March 25 led to a record smashing 3.5 million viewers that tuned in to AMC for the keenly anticipated Mad Men season 5 premiere. Man Men was on hiatus for 17 months due to disputes between Matthew Weiner, the creator, and AMC, the network. 3.5 million viewers is a 21% jump from their other season premieres, and the 2 hour premiere didn't disappoint.
There were things that I liked about this episode and things that made me far more confused. A lot has changed since the last episode (we presume that about 9 months have passed since the season 4 finale) :
- Joan has had her child with Rodger Sterling as the daddy, if you remember correctly.
- Peggy has been dating a liberal newshound but is still handling gender stereotypes at work.
- Don Draper is married to Megan whom he seemed to make a copywriter.
- Pete Campbell and his wife have had their kid and appear exhausted (we catch him moaning about how she doesn't take care of herself any more).
- Betty and Henry Francis, whom Don "lovingly" deems Morticia and Lurch, have moved into a large mansion (although that is all we hear about them this episode).
Don Draper Turns 40
The event the episode is focused around is Don's 40th birthday (which in fact isn't his real birthday since he is Dick Whitman, not Don Draper). Don struggles with managing a balance between his young, dynamic, hip spouse, and his increasing age. Megan throws Don a surprise birthday party, and performs a song for everybody at the party titled "Zou Bisous Bisous" which is more of a burlesque dance if anything (and it embarrasses Don, together with the party).
Campbell vs. Sterling
Another highlight is the Pete Campbell vs. Rodger Sterling struggle for power. Pete is bringing in the high-end clients but is still a junior partner. Rodger is a partner, but does not really win new business (which totally annoys Pete). Rodger keeps attempting to poach Pete's leads, so Pete beats him at his own game sending Rodger to Staten Island for a made-up meeting with Coca Cola. Rodger and Pete seem to both be living an increasingly more unhappy and insubstantial lifestyle. We'll see if their private or professional lives fall into pieces.
Civil Rights, Womens Rights
Eventually, the overreaching theme is the civil rights movement in N. Y City. Due to an ad mix up and private joke, SDCP is obligated to hire an African-American staff member. I will assume that this may finally parallel the women's rights movement that will be indisputably headed by Peggy and Joan on this show.
There were things that I liked about this episode and things that made me far more confused. A lot has changed since the last episode (we presume that about 9 months have passed since the season 4 finale) :
- Joan has had her child with Rodger Sterling as the daddy, if you remember correctly.
- Peggy has been dating a liberal newshound but is still handling gender stereotypes at work.
- Don Draper is married to Megan whom he seemed to make a copywriter.
- Pete Campbell and his wife have had their kid and appear exhausted (we catch him moaning about how she doesn't take care of herself any more).
- Betty and Henry Francis, whom Don "lovingly" deems Morticia and Lurch, have moved into a large mansion (although that is all we hear about them this episode).
Don Draper Turns 40
The event the episode is focused around is Don's 40th birthday (which in fact isn't his real birthday since he is Dick Whitman, not Don Draper). Don struggles with managing a balance between his young, dynamic, hip spouse, and his increasing age. Megan throws Don a surprise birthday party, and performs a song for everybody at the party titled "Zou Bisous Bisous" which is more of a burlesque dance if anything (and it embarrasses Don, together with the party).
Campbell vs. Sterling
Another highlight is the Pete Campbell vs. Rodger Sterling struggle for power. Pete is bringing in the high-end clients but is still a junior partner. Rodger is a partner, but does not really win new business (which totally annoys Pete). Rodger keeps attempting to poach Pete's leads, so Pete beats him at his own game sending Rodger to Staten Island for a made-up meeting with Coca Cola. Rodger and Pete seem to both be living an increasingly more unhappy and insubstantial lifestyle. We'll see if their private or professional lives fall into pieces.
Civil Rights, Womens Rights
Eventually, the overreaching theme is the civil rights movement in N. Y City. Due to an ad mix up and private joke, SDCP is obligated to hire an African-American staff member. I will assume that this may finally parallel the women's rights movement that will be indisputably headed by Peggy and Joan on this show.
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