Buzz In: What Did You Think of the First New Mad Men Episode?

August 17, 2009

I won't post any spoilers here, of course, but for those who did watch the season three premiere of Mad Men, we have got to talk about it. What did you think?!

Photo courtesy of AMC

26 Comments

3 years

'I think the beauty of Mad Men is the way it slowly unfolds to show us what the characters have been going through. I think the writers have a lot in store for us in the next few weeks, in terms of showing us what exactly happened during the months that we missed.' I agree with you LilKimbo...this show likes to take its time and although i found this ep disappointing; i am sure that this season will start to pick up soon enough. I loved Don's flashbacks to his mother; what a great way of tying in the fact that Betty's baby is due soon. Poor Pete...he is like alittle child...at least hide your disappointments at work. I just hope that nothing bad happens to Ken, because i have a feeling that Pete will triumph in the end; he always does. Also i wonder why he isn't speaking to his family? Or has much communication with them? His wife certainly alluded to that fact. I have so many questions: Do Pete and his wife now have a child? Will Sal keep Don's one night stand a secret? Will more head's role at Stirling Cooper? This show can be slow sometimes, but it always leaves you guessing and IMO is a great study on human nature and what makes us tick. Pargie - i agree with you; we need some recaps...please give us recaps Buzzsugar. It would make my day.

pargie 3 years

CarerpillarGirl I had just watched True Blood too, so I thought it was a bit slow-but I guess that is to be expected. The way it was hyped up I thought there would be more surprises in store. I was confused by Don's flashback...he was a baby, how would he remember it? I'm a big fan of the show, but thought this was a bit boring...can't wait for this Sunday though, Buzz perhaps you can start doing some recaps?

CaterpillarGirl 3 years

having just watched Trueblood at 9, I was maybe a bit biased but I was disappointed in the season premiere of Mad Men. I guess I am sick of Dons wandering eye, and I dont like the british takeover of Sterling/Cooper. I was actually quite bored with the whole episode.

3 years

I wasnt a fan of the gay scene/

jadenirvana 3 years

The show starts off in the summer of 1963. The Feminine Mystique is published in Feb 1963. Who else is hoping for a shout-out or even a driven storyline around this book?

hausfrau 3 years

buck - I thought the same thing! Joan looked extra curvy which makes me wonder... and the way she said she'd be out of there in a few months? As of last season she wasn't planning on leaving after getting married, so I wonder...Meanwhile, I felt bad for Trudy (still not preggo) and I love Peggy and I was so happy for Sal!I thought it was a calm, even handed opener. I think thats a good sign, we don't want something that comes on too strong and burns out fast.

hausfrau 3 years

buck - I thought the same thing! Joan looked extra curvy which makes me wonder... and the way she said she'd be out of there in a few months? As of last season she wasn't planning on leaving after getting married, so I wonder... Meanwhile, I felt bad for Trudy (still not preggo) and I love Peggy and I was so happy for Sal! I thought it was a calm, even handed opener. I think thats a good sign, we don't want something that comes on too strong and burns out fast.

tiabia 3 years

I'm happy to have it back!For all the reasons of why Don Draper is terrible, we also have those moments of where he is absolutely fantastic. Don's "about business" conversation with Sal was like a watered-down version of his bedside speech to Peggy.I was excited to see Sal finally able to be himself, and as the first commenter said "damn fire".I had to remind myself about what show I was watching and the slow pace to which it moves. I wanted to see some aftermath between Pete and Peggy, but then I remembered this is "Mad Men" and we probably won't get that scoop until episode 4 or 5...and I like that way :-)

tiabia 3 years

I'm happy to have it back! For all the reasons of why Don Draper is terrible, we also have those moments of where he is absolutely fantastic. Don's "about business" conversation with Sal was like a watered-down version of his bedside speech to Peggy. I was excited to see Sal finally able to be himself, and as the first commenter said "damn fire". I had to remind myself about what show I was watching and the slow pace to which it moves. I wanted to see some aftermath between Pete and Peggy, but then I remembered this is "Mad Men" and we probably won't get that scoop until episode 4 or 5...and I like that way :-)

bridgett08 3 years

I was also a little disappointed, but I agree that the way situations on Mad Men start simmering and slowly come to a boil is part of what makes the show great. It gives us something to look forward to. I'm especially excited to find out what Peggy and Pete's relationship is like now, and it seemed like we might get a comment or two about that in next week's episode. I agree, kimretta, it did seem like there was a lot of stuff going on! I also love the Pete vs. Ken situation -- the characters are so different from each other, and I was definitely laughing to myself at a few of their lines last night.

