856379noreply@blogger.com