Scott Miller Wrote:I had to see what all the rage was about and just finished the first two seasons. For the most part it lived up to the hype; there are many excellent aspects to the show. The acting and writing are among the best on TV and I absolutely love how they weave history into the story. That said, it is one of the slowest paced shows you'll ever watch and most of the characters aren't very likable-even the ones I like tend to be cads or victims of the sexism of the times. I'd recommend it to patient viewers.

Aprilis Wrote:I love this show!

Scott Miller Wrote:I can't say that I love it, but it's definitely good.

Maggers Wrote:Liam just bought me Seasons 1, 2, and 3 of MAD MEN. It's addicting in an odd way. I did not expect the pace to be as slow as it is, so I agree with you there, Scott. That being said, the show is mesmerizing. I lived through that time. I was, thank god, young enough that I never had to work in an office environment like those depicted in MAD MEN. By the time I got to be a secretary in a large public relations firm in the early 70's, the sexual revolution had begun, Women's Lib was a burgeoning movement, and our consciounesses had been raised. Huzzah for all that.

I sit and grouse at the TV, yelling "male chauvinist pig!" and "stop TOUCHING her that way!" and "Oh my god, that dress is gorgeous!" and "Look at that hair!" The show absolutely captures the period, and that's not easy to do.

I also agree, Scott, that the characters are not likable. There is not a hero amongst them, not even a hint of one. Yet, it's compelling television. We are only up to the 5th episode, so the laying out of the characters is still in progress. For instance, I hated Peter Campbell from the start until we met his father, and then I began to have a squidgen of pity for Peter.

I'm committed to this show. It's provocative.

It's also great fun to watch these series in large chunks.

Maggers Wrote:We are almost finished Season 3. I love this show. I more or less disrespected everyone at the beginning of the series. But as the show has progressed, the characters have been fleshed out in a way that does not glamorize them or their flaws, and yet I've come to know them and like them, warts and all.

I don't know what will happen to them, I am in the middle of Season 3. But I do know that no one can drink like they do and not pay a hefty price. (Well, Freddy Rumsfeld has already paid for peeing his pants.) Forget the smoking, that will kill 'em all in the end. Incipient lung cancer not withstanding, the alcohol has to begin to take its toll. I've never seen anyone imbibe as they do, so casually and so frequently. In fact, I suspect they consume more alcohol than most Americans do water on a daily basis. God bless their livers. In that respect (the ubiquitous alcohol and cigarettes) it's a damn scary show.

The show has a stupendous cast, great talent, outstanding writing, and an utterly unforgettable look. I love the music, too.

Pretty soon we'll be finished Season 3, and it's hard to find complete episodes of AMC shows while the season is in progress. AMC doesn't like showing them for free anywhere, or anywhere that I have access to, at any rate. Guess I'll have to wait for the release of Season 4 on DVD. Boo hoo.

Scott Miller Wrote:...it does not appear as though they are being rerun so I'm left waiting for DVDs in a year or so.

Maggers Wrote:The producers of Mad Men, like the producers of another favorite of mine, Modern Family, are very protective of their product. They show it only under very controlled circumstances. I'm dying for Season 4 of Mad Men. Oh, what a show!