Mad Men: The Arrangements - Review

"I can't think about that right now. If I do, I'll go crazy. I'll think about that tomorrow." - Scarlett O'Hara.

I have always thought that Betty had some things in common with the famous title character of "Gone With the Wind" but tonight her father Gene actually made the comparison. Nicely done. In an episode that made me think that the writers of Mad Men finally let their guards down with a purely lighthearted and playful episode they quickly lowered the boom.

"The Arrangements" had lots of humorous situations and a few horrific moments. But isn't that always the case with this show? Who said Mad Men is all about dark drama? Oh, wait. Never mind. The theme of this season is change and there were lots of them on display starting with Peggy's decision to move to Manhattan, Gene's growing fondness of Sally (leading to heartbreak) and Kitty finally figuring out the truth about Sal.

If there was anything to be learned from this show it's that the truth is just as hard to take even when you're right all along. Missed opportunities, clueless clients and a fun time for all marks the fourth episode of this excellent season even though the main storylines hardly moved forward. So stay in this Labor Day weekend as I review the latest episode of Mad Men.

-- Janaki Cedanna

Click Here for Full Review at TV Fodder: Mad Men: The Arrangements - Review

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Mad Men: Love Among the Ruins - Review

Last weeks season premiere of Mad Men answered some questions raised last season but tonight's episode did little to answer any more. If you're looking for neatly tied up (like Kinsey's ascot) storylines than look elsewhere.

This episode exemplifies why this show is the best thing on television. Brilliant acting, timely but not revisionist history and real reactions are trademarks of this show. By touching on actual events the show never fails to amuse by showing the characters reactions and narrow mindedness. In keeping with this seasons theme of change, the emergence of a new way of thinking abounds. We also get to nail down the time frame for this season to a certainty.

Roger is already married to an unseen Jane and is footing the bill for his daughter's marriage. Peggy feels compelled to assert her sexuality after seeing the opening segment of Bye Bye Birdie (which came out in the spring of 1963) and Joan's effortless charm. While Betty is the poster child of "what not to do while pregnant." And what of Don? Don proves once again why he's so successful at what he does. Repeatedly.

-- Janaki Cedanna

Click Here for Full Review at TV Fodder - Mad Men: Love Among the Ruins - Review (This means you Aria)

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Mad Men: Out of Town - Review

Tonight's triumphant return of Mad Men nearly picks up right where it left off. Right off the bat there are a number of interesting and compelling plot points that may propel this season as the best yet. Seriously. Creator Matthew Weiner has said this season is all about change and man he wasn't kidding.

I was extremely surprised by some of the developments and how the characters handled them. So, with my Lucky Strikes in one hand and a Dewar's Scotch in the other I dug in and at times couldn't believe what I was seeing. A lot happened so . . . on to the review and recap!

Unlike the 2nd season premiere, the season 3 premiere called "Out of Town" did not have a huge time jump. Sure some things happened previously off screen and if I had to guess I would say it was 3-4 months later given the nature of Betty's pregnancy. And there's the matter of the British Invasion! No, not that one. But first things first.

As the episode opens we see the circumstances of Dick Whitman's (aka Don Draper's) birth. Don's in flashback mode as he tries to make some warm milk in the middle of the night. Then the first bomb drops. Turns out Don is the bastard son of a prostitute who died in childbirth. It's also revealed that his father got the prostitute pregnant and after he was born the midwife spilled the beans to the wife when she dropped off the baby to him. After many failed attempts Don's dad couldn't get his wife pregnant and this is why Don's childhood was so hellish. In one line it's clear that his father is not a good person. There was some humor as the prostitute threatens to cut off the d*ick of Don's dad if he got her in "trouble". This is how Don got the name Dick. Nicely done.

We find out that the milk is for none other than a pregnant and sleepless Betty. Yes, the second bomb has dropped. All appears to be good between Don and Betty and they even seem happy. In pregnancy she has reverted back to childlike form. Betty tells Don that she packed a bag for his business trip but he'll have to repack it due to Sally breaking the clasp she blithely tells him that Sally "is taking to your tools like a little lesbian". Gotta love those Bettyisms.

-- Janaki Cedanna

Click Here to Read Full Review at TV Fodder: Mad Men: Out of Town - Review

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AMC's 'Mad Men' Returns in August!

With the 3rd season premiere of AMC's Mad Men on Sunday, August 16th looming large, what can we expect this season? 16 Emmy Nominations for starters.

Welcome to the premiere posting of the new Mad Men Fodder blog page. I will be posting weekly reviews and recaps of the critically acclaimed AMC show as well as news and thoughts on this ground breaking show (better late than never, right?)

The 2009 Primetime Emmy Award nominations were announced last week and the show snagged 16 nominations which is the most of any drama series on television. The 61st Primetime Emmy Awards will be televised on Sunday, September 20th at 8PM on CBS and is hosted by Neil Patrick Harris.

Congratulations to creator Matthew Weiner, Jon Hamm, John Slattery, Elizabeth Moss and all the cast and crew of Mad Men! I was extremely happy with all the noms but definitely thought January Jones, Christina Hendricks and Vincent Kartheiser were very deserving as well. Oh well, maybe next year?

-- Janaki Cedanna

Click Here for Full Story . . .AMC's 'Mad Men' Returns in August!

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