kimretta 3 years

I was cheering for Sal, and it was so interesting to watch his face after he knew Don had caught him — especially during the conversation on the plane when Don pitched the new ad. Loved all the double meanings there. Pitting Pete against Ken seems brilliant, and I loved the contrast in their attitudes, especially Ken's happy-go-lucky "Oh, I won't play their little games — this is great!" speech. I hope we learn more about what happened over the past few months with all of these characters — what Pete and Peggy's relationship is like now, whether Don tried even for a little not to stray once he learned Betty was pregnant, etc. Not to get spoilery, but did anyone else see the scenes from next week's episode? It seemed like a <i>lot</i> to pack into one hour! Also, I'm kind of bummed that Joan's apparently still with her fiance.

kimretta 3 years

I was cheering for Sal, and it was so interesting to watch his face after he knew Don had caught him — especially during the conversation on the plane when Don pitched the new ad. Loved all the double meanings there. Pitting Pete against Ken seems brilliant, and I loved the contrast in their attitudes, especially Ken's happy-go-lucky "Oh, I won't play their little games — this is great!" speech. I hope we learn more about what happened over the past few months with all of these characters — what Pete and Peggy's relationship is like now, whether Don tried even for a little not to stray once he learned Betty was pregnant, etc. Not to get spoilery, but did anyone else see the scenes from next week's episode? It seemed like a lot to pack into one hour! Also, I'm kind of bummed that Joan's apparently still with her fiance.

lilkimbo 3 years

I was somewhat disappointed, but I think the beauty of Mad Men is the way it slowly unfolds to show us what the characters have been going through. I think the writers have a lot in store for us in the next few weeks, in terms of showing us what exactly happened during the months that we missed. I would have liked to have seen more of Betty, though. I know not many people like her, but I think she's one of the most interesting characters, particularly if you look at the way she was almost a child in season one, and was then adolescent like in season two, culminating in her rebellious, teenage-like behavior. I'm curious to see if she's more adult-like now, or if her rebellious behavior continues. Or, if now that her circumstances have changed, she goes back to being child-like again, since she won't have the leeway she had to rebel and explore herself now that she'll have a young child around again.Jad, while I would like to actually to see Peggy in action more, I have to disagree with your other suggestions. I think one of my favorite things about Mad Men is the way these characters are all so unhappy and the fact that we get to watch them cope with their lives, all the while knowing that they will probably never change their lives all that much. I also think one of the great things is the way the characters evolve subtly and on the inside, as opposed to obvious outward evolution. I also have to disagree that the Dick Whitman flashbacks are getting old. I think learning about Don's/Dick's past teaches us so much about who he is now.

lilkimbo 3 years

I was somewhat disappointed, but I think the beauty of Mad Men is the way it slowly unfolds to show us what the characters have been going through. I think the writers have a lot in store for us in the next few weeks, in terms of showing us what exactly happened during the months that we missed. I would have liked to have seen more of Betty, though. I know not many people like her, but I think she's one of the most interesting characters, particularly if you look at the way she was almost a child in season one, and was then adolescent like in season two, culminating in her rebellious, teenage-like behavior. I'm curious to see if she's more adult-like now, or if her rebellious behavior continues. Or, if now that her circumstances have changed, she goes back to being child-like again, since she won't have the leeway she had to rebel and explore herself now that she'll have a young child around again. Jad, while I would like to actually to see Peggy in action more, I have to disagree with your other suggestions. I think one of my favorite things about Mad Men is the way these characters are all so unhappy and the fact that we get to watch them cope with their lives, all the while knowing that they will probably never change their lives all that much. I also think one of the great things is the way the characters evolve subtly and on the inside, as opposed to obvious outward evolution. I also have to disagree that the Dick Whitman flashbacks are getting old. I think learning about Don's/Dick's past teaches us so much about who he is now.

3 years

....it was a solid beginning,...and one in which I imagine the writers are setting us up for some real suprises and some clever character twists...This is where Madmen excels.....like some new painting in Coopers office......we look at it and wonder what it means.??...how should we interpret it..??..like all great art,..it inspires and confounds us simultaneously...When we glimpse into Dons childhood, does it make us reflect and mull over issues of our own past...???...hmmmmm...! Last night stoked my imagination into a frenzy of ---What ifs--What if Duck is in some institution right now??....what if all the inner anger Betty has about her wifely role explodes into some rejection of her own hetrosexuality..??...what if Pete decides to adopt his own son...??...what if Sal quits his job...drops the wife and moves into Grenwich Village..??....how will the JFK assaination affect the characters and Sterling Cooper..??.and where the hell is Chauncey...???

jadenirvana 3 years

A few more thoughts: I find it interesting that the first truly erotic sex scene on this coitus-filled show was Sal's homoerotic bellboy encounter.Sal's flustered, impassioned behavior was a stark contrast to Don's autopilot (ha!) stewardess sex. I also read somewhere that Don's "limit your exposure" line was not just an ad line but a warning to Sal. Didn't pick up on that myself but, interesting idea.

fakeplanettelex 3 years

agree w/pcd on the character development (sans sal). you would think that after the events of last season and w/betty being pregnant, he should at least TRY to change his ways but the first chance he gets, he can't keep his d!!! in his pants. (hahaha dick whitman, get it, sorry bad pun). pete is starting to more annoying than before, and i'm also upset that peggy's revelation didn't do anything? it just seems they jumped into the merger situation but left the character stories behind.

