I may not have been writing about it as intensively as before, but Mad Men still rocks my world. Last night's episode was no exception, even if Joan was once again kept on the sidelines. That's okay though. She doesn't have much to do most episodes, but her handful of lines and furtive glares usually steal every single scene she's in. She's the queen of passive-aggression, which is saying a lot on a show that thrives on passive-aggression. In fact, I realized last night that one of the reasons why I absolutely love Mad Men is that for one hour each week, we get to hear some of the most crackling and withering passive-aggressive dialogue on TV. Between Betty's silent war with Gloria and Pete's clashes with his family (not to mention pretty much everything that comes out of PEGS' mouth), the show is bubbling with tense, unspoken viciousness. AND I LOVE THAT.
Of course, Mad Men is also bursting at the seams with fascinating ideas about a whole slew of subjects, which is why after each episode, I like to go onto the show's official site and watch "Inside Mad Men," a woefully short two to three minute video in which creator Matt Weiner's talks about the various themes and creative choices in each episode. I figured I'd save you the heavy lifting and embed the video here. Hope you enjoy.
Did you see last night's episode? What did you think?
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The acting on this show is excellent because so much of the story is not coveyed in words. Gestures, stances, looks, body language is a big part of setting the tone.
The 50's and early 60's were a repressed time for many people who wanted something better than what their parents had. Kinsey wants to be braver than he is so he goes on the Freedom ride. Betty wants to be happier than she is so she is trying to re-define her role. Don is looking at the women in his life with a new awareness that "the times they are a'changing" and he doesn't know what to make of it.
I laughed out loud when Cooper walked into the Baby Shower party and said "Happy Birthday" --- doddering never looked so cute.
hb
I have to sit and think about this show for 10 minutes after I watch it to realize all the subtle plotlines.
Here's my new theory from last night's show.
Glenn, the little boy with the crush on Betty, is a stand-in (doppleganger?) for Don.
Both have abandonment issues regarding their mothers. Both are weirdly self-possessed and maybe even hyper-sexual.
We first see Glenn is living in a doll's house, a fake house that isn't his.
Glenn loves then hates Betty.
Finally, take away the baby-fat and Glenn physically resembles Don.
End of theory.
Here's my new theory from last night's show.
Glenn, the little boy with the crush on Betty, is a stand-in (doppleganger?) for Don.
Both have abandonment issues regarding their mothers. Both are weirdly self-possessed and maybe even hyper-sexual.
We first see Glenn is living in a doll's house, a fake house that isn't his.
Glenn loves then hates Betty.
Finally, take away the baby-fat and Glenn physically resembles Don.
End of theory.
Glen is played by Marten Weiner and he is the oldest son of the show's creator Matthew Weiner.
hb