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)

Alright, I decided to revisit this series after a while to see if it still holds up for me, which it does. The opening episodes are typically all about setting the scene (which is to be expected), but I was so engrossed in getting to know everything again that I just couldn't bring myself to give it a lower rating. (10/10/2019)

So, the plot of the second episode felt lackluster compared to the first one, and I was dead set on giving it just three stars. But, I gotta hand it to them, the creators really cracked me up. Even though I watched this series about three years back, the scene where Peggy struggles with being treated like just another pretty face by all the guys in the office totally got me. Peggy!!!!! :-DDDDDDD (10/10/2019)

Peggy's presence didn't exactly jazz up the third episode for me. The creators kept Don locked in his enigmatic bubble, acting all cryptic, which honestly just left me scratching my head. And even though the retro vibes were on point, they couldn't quite rescue it for me. I was hoping for more. (10/10/2019)

The plot shifted gears from weird family gatherings back to the nitty-gritty of client negotiations, and let me tell you, I was not yawning during the resolution of the Campbells' housing dilemma and Pete's hustle for a better spot and paycheck. (12/10/2019)

So, the world of advertising took a bit of a backseat in this one, but you know what? It didn't bug me too much because there was still plenty going on. Okay, a lot of it was pretty subtle stuff, but it was all crucial for the storyline. And let's not forget about Christina Hendricks, who once again knocked it out of the park. (12/10/2019)

The episode unfolded with a relaxed, leisurely pace, but you know what? I didn't really mind. It actually gave me time to pick up on some intriguing details. And hey, it reinforced my suspicion that today's fierce feminists might raise an eyebrow or two while watching the series. It was great to see Christina Hendricks back in action, balancing her role and the world of advertising. Sure, I might mention her a lot (sorry, not sorry), but hey, you gotta appreciate her talent. (13/10/2019)

You know, I don't think I've given January Jones enough credit for her role in Mad Men. I mean, I'd mainly seen her in teenage comedies before this, so seeing her in a serious role here was a pleasant surprise. This episode really focused on Roger Sterling, who's always been such an interesting and funny character. I had a blast watching it! (13/10/2019)

Episode eight was all about advertising and even more about the tangled web of relationships. In any other show, it could've easily veered into soap opera territory, but not here. The creators somehow managed to infuse even the romantic subplot with a melancholic vibe that really hit the spot for me. Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed this episode. (14/10/2019)

Whenever the focus shifts away from the inner workings of Sterling Cooper, my interest tends to wane a bit. But hey, Don Draper's recruitment to the competition kept things plenty entertaining this time around, so I didn't find myself nodding off. (14/10/2019)

I was intrigued by the plot right from the start. It shifted seamlessly from tackling Betty's home-front issues to the highs and lows of the advertising world, wrapping up with a valuable lesson about not burning yourself out at work, which can seriously mess with your health. (15/10/2019)

Something totally unexpected happened. Even though Peggy was front and center for pretty much the whole episode, I didn't once feel the urge to hit fast forward. And shockingly enough, I actually really enjoyed it. Sure, the world's got more mysterious mysteries (like the Bermuda Triangle), but still... (15/10/2019)

I have to give props to this episode for offering something for everyone. Politics buffs got to enjoy the intense showdown between Nixon and JFK over White House accommodations, party lovers had a blast with the office party, believers witnessed the death and resurrection of Donald Draper, and crime fans got a juicy blackmail plot. I loved it all. (16/10/2019)

The season finale was just as entertaining as the last episode. This time, the spotlight was more on Betty Draper, but the creators didn't skimp on the action at Sterling Cooper or forget about the other characters. We got to see Peggy hit both the highest and lowest points of her life all in 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)