jadenirvana 3 years

Eh. I was disappointed too. I agree with PCD that the character development wasn't really there and the show just didn't up the ante. It made little strides, but it wasn't enough. Seeing Peggy lord over a secretary was ok, but wouldn't it have been better to see her, say, leading an actual creative meeting or directing a photoshoot? And then maybe the model in the photoshoot turns around and lo and behold its Betty Draper? Don could have started his own creative agency, and perhaps goes home that night and wraps his arms around a blonde and then she turns around and it's not Betty. And maybe Joan started a school for secretaries. All these things would have been better than the sense of fatigue that seemed to permeate the characters on last night's episode as they dragged out their typical storylines. The best scenes of the night included the great character foil between slimy Pete Campbell and hilariously dense Ken Cosgrove, as well as Don's awesome and naughty London Fog ad. I hope the rest of the season picks up and adds more eloquence and intrigue like before. The Dick Whitman flashbacks are feeling a little tired no?

YMO 3 years

It's always the subtle things that I like. Don seeing Sal, and then bringing things back to the account on the plane for example. It was nice to see him saying, I don't care what you do in your personal life, I respect you professionally, even if he didn't specifically say it. But poor thing, I was hoping he'd finally get some.

JCP0240 3 years

Thought the season opener was a pretty solid episode. The whole time the flight attendant was on screen all I could think about was Reese Witherspoon. Also I was praying that Don was not going to cheat on Betty, but I should have known better. Poor Sal, as soon as he find a guy to hook up with a fire alarm happens AND Don sees it happening! Love the idea of the competition between Pete and Ken for head of accounts. But I guess the one question I was wondering about the whole time was what is going on with Duck Phillips? Is he still there? Is he working in the London office? Did i miss something?

buckley9383 3 years

Oh... is the actress who plays Joan pregnant? She was looking EXTRA curvy last night.

buckley9383 3 years

So glad it's back! Nothing too crazy happened last night but I think with Mad Men it's all about the set up... I'm anxious to see what happens with the new male secretary. :)

pcd 3 years

I don't know why, but I was slightly disappointed in the first episode of the season. Maybe I was so excited for it to be back, that I hyped it up in my mind. It wasn't horrible, and in fact, most of the Mad Men episodes I love don't come around until the last 1/2 of seasons, but this episode lacked something for me. Yes, people were getting fired and things were shaken up at Sterling Cooper, but I didn't see any progression in the characters. I don't want the season premiere to wrap up all cliffhangers from the finale of the previous season, but I expected some of the characters to act slightly different given the events of the season before. Instead, Don still cheats on Betty, Pete can still be mean and selfish, Joan is still Joan, and Peggy is an overachiever. Which means Don didn't learn anything from the Betty-imposed exile, Pete wasn't humbled by Peggy's confession, Joan didn't leave her fiance...etcSal was the only character that progressed from last season to this season. And poor Sal and his repressed sexuality. I wish he was in a more accepting time-period. The episode did well at establishing the new precarious work environment at Sterling Cooper, though, and the British characters will be interesting throughout the season, I think. Overall, I didn't think it was a bad episode, it just wasn't as good as I wished. I still have high hopes and high expectations for the season though! (Will Don tell Betty his real identity?)

pcd 3 years

I don't know why, but I was slightly disappointed in the first episode of the season. Maybe I was so excited for it to be back, that I hyped it up in my mind. It wasn't horrible, and in fact, most of the Mad Men episodes I love don't come around until the last 1/2 of seasons, but this episode lacked something for me. Yes, people were getting fired and things were shaken up at Sterling Cooper, but I didn't see any progression in the characters. I don't want the season premiere to wrap up all cliffhangers from the finale of the previous season, but I expected some of the characters to act slightly different given the events of the season before. Instead, Don still cheats on Betty, Pete can still be mean and selfish, Joan is still Joan, and Peggy is an overachiever. Which means Don didn't learn anything from the Betty-imposed exile, Pete wasn't humbled by Peggy's confession, Joan didn't leave her fiance...etc Sal was the only character that progressed from last season to this season. And poor Sal and his repressed sexuality. I wish he was in a more accepting time-period. The episode did well at establishing the new precarious work environment at Sterling Cooper, though, and the British characters will be interesting throughout the season, I think. Overall, I didn't think it was a bad episode, it just wasn't as good as I wished. I still have high hopes and high expectations for the season though! (Will Don tell Betty his real identity?)

Smacks83 3 years

Sal finally almost got some!! Damn fire. Plus, Don pretty much saw him!!! Joan's getting really bitchy and Pete's a real little whiner! And Sal almost GOT SOME!I thought I was going to swoon and faint after that episode. I love me some Mad Men and so glad its back! Ugh, no one else I know saw it so its nice to be able to get that out. Thx!

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