With the final season of Mad Men returning at an undetermined date in April, I will re-watch the first four seasons and watch the following two-and-a-half seasons for the first time. After each season, I will share my thoughts on the show.
Season 1
Season 2
As I expected, Mad Men has taken a step back from character arcs in the third season. The characters aren't changing as much from the beginning of the season to the end of the season like previous ones. Betty Draper makes the move towards becoming an independent woman, Peggy Olson keeps trying new things to different results, Pete Campbell grows up ever so slowly, and Don Draper stays the same mostly.
Yet again, the Draper marriage takes up a large portion of the season. Three months after the end of the second season, they appear amicable with Don mostly trying hard to please Betty to little avail. It doesn't last of course - not only does Don initiate an affair with Sally's teacher - but Betty has a small affair of her own (albeit with no actual sex.)
The marriage is less interesting than one of the defining moments of the season: when Don opens up to Betty about who he really is. She's the first person he reveals the mostly complete truth about his past as Dick Whitman with very few omissions. (Naturally, he leaves out his extensive list of woman he's cheated on her with). And then after he's opened up with her, she leaves him. Don Draper is sure to go back to his old self if there was any hope before. (And really there wasn't that much hope.)
Meanwhile at Sterling Cooper, they are bought out by the British ad agency, PPL, with Lane Pryce serving as a liaison. His tactics prove effective and crude when he purposefully plays Campbell against Ken Cosgrove. Campbell proves his own usual, whiny self in his reaction to the admittedly underhanded move. This of course is concluded when Pete calls in sick to interview for another job and he finally gets validation from Don Draper that he wants Pete.
Speaking of the that, "Shut the Door, Have a Seat" is the best Mad Men episode so far and second place isn't close. Mad Men rarely allows for thrilling and exciting episodes, but that episode is one of the most awesome they've ever done. The characters rush to make a new company and it's basically a "bring the team together" episode, which I unapologetically love. My opinion of Mad Men in the annals of classic TV rose solely due to this episode.
Roger Sterling spends the third season deluding himself into believing he's happy with an inferior replacement for Joan, who he really wants to be with. He has this sense of uselessness pervade throughout the season, culminating in his decision to ultimately help start a new company. Joan marries a rich doctor, or at least that's what she thought she married. Unfortunately, her husband proves incompetent and Joan is forced to go back to work. Although, the new company is a blessing in actuality as its clear she doesn't really want to quit her job (despite attempts to convince herself). Her husband's financial failures are less of a problem than that he's an abusive asshole.
It's actually funny in hindsight that the writers seem to come to a narrative endpoint with most of its characters. Joan would never have worked for Sterling Cooper again, Roger was essentially useless in his role, Pete and Peggy seemed to be on his way out sooner rather than later, and Lane was forced to move to a new country if kept at his position with PPL. Hell, even Don was in the much-feared contract that he was forced to sign which was ironically how he was able to get fired and start the new company.
For the third season, Jared Harris was a great addition, providing a character longing for stability who is the classic company man. He does everything they want him to do, which means they give him all the positions that nobody else wants. His wife wants to move back to England, but he just wants to stay in one place so he can have a life.
Ultimately, I don't have a lot to say about this season. I couldn't say whether this was my favorite season - this show is remarkably consistent if nothing else - but it featured my favorite episode by far. Ever so slightly, my opinion of this show is rising and at this rate, I may actually consider it one of the best shows of all-time.
Playlist
1. "To Be Loved" - The Pentagons
2. "Bye Bye Birdie" - Ann-Margret
3. "Memories of You" - Ben Webster
4. "Me Voy a Morir de Tanto Amor" - Alberto Iglesias
5. "Song to Woody" - Bob Dylan
6. "Sixteen Tons" - Tennessee Ernie Ford
7. "Dominque" - Singing Nuns
8. "Where is Love" - Oliver
9. "The End of the World" - Skeeter Davis
10. "Shahdaroba" - Roy Orbison
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