If you aren’t watching AMC’s “Mad Men” then I have a question: Are you insane? I admit, I tried watching it when it first aired and I was so completely put off by all the womanizing, misogyny, bigotry & general arrogance of almost every single character that I swore it off. Watching those first three episodes did nothing but piss me off. But I have seen the error of my ways. I have seen the light and the light is Mad Men. Forgive me gods of television and pop culture, for I knew not what I did.
Mad Men is insanely addictive. I’m not kidding. There are no cliffhangers to tease you into watching. There are no cheap gimmicks or ploys. There is nothing but excellent writing, compelling characters and exceptional acting. Are those reasons not good enough for you? Allow me sway you by using bullet points. They always make everything seem much more valid and seriously important.
1) The Characters – I’ll tell you up front that for the majority of the first season you will probably be disgusted by 99% of the characters. They are, without a doubt, assholes…charming assholes, but assholes nonetheless. HOWEVER, as the show progresses the characters true depths are revealed and you find yourself becoming much more understanding of their choices, even if you don’t agree with all of them. These are some of the most well written, complex and detailed characters you will ever have the pleasure of loving and hating. So if you find yourself recoiling during the first several episodes (just like I did), hang in there and give it a chance. Yes, many of them are still assholes, but they’re complex & compelling assholes and that makes for good entertainment.
2) The Costumes – Holy. Freakin’. Crap. I want just about every single outfit I see on the show (except the shoes…not a fan of kitten heels). If I were a ninja I would sneak into wardrobe and permanently “borrow” all of the women’s clothes. Wait. Stealing is wrong. Ok. If I were a ninja I would take the show’s stylist and keep her locked in my closet with a laptop and a credit card and…wait. That’s kidnapping, isn’t it? Crap. Well the clothes are 100% drool-worthy. And not just the ladies outfits either. The men are dressed to the nines as well. Mad Men has reinforced my belief that more men should wear suits and hats. You hear that fellas? Nice suits and hats. I’m sick of seeing your asses hanging out of the back of your pants. Put a little effort into it. Rock a suit Don Draper style and watch the ladies swoon.
3) The Sets – Is it legal to live on a soundstage? Lots of mid-century modern going on here. I have a design crush on Don & Betty’s headboard…tufted robin’s egg blue velvet? How very, very fabulously 1960’s. If they auction of set pieces at the end of the series I call dibs.
4) C Howard’s Violet Mints – This is, quite possibly, my favorite candy…and it’s an obscure one at that…at least for anyone younger than 70. What does that have to do with Mad Men? Well there seems to be at least one writer on the show who has a soft spot for them because they are constantly being referenced. I think half of the cast has mentioned their pretty purple and silver wrappers. Yes I love my mints, but it’s also a perfect example of the writers’ attention to detail.
Seriously. Watch it. You’ll thank me later. X my heart.
Kisses & Chaos,
Alli Woods Frederick
PS – Even Modcloth* is getting in on the action with their newest line inspired by the swinging 60’s. I’ll take one of each, please and thank you. How freakin’ cute are these?
image credits: via technorati | via the feminist wire | via style redux | via The Maxwells | C Howard’s Violet Mints © 2012 Alli Woods Frederick
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