Mad Men

The best series with a retro vibe that I've seen so far, although I do think that it may cause heart attacks among militant feminists and the anti-smoking and anti-drinking league. It's really interesting to see where some boundaries have shifted in fifty years. If I were an average American today, I'd probably need to see my therapist straight away. Being an average European, I enjoyed the series and had a great time. (01.08.2016)

I enjoyed the first season a lot. The modern times are over-filled with silicon (computers, cellphones, implants, etc.), so I love series with a retro vibe and Mad Men are certainly great in this respect. In addition to Christina Hendricks as Joan Holloway, I especially appreciated the quality of the script with very well written dialogues. (16.10.2019)

So, after some time, I returned to this series to see if it still works for me, and it turned out that the ad in which the green jerk (read asshole) from Alza does not appear still amuses me a lot. The opening episodes are traditionally introductory (it couldn't be otherwise), but here I was getting acquainted so intensively that I couldn't give a weaker rating. (10.10.2019)

The plot of the second episode seemed significantly weaker compared to the previous one, and I was clearly determined to give it only three stars. However, I had to reluctantly add one more star because the creators almost took my breath away. Although I watched the series about three years ago, I was completely blown away by the scene in which Peggy struggles with being viewed as a mere sexual object by all the men in the company. Peggy!!!!! :-DDDDDDD (10.10.2019)

Peggy didn't significantly spice up the third episode for me, the creators left Don in his overly mysterious bubble, behaving in an extremely incomprehensible way, and the fantastic retro atmosphere couldn't entirely save it for me. I didn't enjoy it as much as I expected, so I had to lower my rating. (10.10.2019)

From the fourth episode, I had a much better feeling than from the previous one. The plot returned from strange family celebrations back to demanding negotiations with clients, I wasn't bored by resolving the housing issue of the Campbells, and definitely not by Pete's efforts for a better position/salary. (12.10.2019)

The world of advertising may have retreated into the background again, but this time it didn't bother me so much because there was still something happening. True, it was mostly very subtle matters, but I think they were very important for the story. Well, and not to forget, Christina Hendricks once again perfectly utilized the opportunities she finally had. (12.10.2019)

The plot of the sixth episode had a calm and slow pace, but in the end, I didn't really mind it too much because I learned some interesting details. It reaffirmed my belief that today's fierce feminists would be appalled while watching the series. I was glad that there was space again for both Christina Hendricks and work in advertising. I have a feeling that mentioning Christina Hendricks so often might bother someone (if anyone actually reads my ramblings). Well, get used to it. (13.10.2019)

I think I haven't yet praised January Jones for her role as a housewife in Mad Men, whom I mainly knew from teenage comedies. Here, I saw her for the first time in a serious role and I think she fit perfectly. The episode revolved mainly around Roger Sterling, and because he is an interesting and funny character, I enjoyed it. (13.10.2019)

The eighth episode was mostly about advertisements and even more about interpersonal relationships. While elsewhere everything would have slipped into soap opera romance, here the creators managed to create a sympathetically depressive atmosphere even from the romantic plot, which pleased me quite a lot, and I truly enjoyed the episode. (14.10.2019)

Whenever the episodes focus too little on the business of Sterling Cooper, my interest somewhat decreases. Fortunately, Don Draper's recruitment to the competition was sufficiently entertaining, so I wasn't bored this time either. (14.10.2019)

The plot of the tenth episode appeared interesting to me from the beginning, moving from solving Betty's problems on the home front to successes and failures in the advertising world, ending with the lesson that one should not overexert themselves at work as it could have a negative impact on their health. (15.10.2019)

An unprecedented event occurred. Although almost the entire episode revolved around Peggy, I did not feel the need to push the fast forward button to advance the plot, and to my own surprise, I quite enjoyed it. Sure, the world is full of more mysterious matters (such as the Bermuda Triangle), but still... (15.10.2019)

I had to appreciate the twelfth episode deservedly, because it brought a plot from which everyone could choose their own. For politics lovers, there was a balanced battle over accommodation in the White House between Richard Nixon and J. F. K., party participants were pleased with the office rampage, for believers, there was the death and resurrection of Donald Draper, and there was also a blackmail plot for fans of the crime genre. I liked it all. (16.10.2019)

The finale of the first season was as entertaining as the previous episode. This time, the creators focused more on the character of Betty Draper, but they did not neglect the events at Sterling Cooper and did not forget about other people, so I could see how Peggy found herself at the top and the lowest point of her life during one afternoon. (16.10.2019)

The second season continued to deliver that magnificent period atmosphere that I loved in the first one, bolstered by incredibly well-written characters, dialogue, and, of course, the story itself. Sure, there were moments here and there that I could nitpick, but on the whole, I was satisfied. / Lesson learned: If you're ever planning a trip to the sixties, brace yourself for a cultural shock. (07.06.2022)

This series is incredibly well-crafted. Each episode easily earns three stars from me just for the fantastic retro atmosphere alone. Once again, the plot didn't solely revolve around the agency; as always, the creators gave us a peek into the private lives of each character. But the main question of this episode was clear: Where do we go from here? / Lesson learned: Getting ready for a medical exam? Expect the doctor to restrict all your guilty pleasures. (03.06.2022)

I find myself with nothing to criticize. The atmosphere and Joan are consistently perfect. When an interesting plot and excellently written dialogues surround these two constants, why would I complain? But really, if I had never heard of the series and someone recommended it to me as a great story set in the world of an advertising agency in the late fifties and early sixties, I might have been hesitant to dive in. To my own detriment. / Lesson learned: Misfortunes and disasters can sometimes generate humor. The pitch-black kind. Is it a paradox or a self-preservation instinct? (03.06.2022)

The creators have once again delivered a solid job, which I've come to expect as a certainty. The atmosphere was great, the acting performances were on point, but there was just something missing for me to give it that fifth star. I was hoping for a slightly more engaging plot. This one was filled with Utz chips, the Schilling couple (for those who've seen it, you'll get it), and discussions about horses, but I didn't quite get anything beyond the standard. / Lesson learned: Don't bite the hand that feeds you. (04.06.2022)

In my review of the previous episode,I mentioned that I didn't get anything extra, and in the very next episode delivered. Mr. Sterling's new hobby, a new priest, a battle for a new contract, and the family dynamics at the Drapers provided just the right amount of excitement the storyline needed for me to really get into it. I can totally see how male chauvinists and fans of the patriarchy would be getting off watching this show, while militant feminists might be ripping their hair out. / Lesson Learned: It's nice when you know exactly what you're getting and how much it'll cost you. (04.06.2022)