Mad Men - Season 1

This week I finished the first season of Mad Men.  I had very minimal exposure to what Mad Men was about when I started it, and I think that is almost always a good thing.

What I knew was that it was a show based in the 1960s about an advertising agency.  I knew Jon Hamm was in it, but only because of his appearances on SNL.  (Particularly, his The Curse skit.  I didn't know until now how ridiculous it was.)  I knew January Jones was in it, but also only because SNL, and her appearance didn't seem that outstanding.  And lastly, I knew a lot of people really liked the show. 

If you enjoy watching shows with a clean slate of expectation, then don't continue reading this.

I'm not completely sure what my definite opinion of Mad Men is just yet.  I'm going to continue watching the series to more clearly formulate my thoughts.  The idea that I need more than a season's worth of Mad Men to make an opinion should mean something.  The show is slow.  Very slow.  It is very interesting and thought-provoking, but it is no 24 or Lost.  The characters are slow-cooking, like in a crock-pot.  Bits and pieces are quite exciting, and occasionally humorous, but mostly the show is about average people doing average things.  Don Draper, the main character played by Jon Hamm, is mysterious and confusing.  His character is what makes the show watchable.  You find yourself wondering how he lives with himself; but at the same time, you are confused by how he came to be and it makes you question your premature judgments. 

The show has won many awards.  I don't know if those awards are warranted from great acting, writing or directing yet.  But I do know the awards with scene and costume deserve it.  It is amazing how relevant to the era it is.  The skinny ties.  The suits.  The slicked-back hair.  The smoking.  It makes you feel like you were in New York City in the 1960s.  The cinematography is very good, too.  All the scenes look like your grandparents' old photographs, all sepia and faded.  They have strangely been able to adapt that old look with a modern feel that transcends time. 

The show, while scandalous at times, seems to be teaching the viewer lessons about life in each episode.  A perspective that is different from ours, but one that our society has already experienced.  It is just intriguing enough to delve deeper.