Review

I've been watching Season One of Mad Men on the iTunes, whilst simultaneously DVR-ing Season Two. I was not that impressed after three episodes and I will admit part of the problem was the continuous smoking put me on Tobacco Tilt. I felt like it was popular simply because of the gimmick of being set in 1960. To be certain, the design and shocking difference in societal standards provide entertainment in and of themselves. But I had yet to form a connection with any of the characters, though I'm not so obtuse I couldn't I recognize the sheer charisma of Don Draper (no homo). But I also actively hated some of the principals (beyond the ones who are purposefully odious).

Well...I'm glad I stuck it out. I stand corrected. Just four episodes later and I'm enthralled. The episode "Red in the Face" was 45-minutes of unparalleled television. Unlike a couple of my other recent favorite shows--The Wire and Deadwood--the writing is not as meaty. Where those two shows demanded you hang on every word to know what's happening, Mad Men delights in the spaces between the dialogue to set the tension. And then Draper delivers the knockout line.

"He's good with the words."