to the advertising men
that worked on
Madison Avenue,
New York.
A cartoon image of a black figure enters an office and the somber, tense sounding strings drone out of my iPad speakers.... The black figure of Don Draper falls past the sky scrapers covered in bill boards, and this means one thing; series 6 of Mad Men has begun!
Ahhh.... I can almost smell the Lucky Strike and strong liquor.
If you've never seen Mad Men then let me be one of many that will say, you have to watch it!!!
It's stylish and smart. It's gripping without being too Americanny and showy, and hell, its sometimes shocking! The characters are all so engaging, pretty messed up and, well, normal! (If you don't take most of them being annoyingly attractive as normal). I like the fact that throughout all of the series to date, you learn and find out more and more about the characters with each episode. It keeps you intrigued. Like getting to know a new friend; you don't want to discover everything about them on your first meeting.
Another reason this show is one of my favourites, is because of the clothes and the set. Wow! Those outfits just get better and better. I would give my right ear to rummage through the costume department. I've always thought Joan and Betty look incredible; Betty especially in the earlier series' where she is still Dons wife and sported a lot of beautiful floral frocks, pink lips and matching nails. (always loved her cigarette case too). And Joan, well! Once you've got over her sensational figure you see some pretty amazing tailored pieces. The clothes suit her sharp personality perfectly. I love her gold pendant that she often wears in the office (I'm amusing its a pen?).
Furniture wise, i love it all!! One day i will own a wooden 60's side board!! Rodgers space age, white, minimalist office is probably my favourite one out of the bunch. Matches his hair... And now with series 6 here, they're really getting out of the prim 50's and into the swinging 60's. The hair styles are getting bigger and the patterns are getting bolder! I love it baby!!
Now It doesn't seem like that long ago that the cool, sophisticated Madison Avenue cast graced our screens, but its been 9 months! And they definitely left us in suspense....
Quick recap on series 5 (Warning: spoiler alert!!)
Peggy quit and got a new job at another Ad agency. Megan quit too to pursue her career in acting. Betty got tubby. Lane stole money from the business and committed suicide. Pete continued to be a moron and had another affair. Joan's marriage falls apart, shes left with (rogers?) baby and she became partner in the company by sleeping with the disgusting Jaguar executive. And last but by no means least, Mr Draper. He was the most surprising of them all. He actually seemed quite happy in his relationship with Megan and stayed monogamist throughout the series... Or did he? We were left seeing him drinking alone at a bar when a female voice districts him (que some appropriate 60's hit to play us into the credits).
I actually couldn't believe he hadn't strayed since marrying his young secretary. Is Don Draper a changed man? No!!
I cant believe it, and i wont!! (Not because I've seen episodes 1-3 already but) I know he'll be back to his usual self again. His bleak, dark upbringing has so much to answer for. There's a reason he behaves the way he does and treats women as he does! I don't think he's a bad egg. I think it's environmental factors and lies that have made him the mad man he is.
Am I sticking up for the Draper? Maybe I am, but you can't hate him,
He's a dish! ; )
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