Mad Men Season 5 running thread

The strange part of this show is that I thought -- when the show began -- that Don Draper was going to stick out like a sore thumb by the time the mid-1960s hit. Instead, he's proven quite adept at adapting and thriving in the era.

I just wonder if that will continue in 1967. That seems to be the year the great divide in America occurred.

I guess I shouldn't be surprised. Don's been living a 1960s lifestyle since the 1940s -- just not out in the open. And he works in an industry that is trendsetting.

Still, I thought there'd be a moment he seemed "old" and we haven't gotten there yet.

 

The Rolling Stones concert wasn't it?????

 

Over-under on when Joan's husband gets killed in 'Nam.

 

Five bucks on "not soon enough".

 

Here is the podcast, if you're interested.

http://www.npr.org/2012/03/31/149478256/fresh-air-weekend-matthew-weiner-rachel-maddow

Weiner explains the Faye/Megan choice in a really interesting way, I think. He speaks very specifically to the Dick Whitman stuff, and contrasts each of their reactions to learning about it. Faye says, more or less, if you have a problem with being someone else, get a lawyer. Deal with it. Move forward. Get beyond this and be whomever you want to be. And Megan, on the other hand, says "Who cares? No one knows about this. I love you for who you are. Let's just live our lives and not worry about the problems in our past."

Faye was essentially telling him to deal with things in a healthier way, to relieve himself of this burden that's been a crushing weight on his shoulders for years, even if it would be more painful initially. And Megan, in a very child-like way, is saying "Don't worry about this. Just be here, in this moment, with me. I don't care about that other stuff, and I don't think you have to deal with it at all." And Weiner felt the more honest choice was for Don to find comfort in that. Megan was a chance to be young, even if it might not be healthy long-term. And men Draper's age don't tend to choose practical and reasonable, they choose exciting and fun.

Again, the podcast is worth your time if you want insight into Weiner. He's a fascinating writer. Hard to believe he learned his TV chops writing for Becker, of all things.

 

Thanks, Double Down. I'm going to try to take a listen this evening.

 

It might just be because I find Ted Danson to be a charming motherfucker, but I liked Becker's first two seasons. It started to decline in Season 3, when they made Bob a main character, but it only really got bad for Seasons 5 and 6, when they added Hector and Chris.

Weiner's last episode with Becker was Season 4.

 

By his own troops.

 

Don might be the only one of the four owners of the firm to be able to make it through the '60s. Sterling, Cooper and Pryce all seem obsolete already.

 

Don seemed old at the Stones concert, but he looked and acted like a guy who realizes the world is changing and wonders what he has to do to keep up.

Roger, on the other hand, wonders "when everything is going to get back to normal." He has no idea the old way isn't normal any more.

 

Sterling and Cooper, yes. I don't think Pryce's persona is linked to the role he plays. He could be effective today in that role.