March 25 brought about a record breaking 3.5 million spectators that tuned in to AMC for the long awaited 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 spectators is a 21% jump from their other season premieres, and the two hour premiere did not displease.
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 kid with Rodger Sterling as the father, if you remember correctly.
- Peggy has been stepping out with a liberal journalist but is still coping with female stereotypes in the workplace.
- Don Draper is married to Megan whom he made a copywriter.
- Pete Campbell and his wife had their child and seem exhausted (we catch him complaining about how she is not taking care of herself any longer).
- Betty and Henry Francis, whom Don "lovingly" deems Morticia and Lurch, have moved into a huge mansion (though that's 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
Ultimately, the overarching theme is the civil rights movement in New York City. Due to an ad mix up and private joke, SDCP is responsible to hire an African American staff member. I'm assuming that this will eventually parallel the women's rights movement that will be undoubtedly 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 kid with Rodger Sterling as the father, if you remember correctly.
- Peggy has been stepping out with a liberal journalist but is still coping with female stereotypes in the workplace.
- Don Draper is married to Megan whom he made a copywriter.
- Pete Campbell and his wife had their child and seem exhausted (we catch him complaining about how she is not taking care of herself any longer).
- Betty and Henry Francis, whom Don "lovingly" deems Morticia and Lurch, have moved into a huge mansion (though that's 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
Ultimately, the overarching theme is the civil rights movement in New York City. Due to an ad mix up and private joke, SDCP is responsible to hire an African American staff member. I'm assuming that this will eventually parallel the women's rights movement that will be undoubtedly headed by Peggy and Joan on this show.
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